The [Cistercian] monks eat it up, seeing that our faith and practices are so similar to theirs, even down to the shaved heads and exotic robes. There is a feeling of instant brotherhood, cross-institutional familiarity. Prabhupada is the dynamic authority, delivering the gospel in a way they understand…We follow with kirtan, which quickly moves from the sublime to the boisterous as the monks push their chairs away and clap and dance with us, some laughing with glee despite themselves, their innocent faces glistening with holy rapture. Ba-boom- BOOM! Kirtan ends, the monks bow down while Prabhupada recites Sanskrit prayers, then rise as one, somewhat stunned. (I’m thinking, “See, it’s the same thing, but we have more fun!”)