Sunday, March 24th, 2019
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Brampton / Toronto

Walking / Presenting

This morning, I ventured along through the Yorkville district, and it was early—1:30 a.m.  Parties were just subsiding and the few stragglers, you might say, observed my monk apparel.  I mention this just as a comparison to the night before when I was in regular civies, civilian clothes.  There is a difference in people's response.  So for this morning, in posh Yorkville, I got this, “Are you with a party?” look.

For me, it's fun.   It makes walking that much more adventurous.

To Brampton I went, with Connor tagging happily along, by car, and at late morning.  I chose to speak at the ISKCON Centre from Chapter 5 Verse 2 of the Gita.  I liked these two lines: Jnana (or knowledge that one is not this material body but spirit soul) is not sufficient for liberation. One has to act in the status of spirit soul, otherwise there is no escape from material bondage."

Then back in Toronto, at ISKCON, I spoke from Chapter 6 about the nature of the mind.  Text 26 reads as follows: "From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self."

It was a receptive group, like in Brampton. We also incorporated some yoga stretches in the presentation, compliments of Dan, who's a yoga teacher in the Orangeville area.  His friend, Jason, runs a yoga studio along with his wife and he asked me how I deal with insomnia, since I mentioned it.

"I walk and chant," I mentioned, and that is how I'm currently dealing with jet lag.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Saturday, March 23rd, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

Back In Regulated Fashion

Bloor Street, west of University Avenue, is what it always has been for decades, and coming back, after a month's stay in India, let's me see that it has persisted.  For all but the iconic Honest Ed's economy market—which has been razed and will be replaced by a towering condo unit—the coffee shops, book stores, exotic artifact joints and Korean town and their two or three story buildings will be here to stay. I hope.

It's a charmer of a street to walk at any time of the day or night.  With jet lag, I don't really mind what time.  There are always people around.  I was thrilled to see in the front window of the Doug Miller book store, Swami In A Strange Land by Joshua Green. If you haven't read this book yet, your life is not complete.  It details the life, boldness and complications of Prabhupada.  I'm partial as he is my guru.

The wind showed its might and gave me a toss at the corner of Spadina; well, at least a push.  Remnants of light garbage swirled in the air, now that their winter anchor, snow, is practically gone.  At one point, even a green compost bin was made to slide across the street.

I admit to having grey and brown apparel on, not my routine monk's attire, but I maintained an assertive tilak mark on that forehead which was slightly bent over to address Mr. Vayu, the wind.  He, the wind, will relax in time, and take his rest, as I will attempt to do so for a few minutes before the mangal arati at 4:30 a.m.   https://www.instagram.com/p/BvY9LLtASCF/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=d606dz36nq6i

It's good to be back in a regulated fashion, walking on my legs while rolling beads on my fingers through mantras.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Friday, March 22nd, 2019
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Delhi / Copenhagen / Toronto

Long Trip

I'm all for direct flights—India to Canada—and that was our (Connor and myself) intent.  You've heard the saying, "Man proposes. God disposes." There is this problem with the Pakistani airways, and so our flight, like many, had to divert and land in Copenhagen to refuel.

I've learned that if you accidentally chance upon a bear on the trail, you may stand your ground or walk around.  With politically hot issues involving citizens in the air, fly around and away from the troubled zone.  Don't confront.

This detour made a six hour difference, but it made little impact on Connor and I.  Another hour is another hour.  I do feel sorry for those with babies.  They don't have the same patience.

Overall, the trip to India was great—as usual. You just have to overcome the chaos, and always be psychologically prepared.  Our last three days in Vrndavana were somewhat restricted for walking, unless you want to get plastered by Holi enthusiasts.

There were, however, two occasions, one in Radha Kunda and another outside our host's gate, where men refrained from throwing any colours, permanent or impermanent, on my clothes.  People respect their swamis, and even though I'm a foreigner and white with a tinge of sun-tan, the reverence still goes on.

