Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Buenos Aires, Argentina

How November 22 Went

I have a sister whose birthday is today.  I usually never forget it.  I remember walking her home from school the day that JFK was assassinated on the same day.  That was an impactful day.  Who will ever forget? 

Somehow, being immersed in devotional service, dates just do not register in my mind.  I also didn’t have Roseanne, my sister on my mind, not until this writing, what to speak of remembering the day that those fateful bullets hit the US president.

There was just so much engagement, in fact, 16 hours straight I spent in a basement room working with a crew from scratch, “Little Big Ramayan”.  It was going to be my finale of this piece for this year.  Trying to direct a play to people who are accustomed to a different language, Spanish, is very interesting.  I would give a directive, and three or four people would volunteer and blurt out their own translation to the poor artist who was trying to understand.  And, as you may know, the Spanish language is much more flowery and expansive than the English language.  That approach had to change, so I had to select one person (uno) to help me with this.  Furthermore, working on a tile floor for those hours in a basement takes a toll on the body, and it happened to be a damp day.  The temperature outside is moderate, but tomorrow promises to be 30 degrees plus Celsius, a chance for sun exposure. 

Walks in the city can be pleasant enough.  I took note of less dog dung on the streets from previous years, trees are tall and shady, the air is great, it’s spring.  Pigeons are well fed here, plenty of breadcrumbs are dispersed by benefactors.  Doves are also recipients while Robins go for the worm after the fresh showers of rain.

I’m loving it. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Houston/Buenos Aires

Snags

A delayed flight in Canada caused me to miss my connecting plane destined for Argentina.  I was surprisingly stranded in Houston.  How to make the best use of a night and day in this Texas city?  Answer?  Call the people I know and ask them to come to the rescue. 

Quick to my plea for help were Pakistani born, Abhay Charan, Shruti, and their daughter Lakshmi.  The family was happy about my being run aground, and of course, I was thrilled to see them.  They took me to the gorgeous ISKCON temple.  As soon as I walked inside, the Bhagavatam Class presenter asked me to come on board, to share the seat and deliver some words to a morning group of devotees.  The theme of the class was “The Principle of Oneness”.  The text which was spoken by the mendicant, Narada, qualified the true meaning of ‘oneness’ on the devotional path; you use your body mind and words, your entire being in your devotional endeavours. 

After a great breakfast (not a sugary one, thank God) we hastily left for Memorial Park, finding ourselves in a setting of natural Texas bush wilderness.  It was a two hour trek on meandering paths with the first hour in wondering wander, the last hour – lost.  That’s okay.  The five of us, including teen, Krishnaya, concluded that the incident helped to increased our prayer.

The flight, now 24 hours after the first due departure also met with a snag.  The break mechanism on United Airlines flight 819 needed repair.  Just after we all sat down and boarded, we were asked to deplane, and then waited for a new aircraft to pull up.  That ordeal took another four hours.  So, here’s the challenge: you’re a day and a half late and  you’re required to put on a production for Festival De Los Carros in Buenos Aires.  I did meet the happy crew who were to be my actors, techies, proppies, and everyone else.  God’s mercy!

May the Source be with you!

10 KM

Toronto/Houston

Man With a Light Heart

“What’s this?” asked the tall service man in a most jovial tone.  He was gesturing at my vestments as he was about to handle my luggage for the drop off at the airport terminal. 

“I’m a monk,” I said.

“Buddhist?”

“No, Krishna.”

“Do you teach fighting?” he went on with keen interest.

“Our order gets more involved in teaching music, teaching, singing, chanting, like that.”

“Oh, you mean all that peaceful stuff.  I go for those monks that fly in the air, come down crashing and then flattening someone.”

I joined in on his facetious way, appreciating that he loved his work and life.  I let him know that I was truly sorry to disappoint him.  I relayed that I do pilgrim work, occasionally fly (by United Airlines this time) and hopefully come down for a soft landing.  I offered him a mantra card, which when recited, the chant can take you places. 

The man gladly hoisted my two hefty pieces of luggage, one by one, onto the conveyor, gave a nod and outstretched his arm for the next person about to go through security.  The brief encounter with the happy uniformed man showed me how you should treat life – lightheartedly.   

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Toronto, Ontario Favorites At the Tuesday sanga led in our ashram last evening, I was asked to prepare a message. I chose to speak on my favorite verses from the Bhagavad Gita. I would say that I have about 10 verses that I have picked that a…

Toronto, Ontario Coming Back Coming back to my desk I was greeted by the latest sent package. Through the padded package I could feel it was books. Tearing it open with a kid’s excitement, the easy-to-do surgical session revealed the latest d…

Brampton, Ontario

Thinking About Walking

Even when I’m not on one of those walking marathons, I find the opportunity to think about or talk about the next venture.  While on flight back to Toronto, I spoke to the passenger next to me, a woman from Halifax, about my previous and anticipated treks.  She took a fancy to what I was saying in regards to these adventures. 

Yes, I do miss the road.  I can’t wait to get back.  We’ll just let the winter pass.  Now, with the current snow seen and felt, when on a short jaunt in Brampton, I realized the limitations of walking.  But it’s not full restrictions.  The stuff was coming down like those perfect light crystal flakes, and even later in downtown Toronto for a second take on my mobile feet, a wetter version of snow descended on the nose, giving a tickling sensation.  Still, I can walk. 

As long as you have the out of doors, as long as you have a good runway so to speak, you can walk in almost any condition.  I’m reminded of the ill fated, though heroic, Franklin expedition, sent from England in the mid 19^th century, with the intent to explore a northwest passage to the east, a ship was jammed in ice and snow.  Crew members were forced to venture through a forbidden wilderness in Canada’s far north on foot, taking refuge.  They did a lot of trudging through thick snow.  Unfortunately no one survived those walks.  Sir John Franklin and his men were stricken with frostbite on top of the lead poisoning. 

