Thursday, May 21st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Take it Like a Monk
It used to be that people in the public would see one of us and say, “Hey, I haven’t seen you guys in 30 years.” Today, as our group was chanting along on John Street, an excited wiry and white haired man remarked, “I haven’t seen you guys in 40 years.” It came to mind that time is passing by quickly, and secondly, that this is a confirmation that our effort to explore different parts of the city was a good experiment. It’s working, people are seeing us again. The need to be more visible as Krishna monks was obvious.
I kept dwelling on the concept of passage of time. A good friend, just the other day, spoke of another friend, and said this about him, “When I saw him he was walking with a cane. I was shocked how old he suddenly had become. He had age marks on his face.” Then I interjected, and due to not hearing properly, almost as if I’m getting to the age of hard of hearing.
“What did you say? He’s got Aids marks on his face?”
“No!” I was corrected, “AGE marks.”
“We’re all getting older,” was my thought, “and it is happening fast.” I have these mental glimpses of myself on the streets of Toronto when I was a young whipper snapper of sorts, doing the same thing, chanting on the streets. What comes to mind is a message of the Gita, wherein a verse implies the movement of the soul recycling itself rather swiftly. “As the embodied soul continually passes in this body from boyhood, to adulthood, to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A mature person is not bewildered by such a change.”
By this method, youth is followed by old age, so what is there to worry about? We can look at aging from a mature perspective. We must learn to take it like a ma… monk.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Thursday, May 21st, 2015
Friday, May 22nd, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Friday, May 22nd, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Responses Are Up
It was a consecutive day number four for chanting in the public. Our venue was Bloor Street West, to Christie Pitts Park, and back. Wow! What positive responses!
A luxury bus driver stepped out of his vehicle as we moved by. He was tossing his full length hair back, and remarked about the chanting, “I love it.” At the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) a Jamaican Rasta man with dreads, was playing on his steel band drum. He looked a little glum, head down and playing slow. Our little kirtan party got to either side of him and perked him up. He then came up with a tune that we were encouraged to sing to. It worked out alright.
By the time we reached Christie Pitts Park, the grass looked very inviting. We sat down and formed our circle and chanted. One by one, park browsers came to sit with us, expanding our circle of sound. There was Mario, Marnie, and Agatar. And more joined in on the fun. And as our two drummers, Eklavya and Devala, made a visit to the bladder room, we learned from Marnie that the very park we were sitting at would be the venue for the next day’s rendezvous for a protest march against Monsanto.
One of the girls asked Marnie, “What’s Monsanto?”
“Basically, the Devil visiting us,” said Marnie most confidently.
Strong statement. The truth can be spoken of in sometimes unkind words.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Toronto, Ontario
Responses Are Up
It was a consecutive day number four for chanting in the public. Our venue was Bloor Street West, to Christie Pitts Park, and back. Wow! What positive responses!
A luxury bus driver stepped out of his vehicle as we moved by. He was tossing his full length hair back, and remarked about the chanting, “I love it.” At the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) a Jamaican Rasta man with dreads, was playing on his steel band drum. He looked a little glum, head down and playing slow. Our little kirtan party got to either side of him and perked him up. He then came up with a tune that we were encouraged to sing to. It worked out alright.
By the time we reached Christie Pitts Park, the grass looked very inviting. We sat down and formed our circle and chanted. One by one, park browsers came to sit with us, expanding our circle of sound. There was Mario, Marnie, and Agatar. And more joined in on the fun. And as our two drummers, Eklavya and Devala, made a visit to the bladder room, we learned from Marnie that the very park we were sitting at would be the venue for the next day’s rendezvous for a protest march against Monsanto.
One of the girls asked Marnie, “What’s Monsanto?”
“Basically, the Devil visiting us,” said Marnie most confidently.
Strong statement. The truth can be spoken of in sometimes unkind words.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Tuesday, May 19th, 201
→ The Walking Monk
Tuesday, May 19th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
The Fruit of Your Endeavour
The discussion of today based on the story of Subhari Muni was interesting. Lead by Bhakti Swarup Chaitanya Swami, a visiting monk from Lithuania, our discussion detailed the plight of the muni, who meditated while submerged in water. Right in front of him, two fish started mating, and this agitated the yogi to the point where he left the water and gave up his vows. It sounded like he had a weak mind.
The story did remind me of a W.C. Fields response when someone asked him if he would like a glass of water. He refused the offer, saying that he doesn’t take water because fish copulate in it. This I relayed to the group in our discussion, they had a good laugh.
The morning passed.
We then all planned for the afternoon, a chanting party at Kensington Market, a sort of bohemian neighbourhood with rather receptive people. Cafes, health shop, vintage clothing stores such as The Eye of Shiva, make this region attractive. A djembe player was pounding away on the street. He looked as if he could use some musical accompaniment. He actually looked rather sad. Our giving him support worked in mutual terms. You could now feel his heart leap in joy. A couple had joined him, friends I guess, and then they showed up along with three other graffiti artist friends, at our temple’s Tuesday Night Sangha. They sat, listened to the Lithuanian monk, and ate.
It is so much a fulfilling feeling when the fruits of your effort become manifest. To see someone coming to make even a tiny endeavour to make spiritual progress is most heartwarming. From laughter to mental peace, Tuesday, May 19th, 2015, became a day of absolute beauty.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Toronto, Ontario
The Fruit of Your Endeavour
The discussion of today based on the story of Subhari Muni was interesting. Lead by Bhakti Swarup Chaitanya Swami, a visiting monk from Lithuania, our discussion detailed the plight of the muni, who meditated while submerged in water. Right in front of him, two fish started mating, and this agitated the yogi to the point where he left the water and gave up his vows. It sounded like he had a weak mind.
The story did remind me of a W.C. Fields response when someone asked him if he would like a glass of water. He refused the offer, saying that he doesn’t take water because fish copulate in it. This I relayed to the group in our discussion, they had a good laugh.
The morning passed.
We then all planned for the afternoon, a chanting party at Kensington Market, a sort of bohemian neighbourhood with rather receptive people. Cafes, health shop, vintage clothing stores such as The Eye of Shiva, make this region attractive. A djembe player was pounding away on the street. He looked as if he could use some musical accompaniment. He actually looked rather sad. Our giving him support worked in mutual terms. You could now feel his heart leap in joy. A couple had joined him, friends I guess, and then they showed up along with three other graffiti artist friends, at our temple’s Tuesday Night Sangha. They sat, listened to the Lithuanian monk, and ate.
It is so much a fulfilling feeling when the fruits of your effort become manifest. To see someone coming to make even a tiny endeavour to make spiritual progress is most heartwarming. From laughter to mental peace, Tuesday, May 19th, 2015, became a day of absolute beauty.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday, May 20th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, May 20th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
How You Know You’re Human
With young Devala, a mridanga drum teacher, we took to a trail’s walk. With a few more monks, and one nun, we took to the corporate tourist and municipal area of the city, including, perhaps for the first time, Church Street, which is the established gay community. Gradually, we are covering the downtown core in areas where people just haven’t seen Krishna monks for a while. This second installment of walking was featured with drums and karatalas (hand cymbals), and our voices, of course.
Back at home base in the evening, I was sitting in the main office when a smartly dressed young fellow walked into our building. I greeted him. We exchanged names. I asked where he’s from and he answered that he’s from Bangladesh and identified himself as coming from a Muslim background. We sat down and he admitted to coming for the first time. He had loads of questions.
I volunteered to say that Bangladesh was a part of India not so long ago.
“Oh yes,” he said, “It got its independence in ’71.”
We continued. “At one time, that whole section of the globe practiced a Vedic culture.”
He had never heard of the Vedas from India. Then we jumped over into the topic of the supernatural. He asked what is our take on ghosts?
“Disembodied beings, souls who are frustrated for not having a body through which to have sensory experience. In fact, we are all travelling through bodies. Our soul transmigrates, it sometimes becomes suspended.”
“As in purgatory?” he asked.
