The perfect lifestyle
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 October 2022, Vrndavana, India, Govardhana-puja Lecture)

These days, more and more people are becoming vegan, not only outside of our movement but also inside of our movement. Of course, Srila Prabhupada in the first Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam very much emphasises the importance about drinking milk. He also emphasises that milk sweets should be offered to the deities. Here, in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada reserved the milk sweets for the Gurukula. Yes, they got all the milk sweets. Sometimes we would steal, and such things were going on. So milk is essential for the finer brain tissue. When the milk of the cows is offered to Krsna, then we all get the benefit, including the cows. So, this is the solution. Some devotees will say, ”Yes, I am vegan, but I will only take ahimsa milk.” But that was also not Srila Prabhupada’s program. Srila Prabhupada wanted milk to be there, offered to the deities and devotees and so on. So, I do not think we should change that. At the same time, I do think that we should be sensitive to the fact that the cows are being mistreated and if we simply just take the milk from cows that are mistreated, then that is not so nice. So, where we can, we should take the milk from the protected cows and we should take up this responsibility of protecting cows. At the same time, it is not realistic to just say, “ahimsa milk only.” Milk is essential, and only when milk is offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are having it then. This is because cows are the centre of Krsna‘s life and therefore the cows should be in the centre of our lives. The way Krsna lives in Vrindavan is the perfect lifestyle. There is no better lifestyle. If we were all to live that, we would have a happy world.

The article " The perfect lifestyle " was published on KKSBlog.

Thursday, December 8th, 2022
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Yorkville, Toronto

Family

How can one define the concept of family?

To me it’s a framework of two strong pillars

Of ideal role models who are complementary

And who function as life’s wisdom fillers

 

Moreover, I think it’s a microcosm structure

With moral foundations as the base

A kind of roof and walls housing a culture

Of warmth in the middle of its place

 

Let’s consider a family a boat that’s riding waves

Tackling small waves and tall ones

With a floating crew of sailors so brave

Comprised of parents, daughters and sons

 

A family can be a biological unit

Bonded by a loving synergy

While preserving individual interest

And a shaping of fond future memories

 

A family is usually a group who agrees

Although that's not all of the time

But fortunately, no one will flee

For they are a compromising kind

 

Family is not a place for violence

Or intimidation or aggression

Domestic slavery makes no sense

Love does not spring from oppression

 

I believe a family to be a learning field

A home of brain, heart and body touch

Where one can grow, glow, and yield

To life’s trials of which there are much

 

A family is an expression of amazing support

Where experience is lent from generations

A connectivity, an incredible fort

I ask: would these points be exaggerations?

-          Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

 

May the Source be with you!

4km

 

 

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
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Toronto, Ontario

Souls Everywhere Interested

When walking by the Christmas trees in Yorkville, Toronto, I was contemplating on how responsive people were in Cuba during our recent week-long visit. Their nods, smiles and, “Olas” are endearing, but I should not fail to neglect the many tourists from Quebec, Ontario and other designations, also showed receptiveness.

For instance, as our group at the resort in Varadero were waiting for our airport bus, a person by the name Vince came to us with the greatest curiosity. You wouldn’t think that a general contractor like him would be keen. I must say he was so genuine. He’s from a town called Brockville in Canada. So, now I’m back from the tropical trip and on the sidewalk, turning a corner, in a cooler zone (but no snow around) and I experience the same kind of curiosity and welcome.

“Hey, Walking Monk, how are you?” I turned my head to see a fellow who’s been greeting me like that for a decade or so. I responded, of course, and as I did a young African Canadian, who heard the exchange and was nearby said,

“So, you are a monk? What do monks do? You were talking and I thought monks don’t talk.”

“Monks most definitely talk, and they walk too.”

My new friend had a ton of questions and I suggested she might try being a monk for a weekend. Something to consider doing for folks who demonstrate interest. She said she’ll consider it. It goes to show that spirituality is big on the rise and it’s at home.

May the Source be with you!

5km

 

Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
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Varadero, Cuba

By the Cuban Ocean

I could swear I was in Vaikuntha(heaven). White sands, aqua-coloured water calm as anything, the sky boasted multiple blues to purples. The air was clean.

It was 7am when Ugresh, Urvi, Vallabha, Emile and I dove into the sublime liquid of ocean minerals. We were submerged, as were the school of fish milling around our legs. We were early.

Practically no one else was out. It’s understandable. There is entertainment at the resort and rum is freely given, so judging by the night excitement and noise levels that become subdued at midnight and beyond, not everyone is going to be up as the sun peaks over the horizon.

We chanted in the ocean and stayed there until we determined that our sadhana was complete. It’s actually wise to keep to the water. The insects at this hour are voracious with their appetite.

From there our group left for breakfast. I passed on that one. No breakfast for me. I have no agni(fire) at this time. My stomach gets stoking at 12 noon. I took this down time as an opportunity to write some poetry on the topic of “family.”

What conjured up this theme, I’m not sure. I always believed in strong family. Perhaps I got somewhat charmed by the domestic interactions of people on the island of Cuba. Of course, it’s not perfect here; even amongst the families of bhakti there is a bit of “do-si-do-ing” going on; people changing partners. It seems to be a trend, world-wide.

May the Source be with you!

 

 

Monday, December 5, 2022
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Santa Clara/Martazas

Chi Gong to Gayatri

There was a sweet briskness in the air as we set out for a 7am exercise session of Chi Gong in the zoologico. The local folks, mostly retirees, were in Chinese silk garb, while us visitors from Canada were attired in our usual Indian dhoti and kurta. The session, held in gorgeous, natural greenery, was so relaxing. I wish that our temple and ashram had sessions like this, even for fifteen to twenty minutes a day.

It was time for our taxi to arrive and to bid farewell to Laksminath, who has been so helpful to us during our stay in Rodas and Santa Clara. By 10:30 we were on our way back to Mantazas, through the countryside. The only problem with travel, and being somewhat stationary in most places in Cuba, is the vehicle fumes. Perhaps only at resorts by the open air is there some escape.

Our last real bonding with bhaktasin Cuba was in Mantazas with kirtan, and some storytelling of Krishna and the Vedas with a final wrap-up of prasadam; comprised of local rice, beans, salad, yucca, and a guacamole that was outrageously delicious. Yes, avocados are in season. Hip! Hip! Hari!

Parting with people in Cuba is always tough. They are heartfelt folks. Good emotions! Just add the devotions.

I took the time to walk and exit the city til Prana, Vallabha and Emil caught up to me with a taxi. The sun was in its descent, a hint for chanting gayatri, which is always a calming affair; three times a day.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


 

Sunday, December 4, 2022
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Santa Clara, Cuba

In Santa Clara

When today’s presentation was to be at the Ecological Center in the heart of Santa Clara Zoo, I was pleasantly surprised. And it was outdoors with a good fifty or so people, many of them well read, including doctors and teachers, that got on their feet from their chairs, as I and companion monks came in sight. What an honor! I don’t deserve that, but to tell you the truth, there’s lots of great culture in Cuba.

The program opened up with a Thai Chi presentation by three experts in the field. That was graceful. Then massage therapist, Laksminath, introduced me to say something on the topic of the ecological view of bhakti yoga. So here was the opportunity to say something about my green statement – walking across Canada four times, the United States once, and a few other countries that allowed me to pilgrimage their territories.

“The marathon walking was great for the health, but it also enhanced my sensitivity. It helped my introspection and boosted my respect for the sacredness behind all the environment has to offer.”

I recited some verses from TheGita that supported my position, and then encouraged all there to go for sacred sound vibration with a warm-up voice exercise, and then yoga dance. My translator, a doctor, really had his steps down good. I could see him move to “Uptown Funk.”

This was a super appreciative group. They were thrilled, and relished the guava chai afterwards. I had never seen so many cell phones as cameras being used. It looks like everyone in Cuba has one. Naturally, we had a peek at the lions, zebras, and hippo.

 May the Source be with you!

4 km



 

Saturday, December 3, 2022,
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Rodas, Cuba

Under the Mango Tree

Today is the anniversary of the great dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. The anchor person to this sublime conversation is someone by the name of Sanjaya, who is quite in a blissful state when relating it to the blind king, Dhrtarastra. Here’s how he felt in Sanskrit:

rajan samsmrtya samsmrtya

samvadam imam adbhutam

keshavarjunayoh punyam

hrsyami ca muhur muhuh

“Oh, King, as I repeatedly recall this wondrous and holy dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, I take pleasure, being thrilled at every moment.”

