The Importance of Association
Giriraj Swami

There is no hopelessness. Anyone can attain the spiritual perfection. Satam prasangan mama virya-samvidah. (SB 3.25.25) [“In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.”]

Therefore Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended,

sadhu-sanga, sadhu-sanga—sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

[“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”] (Cc Madhya 22.54)

 So our aim of life should be how to associate, how to keep association with devotees. Then everything will be possible. As soon as we give up the association and we associate with maya, our life is finished. Always remember this. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was asked by a devotee, “What is the business of a devotee? How will he make progress without any difficulty?” Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said in two lines, asat-sanga-tyaga, ei vaisnava-acara (Cc Madhya 22.87): “A Vaishnava should always avoid asat, materialistic persons, always avoid the association.” Asat-sanga-tyaga. Matter is asat, not permanent. So those who are attached to the material world, they are called asat. Satam prasangat: one should associate with sat, those who are in spiritual advancement. They are called sat. And those who are interested in material advancement, they are called asat. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu advised, “Don’t associate with persons who are trying to be advanced in a material way.” Asat-sanga-tyaga, ei vaisnava-acara. And how we can understand if a person is a materialist? That is stated in the next line: stri-sangi—those who are too much attached to sex are asat, materialist, and those who are not devotees of Krishna (krsna-abhakta). That’s all. If you can recognize these two persons, then you understand who is asat—and who is sat. Sat is just the opposite. Sat means one who is no more interested in material enjoyment. That is sat. And those who are interested in material enjoyment, they are asat.

If we keep our association with persons who are materially interested, then we cannot make progress. If you keep your company always with persons who are spiritually interested, then you make progress.

—Srila Prabhupada, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.25, July 9, 1975, Chicago

Tribute of HH Radhanath Swami to HG Sruti Dharma Prabhu
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Tribute of Radhanath Swami to Sruti Dharma Prabhu. I cannot appropriately express the loss I am feeling in separation from His Grace Sruti Dharma Prabhu. My heart is broken. Yet, I am feeling immensely grateful, and blessed, that by Srila Prabhupada’s, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai’s and Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda’s mercy, he is among the dearest friends and spiritual brothers of my life. Radhanath Swami

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Updated Coronavirus Announcement
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By the GBC

We also request the following precautions: . Anyone involved in cooking or serving prasadam must wash their hands every twenty minutes with hot water and soap for twenty seconds. Servers must wear disposable gloves. . Anyone showing any symptoms of any illness should remain out of the kitchen and also not serve prasadam. . Avoid shaking hands. Continue reading "Updated Coronavirus Announcement
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Mayapur Spiritual Safari 2020
→ Mayapur.com

Spiritual Safari 2020 which was planned to visit Bangladesh for 20 days got cancelled and safari is being organised at Mayapur with various activities planned for the guests. Devotees from more than 25 countries including China are chanting dancing, serving, remembering, absorbed in Krishna consciousness and sheltered by the Holy dham. On first day, safari […]

The post Mayapur Spiritual Safari 2020 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How are karma and jnana the cause of material desires?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Prashant

Answer Podcast

Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

Edited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: How are karma and jnana are the cause of material desires?

Answer: The word material can have multiple meanings and at the simplest level, it refers to that which is related with matter. When we want to possess, control and enjoy matter then that desire is called material desire. The path of karma kanda or regulated material enjoyment is based on scriptural guidelines. For example, going to swarga or getting better facilities to enjoy in this world involve fulfilling material desires. When one hears the flowery and beautiful scriptural description of such material enjoyment then it may kindle ones material desires. Some people may want to fulfil their material desires without going through scriptures and instead, by their own independent endeavours (such people comprise the majority today) but in the past ages, people fulfilled their material desires through scriptural guidelines and that was the path of karma kanda which naturally resulted in material desires. Krishna describes about this in the Bhagavad Gita 02.42 – 43
yam imam puṣpitam vacam pravadanty avipascitaḥ
veda-vada-ratah partha nanyad astiti vadinah

kamatmanah svarga-para janma-karma-phala-pradam
kriya-visesa-bahulam bhogaisvarya-gatim prati