“Yes, as a ghost, or in a place like pitri-loka, or, purgatory.” We went on and on. He seemed fascinated with this explanation and more. I introduced him to our visiting Lithuanian monk. It was there that the newcomer had spent his last minutes at our ashram. He then left with many thoughts on his mind. Yes, there are many things to think about, and that’s what makes us human.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Toronto, Ontario
How You Know You’re Human
With young Devala, a mridanga drum teacher, we took to a trail’s walk. With a few more monks, and one nun, we took to the corporate tourist and municipal area of the city, including, perhaps for the first time, Church Street, which is the established gay community. Gradually, we are covering the downtown core in areas where people just haven’t seen Krishna monks for a while. This second installment of walking was featured with drums and karatalas (hand cymbals), and our voices, of course.
Back at home base in the evening, I was sitting in the main office when a smartly dressed young fellow walked into our building. I greeted him. We exchanged names. I asked where he’s from and he answered that he’s from Bangladesh and identified himself as coming from a Muslim background. We sat down and he admitted to coming for the first time. He had loads of questions.
I volunteered to say that Bangladesh was a part of India not so long ago.
“Oh yes,” he said, “It got its independence in ’71.”
We continued. “At one time, that whole section of the globe practiced a Vedic culture.”
He had never heard of the Vedas from India. Then we jumped over into the topic of the supernatural. He asked what is our take on ghosts?
“Disembodied beings, souls who are frustrated for not having a body through which to have sensory experience. In fact, we are all travelling through bodies. Our soul transmigrates, it sometimes becomes suspended.”
“As in purgatory?” he asked.
“Yes, as a ghost, or in a place like pitri-loka, or, purgatory.” We went on and on. He seemed fascinated with this explanation and more. I introduced him to our visiting Lithuanian monk. It was there that the newcomer had spent his last minutes at our ashram. He then left with many thoughts on his mind. Yes, there are many things to think about, and that’s what makes us human.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Monday, May 18th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, May 18th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Are You Real?
It’s a Canadian holiday in honour of Queen Victoria. During her reign, this British colony became a nation unto itself. Young men, in particular, usually send off fireworks into the evening sky. It’s questionable how much sentiment behind this is patriotic, but many people go out for the blast.
For Eklavya and I, the quiet of the day became opportune for a walk, and my chance to show him choice trails. We were not the only folk that ventured along Mud Creek, hundreds were out to see green, to capture May’s scent, and do what the human body likes to do. The two of us ambled along one ravine, and then embarked upon a second. We wanted to descend on one particular stairs, but which was in disrepair, and hence, the city put a barrier at the entrance. We were a trite disappointed. We stood there.
Luckily, a neighbouring woman happened to be walking by, and so I asked, “What’s happening? Can’t we go down?” With a joyous demeanor, she said, “Don’t worry, the neighbours laid out some tree stumps so you can leap over the barrier. We want our kids to have access and fun and not wait for the city to come and fix it.” We thanked her. We proceeded forwarded and went on in conversation to do with future mission projects, and all the while observing nature’s esthetics. Eka even took advantage of the season’s wild mustards growing along the way, and filling his chaddar (monk’s shawl) with the fragrant and tasty greens. As monks we felt we were doing monastic things such as taking to the simple art of walking, immersed in spiritual topics while foraging a bit in the forest. We thought ourselves to be ‘real’. And then we diverted to an earlier, brief encounter we had in the morning, in our thoughts. As we had detrained from a trip beginning from Windsor, outside the train terminal a street beggar who had seen us asked Eka and I, “Are you real monks? Cuz they’re not,” pointing to the two Buddhist monks, indicating that they were panhandling. Perhaps he was envious because their collections were doing good. Now, I’m not making judgment regarding those monks, but what did come to our attention was a question, “Are you genuine? Are you sincere? Are you doing from the heart?”
That was of value.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Toronto, Ontario
Are You Real?
It’s a Canadian holiday in honour of Queen Victoria. During her reign, this British colony became a nation unto itself. Young men, in particular, usually send off fireworks into the evening sky. It’s questionable how much sentiment behind this is patriotic, but many people go out for the blast.
For Eklavya and I, the quiet of the day became opportune for a walk, and my chance to show him choice trails. We were not the only folk that ventured along Mud Creek, hundreds were out to see green, to capture May’s scent, and do what the human body likes to do. The two of us ambled along one ravine, and then embarked upon a second. We wanted to descend on one particular stairs, but which was in disrepair, and hence, the city put a barrier at the entrance. We were a trite disappointed. We stood there.
Luckily, a neighbouring woman happened to be walking by, and so I asked, “What’s happening? Can’t we go down?” With a joyous demeanor, she said, “Don’t worry, the neighbours laid out some tree stumps so you can leap over the barrier. We want our kids to have access and fun and not wait for the city to come and fix it.” We thanked her. We proceeded forwarded and went on in conversation to do with future mission projects, and all the while observing nature’s esthetics. Eka even took advantage of the season’s wild mustards growing along the way, and filling his chaddar (monk’s shawl) with the fragrant and tasty greens. As monks we felt we were doing monastic things such as taking to the simple art of walking, immersed in spiritual topics while foraging a bit in the forest. We thought ourselves to be ‘real’. And then we diverted to an earlier, brief encounter we had in the morning, in our thoughts. As we had detrained from a trip beginning from Windsor, outside the train terminal a street beggar who had seen us asked Eka and I, “Are you real monks? Cuz they’re not,” pointing to the two Buddhist monks, indicating that they were panhandling. Perhaps he was envious because their collections were doing good. Now, I’m not making judgment regarding those monks, but what did come to our attention was a question, “Are you genuine? Are you sincere? Are you doing from the heart?”
That was of value.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
Detroit, Michigan
Celebration for the 50th
After a good sleep and a good walk, and then a trip to the Fisher Mansion, run and owned by members of Iskcon, darshan (viewing of the deities of Krishna) became the first segment of our devotions in this exquisite building. And what was once the ballroom, now a temple room for Krishna, there we chanted and discussed from the book, Bhagavatam, Canto 5, the main topic being, “How does one please the Supreme when there are varying ideas on how to approach Him? Is there only one standard approach?”
Answer: No! One should capture in essence and in practice the principal of unity and diversity.
The visit to the Fisher Mansion was completed with a breakfast of something called dokla, kitchery and mango milk. Yummy! I sat next to David Hendrix, yes, apparently he’s related to Jimmy.
After, I was driven to Farmington by Prithu, a local hair salonist, along with Eklavya. Here, again, we opened to the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, this time, Canto 10. Being that there were a good number of children inside the building, I thought, “Let them sit in front near me. I’ll read the passage, quiz them, get them involved.” The technique here is that automatically, parents get captivated as well. One of the lessons learned from the passage is that the Creator definitely stages dramas on a full universal scale. Each and every one of us plays a role in the cosmic performance.
As usual, in a bhaktisetting, there’s always food, prasadam. Yummy!
The third activity of the day was a visit by folks to Prithu’s home where I was staying. A monk by the name of Bhakti Ashramam came to join us and engaged with us in song and in reading on the humble beginnings of kirtanto the western world. In 1965/66 the process of kirtan was introduced by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That makes 50 years. We need to celebrate this in a grand way with music, song, dance, and food. In our own modest way, in a little corner of Detroit, we did dine tonight in celebration (with eggless rolls).
That is three meals for the day. The first – Indian, the second – Italian, the third – Chinese. All were yummy. May the whole world celebrate!
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Detroit, Michigan
Celebration for the 50th
After a good sleep and a good walk, and then a trip to the Fisher Mansion, run and owned by members of Iskcon, darshan (viewing of the deities of Krishna) became the first segment of our devotions in this exquisite building. And what was once the ballroom, now a temple room for Krishna, there we chanted and discussed from the book, Bhagavatam, Canto 5, the main topic being, “How does one please the Supreme when there are varying ideas on how to approach Him? Is there only one standard approach?”
Answer: No! One should capture in essence and in practice the principal of unity and diversity.
The visit to the Fisher Mansion was completed with a breakfast of something called dokla, kitchery and mango milk. Yummy! I sat next to David Hendrix, yes, apparently he’s related to Jimmy.
After, I was driven to Farmington by Prithu, a local hair salonist, along with Eklavya. Here, again, we opened to the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, this time, Canto 10. Being that there were a good number of children inside the building, I thought, “Let them sit in front near me. I’ll read the passage, quiz them, get them involved.” The technique here is that automatically, parents get captivated as well. One of the lessons learned from the passage is that the Creator definitely stages dramas on a full universal scale. Each and every one of us plays a role in the cosmic performance.