I'm impressed with India's premiere airports, especially in Delhi and Mumbai.  They are so state-of-the-art.  They put many airports of developing countries to shame.  If only the rest of India could be like those airport facilities, it would be pleasant—incredible even.

May the Source be with you!
0 km




Telangana Padayatra On The Road Despite Hurdles
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Telangana Padayatra On The Road Despite Hurdles.
Since December padayatra has been back on the road in Telangana, a state in the centre-south stretch of the Indian peninsula. The padayatris are currently in Nizamabad district where the Nizamabad ISKCON centre president, Harikirtan dasa, is extending his cooperation to us and informing all nearby centres about us. The local congregation devotees are joining padayatra and welcoming us and offering us prasadam.

Lord Caitanya is not Worshiped Alone
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On the 28th of March this year in the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, a grand celebration will be held on the occasion of the appearance day of Srivasa Thakura. Srivasa Thakura is one of the most prominent devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and was present in Mayapur along with Sri Caitanya in the 15th century.

Ahmedabad One-day Walk Glorifies Gaura-purnima
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By Muralimohan dasa

On March 17 the ISKCON Ahmedabad temple devotees conducted their thirty-third monthly one-day padayatra. Called the Glories of Gaura-hari, a shorter walk this time of just 6km, the padayatra was held to promote the glories of Gaura-purnima, the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Continue reading "Ahmedabad One-day Walk Glorifies Gaura-purnima
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Appearance Anniversary of Srila Srivasa Thakura
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By Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami

Srila Prabhupada said that Narada Muni is a perfect brahmacari because his sole purpose is pure devotional service and to distribute pure devotional service. But Srila Narada Muni gave up his brahmacari life and he entered into household life as Srila Srivasa Thakura. So why did he do such a thing? Just like the gopis of Vrindavan gave up their chastity and they ran to Vamsivata to associate with Krishna when He played His flute. Krishna consciousness is not about moral, social or ethical values of life. We have to transcend dharma to actually enter into real dharma, the eternal identity of the spirit soul. Therefore just as the gopis gave up their chastity and ran to Vamsivata when Krishna played His flute, similarly Narada Muni gave up his brahmacari vows for Vraja-bhakti, to enter into devotional service in terms of the love of the gopis for Krishna. That is the appearance of Srivasa Thakura. Continue reading "Appearance Anniversary of Srila Srivasa Thakura
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Dallas devotees featured on Fox 4 News for Festival of Joy (2 min. video)
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FOX4News.com Staff: The "Festival of Joy" is coming to Klyde Warren Park on Saturday. A group of dancers who will be part of the entertainment joined Good Day for a preview. The festival is said to be the world's oldest street festival going back three thousand years in India. It's now celebrated in cities around the world including New York, Los Angeles and London.

Bhagavad Gita And Impact on Western Mind
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Bhagavad Gita And Impact on Western Mind
No work of spiritual literature has ever been revered as much as the sacred Bhagavad Gita; which not only continues to inspire Indians even today, but also remains admirable even to this day in the western countries.
Mr. Terence, a guest who read the Bhagavad Gita at a motel in CA commented “ I got my first Gita in a hotel room and ever since I read the first verse my life has been ever increasing in Krsna Consciousness. Life is a journey back to Krsna. Peace… Thank You!”


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Pada Yatra by Iskcon Trinidad and Tobago 2019 (Album of…
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Pada Yatra by Iskcon Trinidad and Tobago 2019 (Album of photos)
Every year we have to good fortune of hosting a visit by His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami. Maharaj is famously known as the “Walking Monk” and has walked across Canada several times takes time to walk as much as he can in countries he visits.
One festival celebrated by ISKCON worldwide is called Panda Yatra - The Walking Festival where devotees take deities of Gaura Nitai on procession accompanied with Kirtan and distribution of prasadam and transcendental literature.
Here are some moments from this festival.

