Wednesday, October 8th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Scarborough, Ontario
 
Recently
 
Recently a friend pointed out that actor / political head Arnold Schwarzenegger was quoted in a men’s fitness magazine as attributing his success to the meditation he’s done.  Perhaps there’s a trend among politicians. 
 
We’ve also heard of former Prime Minister of the U.K., Tony Blair, speaking of the need for spiritual values being in people’s lives.  Also the current head of India, Prime Minister Modi is generously delivering Bhagavad-gitas to world leaders as he meets them and speaking of the virtues of yoga at the 69th session of the United Nations.  President Barack Obama had carried a small brass deity of Hanuman as a good luck charm.  Is Mr. Obama going Vedic?
 
Closer to home, the very controversial mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, made a diplomatic utterance of “Hare Krishna” at our Festival of Chariots this last summer on Centre Island in Toronto. 
 
And I’m sure there are more examples of our leaders taking or talking of a spiritual edge.  It’s about time.  Of course, speaking and doing from the heart is always better than the motive of seeking votes.  Let’s give the benefit of the doubt.  Integrity lies in everyone, even if it’s in the deepest recesses of the heart.
 
Personally I’m looking forward to the day when a political leader will say, “Walk, Chant, Love.”  “Love” implying for the Absolute. 
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Tuesday, October 7th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Bracebridge, Ontario
 
Usually
 
Usually when people speak of a Patel, a common name in Gujurat, you refer to one who's quite familiar with the personality, Sri Krishna.  It comes natural for someone from the Gujurat state in western India to have reverence towards Nataji, or Krishna.
 
It was fortunate for the family from Hamilton and I to be hosted by the two Patel brothers and their families and to be accomodated in a Patel Motel.
 
Jaya Gopal (Patel) led us on an autumn trail, a stretch of the Trans Canada Trail.  The gods were with us providing sunshine, moderate temperatures in the mid-teens (Celsius) and with a pleasant breeze.  Waterfalls and rapids were by our side at Saugeen Pines surcharging an oxygenized air.
 
We trampled on colours of scattered fallen leaves which was almost painful to see by dint of utter brilliance.  The sun drew extended shafts of light through hard and soft wood trees.  It was like lasers coming at us as we strolled and dodged some puddles and muddy patches along the way.  We were in heaven.
 
But one man was in Mars.  Upon our returning from this late morning trek, the motel (Riverside Inn) was being under repair while undergoing its remodeling.  Vladmir had been on the roof shovelling off caked-on years of BS (bird stool) while a second worker, on a ladder opening the ceiling, introduced himself as hailing from Mars, or so he declared.  Steve could easily be my age.  When seeing my attire he got curious and expressed his doubts about life, the world and God.  The remark about Mars was a joke.  He was jovial enough, judging by his well-groomed hair, self-worth was important.  Not in a challenging or accusatory tone he expressed why wars are started by religions?  This is classic inquiry.
 
To respond I offered, "In truth we need to be more of a realized or experienced spiritualist then a religionist.  There's a gulf of difference."
 
He couldn't agree more.  Personal surrender of your lusts, angers and greed is tantamount.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
8 KM

Monday, October 6th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Duntroon, Ontario
 
Actually
 
Actually my day today did not provide for me any wonder of walking, other than a short jaunt, a measly 2 kilometer trek through posh and tree-blessed Rosedale neighbourhood with peer, Kalyapani.  That was just before a car trip bound north.  During the short and sweet trek it was serene and lightly a drizzle graced our heads.  October 6th swallowed me up on three triumphant visitations to people of inspiration.
 
Firstly, a family from North Hamilton, Vrajadhama, wife Nityananda and young 20 month old Arjuna, picked me up for a visit to Rami Bleckt, author of a number of books on happiness, self-realization.  He is a good acquaintance with Dr. David Frawley, a foremost Ayurveda doctor.  Rami, himself a doctor/astrologer, impressed us with insight at his home in Duntroon, a small village north of Toronto.
 
He looked at me before even looking at my palm and relayed what he consider my physical internal challenges.  He gave remedies, an adjustment in diet and a colon cleansing.  With Vrajadhama he looked at his past through astrological calculation and offered advice on the most favourable vocation for him - farming.
 
