Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Tenerife, Spain

No Trails But Devotion

Vacationers come here for the moderate temperatures.   The sun, the ocean, the clean air, the fancy shops, the night life.  It’s also not a bad place to reside in.  I find the trails to be fun, although, the southern part of the island is rather barren.  The volcanic matter that is dispersed everywhere is thrilling to a person who hails from the lowlands of central Canada. 

No, I didn’t hit any trails today, demands of time brought me to the downtown core where under a tennis court on a basement level is the local learning and devotional centre for ISKCON.  I lead some chanting and delivered a class on the importance of planning and how it is indeed integral to advancing in devotional life.  For breakfast, we had an old favourite for Krishna pioneers in the west, a prep called ‘utma’, veggies in a semolina base.  

The rest of the day was occupied in drama practice.  At downtime, the author of that delicious prep, Patita Pavana, told me of the miraculous work of one of my Cuban students.  She had a man who had been crippled for 20 years, walk again.  She actually healed him.  When I asked how it happened, he expressed she was a healer, used Reiki technique, and chanted mantras.  When I asked her personally about her healing abilities, she said, “I did nothing.  Power’s in the mantra.  I was a medium and all I did was enter into a mantra.  She began to recite the mantra that she was using, something that a number of us are familiar with. 

“Jaya Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Adwaita, Gadadhara, Srivas, Adi  Gaura Bhakta Vrinda“ .  No doubt love and concern was applied to the client.  She chanted these mantras.  The crippled man first experienced some convulsions and then walked out of his wheelchair, never to come back.

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Tenerife, Spain

Trek By Ocean

At the still dark hour, our small walking party had gone the way of a small port and beyond.  There we passed hippie homes made of leaf structures.  We trekked through a rocky coastal trail.  Young Balaram, who in the arms of his mom or dad (they shifted), also made it through the rough terrain.  Cacti will catch your cloth, as it did mine, so you trek the worn path with caution.

Tenerife is known for its excellent bananas, but along this trail, according to our guide, Patita Pavana, the orchards failed here, and so we’re left with what looks like ancient ruins which were actually territorial dividers. 

The sun broke through.  Before our swim (and it was Mohit’s first dip in an ocean ever) we had a serious sit down on sand.  There, our party of a dozen sang our standard gaudiya songs in honour of guru and Krishna.  I also spoke by way of a Kindle device on a verse from the book, ‘Bhagavatam’, on the allegorical tale of King Puranjana.  A brahmin comes to visit a grieving queen.  This brahmin represents the best friend, amigo.  Analogously, the friend also refers to the witness in the heart, the Paramatma.  Traditionally, yogis aspire to reach this stage of Paramatma perception.  We also discussed the role of guru in one’s life, in addition to the need to gain incredible focus to be successful in spiritual life. 

Our talk and swim terminated when at least two members of our party were to meet their job obligations.  We returned on the rustic and barren trail on this moderate morning of low 20’s Celsius.  And then careful of the clingy cacti.

Hours of the evening were taken up in our drama practice – preparation for the Chariot Festival to take place on Sunday.  We are having a blast.  A bhakti blast.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Tenerife, Spain

I’m In Spain

I’m in Spain, or to be more specific, in Tenerife, to meet students of mine from Cuba.  I will deliver some classes in the science of bhakti and also pull together some drama for the weekend Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival. 

In a resort area of Tenerife’s south coast, I’m accommodated in a quiet apartment across from the “Rhythm and Booze Pub”.  The twisty, windy streets are interesting from a walking perspective.  People are nice, “Hola” is how you address everyone, even tourists from Germany, Britain, and of course, Spain.  Residents in this area of Paraiso are posh and you’ll also find squatters at the beach nearby.  One devotee from Madrid suggested that these are gypsies who have set up camp. 

There are also Indian shop owners here.  I entered a boutique shop called “Shanta’s”.  The clerk is a man from Rajasthan, or that part of India where gypsies originally hailed from.  He was nice, a little surprised to see a Caucasian swami in his shop.  We talked.  It was his pleasure and mine. 

Prasadam (sanctified veggie food) is provided by Cuban born Julan Yatra, as well as the special maha prasadam, or remnants of the Krishna deity from the local ISKCON temple. 

In the walking that I pursued today, I also came upon a Tibetan temple.  I poked my head inside but did not enter.  I was content to just look.  A Spanish fellow said in a local language, something like, “You can enter at your own leisure.”  I indicated that, “Everything’s okay.”  He came back with a warm, and in American lingo, “Whatever!”

