Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
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Dubai/Mauritius
 
Largest Walking Event
 
 
I stumbled upon an article in the “Padayatra Worldwide Newsletter,” a piece written by Ekacakragram. The article is entitled, “Participating in the Largest Walking Event in the World”. While reading I reminisced like anything.
 
“In July 2001 a group of devotees, all dressed with dhotis, kurtas or saris, participated for the first time in the biggest walking event in the world: a four-day walk in the area of Nijmeghan in Holland. The event, organized by the Holland National Walking Federation, had been taking place for the past forty years. Depending on their age and gender, participants can choose walking three distances: 30 km, 40 km or 50 km. Of course one can do less, but they will not get an official medal from the Queen. Devotees went with harinama and prasadam, and danced and chanted for the entire 30 km, but it was a little too intense for the devotees and a little too much for the public.
 
So the next year we just did one hour of kirtan and chanted japa during the walk. We got many opportunities to talk with people during the walk, as there was nothing else to do besides walking. People got an opportunity to ask the questions they had wanted to ask for many years. There were about forty devotees and congregation members coming and going during the four days. Fifteen devotees walked the entire four days, including Bhaktimarga Swami. I took the opportunity to introduce him as a famous walker in Canada… Over the four days a total of 45,000 people participated in the three categories of walks. Everybody had to wake up at 2:30 am and assemble in the middle of the city at 3:30 am. It was a very special atmosphere to see many people ready to walk together early in the morning. It was such a nice experience having a mangala-arati and walking with many people, talking all day about Krishna. We have become well-known in the camping ground. It was a kind of holiday, exhausting physically but mentally very refreshing.”
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM

Monday, March 23rd, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario
 
Really Reaching Out
 
“Where attention goes, energy flows,” is the common phrase I hear from my dear friend Vaisesika. This “mantra”, if you will, he uses in reference to the personal commitment, thought and compassion he directs to those who struggle and are pushed to the edge of society. He gives attention to meeting people and sharing the wisdom of the Gita. People respond. Results are achieved.
 
In this connection I was thinking as of late about my dear God brothers and sisters that I shared time with in the early days of our spiritual endeavors. I was hankering more and more to see them, especially since the sudden departure of one American friend, Jnanagamya. At yesterday’s trip to Owen Sound I shared some time with Drupada and Garuda, both early birds in Krishna Consciousness in Toronto. Because I put attention to seeking companionship, through the ether a little miracle evolved. I had in the evening poised myself to give the Gita class by applying my last bit of tilak (devotional markings) to the body, when I received a call from sister Bhakta-vasya from Vancouver Island. I hadn’t seen her for years. Then out of the blue… this call.
 
It was 4:10 this morning and I received a call from our friend Premarnava from West Virginia. Again I hadn’t heard from him in years. At 5:20, Devata from northern Ontario called expressing his thanks for whatever in the past. Really what I experienced with this sudden flood of communication within this twelve-hour period was the intervention of some Divine force.
 
You know what? I’m going to try to give more attention to the right spots and then see what happens.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
3 KM

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015
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Owen Sound, Ontario
 
From Snow to Food
 
 
To Harrison Falls we went. Located on the environmentally sensitive Niagara Escarpment near its northern stretch in Ontario, this is an example of nature’s boast. The waters are of the Syndenham River System. It’s gorgeous. Before interaction with humans (even though scheduled to be with fellow bhakti-yogis), I felt it necessary on a daily basis to make a touchdown with Bhumi, the earth. I would declare myself a psychological disaster if I did not have a break from people. Down-time is a must.
 
Crunching along with footsteps over cracking snow and ice along a nearby trail were my Michigan associates, one benevolent soul from Brampton, and myself. From out-of-shade areas the sun gave instant warmth to our backs and its light reflection on the white surface below provided only optimism—Krishna’s mercy.
 
Our walking was terminated for our stop-over at a weekly Sunday feast held at the Hanna family’s. I was asked to speak of my pilgrimage to India but the highlight after the chanting was indeed the food. Sanctified as prasadam, it was contentment to the palate. The veggies and especially pakoras (veggie fritters) were lightly spiced with hing.
 
I was also able to make it back in time for the feast at the big city, Toronto. Here “gourmet-like” was the food which was fine. Bless the cooks they did their very best. It’s hard to cook for four-hundred people. Before the crowd and before eating I actually feasted through my ears. Yes I found hearing myself read was relishable. Don’t get me wrong! It’s less of an ego thing. It was the content that counted. I was reading of the boat adventure of our guru when he first came to America 50 years ago. Astounding to hear.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
4 KM

Saturday, March 21st, 2015
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Brampton, Ontario

Okay! So!

