Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Saturday, November 19th, 2016
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

 

Deal With the Fluff

In the Spanish world they have a saying:  Si te gusta el durazno bancate la pelusa.  “If you like peaches, you must deal with the fluff.”

A conversation I had with two young people, who shared this with me, addressed the austerity that one is obliged to do this if you really want to enjoy life.  They also pointed out a song from the 80’s “Every rose has its thorn” by the unplugged group “Poison.”

Duality is what we must live with in this world, whether we like it or not.  Sweet and sour play together in the real world.  Enough of this subject is contained in the Bhagavad-gita.

Since I arrived here in Buenos Aires, it’s been time spent in hard work, which is motivated by wanting a good result (as best as possible).  Our production of “Krishna Is…” comes with co-operation, timeliness and listening.

Unfortunately, my Spanish stinks.  I’m picking up on some words.  I’ll say, “Hermoso” which means “beautiful” when I think the actors really put forth their best at a practice.  I’m committed to encouragement to augment the performance.  The good Lord knows I raise my voice at times in order that our troupe keeps focused on the project.  Directors are permitted to do such things.  A touch of discipline can’t spoil the purchase.  It enhances.

My experience thus far in dealing with the young to mid-age in the drama has been good, except for the mañana spirit that sometimes kicks in.  Delay, or being late in showing up is a kind of procrastination.  Being “on time” is a welcome austerity.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Friday, November 18th, 2016
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meeting Talent

Juan and I took a stroll at our “Krishna Is” drama’s break-time.  I asked him what his vocation is and he tells me he’s training up to be a clown.

Really. Can someone make a living doing that? I thought.  Juan has so much more potential.  He’s doing fantastic as the warrior, Arjuna, in our drama which is set to be performed this Sunday.

Back to our practice place and there I met Laura.  She’s a super talented actor on Argentinian television.  More recently, she’s devoted herself to live theatre musicals.  Devotees tell me she is quite famous.

Laura was kind enough to watch a small Krishna vignette.  What an honour for those of us practising!  She gave her input after she saw our troupe in action.

“Believe in what you are on the stage, then you convince others (the audience).”  “Give more fullness in your movement,” she suggested, in an encouraging way.

The discussion I had, to follow-up on her fine critique, involved the person, Krishna, Himself.  “What a god Krishna is!  He dances, sings, is heroic, stays young permanently.  Amazing isn’t it?” I asked her. 

Meeting Him means meeting talent. 

“Oh yes!” she answered agreeably.  Laura is connected to Krishna-lila (pastimes), and to chanting….

She’s also lived in Toronto for some time.  People in Argentina know her as Laura Azcurra.  It was great to have her presence.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, November 17th, 2016
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Another City, Another Continent
I’m in a country, Argentina, where soccer can be considered the heart-beat of the nation and tango dancing has a place in people’s minds.  The country is European in flavour, and you see more walking going on than in America; although fast cars are plentiful.  The local currency, the peso, is generally not very strong against the American dollar.

The place in Buenos Aires that I visit yearly is the ISKCON Centre at Palermo.

It is not a wealthy community.  An acquired private school converted to an ashram/temple is gradually being renovated.  Outside this welcoming destination are streets that I’ve reported before as being a bit too dog-ridden.  Nothing wrong with dogs.  It’s the owners who show irresponsibility.  You could be slipping and sliding if you don’t watch yourself.

Balarama, who travelled with me here from Canada, said, “So it’s just like Mexico, my country,” indicating that it’s hard for pedestrians at times, dealing with the dung.

I mentioned about financial-tightness.  That’s not always the worst thing.  What’s important is to value what you have.  And if humility plays a role in your day-to-day life, due to the “less is more” reality, then that’s nothing to necessarily complain about.  As my room-mate monk, Gaura Vani Swami, indicated, “Where there is excess of money, that’s where you find the corruption.”  And then he said to watch out for the influence of Kali-Yuga, the age of shadiness.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Wednesday, November 16th, 2016
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Santiago, Chile

 

 

Giving Up

It is merely a short stop-over that Balarama and I took in Santiago (population 7 million), the major city in Chile.  I could see that while we were in the airport, we were snuggled in the Andes Mountains.

Mountains, oceans and prairies have always been the best locations for dreaming, in my opinion.  Looking to the mountainsthrough the glass, beyond the airport’s facility, I simply reflected on the exchange with the woman behind us in the queue.  She was Canadian.

“Actually, I’m from Pembroke, raised in Niagara Falls.  I was a police woman there.”

“Oh yes, I’ve walked through both those places.  I do walking pilgrimage.”

The newly-made friend understood pilgrimage.

“Actually, I come from a Mennonite background.”

She mentioned it was her dad who was the generation to leave the strict order.

“When he acquired a car, he had to paint the bumper because it was too shiny,” she said, expressing the rigidness of the faith.

Somehow, we got to talking again about her job policing in Niagara.

“One man, who was near the falls, reached into his pocket and just handed me his wallet which held his ID and cash.  He then took a few steps over, jumped into the water, and off he went.”  The 175 foot or 53 metre drop to the bottom was his destiny.  Like most people who attempt suicide in these great waters, there is a high success rate within this act of defeat.

Insert ‘faith’ and there’s less chance of giving up.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Tuesday, November 15th 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

 

 

Detach

 

 

Before an eleven hour flight to Santiago, Chile, and then a two hour soaring over to Buenos Aires, I took a one hour walk through Rosedale.  No coat required.  It appears to be an extended, warm fall.  The occasional changes in Canada are a constant reminder of the temporariness of the world.

This feature of material nature should serve to remind us of the world’s fleeting way and how we can learn detachment.

In Sutapa’s rendition of Bhagavad-gita: A Short Summary in Acronyms, he addresses this principle of detachment in Chapter 15.

“Imagine someone checks into their holiday hotel room and then begins painting the walls, buying new furniture, refitting the bathroom and hanging up family pictures. It sounds ludicrous—you don’t make arrangements for long-term comfort in a temporary residence. This world is likened to a hotel room within which people make complicated plans for security and enjoyment. In Chapter Fifteen, Krishna uses a wonderful analogy to create detachment within the spiritualist and fuel his desire to re-enter his real home in the spiritual realm.”

The banyan tree is used by Krishna to help us understand life’s complexities, its entanglement, and that life’s aim is to move in the direction of exiting this.  For that, great reflection is required.

Please refer to the banyan tree example in Chapter 15 to help understand reflection.

May the Source be with you!

5km

Monday, November 14th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

 

 

Super Moon

Our small team of walkers were somewhat keen to catch a glimpse of the upcoming supermoon.  NASA reported that a super bright moon would punctuate the sky and be the brightest since 1948.  It will be closer to earth this evening.  Before sun-up this morning, we thought to see what we could, once out of the neighbourhood’s city lights.