All is fresh and great for me in this one of seven islands known as the Canary Islands.  I stick by the maha mantra wherever I am.  As I walk I chant “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Dublin/Tenerife

Loosing Things

In the course of travel, as you may have experienced, you could lose something.  The last time I came to Ireland, indeed with the intent to walk it from Belfast to Cork, I misplaced an umbrella.  An umbrella is much needed in this greenish land.  It rains a lot.  I did accomplish the feat (on foot by the way).  This umbrella had sentimental value for me.  It was a gift that was handed to me by a First Nation’s person (a Native) in Cape Breton, Canada, during a rainfall while I was trekking.  It was particularly big, one of those golf course types.  In my forgetfulness, I left this token of kindness in the overhead compartment of the aircraft.  Regrets!  Oh well! 

I also lost my japa meditations beads in Havana.  They were actually stolen right from my person.  A young guy mistaking the pouch with beads in it to be a money bag, just ripped the pouch and beads right from around my neck and dashed off in a hurry.  I’ve had those beads in my possession since I became a monk in 1973.

That became a lesson in detachment of mind.  After a search for either the culprit, and/or beads, I just had to ‘let go’.  The beads were gone forever.  I hope the thief has made good use of them and has taken up mantra meditation.  That would be of some resolve.

Now, in the shuffle of luggage from Toronto to Dublin, and then to Tenerife, my luggage of robes and personals can’t be found.  It’s not hopeless, the luggage is retraceable.  Now, is there anything worse than losing such things?  Well, there is the consideration that if you lose your reputation or people take stabs at it, it can become very hurtful.  I take personal pride in being somewhat principled, and in being a monastic person with some decent character, though far from perfect.  When accused of promiscuities over the internet, of doing something that has no foundation whatsoever, it can be painful.  I won’t get too specific here.  I will bear the pain and invoke whatever compassion I can toward the accuser. 

In all circumstances, I would say a person should never lose a grip on dharma (duty), integrity and compassion.  Hold on to these for dear life. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM (Except for the walking within 3 airports.)

8 KM

Edmonton, Alberta

The Last

The last of the stops for the festival tour culminated in Edmonton.  The sky had been insistent on bucketing the water.  By noon, the dumping of yesterday converted to a spray which eventually depleted as our outdoor procession of the Chariot Festival was in progress. 

As remarked by more than one person, there was a remarkable focus on chanting and dancing.  The location or route was a little odd – through an industrial plaza strip area.  Perhaps it will take a little more time for us to prepare ourselves for hip Whyte Avenue for the future. 

One instance that pulled out of the sternness in me, and then later a chuckle, had to do with one of our young bus troupers.  Young Raj is from Texas.  He was in the procession like the rest of us.  He managed to grab a plate of prasad (sanctified food) and had a nibble at it.  Where one of the escorted police cars was parked along the way, Raj decided to place his food on the front hood of the car as he was fiddling with something.  The police officer was making his way back to his vehicle when I noticed the plate on the car.  I conveniently had a mic in my hand since I was the person responding to the lead singer in the procession.  I used the mic to alert Raj, I beckoned him towards me, “Raj!” who then picked up the plate and came to me.  I gave him a mild chiding and said, “You should never do that.  You don’t want to be disrespectful, do you?”  indicating that the police are our friends and are there to help us.

In innocence he said, “You mean I shouldn’t disrespect the prasad?”

“No, Raj, the police.”

Anyway, when it came to my few minutes on the stage once the chariot procession was over, I relayed the story to the crowd sitting before me.  They also had a good laugh.

Our day ended with an hour long chanting session on Whyte Avenue where the evening young folks hang out.  Kish, of the Mayapuris, lead the chant which had the support of three booming mrdanga drums.  I personally like the percussion, it gets people hopping.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Calgary, Alberta

A Monk’s Take on Family and Kids

“I would just like to see wholesome families become a part of the social fabric.”  This I expressed to a young devotee of Krishna who’s engaged to be married. 

It was the second time today that I had a conversation on the topic of marriage.  “New world with old values,” were our mutual thoughts.  “Many new experiments aren’t working,” said the thoughtful young man, without elaborating. 

Then I offered to say, “Chosen life partners must be good listeners towards each other.”

