The other day one of my clients was telling me about one of the new singers by the name of Lady Ga Ga and had I heard any of her music or seen any pictures of her; NO after a short reply I was told that I didn’t know what I am missing.

Well one of my clients leave’s me the paper at the start of my night shift that I am unfortunately doing and their was a picture of Lady Ga Ga in what can only be described as her under-ware at night when the temperatures were -2 degrees centigrade (28.4 degrees Fahrenheit) my initial reaction was you most truly are a bit gaga if your out wearing practically nothing in these temperatures. But it did get her a vast amount of publicity and no doubt helped sell many records.

Now a bit later I was checking up on the internet news to find one of the headlines announcing that a well loved Australian actress had let it be known that she was willing to pose for Play boy, her career was in a bit of a down turn and needed a bit of a kick start; well there is some logic take my clothes off then I will be noticed and yes it will be in a tasteful way. And not forgetting the most publicised socialite and apparent role model for those who want to live the high life Paris Hilton who it is rumoured to have made get another porn film after all isn’t this why she’s famous any way?

Then I caught the end of a BBC Radio 4 broadcast the young schoolgirls were explaining how some were under pressure to download clips of themselves in a naked or semi-naked state in order to be popular (or at least noticed and liked by the boys). They also noted that these were not the popular girls but those who were insecure or wanted to be popular and thus targeted by the boys and coerced into such actions.

Whilst working in the hospital I was on occasions asked to work on other units so at times dealt with plastic surgery and there were usually a number of young girls their having their breast enlarged. To my surprise one of two questions were usually asked (I am unsure if they were genuine of just to see if they could embarrass me) “What do you think?” “Do you think my boyfriend will like them?” Hum! Is this the only reason you had the surgery to be noticed? Are you more interesting than your breast? Why ask me actually I’m more concerned about post op care and any way they will reduce slightly once the swelling goes down. After all they were actually attractive with or without a large chest. Their was one noticeable acceptation a young girl who had a reduction after surgery she was crying as it was the first time she could breath properly and her back did not hurt as it had, but she asked one simple question “will my boyfriend still like me?” Was she no more than the sum of her body? Is this all she had to offer, she was after all very intelligent, witty and funny

Are looks really that important? Are we just educating that you have to be and act in a certain way? To be available, alluring and sexual?

You see it is only in Krishna Consciousness that these things truly do not matter, we see also how truly attractive our women are, that they do not feel the need to strip off half naked or parade on the street’s half naked or release a porn move or two. But actually they are noticed or in many cases not noticed by the amazing work done in Krishna’s service.

That they truly understand the meaning of femininity and the strength that comes from this.

Ask yourself one simple question how many centres would survive if it weren’t for these strong selfless women? Not many.

We see that within our temples that it is qualification that counts, I am aware of the arguments put forward by many when women were allowed to be Pujari’s, but we see the logical argument put forward by Srila Prabhupada on qualification rather than identification or gender a true incite into equality.

But my thoughts then turned to this; my mind is unsteady at times and if by Krishna’s mercy I am fortunate to make it back home in this lifetime then I am relived from the suffer of material life. However if not the laws of material nature will mean I take birth again if I am fortunate in a human form and if my understanding is correct then I will be forced into a female body, how will I cope?

Ok so the laws of nature will mean I will take on that role and identify with the body given. But the thought of ending up an object of sexual desire with the belief that to get noticed I have act and perform in a certain way and if I am not noticed I am some how a failure fills me with fear.

My only wish then would be is that I would be fortunate enough to be born into a devotee family (we have some fine examples especially at the Manor) or fortunate enough to come into and take shelter of devotees as we see the extraordinary changes to individuals more so the young women who over time we see the softening of their face’s and a sparkle return to the eyes relived from the pressures of being a sex object.

I am reminded of a statement once made a women’s life is rougher and tougher than that experienced by any man, but then I am in a man’s body so will truly never fully understand.

And there is truly nothing more attractive than a devotee.