Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Saturday, May 16th, 2015            
Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Walk

“No devices, no food, no money, no vehicle, rather depend on Krishna” was the policy set by Jambavan who set the rules for his fourth walk across Detroit.  He mentioned that I inspired him on this annual trek.  This time, this year, I decided to give support and accompany him, so did 16 other enthusiasts who, like troupers, stuck it out for the long haul.

The long haul was not so long, really but a considerable distance when you were dealing with mostly first timers.  To what was calculated to be about 12 miles or 20 kilometres was the stretch taken from Eastpointe and Gratiot going southbound with some interesting detours and ending at the playgrounds on Belle Island.  Along the way on Gratiot (originally a French word which locals horrendously pronounce as “Grash-it”) we observed some good omens.  We even spotted a pretty and wild pheasant.  Above all, people were very sweet, receptive, kind and happy to see some “whites” in exotic cloths taking humbly to the road on foot in their neighbourhood.

Well, most people were nice. 

This venture we confirmed is a pilgrimage and Jambavan saw to it that his very own stomping grounds were places that we would get acquainted with.  He pointed to the Faygo factory of soft drinks (exclusively born in Michigan) and the “Better Made Potato Chip Company” also fabulously a Detroit origined family business.  On the more spiritual catholic side, we visited Bishop Carl at the gorgeous St. Anthony Church.  He had this “George Clooney air about him” said Jambavan.  There was the Capucin Monk, Brother Joseph at the Solamus Kasey Center who received and gave hugs.  The reception at the Assumption Church and a grotto of Mary was a harsh one.  Quite harsh.

For detours, we veered off to neighbourhoods known for their miles upon miles of dilapidated, gutted out and in some cases, burned down homes.  This was like I had never seen before.  Like a war zone.

On the bright side, those streets were the most serene and green nature is doing a make / take over.  And the artistic Heidleburg Project was a real treat for the eyes – something that we stumbled upon.  There was also a rotund mama who was canvassing for us to put our signature on her house for a dollar.  Also a woman on drugs and in pink propositioned two of our men as we were walking.  All in all, it was an adventure, especially when the rain poured down and we took shelter of an abandoned home, toilet removed and all and there we chanted in a joyous kirtan.

May the source be with you!

22 km

Friday, May 15th, 2015 
Birmingham, Michigan

Time

At the Krishna House, I was asked to speak from the Bhagavatam verse 1.8.28.  There is merit to sharing words of wisdom, so I would then like to extract from its purport the following: “It is no use saying that we do not know why and for what we are suffering.  We may forget the misdeed for which we may suffer at this present moment.  We must remember that Paramatma (Supreme Soul) is our constant companion.  And therefore, He knows everything, past, present and future.  And because the Paramatma feature of Sri Krishna destines all actions and reactions, He is the supreme controller also.  Without His sanction, not a blade of grass can move.  The living beings are given as much freedom as they deserve, and misuse of that freedom is the cause of suffering…  Everyone here wants to lord it over material nature, and thus everyone creates his own destiny under the supervision of the Supreme Lord.  He is all pervading and therefore, He can see everyone’s activities.  And because the Lord has no beginning or end, He is known also as the eternal time, Kala.”

Some other comments on the topic of kala (time) based on the teachings and practices of our guru, Srila Prabhupada are as follows: 

Time is the most powerful representation of God in the material sphere. 

We may be governed by the movements of the sun and the moon, but it is the Supreme who moves them. 

You can’t buy back a moment of time past with tons of gold. (Chanikya) 

“Time and tide wait for no man.”

Also we might consider this beautiful phrase regarding the process of nature “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift.”

I would like to thank Kelly for her hospitality and her home for a memorable sangha in the evening.

May the Source be with you!

11 km

Thursday, May 14th, 2015                           
Cleveland/Toledo/Michigan

Switching Cities and States

From Cleveland, Eklavya and I took a bus en route to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

There was a stopover in Toledo, a first visit for me, to this city.  Like most American cities, it is all about cars.  You hardly see pedestrians.  While here, I also wondered why, and even as we grew up as kids, people say, “Holy Toledo” to express surprise.  I believe that the phrase was also blurted out by Robin to Batman.  From what I could gather it has origins from around the turn of the 19^th to the 20^th century and was meant to be a sarcastic remark – Whatever!

At the bus station, we met Pranav, a 26 year old student from Gujarat, India, going to school at the University of Buffalo.  Nice guy.  Which is typical of Indian students.  Quiet.  Dutiful.  Family and studies means a lot to such individuals.  I admire that.

I offered my services.  I said, “Buffalo is close to Toronto where I live just over the border.   We can visit and do some kirtanwith your friends.’  I handed him the small book, ‘Krishna:  The Reservoir of Pleasure’ for keeps.  Also, another person from Brooklyn was sitting a depot was making favorable remarks about the robes.  Sorry, but Eklavya and I had trouble discerning the gender.  This spirit soul was keen to learn and become a recipient of this same informative book. 

Destiny had it that I once again found myself Ypsilanti for a small Thursday evening gathering at the Krishna house.  This time the casual presentation was shared by Eklavya.  People are always curious to know how one gets involved in monastic life and in Krishna consciousness.  Eklavya gave a thorough description of his gradual entry into the lifestyle.  Very human and very intriguing was his explanation.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015      
Canton and Cleveland, Ohio

Herb Awareness

Atmarama is the name of the person who hosted us in his home in Canton.  He treated Eklavya and myself to nearby park, McKinley Park.  It is named after one of the former presidents of the USA.  McKinley hails from this small city and is also memorialized here at a monument erected some time after his assassination which was in 1901.  Atmarama also informed us that Canton is the place where the Hover Vacuum Cleaner was invented.

It was certainly an herbal walk that we embarked upon as much as it was a history lesson.  Along the way, we spotted greens that we knew, or chewed on, or dreamed of foraging for the next wild forestry meal.  This is certainly the time of the year for this kind of thing. 

Once reaching the city of Cleveland (after the Canton venture), I invested in a short second walk with Jatayu, a devotee who deals with autistic kids.  The metro parks is a place where we have tread before.  Herbs was the fascination once again.  Some of with are similar to, or different from, the ones in Canton.  We were not the only ones to see God’s hand at work here in the form of plants.  Other forest lovers were also out and about.