A second person whom I would deem as successful in his marriage of several years, told of a third child on the way, and that I played a major role in what will soon be a new arrival.  He explained that in my last visit I said something about how a good couple should consider many children.  “It would increase a finer percentage of humans,” that was the logic.  We know that is not always the case, yet my observation tells that dharmic couples can help the world with their procreation. 

This second person, also a pious person, asked me frankly, “What do you, a monk, think of people like me, a married man, caught up in the world of money?”

I was frank, “You’re doing great.”  I indicated, “Let’s populate the world with great offspring, kids with a good sense of right and wrong and who have a good drive.”  We rambled on as rain and wind continued to be a lame excuse for not trekking today. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Jasper, Alberta

Water

A herd of elk came into our purview, while ground squirrels (black tail prairie dog) poked their heads out of their holes, mostly to see what we could offer them in the form of food.  These creatures kept us company at the Marmot Meadows Campsite.  We also caught glimpse of a black bear who entertained tourists simply by his very presence.  European tourists just go nuts when they see Canadian wildlife, but they’re not the only ones.  Canadian city slickers also go into a frenzy clicking their cameras. 

It really was a day of wetness.  The boys tents and their contents; cots, blankets, pillows, clothes, got drenched.  It warranted a trip to the laundry mat.  The place was already full, but with our entrance, 25 or so wild young folks, I’m the oldest, the place was completely packed. 

In general, on a day of rain, or whether it be high winds, Indra dynamics becomes a reality.  Still, water was not enough to intimidate.  The big draw or attraction for the day for our bus crew was a swim and Radium Hot Springs, surprisingly done inside.  By day’s end my legs became antsy for something outdoor.  For a challenge I took to the downward road from mountain high down to the direction of Yellowhead Highway.  There in raingear I tread, dodging the hefty currents of water coming down as rivulets on the asphalt.

I took these waves of downward water as a tax by maya, illusion.  I was most alert, yet anything to avoid wet socks.  Surely my chanting was evermore sharp as opposed to the more casual approach taken when sitting on the front seat of our bus.  A small ounce of austerity or inconvenience imposed on the self always goes a long way to contributing to the life of a monastic.  It happens to occur right here on the road, once again. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Jasper, Alberta

Mountainous Beauty

I covered a mere few kilometres on foot before the trip to Jasper, with stops along the way to capture with the eyes, the mountainous beauty.  My hosts, Radha Madhava, Swasti, and daughters in Calgary, and I, drove along Highway 93. Any stops made along the way, whether washroom breaks or gassing up, gave me the opportunity to add a kilometre here and there.

One tourist pulled over and offered a ride wondering how I mystically moved so swiftly as he passed me by twice before.  He just got so curious.

At Athabasca River we ventured down a trail as did so many other tourists from every part of the world imaginable.  Nature here seemed to have carved out of the earth these cool grooves by glacial and water movement in what is described as a tug of war for territory between rock and water.  Along the trail a plaque is entitled ‘Battle Front’, with the following text:

Water fights the rock lip back a few millimetres a year.  Now, the water is winning, but the nature of the rock may one day force the water to abandon this channel and seek another route. 
 
At the site of the gushing falls, more text follows:

Here, in a fury of sound and spray, the power of roaring water and a trembling earth meet.  Echoes of timeless batter assault our senses. 
 
After reading and viewing the facts we carried on to Whistler’s Park, where the Krishna Culture Bus Tour vehicle was kept.  I hooked up again with our team only to engage in spiritual talks over campfire roasted veggie marshmallows.  Marshmallows are an ancient food of the Egyptians. 

All is good here.  You just have to watch where you step.  One of the boys accidentally stepped into a prairie dog hole and sprained the ankle.  Such are the forces of nature. 

May the Source be with you!

11 KM

Calgary, Alberta

Learning On The Trail

On the Rotary Mattamy Greenway, at the eastern reaches of Calgary, I took my early trek.  From two locations on the trail, I learned of wilderness struggle.  Firstly, on a slight divergence of the trail, by a batch of trees (where frankly, I released some water) I saw the remains of an ordeal.  It had more to do with a ruffling of feathers.  There, on this tiny forest floor, was a pile of actual feathers, likely what was left of some aerial battle between two birds.  It was not the down of a duck that I was looking at, or a crow; hard to tell really, but it was a scatter of life, nevertheless.  I could only imagine the pain of the feathery victim. 

Further on the trail, in fact very close to the Trans Canada Highway/Highway 1, there lies the relics of a fur animal, at least to me, it was evidence of another scuffle. 