On May Street, our feet received a treat, as the road is one of the few in the city which boasts being composed of interlocking red-brick, which is also slightly wavy.  Good for the feet.  We then hit its parallel—Glen Road—and from the bridge stretched over a ravine, we could see the moon, not crisp and clean at this point, but hazy, if anything.

We leaned over the bridge’s rail and admired the heavenly body which is so under-rated and often ignored.  It was beautifully suspended in the fathomless sky and seemed to shift to the westerly direction from its position twelve hours earlier when it visited the east.

Frankly, as we drove back into the city, last evening, that same wondrous moon seemed buoyant.  As we made those turns (on wheels, not feet) toward the city’s inner core, he would play hide-and-seek, so it seemed.  It’s as if the moon has personality, possessing gravity at some moments, and frivolity a few  moments later.

It’s interesting how chandra, the moon, can stir the human mind, arouse wolves and coyotes, conjure the romance in people, and provide nourishment for plants among so many other influential things.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, November 13th, 2016
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Bolton, Ontario 
Keep on Walking 
Here’s a song that reflects my feeling at times:

“Keep On Walking”     by Passenger

Well last night I couldn’t sleep

I got up and started walking

Down to the end of my street

And on into town

Well I had no one to meet

And I had no taste for talking

Seems I’m talking my whole life

It’s time I listen now

Well I walk past the late night boys

With their bottles in their doorways

And I walk past the business men

Sleeping like babies in their cars

And I thought to myself oh, son

You may be lost in more ways than one

But I have a feeling that it’s more fun

Than knowing exactly where you are

Like a stone carried on the river

Like a boat sailing on the sea

Well I keep on walking

Oh, I keep on walking

Till I fine that old love

Or that old love, comes to finds me

Well I walked into the morning

And felt that warm sunlight forming on my shoulders

‘Cause it hit with no warning

Like a summer sky storming in my lungs

Ain’t it funny how the kids walk by

They’ll do anything to make themselves look older

While the women spend their money

On anything that makes them look young

Like a stone carried on the river

Like a boat sailing on the sea

Oh, I keep on walking

Oh, I keep on walking

‘Till I fine that old love

Or that old love, comes to finds me

Oh, lo, no

Oh, oh, oh, no

Oh, lo, oh

Oh, oh, oh

Well I’m like a stone,

And I’m carried on the river

Like a boat sailing on the sea

Oh, well I keep on walking

Oh, well I keep on walking

‘Till I find that old love

Or that old love, comes to finds me

 

 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

 

Songwriter: Michael David Rosenberg

Keep On Walking lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Saturday, November 12th, 2016
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Bolton, Ontario

 

 

Out Before the Meet

The country road we trekked had a name, but we were not aware of it.  It doesn’t really matter, at least for our purpose which was  primarily to go for a stroll.  The road and surroundings belong to the Creator, as far as we are concerned, and therefore, deserve respect.

It is that time of year when leaves make a twirling descent to the forest floor.  What is left are barren poles, the trunks of trees.  They bear a naked aspect but this idyllic scene is clearly a revelation of nature’s simplicity.

“Pretty woman,” I thought, in contemplating Mother Nature’s recycling plan.  Those leaves are a type of mulch.  They offer some protection and warmth.  They also offer colour of a rust sort, and eventually, they become a new level of fertile soil, giving food to the roots of trees.

How perfect this all is!

The views change persistently with the trees—dressed versus undressed—all to do with leaves.  The change is refreshing, even entertaining.

In one of our presentations at the Nirvana Retreat Centre, during the AGM for ISKCON Canada, the topic of mental health came up.  To some degree or other, each and every one of us is met with some level of mental attack.

Being out on that stroll, in the company of colour, wind, creeks, and trees, and with us smelling, feeling, seeing etc., it became so much of a therapy, even apart from the good benefits derived from walking.

Let’s get out there!

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, November 11th, 2016
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Bolton, Ontario

 

 

Remember 
“On this day, Remembrance Day, men and women whose lives were sacrificed in recent wars are honoured for their service.”  After these opening remarks at our ISKCON Canada AGM, I also included mention of one of our own veterans, if you will, an ISKCON pioneer for Latin America, Jagajivan, who passed away this week from heart failure.  He was likeable, loveable, and a firm, stalwart man for our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and his mission.  He surely will be missed.

Eventually, we all will be missing after making that exit from this body.  The solid truth of life is that we will be missed and we will miss those we leave, so don’t miss the chance for dharma.  The Vedas say boldly, “Don’t miss this point!” as you are now a human, after travelling through successive lives to reach the opportunity for self-realization.

Let’s show what real humanity is by addressing, first, our obligation to ourselves.

While the process for self-realization is a human obligation, in our meetings of today, we brought to the table a presentation, by a Brampton devotee, on mental disorders, and how they  impact an individual and a community that’s striving for normalcy—whatever that is.  We all know that each and every one of us has some level of flaw within our chemical nature, even if we endeavour for spiritual perfection.  Other topics were presented.  For our group, this was cutting edge.  It was a wholesome discussion.

After a day of talk and feedback, a walk was necessary.  A full day of talk can challenge sanity.  A few of us took to the country road as we heard the coyotes sing.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, November 10th, 2016
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Bolton, Ontario

 

 

In the Country 
Thursday night is shopping night for a lot of folks.  Traffic is increased; thus it took two hours (that’s double the usual time) to arrive by car at our destination, the Nirvana retreat Centre.  Here I have my own 10’ x10’ cabin. A two-story one next to me is reserved for our own three-man monk party.  Delegates from other parts of Canada have arrived for a weekend of sanga (group fuelling).

Do I like the place?

Of course!  Just the word ‘cabin’ paints a picture of rusticness and comfort.  Cedars, pine, spruce and hardwood trees are almost hugging our cabins.  The main building, with ample space, provides on its two floors, a dining facility and a yoga room.  An aqua-coloured pond, with a limestone base, that could have been our morning bath just a month ago, is also on site.

Love the smells; love the sounds.  Coyotes howl something wicked.  We are charmed.  I’ll take their song over any man-made engine.

A few moments on the bench by the pond.  I’m chanting the maha-mantra hoping perchance to see a coyote or two breeze by.  I would let them be.  Not a move I’d make or a sound I’d shake.  I would try to see Krishna in them and process the phrase “I’m the ability in all,” spoken by the speaker of the Gita.

Minutes pass and I didn’t see a coyote at all.  It was just silently beautiful.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

 

 

Krishna Says to Be Yourself

I participated in two morning sadhana programs at Day and Virginia Streets in Miami.  Then a flight by Air Canada took me back home, where I took advantage of a quiet evening walk through the Rosedale neighbourhood, which over the years has always been a place of head-clearing.  It carries an air of optimism with its mature, fall trees—the homes like huge estates, and people particularly nice to me as they pass by on foot.  There’s never a car congestion issue in the area I trek.  It is safe and sound and a great neighbourhood with winding streets, as opposed to a grid dynamic.