It’s tales like this, like the Franklin expedition, that tell of incredible bravery, and makes me think that in this life I can’t claim to have done anything heroic on that magnitude. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

The Snow Stayed Hard

We drove into the land of whiteness, where snowmobilers conquer any cleared areas.  Tracks of those passionate machines have clearly made their mark through the laden snow after a major storm yesterday.  This is not how it was when I landed in Canada’s east coast a week ago.  I wasn’t so much prepared, clothing wise, for the change.  I usually live in denial at pronounced seasonal changes. 

What a great wrap-up it was in these Maritimes, in a culture of traditional direction which goes towards the fruit of the sea.  But, “the times they are a changin’,” Dylan wrote.  Is it possible to see lobster dinners being replaced by kirtan on a Saturday night? 

Here in New Glasgow, just off the Trans Canada Highway, a curious group of people met with Mukunda, Nirmana, Joseph, Ashley, and myself, at a yoga studio on the floor atop a Subway restaurant.  The building owners showed up for our little session, so did yoga students, didgeridoo players, and Leslie.

Who is Leslie?  Well, she’s a fantastic networker who got the word out that this ancient practice of this immersion into sacred sound was about to take place.  Having full on experience from Vancouver, the country’s west coast, Leslie managed to summon the curious.  I know that the attendees came out of inquisitiveness.  They told me so.  They were cool with something so experientially different.  For them, it was learning new songs, moving to new dance steps and smacking the hands in unison claps – all wrapped in one.  It was fun!

To put the evening to a grand finale, one of the guys, a forest preserver by profession, did a demo of fire dancing.  Now, that was outside.  His kerosene flames didn’t quite melt the snow around us, but with his performance and the kirtan, hearts did melt. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

The Walking Monk Salad DressingSackville, NB I just have to share with you what I consider delicious; The Walking Monk Salad Dressing.  Creator of the recipe: Radha Krishna Dasi from Montreal.      (Makes approximatel…

Blissed out in Moncton Moncton, NB Moncton appears to have a lively art community so far as I can see.  Not cancelling out librarians who are open minded folks plus massage therapists, earth people and so this was the genre of people who…

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

On the Island

George knows the Krishnas from Centre Island in Toronto in the summertime.  Here we are, Sahil and I, at Canada’s east coast, far far from Toronto, and he knows us for our colossal festival in mid-July. 

George works for the immigration department.  He’s interested in people.  We got to meeting and chatting with him just as we were wrapping up our little kirtan at the Victoria Park Boardwalk.  Our conversation was centred around the topic of “people” and the multicultural world in which we live, of a domain of many tribes, nations, races, and customs.  George, being of oriental origin, knows all too well how accommodating has been to accepting multiple peoples from around the world. 

The common factor is that we are not Canadian or Chinese or American, we are all humanity.  The ultimate commonality, however, is that we are all spiritual beings.  This topic, I felt, I need not address to George, he already knows.  How he delighted in seeing the name Krishna on the mantra card I gave him.  How he excitedly talked about Krishna’s food.  He was embracing the whole spiritual concept merely on the basis of his own experience.  What an awesome encounter it was to be with him. 

Sahil and I moved on to the residence of Shoba, who is always the perfect host.  At her home, we met with familiar faces that come to her place at least annually when I visit.  They are practically all professionals, some retired from the South East Asian community.  On every one of these occasions, I speak from a verse of the Gita.  “This time,” I wondered, “what can I offer them that they do not have?  Ah, yes, beads for mantra meditation.”

And so I demonstrated the use of beads.  Practically everyone went away with a set anticipating to their use and to the great aid that a set of beads can offer in the spiritual regimentation and purification of things. 

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Halifax, NSSpring Back Nature has its way of springing back after it does itself in.  A hurricaine whipped through the city of Halifax but a decade ago, flattening many of its trees. Trees generally have the power to break the wind but s…

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Finally, Beyond Dullness

I like to be early enough for catching a flight to wherever my destination might be.  Two of our travelling monks, Brhat and Hayagriva, dropped me off at Toronto’s airport to see that this becomes a reality. 

There’s no customs.  It’s a domestic flight.  Screening and security checks went smooth and fast.  All went fairly well, yet something hit me that didn’t go over so well for the eyes.  The décor in the waiting areas was colourless – all drab and grey.  The brief visit to the bladder room (Americans say ‘restroom’, Canadians say ‘washroom’, some Europeans tell it like it is ‘the toilette’), meant looking at off-white and grey tiles , it was unappealing.  I suddenly had a mental vision of grim-ness over dawn when it would make an appearance for us to view the outdoors.  Being the in between season of the vibrant colours of autumn and the pretty pure whiteness of snow, we are wedged in a period of, once again, greyness.

I came out from the bladder room only to be hit by more dinginess.  Most passengers were wearing black, grey and muted browns.  People were lined up and looking as if in a funeral procession.  The only sign of life, ironically, was the red poppy on people’s lapels that honour the glorious dead, soldiers of war.

Oh, and yes, there was this guy whose presence contradicted everything else.  This fellow sported a saffron-toned hoody that really stood out.  At one moment I thought to strike up a conversation and ask, “Where the heck did you find that colour that would mistake you for a Hare Krishna?”

The flight was short, under two hours.  Halifax, here I am.

