Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

The Walking Monk 2017-03-22 20:14:00
→ The Walking Monk

Saturday, March 18th, 2017

Montreal, Quebec

Train Ride

It was a really pleasant train ride.  I got caught up on sleep.  At the Cornwall stop, heading for Montreal, Joe Karwat came to sit next to me.  Bearded, polite (he referred to me as “sir” each time he would say something) and a good conversationalist, he mentioned he met Krishna monks on the street about ten years ago.

“They gave me a cookie.”

“How was it?”

“I haven’t eaten it yet.”

“Really?  All this time you’ve been keeping the cookie?” I asked.  At this point I knew he couldn’t be put in the Cookie Monster category.  Oh well.  He was nice.

Shortly after arriving at the central train station, myself and a group of members from the Krishna community made it to the underground subway station at Concordia for kirtan.  The kirtan was lively.  Thousands upon thousands of passersby—commuters—heard our sound, and many nodded in approval.

After two hours of this sweetness, I sat with the ISKCON council members who are revered as the elders, along with the next generation of twenty or so highly devotional and qualified younger folks, some who are still in school and some who are well established in the professional world.

Our topic was “Succession Planning.”  The natural theme I posed, being the facilitator, was, “Can you all work co-operatively to succeed the current group with your innovation, sincerity and devotion, and work within a time-line?”

It was an overwhelming positive response.  All were happy.  I have expectations for their ongoing positive plans.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-22 20:13:00
→ The Walking Monk

Friday, March 17th, 2017

Timmins, Ontario

Pastor Objecting

A local pastor responded to the CTV broadcast of my coming to town.  He seemed to have an issue with it.  Jenny, the yoga instructor who hosted me for the past three days, responded to his objection after he remarked that I represented the group from the ’70s that was driven out of town.

“No,” she texted back, stating there was nothing to fear and that he (me) is here to teach wholesomeness, wellness and a better quality of life.

Riken and I took his objection as a sign that we shook things up a bit in town.  The attendance and enthusiasm revealed people were excited about something different.  One person remarked that motivational material is plentiful but it’s rare to meet someone who follows and lives it.  At least three people told me they sang the maha mantra in their home (or the shower) this morning, after our kirtan session.

When Riken and I took our walk this afternoon, we reflected on the presentation of two days earlier.  Snow-mobiles whizzed by when we were bathed in the sweetness of thought, the sunshine and the bright snow’s presence.  Along with Jenny, we took the time to get close to the wilderness abounding.  We fed elk, a moose and even a bison, while onboard a wagon pulled by tractor-power.

In Timmins we got close to people, wildlife and nature.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-22 20:13:00
→ The Walking Monk

Thursday, March 16th, 2017

Timmins, Ontario

Broke the Ice

I feel like I broke the ice today.  Not literally.  I was actually skidding on the stuff and sinking into snow.  I bypassed some snowmobiles and met up with a guide, an older bearded guy with most likely his two grandkids, fairly deep in the woods.  That was awesome.

By ‘breaking the ice’ I mean I broke the back of my routine.  Avoiding the out-of-doors is where I’ve been going because any footwear wrapped around the gout foot is painful.  But that was not the case today.  Swelling has gone down and so a walk in the woods was doable.  Thank God.

With a bright sun above and bright snow over the ground, it became as an irresistible temptation.  There were trails for snowmobiles and trails for snowshoeing.  I took full advantage.  I even lost my sense of direction and got happily lost.

Great!

I now had the excuse to find someone and ask them to put me back on track.  It is a fringe benefit of walking—getting to do some talking and make an endorsement toward neighbourliness.

“Just go down the road and hang a left at the curve.  That’s Cedar Meadows,” said the fellow whom I approached in his driveway.

With five kilometres under my snow-driven feet, I was whisked off by Riken to the yoga studio for part two of a presentation.

I promised everyone that we would take up some yoga dancing tonight.  That, then, is more glorious work for the feet.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-18 01:03:00
→ The Walking Monk

Tuesday, March 14th, 2017

Toronto, Ontario

Newness

“Whatever is dead must go!” was my morning mood.  A good soak of the feet in some good Epsom saltsin water did a great job of separating the old from the new—skin.

I believe you know what I’m talking about.  Old skin starts to peel off,and in some places, in an elastic-type of dynamic.  It is nice to reveal new skin and start afresh until it’s time for that covering to also go.  “A new lease on life,” is an expression that denotes a new start, much like being energized, repaired or rejuvenated.

I remember roaming the streets during my college days (brief as they were) on that quest, checking out different spiritual groups and churches.  I was truly looking for ‘something new’.  I didn’t just want to follow a dry routine of life where I ‘wake up in the morning, slug down a cup of coffee and go to the office for eight hours’.  I was pining for something different.  Lo and behold I met these bald-headed creatures who were dressed in what appeared to be orange bedsheets, and they gave me a ‘new’ optional way of life.

In the ’70s,  it was hard to find a vegetarian.  Well, these monks were purely into the non-violence.  I took a fancy to that mode of life and their way of mindfulness. “Let me try this out,” said my excited mind.  “Let me shed my moderate hippy–ism and see what the ancients from India used to do.”

I gave it a shot and I got sold on it.  Forty-four years later and I’m still at it.  I’m still shedding skin and feeling a newness every day.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-18 01:03:00
→ The Walking Monk

Wednesday, March 15th, 2017

Timmins, Ontario

I Did Fly

I would have loved to have walked, but it would have taken three weeks to go from Toronto to Timmins.  Flying was practical.  Somehow, Toronto avoided a major snow storm that engulfed the north-east directions, including New York City.  Blackouts and shut downs occurred everywhere, except where I departed from, so it seemed.  The plane did need to be de-iced though.

Soaring in the sky over this northern region, seven hundred kilometres north of Toronto, I saw revealed below, beautiful patterns of wiggly rivers and creeks, and a hilly terrain smoothed-out and softened by a moderate snow-spread.  Boreal and deciduous trees stood erect, pointing to the sun.  No city boxes inhabited this zone until we were getting close to Timmins itself, a mining town.

I was greeted byDr. RikenPatel, a pediatrician.  He brought me to the chalet at Cedar Meadows.  I met Jenny, the owner and proprietor of the Bodhi Tree Hot Yoga studio.  She arranged for Natalie Van Rooy of CTV to come for an interview with The Walking Monk.  Promotions for tonight’s event “Tales from Trails” included Natalie’s six o’clock news. http://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=1078824&binId=1.1142313&playlistPageNum=1

As a result of the word getting out, Jenny’s studio did reach a full capacity of people, enthusiasts who didn’t mind taking to the lotus position, and sitting on the floor.  My stories from as far back as 1996, when I did my first marathon walk, were as fresh in my mind as yesterday.  All were listening and then all were engaged in kirtan, chanting.

Boy, it was fun!

