Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Friday, October 2nd, 2015
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Friday, October 2nd, 2015


Matamoras, Pennsylvania

A Cool Mayor

Monks in our order are allowed to vote but I would not, even if I would be an American citizen. If I WERE to vote, I would cast my vote on November 3rd for Judith L. Kennedy. She is the mayor of Newburghin New YorkState and with her term coming to an end and the election campaign going on, she has the chance to be re-elected. The reason why I would have put a check to her name had I the opportunity, is because she stands for moral values. I spent an hour talking to her over dinner at Newburgh’s vegetarian restaurant, Nimai’s Bliss Kitchen. Judith and I dialogued over many topics concerning the way our society is. She let me know of a recent shooting of eight people in a college in Oregon. God, I didn’t know. I haven’t been following the news lately although I got interviewed by Mark of the Sentinel Newspaper today. With Judith, we spoke of rampant drug use, the world of Reaganomics, commercialism, and being in deep debt. We spoke of Americaand the world at large being like the Roman Empire, a civilization that fell into decline with the cause coming from within.

She was totally right on with her assessment and that there’s need for change. She came, along with others, to the restaurant not just for a meal but also to hear from The Walking Monk, so I delivered ‘Tales From Trails’, and to do something that can shake up a troubled world, so we did kirtan. We chanted and danced up a storm, including Judith. She’s totally cool. After a long day trudging through drizzle, tracking back for dinner, and after stepping into a new state, Pennsylvania, it was worth coming to the event.

I expressed to the group how our guru, Srila Prabhupada, came to the West 50 years ago with a message and part of that message was about redefining what we call ‘partying’. His definition, having a good time with kirtan and acknowledging the Source. Judith actually mentioned to me that she uses the word Source quite a lot. Anyways, I hope to see her stay in her mayoral seat for another term.

 

May the Source be with you!

Port Jervis, Milford, Matamoras

19 miles / 31 km

 

 

Thursday, October 1st, 2015
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Thursday, October 1st, 2015


Montgomery, New York

Walk or Drive But Move

The temperature has dropped to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s still fine and the weather is not severely austere. Yesterday, rain and drizzle came periodically and whether accompanied by umbrella, plastic poncho or not, constant walking provides warmth. In looking at the bright side of things, the rain of yesterday and the coolness of today provides a transition of texture and colour to the vegetation and foliage all around. Hence, the awesomeness of autumn begins to show its usual splendor.

By 1:30 PM I had completed my targeted 20 miles. That was done to make room for a drive to Schenectedy, a historic city in New YorkState. There we conducted a sangha, a devotional gathering with the Guyanese community. Sabrina was our host. With children all the way to seniors in the group, the mild challenge is to keep everyone perked up and attentive. Any presentation should inspire. For me, before attempting such a task, an internal mindfulness of prayer, as brief as it may be certainly helps in the endeavour.

I spoke from 9.29 of the Bhagavad Gita and explored the fairness of God. We read through the purport of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, by the way of charades. That’s always a winning approach for the kids.

Kirtan (chanting) and blessed food known as prasad finished off a great evening before the long drive back to our rendezvous in Newburgh. When choosing whether to be a passenger in a van or walking on the road, I prefer the latter. However, it’s always good to be in that vehicle to maximize time in the company of my team players, Vivasvan and Tre’von. Incidentally, Tre’von is completing a good amount of mantrameditation on his beads. It’s day number two of accomplishing 16 revolutions on the beads.

 

May the Source be with you!

20 miles / 32 km

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2015


Montgomery, New York

“Don’t Jump, It’s Not Worth It!”

Rain permeated through the sky and through the previous night. It persisted through the morning. Off I went to a later than usual start at which time the drops did let up. Only then did I step out of the van. When I did so, five fawns spun out from the forest next to me. But guess who also emerged at that time? It was Tre’von, who slept overnight with Vivasvan and I and is now an official member of our team. He emerged from the van and, like a real trooper, took to the whole 20 miles of walking for the day.

We had a thrill walking on the bridge that suspended over the Hudson River. It took us exactly a half hour to walk it. That made it four revolutions on our meditation beads. We stopped somewhere at the middle of the bridge just to enjoy the view of the vista. When a motorist saw us while driving, he yelled out, “Don’t jump, it’s not worth it!” It gave us a good laugh. A construction worker on the bridge also noticed us. He was a big burly guy and upon seeing us he stopped his work and offered us a pranam ( a traditional palms together Vedic greeting).

