Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/02/13/MN120924.DTL

On February 13, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported on couple Subal Smith and Tulsi Briones, who both grew up in the Hare Krishna movement during the 1970s and who "both drifted away from the Hindu sect once they were out on their own." Briones recalls being the weirdo at her public school in Texas because she was "the only one who believed in the little blue Smurf God...Smith has good memories of growing up with the Krishnas...'It was incredible to be living on the land, and being a farmhand [at a Krishna boarding school in the Sierra foothills]. I was 10 or 11 and had a great experience." Members of the sect do not see a need for material possessions. Although the two no longer consider themselves believers, "it's a part of their lives. 'You don't need to be in the movement to maintain a connection to Krishna, or develop a relationship with God,' Briones said." She still chants the Hare Krishna mantra to make herself feel safe and comforted.