A quiet couple, Sahil and Nirmana, greeted me.  We had a full day of catching up on things, food and devotion which included a chanting session at a venue on Hollis St.  True brilliance came our way when we strolled the trails at Point Pleasant Park.  It was when dusk was approaching.  The cloudy day itself became clouded by the sun’s absence.  And as it, the sun, was about to do its disappointing act, the coastal sky flaunted patches of pink.  Set as a backdrop beyond the silhouetted trees, was this spread of gorgeousness, of wondrous sky above and the glistening water of the harbor below.

I reflected on all the pictures of Krishna that my eyes have ever met.  So much colour in there.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Pickering, Ontario

Squeeze Moments

A strategy meeting, a sat sang, home program #1 and a satsang home program #2 occupied the day.
Still, I squeezed moments reading.  The quote which endeared today I wanted to share.

“Spiritual life begins with the tongue” – Srila Prabhupada

“He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga systems.” From Bhagavad Gita (6.17)

“Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked” – Desikaskor

“The soul is an emanation of the Divinity, a part of the soul of the world, a ray from the source of light.  It comes from without into the human body, as into a temporary abode, in goes out of it out of it anew; it wonders in the ethereal regions, it returns to visit it… it passes into other habitations, for the soul is immortal.”  -Ralph Waldo Emmerson

“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” – Albert Schweitzer

“Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.” – Samuel

“Contemplate solely the Name of God; fruitless are all other rituals.” –Sikh Adi Granth

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” – Bhagavad-gita (9.26)

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Addictions

 
Addiction is a hard thing to deal with.  An addict is someone who’s terribly transformed over an obsession.  It indicates lack of control, lack of discipline, lack of self-worth.  Whether the addiction is drinking, drugs, sex, pornography or any other spin on being possessed, its consequences are so devastating.  It leads to break-up of family, loss of job, loss of hygiene and of good balanced health and so on.

Somehow or other we might learn something from addicts.  Although their attention is on a weakness and not on strength, nevertheless there is some attention or focus.  If it could only be redirected.  
I walked with a dear friend whom I’ve known since living in Toronto 40 years ago.  He is a sworn alcoholic but just as he has been loyal to the bottle, he’s never forgotten God and so he’s taken the bold step towards rehabilitation.  He’s getting help, lots of it, from experts in the field of recovery.
It was reassuring that he was taking the right steps, not only to do with our walking, but to curing himself.  My friend chants mantras, has reverence towards Krishna and appears determined.

I’m not an AA guru but I felt I could offer the recommendation for him to walk more, to keep the mechanism (the body) working, to take in the good air and to dream of an improved situation.  Yes, I believe that walking does allow the person do have greater stimulation of thought, ideas and dreams and hope.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Caledon, Ontario

Students – Yay!

I was asked this evening, “How are you?” and my response was, “I’m just fine because I had a chance to speak to students today.” 

Nisheeta Menon is a Catholic teacher at Robert F. Hall Secondary School, and had invited Keshava,  a coordinator at our ashram, and I, to give a presentation at their school.  We were to discuss the Hindu path, and more particularly, the higher consciousness of Krishna. 

Keshava and I drove to the precincts of Toronto and beyond.  We were gliding through, or so it seemed (he’s fast and sharp behind the wheel).  We went through rolling hills of trees, and at their base, wetlands and cornfields, and perfectly manicured lots with mansions.  Finally, we arrived at the usual square looking educational facility and then to meet the lively staff at the school’s main office. 

The gracious Nisheeta lead us to the lecture room, where soon, two groups of grade 11 students filled the seats.  Keshava and I began our talk, explaining first the literal meanings of our names.  Then, a day in the life of a monk (me), and the life of a young professional (Keshava) in the context of Krishna being in the centre of everything.  We showed visuals, offered some words of the Gita’s philosophy, and then chanted and danced, with the students, of course. 

That last bit was the highlight for them, and for us.  Questions came from their curious minds when Keshava and I alternately responded to everything about the nature of the soul, to why we are vegetarian.  The reward to our job done was fruit, cashews, smiles and appreciations from staff and students.  It made our day.  On our return journey back to our downtown ashram, I mentioned to Keshava how I dealt with my early morning fatigue while giving a class from the book, Bhagavatam.  I read verses from the book, actual words of a very motivated sage, Shukracharya.  I read them to our group of monks with a Dracula accent which met with their approval.  It perked everyone up, including myself. 

Keshava and I had a good laugh and a good day with students. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Markham, Ontario

The Danforth Walk

Heading east with Durjoy, a young Bangladeshi, we promenaded over to Danforth Avenue to reach the very lively section, Greek Town, you walk over the Don Valley Bridge, at least that’s what people call it.  Here too, I recall a tragedy of someone throwing himself, this time off the bridge, down to the valley’s base.  The young reserved chap used to visit our temple to inform us of vegetarian events going on.  I would say he gave up his life about 30 years ago, yet the memory of it lingers.  I pray his soul is rightly situated. 

I tend not to forget these incidents.  It would be a mental labyrinth of a journey to make, if possible, to venture to and try to understand the dissatisfaction one must feel before giving up one’s life. 

‘Suicide’ is something referred to by the teachers in our line of spiritual discipline.  Sometimes dubbed as ‘spiritual suicide’, the acharyas, or teachers, speak of about some renunciants who are inclined towards the soul’s merging into an absolute oneness.  Hence, losing one’s individuality.  The other part of this equation is to speak of the Divine in terms of mere energy or light.  It is an attempt to depersonalize God, to dishonor or discredit, and reduce the Absolute to an unfeeling being.  In our Vaishnava tradition of Krishna Consciousness, we very much believe in the personality of the soul and the personality of God. 