We were treated royally at the Nimai Bliss kitchen to a tasty vegetarian Gujarati meal. I was impressed with the food and with Jimmy, one of the patrons of the place. Who is Jimmy anyway? He’s a garage owner across the street from the restaurant. He calls himself the All-American Boy but has taken a fancy to Krishna Consciousness. It comes at a good period in his life. At age 75, he is just looking to a new track in life. He is reading the books of our guru, whom I am walking for.

Once again, my guru’s name is Srila Prabhupada and he came to America 50 years ago. He started an explosion in consciousness-raising. To me, a walk in his honor is very justified.

We walked Newburgh, Little Britain, Plain View, Rock Tavern and Montgomery.

 

May the Source be with you!

20 miles / 32 kilometres

 

Sunday, September 27th, 2015
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Sunday, September 27th, 2015


New Preston, Connecticut

Mark Twain’s ‘Turf’

When I walked through Hartfordwith Tre’von, we went past the home of author Harriet Stowe who published the bestseller, ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’. She was an abolitionist and wrote about the slave escapees in the 1800’s. I was born near Uncle Tom’s cabin so it struck my interest.

Also, to my amazement, situated next to her home was the house of writer and humorist Mark Twain (1835 – 1910). It is a real stately house. I can’t help but deliver some of his best quotes:

“Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.”

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”

“I don’t like to commit myself about Heaven and Hell. You see, I have friends in both places.”

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.”

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing, it was here first.”

“Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.”

“All generalizations are false, including this one.”

“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.”

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm than the vessel in which it is stored to anything on which it is poured.”

 

May the Source be with you!

18 miles/29 km

 

Saturday, September 26th, 2015
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Saturday, September 26th, 2015


Burlington, Connecticut

Cultivation

It is almost alarming to see the intensity of traffic this early Saturday morning on secondary roads, not freeways. Who are these people? Where are they going at 6 AM and with such speed and intensity of purpose? On a Saturday? You can’t help asking these questions.

Karuna and I spent most of the journey, now west of Hartford, on Highway 4 through Farmington and then beyond Burlington. At one time, for about 2 miles, we encountered relief from the callous traffic by way of a trail frequented by runners, walkers, and cyclists. Thank God.

Occasionally, a motorist on the busy road honks his horn. You can tell when it’s a happy honk as distinct from a ‘watch it man’ type of warning. It’s rare to find nasty travelers as long as you walk responsibly. I still find it astounding to see the lack of ample space for alternative travelers like walkers. It appears that all is laid out to the advantage of the automobile.

What does compensate for the more or less little interaction with motorists is the time I spent with newcomer, Tre’von. I find him exceptional, devotionally a rare bird. I spent the evening with him after his work hours in what our guru used to call, ‘cultivation’. This is a word Srila Prabhupada used to use to describe someone’s preparation in devotion.

When I was a boy growing up in a farming district, the term cultivation was used to mean ploughing or turning the soil by way of machinery. I believe it’s an appropriate word as Tre’von is really having a turnover in life. My support person, Vivasvan, is also helping him learn the ways of bhakti, devotion. I can see Tre’von’s head spinning around in a most positive way. I explained to him, “Just look at it this way”, as cars are whipping by, “we are not these bodies but spirits. The body perishes. Our souls go on. We can get over our identity crisis by concentrating on the point, ‘I am spirit'”.

Tre’von liked that.

Regards to Madhava and Vishali for accommodation.

 

May the Source be with you!

20 miles / 32 kilometres

 

Friday, September 18th, 2015
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Friday, September 18th, 2015


Toronto/Boston

Long Leap

Yes, it was a long leap from Toronto to Boston by van. It was even a greater challenge for my driver, Vivasvan, who took a four hour drive from Detroit before arriving in Toronto to pick us up. All in all, it was 15 hours in transport for him and a little less for Vicky and I leaving from Toronto.

I enjoyed the company of the two comrades and even more the purpose or intent of our venture. We were off to participate in the 50th anniversary of our guru’s arrival to America. Furthermore, I was about to embark on my first marathon walk in the States beginning on the 20th. It will be a send off from Boston.

There was much anticipation in the air in the capsule of Vivasvan’s van. We drove most of the way with the rooftop open and the side windows at half mast. We were feeling the air alright and it was positive.