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-16 19:29:00
→ The Walking Monk

Monday, March 13th, 2017

Toronto, Ontario

The Break

Students are content with their break from school.  I’ve answered the phone a few times from callers—parents—who were inquiring about the kid’s daycamp at the ashramwhere I live.

“Oh!  Yes, well, I’ll turn you over to someone who knows more about it than me.”  Eventually the caller would hear from either Geeta or Shyama Mohini, co-ordinators for a five-consecutive-day fun time, doing games, singing songs, eating together and stuff….  This is all done in a Krishna-centric environment, of course.

I popped my head in to peek at the younglings, anywhere from toddler to ten, in the temple room where most things were going on.  There was some noise.  That’s a sign of life.  It was safe sounding noise.

“Lots of energy,” Rukmini confirmed—a facilitator.

And I thought, “When properly channeled you get a great result.”  I also thought of the young children we read about in sastric texts and how they excelled because there was some good direction for them, the likes of Prahlad, Dhruva, Hanuman (who wasn’t totally human) and, naturally, Krishna and Rama.

I had to smile at the fun.  I believe I was a fairly happy kid.  I didn’t know Krishna at the time, but someone with a personality known as God, an overseeing well-wisher, protector.  Every child deserves that type of exposure and understanding.  Considering the crazy world in which we live, walls of security and fun are so essential.

I wish the best to them (all thirty of them) and all the children of the universe.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-16 19:29:00
→ The Walking Monk

Sunday, March 12th, 2017



Scarborough, Ontario

The Birth of Sankirtan

For the occasion, Gaura Purnima, the birth anniversary of Chaitanya, two venues were our destination points for our cultural presentation.  Come to think of it, we haven’t given a name to our piece, which was a narration, danced to in Odissi-style, and sung in Bengali with musical accompaniment.

Now none of us are Bengalis, but we did sing a song in that language—the language of our guru, Prabhupada—as well as the native tongue of the author of the song “Udilo Aruna.”  Bhaktivinode was a song-writer from Orissa who used the Bengali medium.

Here’s the song that I narrated in English for the Scarborough and Toronto crowds:

The Birth of Sankirtan

1.      When a tinge of red on the eastern horizon heralded the sunrise, the jewel of the brahmanas, Gaura, immediately awakened. Taking His followers with Him, He went all over the countryside, visiting the towns and villages of Nadia.

2.      The Khol drums resounded, “tathai tathai.”  The five cymbals chimed in time, and Gaura’s foot bells jingled as His golden form trembled slightly in ecstatic love for the Divine.

3.      Gaura called out to the townsfolk, “Perhaps we are wasting time—sleeping?  Then much time spent on decorating the body?  Try this vibration, with its sweet names, ‘Mukunda?  Madhava?  Yadhava!  Hari!’ engaging our full voices.”

4.      This human body, among all collective species, is a rare gift.  We must ask ourselves, “Just what are you doing?”  Have you given sufficient thought to this question?  If you do not see to the love of the darling of Yashoda, Krishna, it would be a great loss—a shame.

5.      Each time the sun rises and sets, a day passes and is lost.  Why then remain idle, and not honour the Lord of the heart?

6.      Understand this essential fact: life is temporary and full of all kinds of challenges.  So make it a priority by being under the protection of the sweet names and remain engaged in divine service.

7.      Desiring to bless all entities, the sweet name has descended to this world as a response to the need of ending the darkness of ignorance,as this sound shines like the sun in the sky of the heart.

8.      Drinking the pure nectar of the name satisfies the author of the song, Bhaktivinode.  There is nothing but the sacred name within all the 14 worlds.

(End of song)

Additional narration:

People listened to Gaura, the Golden Avatar.  Why wouldn’t they?  He was beautifully imposing ata stature of seven feet tall, broad shouldered, with a chest of a lion, eyes captivating, hair a-flow, as He danced with a swing and a sway.

The villagers were taken by the sight and sound.  With their hearts now embraced, they were motivated to move themselves and to surrender their voices in a splendorous volume, their bodies in rhythmic back-and-forth motion.

Gaura journeyed from one village to the next, offering a new engagement, a new way of being.  He made His plea.  His sharing had been done and all in good fun.  A mission had taken hold, one that would be rather bold in its projection throughout the globe.

To those who participate in Sankirtan, a warmth, a fullness and a love are achieved.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-16 19:24:00
→ The Walking Monk

Saturday, March 11th, 2017




Milton, Ontario

Get Ready for Gaura

My walking is strictly indoors right now, and that is very embarrassingly limited.  The gout can’t, at this point, handle the squeeze of the shoes.  I was driven by Nakula, the young son of Umesh, to his home.  Umesh was with me in Cuba.  We swam off the bay in Cienfuegos, where boldly he would grab palm-sized jellyfish and toss them out of his way.  Brave!

Umesh had deities installed in his home in Milton today—deities of Gaura and Nitai.  The entire world of Vaishnavas in the line of Gaura (the golden avatar) is gearing up for his birth anniversary tomorrow.  In lieu of this, we are also basically preparing for the celebrations tomorrow with a bhajan/dance presentation in His honour.

Gaura, also known as Chaitanya, was quite the chanter, and quite the walker.  He roamed throughout the countryside, going from village to village, encouraging the culture of song and dance.  His mission was unofficially inaugurated in the first decade of the 16th century in Bengal and then beyond.  It spread throughout the sub-continent of India.  Kirtan is the word affiliated with Chaitanya.

Not everyone is fully aware of kirtanjust yet.  For instance, Greg, a good friend of mine, who arrived during our practice time for bhajan, recently met a girl with an OM tattoo on her arm.  He asked her if she knew what OM meant.

“Something to do with yoga?” she guessed.

“Yes, but you’re not familiar with kirtan?”

“What’s that?”

It looks like Chaitanya’s influence still needs expanding; a little extra push from adherents like us perhaps?

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Friday, March 10th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
The View
In our ashram,in what are called Prabhupada’s quarters, I sat and admired the view of the outside.  The window facing south is a cathedral-arched frame exposing the sky.  Cloudy and hazy with sunshine trying to pierce through is how I see the space above.  On one level slightly below, spring-budding branches dance on the chest of Vayu, the master of the wind.  Victorian house rooftops are also within my vision.
A leisurely park, recently renovated, is just south of the homes, adding green space to the neighbourhood.  May (I pray) it stay that way.

“We don’t need any more highrises around here,” I mentioned to Gaurachandra of Hungary. He had come to join and bring that view of optimism, a view which leads the eyes to contemplate the lake five kilometres further south—one of the Great Lakes.

People living in the city forget about this massive body of water, a body of beauty.  We need to revere such bodies and not lust in greed over how much profit can be made from building and blocking a God-given waterfront view.

Developers—I sometimes brood over their exploits, unless, of course, they are allowing trees and foliage to do their thing.

In 2015, I walked across the city of Detroit on a one-day pilgrimage.  Some of the neighbourhoods had been devastated by neglect.  Some homes had been broken into years before.  Some had been burned down, leaving empty lots.  These dynamics have somehow allowed nature to take its course.  That’s glorious!

