Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Thursday, December 29th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Cops are Tops
Temperatures hover  around the zero degree mark these days.  You have a combination of slush, ice, snow and bare spots.  You must keep your eyes open.  Under the CPR train tracks, the sidewalk was clear of all that interesting stuff.  This is at Yonge and Davisville where a popular liquor store operates right under the train cargo route.  I often frequent this area.
Today, one lost soul (I can say that because he was) asked me, “Which is the way to the closest Tim Hortons?”

I had to admit that I wasn’t quite sure.  In Canada, Tim Hortons,which caters to the donut, sandwich and coffee crowd, has locations from coast to coast.  It’s the meeting place for many, and the stereotype location for police to hang out and grab a donut.  People say, “Donut mess with the cops!”

And I do see police, today.  While in their patrol car at a street juncture, I got the sense they were gawking at me.  I had plain clothes on.  Slush, ice and snow don’t take kindly to our robes, the dhotis especially.  Other people were there waiting for the lights to change to green, but it seemed like the officers’ eyes were on me alone.  But perhaps that’s what everyone thinks. They’re looking at me.  I better behave.

 

From that perspective, I think it’s healthy.  The Ontario police have the policy “to serve and protect.”  I believe that. But, wait a minute, perhaps they took me for a donut!  I was wearing the colours—some browns—and maybe that was the reason for the stare.

But seriously, I meet police all the time, mostly on the long walks.  They are 98% good with me.  The cops are tops!

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, December 28th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
A Walk Talk
Cathy was the dental assistant who looked after my teeth, for a cleaning and check-up.  Before taking photos of the keyboard in my mouth, and the scraping and flossing, we chatted.

I told Cathy my appointment was delayed, and then delayed again, due to the frequent flying trips and the summer walk half-way across America.

“That’s amazing!” said Cathy.

“Four times Canada, and a few other countries, including Ireland and Israel….”

“Well, this summer, a friend and I walked one day, a total of 47.5 km (29.5 mi).  We went along Yonge Street from Newmarket through downtown Toronto to the lake.”

“That’s great, Cathy.”

“We weren’t really prepared.  The rain came down pretty hard mid-way into the walk.  I had good shoes though.  We got sore legs in the process.”

“What was your cause?” I asked.

“My friend was raising awareness for cancer.  And your cause?”

“I do all these walks to promote introspective lifestyle; to take care of body and soul together.”

The dentist came to inspect my mouth.  I’m embarrassed.  I’ve neglected my teeth for some years.  I always brushed but it takes more for good maintenance.  Cathy told him of my walking expeditions.

“Oh!  What for?” he asked.

“It’s always for friend-raising, not fund-raising.  You get to meet people; inspire and get inspired,” I said.  And, of course, I was happy to meet Cathy.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, December 27th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Time and Mindful Steps
I was on the phone with a friend who’s been in an alcoholic, upward/downward battle.  He recalled something he heard our guru, Srila Prabhupada, say, that every step taken can be a step of danger.  He was right to reference the remark, which is actually found in shastra (sacred Vedic text).

Nothing could be closer to the truth on this point, whether taken metaphorically or practically. Certainly when I braved winter this night, it was hard to keep balance on my feet on the ground.  I might have scored better on skates than shoes.  Even though I knew from the first step below the outdoor stairs that “slippery” would be the experience of an hour-and-a-half walk, I was determined not to turn back once I hit the sidewalk.  I was not going to be a wimp and so toughed it out.

I counted four slips onlyon the seven kilometre trek.  “Not bad for a treacherous walk,” I thought.  I was just driven to get my distance in.  It’s important not to fail in this.  No excuses.  Life gets busy and full with a monk’s obligations.  You pray for time to shape-up for the task.

Prioritize through the day, and the time needed usually works itself out.  God is there, after all, to help in such matters.  And I do often keep in mind the phrase from the Bhagavad-gita, where it is said by Bhagavan (the Supreme Divine), “Time I am!”

It is truly a profound statement.  Every day, hour and moment is precious—a jewel or gem when utilized for Divine intent.

May the Source be with you!

7km

Monday, December 26th, 2016
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Mississauga, Ontario
Hooked Up 
I was “hooked up” to one of Dr. Ho’s devices for muscle relief.  I accepted an invite to Raj Grover’s home for dinner, and how splendid it was!  He had everything that could kill a monk (sarcasm here).  On the menu were wraps with choices of dips, pizzas of Italiano quality, hummus garnished with mouth-exploding herbs, my favorite—asparagus cut with Indian masala—and for a beverage, a fine lemonade with stevia to replace nasty sugar.
But now the hook-up! And the muscle relief to follow that lovely killer of a meal.  By the way, my doctor, known professionally as Dr. Pandith, sat next to me at the dinner table, and also indulged at my side.  We watched each other’s quantity intake. 

Dr. Ho must be doing well, at Christmas time, with sales of his equipment.  He convinced Raj to get this device with pads and wires for feet, leg, and back muscles.  But I must admit, jolts of joy were applied when Raj pressed the button to trigger the various levels of intensity.

Before Raj applied this to my various areas of a walker’s challenge—such as knees and the right shoulder blade—I looked at the apparatus and caught a glimpse into the past (a flash-back) of Alice Cooper being set on the electric chair for a zap.  The recall was just momentary.

The end result of being hooked up was good.  I became more relaxed than before, and came out of it better off than Alice Cooper.  Truly, Dr. Ho’s device looks less foreboding.

I would just like to end with a “Merry Krishnas” and a “Hare New Year!”

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Sunday, December 25th, 2016
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Scarborough, Ontario
Jesus and Krishna
Trekking today was restricted to the balcony of our building—the balcony being a horse-shoe shaped formation.  And that I executed after the party, or shall I say when the sermon and the hymns were over.  In our Toronto Centre, we have Sunday functions of chanting, discussion and food in what used to be a Methodist Church.  I took the opportunity to walk at night when all was done.
Yes, it was a trying day.  For clergy, Sunday is usually like that—very demanding.  It started off with a trip to our Scarborough Centre where a bubbly bunch of congregants meet on Sundays.  Sunday is not a special day, per se, in our Krishna or Vaishnava tradition, but out of convenience it is the day of the week when people are more available for getting together.

The turn-out in Scarborough was good.  Even Christmas is not a marked day on our calendar—although a day to honour Christ is worthy of some attention.

Back to 243 Avenue Road, the downtown Toronto Centre where I live and gave my second sermon, or as we say pravachan, of the day.  When I stepped into the room to greet the Sunday crowd, I recalled a Jesus/Krishna parallel.  This room and building was our purchase in late ’75.  It was formerly owned by a Protestant Christian group.  It was up for sale.  We were seriously looking to buy it but the former owners had no interest in selling to the Hare Krishnas.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, told our people—the potential buyers—to say, “We will install a statue of Jesus Christ and honour it,” as a way to negotiate.  He was quite serious about that.  They wouldn’t hear of it.  Somehow Krishna and His devotees got inside.  Jesus and Krishna are compatible.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Saturday, December 24th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Happy Holidays
I had only two hours left in the day to get some kilometres in before the midnight approached and Christmas Day would begin.  I tied my shoe laces and grabbed my phone, then dialed an old friend whom I wanted to wish well.  I shut the door behind me.  I was outside now in a snow-melting Christmas.