I returned to the ashram, as well as my bed, and after a good slumber I dwelt on the good verses of the Bhagavad-gita, and the theme of not denying your psycho-physical nature.

Very inspiring!

18:58:  If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace.  If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

18:59:  If you do not act according to My direction and do not fight, then you will be falsely directed.  By your nature, you will have to be engaged in warfare.

18:60:  Under illusion you are now declining to act according to My direction.  But compelled by the work born of your own nature, you will act all the same, O son of Kunti.

The theme here is of surrender and to be yourself.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, November 8th, 2016
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Miami, Florida 
Good Send-off 
What do you do with someone you know who has passed away?  And how do monks get involved?

In the case of Garga Muni, a respected astrologer and Krishna practitioner, who left us one week ago, his astrology students, friends and acquaintances turned up at the Sraddha Centre last night for a remembrance evening.  In his honour, we celebrated over a beautiful feast (not terribly hot, spicy or oily).  We held kirtan which he loved when he was with us.  Finally, those who shared studies and devotions had the chance for eulogies and reflections.  The cremation is to follow tomorrow.  And I will have the privilege of taking Garga’s ashes to the Ganges in February 2017.

When it came my turn to speak about Garga Muni, I explained I met him first about twelve years ago.  He was Jeffrey by name then.  I asked him his surname and where he was from.

“Brock is my last name and I’m from Canada,” replied Jeffrey.

“Hmmm.  Anything to do with the famous General Brock who died in the battle at Queenston Heights, War of 1812?”

“Yes, I’m from that ancestry,” he confirmed.

Over time, I got to understand from students and experience that Garga had not only been an angelic gentleman of sorts, but was also militaristic in style, especially to do with time.  He loved doing pujari work (priestly work).  He loved people and always gave of himself to new temple-goers.  He was a big brother and was fatherly to many.  He loved his guru and everyone loved him.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Monday, November 7th, 2016
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Sarasota, Florida 
Regardless of the Vote

Sasvata, and his eleven-year-old son, Oliver, and I, made it to the bay, from their home by the Atlantic.  We hung legs over a concrete water barrier, which had enough space for buttock accommodation.  The water was supremely calm.  Clams, oysters, tadpoles, fish, and water plants were in view and under our dangling feet.  But it was dolphins we were supposed to notice.

“Did you see the dolphins?” asked an elderly couple canoeing toward us.

“No, couldn’t you bring one of them over for us to look at?”

(Chuckle)

“Are you Buddhist?  Which order?”

“I’m a Krishna monk.  Hare Krishna?  We’re fifty-years-old this year.  Our guru came from India to begin the mission; signed some papers in New York in ’66.  You remember that great time?”

“Oh yeah!”

The woman then said that her husband, sitting behind her, would be on TV tonight.  Channel 7.

“What’s the purpose?”

“He’s an election authority—predictions…”  She was referring to the presidential campaign for tomorrow between Clinton and Trump. 

Then he spoke. “I predict it will be Clinton 307 / Trump 231 in the voting.”

Apparently the whole of America will be voting.  Schools will be voting stations and almost everyone takes a day off.  The world will be waiting.

We bid our good-byes to the nice couple.  We proceeded on with our walking and chanting.  Our bhakti (devotion) will carry on, regardless of the vote.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Sunday, November 6th, 2016
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Sarasota / Seminole, Florida 
Cutting A Corner
Namamrta, a retired-professional woman, hosted Ananta’s family and myself at her home last night.  She also tried to direct us to the Pinellas Trail, a thirty-seven mile cycling / walking pathway which is situated behind her house.  Access to it is not so easy.  She led us through the lawns of two neighbour’s lots.  One of those neighbours didn’t quite see her but they saw me and wondered.

“What are you looking for?” asked the curious couple, the owners.

It’s not every day that a monk walks on your grass.  In any event, we found our way to Pinellas.

Two minutes into the trek and a woman starts talking.  “Where are you from?”

“Canada!”

Ananta introduced me as The Walking Monk and how I trekked half of the U.S. “From New York to Nebraska,” I said. “To Lincoln, to be more precise.”

“I’m from there!”

“Actually I went beyond Lincoln—to the town of Seward.”

“Well that’s the exact place where I’m from,” she said.

“The police were particularly nice to me in Seward.”

“Oh, my sister works there—Paula Peterson.”

“Small world.”

She agreed.

“I’ll reconvene walking from there in May.  Nice to meet you.”  Of course, I’ll contact Paula in the spring.  I love co-incidences.

In Sarasota, a substantially populated area, we did conduct a satsang in an American family’s backyard.  Yes, it was pre-arranged and it was devotionally fulfilling.  We had a good attendance and we were on the grass with our stories and our mantras.

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Saturday, November 5th, 2016
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Tampa, Florida

 

 

Engagement of Sorts on November 5

 

 

I did my trek on Lake Burnett’s Boulevard, but it became a struggle to figure out where there’s a lake or a boulevard.  It’s basically a sandy soil, country road—at least in the stretch I know near Alachua.  It’s awesome, really.  Quiet.  There are pine, oak and more trees which attract the mystical look of Spanish moss that sways in the wind.

I feel I have the road (boulevard) all to myself.  The thing about America is you have roadways everywhere and in every direction.  It’s not always a clean grid to follow.

In any event, I have my routine route and this road factors into it.

I arrived in time for Alachua’s Guru Puja, a morning ceremony for expressing gratitude to the guru, and we then conducted a class, or more like a discussion, on the life of Sri Chaitanya.  That was followed by Ananta’s orchestration of visitations by individuals, persons who seek encouragement and/or give it.

Evening time opened up to a Bhakti Vrksha gathering in Tampa, my first visit to the city.  Quite the mixed crowd of enthusiasts!  We have south, north, east and west natives of India.  Then there was outgoing personality-type Todd, from Minnesota, Erwin from South America, a chap from Russia and an Afro-American woman who had her rhythms down when it came to playing kartals(hand cymbals).  Ramiya, my good friend with origins from Detroit, organized the event and is the usual facilitator.

Questions poured out from the people with regard to the subject of “three modes,” as characterized from the constant companion, the book Bhagavad-gita.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Friday, November 4th, 2016
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Gainesville, Florida 
Balance of Education

I admire a friend of mine so much.  I guess we should say that about anyone we classify as friend.