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Thursday, March 9th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
What I Ask!
One mantrathat I use when greeting someone in the ashramis actually a question. “Did you get a good rest?” implying “was it deep, was it full and more-or-less uninterrupted?”

I don’t go so far as to probe into their dreams. “Did you dream of Krishna? About guru?” That is very personal and let’s keep it that way—not that it’s wrong to ask.

The answers will be diverse, depending on who you ask and on which day, because it is never an definite yes or no.  It’s usually within the range of ‘anywhere in-between’.

As the day wears on, so do passions.  Speed and depth of involvement grow in intensity.  Do I then dare to ask, “How’s your day?” Those who immerse themselves in devotion have a soul-gratifying day, or should.  Physically, there will always be a challenge so that answer will have its range as well. In any event people feel good that you care.

This afternoon I did a trial-run walking in the park outside our ashram.  I couldn’t go too far with the gout-infected foot. I had to turn around after ten minutes and resume a gentler stroll inside the temple.

Woe is me! I’m anticipating this walk in May, beginning in Nebraska, with two good feet at the base of my legs. God, please help! The gout bulge is sizeable and any shoe placed around it puts on an uneasy squeeze.

“Patience!” reminds my doctor, Dr. Pandit.  “Just try to get a good rest.”

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Wednesday, March 8th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario 
New Findings 
Ekadasi is a day when followers of the Vaishnava tradition (Krishna tradition) honour a vow to abstain from eating grain, and increase their devotions.  It falls every fortnight.  It’s today we are so obliged.

What I wanted to highlight in this blog is an article forwarded to me (thanks Abhidheya) about archeological findings confirming the authenticity and antiquity of a Krishna culture.  According to the source of info— www.indiadivine.org —there is an ancient coin with Krishna on one side, and His brother, Balarama, on the other, dating back to 180 B.C.E.  Recently unearthed in Al Khanoun, Afghanistan, this discovery is the earliest proof that Krishna was revered as a god, “and that the worship had spread beyond the Mathura region,” states TKV Rajan, archaeologist, who was holding a five-day exhibition titled, “In Search of Lord Krishna.”

His studies and findings throw fresh light on the era of Krishna.  It has been over five years since discoveries were made at Tholavira, near Dwarka, which is according to Epic’s such as The Mahabharata, where Krishna ruled, approximately 5,000 years ago.  Apparently, a coin reveals that Krishna is devoid of his famed peacock feather, but then one follower suggested that in Dwarka, Krishna was not adorned with the peacock feather.

Rajan indicates there is an image of a wooden plough, which is mentioned in the book The Bhagavatam.  The image of the conch and the Sudarshan Chakra (wheel) are unmistakably obvious imprints on the square-shaped coins.

A grandiose discovery!

May the Source be with you! Happy Ekadasi!

0 km   

Tuesday, March 7th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
Got Out
Well, I did it.  I got out for the first time in a few days.  Because of the gout, my movements have been slow, but I got the air I wanted and needed.
Air!  I’m a great fan of it.  It’s something taken for granted.  One of the prime elements. 

A friend called today.  He’s now 75.  Doesn’t look a day over 60. “I worked at a paint factory for thirty years.  You breathe in all these chemicals.  It’s surprising I’m still alive.  It must be Krishna keeping me going,” he admitted

“Yes!”

I enjoyed sitting on a park bench in what is warmer than usual temperatures. We’ve got spring.  Vancouver, a place with a more moderate climate, has been getting clobbered with snow.  This is a reversal of weather situations.

The park bench was actually a bench near a park, to the side of a plastic surgery clinic.  The establishment is called “Elements.”  Next to where I was sitting, is the statue of an earth goddess.

Poor Earth!  It’s going through so much.  South of the border appears to be in trouble on many social/political levels.  All nations, in fact, are going through changes.  It’s tense.

I got back to the ashram and received my second call for the day.

“Maharaja,” addressed the caller, “What is the actual position our culture takes on Islam, women, gay folks and people of various races?”

“These are multiple questions.  You are right though, let’s talk.”

So we did!

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, March 6th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
I Like My Pilgrimages
I like my pilgrimages to India, but I’m happy to be home.  It’s more quiet here—less chaotic traffic.  Somehow India can likely boast more inner peace within people; it’s a paradox of sorts.

Where is real peace to be found?  In the Bhagavad–gita, we are informed that from the highest planet down to the lowest—all pose misery.  That, of course, is the design of a world to accommodate our consciousness.

Desire ispowerful.  Whatever you dream of and fantasize about, will most likely manifest in some shape or form within your life.  Conceptbecomes construct—is what I see.

If that is the case, isn’t there someone out there, some super-brain who engineers things to happen?

In Sanskrit, we call such a person Jagannath, the universal Lord.

Today I was asked to send a message of goodwill to participants of this year’s Chariot Fest in Vancouver.  My few words of greeting will be covered in an opening page of what’s called ‘The Souvenir’.  I will inform through my words, that we will be celebrating this engineer of the universe, whom some call God.

I will include in the message that it was fifty years ago, in 1967—the summer of Love—when the first Chariot Fest in the West was staged at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.  This anniversary all happened on the Pacific Coast.

I also hope to walk in that Park,this summer, after completing my U.S. trek, which started in New York City initially.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Sunday, March 5th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
Ramesvara
Ravi Sharma is an angel.  He is mild, soft, gentle, helpful, and strong physically.  Everything is there; just the wings are missing.  Oh, and he doesn’t get angry.  I checked with his wife, Geeta.
“I’m the one who gets angry,” she said on this beautiful Sunday a.m., and at the time of Ravi’s diksha initiation.  It was during my delivery of words, in the course of the ceremony, while explaining the significance of diksha, that I asked her the question before all.  Her answer caused a buzz.

One additional aspect of Ravi is that he is an avid member of the sankirtanteam.  Locally, an active team of weekend warriors go out to public venues (excuse me, monthly for now) and meet the people of the world, give a smile, a word of greeting, show a book on transcendence and try to make the most valuable “connection” in a person’s life.  One that could be transformational.

Ravi is also a companion walker.  He and I have covered some neighbourhood streets together while doing japameditation.  It’s always a pleasure to be with him.  We don’t need to get into a huge conversation.  Our fixation at these times involves watching where you’re stepping and listening as best as can be to the mantras we chose as our subtle companions.

Our pujaris(priests) from Scarborough, presided over the yajna (sacrifice) using earth, twigs, seeds, herbs, ghee, fruit, veggies, flowers and fire.

Ravi’s dikshaname is Ramesvara.

May the Source be with you!

0 km (Gout is out and about)

Saturday, March 4th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Delhi/Amsterdam/Toronto

On the Way

I went through the terrors of traffic in Delhi.  A sweet devotee of Krishna, Satya Narayan, who lives, works and prays, all within one block of the temple, was my driver to the airport.  I’m going back home.  He told me something a friend said, “In India the people are very loving but they are not human.  In many countries they are human but not necessarily loving.”

