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Sunday, July 10th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk

Sunday, July 10^th, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

What Hurts the Heart…

I was asked to deliver a message from the book Bhagavatam as a component to the morning sadhana (spiritual work-out). Families came to listen from the First Canto of the book. The verse had much to say about heart-cleansing. Our hearts have blockages that are described as knots. Then the purport to the verse, explained by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, addressed what the one major knot is. In Sanskrit it is referred to as ahankara. Ahankara means ego.

Most of us are aware of ego. We all have it and we are all rather good at holding it in place.

In any event, the ego hurts the heart. It is like some illness that you have. You cannot understand the source of the malady, only the symptoms.

We had a beautiful discussion on this subject. Then I got to thinking “That’s what I’m doing almost every day while walking and chanting.” These two functions alone help towards eradicating ego. Although I enjoy both activities, I will admit that they don’t necessarily offer adrenalin effects. No rush. I do, however, see and feel the power they wield, and how it’s all good for taming the mind through which the ego channels itself.

This is one of those unfortunate days where I did not walk, but some funds were raised over the last two days, for promoting our walking (and chanting) cause.

May the Source be with you!

0 miles

Saturday, July 9th, 2016
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Saturday, July 9^th, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

More News

Taking another one of those breaks became another reality today, as my trusted team, including Gopal and Uttama, drove north to Minneapolis for a speaking engagement on “Tales from Trails.” Seventy to eighty people showed up. These talks also assist us financially towards the walking cause. Donations came our way.

Before it becomes forgotten, I will happily report another newspaper reporting, this time from the Chicago Tribune News, author Urvashi Verma.

Chicago, Il: Bhaktimarga Swami, a 63 year old Canadian born monk has embarked on a transnational walk of 3,000 miles across the United States from New York City to San Francisco to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the coming of the Hare Krishna Tradition to the West and to promote a more green style of living in America.

Swami who has arrived in Chicago, IL on June 11 has traversed open plains, highways, and landmarks. For the general public, Bhaktimarga Swami is best known as "the walking monk". To share his message of peace and gratitude he has already crossed Canada four times covering over 17,000 miles on foot.

The Swami is walking to draw attention to the contributions of his own spiritual teacher, or guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada arrived in the USA 50 years ago, on September 17, 1965. He came practically penniless from India at the age of 70 on the order of his teacher to promote God consciousness, or devotional bhakti-yoga, to the English-speaking world.

"In the broader sense I'm walking to honor all our teachers," Swami says. "Our teachers open the doors to the world for us, and to other worlds as well. I hope to remind us all how grateful we should be to those who give us knowledge, especially knowledge about our inner potential,” he says.

Each day Swami, donned in monastic orange garb and his favorite crocs he walks 20 miles each day along path chartered by his companion assistant Gopala and returns to the same spot where he left the next day to complete another 20 miles.

"Generally it takes about 10 to 12 hours to complete the days walk, because often we have to start from the same spot where we left last day, and many times we get up by 3:30 AM to be able to back to the location where we left off. On the way we find accommodation is spiritual places and often have meetings with others on the path of spirituality. The time it takes to complete the 20 miles is not important what is important is make sure that you take every step," shared Swami in an interview with Desi Talk Chicago.

(Bhaktimarga) Swami, whose name coincidentally means the "path of devotion," took up the monastic lifestyle at the young age of 20 and since then has dedicated his life to teaching of spiritual knowledge and devotional arts and theater.

“I knew was meant for sanyaas, (monastic life) even at a very young age, and I always knew deep inside that I had already fulfilled my worldly commitments in my past life and that for me this life was supposed to spiritual," said Swami.

Swami who has traversed more than 1,000 miles in the US so far made his first walk across Canada in 1996. Since then he has walked across the world's second largest country four times going both east to west, and west to east and has also trekked across Ireland, the Fiji Islands, Mauritius, Trinidad, Guyana, Israel, and other countries.