Krishna uses the word kamatmanah to figuratively describe that such people are so much filled with material desires that their atma (soul) is made up of kama (material desires). These people follow karma kanda so that they can go to heaven (svarga-para). They are so attracted by the flowery description of the scriptures (puspitam vacam) that they think nothing else is taught in the Vedic scriptures apart from this (nanyad astiti vadinah). Therefore, Krishna says that such people cannot develop the one-pointed intelligence for practicing spiritual life.
The desires for material enjoyment are entangling and from the absolute perspective, any desire to enjoy separate from Krishna can be considered to be sinful because ultimately, we are part and parcels of Krishna and we are meant for his enjoyment. This is not a form of self-deprivation because in giving enjoyment to him, we ourselves get the highest enjoyment that we can ever get in any other way. Thus, it is not self deprivation, it is self-fulfilment. Karma deprives one from this fulfilment because it kindles material desire although those desires are within scriptural guidelines.

The path of jnana is also based on material conception of spiritual reality. It has the idea that since matter has form and matter is limited therefore spirit being unlimited should not have any form and qualities. This is basically a negative material conception projected on spirit. The path of jnana aims at merging into the brahman, that is, the desire to become God. Such a desire is also sinful because instead of serving God, one wants to imitate God and take up his position for oneself. Therefore, the word sinful here does not refer to immoral.

Scriptures use the word sinful in many different ways, sometimes sin may refer to those activities which harm others, those which violate scriptural teachings. This is one definition of sin but from the absolute perspective, anything that keeps us away from Krishna and perpetuates our material existence and which ultimately results in suffering is sinful. In that sense, jnana is also a cause of material desire because there is the desire to become God and to be the controller. That way, since the jnani is not giving up his false ego and is rather pushing it to its summit by trying to become number one, not just in a particular field but in the entire creation, so it is considered sinful.

This desire is based on false ego which is the most subtle element that causes the soul to be covered by illusion and bodily misidentification. Therefore, because the desire to become God is the goal of the path of jnana yoga, it is based on the false ego and hence is considered material which leads to material desires. Further, often those who aspire for impersonal liberation do not attain that liberation and fallback from the spiritual path to grosser material desires because the spiritual reality is not variegated. Since it is not variegated, it does not attract the heart and therefore those with the aspiration of brahman liberation fall back to material existence.

Srila Prabhupada writes in the commentary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto One Chapter One that because the beauty of the Absolute Truth is being obscured by the impersonalists, more and more people are having no spiritual pathway for directing their urge for beauty and so find themselves attracted materially due to the urge for beauty. In this way, impersonalism (the path of jnana) promotes materialism and so is the path of karma. Therefore, karma and jnana are also the cause of material desire.

End of transcription.

The post How are karma and jnana the cause of material desires? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

TOVP on Google Search
- TOVP.org

To increase the presence of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and TOVP in Google’s search engine we are requesting every devotee to go to the link below to visit our Google listing.

You may add a Review, leave a Rating, view the photos, videos, Share the listing through email and Facebook, etc. and that will push our listing up to a higher level of viewership. Thank you for your assistance with this.

https://g.page/r/CafIM7yl3WpBEBA

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
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Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP on Google Search appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Oxford Street Harinam Festival Gaura Purnima 2020
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-varnam tvisaKrishnam
sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi sumedhasah

“In this Age of Kali, people endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performing sankirtana-yajna “.(11.5.32) SB 

Oxford Street is probably the most important street in the world.

 1 pm is the busiest time of the day in regards to predestinarians shopping for bargains.

Lord Caitanya’s appearance day is definitely the most important day of the year. 

And without doubt the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the number one mantra to chant in these days of Kali Yuga.

Srila Prabhupada is the most merciful Spiritual Master , and the most direct way to get Krishna’s mercy is to please him. 

Tribhuvanath Prabhu used to tell us that Srila Prabhupada said: 

“ it is so simple that you will miss it “ 

SB Canto 1

SB 1.2.16, Purport: 

The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-g?t?(BG 18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God. The eagerness to hear about God is the first qualification of a devotee eligible for entering the kingdom of God.