One fellow, a jogger, on this up and down train, loves Jesus.  He stopped and insisted on us reading the book of John.  We explained that we both had a Christian upbringing.  But what we had to say, fell on deaf ears.  We were to listen to him and so we patiently heard him out.  A one way street conversation it was.  We did give, “the last word” so to speak, before moving on.  “Hare Krishna”.

Our closure to the day happened in the evening at the home of Don Foose (Dayal Nitai).  The kirtanwe had was arousing.  It felt like all involved were like herbs exploding out of the ground at springtime.  Incidentally, Doyal had just come out with a beautiful hard book, ‘Raw Life’ by Kung-Foose Publishing .   Recipes and the story of his life are featured.  There is no mystery here about his being a Krishna consciousness person.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, May 12th, 2015             
Hudson Ohio

Never Forget

Hawking Hills had our attention for the morning, when Akhila, Eklavya and I explored Ash Falls and the Old Man’s Cave.  Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a cave where an old hermit type guy spent years in a hole.  And who wouldn’t want to out under a massive rock awning with acoustics so fine that concerts used to record and staged under this beautiful and natural canopy. 

Here’s how the story goes about the hermit, who lived in a cave in this very insular area in the depths of an Ohio gorge.  A plaque reads, “Old man caves derived its name from a hermit named Richard Rowe who lived in the recessed cave of the gorge.  His family moved to the Ohio River valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post.  He and his two hound dogs traveled through Ohio alone the Scioto River in search of game.  On a side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hawking Hills region.  Richard, and his hounds, lived out the rest of their lives here in the cave.”

As the three of us roamed this area, we could imagine ourselves spending days here, if not years.  Of course, at the end of the 18^thcentury, it was probably do-able.  But not today.  Privacy would be interrupted with tourists milling through.

For a contrast to such of hermit dreaming, we had been invited to the home of Hari, an engineer from India, whose wife and two sons enjoy life in an upscale neighborhood in Hudson.  People came over to hear kirtan and a talk.  I took the opportunity to speak on our guru, Srila Prabhupada and his achievements in the world.

People do have a choice whether to live in a mansion, or a cave.  But they should never forget the spiritual component.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, May 10th, 2015               
Moundsville, West Virginia

Since Friday evening, we had been practicing for the drama, “Blue Mystic”.  I usually experience miracles through transcendental theatre projects such as this. 

A young man, Shaun, 18, from Toronto that was going to play the ‘Mystic’, Himself, just returned from a trip to India and came back with a serious ear infection.  The prospect of his playing the part fell through.  So, as my Hindu friends would say, “When there is a puzzle or a peril, ‘What to do?’”. 

Fortunately, I usually have in mind, some understudy or a backup person to depend on, just in case.  I am always looking, hunting you might say, for fresh talent.  On my last trip to Michigan, I met a young man named Jake, with a decent build and height.  With long, but well groomed hair, and with a kind of a boyish face.  He also told me that he has a martial arts background.  I had determined from my first meeting him that he has a good nature and is direct able.  In other words, he would be able to take directions quite well.  He agreed for the part.  And that is what I call a miracle.  And I didn’t have to look too hard.

Today was the day for our performance at the Palace Lodge at the New Vrindavan community.  Yadhunath and company from New York, had just completed their comedic and serious drama pieces which very much moved the audience.  Then our troupe came on.  Shortly thereafter, I announced my walk for September retracing the route our guru, Srila Prabhupada, took when he first arrived in America.

The lights went on.  “Lights”, “Camera”, (yes, someone was filming unofficially), and “Action”.  The actors did a near stellar performance (It’s never perfect, is it?).  The implementation of storm and star effects was well executed and so was the ballet by Balaram.  And there was a good fight at the end with the victor, Krishna, The Blue Mystic, inspiring and arousing the audience.

What I leaned – work hard, and for Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday, May 11th, 2015             
Hawking Hills, Ohio

Where We Like To Be

Akhila, my dear friend from Salem, Ohio, and Eklavya, origin New York City and I spent the greater part of the day in a van to get to this little paradise.  After what seemed like the long and winding road (the only Beatles song I never cared for), we finally made it to the area of Old Man’s Cave to settle into a cozy world class cabin.  A creek runs in front of this rustic place nestled in a cool and green deciduous forest. 

It was our full intention to hit trails, waterfalls, and cliffs, which are some of the features that the area is renowned for.  But a heavy storm set into the state of Ohio, and surrounding areas, which restricted our chances for wonderland adventure.  With high winds, rain, and high powered lightening, we were reminded of God’s greatness, and our meagerness – always a good message.

We spent the last hours of the day, preparing and eating a fine organic meal, with Eklavya juicing up Asparagus, celery and other greens; with Akhila toasting and I gathering dandelion leaves outside the cabin deck.  Our dessert was not orally taken, but through the ears.  I couldn’t help myself to reading aloud for the three of us segments of the book “Prabhupada” and of his early days in New York struggling along and alone, seemingly.

Actually, a monk is never alone, but conscious of the divinity all around him.  That is what is good about being in the forest, feeling the presence of the sublime energy and the sublime energetic Krishna.

It will be in three years time that Eklavya will be ordained as a full fledged monk, known as sannyasa, and spending some time in the quiet forest prepares oneself.  This place, Hawking Hills, is a good fit for him.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Wednesday May 6th, 2015
Etobicoke, Ontario

Are We Man Enough To Take It?

After the crack of dawn I went by foot from Kipling to Rexdale heading west, then along Derry Rd. which seems to be a path to eternity. This takes me along Pearson Airport and finally to a crossroads where my host for the evening, Nimai, picks me up for the balance of the journey to the dental clinic to meet my appointment. I was going for a cleaning.

The dental assistant gave me an assessment that was pretty good as to my own personal maintenance of teeth. I even felt good having heard her compliments. But you know, there’s another level of diagnosis. When my dentist came to look into my mouth he was sterner in his assessment, which I guess was great for subduing the ego.

“Your brushing is still too aggressive.” And that he said with a truthful tone.