I terminated the trail walk and ended at a newspaper box.   I pulled out a Metro newspaper, sat myself at a park bench, and read the feature article of a local Calgarian pit bull that was euthanized by officials.  He had attacked and killed a poodle.  Chaos was the name of the three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.  The article was an account of two dog owners walking their pets, their toothy encounter, and then the subsequent reactions from the owners.  All in all, the theme here was about the struggle within life, and the harshness that pervades in our world. 

Mmm… this gives me a topic to speak on at tonight’s sangha at the home where I’m staying, “Suffering!  Can it be overcome?”

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Vancouver, British Columbia

Decisions

A fairly spontaneous decision was made for me to fly to Vancouver, which I did yesterday.  The purpose?  It was not to participate in a walkathon.  Rather, it was decided that I meet with two monks, Gopal Krishna Goswami, and Hari Vilas (by virtue of service, he is practically a monk).  The three of us, not shunning administrator obligations, but sitting to discuss issues over our devotional community, was our topic of discussion. 

It would be nice to have the easy life of a roaming hermit, and not bother with ‘people’, however, our whole mission involves humans and offering them the more stress free material relieving lifestyle.  ‘People’ will always be on our agenda.  We serve and receive service from them.  Our role is to teach, mentor, coach, encourage.  The three of us had two sessions of meetings, one last evening and one this morning.  Prior to meeting, I naturally had to put in my kilometres, and also, in the planning of the day, work around our morning sadhana which begins at 4:30 AM.  After all, strength lies in sessions that are heart touching, and sadhana, when approached feelingly, opens up the chakra of the heart and prepares for dealing with people issues.

The three of us came out of our meeting room, satisfied with decisions made, knowing well that not all parties will be cent percent satisfied.  Compromise we must live with, otherwise, expect no hope. 

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Calgary/Vancouver

Moving Up

Usually the prairie is dry, yet this morning it was moist.  Some drizzle sprayed the sky during a portion of a 9 KM hike at Calgary’s east end.  It was my time to chant until I came to the home of Gaura Chandra when it was time to chat. 

Chat I did, and also at the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre, when reuniting with our bus tour group.  I spoke about the advantages of commitment, especially in regard to vows made by young Shyama Priya.  She is only 12, but made a firm conviction for the basic tenets of Vaishnava culture.  She put her values out for the ears of our community – no intoxication, no gambling, no meat eating and no casual sex.  These are tall orders to fulfill, but she has a good trying chance given her upbringing.  It is admirable that she takes this firm stance.  She also commits to mantra meditation for approximately 2 hours every day. 

Vows, when taken seriously, give power.  Vows that are taken casually, weaken.  No vows or no commitment means ‘no life’. 

I applaud Shyama Priya.  Her new name Shyamesvari. 

May the Source always be with her!

9 KM

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary Too

Calgary’s 8^th Avenue is the most promising thoroughfare for another chariot event.  Café sitters and people strolling about could hear a distant booming of the bhangra and mrdanga  drums.  At 12 sharp, high noon, coconuts were ceremoniously crashed to the pavement sending exploded juices in different directions before the oncoming march of people chanting Hare Krishna. 

I think anything ‘new’ bedazzles people.  It challenges monotony.

So, for two hours, our parade went straight on 8^th Avenue up to the armory, its usual route.  This then makes it a pilgrimage because of the nature of the event.  It is not a military march, a protest, or an aimless stroll.  This festival, known as Ratha Yatra, is a reenactment of Krishna’s consort, Radha, attempting to lure Krishna back to His home rural village of Vrindavan.  At least this is one aspect of the event. 

Hundreds came to partake in this walk, which to my guess is a simple 3 to 4 kilometre stretch.  My interpretation is an attempt to lure people away from their cars and get them on their feet.  This is good.  To me, Calgary seems to be a real car town, not so pedestrian prone, except for the trails along the Bow River.  This is where you find runners, walkers, and cyclers a plenty.

Meanwhile, all went well with the parade, and the truck pulled a flat bed wagon, on which I sat part of the way.  I am not getting lazy, it is on that wagon that the musicians sat churning out the mantra, along with a cheerful turbaned Punjabi man who tapped rhythmically on the two ends of his bhangra drum.   Outside of the chariot this guy looked the brightest. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Will Perpetuate

Rain has hit the prairies more than once, especially for farmers.  It also makes conditions very conducive for mosquito proliferation.  This is not everyone’s cup of tea.  Our bus’s front window gets plastered by the bugs.  The very faithful and dutiful, Dravanaksha, one of our chief drivers, pulled over the large heap of metal with precious cargo inside (22 nice teenage boys), and lathered with huge brush, water and soap, that expansive window, causing bountiful bodies of bugs to slide off.  It didn’t take long, though, before a new splatter of bugs replaced the old ones. 