Okay! So how did the day run for me? Well, it really starts with the acknowledgment of the guru. At 4:25 AM I entered the temple room and offered my obeisance to the deity of him, Srila Prabhupada. The doors then opened to the deities of Krishna. Once again – obeisance.

I asked Nandini Radha, one of our female devotees to lead in the chanting session. This was followed by a beautiful ritual called Tulasi puja, the honouring of a sacred plant. Who could ever claim that we have nothing to do with the green movement?

We (the residents and guests) then participated in japa (mantra meditation), followed by a bhajan (devotional song) and then honouring of the guru, I then conducted a class from the Bhagavatam and on the topic of the virtues of dharma (principles), chastity and the shortcomings of being shameless after commiting some wrong. Guilt can be good.

A meeting was held with leaders of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), amongst Krishna Conscious leaders, that is.

Vitaliy and Ananda Rupa, the couple soon to be married, drove me to Brampton for a second meeting, this time of devotee men, who are poised to raise funds for the huge temple in Mayapura, India. This went well.

Finally after some phone calls with Vancouver and the endeavor towards some restructuring there, we took the time for physical relief – walking. Hart Lake was our venue and although it is the first day of spring officially, practically it is questionable. The air was fresh and brusque. It made us hungry and sleepy in the end, making it all a perfect day in bhakti (devotion).

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Friday, March 20th, 2015
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Scarborough, Ontario

The Honor System

It’s always an honor to be asked to give some kind of presentation to a group of young souls trying to have some spiritual fun. Gopinatha’s Fun Camp is actually hosting a four day out-of-school (I was going to say “out-of-body”) experience for kids off of school for the March break. I was given a half hour to stimulate twenty plus children and indulge them in a lesson from the Bhagavad-Gita.

9.26th verse was chosen to explore. Herein Sri Krishna makes a point to His recipient,  Arjuna, “If one offers to Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it”. The kids masterfully responded to a memorization of the verse and for fun, we involved them in acting out the verse in English.

Highlights: When we portrayed picking a flower, young Mukunda, age 6, protested, “You have to offer it to Krishna before you smell (the imaginary flower)”. Okay, Mukunda, you are right.
“Which fruit should we imagine to pluck?” And one of the boys suggested, “Why not a plum, (since in Sanskrit) it sounds like one?” He was referring to phalam.

It was a second honor to be interviewed in the evening at TET TV studio in Scarborough, a three-part series for an audience of young teens mostly, so I’m told. The topic? “Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll”, the Three Stooges to vulnerable adolescence. I used that terminology only because the sad joke is youth-hood. I had fun with the questions and I hope I didn’t come across too much like an old fuddy-duddy.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Thursday, March 19th, 2015
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Brighton, Ontario

By Water, Animals and Earth

Vitaliy, Ananda Rupa and I were fortunate enough to capture the sun’s sneaking over the eastern horizon, better still, over the calm lake at Petticoat Park just off of the Rouge River System. Here earth meets water with hard water in between.  The last of winter’s white and crystal residue can be found at the beach that we did traverse for a stretch. Trees also became our fascination as did their visitors. A woodpecker and mate were vigorously stripping some bark, I imagine to access insects.

Our trio moved onto a farm where kale is harvested, washed, dipped and dried before packaging. To show us around the rural factory and farm were Fil and Sukhayanti. But first we got acquainted with family members – bulls, cows, sheep, goats, donkey, cats, dog. A step in the barnyard with alfalfa pellets in hand and you’ll find that suddenly you are very popular. The goats in particular go beyond the alfalfa.  They start chewing your coat, shirt, pants and shoe-laces.

We are informed that each barnyard animal has his or her own temperament, character or personality.  To put that in slightly different perspective, all souls carry their own individual karma, if not, the karma carries them.

Our final venture for the day was Presqu’il Park and its wetlands. A group of swans took solitude here. I sometimes think swans make better yogis than us. These massive birds sat on calm but cold waters, forever, so it seemed.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario

The Guru “Without”

A couple came up from Michigan and we but relished a stroll in the park. We were just catching up from where we left off in conversation from their last visit. For continuity’s sake and for the sake of learning what we haven’t already, we talked about devotion. Frankly we are all students of life and it makes sense to dedicate a portion of the day to topics that centre on the self, the soul.

I had another person come today wanting to know the need for a guru who is also a topic in the line of devotion. In this day of self-help when someone may convince you that “the guru within”, common sense, or intuition may be sufficient for achieving spiritual strength and understanding, why seek assistance from anywhere else?