When I heard this statement regarding life in India and particularly how traffic and space is handled, I was quite inclined to agree with words of such profundity.  As we fought traffic, dodging and charging in mayhem, I looked out my window, peering at some of the drivers.  There’s a sweetness, an air of optimism on the faces that I could detect.  And I felt confused and ambivalent seeing cheerfulness in chaos.

“Ignorance is bliss,” I moaned out to Satya as we continued on in the rat race.  Satya, himself, smiled.  Maybe I’m too much of a grump, but no, scripture tells the truth of Kali-yuga, the present age of darkness.  Should I pretend all is well?  I just feel right “calling a spade a spade.”  The honking, the aggression, the sudden shift of lanes, the regular bottle-necking of vehicles, and all in the areas of road construction brought to a halt during the night.

“Visions of hell,” I thought.  I chanted, but the madness did not go away.  I said to Satya, “This is now, but what about ten years from now?  Do you think auto-salespeople will stop selling their cars?  No!”

Satya kept smiling and truly shared with me the woes of what we were witnessing, only I was more depressed about it.

Eco-villages, let’s get going!

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Friday, March 3rd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Noida, India

Good Behaviour

I gave two classes at this new centre, a gorgeous temple—really.  Both classes gave emphasis to good behaviour.  The boy saint, Prahlad, exemplified this as we explored a verse from Bhagavatam, Canto 7.  In the evening, we highlighted Chapter 3 of the Gita, text 12, which carries the message of Karma Yoga.

Just yesterday, Gopal, a master mrdunga drum player, showed me, on his phone, actor Vin Diesel in an excerpt from a recent film—name unknown to me (“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” by director Ang Lee).  He plays the role of a soldier who encourages another one.  To paraphrase, the lines read:

“You know the Hindus believe in their ancient text that you do Karma yoga—do your duty in the spirit of detachment.  This, Krishna tells His warrior friend Arjuna before a great battle.”

“Oh, yeah,” says the second soldier, “the blue dude?”

“That’s right, Krishna, the blue dude.”

It’s nice to know the message is getting out in the mainstream.  Karma means “action.”  Yogameans “a connection with the Divine.”  The action of detachment demonstrates good behaviour.

In the room I was given in the guest facility, I noticed I was not the only occupant.  Between the mosquito screens in the window frame, a couple of pigeons had taken up residence.  Three eggs lay in that space, along with what looked to me like a roosting mama. Papa was coming and going, checking on things.  It looked to me like they were doing some sharing together.  Perhaps even portraying good behaviour.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Vrndavana, India
Grad Event
Bats were flying in their usual silent way and monkeys were busting balloons.  It wasn’t a circus act.  The hairy climbers made it to the edge of the awning over the stage.  One in particular grabbed the multi-coloured balloon arrangement and with his sharp finger nails went systematically from one bust to the next.  There was one stubborn balloon, the last one, that wouldn’t burst, so very cleverly, the monkey sunk his teeth into it, giving it the biggest bang of all.
We were in stitches laughing at the unrehearsed show.  The final deflation brought an uproarious applause.

Below the awning was the stage,where thirty grade twelve students from the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School were about to receive their graduation awards.  It is a boy’s school.  The cultural program was a traditional Gotipua dance by primary boys. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotipua

Very on-the-spot, I was made the Guest of Honour for the event, and was asked by the organizers to hand out certificates along with godsisters, Malati and Madri, to the worthy recipients.  I was also asked, spontaneously, to lead a kirtan.  “Your wish is my command,” I said to the person making the request.

It was a rouser of a kirtan and the participation in the chanting and dancing, almost reached the excitement of the monkey popping the balloons.

This was my main active event of the day.  My gout has taken a turn for the worse, just when inflammation was on the decline.  The obstinate foot is looking much like a balloon.

“Hey monkey, do you want to take a bite?”

May the Source be with you!

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Vrndavana, India
Triumphs and Defeats
After the morning arati song, one of the temple administrators at Krishna Balarama Mandir announced book scores to the temple goers.
“Matchless Gifts (the temple boutique) sold 326 books.”  He also mentioned one other source, likely a book stall on the premises (I couldn’t quite hear).  There, too, over 300 pieces of transcendental literature was sold, mostly in Hindi and English.  That brings it to a tally of over 600 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publications going out, on a slow day.

Good news!  People are seeking enlightenment.

One really nice couple from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, had secured a flat (apartment) in the area.  His name is Dharma and hers is Manasi Ganga.  Although not present, they desired to have a house warming, Vedic style, with myself conducting the kirtan.

A group of brahmacaris (monks) accompanied me for the chanting, and oh, how sweet it was, although two of them sang with tone-deafness.  Well intentioned they were, but why sing so loud?  I felt it my duty to let them know that perhaps some lessons in voice would help.  They are Hindi-speaking but I believe they got the point.

For some reason or other, my gout got irritated again.  My medicines were running out and perhaps a spicy tomato soup didn’t help the situation.  My limp is accentuated again and I’ve been doing all I can to stave off further infection.

One medical person brought various flours, and turned them into dough to wrap around my left big toe.  This draws out the infection.  By morning, voila, the pain had subsided.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Vrndavana, India
Back in Krishna’s Back Yard
When I arrived in Vrndavana, it was a little late for darshan(viewing of the Krishna deities) but my craving for some veggie-filled Chow Mein was an irresistible one.  One manager at the Krsna Balarama Temple, Pancha Gauda, made sure the desire was fulfilled.
I did squeeze in a visit to dear friend, Gunagrahi Swami, suffering from cancer.  How is he dealing with it?  It’s the evening kirtans which he organizes that are keeping his spirits up.

Through the course of the day, I have been indulging in the book, Sannyasis in Modernity, covering high and low points in the not-long history of renouncers in the Hare Krishna movement.  Again, good research.

One gentleman came to me, near the temple, with a pressing question.  “I understand from the books, like Bhaktivinode’s Jaiva Dharma, that it is necessary to explore your sambhandha(unique and personal relationship with God) in order to attain self-realization.  How can this be achieved?”

My response to him was that relations among devotee peers is the way to Godhead.  “Let us achieve this channel first.  This is the green light.  Please the fellow servants and win the favour of the master.”

The man walked on in a calm mood, grateful to have something to dwell on.  I lingered on with the concept.  “Surely, this is the way of reaching the Supreme.  It is the blessings and well-wishes from those in our midst which earns us God’s favour.”

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Monday, February 27th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Panihati/Sonaspura, India
Departing from Mayapur
I received an e-mail from a friend asking how I liked the “Swami tossing.”  The other night I snuck into the Kirtan Mela and a crowd of young men, knowing I go along with a little frivolity at times, pulled me in and tossed me up repeatedly, only to be caught in a human trampoline.
I saw it as good clean fun.  Everyone was chanting at the time.