For Kalakanta, who manages the Krishna House in Gainesville, I appreciate the innovative ways in which he advances the cause of higher consciousness.  This temple and the residential facilities that house students, provide space for cultivating one’s spiritual and physical needs simultaneously.  Students pay rent, agree to abide by dharmic (moral) principles, receive great food, follow a standard satisfactory bhakti-yogaregimen and study hard at school.

I wish I had such opportunity when I took fine arts in college in 1972/3.

Kalakanta has provided a framework which prepares young men and women for a good future.  After taking a 5 kilometre walk toward Gainesville, I was driven to the Krishna House to expound upon the famous verse from Rsabhadev who was educating his sons (Bhagavatam 5.1.1) on making the right choice in life toward spirituality.

“Don’t be like the stool-eaters.”  That is, do not leap toward the cheap.  Establish your foundation with reality.  I am not this body.  I’m spirit.  In a nutshell these are Rsabhadev’s messages.

I noticed that across the street from this two-story building at 214 N.W. 14th Street, student residences are springing up.  A series of large, chunky, squarish structures are now blocking the sun, in a space where formerly there was a wide, open field.

Could it be that those new accommodations will one day be filled by students who will enrol in courses which nurture both body and soul?  That would serve to offer a balance in life for students at UF for future generations.  It would be great to see such initiative flourish worldwide.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, November 3rd, 2016
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Alachua, Florida 
To See or Not To See
“What is an armadillo doing rustling around near our trail?” asked our small group, en route to a water spring for a swim.  This leathery armoured guy can’t see very well but apparently his sense of smell is good.  I looked it up later and discovered that his foraging is actually about searching for grubs, worms and insects.  Bon appétit!

Somehow he felt our presence, despite his blindness.  He reminded me of King Dhrtarastra from the Vedic epic, Mahabharata.  He was blind on two levels.  Physically he could not see, and spiritually he lacked insightfulness.

An interesting character, he was.  He could have stopped a war.  But conflict ensued out of affection for his sons.

In any event, our swim was good.  I connected with Ugrani whom I haven’t seen for twenty years.  It was also valuable time to share with younger members, Devala and Saci, in their twenties.

All this was good, which added to the sweet and sober morning of honouring our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on the anniversary of his passing.  Being the guest (although not the senior-most person, but a swami-ji) I was asked to speak first, about my realizations and reflections on his contributions to the world.

I was a product of the counter-culture and felt I needn’t take hearing from authority seriously.  At the same time, I required direction in life.  I met Prabhupada’s students.  It is through them that I was formed into some kind of devotee.

I was blind and through their guidance and encouragement I could see some positive change in me.  Thanks to my dear guru, Srila Prabhupada, life has improved.  I still have a ways to go.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
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Jacksonville, Florida
Poker Man and the Robes
The passenger next to me on American Airlines was a professional poker player.  From what I gather, he does this for a living.  He showed me from his iPhone the recent poker champ, a Vietnamese American, who championed a tournament “just five minutes ago, as we speak,” winning for himself  8 million dollars.

A nice chunk indeed.

My friend next to me wasn’t just keen on poker—which is argued by some as a game of skill over a game of chance—he asked me if he could take a photo of my robes.  I said, “Sure! Go ahead!”

At that instance I was distracted, for across the aisle there was a collapse of a piece of luggage.  I turned my head and it just so happens my friend was only interested in the robes.  My head was turned and didn’t make it into the pic.

“My girlfriend has clothes of the same colour,” he said.  The stitch would be something different, I’m sure.

Anyway, with these same robes on, I was whisked away to Jacksonville, in Florida, once we landed.  There, I was asked to speak to a group of sincere seekers about “Tales From Trails,” and what it means to get around on foot and receive reactions from passersby who don’t see spiritual attire very often.  I inserted the philosophy of the “Bhagavad-gita” and told of our guru’s remarkable achievements.  Now, the members of the group are not robe-wearing kind of people.  Rather, this gathering of youth demonstrated their individuality as free spirits.  At the same time, the tales, philosophy and chanting resonated like anything.  I felt I was in a loft speaking to youths much like in the early days in Manhattan, when counter-culture radicals stepped into an ancient world of sadhus and monks who were talking about and living simple lives.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Tuesday, November 1st, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario

 

 

Sweetness at Bloor

 

 

There could not be better weather for walking at 59° Fahrenheit (my phone indicates).  Bloor Street is my walkabout route—vibrant with people.  Enlightened?  Who am I to judge?  Pedestrians are moving.  Many of them are students, but in general it’s a mix of ages, genders, vocations and ethnicities.  All spirits, though.

The fact they are in motion indicates existence of a life-force; a power-house of unending energy moving from one body to another.

Are they happy people?  I see mostly grave faces.  I hanker for more smiles.  I better implement that myself.  Yes, it works.  And, adding a slight nod supports it.

I did maximize an exchange with two Tibetan Buddhists who were two out of the many pedestrians.  For the most part, Buddhism is a branch or off-shoot of the Vedic/Hindu lifestyle which tends to be benign.

From afar, we sent the smile, and we approached each other, followed by a pranam(palms together).  Then with limited language exchange (they knew so little English and I know no Tibetan parlance) we spoke, but it was “How are you?”  “Do you live here?”  “Yes!”  “And you?”  “Good day!”  “Very nice to meet you!”

And I said, “God bless!  Hare Krishna!”

“Oh!  Krishna, yes!”

That’s all.  No need to challenge or use any form of jarring each other.  Just sweetness prevailed.

My condolences to friends and family of Garga Muni of Miami.  He was a student of mine and an astrologer saint.

Condolences also to the Geldas who lost their dear sister also today.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Monday, October 31st, 2016
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Burlington, Ontario

Tests and Testing

 

 

While in India recently, a number of us monks went for blood tests—a medical check-up compliments of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai.  I don’t know about the results of the other ten or so renunciates—that is private and personal—but, my diagnostics via the Mumbai testing, as well as the additional testing done today in Burlington—which confirms the same—reads that my blood count is good.

“That is attributed to your activeness—your walking,” said Dr. Kishore Singh.  My mechanics are not perfect, however.  I’m not Bhagavan (God).  There needs to be regulations on diet to address triglyceride levels.  More fibre food and fewer carbs will help.  And most likely, there’s a need to cut down on quantities.

Check-ups for maturing people are essential if endurance is to mean anything.  At 64, as in my case, you try to avoid gambling in the food department.  You have to know your limits and continue to work on adjustments as the years pass by.

Prescriptions, or sense control like this, are very conducive for everyone and especially for those of the renounced order.

So today, or rather tonight, at the colourful Govardhan-puja festival, which has much to do with chanting, discussion, displays, good cheer, fun and finally food, I was tested.  You have all this rich edible material called a feast, where eyes enlarge at the mere sight of the preps, but stomach only stretches so far.  Well, I stuck to a veg prep and went for fruit, not of a highly acidic content.