“Oh Krishna!” I thought. “Just when I thought I was doing rather well with regular brushing and flossing.” The photos taken of my inside reveal some increased recession of gums. You can’t argue with the camera unless there are some special effects being employed here. The dental assistant then gave me the advice (which has been done before) that I use my left hand for brushing as it will be executed with more caution. Good advice should always be taken as it is based on experience.

Now for life’s direction, the good suggestions, recommendations, whatever, are out there. It comes in form of what guru has to say. There’s also guru within, sometimes referred to as paramatma. We also have sastra, directions given in the form of ancient wisdom in textual format.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, has given us the mandate to avoid the consumption of meat, intoxicants, gambling and casual sex. All this is to provide protection from the influence of allurements which coax us to darker alleys of life.

Good advice is worth millions. You can’t put a price tag on it, to be factual. Generally it comes our way in its multiple forms, but are we man enough to take it? Bad and old habits die hard. May death be the sentence on such habits.

May the Source be with you!

14 km

Tuesday, May 5^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Trekking a Bit of the City

Today I felt like a more complete pilgrim after some administrative duties and lessons in the form of a class were delivered, when I trekked a bit of the city.  I was actually headed towards my dentist for an early morning tomorrow’s appointment.  Yes, I set out a day ahead and prepared myself for a stayover at a devotee’s home, which is midway to my dental destination. 

I had the pleasure to stop in at the six kilometre mark at the residence of a much revered person from our Toronto community.  It was a much needed visit for myself and this fine person whose devotion to Krishna and devotion to people has been sustained to a high level. 

I also found it interesting that before and after that impromptu visit, the interaction was what you might expect from people on a Tuesday afternoon in a large metropolis.  Most people are driven to ‘get somewhere’.  I’m referring to pedestrians as much as the motorists.  Motorists, you just can’t see through the tinted glass.  As far as I’m concerned, they are zoned out to the real world of outdoors. 

I’m sorry to say that about such car controllers.  I don’t envy you guys at all, and so far as pedestrians are concerned, I can see you, and I can try to make eye contact with you, I can say, ‘Hi’ or ‘Hare Krishna’ and feel good about the day and the world, only because you’re out in the open.  Unfortunately, most people choose looking at the whizzing traffic and/or maybe standing there all wired up living in an existence that is of the nature of ‘be-not-here-now’.  Humans, if I could declare it boldly, we really need to get back to family, farm, and God.

May the Source be with you!

14 km

May 4^th, 2015
Castleton, Ontario

Full Existence

I’ve checked out beaches at off season times, meaning, not in the summer, and so while in this area of  central eastern Ontario, we looked at Presquil.  Personally, I believe that this is a real gem of a place, for where in the world will you find so much mileage of sandy beach on fresh water.  That’s central Canada for you.  Having lived and been raised in the Great Lakes region, I find myself to be very fortunate to have been part of this natural treasure. 

Presquil Park and beach are located on a bay off of Lake Ontario.  According to Ernie, a local resident, it’s an area that juts out into the lake, creating its own unique ecosystem.   A small group of us looking for property prospects took a short break to go to Presquil and feel the sand under our feet.  Isn’t it grand – the beach, the water, openness.  I can hear kids play already in their summer fun.  Also, a real plus is fact that the water’s so clean with no salt and no sharks. 

While we checked out this tourist attraction with its expansive sandy beach, we actually spent quality time at a farm after a visit to the beach and a resort.  Winning a number one award for the most innovative farm in the province of Ontario is owner of a piece of land that grows Kale and then produces a snack out of it.  The Kale is soaked in a cashew substance, dried, and then packaged for a large market across North America.  Additionally the property has a barn and a yard full of family attractive farm animals. 

The couple looking after the animals are Fil and Sukhayanti.  Sheep, goats, chickens, cows, and a donkey are amongst community members of this amazing rural lot that make it so appealing.  I get a charge out of just holding and petting one of those kids (wee goats) in my arms. 

It came to my loathsome but sometime alert brain that in such an environment of land, plants, animals and healthy industrious people such as those young folks working at the small kale chip factory, and when you add the natural spirit of God consciousness, you then have the formula of a full existence.   This is along the lines of what our guru, Srila Prabhupada, was talking about.  This is the real way to live. 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Saturday, May 2^nd, 2015
Montreal, Quebec

The Day of the Lion

One young woman in particular wanted the experience of what’s called a mangal arati, a ceremony with chants and images at 4:30 AM.  She made the effort, on the will of her desire, she showed up all happy as a guest.  She was also keen to go on a morning walk with a bunch of us with destination the nearby botanical gardens, once again.  Besides ourselves there was only one human who came to share the space of shanti, calmness.  I guess he was out on his own meditation.  While sitting on a rock and chanting a quiet mantra(the gayatri), frogs were all around us as they tried to leap across our pathway.   Cardinal birds with a fire engine red colour landed on rocks nearby.  Who could blame them for being nosy, we are a curious sight – human beings in exotic attire of saris and dhotis, and who are chanting mantras. 

By afternoon, we made our way to Saint Catherine’s Street for more pleasure and duty which comes in the form of kirtan.  The streets were crowded.  We were just under 20 in number.  Outnumbered we were by the thousands there and who were on the hot pursuit for maya.  Some are tourists, and they, like everyone else, are caught up in the Saturday spirit of freedom in this dominant, plentiful city.  Generally you can tell who the tourists are, they have a slightly different air about them, an air of wonder.  With our chanting procession, we did our grand finale in front of one of those older, gorgeous cathedrals to be admired.  With the rule of time behind us, we were scheduled to be present at the Iskcon Centre on Pie IX Boulevard to honour the lion avatar, Narasingha, a big day on the Vaishnava calendar. 

I had received an email that came from a monk friend of mine, Krishna Kshetra Swami.  It was the first draft of a script, a conversation between Narasingha and ultimate demon, Hiranyakashipu.  Then Yves Prescott, another friend of mine, joined me in the dramatical reading of this very witty script.  It gave delight to the ears of the community and added a special flavour to the evening.  Everybody likes lions, especially this one. 

May the Source be with you!

10 km

Sunday, May 3^rd, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

We Cross the Street With…

From Montreal, Pradyumna and I detrained at Union Station in Toronto.  Once reaching the street level, we patiently waited for the red to turn green at the street light.  Two young women were also at the street light ready to do the same.  One of the girls, however, started to make a dash and got about one quarter of the way across when the second one called her back.  She did pull back.