My legs were antsy, wanting to be mobile. Maybe one day they’ll make cars with treadmills in them. With no walking put in today due to the drive and adrenaline rushing up and down with great prospects ahead, it added interesting dimensions to the urges of the legs.

Our dialogue covered many things such as upcoming media, the walking route we would take, and so on. But the discussions and tales on the contributions our gurumade to the world and how he personally touched many lives to transformational levels, captivated us the most as we sailed down those highways to Boston.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Thursday, September 17th, 2015
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Thursday, September 17th, 2015


Toronto, Ontario

I Was Walking

I was walking south on

Jarvis Street

and came full stop at a street juncture. Also waiting for the lights to change was one other person, a young man, tall, bespectacled, and with a partial beard. I thought, “Let me open my mouth, let me try friendship.”

“The climate this evening is just perfect, isn’t it?”

“Agreed.”

“It doesn’t get better than these last few nights.” There’s a pause. “Are you from the city?” I asked.

“Most of my life I’ve lived here but frankly I moved about 30 times to different locations.”

“What? Were your parents with the Canadian Forces that they were assigned to different posts?”

“Not really,” said the young man, “my parents separated when I was young.”

“How did you handle that? It must have been tough?”

“Yes, it was,” he admitted. “I eventually got over it. It took a lot of time.”

“Do you think you’ve learned from the experience? I mean to say, there comes a time when we reach the same juncture like what your parents went through, such as their likely disagreements which arose before they decided to part?”

“In time I learned to be very careful about everything,” he said and then he indicated with a smile that he had to take a right while I continued straight down Jarvis.

I was content to have an easy chat with someone I didn’t know and about something quite personal. “Very careful” is what lingered and in my mind I quite concur with the policy. On further deliberation though, I felt that even with prudence, mistakes, mishaps, and misdemeanors come about. It then becomes necessary to have some anchor in life, something to ground you, or else, you become an emotional wreck.

My simple answer on this subject would be that we must cultivate our love for the Divine, and then we can weather any storm.

 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Sunday, September 13th, 2015
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Sunday, September 13th, 2015


Houston, Texas

Contributions

Three speakers presented their views on the contribution made by the founder and teacher of the Hare Krishna Movement, 50 years since its seedling stage. From the perspective of one of our senior monks, Romapada Swami, the achievements our teacher, Srila Prabhupada, contributed to the world are:

1) Promoting the loving relation with a personal God

2) Establishing a leadership of brahmins to guide a spiritual community.

Then a woman from the medical profession, Rambhoru, coming from the angle of good health expressed:

3) A preventative formula for the physical and mental welfare of

the world.

To clarify this point she said that people benefit merely from following the formula of the four regulative principles: a) no meat eating, b) no drugs or liquor, c) no gambling, and d) no whimsical or casual sex. She also credited him for;

4) Creating an alternative family, a community, ‘something bigger

than yourself’.

She also briefly added that here is the person who spearheaded:

5) Indian food, particularly prasadam.

and introduced:

6) Indian clothes to the west.

And finally, a Syrian born Krishna monk, Bhakti Sundar Swami, expressed his appreciation for our teacher’s contributions for:

7) Introducing the culture of chanting.

Furthermore, the swami mentioned:

8) The promotion of non-violence or the protection of animals.

And as I recorded it:

9) Prabhupada’s insertion into the world at large – transcendental

literature. He compiled Vedic wisdom in such volumes as

never seen before. He became the most prolific proponent of

Vedic knowledge in his time.

You could feel that the presentation was well received by all and it enhanced the love and respect for our teacher, Srila Prabhupada. From there on, we all danced and chanted up a storm.

In my notes for the day I wrote from Rambhoru’s talk, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. The source is poet William Ross Wallace and it means what it says, “The one raising the child, influences the child.” In fact, I put a plug in over the microphone saying that we need to look at the next 50 years and put more attention to strong relations and family values.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Saturday, September 12th, 2015
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Saturday, September 12th, 2015


Houston, Texas

Days Short and Long

Days are shortening in our northern hemisphere. It can be seen when out in the streets or in the countryside. I’m in the suburbs and the sun peeks out before 7 AM. In the dark, during my walk, I catch the sound of squeaky voices – their source I do not know. Little frogs perhaps? The Rottweiler, who bears a collar, is making his rounds sniffing and searching. I couldn’t understand why he’s roaming about so freely, almost like a stray dog.

A possum was doing much the same, although no collar. This guy is really free. I couldn’t scare him, neither with my footsteps nor even with my towering size. No intimidation from his side whatsoever.