I believe I championed the situation, by the grace of Krishna.  I then went for a walk.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, October 30th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario
Before the Event 
In preparation for the Diwali New Year program, I put on my Kyboot shoes and headed for the ravine.  I took three people with me—Ananda Vrindavana from Argentina, Santosh from Surinam and another Vrindavan from Toronto.

How is a mere walk a form of preparation?  Well, I’ll be dealing with the crowd that comes.

#1.  The walking (in the ravine) allows a needed down-time.  #2.  I need that breath of fresh air before the building fills up with stuffiness.  #3.  The walking improves my lung power as I’ll be giving the talk, leading a song and narrating a soliloquy in a play, “Maricha’s Deliberation.”  #4.  The walk opens up channels of communication as there are other walkers to connect with.

On this last point, the four of us were in the ravine on the trail and we were dressed in devotional attire.  Two women were coming our way and so to break the ice, I greeted them with a remark, “No, we’re not on Halloween!”  So that encouraged a chuckle from them.

The other means of communication was to mention to other walkers how adorable their dogs are.  Where attention goes, energy flows.  Honourable mention of someone’s pet starts good relations.

The four of us completed our hour-long venture.  I, and they, were now ready to take on the crowd for Diwali.  Hundreds came; many of them first-timers.  It was a lively fest.  Happy souls were floating about in the spirit of devotional practice.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Saturday, October 29th, 2016
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Brampton, Ontario
A Meaningful Meet

 

 

Rahul and Gunjan, along with their two daughters, are a new family who are getting more serious about higher consciousness.  They have made  a positive commitment to chant the maha-mantra with the aid of their meditation beads, negate food consumption of non-veg, and embrace the good company of bhakti-yogapractitioners.  They’ve made these transitions all for self-improvement.

“They, along with our group, do go out and have a game of baseball,” said their mentor, Rajasuya.

I don’t see that as a problem, I thought.  Outdoor pastimes like that are very complementary to devotional activities.

Rahul and Gunjan had invited friends, along with myself and young monk, Santosh, to their home for the real indoor dynamic—a prasadam meal.

“For a change from Indian fare, there is Italian extravaganza.” Raja had indicated.  I believe he suggested the menu.  When bellies bulged, we went for living-room kirtan chanting—in which Hiten indulged, lovingly, on the mrdunga drum—followed by a distribution to the families, of the latest issue of the “Padayatra” newsletter, a glossy periodical which highlights world-wide activities on the philosophy of foot travel with a spiritual intent.

A picture of myself, walking though Pennsylvania landscape, made it to the front cover with the caption, “The legs were made for walking and the mouth for speaking about the Absolute.  What a perfect combination.” Quote from The Walking Monk.  I also read some excerpts from the publication.

Upon returning from the Brampton house event, I took to one of Toronto’s ravines for trekking, in order to not be a hypocrite and also to address belly bulge.  It was just me and the squirrels.  They were their usual squirrelly selves, rustling through the fall leaves and tarzaning the trees.

I stuck to my trail.

May the Source be with you!

5 km 

Friday, October 28th, 2016
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Toronto, Ontario 
Real Lounging
Santosh and I walked to Spadina Avenue to the Multi-Faith Building to do a presentation on “Tales from Trails,” with sponsors, the Bhakti Lounge group.  After the hour-long talk, I asked if anyone had any questions.

Indeed they did.  Here are some, with abbreviated answers:

Q: You mentioned the moose you met in New Brunswick.  How did seeing the moose humble you?

A: He is a majestic creature and next to me, I was small.  That is our position.  As spirit—we are small.  The Vedas say our dimension is one ten thousandth the size of the tip of a hair.

Q: You say you see that all things out in nature, on the trail, are divine, or sacred.  Do you find that God is present more so in nature, on the road, than in the temple?

A: God is omnipotent and omnipresent, everywhere.  Although the temple is special within Divine presence, I find it helpful to see that presence in all things, in all places.  This is Krishna Consciousness!

Q: How does a walk become both physical and spiritual?

A: Walking is a physical experience that offers health benefits.  When chanting goes on simultaneously, you make a spiritual connection.  It is a perfect marriage of matter and spirit.  Call it “balanced.”

Q: Where do you find your support person or team?

A: There is always someone connected to our community who craves adventure, or who needs some down time, or who sees it as a service to the world and God.

May the Source be with you!

9 km

Thursday, October 27th, 2016
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Toronto / Brampton
Come to the Temple

 

 

I went two blocks east and two south to get to the Staples stationary store from our temple ashram.  It was an adjustment to make to this fall, Halloween weather—slightly nippy, wet, and fresh, after coming back from India.

I asked the store clerk (or one of them) “Where can I find your Hilroy notebooks?”

“Just down this aisle, sir!” he said while pointing straight ahead.  “Kailash, will you help him?”

So, there was Kailash, another worker.  He remembered me.  He’s been to the temple several times.  He seemed happy about that, as much as he appeared content with  his work and being busy.  Kailash and I chatted as, at my request, he showed me some white-boards.

“Please come this weekend.  We’ll celebrate Diwali (New Year’s) on Sunday, then Govardhan Puja (another fest) Monday.”

“I’ll really try,” said Kailash.

My exchange at the payment counter for the Hilroy was a continuity of sorts.

“ISKCON?” said the clerk.

“Yes, Hare Krishna!”

“I’m from Bangladesh.  I have gone many times to the temple in Sylhet.  Is the problem over between the people from the mosque across the street and the Krishna temple?”

I told him I wasn’t too aware of the details and hopefully peace will reign.  “We celebrate Diwali; please come to our temple here.”  It’s all about hospitality.

Speaking of which, in Brampton a jovial sanga was held at the home of Hatish and Rita, for chanting, philosophy and feasting.  People came.  Our message was the same.

“Celebrate Diwali with us this weekend!”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016
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Delhi/Amsterdam/Toronto
Airhead

 

 

My day was maximized in the air.  Many people today, in fact,  spend a good length of time in flight.  It never used to be that way.  In the days of yore, those seafaring ventures we read about were for the adventurous.  I believe Europeans especially took to the vast stretches of ocean purposefully to explore and conquer.  “Queen Mary,” “Blue Nose,” and “Titanic” are names of famous and daring vessels that journeyed incredible nautical miles.  Of course, there’s the “Mayflower” which brought over the pilgrims to the U.S.’s east coast.  The infamous Columbus had his largest of ships, the “Santa Maria.”

It’s all history.

For thousands of years, our indigenous people sported more modest boats—canoe and kayak—and stuck more to rivers and lakes for sustenance purposes—food and travel.

Let’s see now, most of us homo sapiens thrived on land travel and reaping what bounties the soil provided.  There never was an account of ancients expending time in the air unless you probe into the stories of aliens, UFO’s, and so forth.