I felt compelled to jump in with words, “You don’t want to go out there and turn out flat like a pizza, do you?”

The two girls who were quite facially garnished with makeup did start laughing.  The red light turned green and the four of us moved ahead with the two young women becoming curious.  The one asked, “What’s with the…?”  (Clothes, she was referring to.)

“They are robes, I’m a monk, a Krishna monk.” 

To that the young woman came back, “What’s a monk?” 

“One who leads a simple life…”

And she cut in, saying, “Well, I have a simple life, I’m telling you.”  I think she was referring to a meagre bank balance or a tight budget.  “Can I be a monk?”

“Yes, you can, but we might call you a nun.”

“Oh, I get it, it’s one name for the men and another for the women.”

I said, “Yes, indeed.  Please come and visit us sometime.  Here’s my card.  There’s a mantra on the other side.  If you like, you can try out being a nun for a weekend, stay with us, learn, and love (God).”

Our ride arrived.  Pradyumna and I made it to the vehicle and the driver, Keshava.  We bid farewell to our newly made friends, the happy cross the street girls. 

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Friday, May 1^st, 2015
Montreal, Quebec

Creatures Sly and Beautiful

The fox was staring at us, but only for seconds.  He stood there and then moved.  Naturally, he wasn’t going to share with us what was in his mouth.  He worked hard to get that squirrel in between his jaws.  Poor squirrel wasn’t moving, his life force was gone.  He was ready to transfer to a new body, leaving the current one for someone’s breakfast. 

Three monks and I spotted more fox in the Botanical Gardens in and around Le Jardin de Chine.  It was after dawn and the red hunters with the flowy tails were out on the prowl.  For years I’ve heard this amazing creature gekkering, barking, calling, and then doing something called vixen screaming.  The fox is so diverse in making sounds, yet this morning, the ones we spotted were absolutely silent. 

Noise of the weekend began to drum up as afternoon rolled out.  The same team of monks who spotted fox in the morning were now on Saint Catherine’s street to deliver the mantras to the foxy ladies and the foxy people in general (I was one of those monks).  “Foxy” as I understand it, and as Jimmy Hendrix used it in his favourite song, refers to sly ad beautiful.  Yes, we were noticing that people were milling up and down the street, some for socializing, going for a drink or shopping.  Some were dressed to kill, in a way – hunting. 

I felt that we were doing our job out there on our favourite activity – harinam sankirtan(chanting in public).  The public was really loving it.  People joined us in singing and some doing a jig.  One fellow, however, gawked at us, stopped for a few seconds to give a good stare, analyzed us, and then went in another direction.  He behaved just like the fox with the squirrel. 

May the Source be with you!

12 km

Wednesday, April 29^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Two Worlds

I trekked through Rosedale on this perfect day.  Everyone is out, feeling the same way – enthused.  People in their convertibles with the tops down are in ecstasy.  Runners hit every piece of pavement with hot feet, and then the cyclists breeze by as if there was no stopping them.  Birds also enjoy a kind of freedom that only they know.  As for other living entities, it’s a burst or explosion of colour or smell.  Signs of spring.

While all seems fine within my purview, in another part of the world, in earthquaked Nepal, people are undergoing an anguish of such incredible magnitude, hard to conceive.  Death.  Buildings crumbled.  Piles of bodies.  Homelessness.  Family members displaced.  People trapped under debris.  Injuries.  Lack of food and water.  Disease.  Lack of sleep.  Inability to access or assist. 

The world is praying for their release.  Food supplies and human basics are attempting to make their way to victims.  There is lots of confusion.  Nothing is easy to remedy or fix.  It will take not days, but months before everything normalizes.  This is tragic. 

What a paradox – my world and the one just described.  As bhakti yogis, it is not out of line for us to chant mantras on behalf of victims of this tragedy.  We can’t be too insensitive and say, “That’s their karma,” and leave it at that.  Let us not be so quick to judge or to pass judgment in such situations.  The immediate response to any calamity requires speedy and helpful aid.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Monday, April 27^th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

Sita’s Birthday

Today is the birthday of Sri Sita Devi, the consort and goddess of Ram.  Knowing this, I received an extra inward boost as I have so much reverence towards such a loyal personality as Sita.  Her devotion is unswerving, endless, a clear reflection of the soul in the eternal world.  I guess that’s one of the reasons why I relish directing and producing the plays from the epics like the Ramayan.  It is, from this great book, that I learn to admire such extraordinary people – mortals, celestials and avatars, who carry such a high demeanour of character.  Because of the productions I feel a growing closeness towards the personalities who demonstrate inspirational fortitude. 

While passing the morning hours still in DC, the USA, I did venture a short while with comrade, Dhruva, along a Potomac trail by big mansions and finely maintained golf courses. 

My second installment for the day for walking was in the burbs of Brampton in a less green ravine, yet promising to be so in a matter of days.  It is spring, and even in this more northern section of North America, you can see, smell, and feel the incremental spring coming on.

My evening was blessed by converging with some of our resident devotees from our downtown ashram.  The place was in the home of Sanjaya, a fairly newly married young man from our community.  Here we chanted and feasted.  I cannot keep in my memory the name of his good wife.  Every day I meet new folks, names start stacking up, but I try.  I could not remember the name of their young one either, a pet dog actually.  I do wish the couple well, and as for all couples that are well situated with good communication abilities who are principled and are financially okay, I bless that they will have lots of kids, kids who will learn about Sita Devi. 

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Tuesday, April 28^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

People in the Park

We had a lovely lunch in Cabbage Town at the home of pujaris (priests).  Rupa and Sanatan Goswamis are the proprietors at their haven of a home.  It is walkable from our ashram.  It’s 18 degrees Celsius, it’s sunny – yes!  And so, to and fro, I took to my feet, or rather, they took me. 

To reach Cabbage Town, you go through an interesting neighbourhood.  Once a heavy drinking area, the now quiet colonial buildings are attracting young professionals.  Down Parliament Street you’ll find antique shops and more of the regular convenience and grocery stores, and even one block of Tamil shops which cater to the Sri Lankan community. 