At the final destination, which I made this evening in Markham by cheating a little bit going 40 km via a car, a group of people had a sit down to a chant.  This chant was an offering to a personal God that listens, speaks, touches, tastes, and has feelings inside.  To Damodara (Krishna), we offered small diyas (flames) to God as a child, to God as one who has loving relationships with all, and especially to those who approach Him with bhakti, devotion. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Toronto, Ontario

The Bloor Walk

A drizzle did not restrict me from walking on Bloor Street West this night.  This street is always vibrant with young folks who infuse the area which is the location of the largest university in Canada.

I caught a glimpse of some people at tryouts at a dance academy.  I peeked through the window at the dance studio and it looked like guys and gals at salsa.  Somehow or other that visual helped me to see in my mind’s eye Krishna’s dalliance with the cowherd maidens, a function of His in a world far beyond Bloor.

Christmas décor and trinkets for sale are starting to creep up in window displays and shop shelves.  I’ve been a scoffer at the Yuletide event for years.  I’m fond of Jesus, but the mundane nature of Christmas in current times leaves one to wonder.  I’m reminded of the cynical comedic take on Christmas from a CD delivered to me recently, it makes me crack up to hear it.

Ekendra, the vocalist and music composer behind the piece called “Christmas Is Not On Vaishnava Calendar” actually pokes fun at Krishna culture as a fanatical Krishna monk named Yama Niyama Das Brahmachari, Ekendra’s lineup of tracks features songs like, “Simply Hell” to the likes of Jingle Bells, and “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” parallels “Yamaraja (the lord of death) Is Coming To Town”.  For more info: www.youareinmaya.com

It’s always therapeutic to laugh at yourself and your own community, which like any, has its own in-house quirky habits.  On my return stretch on the walk on Bloor, I reflected on how our ashram crew delighted in listening to it at the tail end of our Bhagavatam class. 

Down Prince Arthur I went, and passed by a high-rise where an acquaintance had thrown herself from her balcony some years back.  She did not survive.  When I walk on this street, in particularly past that building, I do so in the spirit of deeper contemplation on the fragility of this world. 

I also passed by Lee’s Palace, rock concert hall/dance club, I recall seeing the punk straight edge band, Shelter.  Those guys were in their prime in the 90’s and in the turn of the millennium.  I might be the first monk to have stepped into that place.  I was there to give support, of course, to their show.  The boys are good human beings, good devotees.  Still practicing Krishna Consciousness to my knowledge. 

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Toronto, OntarioPeople Walking I could not help but notice a potpourri of people as I stepped southbound on Yonge Street this evening.  It left impressions of people who stood out. The first person: a young man – head protruding forward,…

Miami, Florida

Water Coming

The tide was coming in.  It was ocean water being filtered through the mangrove thickets.  A small party of us took to the dry man made trail through those thickets, yet the water infiltrated and we were forced to adventurously wade through the cool liquid before we reached higher and drier ground.  The ocean tide did come unexpectedly, though a sign at the entrance of the trail gives warning that the trail will eventually become immersed. 

We took to walking over the roots of shrubs for the great escape and to higher elevation, and then to the road.  It was a fun task that also involved a baby stroller with precious contents inside.  It was an exercise of ‘Don’t Panic!’  Methodical steps had to be taken. 

Our location was the Matheson Hammock State Park, a lovely place of palm trees by the swamp, and manatees in the water. 

Oops!  Two of the boys did what you’re not supposed to do.  They shimmied their way up a coconut tree and brought back down 8 gorgeous coconuts for quenching the thirst.  Without a machete, it’s rather tough getting to access the nectar within.  Whatever was extracted was great though, it gave fuel, and spurred at least, myself, on.  We reached the park’s end, an admirable beach front which loops around creating a harbor of sorts.

No one dared to swim.  My companions are Floridians who have thin blood, and temperatures were rather low, even for a Canuck like myself.  Besides, we were tight for time.  We had to dash off for the Sunday Feast.

Guests did come to the chant and feast program.  Students from FIU turned up.  I spoke with the theme, ‘We are not these bodies, but spirits’.  We also did a viewing of ‘Gita: Concise’, our drama that we filmed in India.  It met with good response, and enhanced the topic of discussion.  All’s well that ends well at a Sunday Hare Krishna feast.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Miami Beach, Florida

Night of Distraction

I caught the tail-end of the night life in the Alachua area. By “night-life” I mean the deer, the fox, owl and others doing their nocturnal roaming. I was executing my japa, chanting and walking when I could hear the creatures or at least spot traces of them, all but for the armadillo. This fellow was clearly visible and active in someone’s front yard. I felt confident that this guy will achieve his tummy’s goals.

5 KM

Alachua, Florida

Chats While Walking

Paul Rodney Turner is dubbed as the “Food Yogi” and is the International Director for Food for Life Global. We hiked some trails together at Lake Louisa State Park. It was a rather delightful hour-long struggle through deep sand until we came to the long pine needles laid out to create a virtual unsinkable floor as a trail. Paul (also known as Priyavrata as a devotional name) gave me the previous night a complimentary copy of his excellent book, “Food Yoga”.

6 KM

Clermont, Florida

Before The Dawn

Before the crack of dawn I heard something crackling. A brittle dead branch snapped off its tall tree hitting several other branches on its decent to the ground. I cleared it while on the road side during this early trek. Also I heard a rustling in the bushes but my flashlight was not quick enough to detect which animal. Roosters made their cry. It started with one, then another, and another coming from different directions, different farms. This was followed by the chorus of coyotes. Crickets were conspicuous by their absence.