The fact of the matter is that while we may apply some intuitive power, any one individual lacks all the intelligence needed to be able to accomplish all things. We are simply not God.  We are born with flaws and frailties. A guru “without”, however, has much experience, gives guidance, gives inspiration, gives wisdom and measures progress made.

If someone wants to become a great athlete, cook, businessman, whatever, that person can make a lot of effort in any respective direction, but it doesn’t hurt to take assistance from a source that has a proven background of success. Please check 4.34 from the Bhagavad Gita and the illuminated purport by Srila Prabhupada.

May the Source be with you!

1 KM

Tuesday, March 17th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario

It’s March Break

It’s March break, which means so many young folks, especially those from the secondary school level, the teens, are out on the street.  Despite a wind with a biting cold, they were out on Yonge Street downtown, ‘where all the lights are bright’, and ‘where everything’s waiting for you’.  Nick and I were making our way to the evening Bhakti Lounge kirtan event.  Pedestrians were moving at a good clip, it’s the way to keep warm.  One tall fellow, who looked like a Punjabi, blurted out with an enthusiastic, “Hari Bol!” which means, “Chant the name of Hari (God)!”  He passed by so quickly that I couldn’t recognize him.  Oh well, a man of mystery. 

Kirtan at the lounge went well, followed by a vegan dinner where we had time to mingle with those who choose to take a break from the material world. 

My return to the ashram was the same route, Yonge Street, where all the lights are even brighter now that nighttime is upon us.  It was Dimitri who accompanied me, when the same man of mystery uttered once again, “Haribol!” in the most jovial way.  From the crowd of pedestrians emerged this same fellow from before.  He stopped.  He was a little shy and tried to hide his cigarette with hand behind his back.

“You don’t know me, but I know you.  I was one year old when I had my birthday party in your temple, so my parents tell me.  I’ve seen you over the years, haribol.”  We shook hands in a hearty way.  It was a good exchange.  For me, hearing haribol from a happy face changes the way I view this street of big time maya, illusion.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Monday, March 16th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario

Clearing Clouds

The middle aged musician strumming gently on his guitar while singing away, he had his own self styled attire, a hat which was a cross between an American cowboy hat and an Australian bush or slouch hat.  Over his body was draped something in the family of a poncho.  He sported long, sandy coloured hair.  An artist?  Yes.  Eccentric?  Yes, I’d say so.  It was an instant judgment on my part. 

He stopped playing and singing as Chaitanya Mangala, our Brazilian monk, and I, came close to him while on our walk on Danforth Avenue.  He started talking.  He spoke in an intellectual/philosophical way, yet coherent it was not.  I basically nodded, agreeing to his remarks which rattled on.  I couldn’t get a word in.  I could sense though, that he approved of us.  We were different, and so was he.  The one radical can understand the other radical. 

I find that when there is a lacking in communication, speech wise, then I just slide in a mantra card.  That, then, does the magic.  After all the mumbo jumbo the fellow was uttering, he finally came out and said the two Sanskrit words, Hare Krishna.  The mantra seemed to clear any cloud of confusion for both him and us.  It’s just doing its job.  It works like the sun and burns away the fog.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Sunday, March 15th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario

Get Straight

The weekly Sunday Feast, or our Open House, continues to attract pilgrims, meditators, congregations, and the curious.  This event goes on at Krishna Centres all over the globe.  Here, in Toronto, there’s no exception.

A young woman by the name of Emily called, asking about kirtan.  I let her know that this is the main feature of our Sunday Feast.  She informed me that she hopes to come.

“Will it be  your first time coming?” I asked her. 

“Yes.”

“Great!”

“You know I’m there by my yellow hat,” she said.  I informed her of the time.

“6 PM”.  And she came.  I could spot her in a crowd of about 300.  Her yellow wool headpiece did stand out.  So as I was about to move to my seat to deliver today’s message to the crowd, I approached her, “Emily?”

“Yes.”  She has the biggest smile.  It just so occurred that I couldn’t find the time or arrangement afterwards, but I could see that our resident nun by the name of Nandini Radha did have some words with her. 

This is one of the main components of the Sunday Feast, it’s people (‘People…’ Barbara Streisand).  There’s people who are searching, people who want the peace of mind, people who ask themselves, “Why am I in this world?  What is life’s objective?  What is my calling?  Who am I really?”  I did speak in my pravachan (talk) about our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and all he had done to deliver kirtan to the world.  I believe this connected with Emily.  It appeared to me that Emily and her accompanying friend had a good time.  I do hope they come again. 

After the feast, the usual cleanup took place, or should take place.  I, amongst other things in the tidy up routine, went around to straighten out the pictures that had been shifted accidentally when people brushed against them.  After all, we’re here in this world to straighten out some things. It’s the human obligation. 