“Hello!  Visvakarma, it’s been a while.”

“Yes it has.  Hare Krishna.”

“I’m walking as we talk.”

And talk we did—of old times, ’73, of people we know and also wish well, of the world situation, of the power of the technique of chanting.  And as we did, I saw people, some having the spirit and some not.

“Where are you now?” asked Visvakarma when music of yuletide was playing from the outdoor speakers of Holt Renfrew.

“Bloor, but getting close to Yonge,” I said.

Much later on, an hour or more, after a muscle car burned rubber, and he could hear the sound penetrating through a hopeful “Silent Night, Holy Night,” he asked again, “Where are you now?”

“I’m near Dundas.  I got to Queen and turned around.”

I was happy to hear that he’s been in touch with God-brothers (“Go-bros” I call them, sometimes) and giving encouragement to each and all about doing their japa(mantra meditation).  Some had drifted from this request of our teacher, Srila Prabhupada, but to his credit, Visvakarma is pulling them back in again.

It was time for me to sign off on the call, which was no doubt positive.  I had listened, spoken and observed the rough and refined.  My last leg was a slippery slope over ice, water and snow.  Just a reminder of the care we must take as we do life.

Happy Holidays.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Friday, December 23rd, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario 
Robey

Robey works with Uber.  One day a passenger of his, who happens to be our neighbour, asked to be dropped off across the street from the Hare Krishna Centre.

“The what?”

“The Hare Krishna Centre.  You know?  I wake up every morning to the sound of their drums.  They have a vegetarian restaurant inside.  You should try it.”

Robey got the idea to visit and today was his first.  “I loved the meal,” he told me as I seated myself at the table next to him.  He said he was from Nigeria.  Aside from Uber, he also does social work with youths in group homes.  We talked about everything from Christ to Krishna, St. Nicolas—who got converted to Santa Claus—and from Al Jolson to Black Pete.

I told him I was born in Canada of Dutch descent.

“What’s that thing about Black Pete where someone gets painted black?” he asked, taking this notion to be derogatory, and a Dutch tradition.

“To my knowledge, Black Pete—in Dutch referred to as Zwarte Piet—was a helper to Saint Nicholas, who was very generous with children.  As kids, we were taught that Pietwas greatly revered.  Al Jolson was a Jewish-Russian immigrant to the U.S. who loved the black man’s sense of rhythm.  As a routine, he would don black make-up, sing sentimental songs and enthrall white audiences.  If anything, he gave honour to African Americans.  The most important thing to come to terms with, though, in all this regard, is we are not these bodies, but instead, pure spirits.”

Robey is really nice.  I hope he returns.  He took with him a copy of the book, Science of Self Realization.

May the Source be with you!

7 km


Thursday, December 22nd, 2016
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
Received a Call

I received a call after a morning trek.

“Maharaja, this is Dharma.  I will be picking you up at the airport (Toronto).”

“That’s fine.  I’m looking forward to seeing you,” I said to Dharma.

A second call came to me offering the same gesture.  “I’m Pankaj, and I’ll be fetching you at the airport when you arrive.”

“Oh really.  You might want to check with Dharma.  I believe he also volunteered,” I said.

“Okay!”

A third call came.

“This is Umesh.  I can pick you up when you come from Winnipeg.”

“Thank you, but I believe Dharma is already doing this.”

“I’ll check with him.”

It happened that on the other end, in Winnipeg, where I was, the same dynamic transpired.

“I’ll be taking you (to the airport).”  That message came from Vishal.  Then another person was also suggested.  Finally Daruka, my former cross country support person, became the chosen one to execute the mission.

I’m relaying this message, not to express there’s some administrative confusion here, but that there is all this enthusiasm to help.  I feel blessed I don’t have to make all the arrangements for my person; nor will I be left surprised, stranded and having to fend for myself.  There’s all these eager beavers out there and when they do call, it’s with interest to please.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Wednesday, December 21st, 2016
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Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

 

House With a Purpose

The house is a 1974 structure with a split level feature on the main floor.  The basement, which I haven’t seen, is rented out to students.  Visvambhara and Maha Sundari, a couple from India, reached Winnipeg a little over two years ago, got employment and were, this last summer, ready to purchase the above dream house, situated in the St. Vital section of Winnipeg.

“We liked the location.  There’s southerly windows.  The main entrance is in the east (which, according to Vastuscriptures, is auspicious).  Also, there’s a park across the street where we can chant in the summer,” said Visvambhara.

The plan is to run the house like a meeting place, where people can come to learn of the technique of devotion to Krishna—hence the name Bhakti Village.

I was hosted by the couple.  They fed me my favorite—wraps.  We also spent a good portion of the day re-arranging furniture, pictures and deities in order to maximize the use of space for those coming to bhakti sessions.

Morning and evening segments were spent in devotional readings and discussions.  The morning session was powerful.  We read from Canto 2 of the Bhagavatam, regarding a dying king.  Emperor Pariksit had one week to live and so he was advised to put  karma kanda behind him forever.  This refers to physical and royal pleasures. Even religious piety was to be rejected and substituted for a fixation or meditation on the Source of the world.  Bhakti,or divine love, was to occupy his last moments.

The Bhagavatam tells that he succeeded.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Tuesday, December 20th, 2016
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Regina, Saskatchewan 
Reincarnation Forever

The way I see it, each day we reincarnate.  Each day, we enter a new sphere or a different zone.  Our soul, which is encased in this body,will travel from one room to the next within the comfort of our home.  We may move from one building to another on the campus, or we can mobilize ourselves from one street to another; adjust to different neighborhoods, cities or nations.  We transfer ourselves all the time.  We transmigrate.

I was moving (rather my body was moving) my soul from one trail to another by leg power.  I was not exactly groping in the dark, as there were enough street lights to assist my eyes when coming to a juncture in the road.  As usual, I trek in the early morning when it’s dark.  I kept eyes peeled for the sign that read “Trans Canada Trail.”  I didn’t know the trail makes its way through White City.

Frankly, I was left confused.  Good signage for the Trans Canada goes on for a while until you come to this T in the trail.  I was left puzzled.  No sign.  Where to go?

Without direction, it becomes hard to move, yet I must make a decision to transmigrate.  You can’t be at a standstill.  You’ll freeze to death.  But if you die from frost, still you’ll move.  At least your soul will find no comfort in a frozen body.  The “Gita” informs us we’ll be transported to a new body.