SB Canto 6

SB 6.4.44, Purport: 

Following the examples of the previous ?c?ryas, all the members of the K???a consciousness movement should try to benefit the conditioned souls by inducing them to become K???a conscious and giving them all facilities to do so. Such activities constitute real welfare work. By such activities, a preacher or anyone who endeavors to spread K???a consciousness is recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As the Lord Himself confirms in Bhagavad-g?t? (BG 18.68-69):

ya ida? parama? guhya?mad-bhakte?v abhidh?syatibhakti? mayi par?? k?tv?m?m evai?yaty asa??aya?na ca tasm?n manu?ye?uka?cin me priya-k?ttama?bhavit? na ca me tasm?danya? priyataro bhuvi

“For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.”

Video by Narada prabhu 

GBC statement about Coronavirus
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By the GBC

In light of the seriousness of the situation, we request all of our ISKCON communities, temples, and centers to adhere to the following recommendations: Temple events will continue as scheduled. However, we request that you do not visit the temple if: . You have any symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus -- fever, cough, or shortness of breath. . You have been around anyone else with the above symptoms. Continue reading "GBC statement about Coronavirus
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Can buddhi-yoga refer to all three yogas – karma, jnana and bhakti?
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Answer Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

Edited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Can buddhi-yoga refer to all three yogas – karma, jnana and bhakti?

Answer: The word buddhi yoga does not refer to any specific process. There is no particular system of sadhana called as buddhi yoga. It is a compound word used by Lord Krishna in the Gita. Technically speaking, the two words that form the compound word buddhi yoga mean intelligence used for the purpose of yoga or yoga performed with intelligence with the purpose of pursuing higher spiritual connection. Hence, this can be done in all the three processes – karma, jnana and bhakti.

In karma yoga, if one meditates that he is not the body and therefore should not be attached to the fruits of work and bodily gratification and then performs action, then one is using his intelligence to connect with the Supreme Truth. Such use of intelligence can also be called as buddhi yoga.

In jnana yoga, when one uses one’s intelligence to connect with the ultimate spiritual reality without necessarily knowing what that spiritual reality is (either personal or impersonal) or ones connection with the spiritual reality is more intellectualised than personalised (i.e. more abstract in terms of attraction to the greatness of the Absolute Truth rather than the personality or sweetness of the Absolute Truth) then such use of intelligence can also be called as buddhi yoga.

In bhakti yoga, buddhi yoga will be intelligence used to serve Krishna in a way that is most pleasing to him.

Thus, the word buddhi yoga can mean all the three things.

In the Gita, jnana yoga is not discussed much because the Gita was spoken on a battlefield. The context involves that Arjuna needs to perform his duty of fighting. Therefore, jnana yoga, which centres on renunciation of the world, is not compatible with the context of the Gita. That is why, the Gita does not talk about jnana yoga much. Therefore, wherever the word buddhi yoga is used in the Gita, it is either meant for karma yoga or bhakti yoga.

In BG 02.39, Krishna uses the word buddhi yoga to explain that now I have spoken to you the difference between body and soul so that when you act in such knowledge you can free yourself from the bondage of work. This is buddhi yoga referring to karma yoga.

In BG 10.10, Krishna uses the word buddhi yoga to refer to the intelligence by which one will come to him. This is buddhi yoga referring to bhakti yoga.
In BG 18.57, Krishna uses the word buddhi yoga in reference to take shelter of devotional activities (buddhi-yogam upasritya) and renouncing all work to him, making him the goal, always being conscious of him. Here as well, buddhi yoga refers to bhakti yoga.

In the Gita, Lord Krishna uses the word buddhi yoga to refer to karma yoga in BG 2.39 and then bhakti yoga in BG 10.10 and BG 18.57. But in terms of the words that form the word buddhi yoga, any yoga which involves using the intelligence for the pursuit of transcendence can be called as buddhi yoga.
Basically, we can consider the word – buddhi yoga, as an extendable term whose scope of meaning can expand from karma yoga till bhakti yoga . Therefore, in the yoga ladder, the word buddhi yoga can refer to karma yoga and bhakti yoga and anything in between if it involves the use of intelligence for the pursuit of transcendence.

End of transcription.

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On The Bank Of Ganges (11 min. video)
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On The Bank Of Ganges (11 min. video)
Indradyumna Swami: Our Rishikesh Kirtan Fest is coming to a close in 6 days. We had hoped to stay a little longer but constraints caused by the Coronavirus pandemic have forced us to change plans. We have had an amazing time sharing Krsna Consciousness through chanting, dancing and feasting with the thousands of westerners who come here in search of spiritual life. We only pray that we can return again one day with this panacea for the struggles of material existence!

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Events Honouring His Grace Srutidharma Das
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It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of His Grace Srutidharma Das. He passed away on Tuesday 10th of March at Bhaktivedanta Manor, the temple where he dedicated his life in devotional service. Having been diagnosed with cancer in early 2018, Srutidharma Prabhu’s condition meant he had to withdraw from active service.

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Dear Sruti Prabhu…
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By Praghosa Das

For me you exemplify the perfect gentleman, the perfect vaisnava gentleman. In your company I never felt any anxiety only love, kindness and support, you really were a living example of a true ever well-wisher. I do not think I was unique, or that you necessarily gave me any special attention or mercy, so I am sure whoever reads this will be able to relate to the words I'm writing. That said I always felt your sweetness and attentiveness to this fallen soul was exclusive to me, a testament to another one of your many wonderful personal qualities. Continue reading "Dear Sruti Prabhu…
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HG Srutidharma Das
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Hare Krsna 

It is with great sadness that we heard that HG Srutidharma Das has returned home back to Sri Krishna yesterday evening. As many of you know he was the paid for temple president and inspirational devotee at Bhaktivadanta Manor.

I had the privilege of working alongside side HG Srutidharma Prabhu in the pujari department, I am reminded of one morning whilst sitting in the temple room he came running out “were are Krishna’s sweets?” came the call. We rushed into the deity kitchen and quickly got the offering ready, under his guidance everything dispite this ran quietly and efficiently.

All glories to his service.

Former-president of Bhaktivedanta Manor passed away
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Former-president of Bhaktivedanta Manor passes away due to cancer.
His Grace Srutidharma Prabhu passed away this evening. Devotees had gathered for kirtan, the temple deities Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Ram Sila, and Giri Govardhan had come to pay him a blessed visit. He received a beautiful garland brought by the head pujari and shortly thereafter he breathed his last. All glories to Srutidharma Prabhu. He spent his life selflessly serving at the holy dhama of Bhaktivedanta Manor, from which he has now departed.

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Gaura Purnima – Canberra
→ Ramai Swami

“In the company of My devotees I shall appear on earth and perform various colourful pastimes.”

Thinking thus, the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Himself, descended at Nadia early in the Age of Kali.

Thus the lionlike Lord Caitanya has appeared in Navadvipa. He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion.

May that lion be seated in the core of the heart of every living being. Thus with His resounding roar may He drive away one’s elephantine vices.

In His early pastimes He is known as Visvambhara because He floods the world with the nectar of devotion and thus saves the living beings.

In His later pastimes He is known as Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya. He blesses the whole world by teaching about the name and fame of Lord Sri Krsna.

The religious practice for the Age of Kali is to broadcast the glories of the holy name. Only for this purpose has the Lord, in a yellow colour, descended as Lord Caitanya.

The lustre of His expansive body resembles molten gold. The deep sound of His voice conquers the thundering of newly assembled clouds.

He is peaceful, self-controlled and fully devoted to the transcendental service of Lord Sri Krsna. He is affectionate toward His devotees, He is gentle, and He is equally disposed toward all living beings.

Recording all these qualities of Lord Caitanya, the sage Vaisampayana included His name in the Visnu-sahasra-nama”    –   C.C. Adi Chapter 3

By the mercy of the Lord and His devotees, I was able to attend Gaura Purnima at our Canberra temple.

Today HG Manohar Krishna prabhu left his body due to coronavirus
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Today HG Manohar Krishna prabhu left his body due to coronavirus.
HG Manohar Krishna prabhu, a disciple of HH Bhakti Charu Swami, was blessed to receive the mercy of Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga by passing away on the evening of Gaur Purnima.
He was a wonderful devotee and friend and would always welcome and spend time talking to the many visitors who came to Bhaktivedanta Manor, would take a personal interest in those he met.

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Inauguration of Iskcon Phuket Big Temple on 09 March 2020 (5 min. video)
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Inauguration of Iskcon Phuket Big Temple on 09 March 2020 (5 min. video)
Devotees at Iskcon center in Phuket Thailand inaugurated the new premises on Gaur Purnima day, March 9th. There was a full-day program with lectures and kirtan throughout the day and a feast served after moonrise. The co GBC for Thailand His Holiness Kavichandra Swami was present for the auspicious occasion.

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HG Manohar Krishna Das
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Hare Krsna 

HG Manohar Krishna prabhu, disciple of HH Bhakticaru Swami, was blessed to receive the mercy of Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga by passing away on the evening of Gaur Purnima. 

He was a wonderful devotee and friend and would always welcome and spend time talking to the many visitors who came to Bhaktivadanta Manor, would take a personal interest in those he met. Indeed his welcome everytime I met HG Manohar Krishna Das was always inspiring and he would always check how my journey from Wales had gone and wishing me a safe journey home.

He was a larger than life character and I am sure his Guru Maharaja was impressed by his disciple who would inspire you to keep on coming and develop your own love of Krishna.

I am sure Sri Krishna would be welcoming this sincere dear devotee back home as he always welcomed everyone to the temple.

Hare Krishna

The incredible adventure to bring 6 Mercedes-Benz vans from Germany to India for Srila Prabhupada (33 min. video)
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The incredible adventure to bring 6 Mercedes-Benz vans from Germany to India for Srila Prabhupada (33 min. video)
Gargamuni Das: Most dangerous and most blissful adventure of my entire life—how did I drive six brand new Mercedes-Benz vans from Germany to India [12 thousand km] for the 1975 Gaura-Purnima festival in Mayapur??– hold on to your seat while you hear this incredible adventure of my life.

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Flood Of Mercy in Rishikesh! (Album of photos)
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Flood Of Mercy in Rishikesh (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Along with the flow of the Ganges here in Rishikesh, the holy names of Sri Krsna are inundating this sacred place with our Kirtan Fest. Every day we do harinam through the streets and give out invitations to our programs. Hundreds of spiritual seekers from the west attend both our morning and evening sessions. We couldn’t be more enlivened!
Find them here: http://bit.ly/38H46V4

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Friday, March 6th, 2020
→ The Walking Monk


Stouffville, Ontario

About Others

When I was in Mayapura, India, I saw a piece of myself on someone's table.  I'll clarify.  An artist had a booth where he was displaying his wares—copies of painted portraits of bhakti-yogis  Well, I was in that pile of twenty or so.  I picked one up off of his display table, to have a look.

That's me, alright, I thought, and reasoned within.  Actually, I was separated from the portrait, just as my body is separated from my soul.  My body, a temporal object, is what some identify as me.  It's fallacious, at best.  The resemblance of the portrait to my physical self was striking. 

Now, lets put me aside—at least the body—and consider others.

I sent a message to my sister, Connie, whose birthday is today.  She's a year and a half my junior. I talked to a woman who had all kinds of questions about life, about the deities, about destiny.  She was a visitor who had her questions answered.  She went away with a Gita and some cake prasadam.  She was happy. There were more ‘others’.  In my brief walk, I greeted all the pedestrians who passed by me.  Our neighbours, basically.  It left a good feeling.

Then in the late afternoon, Paripoorna, a South Indian practitioner, drove me from the park where I was strolling, to Stouffville, where I met a new but growing community, with lots of kids.  I talked of my early days when I became a monk.  I believe that although I spoke somewhat about myself, my intent was to enthuse them toward self-improvement.

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Thursday, March 5th, 2020
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Toronto, Ontario

The Sun

The sun was beckoning to me in the second half of the afternoon.  It shone strong like a laser from the westerly direction.  It was directly blinding me, as I ambled along Bloor Street, and it created silhouettes of moving pedestrians, some who passed me to the right, some to the left.

I took to a park bench in Queen's Park, by the war memorial plaque, and sat there for five minutes.  Inscriptions on it indicated places where Canadian soldiers fell during the last century's two wars.  Italy was at the top of the list.  I didn't know our forces went there.

I shifted to Philosopher's Walk, nestled in the throng of classy Victorian buildings at the university.  There must be lots of philosophies, as many as there are people.  That could be 7.7 billion.  Too much population, don't you think?  They say it took 200,000 years of human history for the world's population to reach 1 billion and only 200 years more to reach 7 billion.

That is shocking!  I think that many bears would be more fun.

Finally, I swerved over on foot through posh Yorkville.  People are generally happy,  I believe it’s the sun that's doing it for them.  We could all do with a little more vitamin D.  We could all do with a little more kindness.  We could all do with a little more walking, which invokes adventure, introspection and a sense of feeling good in both body and spirit. 

May the Source be with you!
4 km 





Wednesday, March 4th, 2020
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Toronto, Ontario

Back in the Swing

Back in the swing of things.  I'm walking on the streets to be nice to this body, a vehicle of honour.  With our bodies, we express ourselves best, or worst.  At best, we serve humanity, nature and the brains behind creation.  At worst, we self-serve and indulge in that which destroys us.  Take your pick.

I walked down Roxborough.  Two young men in a parked van gave me that look of curiosity.  They rolled down the window.  I thought they wanted to talk to me.  I wasn't sure so I stopped and took two steps back.  "Did you guys wanna say something to me?"

Smiles adorned their faces.  It seemed, I amused them.  Respectfully, the passenger reached to the windshield wiper.  "No! We are just having a look at this."  He held in his fingers a half-curled yellow summons slip.  Most likely a $30 fine for parking overtime.

I said, "They have no mercy." 

This morning, I was sitting in the office when one of the regular attendees popped in with his summons slip, asking if we could do something about it.  "I simply came for darshan (viewing Krishna's deity) and I got this," he said, while holding out that bright yellow paper.  He was upset at receiving it.  He hadn’t really look at the signs which read no parking before 10.  It was 9:31 a.m.  Anyway, “No mercy!”

The meter man/woman has been on the warpath, challenging everyone with a car.  I guess no one should relax.  You've got to keep on the move.  The city needs the money.  It has found sitting ducks, that is those with a car.  I feel for the ducks, although I'm not a car lover.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020
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Toronto, Canada

Clean Those Babies

Air Canada Flight 43 came in for a smooth landing.  We couldn't even feel it when the wheels touched the runway.  After being picked up, we saw snow around all along the 401 Highway, but our driver, Jaya, said it's been a mild winter.  Both Corrado and I were struck by jet lag, as you can imagine after a long fourteen hours of soaring in the air.  Anyway, I would rather that, than break up the journey with a stop-over somewhere.

We reached the ashram.  The deities in the temple room looked beautiful, as usual.  Govinda's Restaurant was hopping.  I spent some hours there playing a kind of musical chairs meeting people, emailing, catching up, in general.  After that rather sedentary experience, I hankered for some physical work.  Rain was coming down like crazy so no outdoor walking for me; it wouldn’t be an option until the downpour let up.

That hankering was actually a wish, maybe even a form of communication with Him.  I heard the kitchen needed some love.  I came to its door and saw an eager pile of dirty pots needing some love.  So, I accepted the invite, like some kind of monk, and tackled the pile, rendering some menial service.

Dwarkanath, our principle cook, came by.  Together we tackled, like football team-mates,  and brought down the pile of prasadampots.  It was good swishing around my hands and arms in the water, scrubbing, and then spraying clean those babies.

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Monday, March 2nd, 2020
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Noida, India

Putting A Closure to Our Trip

Schools from the area went on a field trip (that's what we called it in my day) to the ISKCON Temple/Ashram.  The specific reason for the visit was to come and see our play in the auditorium.  Over 200 students occupied the space for the special event.  I say ‘special’ because our "Gita" presentation has some real contemporary elements to it, plus our cast is interestingly cosmopolitan.

The show went remarkably well.  The dozen or so teachers came up to the stage one by one to offer their feedback.  All positive.  I guess if you can present all which is foundational in the Gita's message, plus make it entertaining, you've got a winner.

For one month now, our troupe has been working together.  Much was accomplished over this time—the building up of camaraderie, discipline, fun—a family feel. 

Today we part and go our respective ways.  Corrado and I are destined for Canada.  We had a time to reflect on all that transpired.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RZ6M_gIGh/?igshid=1pkxs0m6d0xyo

About walking!  I ventured off a bit beyond Krishna Jayanti Park, to the tree nursery, and then into a massive field of grass, soft and springy under the feet.  That was a good discovery until I saw human excrement.  I was told that there's a shortage of toilets in India.  Now I see it is true.

I still love the people.  Generally they are a warm kind of folks.  I'm sure my monk attire is helpful.
Corrado and I checked in at the Delhi Airport, readying ourselves for the direct fourteen-hour flight. 

May the Source be with you!
3 km