24 ICSA TODAY
M
y first memory of creating art was in the
Los Angeles public school system. The
teachers had us painting every day. I
also remember other creative activities,
such as constructing boats and drawing the Los
Angeles Harbor on the playground. I took art
classes all through school. However, joining the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON) the day after college graduation put
a 10-year hold on my art. The ISKCON leaders
allowed us to do artwork only if it was part of our
service, such as the devotees who did illustrations
for the books.
During my decade in ISKCON, I lost not only my
permission to do artwork, but also my soul. I
worked in the ISKCON public relations (PR) office,
and it was my job to make the organization look
good. I wrote positive news for the PR newspaper,
the ISKCON World Review. I knew about crime
taking place within the organization—drug
smuggling, assault, and murder—but in most
cases I just closed my eyes and lived in denial. In
a couple of situations, I acknowledged a guru’s
bad behavior, but told myself any offenders would
soon be expelled or excommunicated because
they did not represent the real organization.
My Journey Back
to Myself
After ISKCON
By Nori Muster
abstract
surrealism—
M
y first memory of creating art was in the
Los Angeles public school system. The
teachers had us painting every day. I
also remember other creative activities,
such as constructing boats and drawing the Los
Angeles Harbor on the playground. I took art
classes all through school. However, joining the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON) the day after college graduation put
a 10-year hold on my art. The ISKCON leaders
allowed us to do artwork only if it was part of our
service, such as the devotees who did illustrations
for the books.
During my decade in ISKCON, I lost not only my
permission to do artwork, but also my soul. I
worked in the ISKCON public relations (PR) office,
and it was my job to make the organization look
good. I wrote positive news for the PR newspaper,
the ISKCON World Review. I knew about crime
taking place within the organization—drug
smuggling, assault, and murder—but in most
cases I just closed my eyes and lived in denial. In
a couple of situations, I acknowledged a guru’s
bad behavior, but told myself any offenders would
soon be expelled or excommunicated because
they did not represent the real organization.
My Journey Back
to Myself
After ISKCON
By Nori Muster
abstract
surrealism—