I passed by a bus stop cubicle and two obvious alcoholics who sat inside, upon seeing me, got really excited. 

“Heeeyyy!” Both simultaneously shouted out the one syllable perfectly, and they were loud.  Heads turned to see what was up.  They got the thrill of their day.

Nothing related to this mild incident, but minutes later, two young women were walking and conversing, and as they passed by, I heard one say to the other, “What goes around comes around.”  Whenever I hear this phrase I clearly see it as an accepted phenomenon.  The endorsement of transmigration of the soul, or reincarnation.  And as I think about this concept, I look at the different people I pass by.  Some look rather disheveled and bent over, and some walk upright, dressed with confidence.  We all have our own individual destinies.  Our souls all travel with different karma behind us. 

After the great lunch and my return to the ashram, I walked through the park, it is directly north of our ashram.  It’s newly renovated and on the inscription along the sidewalk there reads an excerpt from a poem  by J. McPherson.  She was a well known Canadian poet that lived in our neighbourhood.  Right close to the maple tree planted in honour of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, reads this stanza:

The world was first a private park
Until the angel after dark
Scattered afar to wests and easts
The lovers and the friendly beasts

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Wednesday, April 22^nd, 2015
Canton, Michigan

A Wedding

Most people like to be at a good wedding for the bride looks gorgeous and the groom is handsome, and where it’s a feel good situation, and where parents from both parties are in attendance.  That’s what it was like today, in matrimony of Vitaliy and Ananda Rupa.  Oops!  I forgot to mention about the fabulous feast at the end. 

The priest, Jambavan, had his mighty army of four of his eight kids to assist him in the samskar, or sacrament, which entails a glorious fire emerging from the sacred pit.  There was his speech and mine.  I chose to quote from the Gita, 18.5, “Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance, are not to be given up; they must be performed, indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.”  It was also requested to speak after the wedding feast was over, but my thought was, “No, we’re going to sing and dance,” that’s what we did. 

The event took place in the Hindu temple in Canton, a great facility.  What I found most interesting was meeting a younger man in the WC area who had a profound interest in monastic life. 

“So, you’ve been a monk for how long?”

“42 years,” I said. 

“What do you do about the sex urge?”

I said, “Get busy, such as pick up a drum and beat it and chant like crazy.”

“How long does the urge stay in a person’s life?”

“It should diminish in time as you mature in years.”

The fellow had a slew of questions to follow.  I asked him if celibacy was an omission of his, and he remarked that he’s been contemplating it for some time.  I assured him that the key principle to follow was  a focus on superior engagement, “Let there be determination and a concentration on devotional service, and as long as that keep you enriched and fulfilled, nothing like the fleeting urges of lust can swerve you from the prime function.”

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Friday, April 24^th, 2015
Ann Arbor, Michigan

At Ann Arbor

We went on an outing (when am I not?) to Ann Arbor, the University town.  Our intent to engage in some singing by the park and the heart of student campus life.  The group of us from Ypsilanti, headed by an outstanding American, Dev Madhava, took to chanting at a period in the semester when exams are in session. 

With exams in the forefront of everyone’s mind, there’s no wonder I felt a bit of glumness in the air, if not feeling their tension despite the glowing sun filled day.  At least, I would like to think that our chanting party which was stoic in one spot, and then moving about the campus the rest of the time, was simply there to cheer up the atmosphere in some way.  Perhaps the maha mantra that we were chanting could be interpreted as a mark of auspicious or a brain stimulator. 

Actually, someone in the crowd at the campus demonstrated a minus in the grim department.  His name is Pete, and he had come to join us in what I would call our cute dance skip, as we made our way along the campus grounds. 

Pete had picked up on our spirit, in fact, at first glance at him, I would call him a free spirit.  His hair of ponytail style was bunned up and his printed hoodie gave a semblance of someone who’s a type of backpacker.  Here’s a sort of a giveaway – when he joined us he was a slight bulge eyed and happy as he pulled out a small pair of Buddhist hand cymbals which he began to play. 

Honestly, Pete so much enjoyed being with us that he decided to stay with and even drive with us in the evening to Farmington, for I was to conduct a seminar on kirtanstandards.

To Pete, I wish him the best, hoping he’ll never leave the company of Krishna spiritualists. 

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, April 21^st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Three Together

I have for some time been anticipating the visit of two cross-Canada walkers.  Dana Miece has covered 20,000 km on foot on the trans-Canada trail, and Michael Oesch had done the stretch from Toronto to Newfoundland and back, and then Toronto to the west coast.  Both of these gentlemen I consider my heroes, and I believe it works totally mutual in admiration amongst the three of us.  Dana’s walking sponsor had kept him happily detained for our agreed upon first ever gathering, which was lunch at Govinda’s restaurant in our ashram.  We had a brief sit down for a light lunch, our little trio had the chance to share some of our individual trials and triumphs on the road. 

One thing that really took me by surprise about us, on first impression, is that none of us, whether it be Michael, Dana, or myself, appear physically slim or trim.  I’m not saying we are out of shape either, but for serious marathon walkers, you might expect for us all to have a little bit closer to a Hanuman look. 

Due to the shortage of time, we did not delve into spiritual topics, although, I know Michael to be spiritual, and to have been deeply transformed from his sojourn.  He personally told me in the past that his long trek across Canada was a real purger.  And Dana, well, I only know of him when we spoke over the phone on a few occasions, once shortly after he was hospitalized for having contracted what’s called Beaver Fever.  My knowing him is more limited, although upon meeting him, I felt an instant camaraderie, and even at our first conversation.  Treading a long trail is known by few, so when a group of guys get together who have done just that, they reach common ground. 

It was a short but sweet union of sorts, and we expect another get together before Dana returns to his walking or whatever.  It was the day’s highlight for me.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Monday, April 20^th, 2015
Regina, Saskatchewan

Collective Love

While waiting for my flight at the Regina Airport, a woman approached me and asked if I was a monk.  I told her of the Krishna conscious order I belong to as she initially mistook me for a Buddhist. 

“Oh, yes, I used to see you guys all the time in Vancouver,” she said, and then leaned over closer and in almost a whisper, said, “there’s too many Christians around here.”  She alluded to the fact that Christians are not her favourite people.  She has a right to her own opinion, of course.  She was actually very kind to me, and just wanted to talk to me like anything about animals being protected. 