Today, I squeezed in 4 kilometres through Willow Grove subdivision, walking with 14 year old Jay.  This was not at bug hour, but at midday.  Sun and wind were forceful, though.  Will anything be other than an onslaught in this world? 

At 5:30 PM, the first Chariot Festival for Saskatoon kicked off.  It was somewhat chaotic at the start, understandably so, and total order never really manifest, especially at our presentation time at the quaint Lakshmi Narayan temple.  The building was crammed, joyfully, by yogis, Hindus, new agers, and bhaktas or devotees of Krishna.  It was stuffy and seating was inadequate.  However, I am forever proud of what one devotional couple can do in mobilizing a whole crew of people in a town curious as to what The Festival of India, and and Indian chariot for that matter, would look like.  Kashyapa and Panchami organized this first event with lots of enthusiasm.  The numbers of people that showed up surprised us.  People liked what they saw and heard.  An improved venue should be on the prairie horizon in the future.  Once such a program begins, it is likely to perpetuate.  We thank donors and all who physically contributed to the event. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Regina, Saskatchewan

Shoe Happy

I’m really satisfied with my new pair of Keen shoes.  I picked them up from a shop on Danforth Street in Toronto.  The clerk charged no tax, perhaps he was charmed by a monk. 

I’ve had no issues with breaking into these shoes – no blisters or callouses.  They are snug on the feet, but are a trite heavier than Crocs.  For short term treks, such as the ones I’m currently going through, these shoes will be fine.  Time will tell. 

I’m in Regina.  Our bus parked at the Husky Gas Station at night on Victoria Ave. when I decided to make my way to the local ashram on Retallack Street.  These days, Regina and the province of Saskatchewan, are booming.  Natural resources had something to do with that.  Of course, it welcomes extra traffic.  Road madness hustled hustled along Victoria, which is where I happened to trek.  I had the fortune to walk a worn, unconventional trail where regular earth is as comfy for feet as asphalt is for tires.  I really was in awe at the insistence of road rage next to me.  I was glad when I finally reached the downtown which was quieter, and especially when a young oriental fellow asked about my assumed Buddhism.

“Actually, it’s Hare Krishna, with roots from India, and which also outdates Buddhism.”  He gave a nod and then dashed off to cross the street and off to work, I assumed. 

Our ashram in Regina is not in the best neighbourhood.  When I asked some folks where the nearest drug store is and where I could get a particular prescription drug, everyone seems to know where legal drugs are located, and perhaps, the other kind as well.

Our bus tour group went on to do a performance once again – chanting, magic show with Dattatreya, and our drama, “Little Big Ramayan”.  What a feel good program.  That’s what this is all about, it is about community strengthening and reinforcement, that our little travelling road show offers.  It is also effective as outreach.  Newcomers have something experiential.  I’m sure guru and Krishna are pleased.  Our show was all done in barefoot, though, no shoes required. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

In All You Do

The Unitarian Church just off of the Assiniboine River became the venue for our evening devotional show.  It’s an impressive place.  Limestone blocks give it that stately look.  Roger, a member of the church, and our ‘on-site man’, was there to assist us in our preparation.  He is just the right kind of guy for the job.

I see the devotion, bhakti, in him.  I don’t believe that one group of spiritualists, even our own Krishna movement, has a monopoly on it.  I will say that these common ground feelings run through my veins being in the presence of Roger and in such a sacred space.

When we say, “Krishna is everywhere”, just as someone might say, “Brahman is everywhere,” “God is everywhere,” “Divinity is everywhere,” what really is the difference in terms of perception? 

Preparation for the evening program all culminated in a great show with an appreciative audience.  The space and acoustics were great, as was the layout of the building’s interior. 

Some temples I visit are cluttered with mismatched furniture and paraphernalia.  This place was tastefully done with its placement of things.  Perhaps the attendees felt the space to be cared for and that was one of the reasons for the joy they felt this evening. 

Devotion can be applied in all facets of life.  It is not limited to how you execute some rituals, or how you put out your mantra.  It is an implementation in all you do.  Check 9.27 from the Bhagavad Gita. 

May the Source be with you!

