Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Georgetown, GuyanaPostponed FlightOur flight to Guyana from Suriname was postponed for hours.  Ramesvara and I decided to take a chance at a twelve-seater plane that would get us in earlier, meaning that I wouldn’t miss my presentation for the “9…

Jodensavanne, SurinameIn the WildernessYesterday, when three of us arrived at the major Suriname Airport, the official looked at my legal name which is Vis, with its origins in the Netherlands.  Because Dutch is the official language here, the of…

Port of Spain/Paramaribo Walk I Didn’t Do In Two WaysTime to move on.  I had a great brunch with dear friend, Guru Prasad Swami.  He was also on the move.  After he left, I was left with a queue of people, each of whom just wanted to h…

No Man’s Land, Tobago Less FormalSometimes it feels as if one day of chilling out, of comrade relaxation, is equal to a whole 365 days of formality.  And so it was on this day of 1/20/20 that the bonding which took place amongst us, over a trip …

Longdenville, Trinidad Notable StrollIt is now customary that, while still in the dark just before dawn, I go for a notable stroll with comrades, across the street from the temple,  The usual features are there in that modest residential neighbo…

Chaguanas, Trinidad Sun and SoundAfter a good catching-up rest at the Longdenville ISKCON Centre, I, along with a good number of devotees, hopped into another one of those colourful Chariot Fest events in the downtown of nearby Chaguanas.  My de…

Trinidad and BeyondAnticipating PlacesThe flight to Port of Spain was early, and  got me landed in plenty of time for some fun happenings within the range of devotional yoga.  I’m looking forward to the next ten days which will…

Toronto, OntarioKeep the Sense of GravityI picked up a few sayings which very much resonated with me today.  Sayings such as:“You may not always be called upon to be successful, but you will always be called upon to be trustworthy.” &nbs…

Oakville, OntarioSpoiledThis day was a day when I got spoiled.  Alexander, a massage therapist and healer, came to the ashram to do some treatment on us older monks.  I’m only sixty-seven, but another monk behind me, Dharm…

Toronto, OntarioUnpredictableI rather surprised myself, on this second consecutive day, with a nighttime walk.  Corrado has now moved into the ashram with us, and he and I set a spontaneous faster-than-usual pace.  Both ti…

Toronto, OntarioPeople Are ProblemsBack from the U.S.  Back to work.  Back to play.My day began with the chant, a look at sastra, and then a breakfast.  Some leftovers do not intimidate me.  Warm them u…

Potomac, MarylandOur ExperienceIncluded in our morning sadhana, at Rockwood Manor, was a line-up of chairs, and seated upon them were the direct students of Srila Prabhupada, our Guru Maharaja.  There were six of us. We were given three …

Potomac, MarylandContributing SomethingI had been asked by organizers of these ISKCON Leaders Meetings to begin the two sessions of each day with warm-up exercises, both vocal and physical.  It worked out marvellously for me, because I felt l…

Potomac, Maryland Going SmoothThe meals are light at Rockwood Manor, especially when you show up late like I did.  I had to catch a nap during this retreat workshop.  I’m exhausted from insomnia three nights in a row.  And when breakfa…

Potomac, MarylandWhen You Walk with Trash…From Canto 11 of the book, Bhagavatam, I spoke on the Chapter ‘Aila Gita’, which details the teachings and realizations coming to an affluent king, Pururava.  Oh, how in love he was with his la…

Potomac, MarylandFrom Plane to DNAI sat in seat 16 F, on an Air Canada flight—en route to Washington’s Dulles Airport—which was slightly delayed, and outside my window was the right wing of the plane.  It was ever so inviting to walk that win…

Picton/TorontoBest BreakfastIt was at Tyendinaga, in Mohawk Territory—where in the summer of 2012, I napped in between the rows of soy beans,  and swam in a creek for a break, and where the fish bit Daruka’s chest—that Jaya and I had a great …

Montreal, QuebecOne of the Monks…One of the monks visiting at the Montreal ashram did not wake up at the usual time.  I went to him reminding him of the hour.”It’s 6:30 a.m.””I was thinking to rest a little more,” he said. &n…

Montreal, QuebecMantra, Message and MealMaking it to Montreal is always a good venture for me.  Like all visits to various communities, it is special being in the company of old friends, newcomers, and those growing toward new devotional pote…

Ottawa, OntarioReaching and Doing 9If rain is clean, clear and cooling, if the sun is bright, bold and benevolent, then snow is white, wet and wonderful.Jay and I drove through the white stuff, as it fell lightly upon us, our moving car, Highway 7, an…

