In the 1970s he joined ISKCON, popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement. Richard came in contact with Hare Krishna mantra through the musical Hair, that had then just arrived in London. One of the centerpieces of the musical was the whole cast dancing on stage and singing Hare Krishna. Later, Richard's sister bought the record, which caught his imagination. After that, he and his friends used to sing Hare Krishna "without really knowing what it was about". Around the same time, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had sent six of his very early disciples from America to London. Later, they recorded Hare Krishna mantra with The Beatles on the Radha Krishna Temple album. In radio interviev with Alex Chadwick Ranchor Prime recalls: "I saw the devotees once or twice, the Hare Krishna devotees, singing on Kings Road in Chelsea. A friend of mine said, "Why don't you come along, they're really nice people." I met them, and it was one of those moments in life when I knew that I belonged here with these people". Richard recalls, that it took him about three days to become a Hare Krishna monk.