At juncture highway 237 I turned a right towards Gainesville anticipating a pick up from Ananta Sesha. The road’s shoulder was practically nil so with oncoming traffic I stepped into the land of wet grass. Seeds of this clung on into the hundreds. And as I plucked them from my robes I felt no encumbrance because with each flick of seed I uttered a mantra. The modus operandi is to transcendentalize every action.

Eventually Ananta came and drove me to the Gainesville Krishna House for conducting a Q and A session on the philosophy of Bhagavat Dharma. Questions were meaningful, not robotic inquiries or lacking in substance or relevance. They had depth. And their responses, in terms of effectiveness, lies in the ears and reason of the listeners. It’s not for me to say.

The other book end to the day was a presentation of Tales from Trails followed by an offering of ghee-drenched cotton sticks in homage of Damodara, Krishna as a child. At this Bhakti Center in Clermont a good crowd really took to song and dance.

May the Source be with you!

10 KM

Alachua, FloridaTo Choose3 miles or 5 kilometres is what it takes to get on foot to the local temple. 3 miles or 5 kilometres is the same distance it takes to return. The return or my accommodation place is at the home of Ananta Sesa and Vaishnavi, a s…

Alachua, Florida

It Dawned on Me

It dawned on me.  There are two things that I like to have near me, at least two.

A road under my feet and a microphone at my mouth.

I get a charge out of the sand at the side road enroute to the Krishna Balaram temple.  It’s a faint worth doing with the softness underneath.  I was on my way to this particular destination when I dwelt on the prospect of saying a few things, perhaps anecdotes, about the guru on the anniversary of his passing.  By lunar calculations, Srila Prabhupada passed on this day back in 1977.  I was slotted to say a few words, not many, because I was at the head of a queue (being the guest) while others were anxious to say something too.

I did get the mic, by the way, but I ended up over-extending myself.  There is always much to say in appreciation of the person who’s done so much to improve your life.  When I think about the multiple benefits one word comes to mind that I’ve achieved and which I’m grateful towards.  The word would be “confidence.”

When I was in my last year in my teens and I met the monks that represented him (our guru) I was a jittering, nervous person.  I was shaking like a leaf but I knew if I spent enough time with them I might evolve as a stout tree trunk, ready to accept a challenging world.

The world that I knew before and after taking up the simplicity of a monastic are really two different universes. I’m grateful to be where I am but anticipating greater gains of spiritual maturity.  It is necessary to penetrate deeper into the realms of bhakti.  More focus and concentration is required.  As one martial artist, an acquaintance, put it, “It’s better to dig deep one hole instead of jumping to numerous shallow holes.”

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Re-define the Celebration

I believe it’s not only leaders of the Abrahamic faiths (Christians, Jews, and Muslims) that get busy on week-end days. I think it holds true for most monks, swamis, and brahmanas too.  People make an extra effort by way of convenience on those days to push the spiritual button and engage their communities more so than on other days.

It really doesn’t matter which time of the week one reserves for the spirit, or what time of day, or special observances at certain times of the year, as long as you do something.

Today, Sunday, the temple packaged a festival of Diwali (a common celebration as a New Year), Anna-kuta, a festival of food to honor Krishna’s Govardhan Hill and the Kartik month, a focus on baby Krishna—all combined.

To accomplish the good time that comes out of the event, the kitchen was a busy bee-hive, as was the altar, the temple room itself and living quarters with extra overnight guests staying over.  Oh I forgot the office.  Frankly, that’s where I spend a good amount of time.  It’s a meeting place, really and it’s hard to get out of that box for a stretch or a walk.

I managed after the fun of the fest to reacquaint myself with quiet only to walk through a modern-day version of an old Celtic celebration by mere displays of Halloween’s orange and black.  Yes, residents go all out to exhibit massive inflatable black cats, ghosts, zombies, headless horsemen and everything ghoulish.

“Where are the good ol’ fashion pumpkins? You know, the jack-o-lanterns?” I asked within.  In one sense the whole affair appears a weird twist to the eve of All Saints Day.  People seem to get a chill and a charge out of anything scary.

One thing I’ll keep in mind is what our guru, Srila Prabhupada, once said about people not having a sufficient scare or fear of maya the illusion of the world.  Rather we flirt with temptation and dance with delusion.  To be honest, it’s time for all to re-define our weekend and big-time fun.

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Mississauga, Ontario

Out and A Boot

Michael and partner, Saskia, came to have lunch with me.  Michael and I have been friends since we found each other via internet.  He’s a follower of God.  He also likes the road and walked the expanse of it across Canada.  That’s what we have in common. 

I listened to the time he was in Grand Forks, British Columbia, as he walked through.  I hope he doesn’t mind me saying it.  When a guy asked him where he was from, he said he was from Toronto.

“So how’d you get here?”

“I walked.”

“You walked all the way from T.O.?” said the guy in disbelief (we’re probably looking at 3 – 4 thousand kilometres.   He alerted his friends.  They came over and shouted, “Boot!  Boot!  Boot…”  The town’s custom is that you drink beer from a boot.  So Michael did that.  Actually, he ended up drinking two boots worth, and that pretty much finished his walking for the day.  We had a good laugh as Michael told his story.

Michael went through a lot of personal transformations during that walk.  He helps people currently with addictions and is moving on with producing a documentary of the wisdom you learn from the road.

Michael and Saskia are a great couple.  We parted when I was whisked away for a program where a family was honouring their new house.  A homa (fire ceremony) was held and conducted by priests.  I spoke from The Gita to a full house.  We chanted and then feasted.  In the process, I felt as if I landed in my stomach boot-loads of coconut water.  I was definitely in the mood to walk after that, especially to burn off the calories of the curries. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Thornhill, Ontario

Clicked Away

I clicked away with camera (on my phone) to capture what I’m seeing.  Posterity has it’s place when you fall in love with your trails.  Mud Creek was my path.  The people who are also on the path were glowing as much as the leaves were. 