Within the last twenty-four hours, I have succeeded in my soul’s moving to different homes to conduct sangas (spiritual gatherings).  Everyone is always travelling.  Watch where you go!

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Monday, December 19th, 2016
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Regina, Saskatchewan
Days are Short 
Days are short.  Nighttime seems forever.  That doesn’t bother the huge white hares—sometimes referred to as snow bunnies—who bounce around in the dark.

I’m walking and they are moving with speed.  I’m chanting softly with beads in right hand, but the bunnies are silent.  How many?  Hard to tell.  Half a dozen?  One pops up here and then disappears within the darkness of pre-dawn and camouflages with the snow.  Then another repeats the same action coming from a different direction.

They are surreal, but the only sign of life—so it seems—in what is the area of White City.  It’s not clear about the origin of the town’s name.  Apparently, it has nothing to do with snow.  But I’ve gotten to know the place, somewhat.  It’s primarily a commuter bedroom community of Regina.  The name also has nothing to do with racial colour.

As I was trekking over low levels of snow, I recalled how, at least on two occasions, the police from White City came to see what I was up to.  This was not long after 9/11 and the collapse of New York’s Twin Towers.

I explained, “I’m a monk, a Krishna monk.  I’m hosted by residents here.  Jai Ram is a home owner and he is a local palm reader.  I’m rather harmless.”  I was good to go.

When Jai heard of this he was upset and complained to the mayor who responded by visiting him.  The mayor offered an apology and wanted to let us know that White City is a good place.  “Not pure,” but good.  He also mentioned that in earlier years, he was in a rock band with Don Gotteil, a.k.a. Dharmaprana, a Krishna monk currently living in the Toronto temple.  Small world.

I kept walking the trails and streets of White City after the incident, and the mayor, while driving, noticed me.

“Anyone harass you lately?”

“No! Thanks!  I’m fine.”

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Sunday, December 18th, 2016
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Regina, Saskatchewan
I Hopped
In truth, I hopped from Toronto to Brampton and made a big leap to Regina, capital of province, Saskatchewan, a three hour plane ride.  Waiting for me at arrivals was Ramesh, a six-foot-four-inch young, new immigrant from Mombasa.  He has a master’s degree in social work, but for the moment has settled for work on an 18,000 acre farm.  Wow!  18,000 is an enormous number.  There are 18,000 verses in the epical book, Srimad Bhagavatam, of which we read a portion, every day.

Ramesh has the build of a lean basketball player, but the face of an angel—a pious look.  He came to me with a traditional garland to be offered to a visiting monk.  He was in white apparel—kurta (upper cloth) and dhoti(lower cloth)—which was fine.  Even in conservative Saskatchewan, citizens are getting used to seeing exotic wear from other parts of the world.

I mentioned to a few of my hosts, when I arrived in Regina, that I hadn’t walked at all today and I felt guilty about it, but I accomplished much, otherwise.  In Brampton, I presented a power point on the Seven Purposes of ISKCON, personally compiled by our guru, Srila Prabhupada.  The presentation and discussion on the points became an eye-opener.

The vision of the founder was to basically transmit information, teaching or education, on the ancient ways of devotional life.  Clearly we are not just speaking about a church or a religion transplanted from the east.  It is more about culture and lifestyle, but undisputedly with Krishna in the limelight.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Saturday, December 17th, 2016
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Brighton, Ontario

 

 

Rick / Happiness

 

 

Rick had been sitting in the cozy quarter of Prabhupada’s sitting room in our Toronto ashram.  I walked through the room en route to the washroom when I saw him reading about the life of the founder of the Hare Krishnas.  It’s an extraordinary story.

“How are you, Rick?”

“Great!”

“And how’s your girlfriend?”

“I’ve been trying to get her to come, but she’s reluctant and not sure about the God thing.  She was raised by atheist parents,” said Rick.

“That’s okay.  It’s different for her, naturally.”

“I have no problem with that higher power—a supreme intelligence—but she admits I’ve become a better person because of Krishna being in my life.”

“Yes, that’s what you have to go on.  People judge on the basis of someone’s behaviour and attitude.  If she’s impressed with you then her attraction can build up to the point of coming around.”

Rick was happy with the talk and the prospect of her coming someday.

Happiness is at the seat of life.  It’s what we all want.

Portion two of today was a drive and stay in Brighton for a first bhakti-yogaCentral Canada Farm Conference.  Twenty-six participants came from Ontario and Quebec for an elevating, educational conference on agrarian culture.  There are a number of farm initiatives taken up already.  Some are in a dream state.  Overall, the exhilarating experience of hearing from talent and young, eager families seeking a better quality of life, brought happiness.


Please send me a message if you want more info on the discussions.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Friday, December 16th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
While Here

 

 

While here in the ashram, I can look out to see what nature is doing.  The windows reveal the truth.  Once again, today is a white reality.  Yes, snow is out there and it is a natural silencer of things.

“Prabhu, could you please shovel the snow?”  I ask one of the younger monks willing to get into a workout.  Sometimes it’s two or three volunteers who demonstrate beaver-power as far as team work is concerned.  It’s great to see them out there with their cardio exercise in full swing.

I had my share of good old-fashioned physio cleaning the walls and floors of the ashram.  They really needed it and so did I.  Cleaning a holy place is like cleaning the heart.  Sri Chaitanya, one of the most outstanding monks of all times, said to a local trouble-maker, “Amogha, you are born a brahman (a priest).  Your heart should be clean.  God needs to sit there.  He doesn’t like dirty places.”

Amogha was suffering from cholera, a result (according to those who analyzed the story) of finding fault, chronically, in those who were innocent.  Chaitanya put his hand on the chest of the ailing Amogha and instant healing took place.  It was a miracle, an absolute miracle.

In addition to the cleaning, I trudged on through snow again today, for two hours, on my way to directing a drama.  The white stuff that people seem to abhor should be given a second look.  It cleans the air and gives us service.

May the Source be with you!

11 km

Thursday, December 15th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Do it Right!

 

 

Rohita came in from Vancouver,and I was there to greet him at the airport.  Due to the interesting weather conditions, we decided not to take a ride offered by someone who would have had to deal with the drudgery of snow and traffic that was slow.  We chose the train to the city.  After arriving at Union Station and getting onto the subway, it then meant trudging through crowds and then holy snow itself.

It seemed like we were wheeling luggage forever.  Blessed we were to have the workout it became.  Dragging luggage makes the short trek appear three times as long.

This, of course, is like karma, a burden that must be carried,and when handled correctly, it is called doing the noble task of dharma.  Now karma means action and when action is executed according to rules, we call that dharma.

Rohita and I passed a popular bar where the window is enormous to attract the public.  A huge screen inside the bar revealed a hockey game in action.  As everyone knows, most Canadians are suckers for the game, so onlooking enthusiasts were huddled near the screen in quite the meditative way.

I thought, “For the guys on ice who play the game correctly, and according to the rules, then that’s dharma.  If you are involved in foul play, then you might be penalized and even lose credentials and popularity, if you do it frequently.”

