Krsna Meditation
→ Dandavats

Krsna was very pleased with the atmosphere of the Vrndavana forest, where flowers bloomed and bees and drones hummed jubilantly. While the birds, trees, and branches were all looking very happy, Krsna, tending the cows and accompanied by Sri Balarama and the cowherd boys, began to vibrate His transcendental flute. When the cowherd girls of
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Some ecstatic symptoms
→ Dandavats

I just came back from traveling sankirtan, where many amazing encounters took place. The other day I went into a shop and first gave a small book, then The Science of Self-Realization, and then, when the lady gave a nice donation, also the Bhagavad-gita. The lady explained to me her spiritual transformation after her father
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Tuesday, July 19, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Cherry Beach, Toronto

Getting Around

We were on our way to the Tommy Thompson Park, a shaded-in-spots trail where cyclists and pedestrians share the space, when a man on a bicycle stopped to ask if we had any drugs. His articulation was weak and so we had to ask him to repeat himself. We were still wet from the swim at Cherry Beach and in our swimwear, not recognizable as monks. With me were Emanuel, Karuna, Ryan, and Arjuna. We didn’t really come across looking like folks who take substance to get high. He was naturally disappointed when we couldn’t deliver.

We had also met two young Punjabi men who came out of the lakes’ water. Somehow or other, they could detect our identity. “Hare Krishna,” said the stockier one. “Back home I’m involved,” he said.

The devotional clothing that we normally wear, the dhoti and the kurta (or for women it’s a saree), is a trademark for Hare Krishna devotees. The night before, when I returned from my walk and was about to reach the ashram door, a neighbour walking his dog asked, “How are those robes in the heat of summer?”

“Oh! Very cool and comfy,” I said. I wanted to say more about the freedom those of us feel in our attire, but the gentleman was on his merry way. The kind of freedom is like the liberated mood of Narada. He moves about in light monks’ clothes, delivering to people the sublime sound of the maha mantra. We should be like him; travel about, hear from people and deliver Krishna in the form of sound.

May the Source be with you!

5 km



 

 

Monday, July 18, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Rosedale, Toronto

The Group

“Do you believe in the same God as I do?” asked one of the visitors out of the “Encounter World Religions” with Brian Carwana. Naturally I said to the individual that there is one God for all, just as there is one sun that shines on us all, regardless of the place you come from; your creed, colour or gender. He seemed satisfied with the answer.

Brian’s group, which numbered fifty, loved chanting in addition to our philosophical explanations. I explained to them my own journey, about living on the farm and getting disenchanted by the meat that was showing up at the supper table at night. I think that impacted some of the folks when I said that we watched the animals give birth and watched the babies grow and then they became dinner.

Speaking of eating, everyone was fed and it was delicious prasadam; the magic touch of our cook Dwarkanatha.

I explained to the group about the weekend’s past festival. It was our biggest ever. The attendance was easily at 40,000 and all the booths were full of activity.

One woman asked if I could comment on any misconceptions the public may have had about Krishna Consciousness. So, I explained that in the ’60s we were a curiosity. In the ’70s and ’80s we were a cult. Now, we have been accepted as a culture. Surely the tradition has been around for thousands of years. Before departing, Gitaswere picked up as well as the recent release of “The Saffron Path.” Overall, it was a great visit.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


 

 

Sunday, July 17, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Centre Island, Toronto

Swimming and Walking Through

It was my second swim-in-the-lake for this year – a personal milestone. And with me was Brihat Mrdanga and his associate, Arjuna. Their purpose was to scrape off, with water and sand, the caked-on-make-up from the play. I was submerging for the chill of it all. It’s been a long two days on Centre Island, and the quiet time is needed. When you are a swami, there are many demands from the public. Just by sitting at one spot, person after person comes to you.

In my teens, I worked in orchards and fields; harvesting. It is a little like that. After pulling tomatoes off the plants, you just see a new batch and they just keep coming wave after wave.

While walking from the south-end beach on Centre Island with the boys, we witnessed only fun things such as a grandmother swinging on a child’s swing (as if I didn’t do that). Then we saw a group of turbaned Sikhs hurling a football to catch as they went on back and forth, back and forth. I was also amazed at the number of people I saw with the traditional tilak marks on the foreheads, demarcating their identity as Vaishnavas, and yet I had never met them before.

Yes, this Festival of Chariots/Festival of India is drawing in the crowds. This weekend was the best ever in spirit and in numbers. I wanted to congratulate Sylvio who has been coming to our temple since 1984. He got initiated and has the name Satvik. Pretty good for a 72-year-old. We dedicated our drama today in honour of my Godsister, Urvasi, one of the first lady pioneers at ISKCON Toronto. She passed away today.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


 

Saturday, July 16, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Yonge St. & Centre Island, Toronto

From Hiccups to Tears

We had hiccups. The sound systems weren’t working for the procession at the three chariots, however some of our young men visiting from other parts of North America compensated for this by their booming voices. The sheer crowds that ended on the south-bound journey on Yonge St were stunning. So, that was not the greatest issue as far as having a successful fest. On the street and on the island, there was record breaking attendance. I was surprised and, like others, was uncertain as to how the turn out would be in a post-pandemic situation. Lo and behold, more people came than ever before. It goes to show that we are all social animals. Perhaps a little like a pride of lions.

Speaking of which, our drama troupe, comprised of Bhakti Academy members, did a fantastic job. Once again, some problems with the mic. Is there a curse here? Otherwise, bravo to the troupe.

The annual fest has much to do with chanting and feasting. I enjoyed seeing the books sold at the book tent. My book, “The Saffron Path,” which highlights pilgrimage, was also moving like crazy.

The most unfortunate aspect of today was the news about the death of two good souls in the Donbass community; the result of a missile being launched at a building where they distribute prasadamfor hundreds of Ukrainian refugees. Their names are Krishna Tattva and Madan Gopal. Krishna, bless these great martyrs. I am in awe and tears.

May the Source be with you!


 

Friday, July 15, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Centre Island, Toronto

Chain of Joy

“Now, let’s go for sharp, clean and crisp moves,” I said, directing the actors during our rehearsal. We had secured the unique location, a park, a fifteen-minute walk from the ashram, for the practice. I’m dealing with young volunteers learning the art of becoming audience friendly. The Chariot Festival, where the drama and so many things will be happening, is to be featured on Centre Island, where an approximate thirty to forty thousand people will come. That figure is based on pre-pandemic times, which was not so long ago. So, audience and crowds are the thing.

This morning was also the kick-start for a 12 Hour Kirtan. I have the honour to begin the chanting session. With a good amount of people sitting around, I felt a great support. The kirtan was strong throughout as leaders took turns. This is most encouraging, especially when you see the participation of all the young crowd.

When you are young you get enticed very easily. The party mode is very strong. You have so many options. It is just great knowing there’s an alternative – kirtan – which entails dance, song, music, food, and looking spiffy all for the pleasure of Krishna, or, in this case, Jagannath (which translates to Lord of the Universe).

I’m the lucky party animal. Last weekend was Montreal. This weekend is Toronto. Following that is Saskatoon, Calgary, and Edmonton.

It is a chain of joy.

May the Source be with you!


 

Thursday, July 14, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Getting Ready

People are beginning to flow in like rivers to a sea. The big attraction is the 12 Hour Kirtan being held tomorrow at the temple/ashram on 243 Avenue Road. Gopi has a massive following in chanting circles. Her hubby, Param and children (now rather big) are also here from Virginia. Kirtan enthusiasts come from all around. We also have Madhava from Switzerland, who is well known for his chanting. A session took place last night at Trinity Bellwoods Park, just as a warm up for the weekend’s chanting cultural conquest.

All are welcome to an actual three-day event, including a 50th Anniversary of the Chariot Festfor the city of Toronto. A procession begins at Dundas Square on Yonge St. Weather is promising to be good. Come one! Come all! We are also expecting several monks; Chandramauli, Janardana, Bhakti Sundara, and there’s me – all swami’s or renounced men.

Our drama troupe is working hard to assemble our play for the Centre Island venue Saturday and Sunday. The dancing group is coming together in practice for the parade. It’s looking good over-all. Dwarkanatha, our enlightened cook, is working feverishly. Stomach needs are being met by volunteers. Those who are wanting to pump muscles are getting their satisfaction through lifting and loading. The smiles on faces are oceanic. Akash from the U.S. came with all his eagerness to do just about everything. Billy came to assist with the sound system set-up for kirtan.

It’s a busy bee-hive or a frantic ant-hill. The centre is Krishna in all of this.

May the Source be with you!

2 km



 

Wednesday, July 13, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Don Valley Bridge, Toronto

The Bhakti Buzz

 

I have been receiving much correspondence from afar wishing me a “Happy Guru Purnima,” to annually remember one’s teacher on this particular day. Of course, every day is the day to revere one’s mentor, one’s Mother, one’s Father, and so on. Every waking moment should be a conscious one of indebtedness to those who contribute to our lives.

I was asked to give the class this morning, and to speak on my walking endeavours of the years, as all of the marathons were dedicated to our guru, Prabhupada. I hope it was inspiring. If our devotional executions are not layered with the spirit of eagerness to serve, then our gestures become merely flat and our growth is slow.

There is definitely a tremendous energy floating about at the temple, all in preparation for the upcoming Chariot Festival. There are decorators, loaders, cookers, cleaners, dancers and dramatists in rehearsal. It’s all quite exciting. Electrifying! The sparks of bhaktiare flying in the air.

Phone calls are coming in like crazy. One chap came in, perhaps pulled in by the magnet of devotion, and he had all these questions about our culture and beliefs. “I’ve been exploring Jainism, Buddhism, all kinds of ways; that’s why I am here. I’m curious about Krishna.”

Vallabha Hari, who has this expressive approach with his strong Croatian accent, most enthusiastically delivered the goods. Our visitor was truly absorbing it, picking up on the strong vibration coming from Vallabha’s mouth and heart. The atmosphere is truly charged up. “Keep plugging in,” is the theme.

May the Source be with you!

7 km


 

ISKCON’s Incorporation
Giriraj Swami

Srila Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON on July 13, 1966, in New York City, which corresponds to today on the Vaishnava calendar. One exchange between him and Bhavananda indicates some of its significance:

Bhavananda: In Svarup Ganj theres one big astrologer. So, he saw your photograph, and he said, “This is the face of the most powerful spiritual personality on the planet.”

Prabhupada: [laughs] Hare Krishna.

Brahmananda: Then what else?

Bhavananda: Then he said that “I can tell from his face that he can make a house in which the whole world can live peacefully.”

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupada!

Prabhupada: At least I desire so.

(Morning Walk, July 1, 1975, Denver)

 

The following are excerpts from the certificate of incorporation:

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
(Pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York)

We, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York, do hereby make, subscribe and acknowledge this certificate as follows:

FIRST: The name of the corporation shall be INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

SECOND: The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:

(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagawatam.

(c) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).

(d) To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

(e) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. . . .

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have made, subscribed, and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 13th day of July, 1966.

[signed:] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Carol Bekar, Raymond Marais

Of Lights I Am the Radiant Sun
→ Dandavats

“Godhead is Light, Nescience is darkness. Where there is Godhead there is no Nescience.” (Srila Prabhupada’s original Back to Godhead logo) “Kṛṣṇa is compared to sunshine, and māyā is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of
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TOVP Peacock and Cornice Embellishments
- TOVP.org

I would like to show you a short video about some of the exterior elements of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: Peacock and Cornice Embellishments.

A lot of work has already been completed, and this includes many, many architectural pieces made from GRC (Glass Reinforcement Concrete). In this video I will tell you a little about some of these decorative ornaments, the peacocks and cornices.

 

 

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