In the Vedas, there are plenty of tales giving accounts of vimanas, aerial devices moved by higher beings from another era.  The sky was the destination of mystics, some good and some bad.

That’s mythology, according to some.  Or is it history or non-fiction, and still going on?

In any event, my travel in the air was alright, except the middle-aged person behind me, in conversation with fellow passenger, had the foulest tongue.  He was a real AIRHEAD.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Tuesday, October 25th, 2016
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Mumbai, India

 

 

Parting from Meetings

 

 

Kirtan, classes, walking, eating—these are the things that excite.  I came to Mumbai for meetings, but as meaningful as topics on the agenda can sometimes be, six-hour days, for several consecutive ones, are very draining.  It’s the above items that keep me alive.

This morning, I delivered a class from the Bhagavatam book where, the stoic sadhu (holy man) was speaking with Vedic ruler, Prahlad.  The sadhu spoke of his own past, confessing about desires pulling  and carrying him to phases of confusion, thus he struggled until he changed his lifestyle to the current one.  He reached a conclusion about life.  It must be simple.  It must be peaceful.

The waves of desires are like the wind that pushes a boat.  This is analogous to an intelligent person’s wit being derailed by “insatiable” desires.  After speaking for an hour’s length, I felt, by the mercy of guru, that I had succeeded in keeping the room of devotees perked up.  Fortunately for them, it wasn’t two three-hour sessions.

I began wrapping up, packing my meagre bags, thus terminating my stay in Mumbai.  Everyone did take care of us old boys in our sixties and soon-to-be seventies.  Succession is badly needed, by the way.  I have my strategy, my choices, my plans of action.  Personally, I feel the need to go back to walking and meeting people.

Up ahead is the western half of the U.S. and then a section of the Camino in Spain, thank God!

I thanked Pavan, a local yoga teacher, for exercises I could employ in the airport and elsewhere.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Monday, October 24th, 2016
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Mumbai, India

 

 

The Cradle of Civilization Rocks

 

 

A few more monks in white (indicating they are novices) joined us for the beach walk.  At this rate, after a few days, we would have an army.  Strength is in numbers.

Here in India, a sense of Krishna consciousness is expanding.  Membership is on the rise.  Temples, schools, goshalas(cow sanctuaries) and restaurants are also on the rise.  Of course, India is the land of Bharat, named after the pious king.  It is the land of dharma.  People here have a soft spot for spirituality.  Some scholars postulate that notions of spiritual practice all began here.  In that regard, I would cheer the posters you sometimes see.  “Incredible India!”

We might take note of Mark Twain’s statement: “This is indeed India, the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags…”  He went on to say, “India is the cradle of civilization.”  Most things were given birth here, but I can appreciate his conclusion on the positive and objective side of things.

As mentioned yesterday, the beach is nice but there’s too much trash.  Yes, India is the land of extremes; of gods and demons—when you consider the great epics like Ramayana and Mahabarata and the tales they tell.

I once had a conversation with world-renowned Indologist, A. L. Basham, who visited and spent some time residing at our Toronto Temple.  I had simply  extended an invitation for him to come.  In his book, The Wonder That Was India,  he noted how the growth of Krishna Consciousness outside of India was a remarkable thing.  Also in his book, he attempted to correct the negative stereotypes of India.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, October 23rd, 2016
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Mumbai, India
Surrender to the Sand

 

 

Some of the young monks from the area offered an invite to walk the Juhu Beach as the sun was about to arise.  I surrendered.  We took to the beach to walk and to engage in japa (bead chanting)—both, simultaneously.

During daylight hours and perhaps even at night, much Durga-puja goes on.  It is worship of the Goddess.  This entails the use of flowers, garlands and many coconuts.  Unfortunately, most worshippers are not very responsible with their paraphernalia.  The items are left to the waves, sand and water.

We do a bit of dodging of these articles for passageway.  In the course of the walk, pedestrians do greet us.  They know our clothes.

“Hare Krishna!” they say, and we reciprocate.

“There goes Guru Prasad Swami,” I point out.  The Juhu Beach is a daily trail for him.  Just about everyone and every object comes here.  Dogs who are stray love the beach.  Crows also make their appearance.  There’s always foodstuff they can poke and tear at.

It’s a sweatsession, the walking part.  Humidity is in the air.  The slight breeze does little to temper the situation.  But, the association makes it also a sweet session.

We did some photos.  Iconic poses. (Check Instagram: the walking monk).

One more thing about today, after the walk, it was guru-puja time at the temple.  Cameras—both hand-held and one hooked up to a big crane—were moving about.  What a privilege it was to be asked to lead the song with cameras coming and going.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, October 22nd, 2016
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Mumbai, India
Very Egalitarian

 

 

Everyone brings their individual strengths to the table.  These mid-term meetings have drawn leaders of the Hare Krishna movement together.  Psychoanalysts, psychiatrists and people in the field of human behaviour have identified nine different human types from perfectionists to peace-makers.  Among the monks and family men and women who lead our society, we actually have all types participating, and it is very much wanted.

Now when it comes to meetings, not all participants are very active in vocalizing themselves.  Listening?  Yes. But speaking their minds or opinions—well, a few dominate.  I’m one of the quieter ones.

I do, however, have the service of opening the sessions with a kirtan and then a reading from sastra (scripture) or a past letter from our guru, Srila Prabhupada, which addresses an important issue.

Also, among the leaders, some are well-established in popularity with thousands of followers.  Some attendees, although talented and intelligent, are fairly reserved and not well known, but no less important.  What happens at the meetings is you see everyone as very much equal.  That is the beauty of the forum; all who sit at the conference table take the position of humble servants of Krishna.  The approach is very egalitarian.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Friday, October 21st, 2016
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Mumbai, India

 

 

A Monk Is a Preceptor

 

 

I’m being engaged—unfortunately, not so much by way of walking.  A helpful massage came to me at the end of the day, and stretches were executed that aided in circulation of the blood.  Activation was increased in body parts that are usually asleep.

The last three mornings, I cut out of the Bhagavatam listening in order to go for hour-long interview sessions.  For future broadcast on Desire Tree, I was questioned on topics to do with anything from “How did you become a monk?” to “What is the status of women, and  same-sex oriented people?”

The interviewers, Jagannath and Dudhamrit, milked me for all I had, but I enjoyed it.  Disseminating the Vedic perspective is a privilege for me as much as it is a mandate for the renounced order.  A monk is a teacher with words, and at the very least, with behaviour.  Some of our comrades are quiet by nature.  Introvert versus extrovert does exist, yet everyone in the saffron attire is expected to be some kind of preceptor.

When I’m back home, in Canada, I have a regular dental check-up.  My dentist doesn’t charge for the services.  I thank him for helping me and his remark is usually, “You are doing something for humanity, so let me reciprocate.”