An assistant and I left for the Kolkata area today.  Suta Goswami Das, a very good and caring young monk, arranged for our transport to a place called Panihati.  This is the place where, five centuries ago, the monk who inaugurated kirtanto the world, Chaitanya, with associate, Nityananda, honoured a huge, chipped rice feast.  The contents are of dahi (yogurt), rice—of course—some fruit and a moderate dash of camphor.

Panihati was a simple village at the time.  Situated along the Ganges, the massive food feast occurred under a large banyan tree, which is still there.  A modest temple and additional buildings form the foundation of a lively community.  Raghava Pandit, and his sister, Damayanti—two very devout contemporaries of Chaitanya—became masters at food combinations that sometimes spun out of this festival.

I sampled the prep with the camphor.  Loved it, but I am still watching my purine diet—low protein for gout.

Panihati is visited by monks, colleagues of mine, who are my go-bros (god-brothers) but it was at Sonaspura, after our seven hour drive, where I found out that no swamis have ever come to this village community.  I was treated like a superstar.  It was not necessary, and I asked the crowd to tone down in as diplomatic a way as possible.

Good hearts!

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Sunday, February 26th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
A Day of Lightness
In many ways every day is the same.  The sun rises gloriously over the eastern direction.  It is a clear and round redness and moves ever so subtly.  A perfect example of levitation—you can find in the sun.  At least it looks like the sun is the perfect yogi.
Most mornings display layers of fog.  As a group of us were ambling along, with coriander fields on both sides of our trail, we were frivolously doing limbo under the lowest layers of mist.  We cleared that bar of fog quite easily.

Limbo, we could do.  Levitate, we could not.

Devananda is a Bengali pujari (priest) who served in our Toronto temple some years back.  He returned to his homeland and built up a business and a house, and now we have found ourselves in his simple tiny, but charming, home.  What a feast he cooked up for us!  We were in a light mood after that meal and consequently posed ourselves into a service mood.  We formed a massage circle and went to it, hoping to assist in digestion.

I reflected on the night before, when the kirtan mela (chanting festival) was in full swing.  The Pancha Tattva Hall, the venue, was just packed with enthusiastic youths engaged in surrender to the mantra.  The body was in motion, as in dance.  The mouth was fully sounding out that mantra.  The mind was absorbed in abandonment to the service.

When I jumped into the circle of dancers, it excited the guys that an old geezer like myself would join them.

May the Source be with you!

7 km 

Saturday, February 25th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
A Book on Monks
I am thoroughly enjoying reading Yadunandana Swami’s book, Sannyasis in Modernity.  Yadunandana is a monk from Spain and has done a scholarly look at the history of monastics in the Hare Krishna society.  In Chapter One he opens with the foundational elements of his research.
“A prominent characteristic of the early twenty-first century is the rapid worldwide growth of secularization.  Many accept humanistic values and material development as top priorities in life.  Although many people identify with a religious community or denomination, tendencies toward spirituality and religious practices are decreasing in favour of more ‘tangible’ goals like economic development and worldly pleasures.  Then again, practitioners and communities of religious and spiritual traditions are endeavouring to maintain and promote their core values by expressing them in ways adapted to the present socio-cultural context…

“In this study I examine how ISKCON members live the ancient practice of sannyasain a social environment that promotes values opposing this practice.  The etymological meaning of sannyasa is ‘complete renunciation.’  Sannyasa is the last of four life stages followed by practitioners of Hinduism.  It was traditionally practiced by mature elderly men with a lifelong monastic inclination…

“There are two types of ISKCON monks, brahmacaris (celibate students) and sannyasis (mature renouncers).”

Published by SANKIRTANA BOOKS. It’s a good read.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, February 24th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Satisfy the Self
My artist friend, Puskara, from Florida informed me that a barefoot walker across America was struck by an SUV and killed in Florida just outside of Mossy Head very recently.  His crusade had to do with raising awareness for climate change. http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/01/23/man-walking-barefoot-across-america-killed-florida/96950426/
Due to limited access to international ground-breaking news, I have few details on the incident.  It was indeed sad news to hear.  It reminds me of the passing of the Peace Pilgrim who died from a head-on collision when being transported to a program.  This woman who referred to herself as the Peace Pilgrim had walked tens of thousands of miles through the U.S. and Canada. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_Pilgrim

Meanwhile, here in not-so-peaceful Mayapur, the motor-bike culture persists.  Noise and speed are the culprits that threaten a sattvic(calm) environment.  Fortunately, someone by the name of Tara heads up the transport department and he sounds very positive about tackling the monsters.  Hopefully by next year some positive progress can be made.

Peace comes from hearing something soothing.  I cannot credit myself for any reassuring words.  I can only function as a parrot and repeat the message that ignites progressive action.  I was invited to the Chaitanya Bhavan to speak to a Spanish group on a famous verse from the book “Bhagavatam.”  From the first Canto, the verse reads like this: “The supreme occupation for all humanity is that by which people can obtain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord.  Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self” (SB 1.2.6).

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, February 23rd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Heating Up
I still don my socks in the morning.  At 4 a.m., stone-tiled floors are nippy on the feet at that hour, despite the current rise of temperature during the day.  At 12 noon they come off.  At Maha-Sringha’s home some of our Canadian devotees, as well as Russian, along with Bengali brahmacaris, warmly (in more ways than one) sat in kirtan.  It was a jam session, in some ways, with guitar and saxophone.  It was marvelous—musicians playing the maha-mantra.
Still more heated up, came the kirtan mela (chanting festival) which I led from 4 to 5 p.m.  Here we incorporated traditional mrdunga drum and kartals (hand cymbals,) along with gong and harmonium, to invoke a beautiful form of praising Krishna.  Dancing—I insisted upon—so we had the entire hall of people moving to steps of devotion.

It’s great when we all work and move together.  That’s called co-operation.

I have been rather strict with diet, a low purine one, which means low in protein.

“Now, just add some barley to your eating.  It’s the major source of B12, which is lacking in many vegetarians,” said one Ayur-veda doctor.

We did have meals between exuberant chanting sessions—a way to burn up cells that consumption brings.

“Work now, Samadhi later,” our guru, Srila Prabhupada used to say.  Samadhimeans “chill-out” in a most spiritual way.

Behave.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India 
Just Like the Sparks

On this last day of our AGM I was asked to read this passage from a lecture by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, recorded on Feb. 22/1967, fifty years ago in San Francisco:

“So as soon as we are separated, that is our conditional state.  How we are separated?  Just like the sparks of the fire, as soon as he’s come out of the fire and falls down on the ground, it loses its illumination immediately.  Immediately.  That illuminating spark which was dancing with the fire, as soon as falls down, it becomes black, charcoal.  It is just like carbon.  So [a]long with the fire, it is just like, as good as fire, illuminating.

