Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Havana, CubaRe-ConnectionsOur group of morning walkers met a runner—well, actually, he kind of danced or pranced around us—just as we were making an about-face at the Malecon sea wall.  His name is Steve.  “Some people call me Dr. S…

Havana, CubaCountriesMost people who come to Havana make their way to the Malecon, a lengthy sea wall.  A hurricane two years ago, did serious damage to the wall, but it looks to me like great repairs have been undertaken.A group of us ventur…

Varadero/HavanaThe Moon…The moon was at his most full.  He kept an eye on the Atlantic’s beach and on us.  Let’s get into our beach routine, I thought, before the crowds arrive.  My personal mission at the beac…

Varadero, CubaIt’s a Sin Not to Go to the BeachAs soon as our shoes hit the sand, we kicked them off and went our barefoot way.  Then we met the water, and in our store-bought trunks went the distance to the sandbar where it was shallow.Yadun…

Toronto, OntarioTreat of TreatsOkay! So wrapping up things prior to a flight—this time to Varadero, Cuba—can be fun.  I make sure not to leave packing to the last minute because the avalanche of e-mails, phone calls and personal private needs…

Toronto, OntarioMe and BeerEvery day of a monk’s life can be very interesting and unique.  For instance, because I hold a passion for drama, in preparation for an upcoming play, “Grandsire,” about the life of warrior Bhisma, I spent some time…

Toronto/Brampton/Toronto All Good StuffJesse was striking bowls, chimes and cymbals, all as a way to calm the natural tensions of a crazy world,  within earshot of the twenty or so (but growing) participants, sitting on the yoga mats pro…

Toronto, OntarioAll About the Gita I was impressed with the children’s Bhagavad-gita Contest, where one by one enthusiastic young members (as young as five) would get behind the microphone and recite, by heart, verses from the divine book.  Judge…

Etobicoke, Ontario With My Modest BackpackA fresh and pretty snowfall blessed the city of Toronto in the morning, leaving a cover of whiteness.  By mid-afternoon, the under layer was being melted by a follow-up warm sun.  The conditions wer…

Toronto, Ontario Evening WalkOn my evening walk on Yonge Street, it was a homeless man who took some notice.  “Monk! Monk!” He prolonged the sound with a slight tone of yearning.  And when I turned around to the fellow (about thirty) seated…

Toronto, Ontario Service: Symptom of the SoulI landed in Toronto after an overnight flight.  And although my feet got planted on the floor, sidewalk, snow, and then indoor tile and carpet, all in one location, my mind flew to other locations suc…

Calgary, Alberta Good-bye CallousIt has been more than twenty-four years since I developed this callous and corn on the sole of my right foot.  It doesn’t cause pain, but more—aggravation, from the point of view that it remains hard, and in some…

Calgary, Alberta People are ImportantSanjaya had a successful business and his family was doing well.  Then ten years ago, he suddenly was hit by a stroke and hasn’t been able to physically do much since.  It has put a strain on the family …

Edmonton / Calgary Time In Two PlacesChandan is an enthusiastic and energetic fellow, father, husband, bhakti-yogi.  He took a forward step this morning by sitting at the fire for his diksha(initiation).  His new name is Chandramauli, in re…

Edmonton, AlbertaPeople Like the StoriesSpiritual seekers at Southminster Steinhauer United Church (my venue) were my audience for a talk on “Tails from Trails”.  That was last night.  The congregants who came were really sweet.  I thin…

Edmonton, AlbertaGeorge Harrison Wrote George Harrison passed away eighteen years ago.  He was not only a great musician but a good human being.  He attracted thousands of people to the lifestyle of bhakti/devotion, through his music.  …

Toronto, OntarioA Gale: Before and AfterThe decorated Christmas tree came crashing down.  A metal barrier at a construction site also collapsed to a horizontal position and lay there.  Clear plastic bags flitted in the air, here—there. …

 Wasaga Beach, OntarioGratitudeBefore Clare got lured away by the junkie, I shared with her a quote from W.C. Fields, whom I admired to some extent before I became a monk.  She had a good laugh at it.  Here it is.  “Christmas at m…

Toronto, OntarioMeeting ClareThe day was irresistible at ten degrees Celsius, with the sun beckoning.  Spontaneously, I decided to pick up the mrdunga drum, get a ride, and do some chanting in Kensington during that fabulous window of opportunity…

