(Dark) Star on the Science Channel
BY: KRISHNA DASA
Apr 07, 2012 — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — Nischintya das (ACBSP) aka James Higgins III (dark) Star on the Science Channel.
We just surrendered to a TV after decades without the insidious maya in our house. I couldn't take the pressure from the kids and wife anymore -- a notch down on the tapasya ladder. I, however, didn't watch it... until last night (Friday, April 6th), when I succumbed to the male species favorite pastime of channel surfing.
As I flipped through the drone of drek, a familiar face flashed by my vision. I quickly toggled back. Yes, that's Nischintya das, a Prabhupada disciple who has lived most of his life in Hawaii and Los Angeles. He is one of the subjects of a reality type show hosted by the famous actor/comedian, Robin Williams. However, this role was a departure from his humorous roles; he was lending his prestige to an obviously anti-drug message program.
According to Nischintya's LinkIn page, he is the proprietor of ISKCON and an "Evolutionary Astrologer" there also:
James E. Higgins III, Owner, ISKCON
Greater Los Angeles Area Think Tanks
Current Evolutionary Astrologer at ISKCON
Owner? ...at ISKCON? I don't think so. Anyway, I wondered what kind of big preaching he was doing on a program showing the effects of different illegal substances on abusers' abilities to perform various tasks. Each of the participants shot up or inhaled off camera just before they were given various tasks. (I'm not sure how the producers handled the legalities of facilitating their lighting up and injections.)
When Robin introduced "James" as a continuous 40 year marijuana user, I looked again more closely. Could it be? Yep, there are his kunti mala -- Prabhupada's dog collar -- hanging around his neck; it's him! Somehow the show's producers had cast him as a real-life unrepentant, life-long bhang addict. They were not hiring actors; they vetted real addicts. I panicked. This could be very bad for an already uphill struggle to preach Krishna consciousness in North America. What if he preaches the glories of pot-smoking as a shortcut to raganuga-bhakti -- or worse!
The show went on for an hour, and I bit my nails to the quick, hoping for the first time ever that Krishna's name would NOT be mentioned. Fortunately, there wasn't a whisper about Hare Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, or ISKCON.
Nischintya's performance (not as an actor, which he wasn't hired to be, but in actually accomplishing goals) was severely impaired by his being "high". God forbid that you depend on him for quick thinking or reflexes. He is a mellow, happy camper throughout all the tests, but I'm certain that is not what Srila Prabhupada meant when he said, "Chant and be happy."
All these years of seeing his smiling countenance, I thought he was so mellow due to his sadhana. Illusioned, once again. I've heard that a surprising number of old devotees smoke marijuana, but I found it hard to believe. Krishna consciousness is so nice; what's the need? Nothing surprises me now. (I'm sure that I'll be saying that again.) Seems just yesterday I was saying that about Prabhavisnu's convincing performance for the past decade. And before that... Umapati, Satsvarupa, Param Gati, Nitai Chand, et al. Yikes! I'm not sure who to believe anymore. Oh, yes I am: Srila Prabhupada.
Morals: Don't watch tv. And what you see is not always what you should believe.
Your Body on Drugs
TV-14 (L)
Robin Williams, who's experienced both the highs and lows of substance abuse, hosts a groundbreaking TV experiment. 4 heavy users on 4 of America's most abused drugs perform a series of physical tests to show exactly how drugs work.
From his Facebook:
Nischintya Dasa - The Wizard of Cause!
Published author.
Renowned astrologer to celebrities and high profile figures; Timothy Leary was the first.
Modern day WIZARD.
Helped found the Hare Krishna movement in the West by co-establishing the BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust)
Initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada
Siska disciple of Srila Gurudeva (Narayana M.)
38 years of Devoted Krishna service
Strict vegetarian
preparing healers for their clients
guiding dead lost souls to the light
creating specific tinctures and (love) potions
everything expected from a clairvoyant intuitive (which some people refer to as psychic.)
Specialties
Reads Akashic Records, which is the Collective Consciousness of ALL Time. Can go into a trancelike state and emerge with information about ANYONE and ANY of their PAST LIVES.
Some people are not so much interested in their own past life, but, in the past life of their significant other, and whether or not they shared a past life together. In special circumstances a past life of your pet can even be gleaned.