"More relevant that the distances covered are the people I encountered," Swami says. He reflects on his experiences and adventures in his daily blog, which he calls "Tales from Trails." Sometimes we meet the kindest people who provide us food and shelter, we have enlightening conversations about Krishna consciousness, and most are very intrigued for the reasons of the walk."

Traveling on foot is a common practice in various spiritual traditions, and the walking monk believes that it's an effective way to reach out and communicate the importance of morality and ethical priorities.

Swami says that when you walk, "You learn to take it all in. The heat, the wind, the rain, the traffic, the cold, the black flies, the mosquitoes, the public attention or none. With all of that you learn detachment from externals and how to go within to be happy."

Thank you, Urvashi, for the article.

May the Source be with you!

0 miles

Friday, July 8th, 2016
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Friday, July 8^th, 2016

Hills, Iowa

Motorists Respond

The public is responding to today’s article in The Muscatine Journal, entitled “The Walking Monk,” and subtitled “Traversing the U.S. on foot.” It was written by Emily Wenger.

MUSCATINE, Iowa— Bhaktimarga Swami, also known as "The Walking Monk," passed through Muscatine on Thursday as part of his walk across the U.S.

The 63-year-old Swami hopes to encourage people to connect with their spirituality through walking.

He began his trek in New York City and plans to finish his journey in San Francisco in the summer of 2017 after taking a break during the winter months. He timed the end of the walk to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love.

Although his entry into Muscatine Thursday was greeted with rain, everything around him, Bhaktimarga Swami said, reminds him of his spirituality.

"So when you're outside walking seven hours a day on average you can't help but see the spiritual things that creep up around you, the rain has a message to tell you," he said, "Davenport to Muscatine has been one of the most beautiful days."

While walking to Muscatine on Highway 22, Bhaktimarga Swami said he encountered a curious police officer, and people who have offered him rides along the way. In those interactions, he said, he has seen the kindness the Midwest has to offer.

"The people have been very kind, mostly I would say, with offering rides. And then I have to disappoint them and say I can't cheat," he said.

The Swami became a monk in 1973, and said the introspective walks he has been taking for 20 years are a way to raise spiritual awareness.

"It's my calling," he said.

What Bhaktimarga Swami has noticed most is the kindness from people along the way. While traversing the U.S., he said he has had a place to sleep every night.

"The people are phenomenal, they have been really kind," he said.

Every day Bhaktimarga Swami walks around 20 miles, sometimes beginning as early as 3 a.m. to avoid the worst heat of the day. He has friends who follow him, and occasionally check in.

"He checks in sometimes just to make sure I'm still alive," Swami laughed.

He also takes occasional detours from his walks, to drive to a nearby temple to speak, but he always begins where he left off.

The Swami has crossed his home country of Canada three times (actually it’s four), and he said the Iowa cornfields remind him of home.

"The cornfields are what I grew up with," he said.

Cars have caused a disconnect among people, Swami said. Returning to walking allows personal connections to form.

"The automobile is cold, you don't really see each other," he said.

He hopes that the universal understanding about walking will help raise people's spiritual awareness.

"It is a kind of non-denominational approach to spirituality," he said.

The Swami is an instructor of bhakti yoga. Bhakti means "devotion," and he said the objective of yoga is connection with the divine.

"It's a very old traditional practice that has roots in India and like the Mississippi it flows through all people, countries, nations, and races," he said.

He is also a director and playwright of "morality stories" based on ancient Indian epics, which he said are a spiritual outlet for his creativity. Bhaktimarga Swami said walking across countries sometimes reminds him of these plays.

"When you put your feet right on the ground and you meet everybody and you see the way their hair blows, you see the skin color, you see the face of the individual whatever it may be, grumpy or cheerful, that's like having a drama in itself," he said.

That drama crosses boundaries of religion, and Bhaktimarga Swami said that while appreciating differences, the unity of people is most important.

"The diversity is beautiful but we really have to look at is the oneness factor," he said.

While moving across the country, Bhaktimarga Swami hopes to remind people of the need for human connection.

"The intent is to try to encourage people to slow down the pace of life and get connected to their soul," he said.