“So our position is like that.  We are sparks, energy.  As from the energy of the fire, there are so many dancing, similarly, we are all sparks of the Supreme Lord.  But as soon as we come out of the fire, as soon as we want to become independent of the Supreme Absolute Truth, that spiritual energy becomes almost extinguished.  It is never to be extinguished, but it appears, it appears.  Just like fire covered with ashes.  So again, when ashes are removed, the fire comes.

“So our position is like that.  We are now covered by the ash of this material energy and, as soon as this will be removed…  The removal process is Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa—ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12), cleansing process.  As soon as we are completely cleansed, we are as good, I mean, as illuminating as Kṛṣṇa.

“So this is the process.  We shall study again tomorrow.  Thank you very much.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, February 21st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Like Henry the Eighth?

Bhavananda mentioned to me, “I heard you had gout.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Henry the Eighth had gout.”

“Oh, please don’t compare me to that monster.”

“Yes, he was a monster.  At one point he only ate meat.”

“But please, don’t compare me to him.”

It’s Bhavananda’s usual way of teasing, having fun, and putting a spark into your day.

That brief exchange put light in the morning.  It was in the morning that I had also attended the Sridham Mayapura International School (SMIS) for their opening day.  On their campus, a full four hours was given to drama presentations by the various grades of students.  They were adorable, from pre-schoolers to teens.

I also wanted to report the beautiful tribute made to the late Jagajivan, an inspiration to many of the Krishna pioneers of South America.  He was always lively and upbeat, and offering a moderating influence when the atmosphere was heavy with emotions.  He died last fall from the effects of a stroke.  Isn’t it good to know that the spirit persists?

Today was the final day of our performance of “Mr. Puri.”  That’s the sixth showing to a capacity four hundred crowd, each time.  Mind you, so many people told  us they’ve come two, three or four times.

“Best production ever,” says Bhakta Priya, the widow of Jagajivan.

Thank you for that remark and all the best to you.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Monday, February 20th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Talking to the Monks

It was the first time in days to feel a breeze coming.  Most likely it has something to do with Mother Ganga, who moves with speed, and carries air currents which piggy-back on her.  In any event, the cool gusts are welcoming.  Ascending the stairs of the Lotus Building was the opportune time for the experience.

Now, I was honoured to be asked to present myself as a full-fledged monk of thirty-three years (and ten celibate brahmachari years before that) in front of a class of soon-to-be-ordained sanyasis (monks).  There were thirty of them, representing the U.S., Europe, Russia, Bengal, and Bangladesh.  My impression of the group was that they are mature, sober (a word our guru, Srila Prabhupada, used to denote cool-headed), good listeners, appreciative….

Krsna Ksetra Swami, the co-ordinator, had asked that I present a biographical opening.  Of course that included how I began my walking excursions.  I then walked everyone through the Society’s 7 Purposes (of ISKCON).  He suggested I bring up personal, relevant points to do with the renounced order.

At least three bullet points were:

1)    Encourage wholesome family life, as most people on the spiritual path will not become fully renounced anyway.

2)    Do not become wholly dependent on others. Learn some self-reliance—as a sanyasi many people will be inclined to do many menial tasks for you

3)    Watch out for the adoration; always take a humble position

A a fourth would be:

4)    Example is better than precept, or as St. Francis of Assisi is attributed to have said, “Preach…and, if you have to, use some words.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Sunday, February 19th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Starting Trends

It looks like we started a kind of cult among the kids with our drama, “Mr. Puri.”  We presented this endearing story to the school.  We are hearing that some children have viewed it as many as four times.  They’re singing at school one of our songs, “Gopal, Gopal, we’re looking everywhere.”  When the public see the actors,they call them by their names in the play.  Pariksit, one of the actors, speaks of his threatening dog, Pinto, in the drama.  When Pariksit is seen on the street, they call out, “Pinto!  Pinto!”  They also ask Jambhavan, another one of the actors, from South Africa, if he could do his dance move “the worm” which he pulls off expertly in the show.

It’s trail-blazing, in a good way.  The compulsion to imitate, or recall, well-motivated stories, lilas, centered around spiritual themes is a good thing.

After hearing a Bhagavatam class from Guru Prasada Swami, an American-born monk, I met Uttama Sloka Swami, who gently pulled me over to the side and said, “Maharaja, you have begun a new fashion.  You are using your uttariya (beggars cloth, usually tied around the neck) and draping it over the shoulder, like a chauddar (shawl).  Other sannyasis are following your lead on this.”

To the swami making the remark,I had this to say. “When I do my marathon walks in the mind-swept prairies, the uttariya flings in the air in a most unmanageable way, so I wear it like most folks in India.  I do get my dhoti (lower garment) sewn so the cloth is like a tube you step into.  The strong wind can’t send it in a way to expose yourself.  Also it keeps your legs warmer in Canadian coolness.”

There’s a method to the madness.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, February 18th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Message of the Day
Before our meeting, I had the privilege of reading out the verse of the day.  Sometimes it is a personal letter our guru has written to someone.  If you don’t quite know all the persons mentioned in this passage (from the Bhagavatam) at least you can glean something from the verse and purport.
From Bhagavatam 1.9.12:

Bhīṣmadeva said: Oh, what terrible sufferings and what terrible injustices you good souls suffer for being the sons of religion personified. You did not deserve to remain alive under those tribulations, yet you were protected by the brāhmaṇas, God and religion.

Purport by Srila Prabhupada:

Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was disturbed due to the great massacre in the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Bhīṣmadeva could understand this, and therefore he spoke first of the terrible sufferings of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. He was put into difficulty by injustice only, and the Battle of Kurukṣetra was fought just to counteract this injustice. Therefore, he should not regret the great massacre. He wanted to point out particularly that they were always protected by the brāhmaṇas, the Lord and religious principles. As long as they were protected by these three important items, there was no cause of disappointment. Thus Bhīṣmadeva encouraged Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to dissipate his despondency. As long as a person is fully in cooperation with the wishes of the Lord, guided by the bona fide brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and strictly following religious principles, one has no cause for despondency, however trying the circumstances of life. Bhīṣmadeva, as one of the authorities in the line, wanted to impress this point upon the Pāṇḍavas.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, February 17th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Unwanted

I guess it was like a pedicure.  This nice devotee, Dhananjaya Pandit, an American follower, offered to help me with my feet.  With some experience he went at those feet for a second time, this time equipped with sand paper.

“This is better than pumice stone,” he confirmedly said.  So he went at those callouses at the toe edges, the balls of the feet and for those who sit in the lotus position, the ankles.  He seemed satisfied at his carving.  All that was dead in the way of skin was now being eliminated.

I thanked Dhananjaya for his help.  He took away what’s dead.  And that, in reality, is what you are achieving when cultivating devotional life.  You are shaving away anarthas, unwanted things.  Those items that stand in the way of spiritual progress.

