Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Toronto, OntarioMore Fun On the Grass“I had a stressful day at work.  I walk home through the park and I hear the drum, the kirtan, and I’ve become so happy!” expressed the woman, who in her medical profession does have hard days.&n…

Toronto, OntarioTo The GrangeKaruna and I check out the weather practically by the hour just to see what will be favourable for a kirtansession in the park.  It’s a funny year, weather-wise.  The sun seems to have abandoned our…

Toronto, OntarioYoung Men ComingA young man came to visit for the first time.  He said he’s chanting all the time, even at work, on a low-decibel level, of course.  He’s getting a really good feeling from the maha-mantra, …

Toronto, OntarioWhere We Like To BeKaruna Sindhu and I hung out at the park in Kensington—well, we didn’t really “hang out.”  We had a purpose and that was connecting with people through drum and mantra.Sandra came to join us today, alon…

Rochester / Hamilton / MiltonFit InSince a pre-planned retreat at a Seneca Reservation was cancelled out for this weekend, our creative and adjustment minds came into play.  The visit to Rochester was not pre-meditated, nor the visit to see G…

Rochester, New YorkWe Love RochesterI trekked a stretch on Lundy’s Lane once again, the sight of combat from the War of 1812.  It is different now, being a strip of motels in Niagara. Back then, the place was more woodsy, with men in red coat…

Hamilton / Niagara FallsMovin’ AlongDr. Singh showed me the results of a very good physical check-up.  “Organs in fine shape.  No sign of cancer anywhere.  It’s good news,” he said, “just take care of your blood clots.”&nb…

Toronto, OntarioSherri’s DayWe had just set ourselves up with mats on the grass when Sherri, who was shaded by the next tree over, recognized me.”I know you,” she said.  “It’s my birthday today.”  Lo and behold, Karuna and I sang th…

Toronto, OntarioThe Black BeautyWe didn’t realize that “Long & McQuade” music store was quite the distance.  We had not anticipated but the walk was good for us nevertheless.  Karuna, Connor and I were set for the trek to purcha…

Toronto, OntarioPark of Free SpiritsIn my heart, I get excited when I know I’m a member of a chanting party, in a park full of free spirits.  I feel like a kid with video games.Bellevue Park is one such place where the wild and wonderful go.&…

Gananogue / TorontoOn A ReturnOn a return journey back to Toronto, our group of five stopped in at the Gananogue Inn to see the Patel clan and be greeted by wholesome wraps and pizzas. Our short two-hour visit also entailed a tour walk of the wate…

Montreal, QuebecSunday OpennessI took Kalakanta and Fernando to the botanical gardens, which is slightly more than a stone’s throw from our temple darshan on PIE IX Blvd. in Montreal.  Nice place.  I come here all the time; yet at t…

Mascouche, QuebecReflecting While WalkingI really felt a leap of progress had occurred, after our fourth annual Farmer’s Conference for Eastern Canada.   After our meeting, I left the venue of Nandagram, a sixty-five acre, farmer-startin…

Gananoque / OttawaDown the WaterwayIt was a restful sleep in the historic Gananoque Inn, established one hundred and eighty-five years ago.  I awoke to the sound of a loon, and shortly after my shower and donning swami robes, I took a stroll …

Picton, OntarioToward the WaterConnor and I got some footsteps in before a rather grand event in the Toronto temple. Two of our young men, brothers and sons of my personal doctor, Jagannatha Misra, received their upanayanam, their sacred thre…

Colborne, OntarioTwo Farms, The CityThere we lay among the red trillium—careful not to damage, as they are not only the provincial flower, but an endangered species—under a huge hemlock with shady cedars all around.  The presence of no bugs m…

Clearview, OntarioTo Another FarmRustic settings, fine ekadasifood, great hospitality, and reminiscences of bygone years as sprightly young monks, filled a good chunk of our day.  It was my first time at Jiva and Sita’s farm where primar…

Niagara Falls, OntarioGetting BetterKalakanta, Uttama, Connor and I took a drive to the famous Niagara Falls.  For Kala and Connor it was their first glimpse and gawk; for me, a needed breath of fresh air.  https://www.instagram.com…

Brampton/TorontoThe Most Astonishing ThingI walked a bit of Tottenham, and then we drove to Brampton, then Toronto, Ontario, on this fine but cloudy Mother’s Day.  I introduced the latter two communities to Kalakanta, but before doing so read…

Caledon, Ontario It Was HeavenKalakanta came all the way from Mayapura, India, to be with us.  With origins from Brazil, he took to the path of Bhaktiyears ago, and has adopted and adapted to a more simple way of life, and been bles…