May Source be with you!

5 KM

Saturday, March 14th, 2015
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Brampton, Ontario

Two Black Dudes

I had walked toward Brampton en route to a satsang in someone’s home when off on Eglinton Avenue, I was approached by a couple of black dudes.  They were in a black van and they tooted their horn indicating they wanted to talk.  They lowered the window, and I could see the interior was black.  The two men in the car were in black, their caps were black.  The only thing I remember that wasn’t noir was the earring on one of the guys’ earlobes.  It was imitation gold. 

The passenger was very curious, “Didn’t I see you yesterday in Yorkville (a swanky part of town)?  Like, what are you doin’, man?”

“That was me, and now I’m here, walking.  I’m a monk, walking.  I walked Canada four times.”  To this remark, the two looked stunned.  I gave them my card, which has on the flip side, the maha mantra:  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

With an invite to our temple and Govinda’s restaurant, I left them, and with their further questions answered.  I hope I’ll see the two black dudes with their glistening earrings in the future, perhaps even at our temple.  My point in relating this, once again, is that when you go out in devotional garb, opportunities occur. 

There were other areas that I happened to cover on foot today in Etobicoke and Milton.  I passed by their various religious institutions, the bulk of them being Christian.  There’s one place that promotes themselves as being a venue for miracles.  It’s near the Toronto airport.  I was tempted to go inside to see if I might experience a miracle, but then I thought, “What the heck, I have miracles happening in my life all the time, big and small.”

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Friday, March 13th, 2015
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Etobicoke, Ontario

Show You Love Thy Neighbour

“Love thy neighbour as much as thy self.”

You’ve all heard this phrase from Jesus.  It’s a good one to put into practice.

It happened yesterday that I walked in the neighbourhood of our ashram when I passed by a window display of an art shop whose owner I had known.  I haven’t seen Don for a long time.  He opened up shop 26 years ago, and has been running a successful business selling his and other artist’s works.  I thought to do the neighbourly thing, the human thing, stop my stepping , drop in and say hello. 

Don’s hospitable wife mans (or womans) the shop, and graciously lead me to the basement where Don is often at work.  As usual, he’s got this smile.  We started talking.  He asked me if I noticed the main painting on display.  “No, sorry, I didn’t notice,” I said. 

Don said, “It’s by…” (and I forgot the name, but it’s someone who collaborated working with Andy Warhol.  Don informed me that it’s probably worth 5 million.

“Is that right?”  He went on to talk about his passion, his art, and I could see how he was loving it.  I told him of my recent trip to India and of pilgrimage.  It was a mutual, neighbourly exchange worth much more than 5 million.  I know if I sped by Don’s shop in a car, I wouldn’t bother checking in on Don, but because I was on foot, I had every reason and opportunity to be human.

“Hare Krishna, Don.”

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Thursday, March 12th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario
 
Now Stollery’s Going
 
 
Stollery’s is (or was) a rather classy men’s wear store on Yonge and Bloor.  It’s been there for years, decades, really.  The reason why this place pulls heart strings is because it was at this crossroads, in a way, I was born.  The store is now being demolished.  While on today’s walk, I was somewhat horrified.
 
When I say, “I was born,” I mean I began my first sankirtan outreach there.  No, I would never consider going inside the store in those early days of ’73 to purchase a three piece suit.  I was happy with my monk’s attire, my dhoti and kurta, even though very unstylish, but it was outside of this men’s wear shop that I would approach pedestrians with a book on spirituality.  I would try to make friends and try to make the sale.  Often times I would succeed.  Those were nostaligic days. 
 
I’ll tell you another place that hits the sentiments in the same way.  It’s near Yonge and Dundas.   Not long ago, the iconic “Sam the Record Man” massive red LP came down.  That happened over a year ago.  And it’s also nostaligic for me because this is the spot where I used to meet Sam, himself, the elderly Jewish guy, the owner.  That building’s been replaced for a contemporary charmless edifice. 
 
The third landmark up for demolition that hits a sensitive nerve is the signature signage of Ed Mirvish’s discount store,“Honest Ed’s” at Bathhurst and Bloor.  It’s coming down.  To me, they are all places of pilgrimage because this is where the people were, and where the people were, that’s where the Hare Krishnas were.  Mantras, Gita’s, and incense were dispersed in these spots, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. 
 
Images of my early monkhood are being buried in the waves of time. 
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario
 
The Can
 
 
The wind was kicking the can.  It created a crass noise, clanky, hitting the pavement as a repetitious toss in the air.  It finally came to a roll, it was bent out of shape.  It was a soft drink can from what I could make of it.  After the roll it was ditched by the wind into a pool of melted snow by a curb. 
 