To some extent, these anarthas or hurdles are mentioned in the Bhagavad–gita.  “Lust, anger, and greed are the gateways to a form of hell.”  The Bhagavatam addresses three more enemies—illusion, madness and envy.  That makes six demons to watch out for.  They are not outside of us, rather they reside inside.  They are sharing the space together with us.

Now, in the room where I’m staying I’m sharing space with an army of ants.  Through the electric sockets they have found their way to crawl through along the walls.  Forming incredible freeways they are drawn to the honey in the jar and anything sweet.  My roommate, Karuna Sindhu, has devised a structure made of sweet contents and formed a moat of water.  That settles the problem for now.  It didn’t solve the problem when some great massage oil was smeared on the leg at night.  A new traffic lane formed during sleep.  We’ll have to deal with it.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, February 16th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

What Would…?

What would a day be like without the morning?  You would miss that wave of freshness which air-currents bring.  You would miss the quiet–especially at pre-dawn.  You would miss seeing the horizon at the sun’s wake.  You would also miss out on opportune meditative space and time.

All glories to morning, the time of hope and the time when there’s no need for mourning.

My late morning placed me in a meeting of great minds, when colleagues, both those of the renounced order and those who parent or grandparent, assemble together.  There are two levels of governance in our mission in India.  We have the India Bureau and the Governing Body Commission.  Both groups had a session in the morning and afternoon–together.  That rarely has happened in the past.  Now, today’s hours were happily expended in dialogue together.

The mouth is such an ideal tool for communicating.  History tells that humans often do not have much control over the mouth’s use and so dissension develops, even ugly wars.

Congenial dialogue is so favourable to relationship building.  How often we miss this fantastic opportunity and submit to base avenues.

What should the end of the day look like after a morning and afternoon of hard work at gaining understanding?  Well, we should have a good sleep.  After quality mantras are done and we’ve read something beyond mundane modes and after having taking some time to communicate with others, we should have a good sleep.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, February 15th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
GBC Code of Honour
I am a member of the Governing Body Commission for the Hare Krishna movement and I wanted to share the Code of Honour which is printed and placed on our seats during meeting times.  It’s good and can apply to other organizations.  There are ten points.
1.     RESPECT:  If I have issues related to the personal conduct, speech, attitude etc. of a GBC member, I will not express these issues to others but instead bring them directly to the individual concerned, using all the tact and Vaishnava etiquette at my command.  If that fails to bring a resolution, I will seek aid from a responsible outside party—another GBC member, a senior Vaishnava, or a representative of ISKCON Resolve.

2.     Confidentiality:  I will maintain strict confidentiality about sensitive issues and topics, including keeping private person’s names and other specific information I am privy to through my GBC service.

3.     Courtesy:  I will be courteous in tone and use respectful Vaishnava language when addressing issues and topics that come before me in my GBC service, especially while referring to specific people or sensitive information.

4.     Gravity:  While conducting GBC matters, I will avoid drawing insufficiently informed conclusions about issues and / or individuals.

5.     Fidelity:  I will honour all GBC decisions, regardless of whether or not I fully agree with them, and ensure their implementation in my jurisdiction(s).

6.     Personal Integrity:  I will cultivate impartial judgement and vote with integrity to ensure that personal loyalties do not overshadow my responsibility to the GBC body.

7.     Attendance and Punctuality:  I will attend all plenary sessions and other GBC related meetings on time and properly respect the chairperson.

8.     Attentiveness:  I will give all plenary sessions and GBC-related meetings my undivided attention.  Without permission from the chair, I will not use cell phones, iPods, iPads, computers or other electronic devices.

9.     Responsibility and Commitment:  I will extend myself as far as possible to accept commitments on behalf of the GBC body.  If I am unable to fulfill a commitment I accept that it is my responsibility to find others to do the job.  I will also communicate in a timely manner with all concerned.

10.  Humility:  If a colleague informs me I am in breach of any of our codes of honour, I will accept such information with humility and gratitude, understanding that I am being notified with the intention of improving my service to Srila Prabhupada (the founder / acarya).

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
It Starts With Red

When the sun rises in Mayapur, it shows up in the direction of the Jalangi River.  It appears beautifully.  A perfect circle, red, hot.  To me it foretells the weather condition.  It’s now warming up and when that warmth passes through the Ganges dampness, you get humidity.

I really can’t complain.  The steamy days start to set in next month.  Enjoy what you have and tolerate the oncoming mosquito wave.  Know when to be out, when to open and close doors.  Slide open the window with the screen.

My morning session of meetings with the monks was all to do with conducting more efficiently run meetings.  A committee was formed for that.  Thank you God!

There is, however, room for kirtan (chanting), and sravanam (listening) of a great class by Japanese/Canadian born Banu Swami, and releasing tension through dance in the green ritual called Tulasi Puja.  Walking is still kept to a minimum, but at the rate the gout is going, I should be able to increase the amount of stepping…soon.

And for the final lines in our script of “Mr. Puri,” here goes.

“I’m getting old now and I don’t need to hear any nonsense from anyone.  I just want to be close to my Lord, who is always youthful and always loving.  I’m gathering my life’s possessions, including what’s left of the pot of kheer.  And I will just keep walking on the trail.”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, February 13th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

 

 

People Came

The Sri Mayapur International School brought their 250 students to the Samadhi Auditorium for a matinee performance of our drama “Mr. Puri,” a story focusing on a wandering mendicant.  Our cast was also asked to conduct some voice and body exercises after the show.  We complied.  What can I say?  It was memorable for the cast and the kids.

Then we also performed for the general pilgrim public in the evening.  It was quite the marathon.  Many of the people were brought to tears over the show.  Those of us on the other end of the stick–the actors, directors and techies–feel the emotions as well.  If there’s no feelings, you don’t perform, and then you don’t get any “likes.”

After the drama, our cast sat down with Sacinandana Swami for a few warm minutes of exchange.  He recalled his time with renowned director Peter Brook, who staged and filmed, “Mahabharata.”  The master director was fond of the Vedic epic story and of Krishna devotees.

Let me share a few lines from our script of “Mr. Puri.”

“Meet Madhavendra Puri, the monk, who carried the true spirit of a pilgrim.  Always compelled by his dreams, he would press forward with purpose, with combined heart and feet.  Pathways were his lifeline, jungles–his challenges.  Ascending terrain was a climb worth trailing.  Rivers were his drinking and bathing places.  As he plodded on, coming nearer to a sacred place, he would become lighter in spirit despite the burden of physical fatigue.”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, February 12th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Fingers Walking

I let my fingers do some walking along the shoulder and upper backs of fellow monks.  They were either lunching at the time or just sitting in conversation.  I went around the tables where they were seated.  It was my service to them.

Most of the swamis, monks and seniour men I approached, were aging and stiff.  I allotted a minute and a half on average.  Oh, they appreciated it alright.