So for all that we do, let’s do it right.

“Are you okay?”  I asked Rohita as he stumbled—but less than I with my luggage—through the snow not yet shoveled.  We were just two monks enjoying a challenge for several blocks.  We took up a minor austerity as our dharma.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Wednesday, December 14th, 2016
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Edmonton, Alberta
Be Agile

 

 

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, encouraged us to be good all-rounders—meaning he liked his students to show expertise in various areas.  He encouraged leadership by way of being familiar with all avenues of devotional life.  What comes to mind is being frugal and careful in financial dealings, having some know-how in archana (rituals), being well-read and learned, giving a good class, training others in devotional sciences, learning the art of Vedic cuisine, caring for others, and sharing—in any innovative way—the Krishna Conscious lifestyle.

In general, it’s good to have variegated skills.  Alberta could perhaps learn a lesson on diversification.  The province has become too dependent on the drilling of oil; thus, when oil prices plunge, it hurts the economy, which is the case here.

For a second day, Sanatan and I visited “Meadows Community Centre” to walk the track.  The place is huge and I was wondering, with such enormity, couldn’t the province build large vegetable greenhouses for food?  We work for food.  Why not employ today’s technology for doing things locally and organically?  It crossed my mind that we should do things differently.  Let’s have a sincere look at welcoming adjustment.

In this regard, I chose a verse from the Bhagavatam which highlights the theme of adjustment.  In 1:9:9, this point about agility is addressed so well.  It was this message of bending for time, place, and circumstance that I shared with Jonathon (now Jaga Jivan) and Richa (now Rati Keli) who received diksha (initiation) this evening.  Jaya!

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, December 13th, 2016
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Edmonton, Alberta
Flying, Walking, Thinking

 

 

The flight to Edmonton was short and sweet—less than an hour.  The elevation wasn’t high and so the land below could easily be seen—a white quilt with patches (property lines).  The laden snow wasn’t a thick enough blanket.  The furrows of ploughed fields were not hidden and there were clear depressions of creeks, off the grid.  Quaint boxes for barns and homes dotted the white landscape.

It was awesome to look at.

I suggested to Bala Krishna, my driver from the airport, that I needed to walk.  With one of the priests at the Radha Govinda Cultural Centre, we were taken to “Meadows Community Centre.”  For an okay fee, you can walk, swim, bounce balls, lift weights, etc.  We walked the track, a 5 km length.  4.25 laps convert to one kilometer.

That went well, although I found it hard to get any people working-out to crack a smile.  “Relax,” I thought, “you should be happy you’re getting bigger in the places you want.”

Walking prepared me for a big meal at Yogendra and Saranagati’s home, followed by a session for a dozen kids and their parents.  May this swami say, “I had a blast!”

I picked up on Gandhi’s “7 dangers to Human Virtue.”

1.     Wealth without work

2.     Pleasure without conscience

3.     Knowledge without character

4.     Business without ethics

5.     Science without humanity

6.     Religion without sacrifice

7.     Politics without principle

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday, December 12th, 2016
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Calgary, Alberta
Opportunity
It was another -20° Celsius day.  Residents in the NE suburbs have their vehicles plugged in for engine warming.  The ignition keys are turned on to warm the vehicles’ interiors.  Motorists want a toasty feeling on their way to work.  Seats, now, also have built-in heaters.

As I’m passing by all their readied means of transport, I feel complete contentment with Creator-made mechanisms for keeping me warm.  My body registers at 37° Celsius (98.6 °F) and my coat and clothes, along with the walking motion, keep that furnace stoked.  Being a swami, I feel very relieved using simple accessories like my pockets.

I often wonder how yogis can be stoic in those mountain caves, but I can say that their power to adjust is remarkable and doable.  It takes tapasya(austerity) and a sense of self-discipline to achieve such feats.

Speaking of yogis, someone by the name of Yogendra drove me to a yogic destination, “Yoga and Beyond,” where I spoke on “Tales from Trails” and conducted a chanting session.  Students of astanga, the eight-fold yogic system, are generally very receptive to the devotional yoga approach.  You make friends.

Western yogis are usually young, energetic and open-minded.  Many of the participants crave love, like anyone else, and when they make the bhakti connection, it can be discovered that the ultimate One to love and be loved by is very much available.

You just have to take the opportunity to explore what’s there.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, December 11th, 2016
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Calgary, Alberta
Secret of All Secrets

 

 

Gaurachandra admits he went through a culture shock.  He and his wife, Vanipriya, and son, Jagannatha, were recently with us in Cuba, enjoying the perfect weather and warm-hearted people.  The family came back home to their place in north-east Calgary and got struck by frigidness.

They really hadn’t been out of the house for any length of time until I arrived, and it was suggested that we take a walk and brave a mind-over-matter experience.

With some apprehension, the coat, pants, and extra layers of them went on and we tackled the -20° weather.

“We are not these bodies,” is a helpful reminder for taking on the austerity.  An hour went by and the four of us were wrapped up in conversation.

“After you left Cuba (because we stayed an extra week), a woman at the cafeteria was asking about you. ‘Where is the monk?’”

People in Cuba have a natural proclivity toward the spiritual.  They, like everyone, have the same craving for self-indulgence.  Once given the opportunity, as doors open up to America, we shall see how “the cookie crumbles.”  Some surprises await us.  That appears to be the standard dialogue with Donald Trump as the new U.S. president.  We shall see how it all plays out.

In the evening, I attended the program at the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre and delivered a message from 9:2 of the Gita wherein Sri Krishna speaks of the most secret of all secrets.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Saturday, December 10th, 2016
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
The Five P’s

In Saskatoon in December, it is already true winter.  The air is cold and crisp, but dry and brittle.  Your footsteps on the sidewalk make a clear clumping—at least my hiking boots create that sound.  The sky is blue and the sun shines.

Vivek and I drove over the river by way of one of the bridges.  Mystical clouds of vapour ascended from the water.  Similar puffy white cloud formations bellow out of smoke stacks and chimneys. I’m sure Siberia is the same with images of “white” rising to the heavens all the time.

Because of the cold, Vivek and I decided to get some walking in by doing so indoors.  30 below Celsius wasn’t too appealing, so we parked and entered at Field House, a large community hall for work-out, physical training and so on.  The place was huge and vibrant with young people.  We took to the walking track and put in over 5 kilometres.  Runners, both men and women, sped by with amazing pace.

“I don’t run,” I told Vivek.  “I gave it up long ago.”

The day was ceremonious for us for three reasons, starting with the fact that it is Gita Jayanti today, the anniversary of the Gita being spoken by Sri Krishna.  Also, Vivek had never been to Field House before, so it was a great discovery.  Lastly, after our walk, we had a stop-over at his “Karma Café,” his food business, where a group of us gathered for succession planning.  Now that the family running our sangas (spiritual gatherings) for six years, are moving to New York, we discussed how things will go on in their absence.  We bore in mind that Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance (The 5 P’s).