The leaves!  Yes, they are on top of you, they are under you and they are all around you because it’s autumn. 

The other day I was talking ot one of our congregants, The Leafs, the hockey team.  His sons are fans of the players.  Whether the team loses the game or not, the boys are faithful. 

In Sanskrit the word for faith is called shradha.  It means, as our guru put it, “Trust in something sublime”.  It would make sense that the power behind the creation, including a hockey team, would be the most sublime entity of all.  In fact, I would say there should never be a disconnect between creation and its Creator.  That would be the greatest illusion to even think about separating them. 

So here I am shooting away, registering great scenery and appreciation of what’s there.  This venture repeated itself in the evening.  Two monks, Brihat, Hayagriva, and I took to a woodsy trail in a Thornhill forest before conducting a 9 Devotions Workshop.  The group we engaged was a Russian community.  Very receptive they are, and very responsive.  Here again, the folks were aglow, but in devotional practices because the workshop is very much hands on and heart touching. 

A quote from Vladimir Borisov, “Some people listen with their stomach, some through their knowledge, and some with their mind.  Very few listen with their heart.” 

May the Source be with you!
 
8 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Under Siege

“Under Siege!” read the headlines today.  The news from Canada’s national capital, the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, received global attention.  For many countries it became the top story.  A gunman managed his way into the Parliament Buildings and fired away, killing one security guard, and in the process of his madness, lost his own life.  People are rather shocked that such a crazed person was able to enter the nation’s inner sanctum.

We live in very disturbed times.  It is a feature of the era of ignorance, kali.  In the case of the gunman who lost his life, apparently it was the shadow of irreligion that clouded the man’s consciousness.  Obviously he was not at peace with himself.  And once again the jihad notion gives religion a bad name. 

After I had heard the news from a friend who informed me by phone from New York, I felt a shake up feeling inside.  What was ironic about this sad day, however, is that many calls came in from people, but not to do with the tragedy in Ottawa.  The calls were actual inquiries about Diwali, the New Year.  This event commemorates Rama’s glorious victory over evil forces.  “When are we celebrating Diwali?” and “How are we celebrating Diwali?” people asked.  It was hours of this that I played telephone reception.  A good crowd came in the evening to chant, hear readings of the Ramayan, and partake in prasadam.

By the day’s end I could get out to walk to take time to reflect and perhaps even to redefine my take on this dual world in which we live.  On the one hand you have darkness and on the other hand you have something that lights up. 

May the Source be with you! 

5 KM

Mississauga, Ontario

It’s For You

I was hosted by Dharma and Manasi Ganga, a couple from Mississauga.  After the overnight stay, I helped myself to the streets before dawn.  It’s somewhat easy to get lost, being in the dark, and in the area of cookie-cut homes (where all looks the same), and lastly, when you put priority on the sound of the early morning – the maha mantra. 

Emanating from this humble servant’s mouth is Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, etc.  Outside of that, the odd car drives by, someone’s en route to work, or on a return, home after a graveyard shift.  And, as far as sound goes, I did hear a peep out of one bird.  Vayu, the wind god, didn’t help with the sound, he seemed to be asleep, and this was indicative of the pervading quiet.  Not even leaves were rustling.  At the edge of a forest signage tells of the presence of coyotes, and that from dusk to dawn it was not advisable to lurk there with a pet. 

No problem for me, my only pet is the strand of beads of benevolence that I’m carrying.  I was determined to put them to my usual vigilant use.  Beads have an anchoring effect in much the same way that a murti or deity of Krishna anchors the mind.  With that tactile sense, the fingers roll over those precious beads and gain a feeling of groundedness. 

I felt quite at home, though the sounds of summer are now silenced and the air, to my rating is fresh.  The enhanced solitude after days of crowds, queues and traffic, was quite welcome.  The early morning is meant for that, solitude and meditation. 

Take advantage of it, it’s for you.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Hyderabad, India

Woe Is Me

I merely spent a few hours at ISKCON Hyderabad.  Hyderabad is a progressive city in the south, population I was told is 8 million.  Traffic is very full.  You are a hero to cross the street in the downtown rush.  Cars rule here, walkers have a tough time to triumph.  I had asked about a quiet walking trail near ISKCON’s guest house where I stayed overnight.  The response, in the local language (Telegu, I believe) was, “No way.”  Consolingly, the temple itself has a shanti  or peaceful atmosphere where one can pace up and down in a safe fashion. 

The night prior I was asked to chant and then to speak from the Gita, 2.60, “The senses are so strong and impetuous, Oh Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind, even of a man of discrimination who is endeavouring to control them.”

This entire day, however, was an in the air experience.  Embarking from Hyderabad to London and then Toronto, I had given most time to reading devotional material.  It was in the beginning of the trip that mercy came my way – love really.  The person looking after me with room service in Tirupati, and a much needed massage, is actually from Hyderabad.  And while I was waiting for the day’s first flight, airport authorities sought me out at the waiting area and handed a phone to me.  The call came in from this same fellow, Vijay Kumar by name, but I couldn’t decipher who he was or what he was saying.  I took the call as a mistake.  Minutes later Vijay had driven all the way to the airport and had prasadam (divine food) of dosas and sambar, South Indian specialties, packaged in a small bag which was sent through security tagged and all.  He left a note inside the bag.