2 KM

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Beyond Liberation

My friend, Gaura, and I, took a short trek under the spit of rain in Toronto.  Not ignoring the dripping trees, we noticed a black cherry tree.  Again, this is right in our neighbourhood where such juicy bounties can be found just hanging right there.  Strange that humans generally take so little interest in what is so natural and so ‘under your nose’.  So be it.  Leave the organic stuff for the squirrel, the raccoon, or the odd monk, and let humans access the GMO’d commercial bought, what we call, ‘food’. 

Not long after black cherries darkened the lips, Gaura and I returned to the temple ashram and sat for a Bhagavatam class conducted by Kaliyapani, a long time devotee from the UK, reminding all those attending that the goal of life is liberation, freedom from ongoing births in this world.  The class was well delivered.

Those of us who have routined ourselves to devotional activities for some years now, put a life of bhakti, devotion, above liberation itself.  Just to give an example of what I’m talking about, when I arrived at Thunder Bay for its annual Festival of India, I came to this realization regarding liberation.  What did I see there at Marina Park off of Lake Superior?  I saw crowds of happy people, about 6,000, engrossed in spiritual culture.  The food, the dance, music, pretty clothes (very colourful), incense, spiritual books, popcorn, lemonade and ice cream were all featured.  Thunder Bay bursts with bhakti this time of year, and my great fortune to be here serving others by simply giving the message of Krishna Consciousness, allows me to touch the tip of liberation, or better still, to ride on its back.  Freedom truly comes from serving and telling others of a better life that is alien to that mundane greedy existence of our modern world. 

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Not Much But So Much

Not much to say other than the event.  The 42^nd Annual Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival was a smashing event.  I saw all kinds of people come out of the woodwork, so to speak, at the Yonge Street procession, as well as Centre Island where crowds were enjoying good clean fun.  As pointed out in the past, no drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex, and at the same time having a blast, is practically unheard of in this day and age. 

That’s what happened!

May the Source be with you!

10 KM

Toronto, Ontario

High Point

Monks have come, sannyasis by the name of Gopal Krishna, Bhakti Raghava, Chandramauli, and Janardan.  Lay members have arrived, some who are family members, some who are singles.  There are the elderly, the very young, children and babies, and adolescents that have made their way to 243 Avenue Road for the warm-up session leading to this year’s Chariot Festival.

I am referring to a 12 hour kirtan, a chanting marathon.  These folks have come from far and wide, cities from locations in primarily North America are represented.  The vibes are great.  I was given the honour to kick start the function.  I was fortunate to have our boys from the Krishna Culture Bus Tour all around me.  The well known kirtan icon, Madhava, was there to support with his voice while Phil Lussier, who so expertly adjusts to any of my tune switching, was fingering on the harmonium. 

Throught the day, mantras were resounding.  I would call our building nothing less than a busy anthill or beehive.  By evening, the high point reached during Madhava’s lead – a crescendo of sound, of movement, of smells, and finally, the fire of digestion. 

Anyone who was there at those lofty moments could appreciate the words of the Bhagavad Gita, “The Higher Taste”.

May the Source be with you!

10 KM

Owen Sound, Ontario More Of It!   The passengers aboard the Krishna Culture Bus Tour very informally gauge the best meal on the trip so far.  ISKCON’s Montreal centre number one for the best lunch but it is Owen Sound’s Rajesh …

Owen Sound, Ontario Fun!  Today’s temperature escalated only to 17 degrees Celsius, not too impressive as beach weather, although it was sunny.  The boys are really anticipating the glory of Sauble Beach.  We all settled for an…

Owen Sound, Ontario Boys from Men I walked to the old Mudtown pottery building wherein lives one of my support persons from CanWalk 3.  Garuda Vahan is residing in this unique place overlooking Georgian Bay.  He is a happy pensioner…

Toronto, Ontario From Big to Little City The annual visit from the group Encounter happened today.  Putting into practice their purpose, as the name implies, the organization arranges to connect with others, particularly faith groups of …

Montreal, Quebec Shades in Montreal   Curvy stairs, cigarette butts, gray cats, plantain greens, well-worn sidewalks, and trees of optimum shades, with three and four-storied European-touch residences are what we saw in our brief tr…

Montreal, Quebec Streets and Parks  I’m not sure that ‘craving’ is the right word to describe what my two walking companions are feeling.  After a full day at Jeanne Mance Park at the base of Mount Royal between mingling with people…

Toronto, Ontario Community  “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.  I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, …

Toronto, Ontario

Reflections Of

In my afternoon stroll, a break from desk work, the most prominent and endearing thoughts and words of that walk with Patrick, I thought I would share. 