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, December 9th, 2016
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Ocean of Mercy

“To my dear godbrother and friend, Bhaktimarga Swami.”  Bhakti Caru Swami autographed this on the inside cover of his book Ocean of Mercy.  The book was a kind gift, one that I started reading on the plane to Saskatoon.

Here is a provocative excerpt from the book, of an incident which occurred before he became a monk.

“One Sunday during the summer, when the whole group was sitting together in a restaurant near the harbor, Chuck asked me in a rather condescending tone how many people died of starvation in India each year.  His disrespect was insulting, but I tried to control my anger.  Many people in the West had that misconception, but no one had ever put it so bluntly.

“Although I was born and brought up in India,” I said, “I have never seen anyone die of starvation.”

“Oh, come on,” he persisted.  “Everyone knows that.  You don’t have to defend your country’s honor.  After all, a fact is a fact…”

“India is not poor,” I protested.  “She may not be so advanced or affluent materially, but she is not poor.  If she were, why would Columbus have ventured so far to find her?  Why was she considered the crown jewel of the British Empire?”

“You may claim whatever you want,” he argued, “but everybody knows India’s poverty-stricken condition.”

“India is not interested in material prosperity,” I countered, “but in developing her spiritual riches.”

“What are your so-called spiritual riches?”

“That the real goal of life is to achieve emancipation—elevation to a higher consciousness.”

“By smoking pot?”

“No, by performing austerities—negating the demons of the body.”

“That’s just the excuse of useless bums.”

When the others saw that the argument was spiraling out of control, they suggested we stop … That argument led me to probe deeper into my country’s spiritual culture.”  

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
What Snow?

Sometimes you hear things like, “They would snow the public into believing that all was well,” to imply ‘covering over’ or ‘concealing’ something.  That sounds like the political manoeuvres of today. But really, I was thinking of snow in the traditional sense when I took my evening walk.  One definition of snow—that white stuff—is “an atmospheric water vapor frozen into ice crystals and falling in light white flakes or lying on the ground as a white layer.”

I won’t forget the scene in the musical classic “The King and I” where a narration is given of a stage production for the King of Siam, when the crystals were referred to as “a miracle sent by Buddha.”  “Forgot to mention (the miracle) is called snow,” says the narrator.

Snow came to mind while I was walking, because Vancouver, which receives very little on a yearly basis, was recently dumped with the fluffy material.  Normally, Toronto would have some by this date in December.  Of course, I missed the little that came and went while I was in Cuba or Argentina, but right now there’s an amazing absence of it here.

Often, a presence of it helps with Christmas sales.  Snow is usually associated with Santa, reindeer, good cheer and so on.  I believe it helps to see the good in it.  Snow contributes to ground water and the water table.  It’s also kind of pretty.  It’s part of a masterplan by the Master Himself.  Snow is not a major issue, cars are the issue.  But motorists want to blame snow for impeded driving, accidents and so on.

It’s a wrong perception, I believe.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, December 8th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario 
At Knife’s Point

We have an electrician, Dave, who brought his apprentice daughter to do some work on our altar.  Dave and his daughter had lunch with me and we chatted about recent interesting experiences.

He told of a chap from the Middle East whom he met not long ago—a hijacker.

“It was a flight from Cuba,” said Dave, “and it landed in Gander, Newfoundland.  This fellow admitted to pulling out his jack-knife and getting behind the two pilots and re-directing the flight.  Naturally, they didn’t anticipate this distraction.  They were at knife-point.”

Dave explained that when they got low enough  to see land, the hijacker viewed all this whiteness and asked the pilots about it.  “That’s called snow.”

The plane landed safely.  The man re-directing the flight was arrested, served his term and is now running his own business—a restaurant—successfully.

After Dave told the story, as we were finishing dessert, we came to several conclusions:

1) Gander is a famous Airport juncture in the world.  Remember 9-11? 

2) Hijacking is a crime and justice must be done to one guilty of it. 

3) Even a criminal can be reformed and end up doing good. 

4) Some crazy guy can be ready to slit your throat at any time.  Are you ready for it?

Yes, imminent death can come at any time.

May the Source be with you?

0 km

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

The Floor
Our temple room in Toronto has a tilt to the floor and when you walk on its surface, it’s easy enough to see and feel the slant.  Walking this morning on that eternal slant was easily my greatest challenge, as when I walk on the shoulder of a road.  You know, the engineering of any road’s construct is such that the slant accommodates a rainfall’s run-off.

Incidentally, because of a cold rain, I decided to walk-off my food intake indoors. That left me pacing the temple room floor which has a glossy linoleum finish.  It has been suggested the floor be replaced with marble tiling.  If that was ever to happen, it would not be a foot-happy situation.  Currently, the floor is soft, pliable, and even danceable because of the pine wood slats underneath and the spring effect there, that was initially intended.

It is this part of our building that was built in 1911.  Our other section was up first.  A cornerstone indicates that it was erected in 1897.  It was a Methodist congregation who occupied and built up the place, with its smart limestone exterior, at this great location near the museum, just north of Queen’s Park, blocks from the country’s largest university—the U of T, near Casa Loma—a castle of substantial size, and a five minute walk from classy Yorkville.

We’re proud of our building which resembles a fort of sorts, outside and in.  And the floor, despite its slant, was built for a good view. From the point of view, when you would sit in a pew, it’s not really bothersome at all.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, December 5th, 2016
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Moundsville, West Virginia

 

 

Birds and Dudes

I was walking around the pond and happily met Malati, a dear god-sister, who was feeding the peacocks.  They became the subject of our discussion.  You know they are beautiful conversation pieces.  Malati had tossed out an assortment of seeds and corn, and those birds, about ten in all, were relishing lunch like anything.

In the course of our chat, we both observed an interesting dynamic.  The crows quietly made flight to nearby trees.  They helped themselves to branches for perching.  When the peacocks had their fill, the chickadees bobbed around and took to the remnants.  Bon Appetite!  The crows still waited.

The next installment was two blue jays.  Aggressive or what?  They  zoomed in with their larger wing-span and threw off the tiny feathered-friends, the chickadees.  For the final swoop, the crows came down and finished off what was left.

Here we saw a genuine display of ‘pecking’ order.  Most interesting!  Maybe a form of caste system?

I left the quiet of the country, New Vrindavana, for the airport at Pittsburgh; then to Toronto, and then Union Station.  I was searching for the subway transit system when I met a flock of birds.  Dudes rather.  One particular young Afro-Canadian fella asked, “You’re a monk?”  I told him I was.  “Holy F***! Oh! I’m not supposed to swear?”

His friend said, “You can swear but he (meaning me) can’t.”

“Oh!”  He was stunned, but shook hands and promised to visit me, and he won’t swear if he comes.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, December 4th, 2016
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Moundsville, West Virginia

 

 

Another Day

Another day with glorious purpose

Feeding the soul, doing all to uplift us

I spoke from a verse of the Bhagavatam

Of symptoms of Kali where you find little calm.

A Cleveland clan came then to visit

A break, a change, a bhakti deposit.

I spoke from the Gita: 9, text 2,

Of what’s confidential to me and to you.

Pilgrims did come to make an invest

To advance their soul and doing what’s best

The chanters did dance and dancers did chant

Missing the presence of those who just can’t.

Vraja and I took to the palace road,

Walking and talking with no heavy load.

We sighted an albino, a pure white deer

Smartly he dashed, for it’s humans to fear.

At Lila and Jesse’s we drank ginger light

We chatted, ate wraps—was joy at each bite

He pulled out guitar and she the flute

The songs they sang were beyond what’s cute.

The day was of glory, full and complete

I walked back on my little ol’ feet

Reviewing my input for these past hours

“Gave only half of my heart” and then there were showers.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, December 3rd, 2016
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Moundsville, West Virginia

 

 

Wedding Bells

Few people get married in December, but bridegroom, Vrndavan Das, had adjusted from an earlier date to today, since that was when I was available.  Bless him!  The couple, Vrndavan and bride, Neetika, both were recipients of blessings from friends who came from Europe, India, various locations in the U.S. and Canada (me).

The ceremony was of good cheer, although not perfect in its execution.  The pundit/pujari or priest, Krpamoya, had to work his way through a muffled sounding microphone, while a second mic became the instrumental tool for the chanters who came off as competitive in volume.  All that aside, you had a gorgeous celebration.  Some newcomer Caucasian folks (friends of Neetika) were highly impressed with the richness of display—not necessarily in monetary pomp but in feel.

The ring was given, so also garlands were exchanged, and the knot was tied, her saree to his shawl.  For the tongue, a phenomenal cake was devoured and for me, the salty stuff was a delight—veggie preps and paneer kofta, a non-violent dairy savory.

After the satisfying meal, a walk, up and down the sloping McCreary’s Road, was justified, and there I met devotees, attendees to the wedding from Atlanta.  They were curious about the location of the goshala, the cow sanctuary.  So off we went in their rented SUV and made it to the herd; bulls and cows, happy to be given some attention.

When I think about it, every day of our life is complete when we give attention to humans, animals, the trees and the earth.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, December 2nd, 2016
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Moundsville, West Virginia
Great Gesture 
I believe our guru, Srila Prabhupada, set a precedent when he asked his strong-bodied, young disciple Brahmananda, to offer his obeisance (prostrations) to his mom when she came to visit.  That was in New York, in the late 60’s, when Krishna Consciousness was just starting to brew in the western hemisphere.

Such a gesture has its roots in dharmic principles.  It is a Vedic practice to honour mother and father.  It is also a notion of reverence as a commandment for Jews, Christians and other ‘old school’ cultures. As long as we can remember, that displaying an act of respect is commanded, and not demanded.

When I arrived at West Virginia’s retreat in New Vrndavana, one of my first orders of business was to take a walk; so I did, around the pond in circumambulation, several times.  I was greeted by a lovely couple, two pond dwellers—swans.  But my second order of business was to play the role of guru, when I asked the newly-initiated, Vraja-dhama, (now with the name Vraja Kishor), to offer his obeisance to his parents before he showed the gesture to me.  The gesture to his parents, again, was to express an obliged indebtedness.

I was very happy for Vraja Kishor, a young Canadian family man, to come forward and take that extra step through the diksha process where one commits to wholesome disciplines in life.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, December 1st, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario 
Leaving but Loving

 

 

Paul Knitter, an American dialogue theologian once said, “Although the religions of the world are apples and oranges and are more different than they are alike, still there is a quality of “fruitfulness” that characterizes them all and out of which a ‘common ground’ for shared conversation can be established.”

I certainly believe in the above.  The brahmansof each community should converge to strengthen their relationships and establish a solidarity, despite different ways of approaching the Absolute.  It is a wholesome gesture.

For some years, I participated in interfaith sessions before I ‘hit the road’ to become a pilgrim.  The friendship and bonding amongst the faith leaders was truly rewarding.  I do recall becoming disenchanted, however, when a new representative of a particular group felt that in order for him to be part of the inclusiveness, we not say “God” or imply a Supreme Being, since his group were of a discipline but not a theism.  Clearly for them, there is not a persona or even a supreme energy that can be entertained within the world.

When the inter-faith group gave consideration and catered to the condition, I became disheartened.  Perhaps my thoughts or actions were immature.  I am curious about your comments.

I did become a marathon walker and it strengthened my belief in a Superior Power being very much a person.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, November 30th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Drain Your Blood
When it started to rain, we headed for the hills.  Not hills, really, it’s Toronto.  There are no hills.  We went for protection, is what I meant to say.

Surya—who hails from Siberia—and I, headed for the underground mall in the city.

Oh, yes, I’m reminded it’s Christmas.  I’m amazed how each year the décor changes, hence the “look” of holidays gets re-defined.  There is clearly one message, however. “Spend! Spend! Spend!”

Whether you have money or not, “Spend! Spend! Spend!”

Whether it clogs the traffic or not, “Spend! Spend! Spend!”

Whether it makes you happy or not, “Spend! Spend! Spend!”

Whether it snows or not, “Spend! Spend! Spend!”

Etc. etc.

“We are here to drain your blood!” the merchants say.

Sorry, I’m a cynic over what has become of the spiritual event, Christmas.

To lift my spirits, after Surya and I did the underground walk, I went to look for a verse from the Gita which comforts me.  In chapter ten, “Opulence of the Absolute” is listed.

 “Intelligence, knowledge, freedom from doubt and delusion, forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the senses, control of the mind, happiness and distress, birth, death, fear, fearlessness, non-violence, equanimity, satisfaction, austerity, charity, fame and infamy—all these various qualities of the living being are created by Me alone.”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Tuesday, November 29th, 2016
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Varadero / Toronto 
Just One

It was just one last chance for a beach walk at Varadero.  In that dark,early-hour time, not a soul can be seen or heard (5 a.m.).  A tractor pulled up and ploughed the beach, leaving a fresh turn of the sand.  Done before the people come out to make their prints, it’s a daily affair.

The tourists who come here are globally represented.  Lots of Russians!  Lots of Canadians!  Lots of drinks!

Oh, dear Prabhupada (my guru), thank you for sparing me from the vodka/beer culture, for I see that even in broad daylight, some come into the water waist-deep with huge mugs of booze.  They stand there in the water’s current.  Clean water surrounds them but toxic water pollutes the inside of them.

And there are children at the beach.  What do they learn from these adults? 

“This is what it will be like for you as an adult.”  Not a good message sent.

In the queue at the airport, a man and woman drink the last contents of a bottle.  It’s precious for them but stinks for those standing behind them.  “Good to the last drop,” they think.  I wanted to say (to them), “There’s got to be a better way,” but I doubt they’d accept my sermon.

I like the massive campaign that has gone on for years to discourage smoking.  It has been effective in saving so many people from bad health.  Can this pro-active education not apply to drinking?

I know for a fact that the plane we were in brought in bottles and bottles of rum and so much other fluid.  Just one bottle weighs something substantial.  But just one bottle pays substantial,and that, it appears, is usually the bottom line.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Monday, November 28th, 2016
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Matanzas, Cuba 
Beach and Road

Going west on the beach at Varadero offered the images of a gorgeous body of water, white sands, rock formations, a huge blowfish washed up on shore, and like us—beach walkers.

One of them, a Columbian, identified himself as one who has known Krishna monks and nuns.  In fact, he admitted to having a girlfriend, who became so immersed in her devotional practices of Krishna Consciousness, that she ended up having no time for him.  Our Columbian friend expressed no hard feelings and it appears he’s gone on with his own life, while maintaining a respect for her choice.

Our speaking engagement for the day was in Matanzas at a reiki centre, headed by a priest ordained in ’79 by the Liberal Catholic Church.  Father  Fernando is also a follower of the Self-Realization Fellowship.  He’s a percussionist and has a wife and three boys (men).

At the front of his quarters is a work-out gym for local youth, so Fernando has lots of things going on at age seventy-three.

His courtyard was fully occupied by his group.  I was asked to speak on “the power of consciousness and how we can connect with it.”  I was not so much prepared with details on the topic, yet I credit our guru, Srila Prabhupada, his books and his training, for allowing some message to flow from the mouth.  I delivered quotes from the Gita and we did do some chanting without instruments.  Remember, no music and no singing for nine days out of respect for the late President, Fidel Castro.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, November 27th, 2016
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Santa Clara, Cuba 
Some Things Work

Not everything works perfectly here in Cuba.  All was set for a yajna, a small fire ceremony, within a building called the Video Club.  Two followers of Krishna were to be blessed with brahman initiation, and one person, an aerobics/martial arts teacher, Denis, was to receive his first initiation.  Participants, including two priests, were preparing themselves for the event, by changing into the traditional dhoti, kurta and chaudar.  There was no change room.  All had to make due.

The toilet to the building didn’t flush.  No water came out of the tap.  The soap dispenser had bleach water in it.  The air conditioner was out of order.

Just as we were about to begin the ceremony, we were informed that no forum like this was to take place in a public facility for nine days during the mourning of Fidel Castro.

The twenty or so people in attendance were ready to adjust and move prontoto Denis’ residence to hold the yajnathere.  No complaints.  Everyone was so cooperative, and the ceremony, held in the back shed, was ermoso(beautiful).  Sarees were hung to adorn the tin and barnwood slat walls of the shed.  Wool strings were used as make-shift brahmanthreads for the 2nd initiates and Denis went home (oops! This is his home.) with a new Sanskrit name, Dhanvantari, the name of the avatar who is known for his ancient healing powers.

The Krishna community is growing at incremental paces in Cuba.  This is progress, as we see a pluralism of communities populating this land which currently is undergoing a very slow birth rate.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Saturday, November 26th, 2016
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Rodas, Cuba 
May He Rest in Peace

Very coincidentally, long-standing leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro, passed away last night during our short stay in this unique country of the world.

I slept very little last night and it wasn’t because of the usual partying at the resort we stayed at.  Perhaps, there was some, more subtle, stirring in the atmosphere.  I was told by Nanda M. from our Canadian group,that Castro left at 10 p.m.

A message came from our coordinator, Janardan, that we are not to sing today at Rodas, the destination of tonight’s bhaktiprogram.  People will mourn for nine days, and as far as I could understand, within this time-frame, his body would be cremated.

I remember hearing of Mr. Castro when I was a kid.  He was a regular headliner then and had, over the forthcoming decades, been a fairly high profiler.  He was buddies with our deceased Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, and attended the Canadian leader’s funeral.

Outside of Cuban resort areas, the nation was quiet.  Even Saturday night’s usual “loudness” was conspicuous by its absence.  We conducted a bhakti program but kept it quiet from a musical/chanting point of view.  On foot, Dhira and I went out after the program, to find radio broadcasts from people’s homes were in an amazing lull.  Out of respect, people were low-key in everything done.  Spanish spunkiness was asleep, while constant sobriety prevailed.  When Dhira and I arrived at our ten pesos a night accommodation, the owner told us he removed the DVD players so no jovialness would emanate from the house.

May he rest in peace!

May the Source be with you.

7 km

Friday, November 25th, 2016
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Habana, Cuba 
Disappointing Points

At the Indian Embassy, Vijayalakshmy Sunderrajan had a chat with us shortly after we offered a gift of the thirty-volume book Srimad Bhagavatam, and she told us something about India.  Statistics show that India is No. 2 in the world in regard to diabetes.

“After?”  I asked her.

“I believe it’s the U.S.”

That wasn’t too pleasant to hear about for either of the two countries.  My heart goes out especially to Mother India.  And how we love thee!

Then Janardana, who was with us, remarked, “One report I heard is that, just ten years ago, 70% of India was vegetarian.  Now, it has slid down to 30%.”

That, I would say, is disappointing.  I believe that, in some way, India has been the championfor a commitment to dharma(obligation), and is envied the world over for its strong sense of spirituality.

Are these signs of Kali, the lord who reigns over darkness, infiltrating?

At one of the Cultural casas (homes) in Habana, I attended the function called “Namaste.”  The topic of discussion, led by Professor Maria T. Montes de Oca Choy, was the city of Bombay.  I also had an allotted time—a wholesome fifteen minutes—to promote the jewel of a text, Srimad Bhagavatam, to an audience of thirty-five people.

“India had for centuries been under the subjugation of foreign invaders, yet at the heart of Indian culture, bhakti (devotion to the Divine) has allowed for resilience.  It survived so much oppression.”  After my presentation, I pondered current trends in India.  It seems that a strong “me” culture can threaten and take the shine away from so many great values upheld for millennia.

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Thursday, November 24th, 2016
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Habana, Cuba 
Tradition

It has become quite the tradition (within the nine years I’ve been coming to Cuba) to take that stroll along the seawall known as Malecón and to the Morro Lighthouse, which, according to local devotees, had been a look-out for pirates in the days of yore.

Four of us walked next to the wall with care.  The ocean’s waves tend to crash against that wall and create a major splash onto pedestrians, and in spots, to land four lanes over onto the major thoroughfare of Habana.

We passed by the U.S. Embassy with the stars and stripes flapping.  There is also the grand Hotel National, the place frequented by Mafia, decades ago.

“Such as Al Capone?” I asked Janardan, one of the native Cubans, but now running our temple in Madrid.

“Oh yes!”  he said.

History!