I’m also keeping up therapy for the gout foot.  That means massage.  Thanks to my helper Karuna Sindhu, who is, in my mind, a super-star brahmacari (monk).  When I come to think of it, we have, in Canada, some good men, and the ones we have are of good quality.  There’s Hayagriva, Brihat, Nitai Ram, and more.  They are exceptional.  I’m blessed with their company.

This evening we presented “Mr. Puri” the drama, to gurus, swamis and seniour men and women.  Our cast and crew were on fire with the performance.  It’s such a magical story, profiling a walking monk by the name of Madhavendra.  He has interactions with the people of his time, in the 15thcentury, and with the deity of Krishna.

The source of the material that provided the story for the script is from the Bengali text Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita.  It’s translated to English—thank God.  A good read.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Saturday, February 11th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

A Note

As the sanga(meeting) was about to start among us (there’s eighty of us monks), a note was passed over to me by one of the more jovial monks.

“Why are you cranky?” was the hand-written message.  I didn’t think I was but, again, he’s jovial.

“Because…” I wrote in response, passing it back.

“Because of the meetings?” he sent back.

“No!”  I responded. “I’m happy.”

“Let’s walk to Vaikuntha (the spiritual world),” he added onto the note.

My response, which ended the back-and-forth was, “Can’t walk, seriously.  I’ve got gout.”

With that I revealed my inflamed left foot.

Jolly Swami (the jovial one) bulged his eyes in surprise, and then the meeting began.  So, hush…

The above light exchange may be typical behaviour from some of us, but when required, everyone becomes grave.  Our topic was a look at four generations among spiritual groups.  Statistics and surveys have been done (research) of groups who didn’t survive and those who did.  We viewed trends.  We identified some challenges that make it hard to pass the torch onto what’s now a third generation.  It was quite the eye-opener.

Somehow, substance must be passed on and less so, form.  In other words, essence is stronger than structure; relationships are more than rules and formalities.

It was felt that a body does not surpass the soul, however, the two must function together.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Friday, February 10th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Looking at What is Great

It was the second of our AGM meetings and good friend, Anuttama, presented a review of fifty years of the Hare Krishnas in the world.  Of course, it is an old tradition–devotion to the deity Krishna–but formalized and registered, it’s been a golden jubilee year.

Among events that occurred to honour this milestone, Anuttama spoke briefly about my U.S. walk from New York to midway America–Seward, Nebraska, to be exact.  He mentioned my response to the question “Why are you doing this?” while the walk was in progress was “It’s to make America great again!”  That drew laughter.  Mind you, the remark was in-house.  It’s not what I would tell media.  At least, I don’t think I would.

Very frankly though, these pilgrimages are purposefully executed to encourage spiritual life.  The major imbalance in society is that beyond the survival mode and the excessive sensory stimulations that the general populace is catering to, there is a dearth of spiritual development.

Here in Mayapur, a spiritual culture has blossomed and it is a remarkable achievement.  In the midst of what once was a third-world district, and a recently oppressive government in Bengal, a marvelous community has formed.

If we are careful with planning, monitoring and staying inspirational, this community will be a model showcase.  The major challenge is the rampant motor bikes.  Walking and bicycles need to be encouraged.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Thursday, February 9th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

K.K. Swami & Me

I was greeted by an American monk who spends most of his time in Europe.

“It’s the top of the morning,” said Krsna Ksetra Swami, very optimistically.

He had expressed empathy over my slight waddle when walking near him the other day.  I mentioned that I spent a good hour lying down wiggling and stretching my toes as therapy for the gout.

“Toe yoga,” he said

“Yes, that’s right.  Stretching all parts of our machinery should be a regular affair.”  And for me now, it’s the left toe.

K.K. Swami has always been nice to me and has included me in his writing projects.  His books, Rama Smaranam and Gaura Smaranam are compilations of monologues of Vedic personalities.  In Rama Smaranam I contributed a piece voiced by the mystic, Marich, who took the form of a golden deer.  And in Gaura Smaranam I provided a monologue from Jagai who was the less evil of the two brothers.  Womanizers, drunkards and gamblers that they were, I found it fun to explore the anatomy of the more vile type of person.

I had the pleasure to open up the AGM this same morning with the song to honour the guru.  I was quite alive for that, however, ten minutes into the meeting, fatigue hit me.  I felt bad to doze for a few seconds.  Session #2 on this great day to remember the saint, Nityananda, and I was perhaps redeeming myself by His mercy.  I was perked up.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Putting Patience In Place

The situation with the gout in my left foot is improving.  Internal medicine, massage, rest and diet adjustments are making the difference.  I just can’t do my usual Mayapur trek along the elephant trail, the Taranpura Road and the pathway parallel to the Jalangi River.

I’m a patient so patience is required.  Yes, patience is that great virtue that dallies with time.  It is a good wait.

I’m trying to train those who attend my drama practices in punctuality.  And punctuality has all to do with respecting time.

“Time is God,” according to the Gita.  It is certainly one way to view the Absolute.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, was such a believer in punctuality.  He didn’t like it when the chowkidar (security guard) was late in ringing the bell at the temple entrance.  It would have to be rung on the hour, at least.

I remember the town I grew up in, where the church bells would sound especially at high noon.  It was really pleasing to the ears.  Those chimes were of a joyous nature.  It reminded me of God’s presence.  I wasn’t always a great lover of sitting in the classroom.  I felt, often times, more at home in church.  I guess I felt more patient there, more sattvic (calmed).

Tomorrow marks the first day of the AGM in Mayapur and I pray for patience as we leaders discuss various issues.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Tuesday, February 7th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India
Gene from Ohio

 

 

“Hello!” said the caller.

“Hello!”

“I wanted to speak to the Walking Monk.”

“Yes, that’s me.”  I had noticed the origin of the place where the call came from.  It was Ohio.  I was surprised.  I’m here in India.

“This is Gene.  I met you on your walk.  I’m the car salesman.  Remember?  It was raining.  I called you into my shop in Ohio.  I told you I know someone from Ontario, like yourself.  He’s from Wawa–a friend of mine.  Lives here now.  You met him.”

Of course, I remember.  And Wawa?  Well that is a notorious place for hitchhikers in Canada.  In the sixties and seventies the word was, “Don’t get dropped off in that place.  You’ll never get out”

“Gene, it’s a pleasure.”

“I wanted to know how you’re doing?  I can send you a donation,” said Gene.

Gene was one of those happy-go-lucky guys, generous as anything.  He told me he was willing to give me the shirt off his back.  Literally.  He was serious, especially when he saw me all wet.  His kind is rare.  He melted my heart.

When he understood he had called India, he was conscientious.  “I won’t hold you up too long.  It gets expensive.”

He’s melting my heart once again.

Of all the people and places…. I was flabbergasted that someone would go out of their way as he did.  I recall he appeared to me as a cross between Burl Ives and the sun–a jolly fellow.  I think he’s a saint.  I’ll follow up when I get back home.

May the Source be with you!

3 km