I told her of one of the names of Krishna, Gopal, it means ‘one who is a friend to the animals, especially the cow’.

“Oh, and I guess the pigs and chickens as well?”

“Yes, of course.”

She went about her way and then I began to chant on my beads.  I was actually still waiting for my flight when a gentleman came up to me.  I had actually dozed off a bit from fatigue, not enough rest from the night before. 

“I’m sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to say that God loves you.”  Now, I was already aware of you, about the love factor, but it’s good to be reminded.  He went on a bit about Jesus and his loving side.  Frankly, I know about this, so my response was, “Jesus loves you too!” I reassured him.  I don’t think he expected that remark from me.  It seemed to even throw him off.  The gentleman then returned to his far distant seat.

I know that Krishna loves me, He’s been looking after me for some time.  If more people say, and above all, demonstrate their love, whether it be coming from Jesus or a lady or a man at the airport, and of course, Krishna, all collectively come together, we would be living in a better world. 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, April 19^th, 2015
Regina, Saskatchewan

Forwardness

Often, for me, the most reflective or introspective times occur during that brief or long walk.  While Kasyapa was pumping gas to fuel our vehicle en route to Regina on Highway 11, I put in a request to walk.  There was an extra kilometre I gained for distance sake and for thought.  The thoughts projected me into the future, the not so far future.  And in that short span of time some flashbacking to the past took place.  I, no doubt, had to address the ‘in the moment’, while watching my steps over dry and sleepy grass that was ready to turn over for the spring to come up. 

One thought replaces another just as one foot comes down to replace the former.  In this way life rolls on with every physical move and every mental thought.  I always anticipate that with every move forward there will be forward thinking to accompany it.

The Iskcon centre in Regina on Retallick Street is interesting.  The interior reminds me of my mental status at times.  There’s a new floor, but upon it rests furniture that is mismatched, and walls are overdone with pictures and images, although they are sacred.  It looked cluttered.  The attendance of worshipers and meditators was average in number.  They were sweet people and one girl had come to honour her birthday event sponsored  by her dad.

I was given a full hour to speak on a conclusive verse from the Gita, verse 18.66, wherein we are all advised to surrender to the absolute power.  The prasadam (consecrated food) was totally divine.  As we relished the Sunday Feast which is known the world over in Iskcon centres, the dhal (lentil spiced soup) was from another realm.

It was post feast time when I took to Albert Street for one last walking installment for the day.  I was with a person who I felt was moving forward in not only foot movement, but in thought.  There was some confession of sorts, confusion, and pain expressed, but in the course of our stepping forward, I believe, some hope and resolve was on this particular soul’s horizon. 

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Durban, South Africa

Way To Go

The champak tree becomes your companion when you do that goom-goom walk around the temple.  In no way does this mean that the tree walks with you.  I wish.  What I’m saying is that a number of these fragrant flowering trees are planted along the path.

There are also ashok trees like the ones you read about in “the Ramayana” where Sita is held captive in such a grove.

I’m also reminded that at the opening of this temple (the 80’s) when the grounds where less lush and trees not so full, Nelson Mandela walked these steps.

Our Ratha Yatra, Festival of Chariots, Durban’s 26^th, took the route along the usual beach front passing by all the major hotels.  On this long weekend (Easter) many people become exposed to the chariots, the deities of Jagannatha and the mantra, Hare Krishna.  At the culmination of the chariot pulling the fest ends up at an expansive aria, the former Durban drive-in movie facility.

In my opinion, like other chariots festivals I’ve attended, the spirit of participants is up, yet the quality sound is not what it could be to draw in the crowds.  Musically, it has a way to go.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Durban, South Africa

Lucky!

I consider myself a lucky chap.  I have an understudy for a director here.  Yes, we are pulling together two dramas for the festival this week and when I get tired, needing some choreography assistance I have someone to depend on.

Prem Vikas just turned 29 yesterday and he’s a great talent on the stage.  He hails from Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa.  In fact, a number of people in our cast are from Pretoria.

In reflection on productions done since January of this year, it seems to be a consequence of divine arrangement that a younger group are stepping up to the task of directing.  I can think of Kish who helped me tremendously in India. Stage presence he also has being a member of the kirtan band, “The Mayapuris.”  Madava of Australia has great possibilities as a director, being fine in the dance and acting department.

Hmmm! What else about today that is making me feel lucky? Well, lunch today was with Indradyumna Swami, also a former surfer (refer to yesterday’s blog).  Having this sanga, companionship is shaping me.

My advice is “Seek good company that enthuses your spirit.”  Make it a priority!

I am lucky.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Durban, South Africa

To Be Endorsed

It takes less than 2 minutes to walk at my normal speed, one lap or one revolution, around the temple building.  In one way it provides a sense of eternity, like you never reach a destination.  I was just curious to know.  At this rate during my precious time for mantra meditation, “Just how many times do I go around this sacred edifice?” was my question.  If my math brain doesn’t deceive me, then I can be looking to doing sixty times around on an average two hour jaunt in a day.

Unfortunately, today was not one of those days.  Hours are monopolized by drama practice, but for a special treat, lunch with another monk.  Bhakti Chaitanya Swami resides here in South Africa.  It was interesting to find out that in his teen – to twenty years – he was a surfer. He and his buddies lived for that special wave from the ocean blue.  Life was simple.  “You might live in your vehicle, sleep in it.”  He then implied that you wait for that special dream wave to come from the ocean blue.

That would be ecstasy.

Like many of us in our sixties surfing the wave is out of the question.  But walking a few rounds about the Chatsworth temple is quite doable even at ten revolutions per day.  I endorse it for anyone.

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Durban, South Africa
 
Where You Step
 
 
The circular trek around the temple means you meet puddles. In the wee hours of the morning the grounds with grass, shrubs and trees become wetted by censored sprays of water, leaving pools of water in spots.
 
My dear friend Kadamba Karana Swami, whom I met on the temple path simply said, “You have to know where to step,” referring to the puddles.
 
I could take the casual remark as metaphor on life: “You walk and take precautions while on your journey.”  Yes, you won’t want to get your socks wet, nor do you want to make bad decisions about directions in life.
 