Well, I spent quite the time speaking with devotees of Krishna over the topic of a recent history, of some controversy, regarding the attire of western dress versus what some called Hindu dress.  Extreme positions had been taken, and I simply took the stance that you can privately, and now even publicly, dress whatever way you like.  I walk all over Cuba in an uncompromised apparel of swami clothes.  The public is curious, even respectful.

Our group also visited the Indian Embassy and met Vijayalakshmy Sunderrajan, who was clothed in traditional saree.

Evening time gave us the second opportunity for kirtan, and we sang in traditional Sanskrit.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016
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Habana, Cuba 
Books

After a walk of a brisk nature, on Bloor Street in Toronto last night, I gave my sister Rose Ann a call, wishing her a Happy Birthday.

“Rose Ann, do you remember when in 1963, you and I had walked home from school together, it was announced that U.S. president John F. Kennedy got assassinated that day, and we were wondering what this would mean for the world in which we live—this crazy world?”

“Yes,” she said, “I remember it well.”

“Well,” I said to my 59 year old sister, “we’re still around.”

That indeed was an incident to remember.  Now, today, time did not allow for walking as I was in flight to Varadero, Cuba, and then in car to Habana for an evening sanga (gathering of talks and song).

It was interesting at the airport’s customs.  I stood in line for inspection while officers were looking at the various cereals a Canadian couple brought along for their stay in Cuba.  An official came and inquired about the box I had on the trolley.

“Just some books.”  He went away with a blank stare.  A woman followed and asked the same.  I gave the same answer.  This repeated itself with a third person.  Finally, I was called to a table of five inspectors.

“Books,” I said. “A set (of Bhagavatams) for the Indian Embassy.”  I was asked to open the box  With strain, I tore the tape off.  They looked and were amazed; couldn’t make head nor tails.  Then I said, “Yoga. Books on yoga!”  They nodded and said, “Si!”

I was cleared.

May the Source be with you!  (What is the force that compels one to do wrong?)

0 km

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

 

 

Seeing Those Before Me

In my humble opinion the following is worth repeating, an excerpt from our script, “Krishna Is” and it is a poeticized segment of the exchange between warrior, Arjuna, and wise Bhagavan (God). Author Bhaktimarga Swami.

ARJUNA:    Seeing those before me causes me to shiver.

  To lift my bow is as though I had never.

  Hairs stand on end, mind is reeling.

  I’m confused, it’s new, this kind of feeling.

 Sri Krishna, I just cannot fight.

 There’s something here that is not right.

KRISHNA:  Arjuna, you’ve lost your sense of duty.

                     A man of defense renounced a warrior’s beauty.

                     For the wise there’s a different point of view

                     Of eternity—no birth, no death—known by few.

                     Consider the world, which is full of duality.

                     Good and bad is its only reality.

                     The major point is to not lament.

                     The soul is forever, that is my comment.

                     Moving through bodies from young to old.

                     From old to young, the circle does unfold.

ARJUNA:    Krishna, what is the force that compels one to do wrong.

                     If you could please include this in your song.

KRISHNA:  It is desire, born of passion—then wrath

                    That keeps us covered and obscures the path.

                    Perform your yoga, and your sacrifice

                    For the creator and then all will be nice.

ARJUNA:   Krishna, yoga can be tried for controlling the mind.

                    But the mind is an instrument of a different kind.

                    I’m fine if asked to harness the wind.

                    But the mind cannot be anchored or pinned.

KRISHNA: Begin the process; take it easy and slow.

                    In the end, there’s freedom; the soul will then glow.

ARJUNA:   You are my teacher, mentor and guide.

                    It was no mistake to have you on my side.

                    I have come to consider about you there is more.
                    It’s your cosmic form I wish to explore.

KRISHNA: The form is manifest when we have the eyes.

                    Otherwise there’s the tendency to despise.

                    I reveal it to those whose devotion is clear.

                   When friendship is firm, I then come quite near.

                    It is surrender through service that is so sweet.

                    It is surrender that is illusion’s defeat.

ARJUNA:  Oh Krishna, my doubt is now gone.

                    I believe the fight should definitely go on.

KRISHNA: Arjuna, my song is old but alive.

                    You have your free will, but now let me drive.

May the Source be with you!

6 km 

Monday, November 21st, 2016
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Parting from the Party
It is always on a tearful note that I leave the community of devotees in Buenos Aires.  It is the whole continent, South America, which seems to run on emotional fuel.  I’m caught up in it myself.

Our group that took the three and a half days to assemble a narrative dance/drama was exhausted over the hard work.  Results paid off.  I delivered two Bhagavatam classes while here, and Gaura Vani Swami, and Maha Vishnu Swami, respectively from Germany and the U.K., are monks I had a good time with.  To those whom I gave dikshainitiation in the past years, I offer my deepest regards for sticking to dharma (principles).  To Maha-hari, an Argentinian native, who runs the operations at ISKCON, and Merudevi, who had done so much to pull the festival together, my dandavats(prostrations) go to them.

Actually, Balarama and I had been on such an intense program, that outside of my chanting quota, the practices, some eating and a few hours of sleep, we hadn’t visited the successful Govinda’s Restaurant, which is housed in the same complex we had been residing in.  For a send-off, we were treated to a lunch meal.  It’s a good buffet.  Spices are minimal.  We ate like kings before our final good-byes.

As in the days of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, a subtle kirtan put a closure to our devotional endeavours for this year.

Water swelled in the eyes as we parted and hugs were plenty.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, November 20th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

 

So Much Happiness

As the name implies this city has some “good air.”  Being near the ocean, a port city, some prana (life force) makes its way through the place.  I’m enjoying it, seated on a bench, and anticipating a high spirit festival, the annual Chariot Fest.

While fingering through on my japa (meditation) beads, I find everything rather conducive to living a ‘real’ life.  Even the local temple cat, who seems to carry on as if the courtyard is his domain, is frisking about, chasing and grabbing a fallen twig of leaves.  The air’s movement agitates the leaves and their shiver has captivated him.  He’s oblivious to my sitting there and chanting.

He’s also unaware of today’s celebration of what you’ll find in most major cities, the Ratha Yatra, a chariot festival. A re-enactment of a joy ride taken up by Sri Krishna and siblings, long ago.  The celebration includes a march of chanters down a major street and then food, displays, kid’s fun and stage events to follow.

I was involved in the stage presentation.  Balarama, who travelled with me from Canada, played the lead role in “Krishna Is…”  He did very well by incorporating his ballet-trained skill into the production.  I moved around the grounds, where the audience was sitting during the performance, with some concern.  Will the people be able to focus on some grave-to-emotional, almost stoic-in-action scenes like Krishna just talking to an old school mate during a reunion?  Fortunately, the crowd of hundreds was focused.  That same attention came during the Gita scene.  I was amazed at their amazement.

Overall, what a festival!  So much happiness!

May the Source be with you!

5 km