I then reflect. “Oh yeah, I’m in a role that attempts to inspire others.  I’m not set out to reinforce the materialistic way of life.  I may not do such a good job at it.  When I sit or mingle with my god-brothers, I consider ‘Who am I compared to them?’”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, October 20th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
Today I was asked to read before our global leaders the following excerpt from the preface of the book “Bhagavatam.”  It was how we began the day’s meetings.

“We must know the present need of human society.  And what is that need?  Human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits to particular countries or communities.  Human society is broader than in the Middle Ages, and the world tendency is toward one state or one human society.  The ideals of spiritual communism, according to Srimad-Bhagavatam, are based more or less on the oneness of the entire human society, nay, of the entire energy of living beings.  The need is felt by great thinkers to make this a successful ideology.  Srimad-Bhagavatamwill fill this need in human society.  It begins, therefore, with an aphorism of Vedanta philosophy, janmady asya yatah, to establish the ideal of a common cause.

Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion.  It has made rapid progress in the fields of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world.  But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues.  There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause.  Srimad-Bhagavatamwill fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the re-spiritualization of the entire human society.”

(There’s more!)

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
What Counts!

 

 

At 7:10 p.m. when I had the chance to see the honourable deities of Sita Rama at the temple (ISKCON) it was difficult to get around.  Many people were doing what I was—trying to receive some mercy from above.  The place was packed.  There were local attendees, and I also saw a dozen or more inquisitive tourists, most likely from Russia.  They observed the elaborate display of the deities.  They also couldn’t help but notice the monks-in-training who were enthusiastically singing and dancing as a way of trying to please the deities.

I made my way to the front of the temple room, close to the deities.  I also participated in the dance and took some lead on the dance steps.  This created a small sensation since the monks are accustomed to more-or-less a robotic type of repetitious movement.  They saw a chance to break out of it.  There was some apprehension initially and then liberation kicked in.

In the course of that, I saw someone approaching for darshan(viewing of the deity) and he was moving rather slowly with the assistance of crutches.  It was my friend from Ahmedabad, Yasomatinandan, who has aged considerably since last I saw him.  He broke into a smile after I tapped him on the shoulder, at which time he recognized me.

This is the same Yasomatinandan whom I see every day in the corridor in the form of a photo, enlarged and framed, on the wall.  He is walking with his guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the photo.  He looks handsome, energetic and young.

That dynamic has changed in Yaso, but I see his consciousness is good and that is what counts.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Tuesday, October 18th, 2016
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Mumbai, India

 

 

Lament Not

 

 

“One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again.  Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.”  Bhagavad-gita 2:27

We received the news today that a very prominent member of our community, known not just in Mumbai but globally, passed away in Bhutan.  Nataji, as everyone knows him, died from heart failure and he had the biggest heart.  He was a generous devotee and he was dear to his guru, Srila Prabhupada.

As the verse above from the Gita indicates “we will be back and so there is no need to lament.”  Over the course of four and a half decades, many senior men and women got to know Nataji.  He was very kind to all.  He had compiled reading material on bhakti-yoga in the business place.

Condolences to his family.  We may try to pay heed to the words above by Sri Krishna, “Do not lament,” in regard to his going.  Based on his magnanimous disposition, Nataji will march on to the subtle greener pasture of the spiritual world.  Therefore, why lament?  But, a notion of self-pity is natural, as he’ll be missed.

Funeral rites will be tomorrow in Mumbai, with a procession beginning at his home.

For my evening, I had every reason to rejoice.  I usually dream about giving presentations to young enthusiasts of the bhaktimovement.  One hall got filled up at 8 p.m. with fresh young monks in training.  They came to hear “Tales from Trails.”

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Monday, October 17th, 2016
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Mumbai, India

 

 

High Point

 

 

A major high point for me at the Juhu Temple was the great moments of kirtan in the evening.  This, of course, involves dancing, and dancing is good.  It involves using leg muscles which don’t get used in the course of walking.

The ISKCON complex is somewhat that—complex.  For me, it’s like a maze when trying to get around from temple room, to meeting room, to accommodation room.  There’s quite a lot of transmigration of body and soul which goes on within the complex.

Yes, I’m intimidated by the outdoors.  Traffic is crazy.  Weather is hot.  Pollution is high.  I’m actually relishing the time with peers whom I don’t see for months at a time.  We all stay within the complex.

Spiritual advancement is largely dependent on good spiritual company.  In fact, it is the major factor behind growth.  Therefore, my stay here in Juhu, Mumbai is a true blessing because of all the great comrades I have here.

Mind you, most of them just can’t dance up a storm with the many young males present, who reside as monks in the confines of temple and ashram.  But the sit-down and break-out sessions we have together are precious.

One important topic for us is succession planning.  Hey, most of the old boys are in their mid to late 60’s.  It is time for more delegation and empowerment—time to transfer responsibilities to the ones who can dance.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, October 16th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
  
A Lesson From the Python

  
Yesterday, Bhanu Swami spoke about the python man—the sadhu, or holy man who becomes popular by merely lying there in the field and accepting whatever may come of its own accord as food.  His disposition is one of detachment.  Such was the topic during the Bhagavatam lesson.

Today, we were honoured to hear from Kavi-chandra Swami who spoke further on the nature of a python, who hypnotizes his prey causing it to come closer.

The parallels, between the python and the certain type of monk who doesn’t walk about, are very interesting.  The main theme I picked up on was instructive.  As Rupa Goswami, another celebrated monk of the 16th century, expressed it, “Do not endeavour for mundane things.”

In a conversation I had at lunch with Tejiyas, a true blue researcher on rural community development, he said the greatest challenge in implementing the simpler life for even the welcoming city slicker is to resign oneself to the principle that we be content with what we have.  It appears greed is an element which really needs to be tackled if one wants to be more frugal in the way one does things.  I think most of us will admit we waste like crazy and we work way too hard to accumulate what we don’t need.

My walking, by the way, hasn’t totally diminished.  I’m not excited about walking at nearby Juhu Beach.  In the day, it’s extremely hot.  In the night, the dogs attack.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Saturday, October 15th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
  
Who’s Who?

  
It’s good to know who’s who and what’s what.

Yesterday, when arriving at the airport, I got out of the cab and there was a youthful man with a yellow T-shirt.  Inscribed on it was “Don’t ask me who Picasso is.”  For humour’s sake I asked the bearer of the upper apparel, “Who is Picasso?”

I believe he didn’t want to come across as a totally ignorant person.  I appreciated him trying.

“I think he’s a recording artist.”

“You got the artist part right,” I said.