I was surprised at Vijay’s kindness.  He went through such an extent to cook a meal for me and to see that I didn’t have to fully rely on airplane food.  With this loving sentiment, I left India.  As I always experience, I am left with heart melting gestures from people of that devotional land.  Yes there is this crazy hustle bustle about the place, but there is always an underlying spirit of bhakti in the atmosphere.  I only feel bad that I can’t reciprocate with Vijay.  I did not pick up his number during my stay.  Woe is me!

May the Source be with you!

0 KM  Except for all the walking done in the corridors of Heathrow Airport.

A Premier Pilgrim’s Spot

Tirumala, India

He said it like it was a mantra, repetitiously.  “See the Swami!  See the Swami!  See the…”
It was one of the pandas (priests) repeating these words in reference to us, the pilgrims, viewing Balaji, a self-manifested Visnu form who stands sternly at His shrine.  His white marking is iconic – bold and beautiful, and perhaps overdone.  The explanation is that the white paste covering His eyes is because He is not prone to see the evil of man in this world.  A similar white marking at the chin represents remedial herbs applied because once, when manifested as a young man, a furious fellow hurled an iron rod at His chin which left an injury.

The place is Tirumala, which translates as “the mountain of the abode of Laxmi (the Goddess of Fortune).”   And the big attraction at the mountain’s peak is Balaji Himself who draws a bigger crowd and more funds than the Vatican.  Each day, faithful people contribute collectively crores of rupees as donations.

The place is fascinating.  Myself and peers, mostly my monk brothers and sisters from North America and Europe had the viewing of Balaji at which time, we also did a tight circumambulation around this temple, followed by a trek on a more wide angled path.  Incidentally on this path was a beautiful dance formation of young men who routinely stepped in circular fashion around a zealous drummer’s beat. The dancers held a shaker to make sound in the right hand, and a red cloth which they’d flick at a particular rhythmic beat in their left hand. 

All the while that we were on the grounds there, there was an audible mantra recorded.  It was in praise of Balaji: “Om namo venkatesvarayah.”  The reciprocation for visiting with your voluntary donation is a bowling ball-sized sweet called laddu.  This I will save for the monks in the ashram back in Toronto.  It will be the sure proof that I did some serious pilgrimage at this unique place in South India.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Tirupati, India

Climbing is Walking

It’s been a nice change, leaving the shoes behind in the room and going for several days everywhere barefoot.   I’m making brief trips generally going from one building to the other at the temple campus.  It also means taking to flights of stairs several times over. 

Instead of waiting for the elevator, Devamrita Swami decided to climb the stairs to the 4^th floor of one building where we were holding meetings.   I followed him.  Tirtharaj, another friend from Australia, followed.  A chain began.  Moving at a good speed, Tirtharaj remarked, “We will all do a cardio test after this.”  The three of us are all in our 60s and are not yet struggling too much physically.  We ascended with little sweat.

It was announced at today’s meeting that I’ll be embarking on a walk from Boston to New York via Butler, Pennsylvania next year to honour a golden jubilee event.  It will be 50 years since our guru Srila Prabhupada made a historical milestone – landing on American soil as an ambassador to the spiritual world.  In any event, this anticipated effort of my walking to commemorate the unofficial kick start of the Hare Krishna movement was really appreciated by peers.

The several days meetings came to a close.  With the hot topic of ‘female gurus’ a consensus was concluded.  The majority of the group are generally in favour of having qualified ladies to function and be official teachers as diksa gurus.   After a three day intensive on the subject we came to a happy conclusion.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Tirupati, India

News That Hurts

There are 70 monks who live on the premises here at Tirupati.  They are a happy group.  I recognize some of the older as well as younger ones from my visit two years ago.  I’m sure there’s some turnover.   Naturally, there will be a departure for some.  Not culturally, but vocationally.  Some will get married. There will also be a hardcore portion of them that will make this monastic life their lifestyle until they reach their physical end. 

I had received an emergency call from Canada.   The news was about a young couple who are splitting.  When I heard this my heart sank to hear of this failure.  Vows of commitment were made and yet the relationship didn’t have strong “go” for a very extended time.  Naturally the two were struggling and were strained in their communication.  Tolerance and patience did not take a priority on either end of the stick. 

Though the two individuals have called it quits on each other, by some divine revelation a glimmer of hope may cause a relook and a return of the situation.  There’s always that chance.  It’s always good to keep the doors open.   If you can imagine at one time there was love that has now become faded.  Romance is like a pickle (stimulating), but know it to be fickle.  We forget that real love is service to each other. 

If there’s anything about kali yuga (dark age) that is dominant it appears to be this one.  The breakup of couples.  Who wants it?  Neither he nor she, friends, family, guru, or God find joy in a bond broken.

A word of caution: before tying the knot, know whom you’re hooking up with.  Be assured that there are elements about the other person that you will not like.  Who is perfect after all?  Concentrate more on your own shortcomings.  There is so much to be said about relationship issues.  Some people are better off as permanent monks or nuns who make firm their relationship with the Divine.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tirupati, India

Under the Rooftops

A light rain hit all the rooftops before the sun rose.  I was on that veranda unaffected by wetness.  Above me is the next floor creating a natural awning.  I could chant in peace and in dryness at an hour when temperatures are coolest.

My friend, Akrura, from Canada, had previously walked the streets and made an interesting observation about trekking in the sun, “You end up sweating in places on your body you never knew were possible.”  We both concluded it is just downright muggy here in Tiruapti. 

Another peer, Madhusevata, told another dynamic which took place when he was a young brahmachari monk in Kolkata in the 70’s, “At night the cockroaches would come out, but what’s worse were the rats chewing on the back of our feet as we were asleep.  The rats had this habit to blow on the wound in order that you wouldn’t feel the pain quite so severely.  You couldn’t detect what they were doing until you woke up.  They would bite then blow.”