Beth Van Zandt took a photo whose caption reads. “It’s not every day you see a monk walking down the street of Muscatine, but, Bhaktimarga Swami of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, walks along Cedar Street Thursday in Muscatine as he treks across the United States, walking from New York City to San Francisco. He is a member of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness and has walked across Canada three times.”

May the Source be with you!

16 miles

“Traversing the U.S. on foot.” Emily Wenger: MUSCATINE, Iowa—…
→ Dandavats

“Traversing the U.S. on foot.”
Emily Wenger: MUSCATINE, Iowa— Bhaktimarga Swami, also known as “The Walking Monk,” passed through Muscatine on Thursday as part of his walk across the U.S.
The 63-year-old Swami hopes to encourage people to connect with their spirituality through walking.
He began his trek in New York City and plans to finish his journey in San Francisco in the summer of 2017 after taking a break during the winter months. He timed the end of the walk to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love.
Although his entry into Muscatine Thursday was greeted with rain, everything around him, Bhaktimarga Swami said, reminds him of his spirituality.
“So when you’re outside walking seven hours a day on average you can’t help but see the spiritual things that creep up around you, the rain has a message to tell you,” he said, “Davenport to Muscatine has been one of the most beautiful days.”
While walking to Muscatine on Highway 22, Bhaktimarga Swami said he encountered a curious police officer, and people who have offered him rides along the way. In those interactions, he said, he has seen the kindness the Midwest has to offer.
“The people have been very kind, mostly I would say, with offering rides. And then I have to disappoint them and say I can’t cheat,” he said.
The Swami became a monk in 1973, and said the introspective walks he has been taking for 20 years are a way to raise spiritual awareness.
“It’s my calling,” he said.
What Bhaktimarga Swami has noticed most is the kindness from people along the way. While traversing the U.S., he said he has had a place to sleep every night.
“The people are phenomenal, they have been really kind,” he said.
Every day Bhaktimarga Swami walks around 20 miles, sometimes beginning as early as 3 a.m. to avoid the worst heat of the day. He has friends who follow him, and occasionally check in.
“He checks in sometimes just to make sure I’m still alive,” Swami laughed.
He also takes occasional detours from his walks, to drive to a nearby temple to speak, but he always begins where he left off.
The Swami has crossed his home country of Canada three times (actually it’s four), and he said the Iowa cornfields remind him of home.
“The cornfields are what I grew up with,” he said.
Cars have caused a disconnect among people, Swami said. Returning to walking allows personal connections to form.
“The automobile is cold, you don’t really see each other,” he said.
He hopes that the universal understanding about walking will help raise people’s spiritual awareness.
“It is a kind of non-denominational approach to spirituality,” he said.
The Swami is an instructor of bhakti yoga. Bhakti means “devotion,” and he said the objective of yoga is connection with the divine.
“It’s a very old traditional practice that has roots in India and like the Mississippi it flows through all people, countries, nations, and races,” he said.
He is also a director and playwright of “morality stories” based on ancient Indian epics, which he said are a spiritual outlet for his creativity. Bhaktimarga Swami said walking across countries sometimes reminds him of these plays.
“When you put your feet right on the ground and you meet everybody and you see the way their hair blows, you see the skin color, you see the face of the individual whatever it may be, grumpy or cheerful, that’s like having a drama in itself,” he said.
That drama crosses boundaries of religion, and Bhaktimarga Swami said that while appreciating differences, the unity of people is most important.
“The diversity is beautiful but we really have to look at is the oneness factor,” he said.
While moving across the country, Bhaktimarga Swami hopes to remind people of the need for human connection.
“The intent is to try to encourage people to slow down the pace of life and get connected to their soul,” he said.
Beth Van Zandt took a photo whose caption reads. “It’s not every day you see a monk walking down the street of Muscatine, but, Bhaktimarga Swami of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, walks along Cedar Street Thursday in Muscatine as he treks across the United States, walking from New York City to San Francisco. He is a member of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness and has walked across Canada three times.”
May the Source be with you!