Now, at today’s mid-term meeting with leaders, elders, monks, both men and women, I had a chat with American peer, Niranjan Swami, at break time.  I told him about the fellow who didn’t know Picasso, but who seemed to be advertising for him.  Then Niranjan Swami said people today don’t know the Beatles.  He relayed a story of another spiritual Godbrother of ours, Sivarama Swami, and how he had shown someone the cover of a BBT publication, the small paperback, Chant and Be Happy.  On the cover are John Lennon, George Harrison and the founder of the Hare Krishna movement.

“Do you know who this is?” he asked, pointing to John.

“No,” said the newcomer, “but the face on the top is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, founder of the Hare Krishna movement.”

That surprised him.

I also had lunch with Tejujas and Kalakanta, who are both great promoters of the green, simple village life.  This is not the only Kalakanta I know.  This one’s Brazilian.  I have another dear friend, Kalakanta, who’s American, and who said of the confusion that arises sometimes, “I’m getting an identity crisis.”

As far as identity is concerned according to the Vedic perspective, “We are a spirit.  We are not the body.”

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Friday, October 14th, 2016
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Friday, October 14th, 2016

Mumbai, India

The Pretty Pink Banana Bag

You can imagine the fatigue felt after the 22 km hike around Govardhan Hill.  That length is not new to me.  I used to clear 42 km, but with some breaks, on a daily basis across Canada.  The unique feature about last evening’s walk was—as anyone knows who’s done it—you go barefoot.  The terrain for the most part is sandy and smooth and flat.  Some portions feature broken concrete, eroded paths and tiny sharp stones.  Overall, it was a great reflexology exercise.

I returned to my room for a two hour rest.  The cab arrived at 7 a.m.  I sat in the back seat.  At midway I asked the driver to stop in order to purchase a bunch of bananas for breakfast.  I indulged.  The driver helped.  He noticed I was tossing my banana peels outside the window.  I figured they can do their decomposing in their bio-degradable way.  The driver suggested I don’t do that.

“Slip!  Slip!” he said with his broken English.  I accepted being corrected on this.

“I’m sorry!”

The rest of the peels I saved in the frail but pretty, pink plastic bag the bunch originally came in.  I tied it well and was prepared to dispose of the bundle at the next opportunity, as in an appropriate garbage bin.  The driver took the banana peel trash in the plastic and tossed it out so swiftly that I couldn’t react in time.  He threw it over into the ditch; hence, there won’t be a “slip!’  I was appalled that he put the garbage out to contribute to the trash culture.  I was annoyed and let him know.

“God will not be pleased!”

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Thursday, October 13th, 2016
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016

Vrindavana, India

The Hill That Draws

Another one of my spiritual big brothers (meaning my senior in years as a monk, and in body) is an American who visits the ashram frequently.  His name is Guru Krpa.  I’ve read about his contributions to the mission, such as raising funds–big-time—for the existing guest house, temple and school back in the 70’s.  I never really met him before.  I thought to break-the-ice with him.  I wiggled my way through the crowd  to make contact.

“I just wanted to say thanks for making it possible for us all to have this facility.”

“I didn’t do it,” said Guru Krpa.

“I heard you did, so thank you.”

He was moving in a specific direction and gave the impression he was heading off.  I think I surprised him, but I figured 50% of my job is to acknowledge the good efforts of others.  Later in the afternoon, I met  him once again, in the stairwell this time.  He was carrying a pot of pesto he just made.

“Almonds, olive oil and basil are the main ingredients,” he said.  He placed a dab in my right palm. Yes, it was good.  I’m glad a friendship was struck.

A few of us—a monk, Madan Mohan, an elder, Vaikunthanath, two ladies, Sita Takurani and Krishna-rupa—and myself, all tackled the night-time walk around Govardhan Hill.  Kick-start time was 9:30 p.m.  We thought we would be some of the few in the dark hours.  To our surprise, thousands of pilgrims came out for the act of piety—a 22 kilometre loop walk around the sacred hill, that takes you through towns, market places, cow sanctuaries, temples, and orchards.  People moved at a good clip.  Amongst us was our hero, Vaikunthanath, who is 76, and not once complained on the continuous five-and-a-half hour trek.

May the Source be with you!

25 km

Wednesday, October 12th, 2016
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2016

Vrindavan, India

Big Brother and the Clapping Co.

After two lengthy plane rides and a three hour drive via taxi to Vrindavan, I arrived at the Krishna Balarama Guest House.  It was 3 a.m. and I was tired.  I tucked myself into bed and had a decent slumber.

My main reason for the visit was to see one of my older brothers—not biological—but a spiritual brother whom I looked up to when I first became a monk.  He donned robes and practices of renunciation before I did.  He’s dying from cancer and having his last months, weeks and days here in Vrindavan, one of the most sacred places in the world.

It was good to see him, and he looks better than I thought he would.  He seemed in good spirits and to raise those spirits even more, he had arranged a kirtan group to come to his quarters for chanting.  Most of those participants were faithful Krishna devotees from China.

It was my intent to get some walking in for some of the evening, seeing that two days in air and car had restricted me.  Now, the melodious chants compelled me to stay, and my big brother wouldn’t let me go.  The session started in late afternoon and continued for three hours.  Redeemingly, foot-work was used in the form of dance, and for a good portion of the time aggressive clapping in-time became an optimum work-out for the hands.

When hands are activated, organs of the body do well, just like when feet are mobilized, so many human body parts reap the benefit and get stronger.  Perhaps hand clapping could be considered a kind of walking?

May the Source be with you!

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Tuesday, October 11th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

Amsterdam/Delhi

Impressions In-flight

When landing at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the gate for the flight to Delhi was right there.  Yet I had two hours to kill, so I decided I was not going to just sit around.  “It’s time to explore the airport.  I’ll get some walking done.”

My impressions!  The colour scheme of the airport interior is a trite too colourless.  In a country like Holland, where it’s overcast for a good amount of the time, it might be an idea to intensify the hues a bit.  Learn from the Spanish, perhaps.

Also the place is very international.  You have travellers and tourists here from all over the world.  I see a share of Dutchman who are some of the travellers, but mostly are staff and personnel.  They remind me of me, to a certain extent.  My ancestry comes from this ‘below the sea-level land’.  They are tall people—blondish and into the formalities.  German-like, but softer.

The next flight was a little change from the one to Amsterdam.  Jet Airways carries many passengers from south-east Asia.  Many of them are older.  They’re off to come home to India.  One man I met from the Punjab, but who lives in Canada, is going home for a wedding.  The screens on the plane were all lit up for Bollywood flicks as soon as we got back into the aircraft.

At the Delhi Airport, as we de-planed, I met a sweet couple from Calgary en route to Nepal and the Himalayas.  “Get ready for a joyous culture shock.  You’ll love it.”  I wished them well.

May the Source be with you!

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