Madhusevata hails from Italy.  When he joined he wasn’t yet married.  He pioneered Krishna Consciousness with his Indian friends in this very congested city.  I guess you could say he’s a real success story.  He went on to become a major leader with a mission in his homeland Italy and built up Hare Krishna Villagio, in a village not but a few miles from Milano. 

It was Madhu, Akrura, and others who enjoyed kirtan in the morning as I did in the exotic temple right next to where I did my pacing on the veranda.  The murtis  (sacred images) are named Radha Govinda.  They are decorated stunningly each day.  When the pujari priest brought his jasmine flowers towards the deities, and strikes the clothing, suddenly there’s a shimmer from the cloth which adds to the divine glamour which each morning displays the quality of otherworldliness. 

Far beyond being drenched in sweat or rain, harassed by roaches or rats, is the spiritual world. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tirupati, India

Day of Thought

It was quite the day.  I do enjoy the company of my swami friends, godbrothers.  There are good talks amongst us, with godsisters as well.  We talked philosophically which means we as a group are going deeper into the field of life.

Physically though, anyone amongst us would admit that humidity and heat is intense, and would resort to the use of AC with or without the addition of ceieling fans.  In coolness, there is an eeasier chance of processing information. 

It was quite the day and after talks, I did my walk up and down the veranda.  Then I submitted to my room and plopped my body on one of those fancy Rajasthani chairs.  I reached up for the Bhagavad Gita while acknowledging the wording on the rear side of the book’s cover, “The most widely read edition of Gita in the world.”  I flipped over to verse 13.35.  This resonates.  “Those who see with eyes of knowledge the difference between the body and the knower of the body and can understand the process of liberation from bondage in material nature attain to the supreme goal.”

Further enlightening words arise from the purport:

“One can understand that the body is matter.  It can be analyzed with its 24 elements.  The body is a gross manifestation, and a subtle manifestation is the mind and psychological effects, and the symptoms of life are the interaction of these features.  Yet over and above this, there is a soul.”

Food for thought!

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Tirupati, India

The Bat and Me

I doubt very much that he was the same bat I met two years ago in the same spot. He was fluttering about in the space that wasn’t really mine. I can’t reach that high, but almost. He can carefully manoeuvre himself just above arms-length, stretched up. These bats normally do.

I was chanting my japa, (mantras on beads) along the lengthy veranda at the Tirupati ISKCON Guest House when I met this fellow. It was his eating time, night-time. Like you see a lot of western youth with their invincible tummies having pizzas at night, this nocturnal winged wonder my bat friend got his munching in at what folklore calls the witches hour.

I think he was doing well due to the bugs galore. I can’t fault him for not eating veggies and not devouring with honour that which we call prasadam, food blessed by brahmins. My little bat friend was preying on what’s natural for him.

As humans we have so many choices for food. I had a brief four-hours-stay in the guest house at Hyderabad. During that time I was asked to speak to the brahmachari monks from a Bhagavatam verse, Canto One. The interesting topic was about looking at emergency situations where meat consumption may be permitted. In general, under normal circumstances, we humans commit to satvic food, food in goodness. Ultimately the choice is yours.

Again, my friend, was following his natural aptitude, his dharma. And that’s why I call him my amigo. I was glad not to be alone, in fact, at that quiet hour on the veranda. I still wondered if he was the same fella of two years past.

The answer hangs in the air like a bat at night time. If it’s a new guy, then I have two friends now. The more the merrier. I hope to meet him tomorrow.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Montreal/London/Hyderabad

The Grand Poem

I just can’t resist sharing an offering sent on my birthday from a soul who loves walking.  Here is the poem entitled, “The Grand Beaver”:

THE GRAND BEAVER

In the great and natural North
Was a hill of sticks and logs
Nestled in the clearest pond
Created by a Beaver’s song
He, pure servant of the Gods

All were welcome to the lodge
And put to steady use
This Spirit Beaver glowing grand
Always lent a helping hand
And tail and foot and tooth

All who joined him found a home
And a window in the nest
That opened to another world
Where dancers sang and singers twirled
Where all were duly blessed

Grand Beaver on occasion made
His way both far and near
To share spirit ways of family
And what is truly enemy
And what is truly dear

Nearby a moose walked forest trails
Of bramble, switch and thorn
And came upon Grand Beaver glad
Who noticed that the moose was sad
Entangled and forlorn

Grand Beaver said, “Be less like Moose
And more like Caribou,
Alone you haven’t stamina
And even saintly brahmina
Must work within a crew”

The moose then bowed and acquiesced
To Beaver’s mystic call
And with Beaver’s flick of magic tail
Came cool winds and sparkling gale
Moose – no longer Moose at all!

Now Caribou who humbly knelt
Before Grand Beaver, prayed,
“Please help me to stay nearer you
And aid you in the work you do;
Let not my mind be swayed”

Grand Beaver lead Now Caribou
Back to the spirit lodge
And gave him many roles to play
Bright colours to the darkest grey
Expression’s camouflage

Grand Beaver knew Now Caribou
Occasionally would fail
And at those times
Forgave the crimes
And offered massive tail

To give Now Caribou a push
And all else who sought his charge
This tail that built
Ne’er based on guilt
But compassion in the large

Grand Beaver gave wise counsel
And Now Caribou could be
An Otter and a Beaver too
As long as there were things to do
And done so lovingly

There never was so grand a Beaver
As Grand Beaver solely was
Save for his much beloved master
Who saved the world from disaster
And moved all creatures to his cause

–          Written by Nitai Priya

May the Source be with you!

0 KM