As usual, in a bhaktisetting, there’s always food, prasadam. Yummy!
The third activity of the day was a visit by folks to Prithu’s home where I was staying. A monk by the name of Bhakti Ashramam came to join us and engaged with us in song and in reading on the humble beginnings of kirtanto the western world. In 1965/66 the process of kirtan was introduced by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That makes 50 years. We need to celebrate this in a grand way with music, song, dance, and food. In our own modest way, in a little corner of Detroit, we did dine tonight in celebration (with eggless rolls).
That is three meals for the day. The first – Indian, the second – Italian, the third – Chinese. All were yummy. May the whole world celebrate!
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Mon, May 18th 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, May 18th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Are You Real?
It’s a Canadian holiday in honour of Queen Victoria. During her reign, this British colony became a nation unto itself. Young men, in particular, usually send off fireworks into the evening sky. It’s questionable how much sentiment behind this is patriotic, but many people go out for the blast.
For Eklavya and I, the quiet of the day became opportune for a walk, and my chance to show him choice trails. We were not the only folk that ventured along Mud Creek, hundreds were out to see green, to capture May’s scent, and do what the human body likes to do. The two of us ambled along one ravine, and then embarked upon a second. We wanted to descend on one particular stairs, but which was in disrepair, and hence, the city put a barrier at the entrance. We were a trite disappointed. We stood there.
Luckily, a neighbouring woman happened to be walking by, and so I asked, “What’s happening? Can’t we go down?” With a joyous demeanor, she said, “Don’t worry, the neighbours laid out some tree stumps so you can leap over the barrier. We want our kids to have access and fun and not wait for the city to come and fix it.” We thanked her. We proceeded forwarded and went on in conversation to do with future mission projects, and all the while observing nature’s esthetics. Eka even took advantage of the season’s wild mustards growing along the way, and filling his chaddar (monk’s shawl) with the fragrant and tasty greens. As monks we felt we were doing monastic things such as taking to the simple art of walking, immersed in spiritual topics while foraging a bit in the forest. We thought ourselves to be ‘real’. And then we diverted to an earlier, brief encounter we had in the morning, in our thoughts. As we had detrained from a trip beginning from Windsor, outside the train terminal a street beggar who had seen us asked Eka and I, “Are you real monks? Cuz they’re not,” pointing to the two Buddhist monks, indicating that they were panhandling. Perhaps he was envious because their collections were doing good. Now, I’m not making judgment regarding those monks, but what did come to our attention was a question, “Are you genuine? Are you sincere? Are you doing from the heart?”
That was of value.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Tuesday, May 19th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Tuesday, May 19th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
The Fruit of Your Endeavour
The discussion of today based on the story of Subhari Muni was interesting. Lead by Bhakti Swarup Chaitanya Swami, a visiting monk from Lithuania, our discussion detailed the plight of the muni, who meditated while submerged in water. Right in front of him, two fish started mating, and this agitated the yogi to the point where he left the water and gave up his vows. It sounded like he had a weak mind.
The story did remind me of a W.C. Fields response when someone asked him if he would like a glass of water. He refused the offer, saying that he doesn’t take water because fish copulate in it. This I relayed to the group in our discussion, they had a good laugh.
The morning passed.
We then all planned for the afternoon, a chanting party at Kensington Market, a sort of bohemian neighbourhood with rather receptive people. Cafes, health shop, vintage clothing stores such as The Eye of Shiva, make this region attractive. A djembe player was pounding away on the street. He looked as if he could use some musical accompaniment. He actually looked rather sad. Our giving him support worked in mutual terms. You could now feel his heart leap in joy. A couple had joined him, friends I guess, and then they showed up along with three other graffiti artist friends, at our temple’s Tuesday Night Sangha. They sat, listened to the Lithuanian monk, and ate.
It is so much a fulfilling feeling when the fruits of your effort become manifest. To see someone coming to make even a tiny endeavour to make spiritual progress is most heartwarming. From laughter to mental peace, Tuesday, May 19th, 2015, became a day of absolute beauty.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Toronto, Ontario
The Fruit of Your Endeavour
The discussion of today based on the story of Subhari Muni was interesting. Lead by Bhakti Swarup Chaitanya Swami, a visiting monk from Lithuania, our discussion detailed the plight of the muni, who meditated while submerged in water. Right in front of him, two fish started mating, and this agitated the yogi to the point where he left the water and gave up his vows. It sounded like he had a weak mind.
The story did remind me of a W.C. Fields response when someone asked him if he would like a glass of water. He refused the offer, saying that he doesn’t take water because fish copulate in it. This I relayed to the group in our discussion, they had a good laugh.
The morning passed.
We then all planned for the afternoon, a chanting party at Kensington Market, a sort of bohemian neighbourhood with rather receptive people. Cafes, health shop, vintage clothing stores such as The Eye of Shiva, make this region attractive. A djembe player was pounding away on the street. He looked as if he could use some musical accompaniment. He actually looked rather sad. Our giving him support worked in mutual terms. You could now feel his heart leap in joy. A couple had joined him, friends I guess, and then they showed up along with three other graffiti artist friends, at our temple’s Tuesday Night Sangha. They sat, listened to the Lithuanian monk, and ate.
It is so much a fulfilling feeling when the fruits of your effort become manifest. To see someone coming to make even a tiny endeavour to make spiritual progress is most heartwarming. From laughter to mental peace, Tuesday, May 19th, 2015, became a day of absolute beauty.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
Detroit, Michigan
Celebration for the 50th
After a good sleep and a good walk, and then a trip to the Fisher Mansion, run and owned by members of Iskcon, darshan (viewing of the deities of Krishna) became the first segment of our devotions in this exquisite building. And what was once the ballroom, now a temple room for Krishna, there we chanted and discussed from the book, Bhagavatam, Canto 5, the main topic being, “How does one please the Supreme when there are varying ideas on how to approach Him? Is there only one standard approach?”
Answer: No! One should capture in essence and in practice the principal of unity and diversity.
The visit to the Fisher Mansion was completed with a breakfast of something called dokla, kitchery and mango milk. Yummy! I sat next to David Hendrix, yes, apparently he’s related to Jimmy.
After, I was driven to Farmington by Prithu, a local hair salonist, along with Eklavya. Here, again, we opened to the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, this time, Canto 10. Being that there were a good number of children inside the building, I thought, “Let them sit in front near me. I’ll read the passage, quiz them, get them involved.” The technique here is that automatically, parents get captivated as well. One of the lessons learned from the passage is that the Creator definitely stages dramas on a full universal scale. Each and every one of us plays a role in the cosmic performance.
As usual, in a bhaktisetting, there’s always food, prasadam. Yummy!
The third activity of the day was a visit by folks to Prithu’s home where I was staying. A monk by the name of Bhakti Ashramam came to join us and engaged with us in song and in reading on the humble beginnings of kirtanto the western world. In 1965/66 the process of kirtan was introduced by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That makes 50 years. We need to celebrate this in a grand way with music, song, dance, and food. In our own modest way, in a little corner of Detroit, we did dine tonight in celebration (with eggless rolls).
That is three meals for the day. The first – Indian, the second – Italian, the third – Chinese. All were yummy. May the whole world celebrate!
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Detroit, Michigan
Celebration for the 50th
After a good sleep and a good walk, and then a trip to the Fisher Mansion, run and owned by members of Iskcon, darshan (viewing of the deities of Krishna) became the first segment of our devotions in this exquisite building. And what was once the ballroom, now a temple room for Krishna, there we chanted and discussed from the book, Bhagavatam, Canto 5, the main topic being, “How does one please the Supreme when there are varying ideas on how to approach Him? Is there only one standard approach?”
Answer: No! One should capture in essence and in practice the principal of unity and diversity.
The visit to the Fisher Mansion was completed with a breakfast of something called dokla, kitchery and mango milk. Yummy! I sat next to David Hendrix, yes, apparently he’s related to Jimmy.
After, I was driven to Farmington by Prithu, a local hair salonist, along with Eklavya. Here, again, we opened to the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, this time, Canto 10. Being that there were a good number of children inside the building, I thought, “Let them sit in front near me. I’ll read the passage, quiz them, get them involved.” The technique here is that automatically, parents get captivated as well. One of the lessons learned from the passage is that the Creator definitely stages dramas on a full universal scale. Each and every one of us plays a role in the cosmic performance.
As usual, in a bhaktisetting, there’s always food, prasadam. Yummy!
The third activity of the day was a visit by folks to Prithu’s home where I was staying. A monk by the name of Bhakti Ashramam came to join us and engaged with us in song and in reading on the humble beginnings of kirtanto the western world. In 1965/66 the process of kirtan was introduced by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That makes 50 years. We need to celebrate this in a grand way with music, song, dance, and food. In our own modest way, in a little corner of Detroit, we did dine tonight in celebration (with eggless rolls).
That is three meals for the day. The first – Indian, the second – Italian, the third – Chinese. All were yummy. May the whole world celebrate!
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Fri, May 8th 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Friday, May 8th, 2015
USA/West Virginia
This Reading Riding But Not Walking
The customs people at the US border were pleasant enough. Our bus from Parkinson’s bus company aside from one side of the AC being not in operation. It got a bit stifling at times during this unusual 30 degree Celsius weather for this time of year. It was the great company that I had that compensated for the lack of cool, breathable air, on this long ride.
My highlight on the bus ride which held 30 passengers was reading to the group at picnic time. I had pulled out of my bag the book, ‘Prabhupada’, and being that not all passengers, let’s say, pilgrims, knew too much about this sadhu (holy man), I thought to read and inform and even delight the group. They were enjoying samosas and wraps with hummus. The author, Satsvarupa Goswami, shows as a subtitle to the book, ‘He Built a House in Which the Whole World Could Live’. Now that it’s fifty years since this sadhu, our guru, Prabhupada, first came to the US with his mission, I thought it appropriate to read a section where Sally Agarwal recalls hosting him in her home town of Butler, Pennsylvania.
The excerpt from Sally:
“Our fun was to show him what we knew of America, and he had never seen such things. It was such fun to take him to the supermarket. He loved opening the package of okra, or frozen beans, and he didn’t have to clean them and cut them and do all those things. He opened the freezer every day and just choose his items. It was fun to watch him. He sat on the couch while I swept with the vacuum cleaner, and he was so interested in that, and we talked for a long time about that. So every day, he’d have this big feast (cooked) and everything, was great fun.”
May the Source be with you!
1 km
Saturday, May 9th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Saturday, May 9th, 2015
Moundsville, West Virginia
I Sat With Sally
We walked to the river, about 20 of us, over the dirt and gravel road. The honeysuckles were tossing their fragrance. Apurva, the well-known cook who was with us, yanked out some garlic mustard for his lunch, lentil dhal soup. Pandu, who is from Pennsylvania, and was also with us, had identified this unique plant years ago, and educated me on it. Almost every year as a regular feature of spring, I would point out this plant to others, pick the leaf or flower, pinch it between my fingers, and share its fragrance with others.
Well, we made it to the river at the valley’s bottom, and then turned about face for the incremental climb. I noted places of erosion, nature’s changing face. And those erosions were not there the year before.
The bright spots of the day was this walk with comrades, men and women from as far south as Mexico and Florida, and as far north as Canada. I will not forget Jaya Adwaita Swami’s class on the need to view ourselves more as servants and less as masters. Yes, I enjoyed Apurva’s dhal of fresh local hand plucked greens. Above all, I met Sally. Yes, Sally, the lady I excerpted yesterday at my reading at picnic time.
A coincidence? Never! God does live.
Myself and three others sat down with Sally, whose surname is Agarwal. She’s now in her 80’s and she was telling us all about when Swamiji,Prabhupada, first came to America. It was she who officially sponsored the swami in 1965, and not her husband, Gopal, who himself was not an American citizen. She told us when she signed the sponsorship letter, and then sent it off, she had the feeling that nothing would ever come of it. It turns out that her assumption was wrong, Swamiji did show up at the bus terminal, came to her home and stayed in Butler, Pennsylvania for one month before embarking upon a worldwide successful mission. She said she was in tears when he left for New York.
One and a half hours with Sally passed by and we heard all about her first meeting Gopal, and Indian man, who came to white middle class America. She spoke about her four children who all became very successful. She is a darling of a lady. I feel like she’s my mother.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Thu, May 7th 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Thursday, May 7th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Hard To Come By
A busy day it was, and I’m happy, all except for the fact that I put not one kilometre under my feet by 9:30 PM. So on with the Crocs I go to make the day complete. It was south on Yonge and west on lively Bloor Street that I explored. Bloor was vibrant, contented people spilled out of one church where a symphony had just played. My guess is that it could have been Bach. I also passed by this one hall that’s frequented by heavy metal, grunge, and punk rock bands. It was there that three mildly toxiced young folks took a fancy to my dhotiand kurta. “Can we get a picture taken with you?” And so, we proceeded with pleasure.
It was on Bloor, the north side, that I was trekking and fingering on my beads, when I walked by a café/pub, when I met someone I knew. People were sipping and eating at whatever. At this one particular eatery, up popped a young man who recognized me. He’s Asian by looks, part Filipino I believe. “Hey, Maharaja, remember me?” I looked at him, and indeed, I did remember.
Here’s a guy who played Dhanvantari, the god of ancient medicine, in one of my theatrical productions. I was moved. We first met in the bus en route to Montreal some 15 years ago. He was on his way to a retreat with The Art of Living folks, and I was bound for the Hare Krishna temple on Pie Neuf Boulevard. We made friends at that point. He had this look of Buddha, knew martial arts, and I thought I could use him in a part. Low and behold, he came to India with me, and played the role of the Ayurveda herbal god, in the drama, churning the ocean. He did splendid.
While talking, he refused to sit down, although I insisted. I really respect the respect demonstrated in retrospect. From what I can see, his folks molded him well. I’m not going to judge him on what he was consuming at the pub, it just didn’t look like Ayurveda herbal soups. Dhanvantari might not approve, but that’s beside the point. This young man is a good man, they’re hard to come by. He made my walk this evening, worth it.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Walk
“No devices, no food, no money, no vehicle, rather depend on Krishna” was the policy set by Jambavan who set the rules for his fourth walk across Detroit. He mentioned that I inspired him on this annual trek. This time, this year, I decided to give support and accompany him, so did 16 other enthusiasts who, like troupers, stuck it out for the long haul.
The long haul was not so long, really but a considerable distance when you were dealing with mostly first timers. To what was calculated to be about 12 miles or 20 kilometres was the stretch taken from Eastpointe and Gratiot going southbound with some interesting detours and ending at the playgrounds on Belle Island. Along the way on Gratiot (originally a French word which locals horrendously pronounce as “Grash-it”) we observed some good omens. We even spotted a pretty and wild pheasant. Above all, people were very sweet, receptive, kind and happy to see some “whites” in exotic cloths taking humbly to the road on foot in their neighbourhood.
Well, most people were nice.
This venture we confirmed is a pilgrimage and Jambavan saw to it that his very own stomping grounds were places that we would get acquainted with. He pointed to the Faygo factory of soft drinks (exclusively born in Michigan) and the “Better Made Potato Chip Company” also fabulously a Detroit origined family business. On the more spiritual catholic side, we visited Bishop Carl at the gorgeous St. Anthony Church. He had this “George Clooney air about him” said Jambavan. There was the Capucin Monk, Brother Joseph at the Solamus Kasey Center who received and gave hugs. The reception at the Assumption Church and a grotto of Mary was a harsh one. Quite harsh.
For detours, we veered off to neighbourhoods known for their miles upon miles of dilapidated, gutted out and in some cases, burned down homes. This was like I had never seen before. Like a war zone.
On the bright side, those streets were the most serene and green nature is doing a make / take over. And the artistic Heidleburg Project was a real treat for the eyes – something that we stumbled upon. There was also a rotund mama who was canvassing for us to put our signature on her house for a dollar. Also a woman on drugs and in pink propositioned two of our men as we were walking. All in all, it was an adventure, especially when the rain poured down and we took shelter of an abandoned home, toilet removed and all and there we chanted in a joyous kirtan.
May the source be with you!
22 km
Detroit, Michigan
The Detroit Walk
“No devices, no food, no money, no vehicle, rather depend on Krishna” was the policy set by Jambavan who set the rules for his fourth walk across Detroit. He mentioned that I inspired him on this annual trek. This time, this year, I decided to give support and accompany him, so did 16 other enthusiasts who, like troupers, stuck it out for the long haul.
The long haul was not so long, really but a considerable distance when you were dealing with mostly first timers. To what was calculated to be about 12 miles or 20 kilometres was the stretch taken from Eastpointe and Gratiot going southbound with some interesting detours and ending at the playgrounds on Belle Island. Along the way on Gratiot (originally a French word which locals horrendously pronounce as “Grash-it”) we observed some good omens. We even spotted a pretty and wild pheasant. Above all, people were very sweet, receptive, kind and happy to see some “whites” in exotic cloths taking humbly to the road on foot in their neighbourhood.
Well, most people were nice.
This venture we confirmed is a pilgrimage and Jambavan saw to it that his very own stomping grounds were places that we would get acquainted with. He pointed to the Faygo factory of soft drinks (exclusively born in Michigan) and the “Better Made Potato Chip Company” also fabulously a Detroit origined family business. On the more spiritual catholic side, we visited Bishop Carl at the gorgeous St. Anthony Church. He had this “George Clooney air about him” said Jambavan. There was the Capucin Monk, Brother Joseph at the Solamus Kasey Center who received and gave hugs. The reception at the Assumption Church and a grotto of Mary was a harsh one. Quite harsh.
For detours, we veered off to neighbourhoods known for their miles upon miles of dilapidated, gutted out and in some cases, burned down homes. This was like I had never seen before. Like a war zone.
On the bright side, those streets were the most serene and green nature is doing a make / take over. And the artistic Heidleburg Project was a real treat for the eyes – something that we stumbled upon. There was also a rotund mama who was canvassing for us to put our signature on her house for a dollar. Also a woman on drugs and in pink propositioned two of our men as we were walking. All in all, it was an adventure, especially when the rain poured down and we took shelter of an abandoned home, toilet removed and all and there we chanted in a joyous kirtan.
May the source be with you!
22 km
Friday, May 15th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Friday, May 15th, 2015
Birmingham, Michigan
Time
At the Krishna House, I was asked to speak from the Bhagavatam verse 1.8.28. There is merit to sharing words of wisdom, so I would then like to extract from its purport the following: “It is no use saying that we do not know why and for what we are suffering. We may forget the misdeed for which we may suffer at this present moment. We must remember that Paramatma (Supreme Soul) is our constant companion. And therefore, He knows everything, past, present and future. And because the Paramatma feature of Sri Krishna destines all actions and reactions, He is the supreme controller also. Without His sanction, not a blade of grass can move. The living beings are given as much freedom as they deserve, and misuse of that freedom is the cause of suffering… Everyone here wants to lord it over material nature, and thus everyone creates his own destiny under the supervision of the Supreme Lord. He is all pervading and therefore, He can see everyone’s activities. And because the Lord has no beginning or end, He is known also as the eternal time, Kala.”
Some other comments on the topic of kala (time) based on the teachings and practices of our guru, Srila Prabhupada are as follows:
Time is the most powerful representation of God in the material sphere.
We may be governed by the movements of the sun and the moon, but it is the Supreme who moves them.
You can’t buy back a moment of time past with tons of gold. (Chanikya)
“Time and tide wait for no man.”
Also we might consider this beautiful phrase regarding the process of nature “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift.”
I would like to thank Kelly for her hospitality and her home for a memorable sangha in the evening.
May the Source be with you!
11 km
Birmingham, Michigan
Time
At the Krishna House, I was asked to speak from the Bhagavatam verse 1.8.28. There is merit to sharing words of wisdom, so I would then like to extract from its purport the following: “It is no use saying that we do not know why and for what we are suffering. We may forget the misdeed for which we may suffer at this present moment. We must remember that Paramatma (Supreme Soul) is our constant companion. And therefore, He knows everything, past, present and future. And because the Paramatma feature of Sri Krishna destines all actions and reactions, He is the supreme controller also. Without His sanction, not a blade of grass can move. The living beings are given as much freedom as they deserve, and misuse of that freedom is the cause of suffering… Everyone here wants to lord it over material nature, and thus everyone creates his own destiny under the supervision of the Supreme Lord. He is all pervading and therefore, He can see everyone’s activities. And because the Lord has no beginning or end, He is known also as the eternal time, Kala.”
Some other comments on the topic of kala (time) based on the teachings and practices of our guru, Srila Prabhupada are as follows:
Time is the most powerful representation of God in the material sphere.
We may be governed by the movements of the sun and the moon, but it is the Supreme who moves them.
You can’t buy back a moment of time past with tons of gold. (Chanikya)
“Time and tide wait for no man.”
Also we might consider this beautiful phrase regarding the process of nature “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift.”
I would like to thank Kelly for her hospitality and her home for a memorable sangha in the evening.
May the Source be with you!
11 km
Thursday, May 14th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Thursday, May 14th, 2015
Cleveland/Toledo/Michigan
Switching Cities and States
From Cleveland, Eklavya and I took a bus en route to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
There was a stopover in Toledo, a first visit for me, to this city. Like most American cities, it is all about cars. You hardly see pedestrians. While here, I also wondered why, and even as we grew up as kids, people say, “Holy Toledo” to express surprise. I believe that the phrase was also blurted out by Robin to Batman. From what I could gather it has origins from around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century and was meant to be a sarcastic remark – Whatever!
At the bus station, we met Pranav, a 26 year old student from Gujarat, India, going to school at the University of Buffalo. Nice guy. Which is typical of Indian students. Quiet. Dutiful. Family and studies means a lot to such individuals. I admire that.
I offered my services. I said, “Buffalo is close to Toronto where I live just over the border. We can visit and do some kirtanwith your friends.’ I handed him the small book, ‘Krishna: The Reservoir of Pleasure’ for keeps. Also, another person from Brooklyn was sitting a depot was making favorable remarks about the robes. Sorry, but Eklavya and I had trouble discerning the gender. This spirit soul was keen to learn and become a recipient of this same informative book.
Destiny had it that I once again found myself Ypsilanti for a small Thursday evening gathering at the Krishna house. This time the casual presentation was shared by Eklavya. People are always curious to know how one gets involved in monastic life and in Krishna consciousness. Eklavya gave a thorough description of his gradual entry into the lifestyle. Very human and very intriguing was his explanation.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Cleveland/Toledo/Michigan
Switching Cities and States
From Cleveland, Eklavya and I took a bus en route to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
There was a stopover in Toledo, a first visit for me, to this city. Like most American cities, it is all about cars. You hardly see pedestrians. While here, I also wondered why, and even as we grew up as kids, people say, “Holy Toledo” to express surprise. I believe that the phrase was also blurted out by Robin to Batman. From what I could gather it has origins from around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century and was meant to be a sarcastic remark – Whatever!
At the bus station, we met Pranav, a 26 year old student from Gujarat, India, going to school at the University of Buffalo. Nice guy. Which is typical of Indian students. Quiet. Dutiful. Family and studies means a lot to such individuals. I admire that.
I offered my services. I said, “Buffalo is close to Toronto where I live just over the border. We can visit and do some kirtanwith your friends.’ I handed him the small book, ‘Krishna: The Reservoir of Pleasure’ for keeps. Also, another person from Brooklyn was sitting a depot was making favorable remarks about the robes. Sorry, but Eklavya and I had trouble discerning the gender. This spirit soul was keen to learn and become a recipient of this same informative book.
Destiny had it that I once again found myself Ypsilanti for a small Thursday evening gathering at the Krishna house. This time the casual presentation was shared by Eklavya. People are always curious to know how one gets involved in monastic life and in Krishna consciousness. Eklavya gave a thorough description of his gradual entry into the lifestyle. Very human and very intriguing was his explanation.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Tuesday, May 12th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Tuesday, May 12th, 2015
Hudson Ohio
Never Forget
Hawking Hills had our attention for the morning, when Akhila, Eklavya and I explored Ash Falls and the Old Man’s Cave. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a cave where an old hermit type guy spent years in a hole. And who wouldn’t want to out under a massive rock awning with acoustics so fine that concerts used to record and staged under this beautiful and natural canopy.
Here’s how the story goes about the hermit, who lived in a cave in this very insular area in the depths of an Ohio gorge. A plaque reads, “Old man caves derived its name from a hermit named Richard Rowe who lived in the recessed cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two hound dogs traveled through Ohio alone the Scioto River in search of game. On a side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hawking Hills region. Richard, and his hounds, lived out the rest of their lives here in the cave.”
As the three of us roamed this area, we could imagine ourselves spending days here, if not years. Of course, at the end of the 18thcentury, it was probably do-able. But not today. Privacy would be interrupted with tourists milling through.
For a contrast to such of hermit dreaming, we had been invited to the home of Hari, an engineer from India, whose wife and two sons enjoy life in an upscale neighborhood in Hudson. People came over to hear kirtan and a talk. I took the opportunity to speak on our guru, Srila Prabhupada and his achievements in the world.
People do have a choice whether to live in a mansion, or a cave. But they should never forget the spiritual component.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Hudson Ohio
Never Forget
Hawking Hills had our attention for the morning, when Akhila, Eklavya and I explored Ash Falls and the Old Man’s Cave. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a cave where an old hermit type guy spent years in a hole. And who wouldn’t want to out under a massive rock awning with acoustics so fine that concerts used to record and staged under this beautiful and natural canopy.
Here’s how the story goes about the hermit, who lived in a cave in this very insular area in the depths of an Ohio gorge. A plaque reads, “Old man caves derived its name from a hermit named Richard Rowe who lived in the recessed cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two hound dogs traveled through Ohio alone the Scioto River in search of game. On a side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hawking Hills region. Richard, and his hounds, lived out the rest of their lives here in the cave.”
As the three of us roamed this area, we could imagine ourselves spending days here, if not years. Of course, at the end of the 18thcentury, it was probably do-able. But not today. Privacy would be interrupted with tourists milling through.
For a contrast to such of hermit dreaming, we had been invited to the home of Hari, an engineer from India, whose wife and two sons enjoy life in an upscale neighborhood in Hudson. People came over to hear kirtan and a talk. I took the opportunity to speak on our guru, Srila Prabhupada and his achievements in the world.
People do have a choice whether to live in a mansion, or a cave. But they should never forget the spiritual component.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
Canton and Cleveland, Ohio
Herb Awareness
Atmarama is the name of the person who hosted us in his home in Canton. He treated Eklavya and myself to nearby park, McKinley Park. It is named after one of the former presidents of the USA. McKinley hails from this small city and is also memorialized here at a monument erected some time after his assassination which was in 1901. Atmarama also informed us that Canton is the place where the Hover Vacuum Cleaner was invented.
It was certainly an herbal walk that we embarked upon as much as it was a history lesson. Along the way, we spotted greens that we knew, or chewed on, or dreamed of foraging for the next wild forestry meal. This is certainly the time of the year for this kind of thing.
Once reaching the city of Cleveland (after the Canton venture), I invested in a short second walk with Jatayu, a devotee who deals with autistic kids. The metro parks is a place where we have tread before. Herbs was the fascination once again. Some of with are similar to, or different from, the ones in Canton. We were not the only ones to see God’s hand at work here in the form of plants. Other forest lovers were also out and about.
One fellow, a jogger, on this up and down train, loves Jesus. He stopped and insisted on us reading the book of John. We explained that we both had a Christian upbringing. But what we had to say, fell on deaf ears. We were to listen to him and so we patiently heard him out. A one way street conversation it was. We did give, “the last word” so to speak, before moving on. “Hare Krishna”.
Our closure to the day happened in the evening at the home of Don Foose (Dayal Nitai). The kirtanwe had was arousing. It felt like all involved were like herbs exploding out of the ground at springtime. Incidentally, Doyal had just come out with a beautiful hard book, ‘Raw Life’ by Kung-Foose Publishing . Recipes and the story of his life are featured. There is no mystery here about his being a Krishna consciousness person.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Canton and Cleveland, Ohio
Herb Awareness
Atmarama is the name of the person who hosted us in his home in Canton. He treated Eklavya and myself to nearby park, McKinley Park. It is named after one of the former presidents of the USA. McKinley hails from this small city and is also memorialized here at a monument erected some time after his assassination which was in 1901. Atmarama also informed us that Canton is the place where the Hover Vacuum Cleaner was invented.
It was certainly an herbal walk that we embarked upon as much as it was a history lesson. Along the way, we spotted greens that we knew, or chewed on, or dreamed of foraging for the next wild forestry meal. This is certainly the time of the year for this kind of thing.
Once reaching the city of Cleveland (after the Canton venture), I invested in a short second walk with Jatayu, a devotee who deals with autistic kids. The metro parks is a place where we have tread before. Herbs was the fascination once again. Some of with are similar to, or different from, the ones in Canton. We were not the only ones to see God’s hand at work here in the form of plants. Other forest lovers were also out and about.
One fellow, a jogger, on this up and down train, loves Jesus. He stopped and insisted on us reading the book of John. We explained that we both had a Christian upbringing. But what we had to say, fell on deaf ears. We were to listen to him and so we patiently heard him out. A one way street conversation it was. We did give, “the last word” so to speak, before moving on. “Hare Krishna”.
Our closure to the day happened in the evening at the home of Don Foose (Dayal Nitai). The kirtanwe had was arousing. It felt like all involved were like herbs exploding out of the ground at springtime. Incidentally, Doyal had just come out with a beautiful hard book, ‘Raw Life’ by Kung-Foose Publishing . Recipes and the story of his life are featured. There is no mystery here about his being a Krishna consciousness person.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Monday, May 11th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, May 11th, 2015
Hawking Hills, Ohio
Where We Like To Be
Akhila, my dear friend from Salem, Ohio, and Eklavya, origin New York City and I spent the greater part of the day in a van to get to this little paradise. After what seemed like the long and winding road (the only Beatles song I never cared for), we finally made it to the area of Old Man’s Cave to settle into a cozy world class cabin. A creek runs in front of this rustic place nestled in a cool and green deciduous forest.
It was our full intention to hit trails, waterfalls, and cliffs, which are some of the features that the area is renowned for. But a heavy storm set into the state of Ohio, and surrounding areas, which restricted our chances for wonderland adventure. With high winds, rain, and high powered lightening, we were reminded of God’s greatness, and our meagerness – always a good message.
We spent the last hours of the day, preparing and eating a fine organic meal, with Eklavya juicing up Asparagus, celery and other greens; with Akhila toasting and I gathering dandelion leaves outside the cabin deck. Our dessert was not orally taken, but through the ears. I couldn’t help myself to reading aloud for the three of us segments of the book “Prabhupada” and of his early days in New York struggling along and alone, seemingly.
Actually, a monk is never alone, but conscious of the divinity all around him. That is what is good about being in the forest, feeling the presence of the sublime energy and the sublime energetic Krishna.
It will be in three years time that Eklavya will be ordained as a full fledged monk, known as sannyasa, and spending some time in the quiet forest prepares oneself. This place, Hawking Hills, is a good fit for him.
May the Source be with you!
1 km
Hawking Hills, Ohio
Where We Like To Be
Akhila, my dear friend from Salem, Ohio, and Eklavya, origin New York City and I spent the greater part of the day in a van to get to this little paradise. After what seemed like the long and winding road (the only Beatles song I never cared for), we finally made it to the area of Old Man’s Cave to settle into a cozy world class cabin. A creek runs in front of this rustic place nestled in a cool and green deciduous forest.
It was our full intention to hit trails, waterfalls, and cliffs, which are some of the features that the area is renowned for. But a heavy storm set into the state of Ohio, and surrounding areas, which restricted our chances for wonderland adventure. With high winds, rain, and high powered lightening, we were reminded of God’s greatness, and our meagerness – always a good message.
We spent the last hours of the day, preparing and eating a fine organic meal, with Eklavya juicing up Asparagus, celery and other greens; with Akhila toasting and I gathering dandelion leaves outside the cabin deck. Our dessert was not orally taken, but through the ears. I couldn’t help myself to reading aloud for the three of us segments of the book “Prabhupada” and of his early days in New York struggling along and alone, seemingly.
Actually, a monk is never alone, but conscious of the divinity all around him. That is what is good about being in the forest, feeling the presence of the sublime energy and the sublime energetic Krishna.
It will be in three years time that Eklavya will be ordained as a full fledged monk, known as sannyasa, and spending some time in the quiet forest prepares oneself. This place, Hawking Hills, is a good fit for him.
May the Source be with you!
1 km
Sunday, May 10th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Sunday, May 10th, 2015
Moundsville, West Virginia
Since Friday evening, we had been practicing for the drama, “Blue Mystic”. I usually experience miracles through transcendental theatre projects such as this.
A young man, Shaun, 18, from Toronto that was going to play the ‘Mystic’, Himself, just returned from a trip to India and came back with a serious ear infection. The prospect of his playing the part fell through. So, as my Hindu friends would say, “When there is a puzzle or a peril, ‘What to do?’”.
Fortunately, I usually have in mind, some understudy or a backup person to depend on, just in case. I am always looking, hunting you might say, for fresh talent. On my last trip to Michigan, I met a young man named Jake, with a decent build and height. With long, but well groomed hair, and with a kind of a boyish face. He also told me that he has a martial arts background. I had determined from my first meeting him that he has a good nature and is direct able. In other words, he would be able to take directions quite well. He agreed for the part. And that is what I call a miracle. And I didn’t have to look too hard.
Today was the day for our performance at the Palace Lodge at the New Vrindavan community. Yadhunath and company from New York, had just completed their comedic and serious drama pieces which very much moved the audience. Then our troupe came on. Shortly thereafter, I announced my walk for September retracing the route our guru, Srila Prabhupada, took when he first arrived in America.
The lights went on. “Lights”, “Camera”, (yes, someone was filming unofficially), and “Action”. The actors did a near stellar performance (It’s never perfect, is it?). The implementation of storm and star effects was well executed and so was the ballet by Balaram. And there was a good fight at the end with the victor, Krishna, The Blue Mystic, inspiring and arousing the audience.
What I leaned – work hard, and for Krishna.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Moundsville, West Virginia
Since Friday evening, we had been practicing for the drama, “Blue Mystic”. I usually experience miracles through transcendental theatre projects such as this.
A young man, Shaun, 18, from Toronto that was going to play the ‘Mystic’, Himself, just returned from a trip to India and came back with a serious ear infection. The prospect of his playing the part fell through. So, as my Hindu friends would say, “When there is a puzzle or a peril, ‘What to do?’”.
Fortunately, I usually have in mind, some understudy or a backup person to depend on, just in case. I am always looking, hunting you might say, for fresh talent. On my last trip to Michigan, I met a young man named Jake, with a decent build and height. With long, but well groomed hair, and with a kind of a boyish face. He also told me that he has a martial arts background. I had determined from my first meeting him that he has a good nature and is direct able. In other words, he would be able to take directions quite well. He agreed for the part. And that is what I call a miracle. And I didn’t have to look too hard.
Today was the day for our performance at the Palace Lodge at the New Vrindavan community. Yadhunath and company from New York, had just completed their comedic and serious drama pieces which very much moved the audience. Then our troupe came on. Shortly thereafter, I announced my walk for September retracing the route our guru, Srila Prabhupada, took when he first arrived in America.
The lights went on. “Lights”, “Camera”, (yes, someone was filming unofficially), and “Action”. The actors did a near stellar performance (It’s never perfect, is it?). The implementation of storm and star effects was well executed and so was the ballet by Balaram. And there was a good fight at the end with the victor, Krishna, The Blue Mystic, inspiring and arousing the audience.
What I leaned – work hard, and for Krishna.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday May 6th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday May 6th, 2015
Etobicoke, Ontario
Are We Man Enough To Take It?
After the crack of dawn I went by foot from Kipling to Rexdale heading west, then along Derry Rd. which seems to be a path to eternity. This takes me along Pearson Airport and finally to a crossroads where my host for the evening, Nimai, picks me up for the balance of the journey to the dental clinic to meet my appointment. I was going for a cleaning.
The dental assistant gave me an assessment that was pretty good as to my own personal maintenance of teeth. I even felt good having heard her compliments. But you know, there’s another level of diagnosis. When my dentist came to look into my mouth he was sterner in his assessment, which I guess was great for subduing the ego.
“Your brushing is still too aggressive.” And that he said with a truthful tone.
“Oh Krishna!” I thought. “Just when I thought I was doing rather well with regular brushing and flossing.” The photos taken of my inside reveal some increased recession of gums. You can’t argue with the camera unless there are some special effects being employed here. The dental assistant then gave me the advice (which has been done before) that I use my left hand for brushing as it will be executed with more caution. Good advice should always be taken as it is based on experience.
Now for life’s direction, the good suggestions, recommendations, whatever, are out there. It comes in form of what guru has to say. There’s also guru within, sometimes referred to as paramatma. We also have sastra, directions given in the form of ancient wisdom in textual format.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, has given us the mandate to avoid the consumption of meat, intoxicants, gambling and casual sex. All this is to provide protection from the influence of allurements which coax us to darker alleys of life.
Good advice is worth millions. You can’t put a price tag on it, to be factual. Generally it comes our way in its multiple forms, but are we man enough to take it? Bad and old habits die hard. May death be the sentence on such habits.
May the Source be with you!
14 km
Etobicoke, Ontario
Are We Man Enough To Take It?
After the crack of dawn I went by foot from Kipling to Rexdale heading west, then along Derry Rd. which seems to be a path to eternity. This takes me along Pearson Airport and finally to a crossroads where my host for the evening, Nimai, picks me up for the balance of the journey to the dental clinic to meet my appointment. I was going for a cleaning.
The dental assistant gave me an assessment that was pretty good as to my own personal maintenance of teeth. I even felt good having heard her compliments. But you know, there’s another level of diagnosis. When my dentist came to look into my mouth he was sterner in his assessment, which I guess was great for subduing the ego.
“Your brushing is still too aggressive.” And that he said with a truthful tone.
“Oh Krishna!” I thought. “Just when I thought I was doing rather well with regular brushing and flossing.” The photos taken of my inside reveal some increased recession of gums. You can’t argue with the camera unless there are some special effects being employed here. The dental assistant then gave me the advice (which has been done before) that I use my left hand for brushing as it will be executed with more caution. Good advice should always be taken as it is based on experience.
Now for life’s direction, the good suggestions, recommendations, whatever, are out there. It comes in form of what guru has to say. There’s also guru within, sometimes referred to as paramatma. We also have sastra, directions given in the form of ancient wisdom in textual format.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, has given us the mandate to avoid the consumption of meat, intoxicants, gambling and casual sex. All this is to provide protection from the influence of allurements which coax us to darker alleys of life.
Good advice is worth millions. You can’t put a price tag on it, to be factual. Generally it comes our way in its multiple forms, but are we man enough to take it? Bad and old habits die hard. May death be the sentence on such habits.
May the Source be with you!
14 km
Become the Servant of the Servant, May 20, Prabhupada Village, Sandy Ridge, North Carolina
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18.
“We see that everyone has the potential to engage in devotional service to Lord Krishna. So, we want to encourage them, and those that are already engaged we also want to encourage them. Once there was a temple where there was some conflict among the devotees. They asked Srila Prabhupada what to do. Srila Prabhupada said that if everyone was to think that ‘I am the servant of the servant of the servants of Krishna’, then there will be no more conflict.Gopi bharatu pada kamalayor dasa dasanudas. Sometimes he said that the devotees should engage in common activities like sankirtan.”
Devotees perform Harinama in a gipsy community and spread the…
→ Dandavats.com
Devotees perform Harinama in a gipsy community and spread the enthusiasm of the chanting and dancing (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/5xqMR3
Gems
→ Seed of Devotion
For the Kirtan Connection course that I teach, we have a private blog where students write a post every week and comment on their fellow students' posts. This week our topic was kirtan etiquette and pride. I just finished commenting on every post.
I feel like I've just emerged from a washing machine. I feel cleansed inside and out, as if I have received instructions from my spiritual master on the art of leading and participating in kirtan. I am humbled by the innate wisdom of each and every student.
In this course, we have a woman who received spiritual initiation in 1979 and is now returning to the Krishna conscious movement.
A spunky thirteen-year-old and a powerful thirty-two-year-old gurukuli.
A professional modern dancer who has visited the Bhakti Center only once before, and participated in kirtan possibly four times.
A lady who is dedicated to Krishna Consciousness and is a registered member of a Native American tribe. She comes down from Boston every week and shares her beautiful culture with us.
Two sincere and inspired yoginis - one who teaches and practices at The Bhakti Center and the other one who has traveled to India with Raghunath.
A soft-hearted woman dedicated to truth and serving Krishna.
I am in awe by the beauty of each student, so grateful to be serving each one. I believe that they are probably teaching me way more about kirtan than I will ever teach them. Thank you, Srila Prabhupad, for granting me the association of these beautiful people.
I feel like I've just emerged from a washing machine. I feel cleansed inside and out, as if I have received instructions from my spiritual master on the art of leading and participating in kirtan. I am humbled by the innate wisdom of each and every student.
In this course, we have a woman who received spiritual initiation in 1979 and is now returning to the Krishna conscious movement.
A spunky thirteen-year-old and a powerful thirty-two-year-old gurukuli.
A professional modern dancer who has visited the Bhakti Center only once before, and participated in kirtan possibly four times.
A lady who is dedicated to Krishna Consciousness and is a registered member of a Native American tribe. She comes down from Boston every week and shares her beautiful culture with us.
Two sincere and inspired yoginis - one who teaches and practices at The Bhakti Center and the other one who has traveled to India with Raghunath.
A soft-hearted woman dedicated to truth and serving Krishna.
I am in awe by the beauty of each student, so grateful to be serving each one. I believe that they are probably teaching me way more about kirtan than I will ever teach them. Thank you, Srila Prabhupad, for granting me the association of these beautiful people.
Historic Reception Festival of Lord Nityananda,Narasimhadev & Mayapur devotees,May 31st,11am-2pm
→ ISKCON Brampton
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Kirtan with Hladini Kirtan Band at your home
Pandava Nirjala
Nectar of Instruction Course
Sunday School
Gift ShopHare Krishna! Serving Krishna by Serving Tulasi
Srila Jiva…
→ Dandavats.com
Hare Krishna! Serving Krishna by Serving Tulasi
Srila Jiva Gosvami, arguably one of the greatest spiritual scholars in the history of religion, said that one does not really accept God unless one accepts his inconceivable nature. In other words, if we try to limit God in some way, then in effect we have eliminated his true nature. In the same way, how the Lord’s internal potency for performing pastimes in this world expands as the pure devotee Tulasi, an eternal consort of Krishna, is also inconceivable. Devotees simply accept her and worship her with joy in their hearts. And if she blesses them by growing luxuriously, as she has in Vancouver, that, Srila Prabhupada wrote, is evidence of their sincere devotion.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17651
Vaishnava weddings in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
Vaishnava weddings in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Krishna. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, preme pum-artho mahan: one’s main concern should be to increase one’s attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to increase one’s love for Him. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/5A6Ko8
Ganga puja celebrations
→ Mayapur.com
30 May, 2015 On 28th evening, devotees at ISKCON Mayapur celebrated Ganga puja festival. Also known as Ganga Dussehra, the day marks the descent of mother Ganges to earth. Hundreds of devotees gathered at Prabhupada Ghat to worship Mother Ganges and take bath in Her holy waters. The program started off with melodious kirtan. Then to the […]
The post Ganga puja celebrations appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Hare Krishna! Family ties
Srila Prabhupada explains that we are…
→ Dandavats.com
Hare Krishna! Family ties
Srila Prabhupada explains that we are indebted in so many ways. We are indebted if we take milk from the cow. We are indebted to other living beings, demigods, family, parents and to everyone who has made a sacrifice for us. We are indebted to our teachers for whatever knowledge we have taken from them. Like this, we are indebted, indebted, indebted! Therefore, we have a duty to repay. It is a karmic duty and not just a moral duty! If we do not repay that duty then there are reactions.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17650
Is Rahu responsible for the phases of the moon, what is a spiritual body and where in sastra is there information about sikhas?
→ SivaramaSwami.com
These and other questions by Manab Mitra, Bhakta László, Lalita-sakhi, Marcus Perez, Mahatma Vidura, Lando Linda and Czakó Misi.
The post Is Rahu responsible for the phases of the moon, what is a spiritual body and where in sastra is there information about sikhas? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Radha Damodara today
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Radha Damodara today appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Deena Bandhu prabhu gets a new friend from Boise!
Deena Bandhu:…
→ Dandavats.com
Deena Bandhu prabhu gets a new friend from Boise!
Deena Bandhu: We met a nice girl in the park who owned this sweet cockatiel. First the bird gave me kisses, then went after my sikha!
See more pics here: https://goo.gl/PZ25RU
BOAT FESTIVAL In Kolkata, India, 24.05.2015 (Album with…
→ Dandavats.com
BOAT FESTIVAL In Kolkata, India, 24.05.2015 (Album with photos)
Program organised by Well Wisher Forum, ISKCON Kolkata, Their Lordships Sri Sri Banka Nitai Gaura Ray and Sri Sri Radha Govinda dev graced the occassion alongwith many other
See them here: https://goo.gl/GWsbF5
Maha Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
Maha Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Intelligent men decide to solve all problems by adopting the devotional service of chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is situated in everyone’s heart and who is a mine of all auspicious qualities. Such persons are not within Yamaraj’s jurisdiction for punishment. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.26 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/v9fZFt
Shabbat Harinam in Tel-aviv (Album with photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
Shabbat Harinam in Tel-aviv (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Krishna. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, preme pum-artho mahan: one’s main concern should be to increase one’s attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to increase one’s love for Him. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Ub5erI
Radha Damodara
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Radha Damodara appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Bhakti Charu Maharaja
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Bhakti Charu Maharaja appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Sadhu Sanga Retreat’s success beyond description! (Album…
→ Dandavats.com
Sadhu Sanga Retreat’s success beyond description! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: 1.600 devotees enjoyed many hours of kirtan at the Sadhu Sanga Retreat in North Carolina over Memorial Day weekend. Words cannot begin to express the deep joy and satisfaction everyone experienced. Perhaps the following photos of Damodar-rati das can help to convey the spirit of that historic event.
See them here: https://goo.gl/CUxhOU
Gita Nagari Baru Yatra, Indonesia (Album with photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
Gita Nagari Baru Yatra, Indonesia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the sastras it is said that if a person only once chants the holy name and completely surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Lord, the Lord immediately considers him His ward and is always inclined to give him protection. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/S2UeAV
Hare Krishna! Miraculous Meetings!
We had an amazing sankirtan…
→ Dandavats.com
Hare Krishna! Miraculous Meetings!
We had an amazing sankirtan experience last week. While traveling we met a man who got a ‘Chant and Be Happy,’ read it, became convinced, and started chanting – all by himself. Never been to a temple, never met a devotee. He just made up his own beads from reading and now chants everyday. Gives us great faith in power of Srila Prabhupada’s book. The full article and video interview can be found here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17645
TOVP Tour Diary Day 66: Chicago TOVP Presentation
- TOVP.org
On Saturday, May 16th we left Bloomington, Illinois for the Chicago temple. However, along the way we paid a surprise visit to His Holiness Radhanath Swami who was staying nearby.
Arriving at the temple, we set up our TOVP presentation banners and prepared for the Sunday program. The Chicago temple is a very large building and houses the presiding Deities of Sri Sri Radha Kishor Kishori, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, and Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra. The congregation of devotees is very large and we expected a good crowd.
Devotees started arriving for the evening arati and darshan of the Padukas and Sitari, after which the Temple President, Nityananda Pran prabhu, introduced the TOVP Team. Radha Jivan and Jananivas spoke again about the importance of Mayapur Dhama and building the TOVP. Pledges began to come in and by the program’s end close to $300,000 was pledged. After a puspa abhisheka to the Padukas and Sitari prasadam was served.
The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 66: Chicago TOVP Presentation appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.