Hilton Hills, TorontoArtists ForgottenMajor walking today consisted of a two kilometre walk and dip into a sunken park that leads to the Studio Building.  Constructed in 1914 is a three storey brick edifice that has historic value (for Canada…

Toronto, OntarioCAT Scan Positive“I like the colour of your robes.  They look comfortable,” remarked the assistant at the CAT Scan Unit at Woman’s College Hospital.  I assured the friendly lady that indeed the clothes are great.&nbs…

Toronto, OntarioReceivingI’m receiving many calls, and many letters wishing me well with my physical condition of pulmonary embolism.  It’s quite overwhelming, the love I’m feeling that’s coming my way.More tests, cat-scans and such will allo…

Toronto, OntarioJust For An Hour“Connor, we’ll just go for an hour!” on foot, I meant. It turned out to be two hours later before we completed today’s sauntering.  I insisted on staying on level ground.  And the ground and gras…

Toronto, OntarioTrue ColoursSo, the rule is to walk a stretch daily. “Not alone,” cautioned my doctor. It makes total sense.  Raymond and I took to grooving, at least moving, through the park where you have this blossoming happening…

Brampton, OntarioHigh RatingThe birds. It was their hour as Connor and I took that brief stroll by the creek.  Gold finches—a couple——settled on a perfect perch.  Then a red-winged black bird soared along flaunting his colours….

Brampton, OntarioGlad to be Away from the SmokesOn Bay Street, Connor and I came upon a blown-up photo, by the window display of a gallery, of Keith Richards puffing on a cigarette, or some other mode of smoking. This iconic musician from “The Rol…

Burlington, OntarioNot the Best News but Laugh AnywayConnor and I took the commuter GO train westbound to the Burlington area, there to meet up with Dr. Pandith (aka Jagannath Misra).  Apart from yesterday’s chiropractic visit, I had schedule…

Toronto, OntarioAfter the ChiropractorSo, it worked out fairly smoothly.  We merely called the local wellness centre in Rosedale, and asked if their clinic accepts walk-ins.  It so happens they do in the chiropractic department, and…

Toronto, OntarioThoughts During EasinessIt struck me like a culture-shock, as I looked out the arched window of Prabhupada’s quarters, viewing the damp coolish weather outside.  I have just come back from Mauritius where everyone says it’s be…

Istanbul / TorontoDay Broken UpThe layover in Istanbul was a good seven hours, providing an opportunity to divide up time with either sitting, lying, standing or lotus-sitting.  There are carpet patches which interrupt the tile floor, and the…

Mauritius / IstanbulWrap Up in MauritiusSukadeva, like myself, is departing today for his homeland, South Africa, and he raised his arms up to the sun as if to say, “Good-bye.”  It was our last stroll along the Indian Ocean on peaceful Belle …

Phoenix, MauritiusAyurveda Man Comes ThroughI could only dream of trekking today.  Pain overnight, but finally by this evening an Ayurvedic doctor, Narada, came to figure out my issues.  They were purely mechanical by nature, and th…

Phoenix, MauritiusTo Another TownKala and I went to Belle Mare once again for one of those beach walks.  It’s quiet.  Whoever may roam there has a similar intent to ours.  Get tranquil.  With beads in hand, we pu…

Mauritius, All OverScurrying Around in PainGopal and Kala were kind to take me around.  It wasn’t to do with walking trails.  Chest pains were strong.  I was taken to clinics for check-ups, x-rays and medicine.  …

Centre de Flacq, MauritiusWake UpI woke up with low energy.  Instead of lower back issues, which I’ve been confronted with in the past, my right side went quite stiff.  A nice guy by the name of Gopal, took me to another end of the …

Centre de Flacq, MauritiusFrom Milk to Saltwater OceansKala and I started off in the ‘sark’ with a walk in the quaint downtown.  We moved in stride and then ‘crunch’ came the sound and sensation.  Wait a minute, I know that sound, I…

Durban / MauritiusNever EverNever ever have I seen or heard such forceful rain. It was an all-nighter, and penetrated, somehow, through windows and doors, leaving us with a threat of flights being cancelled to various destinations, ours being Maur…

Durban, South AfricaFun Under No SunThe temple in Durban has a rather elaborate book display, which on its own merit demonstrates the great wisdom presented on Vedic culture.   https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwnt-fwAD3H/?utm_source=ig_share…

Durban, South AfricaMuch Rain Much FunThe Chariot Festival wasn’t a total  disaster despite ongoing rain.  Sufficient tents for shelter offered a space for bhakti.  In fact in the Bhakti Cloud tent, it was like a live wire as…