Toronto, OntarioMovers and NoneIt struck me, that right across the street from where I live, there’s a shop which sells clothing for women.  And in the window display, there are two mannequins decked out in the latest fashionable apparel.  I…

Toronto, OntarioMeeting AnitaAnita Sharma was just a little girl when she and her parents and two brothers started coming around.  Her dad and mum came from the Punjab, and the family is now in their third generation here.Successful?  Yes!&n…

Tottenham, OntarioIt’s All New for HimThis morning was a time to look forward to, for the seven of us—Nicholas, Pariksit, David, Oksana plus her two kids, and myself.  It was the first visit for most of us to Vishal’s farm.  What a treat!&nb…

Toronto, OntarioThe SwitchFrom Roxborough Street going east, I made it to Moore Park Ravine, and then came upon a new switchback at Chorley Park.  For years that has been one of my walking routes, but what’s different in the newly renovated Chorl…

Toronto, OntarioWe WalkedWe walked during a drizzle of rain—Jaya, Raymond and myself.  We made a commitment to keep our fingers on our japa beads and utter the mantras so well known to us—Hare Krishna.  By the time we got to the crossroads o…

Toronto, OntarioThe Trail I WalkedWell I walked a minor trail todayMy version of how I get some playBeen in a plane, been in a carDon’t really get you anywhere farThe trail makes time stretch so niceA place where there’s little or no viceIn my opinion…

Buenos Aires/Miami/TorontoKrishnas and AirportsA number of us were regrouping at the Buenos Aires Airport when a Chinese gentleman, who had just visited Antarctica to see the penguins in action, stopped in his tracks to look at me.  I guess I…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFarewell We had a farewell walk… Does that make any sense?  It’s been my tenth year here.  I’ll be making it back for the fest next year, so how can it be a legitimate good-bye?The farewell walk to Regata…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaHot in Many WaysThe troupe I’ve practised with for the last five days was ready and eager to perform “El Gita”.  Since yesterday’s dress rehearsal, we had the chance to make adjustments with costumes and make-up. &…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaTogethernessIn our Vedic lifestyle, a common theme is ‘team’.   You do things together.  Our approach to spiritual life has little to do with a yogi sitting under a banyan tree in solitary meditation.&nbs…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaA Pop Star Walked Across AmericaIn Buenos Aires, I had the pleasure of walking up and down a street in the company of friends while inhaling the great, breathable air that the city is known for.  I wouldn’t have dared i…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaNeat BuildingI’m staying at Cdad. de La Paz 394, the location of the Buenos Aires ISKCON, and it’s an interesting building.  If I was a kid (and who’s to say I won’t be one again), I would be in bliss within this struct…

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaSee All As A TestI had mentioned to the group that Ray Charles, the musical genius, sang a song called “Georgia On My Mind.”  “He had the right idea about being absorbed in something—someone—but our approach is to have …

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaHadai Dropped Me OffWhen Hadai dropped me off at the Vancouver Airport, he joined me in the queue to get my boarding passes.  I expressed my gratitude and a point of realization. “In life, we are always standing in some…

Vancouver/LA/Buenos AiresTo Remember Before I took to my American Airlines flight to Los Angeles, and then on to Argentina, I just had to get some footsteps in at 3:00 a.m.  I ventured off to the Chinese farm enclave near the ISKCON te…

Saranagati/Vancouver

Venables Valley, British ColumbiaSome of What Went OnThere is a slippery dynamic to the roads which run through the village of Saranagati.  Ride offers were given by motorists but I insisted on using my legs.  The few destinations…

Venables Valley, British ColumbiaThe Importance of Good MarriageIt was a long day of inspirational presentations, and the first item on the agenda was a walk through a portion of the valley. I was not alone. Five other ISKCON leaders, all f…

Toronto/Calgary/KamloopsGoing West with OthersToday, I traveled with four other spiritual leaders by plane. We were enroute to our Canadian leaders’ meeting, to be held in Venables Valley, British Columbia. It was a prolonged travel, which …

Toronto, Ontario Meeting TonyAchuta is a young father originally from Tamil Nadu, who is now living in Qatar. He is exploring Canada as a place to move to.  He happily accepted my proposal for a one hour walk.  We did so in a drizzle, in a …

Toronto/Markham A BirthdayThe boiler in our building has some challenges; it’s leaving the interior rather cool in temperature. Govinda’s Restaurant, located inside, is warm, however, it’s being heated by a separate unit. I hung out here for a good po…