How to be positive in all circumstances
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How to be positive in all circumstances – the third perspective. It is not enough to maintain physical hygiene – we need to take care that our mind and our heart remain pure. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura once said, “Negativity will only control you if you allow it to enter your mind.” In other words, if you think negatively, if you always look into the abyss, the abyss will stare into your face. This is very important. On the other hand, if we think that everything is possible, everything will be possible for us – because we will attract these things into our lives. Some of you might say, “it’s not possible to be that positive!” However, if we look from the spiritual perspective, we can see something very nice. One of the greatest bhaktas, Sri Prahlada Maharaja, gives us a good example.


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Get Rid of the Avadhuta, Srivasa
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By Srimati Dasi

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a personal relationship with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu? To talk with Him face-to-face, and have loving exchanges with Him? It’s not something we can speculate about or artificially induce. But we can hear about such loving exchanges, learn from them and become attracted and attached to entering into them as a humble servant of the servant. Today, let’s visit the world of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His very dear associate and servant, Srivasa Thakura. Continue reading "Get Rid of the Avadhuta, Srivasa
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Book Distribution week ending March 22, 2019 (Album of…
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Book Distribution week ending March 22, 2019 (Album of photos)
Mohanasini Devi Dasi: From the Nectar of Book Distribution, “In summary, book distribution is an urgent need. Srila Prabhupada stressed it, and the perilous situation of the world demands it. So we should recognize the importance of book distribution now. And now means today without delay. Why procrastinate? Why wait? The world won’t improve by itself. At every moment people die and miss the chance of getting a book. What is their fate?
Please click on the pics to see what these fortunate people think.
Book totals: 12 Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 12 Perfection of Yoga, 6 Chant and Be Happy, 133 Higher Taste Cookbooks, 112 softbound Bhagavad Gitas, 1 hardbound Bhagavad Gita and 2 Srimad Bhagavatams Total: 278 books.

Roots of Kirtan Festival 2019 (Album of photos) Bhakti Center NY
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Roots of Kirtan Festival 2019 (Album of photos)
Bhakti Center New York: This year’s Roots of Kirtan festival was dynamic, creative and overflowing with devotion. The highlight of the festivities was an original drama, written and directed by Gaura Vani, entitled “A Mango Tree in the Courtyard”. The drama was followed by kirtan and an incredible vegan feast for all. Photography by Joana Cardozo.

Feeling Separation From Krishna Is Necessary and Practical
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Feeling Separation From Krishna Is Necessary and Practical.
We have to wake up to the fact that our life is not in order. Yes, you might be liked by devotees. You might be a lecturer and other neophyte devotees may applaud you. Or mister guru! You may think you have so many disciples and thus you are successful in your life. Whoever we are, in whatever position or station of life we are, unless we wake up to the fact that “I really need Krsna”, we are emotionally invested in the wrong things. Our emotions should be with the real need, or as Srila Prabhupada put it “the Govinda necessity”. Then we address the root cause of all our problems.
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Thursday, March 21st, 2019
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Vrndavan, India

Moon Full and Beautiful

It is the full moon.  On this day every year, by lunar movement, we celebrate the birth of the most outstanding mobile monk, Sri Chaitanya.  He was born 533 years ago in Bengal and made a point after his ordainment into the renounced order, to travel and inspire people into the kirtan culture.

This morning, the temple of Krsna Balaram was just dense with people, and reports tell us that at Chaitanya’s birthplace the temples were similarly packed with people chanting.  This is also the time of Holi, when colours occupy space. Indeed the air is pervasive with the stuff.  It's like a big party.  There is a level of drunkenness, and some folks get so rowdy and eager to throw the colours that they purchased, it gets a little bit out of control.  Our temple keeps the doors locked at certain hours. You have to decide whether to stay in or out, for some time.   https://back2godhead.com/spiritual-places-2/

I chose to stay out, along with Connor, and get some things done.  I have my new saffron monk duds and Connor is trying to go for the first head-shave of his life.  Members of our troupe are attempting to get together for last hugs and prostrations.

A fast goes on until moon-rise and we honour that with a closure feast.  ‘Fast’ and ‘feast’ sound similar.  Although diametrically opposed, they do complement each other.

Chaitanya is a very important figure in the lives of those who have taken to kirtan chanting.  We owe Him a tremendous amount for landing upon us the sound of sacredness. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvQaoi1APMb/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1msrx8nhmzque

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
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Vrindavan, India

Spiritual Foundation

I stepped into the Krsna Balaram temple and was asked to lead a kirtan.  I took great pleasure in doing so.  After that kirtan for honouring the guru, a person came up to me—a familiar face.  It was a British monk whom I travelled with in Ireland, when I trekked the country from Belfast in the north, to Cork in the south.  It was good to see him again.

Knowing that I just completed a production with a group of actors, he told me of a role he volunteered to play.  It was anger personified.

"I had a hard time though, to be angry.  I couldn't come to the level required.  The only thing that ever gets my ire up is when I'm claustrophobic.  I was at the outdoor event where the drama was showing.  I went to the loo to deal with a call of nature, and someone locked me in from the outside.  I got desperate.  No one could hear me, so I rocked the unit back and forth, and finally I kicked open the door.  I was really angry.  Well, I got out and my fellow actors said, 'Use it!  Use your anger for the play.'  So I did and it worked."

Our guru, Prabhupada, used to say, "Utility is the principle!"

I was also asked to give the class from the Bhagavatam, Canto 8.  I saw the opportunity to speak of the little bit I know of the male and female psychology.  It was surrounding the story of Aditi and the sage, Kasyapa—wife and husband.  

https://youtu.be/COkSkOyzLNk

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvNikSYg-w6/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=14ki1mgrb28dn

To conclude: relationships have a better chance to be successful when there is a spiritual foundation.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Tuesday, March 19th, 2019
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Radha Kunda, India

Walking As A Worship

Last evening a group of us (some of our actors), two Floridian devotees, and two additional monks from Canada, decided early next morning (today) to do the walk around Govardhan Hill.  Included in our group also was Daniel from Ukraine.  He showed up at our rendezvous spot at MVT Restaurant after being showered by green tones of Holi powder.  A dish of salad was placed on his head.  Wow!  A piece of modern art?

After a thirty-five minute rickshaw drive, we began the brisk bare-foot walk so popular in this northern section of India. Our target was to reach a twenty-one kilometre goal.  5:30 a.m. was not a bad time to start.  Like many of the marathon walks I've done, you must begin before the sun bakes you.

The soft sands were soothing.  The sharp-edged stones were a challenge.  All in all, it was an austerity that we all relished just as much as residents of India do.  Indeed, it is a program for all.  I was taken by the many young males, in particular, who participate. There is nothing to indicate that parikrama, pilgrimage, especially at Holi time, will die out anytime soon in Govardha.

Vendors attempted to sell their wares, mostly bananas and roasted chana, by saying, "Monkey seva! meaning: "Service to the monkeys!"  

One sugar-cane merchant saw us coming. "Juus," he said.

"No, we are not Jews.  We are Vaishnavas!"  I retorted.

Near the Hill itself, one motorcyclist left his machine unattended, and several monkeys took full advantage by slowly dismantling the fellow's conveyance.  

The Hill and Radha Kunda's sacred waters were highlights, although every time I come to the Kund, a greedy pundit appears trying to milk pilgrims of several rupees for puja worship.

May the Source be with you!
21 km




Monday, March 18th, 2019
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Vrndavana, India

Ten Of Us

Ten of us drove down the smooth Yamuna Expressway to Vrndavan.    https://www.instagram.com/p/BvG3yrrgEKu/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=n3ekjhgspjo1   Vrndavan is special.  It is meant to be home.  Yet there's one thing that strikes my mind when I come here:  "I wish I could clean it up."

What is it about this place that could use a make-over?  Despite it being Krishna's place, there is a complacency about tidiness.  If we really love Krishna then we will see to it as being like a temple.  There are gorgeous destinations, however, like the grounds of the Krishna Balarama Temple, the residential area of Mayapur Vrndavan Trust, the ISKCON Goshala—where samadhi tombs of friends passed-on are located, such as Purnachandra, Yamuna, Brahmananda, Gunagrahi—and the house where Connor and I are staying.  The home of Shyam Gopal is on the outskirts of hustle and bustle.  Great landscaping!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvJ6j82APwX/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1gnk833khm33m

I also got to meet the first Dutch-disciple of our Guru, Prabhupada.  We lunched with him.  He joined in 1970 and became a good gardener himself.  In fact he maintains the grounds really well.

It is Holi time and I see ‘Holied’ people covered in colour.  There was also a Holi-cow or two.  No one is spared of the powdered stuff, but somehow Connor and I got through the streets of Loi Bazaar  clean, when we went to put in an order with a cloth merchant, Haridas, at Yamuna Store. It is through this venue that I secured my monk robes for the year—cotton material with three pieces per set.

My highlight or colourful spot of the day was prayers offered to my friends now gone, who are actually here.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Sunday, March 17th, 2019
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Noida, India

Could Not Have Been

There could not have been a more appreciative audience.  We staged, "The Queen's Secret" in the evening, to a paid audience. Yesterday's was sponsored.  The big temptation, for anyone in the 21st century, is the usage of cell phones, but the crowd remained obedient to our rules during the performance.  “No click! No video!  No flash!”

It was after the credits, the curtain call, that the crowd was aroused for taking pictures.  Good God, it wouldn't stop.  Our cast was made to feel like real celebs! In truth, I consider our group of twenty-five to be like family rather than stars of the stage.  With this being our last performance in India, our group/troupe came to like each other, despite diverse personalities and ages—I'm the oldest.

"The Queen's Secret" was our little project together.  We shaped and molded it to become the feast of words, movement and colour that it came to be.  We learned patience from the practices.  We learned, through the method of acting, how to become someone else.  For myself, it was being the coach all along, and entering into every character of the play.  It was fun.

Admittedly so, I feel more like I'm the Drama Maharaja as opposed to The Walking Monk.  Now that this month's theatre assignment is over, I can shift gears more to the walking side.  Yes, that is a passion I also need to honour—just getting back to an obligation.  That would be a joy, a pleasure.

I lay down to sleep, to anticipate the pilgrimage to Vrndavana and for the morning hours to play out.

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Saturday, March 16th, 2019
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Noida, India

My Only Walking

My only walking today consisted of the circumambulation of the Krishna deities of Radha Govinda.  If you do that too much at a certain speed, it could make you dizzy. I took breaks during this early time before full sunrise.  My host, or rather our host, is a monk from Maharastra, Lokanatha Swami.

He kindly arranged for a chair for me next to his, and in front of his chair was his laptop.  He sat me down and showed me what he does each day, during this time, at the computer.  Morning time may be good for pacing and getting the exercise in.  It is also ideal for chanting japa.  On his screen, he showed me all the people around the world who log into the japa chanting session.

"Here is someone from Mauritius, someone from New Jersey and look, you have a Deepakshi from Toronto."

"Interesting!"  I said to the Maharaja, indicating that technology has its advantages.  Certainly devices have a consuming effect on people. I don't have to ask our crew members of the drama about their time being occupied in some cyber way.

A matinee performance was attended by Lokanatha Swami, along with students from various schools, their teachers and members of the media.  Also, my evening was again pleasantly teamed up with the Swami at a newly-opened centre for bhakti in Greater Noida.  I was driven to the site, and as I opened the door, a shower of flower petals came quite consistently down upon me all the way to the entrance of the building.  The community was enthusiastic and they seemed to soak in my message from the Gita. https://www.facebook.com/IskconTempleNoida/videos/1989718328004489?sfns=mo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvEcjaegETV/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=12waxk1klt1wj

May the Source be with you!
3 km