I had the notion to pick it up and to carry it to the nearest municipal recycling bin.  Yet, the can that caught several pedestrians’ attention, became so submerged, I couldn’t get access unless if I wanted to get my socks and shoes drenched.
 
Somehow or other I related to the can.  I took it to be me, a soul on a sojourn, being hurled around, and then journey’s end materializing.  I hope that one day my shenanigans will reach a complete stop, that is, the wrestling of anger, greed, lust, and covetousness.
 
In the meantime I was enjoying the sound of the symphony, that is, of water dripping, and water flowing, and then draining into the street manholes.  It was all the dynamics of a spring thaw that makes its own music. 
 
The can contributed immensely. 
 
May the Source be with you!
 
7 KM

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario
 
The Avalanche Came
 
 
I’m back home and dealing with an avalanche of emails.  I’m also back into strolling some streets.  The snow is melting, may this be the case with my karma also.  While walking I am thinking of guru and the need to read his biography once again, this being 50 years since he came to the west for a pioneering of consciousness.
 
I met with brahmachari monks today.  It involved a planning to build a more attractive and effective program for the future.  I believe all young men could use a period of training and self discipline (anyone interested can inquire from me).
 
My reconnection with the community here means tons, as it does to all places I visit.  In my absence I see there was little shake up during a five week visit to India.  Some hiccups occurred, which happens even when I’m present, because after all, I am a citizen of the material world like anyone else. 
 
Something that came to me from Vasudeva, friend and god-brother from France, some words from Albert Einstein, is for sharing:
 
“The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the Mysterious.  It is the most fundamental emotion at the root of all true art and science.  He who this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead, a snuffed out candle.”
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Saturday, February 21st, 2015
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Mayapur, India

On the Roof

On the roof of the education building, the Chaitanya Bhavan, a priest had prepared a havan, a small sand-pit arrangement.  It was paraphernalia all set up for a fire ceremony to acknowledge two candidates for initiation into our Vaishnava culture.  And I must say they are very excited about this personal step forward.

Luke is the father of one of the candidates.  His son, Philippe Lussier, has been aspiring for this moment, and was anticipating that it could happen in his dad’s presence.  Luke is Canadian and it’s his first trip to India.  Michelle, his friend, to accompany him, just loves it here.

The other candidate, is Jon Strickland, from the USA.  He had served with the Marines and he finds the devotional regimentation of Krishna Consciousness to be very second nature to him.

It was a fine morning, a bit misty, up there on the flat roof.  The sun from a far distance, attempts to pierce through.  I counted five raindrops to brace my shaven head.  Jon sports a beard, a green light I gave him as an actor in our drama.  I spoke from 16.5 of the Bhagavad-gita, wherein Krishna identifies with the qualities of divinity declaring them as the road to liberation.  The qualities contrary are sources of bondage.

In my role as the guru I like to see in all the initiates that they become, or rather remain in this life, as at least, sensitively moral, if not, then better still, lovers of the Creator.

Joh took on the Sanskrit name Jnanagamya in honour of our recently deceased dear god-brother.  Philippe accepted the name Pradyumna.  Got bless them!

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
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Mayapur, India

Lesson On Life

Phil’s dad came from Canada to see his son.  Also from Quebec, to be more specific, is Michelle.  Both Luke and Michelle happened to visit India for their first time.

Their arrival was timely for more than one reason.  Yesterday was day one of the Kirtan Mela, the chanting fest.  Pilgrims from around the world, have come to indulge in what is usually an unforgettable event.  The couple had come to peak, out of interest, the portion where I took the lead in singing but also in dancing.  The half-hour slot I was given, turned out to be a dance lesson in as much as singing (it had been a year’s wait for this opportunity).

For Luke and Michelle it had also become their first exposure to a cremation.  Just as one of the very saintly women from Mayapur, Manarupa, had passed away yesterday and was cremated, a second person, Gnanagamya, a friend of mine from the USA, also departed today.  That came as a surprise to the community.  Cancer had taken his life, and now residents took full advantage of sending him off.

Here again I was to lead the chant, and in the procession.  The couple from Canada, and even I – had come to witness the cremation.  It was a first for me as well, seeing it all in the raw format as opposed to the sophisticated arrangement of the West.  It was quite the eye-opener as the sun began to decline behind the horizon at the Ganges.  As Phil said, “A lesson on life” was observed.

Can one be consoled from the experience such as this?  We just need to recall the Gita’s message that we are not these bodies.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM