H.G. Akruranath Prabhu (ACBSP)_SB-10.30.4_25.01.2023
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Tuesday, January 24th, 2023
Yorkville, Toronto
People often get the notion that when you speak about anything to do with India there are lots of gods involved, referred to often as demigods. In our Zoom ‘Gita Chat’ today, our group came upon chapter four where Krishna discourages the worship of demigods regarding such practice as less intelligent. And the reason is the benefits do come from flattering empowered-by-God devatas or demigods; however, they are materialistic endeavours and therefore, the results are temporary.
Except for Billy from Philly and I, the room where we held our discussion was occupied by young folks of a Southeast Asian background; in other words, those whose ancestors honoured demigods as much as they do worship Krishna. It was good to hear them and see them relishing the talks about demigods and getting things clarified.
Apparently, there are 33 million of such gods in the universe, which is just shy of 4 million, which reaches the Canadian population of 37 million.
In any event, our focus is the one God. God is One but can also manifest as many. Jamie from Quebec City inquired about the position of Radha, “Is She also God?” The answer is yes, but more specifically, She is Krishna’s divine potency, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
After the chat, Nikhil, Vyenkathesh, and I went for that walk through Yorkville. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of what I perceive as the god, Vayu, the wind god. It was there, this sculpture piece in a window display. It’s beautiful.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Sunday, January 22rd, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
Morning meditation began at the ISKCON centre at 212 Somerset E. located in the heart of student land for Ottawa U. Included in these contemplations and mantras was a discussion over a Bhagavatam verse from Canto 4 where the renowned sage, Narada, counsels Dhruva, a young 5-year-old attempting meditation. Narada advises the young student to approach three different kinds of people from respective angles. To experienced souls, one should offer respect and listen. For the younger and inexperienced, offer encouragement and direction. For equals, offer comradery. Bond like anything.
I’m not sure that Ottawa U. students have embraced these ideas. In the current pop culture, it is more about peerism and the other two types of people are marginalized. Too bad!
Alex, Roman, and I went to the snow adventure which entailed walking in it. We took to the trail along the Rideau Canal, then to the Parliament where there’s a big dig renovation (price of 1 billion dollars), onto the bridge to Gatineau, Quebec, along the Ottawa River, then Alexandra Bridge and back. It all tallied up to 9 kilometres. Not bad!
At 3 pm the Sunday Open House begins at ISKCON. Our discussions involved the cornerstone or foundational values of the Gita. I was amazed by the brilliant response from mostly students. Very good!
Through massive flakes of snow coming sideways, we drove westerly to Gananoque at the Inn. There, Roman, Vya, and I indulged in fantastic prasadam prepared by the Inn keepers. Delicious!
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Friday, January 20th, 2023
Brampton, Ontario
Nanda took Nikhil and I for a walk at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton. Also, I went to the dentist. The not-good-news is the bridge of my teeth is cracked and needs replacing.
The following is a poem about some of the history of mistreatment of the female sector in the movement. There is an attempt to rectify.
GENDER BLENDER
Early 70s, the Hare Krishna Movement
North America enjoyed a great recruitment
We were a growing, glowing family
A blessed bunch existing happily
Prabhupada’s “boys and girls” flourished
Under his mercy we were nourished
The temple room was a divided place
Both genders occupied equal space
Both dhotis and sarees were there at prayer
And basically duties were a joyful share
From puja to cooking, chanting, books, fundraising
The focus was Krishna receiving the praising
Then something took us all by surprise
A storm came–blurred vision–blocked eyes
An insidious force attempted a major divide
Many members were forced to take sides
Women were marginalized, family men too
It was horrible and evolved as a nasty feud
Our father was alerted to the problem
Daughters being bullied becoming quite common
Protective as he was, he put his foot down
The vilifiers practically had to leave town
Justice done but we never recovered
An attitude pervaded, offending our mothers
They surrendered their lives just like their bros
Giving their everything, they cannot be foes
June 1976, The Hare Krishna Movement
In many areas there was growth, improvement
In Toronto Professor O’Connell had inquired
About female gurus who are so inspired
Prabhupada’s response was “yes”, “some” – approved!
Current leaders approved, then the “yes” was removed
I reflect on this continued bout, lump in throat
Restricting such talent makes bhakti quite remote
Encouragement has always been a major component
In our tradition of love without the label ‘opponent’
Where I live in the male-bashing fatherless west
It registers as hurtful when fine masculine values are lost
Do we want to leave a history of the gender reverse
Where cultural sensitivity was thrown in a hearse?
Let us submit to a wiser and kinder inclusion
Unity and diversity is an absolute conclusion
–By Bhaktimarga Swami
May the Source be with you!
Thursday, January 19th, 2023
243 Avenue Road, Toronto
“Rsabhadeva told his sons: My dear boys, of all the living entities who have accepted material bodies in this world, one who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for sense gratification which is available even for dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should engage in the penance and austerity to attain the diving position of devotional service. By such activity, one’s heart is purified, and when one attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful life, which is transcendental to material happiness, and which continues forever.”
The above verse is one of the more prominent verses from the book Bhagavatam. This is the verse that I spoke from today. It carries a common theme–you are a human, so you should cultivate your spirituality. This is something we are obliged to follow.
Work hard! Yes, but for Krishna, not necessarily for sense gratification. That becomes a waste of time. We have only a few years before us, so let’s not squander away valuable hours. It is highly worth the endeavour when you consider the benefit–endless love with Krishna, happiness, eternal life.
I was blessed with delivering two more classes, the 14th chapter of the Gita–an intro to the three modes of material nature.
Then at 8 pm I was involved in a podcast from Utah. Jennifer Lee and Shannon Rogers host “The Calling” and so for an hour I was interviewed on the topic of a monk’s life and his walking. The talk included highway bullies and an attack by a ghost–features from my book, The Saffron Path.
May the Source be with you!
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023
Yorkville, Toronto
UNITY AND DIVERSITY
A letter was dispatched in 1973
Meant for leaders, the you and me
Penned by our dear His Divine Grace
Of the concept he willed us to embrace
It was 50 years ago that his message came through
Very thematic to the belief of Mahaprabhu
One that Krishna taught in chapter 9
Of His presence and absence both at the same time
The topic was one of unity and diversity
And how to apply it to country and city
To our daily life and to our every moment
All along it's been there but we were dormant
Like a tree of one trunk that's many branched
Like a rainbow of many colours, all arched
Like clay of one substance to make many pots
Like a line that's linked by so many dots
This oneness and difference has such a great appeal
Of inclusive variants, something we should seal
It basically says, "unity without uniformity"
And, "no fragmentation in diversity"
We agree to sometimes disagree
That's okay, the way it should be
You have gopi left and gopi right
Two wings put a bird to flight
ISKCON is dynamic, a culture of depth
Inconceivable is the word we are left
A united nations of the spiritual world
Through discussion its secret will unfurl
Let's explore the U in unity
–By Bhaktimarga Swami
Monday, January 16th, 2023
Yorkville, Toronto
Nikil became my walking partner in 0° weather. I mentioned to him on the is four kilometre walk that I will focus mainly on chanting japa apart from moving the legs. During our short less-than-an-hour trek we became distracted when we became somewhat interrupted.
While on Bloor Street at this evening hour about 9 pm, a woman passed us who was very scantily clad and I couldn’t resist from saying to Nikil, “That woman who just went by us is so inspiring.” Of course, I was being facetious. “She was so unprotected from the elements, showing us detachment from the world.”
Nikil smiled.
We turned a corner and entered into trendy Yorkville. A man in a high-end vehicle noticed NIkil and I. He rolled down his window, stopped his car and smiled saying, “Hare Krishna. It’s been a while.” Frankly, I don’t remember him but went along with the conscious moment with some additional chat. I remarked to Nikil once the motorist moved on that he stopped to say something recognizing not only that we were bundled up in winter attire but were in devotional garb. I was making a point about dressing to be noticed on behalf of Krishna.
We then took a side street of Victorian homes. In one front yard sectioned off by a cedar hedge is a surprise. The homeowner has set in the corner a wooden statue of a Vedic apsara. It’s quite tucked away, but I noticed it some years ago. I brushed off the snow from her head. Nikil was wowed because it is beautifully carved.
Anyways, that was our third interruption.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Sunday, January 15th, 2023
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Sometime people ask me how I do it, whether it be a long walk or busy at flying from country to country. My usual answer is something like, “The mercy of the Creator.”
I had to question my own answer of confidence when at our Niagara gathering; I was doubting my own conviction. I was signing books at our centre when my eyelids closed just momentarily out of fatigue. And then when I took to the sponsored feast, an integral party of Sunday gatherings, I was chomping on the delicious food when suddenly it came to a halt and my lids once again descended. I was sleeping during the course of eating. Never before.
You know, some of the us work hard for the mission and they give it all. I trail behind some of my colleagues who seem to move on high energy forever. It’s a real sacrifice.
I forgot to mention, in the middle of delivering my class I had to stand up, walk to the door, open it, then walk behind everyone to another door just to keep awake. But simultaneously I was trying to make the philosophical point of reincarnation. Each of us is travelling from one body to the next just as much as we move our bodies from room to room. Anyways, the theatrics seemed to fit in.
We cancelled on the idea of peering at the famous falls set in winter just so I could get back homeward bound for some shut-eye.
I’m recalling Krishna’s message in chapter 6 of the Gita about being temperate in the matter of eating, sleeping, recreation.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Saturday, January 14th, 2023
Oakville, Ontario
When I asked members of the Bhakti Academy to join me at a house program for kirtan, they jumped for the opportunity. So we set sail (or rather by wheel) for Oakville, westbound. This house program was going to be a bit different. There was going to be an installment of a set of Bhagavatam books in the homeowner’s house. Friends and family would be there. There would also be everyone’s favourite, prasadam. And kirtan will be a must.
I asked Gabriel to bring his guitar.
We made the drive. Dang, I wish I could do something that involves walking. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.
By 5:50 pm we reached our destination, a cozy semi-detached place with family and visitors inside. Our group of ten, Bhakti Academy, were greeted by warm reception and by warm vents. WE sat down and I began the talk quoting the book Bhagavatam 1.3.43. “This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.”
Gabriel strummed his guitar to the sound of the mantra, “Om namo bhagavata vasudevaya.” Everyone sang and danced to the great mantra of deliverance before diving deep into the food. A young boy, 8, by the name of Ram, played the drum. He was divine.
May the Source be with you!
Friday, January 13th, 2023
Suriname/Miami/Toronto
It takes a good hour to drive to Suriname’s principal airport, the Johan Adolf Pengel, from Paramaribo. I was touched by the accompaniment of devotees who ‘came for the ride’ which marked my exit from the world’s most forested country, Suriname. Goodbye and haribol to you, great souls.
During the visit at the gate, I met Samuel, initiated as Shyamasundar by our spiritual cousins, the Gaudiya Math, and who attend our weekly Sunday Open House in Paramaribo. He was headed for Miami, as was I, to meet his son who lives in the Netherlands. In our dialogue he expressed in no short terms how fortunate he feels about his connection with Chaitanya, the father of public kirtan, and also the great travelling monk. Shyamasundar was kind to come back to my seat in the plane and offer me some dinner from his first class seat.
Miami International is a busy airport like most in the States. There was a two-hour span between arrival and departure for Canada. It was nothing eventful, except for my bit of chanting on the japa beads and calling some devotional acquaintances from Florida.
I finally caught up on some rest for the last of the journey’s leg (or wing). As we landed, I could catch the glimpse of snow. To some parts of Canada, winter has been delayed, but now it’s present.
The tropics are behind me. Hello Canada. Hello Nanda who arrived as my trusty driver. I’m back, but for a short while until Ottawa and India.
May the Source be with you!
Thursday, January 12th, 2023
Suriname
After a lively morning program, twenty or so of us, young and old, were bound to a beautiful resort run the Amerindian community. It was south, in the bush more towards the Amazon. Our intent–a break, some vitamin D sun, water, and each other.
We ran into some complications. The van owned by Santi Priya, and which I was in, broke down. Our second vehicle, a small bus, came to the rescue. Only time was lost and some walking gained. Santi had been telling me about the wilderness here–the gigantic frogs, wild boards, and massive anteaters that can claw a jaguar to death.
Anyways, in a rather safe environment at the resort, it was fun to see our group of bhakti practitioners splashing the hell out of each other, girls at one end of the stream, boys at the other. Prasadam and kirtan were there to follow. We squeezed out of that beautiful resort, ‘Da-kaboera’, all the pleasure possible.
But then back to the ISKCON centre we travelled, all in the bus (the other vehicle needed towing). One young woman, Priya, stepped forward for her first initiation. She is a gem of a devotee, very competent, and a serious sadhika, self-disciplinarian. She received the name ‘Pavitra’ which means ‘pure’, something to cultivate.
May the Source be with you!
The Suriname wilderness
Wednesday, January 11th, 2023
Paramaribo, Suriname
Ram Lila and I were to take a flight at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, a very modest-sized facility, to destination, Suriname. It’s another country just east of Guyana. The aircraft takes ten passengers. There was an issue over my not having a yellow fever card, but what became nothing more than a slight tussle ended up giving me a pass for over an hour’s flight to another tiny airport, a tad bit larger than a barn.
Ram Lila and I were greeted by a sweet couple with garlands of the lotus flower before being transported to the Iskcon Centre in Paramaribo. This is my third visit to this place and as I’ve mentioned previously, I find it interesting that residents to this country, mostly of brown and black skin (respectfully) speak in a version of the Dutch language. Suriname was formerly called Dutch Guyana. On November 25th, 1975, it became an independent nation.
My major service for today was to deliver a talk to the community. Initially, a group of us were going to head for the downtown for public chanting, but the weather, very monsoon-like, was most unfavourable. We stayed indoors for our regular practice of puja, pravachan, and prasadam.
Shanti Priya, a young archaeologist, made a major breakthrough, not on finding ancient ruins, but also being a self-taught massage therapist, he got right down to an unknown pressure point on my two feet, doing some healing magic.
May the Source be with you!
Monday, January 23rd, 2023
Thousand Islands, Ontario
Gananoque is a modest town of only 5,000 people. It’s quaint. Buildings are very Victorian. Red brick. Stylish. Especially Ontario and the St. Lawrence. New York State is on the southern side, just a swim away. I wouldn’t chance it now. The water is too frigid. The geese, however, don’t think so.
Overnight, Roman, Vya, and I stayed at the Gananoque Inn. Then Roman and I took to the dock where the ferries are situated for the quiet season. Tranquil it is. Very conducive for chanting in the crisp, clean air.
We were then destined for the city of Toronto. It is Monday morning, not everyone’s favourite time of the week. It reminds me of the song, “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas and the Papas. Great song and great day. What isn’t exciting for the practitioners of bhakti yoga?
Let’s look at everything in a positive light. Fresh snow decorated the trees. The sun was pushing the clouds to reveal blue skies. Beautiful.
By evening I Zoom-grouped with the Atlantic devotees when we discussed a section of chapter two from the Gita. This was preceded by a japa workshop, the first of its kind with this group. I’m waiting for feedback. Chanting japa is so integral to someone’s spiritual life in Krishna Consciousness.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Tuesday, January 10th, 2023
Georgetown, Guyana
Temperatures are ranging from the low of 20 degrees Celsius to the highs of 30 degrees, which is high for me. When that sun comes out and humidity on top of it, I hide in my hole. As expressed before ,I’m relishing the early morning hours when the sun is tucked away and breezes are alive. That’s when I do my japa chanting.
I have the god fortune to meet devotees throughout the day. They visit my room (my hole) for conversations, advice, blessings. Only God knows I need their blessings. I do feel some worth when they come, mostly folks younger than myself. I’m constantly reminded during any delivery of classes that some people I quote (outside of our acharya teachers) that I’m a dinosaur. Oh well, I think ti’s good for audiences to know that there are deceases wise people whom I quote, who have molded my way of thinking; that there’s a richness arisen from before.
Tonight’s program was held in the Georgetown area, just a block away from the iconic OMG steakhouse. A Mr. D. Singh and family hosted our bhakti crowd for chanting and a talk. When our MC, Prabhupadadev, said something about New Year’s, I took it as a segue to the topic of a fresh start. Everything was just so cool about the family, generous donors in the food business, and the attendees. I love it when attention is given to my words of experience and discovery. I love it when questions sure and when people sing and dance in unison.
Tonight was all auspicious. Let us smile like He does.
May the Source be with you!
Monday, January 9th, 2023
Good Hope, Guyana
I find the weather to be reather wild and wonderful. Just one kilometre from our location at the Iskcon Centre is the seawall that bars the ocean, so you have these favourable breezes coming at you with intermittent rain. Catching all this from the veranda that runs on all four sides of the building is how I get my walking in. I also had a rush from ascending the top of the building; you can call it the 4th floor. From that view you can see a lot.
I also was at a vantage point at the top of Mahendra’s home. It’s newly constructed and is a few villages away in Good Hope. In the base of the home is his warehouse and his business, a business of soft drinks that he built up from scratch.
He converted the front of his home into a space for a sangha, a spiritual gathering, with chairs for the public, an altar, and a stage for Krishna murtis and chanting leaders. I was invited there before one hundred fifty people. Very spontaneously, I opened up retelling the days of how and when I became a monk, and all the walking projects.
I’m thoroughly enjoying myself when everyone is enwrapped in listening. Questions followed. I gave answers in relation to queries that come; questions to do with Krishna’s message. After all, that is my whole purpose – sharing His message.
May the Source be with you!
Getting spoiled in Guyana with fresh organic prasadam. I am sharing, of course.
Sunday, January 8th, 2023
Georgetown, Guyana
Things are changing in Guyana. When I took American Airlines from Trinidad to Guyana, a mere one-hour flight, I noticed passengers who were in unmistakably Latino. Apparently, people from troubled Venezuela are migrating. Oil was discovered in Guyana, and so the rush is on. I was told Cubans are also making inroads.
Upon arriving in Georgetown, I noticed there are fewer lotuses in the canals. The country is taking action and clearing these lovelies that clog the plumbing. What else? Well, new roads are being built. And finally – finally – sidewalks for pedestrians are laid out like never before. That was always my pet peeve about Georgetown. One thing that hasn’t changed – the seawall – a great place to walk along or walk on. This wall was constructed by the Dutch a century ago.
At the Railway Embankment Road is located a fine Iskcon Temple next to Georgetown University. The main brain behind the project is Prabhupadadev, who acts as a priest for spiritual functions such as this morning’s havan, fire ceremony, wherein four devotees received their first initiation. The new names are Aryan, Minakshi, Satvika, and Bhanupriya. Sanjay and Saya Saci received their second initiations.
In two places, Georgetown and Crane, we did some kirtan leading and delivered messages from the Gita. The whole idea behind these spiritual practices is to clear the complicated network lurking in our heart and mind like the vegetation that clogs up the drainage system.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Saturday, January 7th, 2023
Longdenville, Trinidad
When facilitating a “Kirtan Standards Workshop” like the one we conducted for thirty or so people, the two themes I like to emphasize are “Prabhupada’s standards” and “inclusiveness”. I have had a good support by others on the past, the likes of Dhruva from Calgary, Rukmini from Toronto, as well as Kevala Bhakti.
What the attendees here in Trinidad gained from this workshop, amongst many benefits, is some clarification on what our acharyas or teachers in our lineage have preferred in the way of mantra chanting. It is important to follow a discipline in any field while adding a sense of artistic license. We want to be careful about making additions in our approaches because the whole system of mantra delivery is for our purging. When we add to a system it can easily become diluted or watered down to the point of losing integrity.
The general approach to chanting is without motive, or if anything, it is to please Krishna.
The group in Trinidad who listed and interacted in this workshop of a mere four hours had a good time. So did I.
My stay in Trinidad seemed brief, but it was enriched by the good company here. It was sad that walking was practically no option. No walking trails means where I was staying and the main road was terrible, and I say that with no exaggeration. I wish there were standard workshops arranged for pedestrian and motorist friendliness.
May the Source be with you!
Indian BJP President JP Nadda offered prayers at the start of his tour of the state of West Bengal. He visited the temple complex on January 19th, 2023 along with other senior BJP party leaders. In a comment book at the temple, he wrote “Today I am blessed to pay my respect at Chandroday Mayapur […]
The post News Brief – Indian BJP President Visits ISKCON Mayapur appeared first on ISKCON News.
Indian BJP President JP Nadda offered prayers at the start of his tour of the state of West Bengal. He visited the temple complex on January 19th, 2023 along with other senior BJP party leaders. In a comment book at the temple, he wrote “Today I am blessed to pay my respect at Chandroday Mayapur […]
The post News Brief – Indian BJP President Visits ISKCON Mayapur appeared first on ISKCON News.
video source: The Australia Today In the span of fifteen days, graffiti and vandalism have been daubed on three Hindu temples in Melbourne, Australia. The attacks have taken place at BAPS, Shri Shiva Vishnu, and ISKCON temples. The Hindu community feels devasted by such vandalism and frustrated with the authorities. The Australia Today’s Editor-in-chief Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj reporting live from ISKCON Temple in Melbourne.
The post Third Temple Vandalized in Australia appeared first on ISKCON News.
video source: The Australia Today In the span of fifteen days, graffiti and vandalism have been daubed on three Hindu temples in Melbourne, Australia. The attacks have taken place at BAPS, Shri Shiva Vishnu, and ISKCON temples. The Hindu community feels devasted by such vandalism and frustrated with the authorities. The Australia Today’s Editor-in-chief Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj reporting live from ISKCON Temple in Melbourne.
The post Third Temple Vandalized in Australia appeared first on ISKCON News.
The TOVP management is pleased to announce that from February 12-16, 2023 the ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) will have their annual seminars in the TOVP. Braja Vilasa, TOVP Co-Chairman and ILS Committee Member stresses the importance of these meetings for ISKCON leaders, and invites all devotees with leadership positions to attend this important sanga and […]
The post ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) 2023 at the TOVP appeared first on ISKCON News.
The TOVP management is pleased to announce that from February 12-16, 2023 the ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) will have their annual seminars in the TOVP. Braja Vilasa, TOVP Co-Chairman and ILS Committee Member stresses the importance of these meetings for ISKCON leaders, and invites all devotees with leadership positions to attend this important sanga and […]
The post ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) 2023 at the TOVP appeared first on ISKCON News.
Friday, January 6th, 2023
Longdenville, Trinidad
“Now, how am I going to scale that formidable gate? It looks like someone forgot to leave me a key for that safety lock that I see before me.” These were my thoughts. I gave a sight push to the gate, but nothing was budging. I wanted to make it on time for 4:30 am meditations at the temple.
Okay! I surrender. I did the climb and that seven foot gate was kind to me afterall.
Then I hit the road, or rather, the moon crater terrain. The roads are so bad here. Locals say it’s because huge trucks are allowed to access these roadways built only for light cars.
Anyways, I made it to the temple meditations. So my day started off fine with changing and delivering classes. The 9 am timeslot was scheduled for a drive to the excellent beach at Mayaro. There, the devotee community bonded over water fun, picnic prasadam, and casual chats. This is important.
Finally, 5 pm was the time marked for initiations for eight great souls. The names given to these wonderful candidates – Vinay Vishnu, Aja, Ranchor, Buddhi Manta, Rama Avatar for the man, and Leenakshi, Nandita, and Sriya for the women. A happy kirtan, a talk on bhakti collaboration, a fire ceremony, and to top it off, ‘doubles’ – a chickpea spread over bread. All went well.
I refuse to walk through the potholes on my return to the residence where I’m staying.
I learned that this 70-year-old swami didn’t have to jump over any gate. It was open all the way. I just missed out on swinging it open the right way.
May the Source be with you.
Thursday, January 5th, 2023 Miami/Trinidad
Toronto was full of fog and a challenge occurred when the lights at the airport’s runway needed cleaning (so they say). This delayed our departure somewhat and we arrived in Miami a bit later than anticipated. It was a struggle to get to my gate for the flight enroute to Port of Spain via American Airlines.
Because of tightness of time, my check-in didn’t make it. A moment of anxiety. It sure was nice to see the bhakti gang again after two years or more. I was greeted with smiles and a garland of petit marigolds.
The roadway is very familiar to me. I walked it, good God, some years ago, right from the Port of Spain Airport to the Longdenville temple. I passed by mom-and-pop shops, stalls where they sell a favourite fast food called ‘doubles’, clothing shops, and even a brothel called ‘Swami’s Bar’, and the countryside as well.
I was cheered with prasadam, blessed food from the devotees of Krishna in the form of Radha Gopinath. I saw that renovation to the temple offered a fresh new look. The temple itself became filled with devotees doing what we like–kirtan chanting. We sat and highlighted the importance of speaking positively about each other, bringing out the best in all of us. A good source for this topic is Bhagavad-gita 10.9.
Check it out.
Which reminds I’ll have to check out my last checked in.
May the Source be with you!