I was also thrilled (in a lesser capacity, given my fallen nature) in delivery to a group of attentive adults, under a mango tree, a nutshell version of the conversation that many scholars know so well as the Bhagavad-Gita, the message of the universe about holding on to duty and surrendering to the will of a greater world; that which is beyond my own.

This majestic mango tree is located in the backyard of Jose, a generous man of Rodas, who is lending his home to the public as a reading room for the publications of Prabhupada. It was Prabhupada who brought the abovementioned conversation, so revered, to the western world. Grateful we are to him and to Laksminath, a local Vaishnavi, who took our visit as the gesture of an inauguration of the reading room. Laksminath also arrange for the children in the neighborhood to display the drama of Krishna saving his cowherd friends from the monstrous python, Agasura. And that splendid little dramatic piece was also done under the mango tree. Innocent kids! Charming!

May the Source be with you!

3 km



 

Friday, December 2, 2022
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Havana, Cuba

Through Old Havana

In Havana, if it means a stroll, you might want to be picky and choosy about which streets to take. On some of the more frequented roads, old or newer models of cars release a certain amount of nasty exhaust. It was naturally a great discovery for me to amble along with my walking buddies through Old Havana, automobiles restricted, and where all the tourists go. This area has a particular appeal, and it led us to the Malacon, the sea wall, where the ocean waves crash dramatically against it. Indeed, the five of us got some real soakers, refreshing as they were, as the sun began to strike.

Our meals are quite simple. Our star for the cuisine is Chaitanya Priya, who provides us when we come here. The delight is a meal of yucca, rice and mixed veggies – good but slightly under spiced. We carry a stash of chaat masala for moderate sprinkling. Muchos Gracias C.P.

The four-in-the-afternoon program at one of the House of Cultures started off as a bit of a fiasco. We were designated for an outdoor venue. The problem was the sun, the noise from the nearby birthday party and more. But it was good old Covid that trained us all to learn to adjust and adapt. We made do with the twenty-or-so yogisthat came, enjoyed a relishable the time including a circle of dance as the sun moved beyond the horizon.

As Matanzas, Havana has proved to us, that, after these years of not seeing devotees here due to the pandemic predicament, many of our Cuban friends have not forgotten Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

12 km



 

Thursday, December 1, 2022
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Varadero/Havana, Cuba

From Here to There

Bliss is at the beach, but for those of us who are bhakti boys, the earlier in the day, the better; before crowds set in. A couple from Milton, Ugresh and Urmila, joined us in the oceans of water for a morning Sadhana comprised of prayers to the guru, prayers to Narasingha, the lion avatar, and then finally a Bhagavatamdiscussion.

What do we get out of this? A water massage, vitamin D, minerals nourishing the body, time to touch the brain and heart. Time to touch humility. We dried off and then took to japaand study.

One individual who approached us in the cafeteria was a bit unnerving, and when I mentioned humility in regards to a human’s obligation that just didn’t register with him at all. Without getting into details, it was simply time for any discussion, especially a one-way discussion, to end. Not all encounters with tourists are fun.

Our afternoon program took place in the capital city of Havana, two hours drive from Varadero. Here we would stay for two days, taking advantage of a reunion with some good souls we have missed during the pandemic. The natural way to do this, after smiles, hugs and a few heartfelt words, was kirtan. Our Croatian friend and resident of Cuba pulled out his guitar, hitting a note to the words “Hare Krishna…,” the mantragiven so benevolently by our guru, Prabhupada.

Thank you, Nanda Tanuja, for this reminder of our mission — getting that good vibration out. Each day here in Cuba I’m able to accomplish some walking, but it’s a bit tough to calculate some days.

May the source be with you!






 

“I Am Missing You, O Krishna” (5 min. video)
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“I Am Missing You, O Krishna” (5 min. video)
Norah Jones performing “I Am Missing You, O Krishna” is a song by Indian musician Ravi Shankar, sung by his sister-in-law Lakshmi Shankar and released as the lead single from his 1974 album Shankar Family & Friends. The song is a rare Shankar composition in the Western pop genre, with English lyrics, and was written as a love song to Lord Krishna. The recording was produced and arranged by George Harrison, and it was the first single issued on Harrison’s Dark Horse record label.


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Street Sankirtan London
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Parasuram das “Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped.” [Letter to Rayarama 17th May 1969] Enjoy the two short
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