·         Gratitude for the unpaved trails in the city.
·         Let’s keep in the shade as much as possible on this steamy day.
·         There are hundreds of berry trees in this city, Saskatoons and mulberries, ripe and ready, and we sample them.
·         People are darned friendly on the trail.  The green brings out the best.
·         Thoughts of gratitude for Daruka and Karuna who were with me in the just completed 4 th walk across Canada.
·         A  park bench so inviting that can lead to a 7 minute lie down while Patrick chanted some mantras.
·         I have hardly a clue what’s going on socially and politically in the world due to being away from it all – walking.  No regrets – in fact, ignorance is bliss.
·         I find myself fortunate when occupied in soft chanting.  Others on this trail don’t have this experience.
·         Upon seeing me, a runner offers pranams (palms together). This I accept on behalf of guru.  I reciprocate with his gesture on the same point.
·         Patrick’s joke:  What did the one cannibal say to the other when he showed up late for dinner?  Answer – Everyone’s eaten. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Ottawa, Ontario

Chanting in Freedom

Perhaps for a good square mile or two, around the Parliament Buildings, it becomes like China, very congested.  It’s not normally this way.  It’s the nation’s birthday, and so you have a convergence of people in on the celebration.

For a different spin on walking and chanting, Karuna and I, who are accustomed to switch-backing in the mountainous roads of British Columbia for the last month, now found ourselves in an urban setting weaving through people.  Our destination was a spot near Parliament, an allocated area for our kirtan (chanting) set up.  Each year our boys from Ottawa make it to this cozy outside place at 5 AM to set up a mini stage, awnings, and sound system. 

Slowly, Karuna and I, managed our way to that special site, after meandering through people outside and inside; through the Rideau Shopping Mall, through Sears Department Store and so on.   Through the crowds and through the noise (mostly happy noise), pass the buskers, with their acrobats, fire eating and whatnot, and past the multiple musicians of various genres, we attempted transcendence with our mantras, as we worked our fingers through our mala beads.  It was crazy as we cruised.

Finally, we reached our destination and I ascended the stage for leading the song on this Canada Day:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

People danced as our drums, both mrdanga and djembe, rolled.  It was very fitting.  We were expressing who we are and we were celebrating the freedom to do so.   When I wasn’t chanting, I had an opportunity to meet people.  I met folks from Iran and Iraq (now emigrated).  They are baffled by this freedom. 

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Ottawa, Ontario

The Microphone and Camera

The microphone and camera were right there, in front of me.  The interviewer asked how I made out on the flight from Vancouver.  Serious problems arose from the hydraulics on Air Canada. 

I answered, “Everything was quite calm.  The pilot was updating the passengers in a very reassuring tone.”

Question, “How did you react when you were informed about the mechanical difficulties?”

“It gave me the opportunity to be more meditative, to chant more mantras for protection.”

Question, “What are you doing in Ottawa?”

“I came  to visit to participate in the Canada Day festivities along with the Krishna community here.”

Question, “Is it good to have your feet back on the ground?”

“Yes, I just completed my fourth walk across Canada, and so I’m very much a man of the ground.”

Interviewer, “Thank you very much.”

“Thank you, and enjoy the day to come.”

This night I couldn’t sleep, not until 2 AM.  The reason – I hadn’t walked today.  I wasn’t tired enough.  This night (I found out later) the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) aired the interview on the 11 PM news. 

During my attempt to sleep, I decided to phone Dana, my friend, who has covered over 18,000 km on foot over the Trans Canada Trail.  His spirit is always up, even though he just recovered from a case of Beaver Fever in the hospital.  It was great to share with him, once again, over the phone, the joys of walking. 

I miss the road, and the people.  Don’t let your spirits get you down, ever.  I think of my guru in this regard. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Burnaby, British Columbia Not the End  It was a few minutes after 4 that I woke up for the last leg of the Fourth walk across Canada.  I woke up Karuna who like a real trooper is habituated to morning trekking.  I let Daruka sl…

Surrey, British Columbia Walk, Drive, Dance  Karuna and I started from Pitt Meadows.  Led in his hand with a Rogers Samsung phone, Karuna had navigated us through pedestrian-friendly streets.  The day began with drizzle from th…

Harrison Mills, British Columbia

Start of the Valley

It was breakfast time.  We were breakfast.  Mosquitoes were out in full force and Karuna and I were the natural target.  There were no other humans visible to take on in the out of doors along the highway.  We survived, even though deprived of our Burt’s Bees herbal insect repellant. 

