Montreal, Quebec
Streets and Parks
I'm not sure that 'craving' is the right word to describe what my two walking companions are feeling. After a full day at Jeanne Mance Park at the base of Mount Royal between mingling with people and manning the book table at Festival of India, Karuna and Hayagriva, two young monks, asked me if the three of us could trek back. At least it's desire.
It was the most perfect day, weather-wise; we had sun, a breeze and in the mid-twenties celsius temperature. Couldn't be better!
'Trekking back' meant instead of catching a ride, as none of us have a vehicle although equipped with driving skills, we decided to make it to the ashram on Pie IX Blvd to catch our night's rest. Are my two companions hooked on walking? In the case of Hayagriva who told me, "I try to walk for two hours a day." Karuna, well he said much the same. I'm glad I'm of some mini influence in their lives.
Our trek back routed us through pedestrian-warm streets and through parks. I notice wherever I go more people are turning 'Vedic.' They see us and say, "Namaste!" or "Hare Krishna!" or when we took to the sidewalk in Parc du Fontaine where older folks were at play with a game, 'Petangue,' some younger guys actually sang our song. At least you see eyebrows raise when three saffron clad blokes pass by coming from shirtless men and tight-attired women culture. One fellow who identified himself as 'Bhisma' was a former Krishna practitioner addressed us. He was open about his cigar smoking. "No need to be apologetic," I said. We're not going to judge just by some deviation.
Yes, Saturday evenings, in the adjoining downtown of Montreal is the place to be for almost anyone and especially for a group of three us monks.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Hari Bol. My name is Bal Gopal das. My wife Lalita Sundari and I are residents of New Dvaraka Dham. Last February my daughter Gauri had her 7th birthday. A television show named Take Me To Your Mother came to film how Hare Krishnas celebrate birthday parties.
Last night the episode on television. It is on NickMoms or Nickelodeon which is a very famous channel in America. I thought this is newsworthy for the devotees. Below is the link to the show which you can watch online 
“One who chants Krishna's name and constantly remembers Him, even though living in this material ocean of nescience, is like the lotus, which is born in the water but is untouched by it: it's position is transcendental. This great soul is capable of liberating all the suffering residents of the hellish planets. (Varaha Purana) 
"Marriage is for producing nice children, Krsna (God) conscious children. Because at the present moment the population is not being produced very nicely, therefore there is disturbance of peace all over the world. But if there are Krsna (God) conscious children, they'll grow up and they will possess all good qualities. So peace automatically will come if people become Krsna (God) conscious because they become highly qualified, without committing any sinful activities. If such population is there in the world, there is no question of disturbance." (Marriage Lecture 4-2-72) 
Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is an amusement park in Moscow, named after Maxim Gorky.
"After searching through all the Vedic literature one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krishna." Kali Santarana Upanisad 
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. SB 11.5.32 
Jaya Srila Prabhupada! 
Indradyumna Swami: Mielno has a reputation of being a tough town especially during the summer when thousands of young men and women come to drink and party in the many bars and discos around town. But for 3 days this week our harinama party and festivals flooded Mielno with the nectar of the holy names. Both the gentle and the ruffians chanted and danced along with us in great ecstasy. All glories to Sri Krsna samkirtan! 
My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom. SB 12.3.51 