I’m the only one on the street, or sidewalk shall we say, but I can never feel alone. I have this mantra with me. I then enter the temple room. Dozens of pilgrims are chanting with the use of their meditational beads. It is a beautiful devotional mood.

Then, after a great presentation by Romapada Swami, Bhakti Sundara Swami, and Vaisesika, I dove into our drama practice with two more run-throughs before actors donned costumes and makeup. Then came the performance. I announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, ‘Gita: Concise’”. The Gauranga Hall was full. The applause and its volume demonstrated eagerness. The show had begun. The lights went on. The character, Ganesh, sticks his elephantine head out of the curtain every which way. The curtain drew open. The magical message of the Gita was conveyed artfully over the next 25 minutes. The applause exploded.

It was all possible to assemble ‘Gita: Concise’ in 24 hours with the use of recorded voiceover. By the mercy of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, the show became a reality. The day was long.

 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Friday, September 11th, 2015
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Friday, September 11th, 2015


Houston, Texas

U R Greeted

You are greeted by locals and by guests with the use of typical Vaishnava jargon. “Hare Krishna!” is a commonly used salutation. “Haribol!” which literally means “Say the name, Hari (God)!” is also popular. “Krishne Matir Astu” is used by those more familiar with the contents of the Krishnaconscious literature we read (“May Krishna be with you” is a good enough translation for that).

How about in English? Do Hare Krishnas ever use English words to say hello? Well, the word “Hello” or “Hi” is super rare in addressing each other.

Why not try, “How are you?” and you might get something in the form of an answer like, “Fine, now that I’m seeing you.” This is how I was greeted by Vaisesika, one of the honored guests at the event that will be held in Houston this weekend.

The site of the 50th anniversary of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, coming to the west is on

34th Street

at Iskcon’s magnificent temple in Houston. People have come here mostly from the US’s Midwest from as far north as Chicago. Presentations have begun today commemorating the historical event of the presence of Hare Krishna on western soil 50 years ago. There will be kirtan,classes, fantastic food, a cultural program held at the the convention centre, and there will be a play – our play, the one I’m bringing to Houston – a play called ‘Gita: Concise’.

My crew is flying in from Florida, Montreal, and Toronto. Some younger generation volunteers will join in, young women from St. Louis and Chicago. As a celibate monk, we generally do not take the company of the opposite sex as habit but from a director’s point of view, the service must get done and everyone busies themselves in such a way that it becomes a team effort with a family feel. Parents have somehow placed trust in me. “For the stage”, I’ve come to resolve, “I can work with everyone”.

We only had today to theatrically pull it all together. I asked the actors/dancers to review “Gita: Concise” from Facebook beforehand. This review offered some preparedness for tomorrow’s performance. Yes, we had only 24 hours to put together this epic piece of learning. It will take a miracle, at least some faith.

“Faith”, our guru said, “is trust in something sublime”.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Sunday, September 6th, 2015
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

In Our Hand

Another beautiful day marks our calendar. It is called Vyasa-Puja, the day for remembering our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on his birthday. I will present to you now my poem which I offered to him.

In Our Hand

I keep in my kurta pocket

A worry that you’ll be forgotten

That results of hard work done

Will be tossed like air on soft cotton
 

I have a thought that

The cutting edge you brought

Will be twisted

In all that you’ve taught

 

I have a concern that

As the clock keeps ticking

And time passes quickly

Kali increases his devious tricking

 

I have a humble opinion

That danger lurks ahead

Unless we stick to our guns,

Anchor sadhana and kirtan be spread

 

In my other pocket a feeling

That your mercy will linger

Success will be proceeding

Where ‘ere you point the finger

 

I can say for certain

That fifty years have passed

Recognition will come

Your legacy bound to last

 

I have these mixed feelings

Regarding failure or success

Only time will tell –

Make, break, or be a mess

 

Yours was the first step

Ours is the second

The third, and fourth –

The deck is in our hand

 

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Saturday, September 5th, 2015
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Saturday, September 5th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Waking and Walking

Waking for the early arati on Krishna’s birthday was a challenge physically because our rehearsal had finished at 1:15 AM. However, the spirit was high and knowing the attendance would also be high made the chore of rising easier.

Right after the glorious chant at 4:30 AM lead by my doctor, Dr. Pundit (AKA Jagannatha Mishra), a large group sat down to hear my reading from the Gita, chapter 4. But, before I read, I opened with a comment.