In the Fraser Valley, temperatures were in the low 30 Celcius, quite hot for continued walking.  At break time, one god brother (classmate of the same guru) had invited us for lunch.  He goes by the name of Tota Gopinatha; he resides in Chilliwack and has a heroic history.  He became a Krishna monk at age 15.  Eventually he got married and ended up working in the Ministry of Children and Family.  He managed to reach success, even on a grade 6 education, in helping orphans and abused children.  Even though he left monastic life years ago, he maintains a strict level of sadhana (internal exercise) which includes mantra meditation.  He cooks up a great veggie meal for our small Canwalk team.  We were grateful for his blissful company along with his wife, Paulette.

From Tota’s home, we ventured by car to West Star Auto, managed by Tulsi, origins, Mauritius.  He called the local media, Greg from the local paper.  He also called in all of his staff.

“Meet the Walking Monk who can tell you the purpose of life,” he said as I walked in.  Tulsi’s style is curt and cute at the same time, “Take this Gita, read chapter 2.  We are not these bodies.  Learn how to get out of the cycle of birth and death.  The monk will tell you.”

It was instant friendship with his open-minded staff.  The final piece of glory that crowned this day when a couple of Krishna devotees from Vancouver tracked me down to walk some kilometres for the evening shift.  In fact, I was greeted by one of them playing Highlander bagpipes.

May the Source be with you!

36 KM

Hope, British Columbia

Metaphor on Life

So many artists and poet have sung and written about the travel on the road as a metaphor on life.  You hit low points and valleys and high points and elevation.  You also see the road as a link to destinations where experiences take place.  In many of these places, there’s so little distinction, however, the only difference is in the name.

On the road or the trail there are so many enlightening moments, and sometimes sad ones, as in collision.  God forbid, but it does happen.  Lots of thought processing goes on in the mind of travellers as they are in motion.  For a walker, there’s no exception.  And also in the case of Karuna Sindhu and I who endeavour to keep a spiritual focus.

For the first four hours, he and I met with our first rain in a long time, until we reached the town of Hope.  From there I took solo to Highway 7 and to a distinctive natured culture, the Fraser River Valley.  Motorists along the way were super and friendly.  One trucker saw me earlier on and knowing he would see me further down the road on his return, pulled over, came out of his cab, presented some cold water and a bag of almonds.  He wasn’t much interested in my story or mission, he just wanted to give, to serve someone.  What a big heart.  And special thanks goes to Jiva and Jaya Sri for their gracious company and accommodation in Chilliwack.

May the Source be with you!

36 KM

Speaking to a parenting group at the Ashnola Indian Reserve

Hope Slide, British Columbia

Make a Friend

The Kootenay Mountains are way behind us for now.  I had been walking a new mountain range as of very recently – The Cascades.  Every ecosystem of these mountain ranges seems to carry some uniqueness.  The unique feature of where I tread today was the strong presence of different wild flowers.  The rhododendrons really stand out.  The ponderosa pine had for me become conspicuous by its absence.  Everything here is very green.  The Similkameen River had been my amigo for several days.  Now it’s departed and it’s replaced by other streams. 

It was fun to experience the companionship of crows.  It almost seemed that around every other bend in the road, a pair of them (Heckle and Jeckle) would seem to be waiting, watching and squawking.  They would buzz around a bit before taking flight off in some direction, perhaps for the next traveller.  It was my last full day on the Crowsnest Pass.  Perhaps these black feathered dudes were expressing parting words. 

And of humans?  Much interaction.  An older man from France came cycling up a steep hill on destination to the Atlantic.  A biker by the name of Pete bombed up and down the highway passing me by several times, until finally he just had to stop and ask, “What are you doing?”  A couple, Ruth and Paul, were driving, then stopped to find out what my mission is all about.  Corey, a female trucker, blew a tire going eastward on the Crowsnest Pass.  She was stuck on the highway, and was also stuck talking to me about the virtues of walking and spirituality.  It was mutual gain.  Flat tires are often times opportunities for opening up new friendship. 

Friendship is a major component of spiritual life.  If we look at the life of Krishna, He had so many friends.  So make a friend, go for a walk. 

May the Source be with you!

40 KM