Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Cleveland, Ohio Walking is Observing   I walked in at least two residential areas of Cleveland. I saw more blue jays and squirrels than people. People! Where do they hide? Cars, homes, gyms and restaurants, I suppose. I thought everyone was miss…

Olmsted, Ohio First Full Day in Cleveland   Brae and I walked for a japa session in this American-dream neighbourhood of expansive yards, fine homes and swimming pools. We came to a juncture and there met a middle-aged couple who stopped their …

Cleveland, Ohio Went to the U.S.   Well, I did it. I left Canada for a visit to the U.S. for the first time since Covid restrictions were implemented. It has been tight at the border since early spring of 2020. My experience at Toronto’s airpor…

Yorkville, Toronto Poem for the Clan   Answering to belated birthday messages is a pleasurable task, really, and in the midst of it I managed to pull together, within minutes, a poem about my still-living siblings and I. There’s no real spiritu…

The Annex, Toronto On the Way to Get Tested   To go to The States requires that I take a covid test. The clinic where I could get this done was just a 2-kilometre distance away. Job was completed and on my return I walked down Wells St. when I …

Brampton, Ontario I’m 69   Twenty-one years ago, the film “The Legend of Baggar Vance” was released, where Will Smith plays the role of the name mentioned in the title. The name “Baggar Vance” is an interesting angle on the Sanskrit word Bhagav…

Yorkville, Toronto Thank You All   Usually when it is one of our birthdays, my siblings and I make that Zoom call and chat away, wishing the birthday boy or girl a happy occasion. This evening the six of us came together by the grapevine to ack…

Ottawa, Ontario Surrender NOW   Prahlad’s story is described in the 7th Canto of the book, Bhagavatam. He reveals, through the text, his high level of realizations and pandit-ism. With our morning discussion at the Bhakta Prahlad Montessori Sch…

Russell, Ontario Day of Wisdom and Warmth   Roman and I took the scenic root on Highway 7 through the ancient Shield countryside, then through super-flat but fertile farmland, by car, before we reached the newly acquired farm in Russell, Ontario…

Ramsden Park, Toronto Through the Park   Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once wrote “The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.” I see beauty in quiet and being solo can calm me down. It brings out the best in me. I believe also in more wa…

Yorkville, Toronto Loose Tongue Monster (About Gossip)   My latest poem:   Gossip is the cowardly unofficial occupation of a jerk Volunteers are either on part or full-time work Call it a toxic tongue, a plague worse than a pandemic A dirt…

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto Fortunate   Once a week I get to see godbrothers (go bros for short) and godsisters (I prefer no abbreviation here) on Zoom. These souls I have the greatest reverence towards. Many of them are pioneers of Krishna Conscious…

Rosedale, Toronto What the Big Deal About Cleaning   One of our members expressed an apprehension about cleaning but my argument on the point goes like this: “Our whole culture is about cleaning, whether it be the heart, your temple, your house…

Ramsden Park, Toronto I’ve Been Seeing Them   While sitting at a park bench, a curious soul came next to me. She is part Cree, part French, which makes her a Metis. She started talking even before an introduction. “I sometimes go to Govinda’s t…

Hospitals on University Ave Taking a Walk to See Mary   There we went swiftly on our feet – Dhruva from Calgary, Satya from Montreal and I – down University Ave in the hospital district. Many of these establishments are renowned for their resea…

High Park, Toronto Something Special   Something special happens on Saturday with events that occur at Toronto’s popular High Park. I can’t confess to know all that goes on at this green piece of relief from Big City dynamics, but one thing is …

Ramsden Park, Toronto It’s That Time   It’s that time again – time for another production. This one is called “The Embassy,” based on the script from playwright “Bhasa.” The story is an intense display of emotional clashing between Duryodhana an…

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto Three Reps Mentioned   We had a nice discussion from The Gita,chapter 10, text 27, highlighting at least three representations of God. The chapter is entitled “Opulence of the Absolute.” Our Thursday Zoom group delved into…

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto Three Reps Mentioned   We had a nice discussion from The Gita,chapter 10, text 27, highlighting at least three representations of God. The chapter is entitled “Opulence of the Absolute.” Our Thursday Zoom group delved into…

The Annex, Toronto The Gratitude in Rain   My walk to the shiatzu centre was a pleasant movement through the rain under an umbrella. It was a few minutes of contemplation. I find that rain often does that; heightens the pensive nature in us. As…