Toronto, OntarioPlaces, People, ProjectsSo far—a mellow winter.  When I walk the street, temperatures are at a level that I can peel off my autumn coat and move along with enough comfort.  Of course, it’s the consistent walking that sustains…

Toronto/BramptonBy the Metal EaglesI have often wondered what it would be like to walk around near the airport while those metal eagles (aircraft) are coming in for a landing or up for a take-off.  I saw an opportunity today as I headed in th…

Markham/TorontoNew Year’s Day for a Lucky MonkI have five siblings: Connie, Jerry, Rose Ann, Paul and Pauline.  I’m the oldest.  Almost every year I attend our family reunion on January 1st  Paul, who lives in British Colu…

Toronto, OntarioNew YearA new day was just about to comeAnd a year lapsed when the cold made us numbThe rough and ready, we’re all bundled upAnd holding back energy like a young pupIn anticipation that was so very highAs drum mallet beats ascended the …

Toronto, OntarioHappy New YearI would like to take this moment to wish everyone a very happy and fulfilling year to come, in 2020.Should we find prosperity, may that wealth be shared.  Should we feel disparity, may we reach out to the Source,…

Toronto, OntarioThe Park BenchWe both sat on the park bench, trying to catch our breath, after having ascended to a higher elevation at Chorley Park.  A former Lieutenant Governor’s mansion had been at this spot quite a few  decades…

Toronto/BramptonFor the Young OnesToday was a day for families and children.  For starters, my good friend Dr. Rakesh from London, Ontario, arranged for a blessing for his twin grandkids, Hamsaraj and Abiranjan.  They are one year o…

Brampton, OntarioGet to MarketingVidyanidhi is a qualified architect, who has been rendering some drawings for our temple/ashram’s renovations.  We have begun a project in our building which should improve our facilities for resident monks an…

Toronto, OntarioI See in Your BodyFrom the script, “The Gita,” wherein Krishna reveals His Cosmic Form, Arjuna observes: ARJUNA: I see in your body hundreds of thousands of divine and multicoloured forms.  I see creatures of the water, c…

Mississauga/TorontoMore DepthDharma just had his birthday, and to celebrate, Rajasuya conducted an agnihotra, a mild version of a fire sacrifice.  Actually, this time he gave training to Surabhi, his wife, and so the ceremony went on in …

Etobicoke, OntarioComing to the SilentJaya and I had a Christmas (Krishnas) Eve dinner at Victor’s place.  He made a typical Romanian salad.  Nupura, his friend, assembled a nice soup of rice, lentils and Italian spices.  …

Toronto, OntarioMy Driver and My DrivingMy driver from yesterday is doing really well in his devotional life, in the aspect that he is a good driver.Sometimes I’m asked if I drive, and my answer is, “I used to.  I did so much service for the …

Scarborough/MiltonI Left for YongeI left for Yonge at 8:00 a.m., and walked a small piece of this longest street in the world.  You can check it out with Guinness.  It’s just under 1900 kilometres long, or 1,178 miles in distance, t…

Toronto, OntarioI Burst OutI burst out the door eager for that winter air.  I had been inside all day dealing with ‘inside’ things.  It was 7:00 p.m., and I headed for Bloor Street, but the ‘inside’ was now ‘outside’ following me ar…

Toronto, OntarioA Piece of HimselfNirakula comes to visit us every six months, along with her husband, Vaisesika, to encourage the sharing of wisdom.  It is significant at this time of year in December, when the ‘giving spirit’ is the stronge…

Toronto, OntarioWalking the Quiet StreetsLast evening, a small group of us met with the Honourable Raymond Cho, MPP and the Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, at the home of a Mr. Vijay Sharma.  I offered him a copy of the childre…

Toronto, OntarioDrugs N StuffThey lingered on my mind, the people we met at the airport in Varadero, as Yadu Swami, Prana and I sat waiting at Gate 3.  There were quite a few of them, mostly Canadians, nonchalantly walking toward us, curious …

Varadero, CubaAdios AmigosVaradero is the launching pad from which we were hoisted up in the air, to go to our respective countries: Spain (for Yadunandan) and Canada (Prana and myself).  We made sure the local Vaishnavas in Cuba were equippe…

Havana, CubaHavana’s BirthdayHavana is in a celebratory mood.  It turned 500 this year.  It achieved its name from a native chief who was prominent at the time of the Spanish newcomers.  But while the party is on with the …

 Havana, CubaDifferent ApproachesIt was a wedding in the woods.  Michael and Odelas had been wed by state law.  Papers were signed and documents filled out, but the couple were desirous of a ceremony that would have a Vedic tou…