“It is said that Krishnawas born on this day but actually He was not. In fact, He was not born.”

Explanations on this apparent contradiction have been explained by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, along the lines that Krishna is known as aja, not born under normal circumstances. You might say it was an immaculate conception. He came to this world not under the force of karma but simply by His wish to do so, on the strength of His own desire.

A good number of people in the group had also become aware of the statement made by UScongress woman, Tulsi Gabbard. Her message of good will from her constituency in Hawaii credits Srila Prabhupada for bringing awareness of Krishna to the west. She quoted the Gita on two occasions in her speech, 8.66 and 4.35, regarding surrender to the Supreme and also the importance of feeling that we are all part of Krishna who is our true friend.

Our building, the temple and ashram, became a squeezed-in situation. Pilgrims from all ’round came to witness the beauty of Krishna’s deity. Our drama, “Krishna Is”, was a big hit. When the clock struck 12 at midnight, the doors to the shrine opened for a viewing of a regally decorated set of murtis (deities) while exuberant chanting went on. Everyone then broke their fast of full abstinence from food for the day.

As usual on Janmastami, Krishna’s apparent birth, I took my trek down the ravine to do my chanting on beads. The South African couple joined me. I reassured them there’s no crocodiles in the swamp where we’d be walking and no lions by the grassy meadows. We all survived on this walk of tamed urban Canadian wilderness. It is Krishna’s mercy.

 

May the Source be with you!

12 km

Friday, September 4th, 2015
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Friday, September 4th, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

The Day Before

On this fine morning when pink and blue blends occupy the sky, we took the boardwalk at the Beaches. The awesome element about any beach is that there is no encumbrance to thought, contemplation, or any form of dreaminess. The open air and boundless sky seem to generate the spirit of optimism and hope.

Praveen was kind to drive us to this busy, athletic-prone place. So many people take advantage of the good breezes that glide over the surface of the lake and make a pleasant greeting to the face. Runners, yogis, cyclists, kayakers, and walkers do the right thing, looking after themselves, in order to perhaps have better performance throughout the day.

Of course, it is only proper to look after the machinery given to us and I would say of myself, I don’t fancy sitting in the corner of the ashram where things tend to be so enclosed. Of course, I’ll say that now because it’s early September. For me, the sky is Krishna, or vice versa. At least we can say that the creation has a connection to the Creator. There is the sun and the sunshine that can be taken as an analogy. There is practically no difference between the two elements.

The sun did come up slowly then, by the way, over LakeOntarioas we walked to see his glowing pride. He was a red hot power ball. Our two South African guests were enthused to see such intensity of colour

All the calmness we placed ourselves in was really a preparation period for tomorrow’s birthday honouring Krishna. And, in an effort to please Him for tomorrow, a group of volunteers worked very hard with me on forming the drama ‘Krishna Is’ hours later, at a time when similar sky colours please the eyes . Our former temple president, Visvakarma, popped in for a surprise visit. Our cast was happy to meet him. We gave him an applause for being one of the main people responsible for securing the building in which we can perform and serve Krishna. I think it excited him to see all the decorations and activities going on in preparation for what to us is like Christmas. Thank you Krishna, for coming here to Earth.

 

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015
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Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

For Granted

The couple from South Africa were quite amazed by the no boundaries neighbourhood yards. There are little or no fences, walls, or gates to demark one’s territory or there’s no barbed wire or the likes or foreboding broken glass to keep intruders out. This enthrals them. We take this very much for granted in our free world here in most of North America.

Now don’t get me wrong. South Africa’s a great country. I go there every year, yet segregation of sorts persists there.

Another thing that has excited Tamohara and Merumala, the couple, is the fact that the guru of our world community, Iskcon, had not only visited the very building that they are staying in but he, Srila Prabhupada, was also the negotiator involved in the purchase of this building. He also spent some time in our temple and ashram for a three to four day stay back in ’76. In fact, he slept in the room where I now sleep. I take it so much for granted. He planted his, as we say, lotus feet on the floor of the quarters where I reside and rested his body and conducted conversations in the very space that I pace, sit in and lie in. Oh, wretched me, how is it that I cannot appreciate this enough?

After our walk, with the keen observances made by Tamohara and Merumala about home and properties and the way we live here in North America, we had a sit down in our guru’s quarters. They were clicking away with their camera at all they considered novel. For instance, the table off of which he ate and the bed that he slept on are both still here and are intact.

Finally, one thing that really struck the two happened at the tail end of our walk when we came to a street light, which over there in South Africa is called a ‘robot’ (pronounced with a strong rolling ‘R’). A bus driver stopped at that juncture, he opened the door of the bus and wished us a ‘good one’. He then took the intercom phone in his vehicle and sang a bhajan. The couple was astounded, “Is everybody in Canada this friendly?” Anyways, did the bus driver impress us? Yes, he did. Was he feeling good? Yes, he was. I wish I had his enthusiasm.

 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

Humid

Dense moisture hung in the air. It decided to spill heavily in the form of rain and just when one of our visiting monks was departing. Navayogendra Swami hails from Northern Indiaand makes his pilgrimage here, jet-setting (no criticism implied here). Yes, he had put Toronto on his itinerary before leaving for Vancouver.

The downpour came, but for five minutes or less, and as the swami was leaving a young couple from South Africa arrived – Tamohara and fiancé, Merumala. They are trying out ashram living for a week in a place new to them – Canada. They’ve also come to see me and this is one of the reasons for grounding myself for the week.

Welcome to Canada!

Humidity persisted, even into the night, and there was no way I was going to sleep easy. It meant a trek down any old wayward street. I decided on the ancient trail, Davenport. Here, indigenous folks did tread but it hardly looks like the days of yore. It is now a so-called ‘developed’ area. From there I moved onto

Yonge Street

which is also very built up.

I was my usual self, calm, robed, and with japameditation beads in hand (the right one) going southbound. Groups of people passed by me, mostly youthful ones. One group of lads ‘from the burbs’ I thought, walked by me but one with a baseball cap stopped in front reminding me of Krishna merely by his stance. No, he did not take the iconic three-fold bending form that Krishna is known for, rather, he stood before me in pranam format, that is, hands folded together. It was Shrey, the son of my secretary, a pious young teenager, who like many of his friends with a Krishna background, gives me a reminder of the Supreme.

Thanks for that, Shrey.

Immediately I thought, “Do you know where your children are?” thinking about the parents. But Shrey is quite old enough. He mentioned he just came from the game. The city’s baseball team, the Blue Jays, are having a great season so there’s a bit of a hype in the air. Anyways, it was a pleasant surprise and that little incident was worth the experience on this humid night.

 

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Sunday, August 30th, 2015
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Sunday, August 30th, 2015
Plainfield, New Jersey

Rushed

I was rushed to the temple prior to the crack of dawn for the mangal arati, the first chanting session of the day. I was given the invite to lead the chant on this very first arati since the new Krishna deity was installed. It was an honour. Before arriving, I figured that it might be a meagre attendance, being that it was 4:30 AM and everyone was tired from the festivities of the day and night before.

Much to my surprise, we had a full capacity attendance. This goes to show the serious nature to which the community takes to soul activity. It’s a solid investment into life’s journey.

It was three hours later that my dear godbrother, Jayadwaita Swami, shared a message on the significance of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and his coming 50 years ago to western soil to bring a new way of looking at the world, through a spiritual lens of course, for people’s consideration. It was not that the western populace was spiritually bankrupt but maybe it was time to look at a different angle of spirituality.

There are different approaches, correct?

To my chagrin I once more found no time to go on a promenade of sorts. We have all been on a marathon. So instead of walking I found at one point it was necessary for me to catch up on a much missed rest by a quiet corner of one of the festival tents. I assembled a makeshift bed with 7 chairs. It worked wonders.

Finally it was time to fly back to Canada.

The passenger sitting next to me was a 30 year old Russell, a typical Canadian who’s into sports, has the occasional beer, and experiences his own form of adventure. Recently he and buddies rafted some of the wildest white waters the country offers near James Bay. He also told me he was thrilled about a book he read, “Dharma Bums”, and so we connected on various levels.

“Come by to our Govinda’s, it’s a great eating place.” I personally think he’ll take up the offer when we can share with each other more about travel dynamics in the wild.
May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Saturday, August 29th, 2015
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Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Plainfield, New Jersey

Showers on the Day

Danudhar Swami and I haven’t met in years but he heard about my anticipated walk retracing the steps of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, 50 years ago. He wished me well. He asked me what shoes I preferred to wear on my pilgrimages. I told him I like to wear air, meaning that I use footwear that allows you to breathe. In the midst of the crowd that came for the celebrations of the Krishna deity installation, I also met an elderly female devotee who walks with a cane. She does so very meticulously and slowly. She deliberately takes those regular strolls being inspired by the walking I’ve done. “I read about you doing those long walks and it always encourages me.”

Now that was great to hear.

It was early while I was bound for the temple complex where much chanting went on and multiple rituals were in progress, executed both by old friends and members of our second generation Hare Krishna community. I had trekked along North Randolphville to

Williams Street

, then

New Market Road

, and finally

Vail Street

which becomes

West 7th Street

.

And then back.

After a full day of spiritual output, I traced back the steps from the early morning. It was only on my return trip that I spotted the toy train shop which looks like many of the other buildings but is obscured from the night darkness.

I also have to say something about the performance of our drama, Blue Mystic. Our actors pulled off a good show. Co-operative activity makes all things happen. It was hard labour piecing it together, therefore, it was a good reason for the wind down walk in the night time.

Blessings were showered on the day by the mercy of guru.
 

May the Source be with you!

12 km

 

Friday, August 28th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Friday, August 28th, 2015
Plainfield, New Jersey

In Plainfield

It just so happened that not an inch did I walk but flying took place. That doesn’t count, however, even though miles were put in going from Toronto to Newark.

Viratrupa was there at NewarkAirportto greet Balaram and myself. Our purpose in coming here was to attend the installation of the deities of Radha and Krishna in what I was told was a former Baptist church, now converted into a Krishnatemple. To please the crowds, (devotees have come from all around) I was asked to present a drama of the organizer’s choice, Blue Mystic.

I was happy to see the actors I selected turn up. There were two from Montreal, one from Michigan, one from North Carolina, two from Toronto, and some local extras, all volunteers. So as far as travel is concerned, the practice we put in allowed for a beautiful fatigue to compensate for the lack of trekking.

“Blue Mystic” takes one to ancient times and to Northern India where Krishna’s life is described up to the point of conquering evil in the form of Emperor Kamsa. For many of the onlookers who came upon our rehearsal, it became a transporting of place and time.

By 9 PM our practice concluded with three yummy meals wedged in through the day (we are spoiled). Viratrupa drove me to his lovely home and showed me directions how I could walk the return journey on foot the next morning. We passed by Walgreen’s and then turned a corner by the old model train shop. That pokes at something nostalgic. Where do you find such a shop where they sell electric trains? Just like where do you find an old drive-in movie anymore? Or where do you find an old sundae shop with swivelling chairs and old time ice cream? They are few and far between but they do exist.

More relevant is where do you find bhakti, devotion? Answer, somewhere within the inner recesses of the heart.
 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Thursday, August 27th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Thursday, August 27th, 2015
Owen Sound, Ontario
 
Outing at Owen
 
Two families and I made the two hour trip to Owen Sound for yet another outing. There we met the three generational Hanna clan and two generational Kaliyavadiya clan. Just outside Owen Sound is a small hamlet called Springmount. On the way you pass by one of the last of Canada’s drive-in movies which were popular in the fifties and sixties and then arrive at a park at JonesFalls, one of numerous waterfalls found on the Niagara escarpment. The temperature just wasn’t strong enough to justify a swim today. We settled for a walk on the BruceTrail which has offshoot trails indicated by the paint strip found on the bark of trees. One colour was red, the other was white. We were captivated by some twisty and windy cedar trees as well as some ancient maple growth.
 
I failed to mention our Nepalese companion, Suman, who heard that mushrooms were in abundance. He came prepared with his sizeable canvass bag meant for foraging for four different kinds of mushrooms.
 
“What are you going to do with this?” I asked as he made good with the harvest.
 
Cook it and eat it,” he said plainly. The man was in ecstasy and upon discovering a mushroom would make this unique form of a howl, something that kind of comes along with the territory when you’re trekking through the woods. Alex also had a knack for howling, which was okay because he was taking the lead and he would help us stay on track.
 
We capped off our day, much after the walk was finished, with a chant converging in one home. We handed our honourary flower garland to Samantha, a local yoga teacher from the area. She’s in love with kirtanand plays a role in networking with others in kirtan admitting that it is the ultimate yoga practice.
 
The meal that followed was prepared by Alka and it was to die for. Of course, it was animal free but also gluten free. We found the dishes scrumptious. Our program was dedicated to young Priyam who, in four days, will set off to university for his first year. Congratulations!
 
 
May the Source be with you!
 
9 km