The Annex, Toronto The Gratitude in Rain   My walk to the shiatzu centre was a pleasant movement through the rain under an umbrella. It was a few minutes of contemplation. I find that rain often does that; heightens the pensive nature in us. As…

Mississauga, Ontario Cool Dog, Cool Dude   Coco is a household super dog at the Mississauga home of Pusta Krishna and Tejasvi. He is a 2-year-old full of energy who recognizes strangers. Well, when I went to visit the family, he singled me out,…

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto Foundations   It was rather stimulating sharing the spot by Zoom as part of a panel discussion with Vaisesika and Kalakanta, with Anuttama as moderator. We went for an hour’s duration on the topic “Books Are the Basis.” We…

Bracebridge, Ontario Getting Inspired in Bracebridge   Staying with the Patel family in Bracebridge for a night and pursuing that morning walk by various falls on the Muskoka River is always inspiring. What could be more captivating than moving…

High Park/Bracebridge. The Special Day of the Week   I look forward to Saturday primarily because in the afternoon we go to High Park for “the prime benediction for humanity at large.” That quote is from Chaitanya’s written testimony regarding …

Yorkville, Toronto Nice Encounter   “Are you a Christian monk?” is what I heard when sauntering on Cumberland St. I turned around and stopped to see four young men looking wholesome and fairly clean cut. I responded with, “A Krishna monk!” “O…

Yorkville, Toronto Reactions to a Walking Monk   I took a stroll to Yorkville where cafes are cool and people are too. For me it’s always interesting to see people’s reactions to some monk gliding through at an early night hour. The place is pr…

The Annex, Toronto Beauty and Time   The weather these days could not be better. Though we were met by an exhilarating storm overnight, replete with lightning, thunder, wind and rain. Thankfully the storm settled down by the moment Krishna Chan…

Brampton, Ontario Nightguard?   “Don’t you have a nightguard?” asked the woman. I had to think about the question in the context of a dental clinic space. We are not talking about a security guard standing outside of our temple ashram, keeping…

Bay St., Toronto A Stroll for Radha Like Krishna’s birthday, which attracted attendees early in the morning, on this day, Radhastami, celebrating when Krishna’s consort was born, a good number of people arrived. It was bold of them. It demonstrates…

Hamilton / Etobicoke The Richness of Rain and Mantra   I get so much joy from being with the group of Ukrainian/Russian bhakti yogis. Today was about a year ago when Igor opened up his backyard to a host of us for the regular “devotee thing” — …

Brampton / High Park Getting About   “It’s been 20 years since that incident,” remarked Meghan. Of course, she was referring to 9/11 and the Twin Towers of New York. Yes, it was tragic and the mystery behind it is now the more recent JFK conspi…

Yorkville, Toronto Rich In   My Friday was rich in devotional activities. First of all I passed through the whole morning sadhana, a spiritual work-out including chanting, studying, writing, hearing, worship as well as dancing and swaying, with…

Mount Sinai Hospital Conversing With God   My knee surgeon, Dr. Backstein, saw me at the hospital where I was to take the final X-ray. He confirmed I’m doing good for 6 weeks after the knee replacement. I respect the man for having done a splen…

Ramsden Park, Toronto Radha   In a few days we celebrate the birth of the goddess, Radha. I dedicate this poem to Her.   Radha The embodiment of beauty The spirit of purity Her complexion resembles gold While her senses are controlled She’…

The Annex, Toronto A Living Barbie-doll   I was walking at normal pace and without a cane, back from a shiatsu session with Carlos when a unique woman of character addressed us. “What is that?” said the woman in brown vinyl gown and looking ha…

North York, Ontario Always Krishna   Walking was meagre. Resting was maximized more than the norm. It’s Labor Day and the last day before school starts. Karuna, K. Chandra, and I wanted to do something, not necessarily laborious but meaningful;…

Innisfil, Ontario Splash in the Water   It’s only an hour’s drive to Innisfil, which is set along a southwesterly edge of Lake Simcoe. I had been hankering for being in water for my joints and for a healing left leg. Tony is fun-loving, a senior…

Oakville, Ontario Golden People   High Park is currently graced with golden rod. To some people, its colour offers an exotic flair, and it is hard to control their spread.   The location where we chant weekly is at a fork in the road, at t…

Hamilton / Burlington The Food Trail   The savories were dynamic, especially the crabless something-or-other with artichoke and celery with dip and the sugar pie, a French-Canadian prep our host prepared. Karana Karana has a French and Anglo ba…