I had the good fortune to have lunch with this Dutch monk. For a renunciant it is a natural obligation to eat with, talk with and maybe a peer of like-minded. In Sanskrit you call it sanga. Our
guru, Srila Prabhupada, used the term “association”.
 
We talked about aging, arthritis, family, food, the world. It’s not much different from any other dialogue, coming from any other person, only the insertion of Krishna is always there. Oh! We reminded ourselves, “You have to know where you step”.
 
May the source be with you!
 
6 KM

Durban, South Africa
 
No Regrets!
 
 
My first full day in Durban gives the chance for a more regulated schedule. Okay! So I started with circling around the temple, on foot of course. “This might be the safest place in South Africa,” I thought. “What would disturb me, or anyone for that matter, in this peaceful spot in Chatsworth, a Durban suburb?”
 
Mina birds flit from tree to tree. I don’t consider that a distraction though, not even the trees, as flowering or as fragrant as they are. They only enhance the meditation that’s wanted.
 
I was informed that a group from Canada was arriving at the temple today. Some adolescents were coming for a cultural experience. I asked the temple management if I could meet with them. Request granted!
 
At 11 AM I was asked to break from drama rehearsal to speak to the group, who were surprised to meet a Canuck who’s a monk. I briefed them on our weekend festival, the Festival of the Chariots. Naturally I also extolled the glories of pilgrimage, explained my familiarity with the Trans Canadian Highway” which I hope may be renamed the Transcendental Highway one day.” (They laughed.)
 
Also, to visit the temple room where I engaged in practice for the second drama, four young men in white short-sleeved shirts came through the door. Instantaneously, “Mormons!” I thought. For four decades there has been a congenial resolution between the Mormons and the Krishnas, Yes, they were American and from the state of Utah.
 
“On a mission?” I asked.
 
“Yes for two years,” was their answer.
 
“And then you get looked after?”
 
“Yes, we get a wife and so on,” said one of the fellows as they laughed.
 
“Good system!” I remarked and bearing in my own mind that I have no regrets to staying single all this life.
 
May the Source be with You!
 
7 KM

JohannesburgDurban
 
Behind the Chariots? I Don’t Know
 
 
I can’t boast about any walking today. It took two flights to get to Durban from Mauritius, hence no time to trek. When we did arrive I was shown the below article in “The Independent” Saturday’s addition. I guess you could call it a promotion for the festival we are involved with. “Meet the Man Behind the Chariots” by Arthi Sanpath.
 
As a young student, Canadian, Bhaktimarga Swami, had a yearning for an alternative life, and encouraged by the mysticism of the Beatles, he was drawn to a monastic lifestyle.
 
Swami, from Ontario, Canada, also known as the Walking Monk, is in charge of the productions at the Festival of Chariots, which will be held at the old Durban Drive Inn over the Easter weekend.
 
“Our heroes of the time, the Beatles, were dabbling with the mysticism of the east and so I was attracted to alternative living. I was a fine arts student, trying my hand at painting and sculpting, but I ran into a brick wall, so to speak,” said Swami, formerly known as John Peter Vis.
 
“Like many youths, after the counter-culture of the 1960’s I sought a different purpose to life from the routine pointlessness of “live to die”. I aspired to a depth that would promise more.”
 
When a few monks visited his college in northern Ontario, he listened in on the conversation, and he said, “One thing led to another.” While he didn’t complete his studies he found his passion for the arts encouraged within the Hare Krishna movement.
 
“I have a new drama called Blue Mystic which features some of the aspects of Krishna’s earlier life. We will have a cast of Zulu, Indian and African participants. I am looking forward to it.  Then another play called Sati looks at the interaction between Sati and Shiva. It’s more of a triangle dynamic involving Shiva’s-in-law, Daksha. You can expect contempt, loyalty, love. We’ll incorporate traces of the east and west and Africa.”
 
Swami has walked across Canada, Mauritius, Ireland, Israel, Trinidad and Guyana. He calls it his “downtime”.
 
“It’s through the walking that you get inspiration. The creative side of an individual becomes enhanced through the treks.  I began my first walk across Canada in 1996, a result of both happy and troubled times the year before. Even a monk is confronted with ‘challenges’.”
 
He next plans to walk from Boston to New York, and plans to walk a route in Africa, should he be up to it. “Let’s see how the legs hold out, I am going on 63.”
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM

Bon  Acceuil  
 
My Entrance
 
 
Now, when I reached customs at the airport the other day I went through an exercise in claimed territory. It was quite amusing to me. To the officer I dealt with, what can I say, I ascertained he did not have a good day.
 
I offered him my passport. He asked for a document with my travel itinerary. I reached in my right pocket the schedule and handed it to him. Along with that document accidentally had come a string of saffron cloth from my monk’s shirt. It was about 1 12 inch long and kind of curled up. He handed it back to me saying with a straight face, “this is yours!”
 
I took it as a joke but he, as I said, didn’t have the best day, so I speculated. He asked where I was staying and I couldn’t provide an address. “They, my community from Bon Acceuil, just pick me up every year.” That annoyed him. Mauritians are cool folks. They don’t easily flair up. This customs officer also didn’t lose steam on me but I thank him internally for giving a lesson on paying attention to details as to your address as a visitor and also in letting me know about ownership- a thread from your clothes is yours.
 
I’d be walking daily since here, only three to be precise. To a glorious first a group of forty-five of us trekked from the mountain at Black River Gorge National Park. In areas it was a tumble-down and rocky switch-back trail with wild guava trees everywhere. We spotted green parrots and the almost extinct pink pigeon. The river’s water was invigorating to swim in.
 
Day two and fewer came, due to exhaustion from the day before but our reward was a dip in the ocean at Belle Mare beach.
 
Finally today, a group just circumambulated the temple at Bon Acceuil on the celebration of Ramnaumi Day. To document the three on for diksha (initiation). Khervind was given the name Krishna Katha. His wife, Hema was given the name Hari Katha. And finally Keshave Sharma was given the name Kirtan. Congratulations.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
6 KM

Belle Mare, Mauritius
 
Part 3 – Final part of “Krishna and Kids”
 
Krishna is often profiled as the tender of the cows, a recreationist, a lover, an administrator, a philosopher… He relishes wrestling with His buddies, but with demons, it’s an all out fight to the finish. After the kill, He offers a huge blessing in the form of moksha, liberation of the soul from the body. How cool! He puts them totally out of their misery. Krishna is ultimately soft, even to the hard hearted. Lord have mercy! He’s so benevolent.
 