The topic of food had also occupied our conversations as it did one hundred kilometers east, near Sutton Ontario.  There we visited Jai, Rasa, and their four kids at their farm where two milking cows provide the family with the great miracle of food.  Significant here, apart from the devotion to Krishna that the family imbibes in, is their commitment to cow and bull protection.  Ahimsa is the term we most aptly use here.  It means nonviolence imposed - no slaughter.  We indulged in the beautiful and boiled liquid religiosity.  And in the good company of a model family.
 
Another one hundred plus kilometers north took us to Bracebridge at Riverside Inn, owned and operated by a Patel clan.  Bhakti (devotion) oozes out of this family in behaviour and sadhana practice.  A little more of this group tomorrow.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
2 (embarrassing) KM.

Sunday, October 5th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Moving Bodies


Well, we had a bit of a problem this morning at the ashram.  It had something to do with bodily contortions, moans and groans and twitching eyes.  The woman, a visitor, who exhibited these unique features, was asked to be less distractive because she persisted and refused tone down advice we gave her. 

To her credit, she wore meditation beads and chanted on them.  Even some of her physical stretches demonstrated remarkable ability.  It’s just that the psychological diversions and the various moanings began to become non-condusive to our devotional atmosphere, and most unfortunately, the authorities had to be called in to deal with this incommunicable individual.  I was impressed by the cautious way and their handling of the situation.  From the depths of our hearts, we wish the lady well. 

The evening continued to be a time of bodily movement.  After the beautiful and tasty birthday cake that I received (and yes, the supportive community did sing “Hare Krishna to you…”  instead of the usual “Happy Birthday to you…”), an enthusiastic group headed to Queen Street for some stimulative dancing.  It was the annual Nuit Blance, an evening of artistic expression in the downtown.  Our kirtan with its drumming got people gyrating and coming up with all kinds of interesting and creative moves. 

Being a celebratory day in honour of this humble servant, I was pleased to receive words of gratitude at our temple ashram, but it was equally as exciting to co-lead the kirtan with Ajamil and watch the various happy contortions of people’s physical frames.  At some intervals of the chanting sessions, people came up one by one to the mic to recite the maha mantra. 

All this ecstasy took place in front of the stately Old City Hall.  When the tower’s massive clock struck midnight, from there I walked with friends from Michigan back to the ashram.  In the course of the walk as we trailed through, or struggled through crowds which numbered at 1 million strong, a meagre realization came about.  There has to be as many different ways of walking as there are people.  Body movement has no limit it seems.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Friday, October 3rd, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

North York, Ontario

No Sugar Please

The gentleman was oncoming on foot southbound on Bathurst, likely on his way to a local synagogue. He was in black except for a white shirt and he bore the standard small Jewish skull cap called a kippa or yarmulke.  He carried a book, a holy one, and I surmised that within minutes by sundown Yom Keppur would start.

Most of all he wore a smile as he got close to me and then had a question.  "So it's Buddhist, Hindu...?"

"Krishna,” I said, "Hare Krishna, Hindu connected".

“Yes, I'm an architectural landscapist.  I did the temple on the west end (of Toronto), the Swami Narayan temple.”  I was impressed with his open-ness and warmth.  He even complimented the colour of my attire, "I'm just in black."

He pointed to the building where he was going to meet and read with the boys, "Most of them are old hippies,” he remarked.  We had more exchange.  I think he will remember me as 'the walking man' while I will remember him as 'the friendly Jew'.

My sister lives just off of Bathurst where so many folks of the Torah live.  She had invited me along with another sister to get together and have a birthday cake for me, a bowl of cut melon really - with grapes in the center.  It beats a cake with all that sugar in it.

I relayed my encountered with Mr. Friendly to Connie and Pauline, my sisters, I guess to let them know that walls dont need to be between faiths.  That lead to a discussion about cultures of meagre tolerance and of fear and hate.

Anyways, let's not go too deep there, it's my birthday.  We were also careful not to talk about Rob Ford, the mayor.  Okay!

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Saturday, October 4th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Moving Bodies


Well, we had a bit of a problem this morning at the ashram.  It had something to do with bodily contortions, moans and groans and twitching eyes.  The woman, a visitor, who exhibited these unique features, was asked to be less distractive because she persisted and refused tone down advice we gave her. 

To her credit, she wore meditation beads and chanted on them.  Even some of her physical stretches demonstrated remarkable ability.  It’s just that the psychological diversions and the various moanings began to become non-condusive to our devotional atmosphere, and most unfortunately, the authorities had to be called in to deal with this incommunicable individual.  I was impressed by the cautious way and their handling of the situation.  From the depths of our hearts, we wish the lady well. 

The evening continued to be a time of bodily movement.  After the beautiful and tasty birthday cake that I received (and yes, the supportive community did sing “Hare Krishna to you…”  instead of the usual “Happy Birthday to you…”), an enthusiastic group headed to Queen Street for some stimulative dancing.  It was the annual Nuit Blance, an evening of artistic expression in the downtown.  Our kirtan with its drumming got people gyrating and coming up with all kinds of interesting and creative moves. 

Being a celebratory day in honour of this humble servant, I was pleased to receive words of gratitude at our temple ashram, but it was equally as exciting to co-lead the kirtan with Ajamil and watch the various happy contortions of people’s physical frames.  At some intervals of the chanting sessions, people came up one by one to the mic to recite the maha mantra. 

All this ecstasy took place in front of the stately Old City Hall.  When the tower’s massive clock struck midnight, from there I walked with friends from Michigan back to the ashram.  In the course of the walk as we trailed through, or struggled through crowds which numbered at 1 million strong, a meagre realization came about.  There has to be as many different ways of walking as there are people.  Body movement has no limit it seems.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

A season of optimism
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 01 August 2014, Swiss Retreat, Switzerland, Candramrta and Candradoya Nataka Seminar)

Caitanya Candramrta, Chapter 10

( 111) Now that Lord Caitanya, His heart filled with mercy, has descended to this world, those living entities who had formerly never practised yoga, meditated, chanted mantras, performed austerities, followed various Vedic restrictions, studied the Vedas, performed spiritual activities, or refrained from sins, have become able to easily plunder the crest jewel of all goals of life.

(114) In every home there is a tumult of hari-sankirtana. On every body are tears, hairs standing erect, and other symptoms of ecstasy. In every heart is the most exalted and sweet spiritual path that leads far from the path of the four Vedas. All this has appeared now that Lord Gaura has descended to this world.

(115) The whole world is now suddenly flooded by the nectar waters of the ocean of pure love for Krsna. Now there is suddenly a great wonder of symptoms of ecstatic love never seen or heard of before. All this has suddenly appeared now that Lord Krsna has descended in a form as splendid as gold.

Lord-Caitanya-and-Lord-Nityananda-Dancing

 

We may not see it as described in these verses. We may not see that the entire world is now flooded with love of God, but it is, because everyone has been touched by it. Who has not heard the Holy Name? Who has not been touched by this movement?

Every small service will lead to more service, which will lead to still greater service.  The influence of kali is gone. Material desires are meaningless. Don’t worry.

“How do I conquer my material desires?”

Don’t conquer them! You will never conquer them!

“Then what will we do?”

Chant, dance, take prasad, glorify Krsna and these material desires will drown. They will just be pushed to the background of our mind because in the foreground is sankirtan.

“Can we change our nature?”

This will be hard.

“Will we ever become completely saintly and never think of anything sinful?”

Who cares about such things? Chant! Glorify Krsna! Fill our life with devotional service – more and more – more service, more Krsna! Bring Krsna everywhere and then, all other things will go, and one day we will be singing in love.

It is already happening. It is already taking over. It has already begun – Krsna everywhere! The entire world is being flooded. We are very optimistic that success will be attained.

 

Braja Mandala Padayatra (Album 90 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Joined Parasuram prabhu and a wonderful group of devotees for this wonderful service. Pilrimage, Prasadam distribution and book distribution. We follow along with the large Parikrama group but venture off the beaten paths into the small villages. Parasuram has been doing this for 27 years and it's really amazing. The villagers are so happy to see us and become very enthusiastic, especially for the Krishna pastimes movies that we show at sundown. It's not for the faint of heart. Quite austere but very rewarding. Giving to the residents of the Holy Dhama is is truly heart warming... Read more ›

New transcriptions uploaded
→ The Spiritual Scientist

If we concede that scripture doesn’t contain literal report of conversations then where will the erosion of scriptural authority end?

How does karma yoga mature into ashtanga yoga?

Does ashtanga yoga always start from jnana yoga?

How does the nishkama karma yogi attain knowledge and liberation? Through the same path or by adopting another yoga?

Why are Einstein’s and Prabhupada’s metaphors about blind man-lame man contradictory?

Is science based on rational faith and religion on irrational faith?

How can we overcome the tendency to take the association of devotees for granted?

Does religion require faith from start to end whereas science requires faith only occasionally?

 

 

21 Boats
→ travelingmonk.com

Yesterday we took 21 boats down the Yamuna river to the asrama of Durvasa Muni. Under a gigantic banyan tree that gives shade to that great sage’s dwelling we discussed his pastimes and had bhajan for many hours. Our parikrama seems to get sweeter day by day.

The Making of the Golden Brick for the TOVP (12 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

Sometimes we are asked where the Golden Bricks come from; who makes them? Well, they are made right here in Sridhama Mayapur at the Vishwakarma Workshop run by His Grace Sriman Dina Chaitanya prabhu. Each brick goes through a time-consuming and painstaking process to make it suitable for use on the new Pancha Tattva altar, undergoing various stages of production including sandblasting the names of donors onto them. Watch this short video for a step-by-step explanation of how this is all done and, like everything else being built in Mayapur, watch the devotion behind each and every brick that will create the top layer underneath the marble of the Pancha Tattva’s new altar. Read more ›

Govardhana Puja & Go Puja
→ The Hare Krishna Movement

Festival Schedule 11.00 am – Kirtan 12.30 pm – Maha Arati 1.00 pm – Go Puja 1.30 pm – Offering of sweets to Govardhana Hill 1.45 pm – Circumambulation of Govardhana Hill 2.00 pm – Guru Puja followed by prasadam For more information about the Govardhana Puja festival please see the link below: http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/calendar-events/major-festivals/worship-of-govardhana-hill

Inspiring The Inspired
→ travelingmonk.com

Volume 14, Chapter 4 Oct 12, 2014   Our team of 300 devotees was exhausted. We had already done 24 festivals along the Baltic Sea coast plus a “Krsna’s Village of Peace” festival at Woodstock, and now we were faced with the blissful but daunting prospect of doing 24 more over the second half of [...]

The Honey Forest
→ travelingmonk.com

Madhuvan, Vrindavan’s forest of sweetness, is the place of many of Radha and Krsna’s most nectarian pastimes. It is also famous for the place where Druva Maharaja performed penance and austerities to achieve his desire for a kingdom greater than his father’s. After having direct darsan of the Lord, however, he realised his greatest fortune [...]

Bali M rejects Shukracharya, yet Vamana respects him – Why?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Sukracarya was rejected by Bali maharaja, as he did not give him the highest teachings of Full Surrender to Lord. At the same time Sukracarya has merits of his own:

a.   Lord Vamana respects Sukracarya and asks him ‘What was the fault in Bali in his sacrifice?’ Lord is giving darshan to him and asking him is not ordinary… (SB-8.23.14)

b.   Sukracarya seems to be aware about the glory of the lord. As he says – “if your holy name is chanted then all deficiences are made complete”. (SB-8.23.16)

c.   He obeys the order of the Lord and makes for the deficiency in the sacrifice of Bali. (SB-8.23.16-17)

d.   It seems that the wrong advise and the curse which Sukracarya gave to Bali was personally inspired by the lord and it was the plan of the lord to show the glory of Bali’s surrender and to show on him his special mercy. (SB-8.20.14) (SP also says in purport that Sukracarya was not inspired by the lord for devotional service…)

Answer Podcast

Did Bali M surrender out of devotion or fear of dishonor?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

In the pastime of Bali mahraja, it is very clearly visible how he is showing full surrender to Krishna, how he is feeling lowly, how he is glorifying the lord for his mercy etc. One thing however seems to be quite strange… In SB-8.22.2 and 3 when Bali maharaja is asking Lord to place his lotus feet on his head, he is giving reason that Bali is ‘fearful of defamation’ or ‘he can not allow his promise to go false’. According to the teachings of our acaryas a vaisnava simply acts as a puppet in the hands of the lord; he does not fear his own defamation (ex. Bhisma, Gopis, brahmana patnis).

Answer Podcast