When the adorable blue-toned cowherd king, Krishna, grew up a bit more, He would start making these trips outside of Vrindavan. Everyone in the village would miss Him. It was suggested through a messenger by the name of Uddhava, that everyone deal with their feeling of separation by perceiving His yogic expansion as Paramatma, to explore His mystical presence in everyone’s heart. However, the suggestion fell flat on the ears of the emotional gopis, whose attitude was, “Give us a break, please.” All they want is to see Him as they know Him, the attractive young country boy.
 
With all that we have addressed here about Krishna’s childhood affairs, His kaumara stage, we appreciate His accessibility and how He locks Himself into meaningful relationships with His youthful confidantes. Krishna is so relatable. Yet, there is still much more to his profile that contributes to His profile that contributes to His fullness. He is much more than a human being. We have merely touched the tip of the iceberg regarding His attributes which have no trace of true mundaneness, but only of transcendence so far as eternity, cognition and pleasure are concerned.
 
Musician, George Harrison, writes in the forward of another good read, “Krishna: the Supreme Personality of Godhead” (also written by Prabhupada), “You can actually see God and hear Him, play with Him. It might sound crazy, but He is actually there, actually with you.”
 
It becomes relatively easy to gain a perception of God when we look at the world with childlike wonder, when we minimize our egocentric existence, and explore the true inner child.
 
My address to young people is, “Be charmed by Him. You may end up with Him as His chum, and befriend His animals as playmates-, the cows, the calves, the deer, and maybe even kids (baby goats ) .” A word of caution: everything begins with the “I am the servant of the Supreme” attitude. Otherwise, you don’t have a chance to be in Krishna’s dance.
 
End of “Kids and Krishna” article.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
7 KM

Black River, Mauritius
 
Part 2 of “Kids and Krishna”
 
 
At the dawn of adulthood, I was fortunate to stumble upon devotees of Krishna who happen to always carry with them books that expound on the personal concept of God. “God”, I was told by one of the monk by the current name, Bhakti Bringha Govinda Swami, “is forever youthful.”  In fact, out of his kindness, he read to me of the episode of God whom I discovered has a name “Krishna” playing an instrument – the flute – and with that He attracts His friends, family, cows and calves.
 
I was naturally getting excited knowing that God (now Krishna) is tightly bound into all kinds of relationships with boys and girls His age. How He values such relationships becomes evident when we reference the book, “Nectar of Devotion”, authored by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
 
“What a far out aspect of God!” I thought. He has all these amigos whom He sports with. As far as baseball is concerned, Krishna has His own take on it. There as these round-shape green fruits called bael that get tossed back and forth between His friends and Himself. If you close your eyes and meditate on this scene you just might hear the sound of the boys laughing and happily shouting.
These friends of His are understood to be liberated souls, who on the strength of their devotion, rose up to become intimate associates as He shares with them the beautiful rural setting of Vrindavan.
 
Though the name for the boys are gopas and the girls are known as gopis, implying their affection with the culture of raising go (bulls and cows) and having everything to do with delicious dairy preparations. Indeed mouth watering milk sweets such as ladhu, rasagula, sandesh, kheer, and more, were worth dashing for.
 
Krishna catches Himself in antics with the gopas in sneaking out at night with His slightly elder brother, Balarama, in search of butter that is stashed in neighbours homes. This routine practice becomes a relatively “hushed” party with which includes monkeys who always want a piece of the action. If you ask any “kids”, excuse me, children, what they think of a frivolous God like this, they are delighted. Night parties! Monkeys! Butter! Making a mess! Wow! What a blast!
 
In addition to this there are daytime pastimes that carry on where the boys imitate the various animals in their onomatopoetic sounds. They mock peacocks, dogs, frogs and also engage in a type 
of bullfight where two boys portray bulls, charging and locking heads together. When fatigued from play, there is a restful lying on each other’s lap that might include a massage.
 
With the gopis there is His transcendental tease playing, most notably when He snatchers their clothes while they are bathing at the Yamuna River. A slight annoyance that would be for the proprietors of the fabric.
 
But here is what stirs the passion in “kids” oops, les enfants, the most. Krishna has an awesome time with terrorists. These ultimate demons were dispatched by tyrant Kamsa at practically every day of Krishna’s childhood life. They would come to harass the innocent villagers of Vrindavan. At every encounter, Krishna, although small in size, takes down the largest of them, and even after teaching them a thing or two, He does something ironic that demonstrates true heroism.
(To be continued…)
 
May the Source be with you!
 
8 KM

Flacq, Mauritius
 
Kids & Krishna
 
 
I have very little to say about walking since most of my time was spent in the air. Yet once I landed I was handed the recent copy of a glossy annual periodical from our Bon Acceuil community. I was asked to write an article, “Kids and Krishna”, in a two or three day series. I wanted to share it:
 
 “Kids and Krishna”
 
When I was a kid, my elementary school teacher detested the term “kid” explaining that the word, by definition, refers to the offspring of goats. She insisted that the word not be used out of context. She was not kidding around.
 
So I’ll start again. When I was a child, I used to question God’s age. Not only was I inquisitive about “How old?” but “What is He like?” “Where does He reside?” “What does He do?”.
In our catechism (the Catholic version of Sunday school) we were told in one way or the another that God has always been around, that He’s kind, but sometimes gets angry over the ridiculous things we do. He also creates and then destroys. He’s compassionate and loving. Over all He’s the coolest dude.
 
The deepest impression of God’s age, I found, was documented by way of pictures from Michelangelo’s massive depiction of God creating man in the form of Adam. On the ceiling of the world’s most famous room, the Sistine Chapel, God is portrayed as this muscular, yet greying, but full and wavy-haired elderly man. As an adolescent I was so much moved by art masters such as Michelangelo that I started to dabble with painting. Eventually, I assumed that “The creation of Adam” was merely an artist conception and perhaps I don’t need to accept the subject so literally.
 
To be continued…
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM