Control – The Body, Bodily Conception & Freedom
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Control - The Body, Bodily Conception & Freedom.
By Mukundanghri Das.
Everything in Julie’s life had spun out of control. Her dream job as a hotshot corporate banker had turned into a nightmare. It kept her working late into the night. The heels and the power suit in the Sandton high-rise building felt no different to a prison suit in a jail cell. There just wasn’t enough hours in the day. “God, why?” she murmured to herself in frustration. “Why am I not in control?” Julie contemplated resigning from work. But it filled her with guilt for the family she has to take care of.

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Activating the Will of God
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How many of us hide behind the will of God as an excuse for inactivity or laziness? And how many of us attribute our successes to our efforts alone? The Vedic scriptures teach us that nothing in this world moves without the will of God. He is the creator, controller, overseer of multifarious universes, the benefactor of speech, intelligence, talent, and everything else without which we would be considered useless; however, do we just sit back, waiting for God's will to save or direct us without endeavor, or do we activate His will?


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Gita 01.02 Sanjaya addresses not just the content of Dhritarashtra’s question but also its intent
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.02 Sanjaya addresses not just the content of Dhritarashtra’s question but also its intent appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lessons from Narada’s travel to the North
→ Servant of the Servant

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, first canto, chapter six, Narada Muni describes his own journey to spiritual emancipation. What do we learn? Below are few of my thoughts;

  1. From the death of the mother of Narada, we learn that the Lord is the Supreme controller and we the insignificant jivas are but like puppets under a puppet master. All activities good and bad that happen in my life happens by the will and sanction of Krishna.
  2. Because Narada as a boy served the great Bhakti-vedantas, when he was alone wandering he had the know-how to approach that which is invisible. In other words, his association with the Lord actually was possible because the Bhakti-vedantas taught Narada how to approach the Transcendent Lord. If not for them, he would be lost and not be realized himself. Therefore, without the mercy of a pure devotee, Krishna will not manifest.
  3. Krishna is all independent and not subjected to anyone's thoughts or prayers yet He reveals Himself to Narada thus confirming the idea that He is the eternal well-wisher of all Beings.
  4. Krishna is non-material thus He is approachable ONLY if we become non-material or spiritual. That is why Narada muni was advised by Krishna that He cannot be seen by anyone who has material desires. If we want to serve Krishna, we have to become pure of material dualities of gain and loss.
  5. Nama-Sankirtan is the essence of Vedanta and Narada after losing sight of Krishna decided to chant the Holy Names of the Lord constantly with no material attachments. We also have to follow in his footsteps. 
  6. Patience is a virtue. From the first contact of Krishna to becoming His eternal associate took more than 4.3 trillion years for Narada so we also have to become patient and wait for the mercy of the Lord (we should not feel entitled).
  7. After a long wait, Narada successfully became Narada. Krishna does not abandon His bhakta therefore Krishna as Bhakta-vatsal always protects His devotees and delivers the devotee to Himself. We should have this confidence that at the end of it all - Krishna never disappoints!
Hare Krishna

The Conch – Why we love New Govardhan
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Hare Krishna New Govardhana is leading a way of alternative living: simple living, higher thinking. Everyday here in New Govardhana is fresh and vibrant. We have opportunities every day to serve the Lord and His devotees. Srila Prabhupada said the purpose of life is to know one’s own self. Living here on New Govardhana is coming closer to fulfilling the purpose.

Moving forward
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, March 2018, Durban, South Africa, Human Relationships Lecture)

Krsna is always showing us the next step in our spiritual lives. So if it is clear that the next step is that you should be doing more, then we should take that step. If you feel, “Krsna is showing me that the next step is to develop love for him“, then do it!

You have these karate movies where the young karate character come out and makes all these moves and he is going really fast on all sides. But then an old Kung-Fu master comes out and does not make all these moves, but instead just has this one concentrated move. And then all of a sudden, everyone is flying in all directions and gets knocked out. (laughter) So in the beginning, we are like these young karate guys trying to run around, but we lack depth and we lack the real concentration and focus. We are trying to be busy for Krsna, trying to always chant, read and so on. But what we really need to work on is to deepen ourselves through our relationships and go deeper in our commitment to Krsna. This is the beginning step and it helps us in making Krsna the real priority. After all, he is the Supreme!

Nothing is really important except Krsna. We must truly understand this. Even in our relationships – our marriage, our friends and our families – if it does not help us go deeper in our relationship with Krsna, then what is the point of it!? Otherwise, we are just creating a beautiful illusion for ourselves, which is totally meaningless. If we are not trying to make our children Krsna conscious, then what is the point of having them? If we want to give our children Krsna consciousness, we cannot do it by dictation. We cannot do it by rules, “You must do this. You must not do that.” Such harshness will not work in the long run. Instead, we must pass Krsna consciousness through inspiration, by setting an example. Kids never do what you say, but they do what you do. So we must attempt to the best of our ability to be a devotee and conquer them with devotion; only then they will be amazing devotees.

If somebody has nice qualities, it impresses us. A thousand lessons from a book about moral behaviour would not work as much as the impressions from an inspiring person would. Relationships are a big thing! So if you are looking to engage in relationships and starting a family, you have to aspire to be spiritually advanced. 

The article " Moving forward " was published on KKSBlog.

OMBUDS Programme in the UK. ISKCON UK has established an Ombuds…
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OMBUDS Programme in the UK.
ISKCON UK has established an Ombuds program so devotees can raise concerns, dealing with interpersonal conflicts and find clarity on ISKCON policies and practices. The team are from different parts of the UK and are a diverse group of devotees. They have been trained by Vraja Vihari prabhu from ISKCON Resolve. The idea is to work towards “zero barriers”- so that members of ISKCON should be able to raise, in good faith, concerns they have, and discuss how they can be addressed.
An ISKCON UK Ombuds will listen to you and help you consider the various options you have in dealing with a matter or issue, big or small. ISKCON UK Ombuds are totally confidential (except imminent risk), independent of Management in their capacity of Ombuds, neutral, and informal (conversations are off the record).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR CONTACT DETAILS PLEASE WRITE TO: ISKCONOMBUDSUK@GMAIL.COM

Bhadra Campaign Inundates the World With Srimad-Bhagavatam Sets!…
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Bhadra Campaign Inundates the World With Srimad-Bhagavatam Sets!
Overall the campaign was a heartening success in spreading the glories of the Bhagavatam.
“Everybody we met was eager to help preserve this transcendental knowledge,” Malini says. “And I can only imagine the impact all around the world. Just the presence of the Srimad-Bhagavatam in everyone’s home will gradually increase their consciousness to a higher level, and they will start appreciating spirituality more and more.”
The campaign was also an enlivening experience for devotees.
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/p4owsH

ISKCON of Harrisburg celebrates it’s 10th Annual Ratha Yatra Festival
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Hare Krishna During the Labor day weekend of 2018, The International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were preparing for our Annual Ratha Yatra festival. ISKCON of Harrisburg, formerly Institute of Higher Understanding (IOHU), will be celebrating its 10th Annual Ratha Yatra (Festival of Chariots) on Saturday, Sept 1st, 2018 with a parade on City Island, Harrisburg, PA.

UK report for World Holy Name Festival 2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Mina

The UK yatras were out in full force for the World Holy Name Festival (17 - 24th September) this year. The week kicked off with Kirtan Fest in Leicester, where the holy names were chanted throughout the weekend. This year's festival was made extra special as it was celebrating the 35th anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Madhava's installation, and that the Grade II listed temple was able to welcome new guests as part of Heritage Open Day, where historic buildings in the city open their doors to visitors to get a glimpse behind the scenes. In Newcastle, devotees dedicated their monthly Sacred Street Party in the city centre to the World Holy Name Festival. Over thirty devotees were joined on the streets by HG Jai Nitai Das and HG Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi from ISKCON London for the event, and did two hours of kirtan, distributed 54 of Srila Prabhupada's books, 180 prasadam sweets, and 900 mantra cards. Temple President HG Chaitanya Vallabha Das said: "It was a wonderful event to bring our whole community together for the purpose of sharing Krishna Consciousness, especially the Holy Name!" Continue reading "UK report for World Holy Name Festival 2018
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Why Build the TOVP? Do We Really Need Another Temple? Part 3
- TOVP.org

In Part 1 of this series of articles we summarized the overall spiritual and philosophical reasoning behind building temples for Vishnu/Krishna as opposed to focusing on altruistic or philanthropic welfare work for human society through the opening of hospitals, feeding the poor, etc. Part 2 offered several important specific reasons from various perspectives why we are building the TOVP.

Part 3 reveals the shastric (scriptural) evidence that supports the building of a temple and the astounding spiritual benefits that accrue to anyone who participates in this incredibly auspicious service. Part 4 will dive deep into the esoteric and sublime causes of the TOVP’s manifestation.

The Benefits of Building a Temple of Vishnu

Agni Purana, Chapter 38, Texts 1-50

Agni said: I will now describe the fruits of making temples for the residence of Vasudeva and other deities. He who attempts to erect temples for gods is freed from the sins of a thousand births. Those who think of building a temple in their minds are freed from the sins of a hundred births. Those who approve of a man’s building a temple for Krishna go to the region of Acyuta [Vishnu] freed from sins.

Having desired to build a temple for Hari, a man immediately takes a million of his generations, past and future, to the region of Vishnu. The departed manes of the person who builds a temple for Krishna live in the region of Vishnu, well adorned and freed from the sufferings of hell. The construction of a temple for a deity dissipates even the sin of Brahmanicide. By building a temple one reaps the fruit which he does not even gain by celebrating a sacrifice. By building a temple one acquires the fruits of bathing at all the sacred shrines.

The construction of a temple, which gives heaven, by a religious or an irreligious man, yields the fruit reaped by persons slain in a battle undertaken on behalf of the celestials. By making one temple one goes to heaven; by making three one goes to the region of Brahma; by making five one goes to the region of Shambhu; by making eight one goes to the region of Hari. By making sixteen one attains all objects of enjoyment and emancipation. A poor man, by building the smallest temple, reaps the same benefit which a rich man does by building the biggest temple for Vishnu. Having acquired wealth and built a temple with a small portion of it, a person acquires piety and gains favours from Hari.

By making a temple with a lakh of rupees, or a thousand, or a hundred, or fifty, a man goes where the Garuda-emblemed deity resides. He who in his childhood even sportively makes a temple of Vasudeva with sand, goes to his region. He who builds temples of Vishnu at sacred places, shrines, and hermitages, reaps three-fold fruits. Those who decorate the temple of Vishnu with scents, flowers, and sacred mud, go to the city of the Lord. Having erected a temple for Hari, a man, either fallen, about to fall, or half-fallen, reaps twofold fruits. He who brings about the fall of a man is the protector of one fallen. By making a temple for Vishnu one attains to his region. As long as the collection of bricks of Hari’s temple exists, the founder of his family lives gloriously in the region of Vishnu. He becomes pious and adorable both in this world and in the next.

He who builds a temple for Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, is born as a man of good deeds and his family is purified. He who builds temples for Vishnu, Rudra, the sun-god, and other deities, acquires fame. What is the use to him of wealth which is hoarded by ignorant men? Useless is the acquisition of riches to one who does not have a temple built with hard earned money for Krishna, or whose wealth is not enjoyed by the Pitris, Brahmanas, celestials, and friends. As death is certain for men, so is his destruction.

The man who doesn’t spend his money for his enjoyment or in charities and keeps it hoarded is stupid and is fettered even when alive. What is the merit of him who, obtaining riches either by an accident or manliness, does not spend it for a glorious work or for religion? What is the merit of him who, having given away his wealth to the leading twice-born, makes his gift circulated, speaks of more than he gives away in charities?

Therefore a wise man should have the temples built for Vishnu and other deities. Having entered the region of Hari, he acquires reverential faith for Narottama [Vishnu]. He pervades all the three worlds containing the mobile and the immobile, the past, future, and present, gross, subtle, and all inferior objects. From Brahma to a pillar everything has originated from Vishnu. Having obtained entrance into the region of the Great Soul, Vishnu, the omnipresent god of gods, a man is not born again.

By building temples for other gods, a man reaps the same fruit which he does by building one for Vishnu. By building temples for Shiva, Brahma, the sun, Candi, and Lakshmi, one acquires religious merit. Greater merit is acquired by installing images. In the sacrifice attendant upon the setting up of an idol there is no end of fruits. One made of wood gives greater merit than one made of clay; one made of bricks yields more than a wooden one. One made of stone yields more than one made of bricks. Images made of gold and other metals yield the greatest religious merit. Sins accumulated in seven births are dissipated even at the very commencement. One building a temple goes to heaven; he never goes to hell. Having saved one hundred of his family, he takes them to the region of Vishnu.

Yama said to his emissaries: Do not bring to hell persons who have built temples and adored deities. Bring those to my view who have not built temples. Judge thus rightly and follow my commands.

Persons can never disregard your commands, except those who are under the protection of the endless father of the universe. You should always pass over those persons who have their minds fixed on the Lord. They are not to live here. You should avoid from a distance those who adore Vishnu. Those who sing the glories of Govinda and those who worship Janardana [Vishnu or Krishna] with daily and occasional rites should be shunned by you from a distance. Those who attain to that station should not even be looked at by you. The persons who adore Him with flowers, incense, raiment, and favorite ornaments should not be marked by you. They go to the region of Krishna. Those who smear the body [of Vishnu] with unguents, who sprinkle his body, should be left in the abode of Krishna. Even a son or any other member born in the family of one who has built a temple of Vishnu should not be touched by you. Hundreds of persons who have built temples of Vishnu with wood or stone should not be looked at by you with an evil mind.

By building a golden temple one is freed from all sins. He who has built a temple for Vishnu reaps the great fruit which one gains by celebrating sacrifices every day. By building a temple for the Lord he takes his family, a hundred generations past and a hundred to come, to the region of Acyuta.

Vishnu is identical with the seven worlds. He who builds a temple for him saves the endless worlds and himself attains immortality. As long as the bricks will last, the maker [of the temple] will live for so many thousands of years in heaven. The maker of the deity attains the region of Vishnu and he who consecrates the installation of the same is immersed in Hari. The person who builds a temple and an image, as well as he who consecrates them, come before Him.

This rite of pratishtha [installation] of Hari was related by Yama. For creating temples and images of the deities, Hayashirsha described it to Brahma.

Passages from Other Shastras

One who offers the deity gifts of the land, markets, cities and villages so that the regular worship and special festivals of the deity may go on continuously will achieve opulence equal to My own.

Srimad Bhagavatam

By installing the deity of the Lord, one becomes king of the entire earth, by building a temple for the Lord, one becomes ruler of the three worlds, by worshiping and serving the deity, one goes to the planet of Lord Brahma, and by performing all three of these activities one achieves a transcendental form like My own.

Srimad Bhagavatam

O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Narasimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.

Narasimha Purana

Just by starting the construction of a temple for Lord Krishna, sins committed in seven births will be wiped out and one will deliver his forefathers who are suffering in the hellish planets.

Skanda Purana

Whoever constructs or helps to construct a Vishnu temple will protect eight generations of fathers, grandfathers, and forefathers from falling into hell.”

Skanda Purana

“By building a temple of Sri Madhava, one can attain the eternal spiritual world (Vaikuntha). One who offers a garden laden with fruits and flowers for the service of the deity will attain heavenly pleasures.”

Skanda Purana

 

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
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post Why Build the TOVP? Do We Really Need Another Temple? Part 3 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

If after some wrongdoing, we feel guilty and don’t feel like coming close to Krishna, what can we do?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post If after some wrongdoing, we feel guilty and don’t feel like coming close to Krishna, what can we do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita 01.01 The Gita’s first word dharma conveys its essential, universal theme
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.01 The Gita’s first word dharma conveys its essential, universal theme appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday, September 30th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Caledon, Ontario

Couples

Just north of Brampton, in the Caledon district, there is this beautiful Nirvana Retreat Centre where a couple’s retreat was held over the weekend.  The previous weekend, one was held in Port Royal, Pennsylvania and the same coordinator / presenter offered her services for the first time in Canada, for couples of ISKCON membership.  The name of this incredible person is Krishnanandini, from Cleveland.  Alongside her is her equally incredible husband, Tariq; they were in addition to another champion marriage team, Partha and Uttama from British Columbia.  Thanks also to Radha Bhakti.

I sat in on Krishnanandini’s morning class because I highly support solid marriages and meaningful relationships.  This desire for successful marriages is something that deep down everyone hankers for.

Her class, based on the book Bhagavatam, concentrates on the story of the yogi, Kardama Muni, who wanted to have a wife.  Nothing wrong with that.  The challenge is in making something work in a relationship, and that takes a lot of work. However, it’s worth it.  So many skills are learned from the effort—human skills.  If we can’t develop good relations in this world, how can we cultivate a relationship with the Supreme?  Something to consider.

The class was worth attending.  Very inspiring!  I was inspired enough to ‘wing it’ when delivering a class myself in Scarborough on “The Opulence of the Absolute.”  Bhagavad Gita, 10.35, mentions the high points of the year—spring and fall—fall because of the harvest, which is now.

Indeed, this is a great time of the year.

May the Source be with you!
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Training Oxen by Voice Commands Lesson 5 To Stand
→ Life With the Cows and Land



We are back again with the Training Oxen by Voice Commands series. Here is lesson 5 which deals with the importance of standing and how to train your oxen to stand. This time Kalyan Tamal is the ox in training. Kalyan and Dhruva, both rescued from a dairy where they were about to be slaughtered are the ox team in training. They live at the ISCOWP sanctuary where they are in training to show how intelligent they are and how they have a role to play in the family farm. They need not be slaughtered.

Flying your own plane
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, March 2018, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Human Relationships Lecture)

Our goal is to use the time that we have to deepen our lives. When devotees meet, it is not that we are just looking for some spiritual inspiration. Festivals where devotees come together are for lasting advancement. It is for transforming ourselves. The idea is that when devotees meet during festivals, it is not some form of entertainment or some mere questions and answers. No, it is about some deep genuine exchange and this is an opportunity to go deeper in our commitment.

As Srila Prabhupada said, “Everyone is flying their own plane!” Prabhupada would speak about how life is like a plane and when it is on the ground (the beginning) one can put fuel and one can check the tyres and so on. This is where we have intimate relationships that nurture us and assist us in our growth. But then at some point, we are not so small anymore and we take our lives into our own hands. Here, we are flying our own plane. And then when we are mid-air, we are all alone up there. This is when we have to persevere with whatever experiences and relationships we have gained, to grow closer to Krsna.

The article " Flying your own plane " was published on KKSBlog.

Krishna’s wonderful arrangement!
→ Dandavats



Bhaktine Diana: I met this gentleman Nil at 7:28 pm, when Rama Raya prabhu was leading ecstatic kirtan and harinam was almost finished (for today:), I asked him where he was from and he said upper east side, then he just said “Wow. It’s crazy!”,-“what?”- I asked. He said, “you’re not gonna believe me!, “no,no please tell me, I love these kind of stories! What happened ?”

Indian Ambassador Inaugurates Ratha Yatra in Sofia, Bulgaria….
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Indian Ambassador Inaugurates Ratha Yatra in Sofia, Bulgaria.
On September 15th, Ratha Yatra was celebrated with great fervor in Sofia, organized by ISCKON. For the first time in the country’s history, the Indian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Ms. Pooja Kapur inaugurated the cultural festival.
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/pR6ZfT

Pro BMX Rider Pursues Adventure, Finds Krishna! Professional BMX…
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Pro BMX Rider Pursues Adventure, Finds Krishna!
Professional BMX freestyle rider Joris Coulomb always chased adventure. He didn’t realize that one day it would take him to a place of deep meaning where all his questions about life would be answered.
“The first night when we landed in Delhi, I found a Bhagavad-gita As It Is in our hotel room,” Joris recalls. “Looking through the chapter titles and contents, which described “the absolute truth,” “the most confidential knowledge,” and all types of yoga, I knew this was what I had been looking for.”
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/58kFwM

Saturday, September 29th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Beamsville, Ontario

Not Sour Grapes

The name of the place where we commenced our ‘continuation’ of the Bruce Trail is catchy.  It’s called “Megalomaniac” and it’s a winery.  https://youtu.be/qXmlNOv06wEYes, we are in the heart of grape country. Although our driver, Hari, went to grab two bunches to indulge in, from a carefully cultivated row of grapes, we got more excited about the less domestic wild grapes found on the trail.

Early on, Karuna and I found the Bruce providing us with blackberries and raspberries. Now it’s grapes.  My dear friend, Doctor Bandhari, who flew his private plane to meet me on the first Canada Walk in ‘96 on two occasions, partook of the tough walk of today, sampling the blue treasures—grapes.

It became apparent to Karuna and myself, that more people took to the trail today because it was Saturday and because it’s fall.  Better weather as opposed to the steaminess of this past summer. Groups of walkers told of sighting deer and coyotes.  We only saw rocks, but could hear hawks and blue jays.

I took well to my newly invested-in walking poles.  They worked great, and I'm sure the doctor will purchase a couple now that he has seen how effective they were for me.  “Try them out!” I offered him, and so he did.

Our team stopped after seven clicks (kilometres) due to time constraints, and as mentioned before, the Bruce is not a breeze.  It’s a hike more than a walk, with its ravines and rocks.  Full attention has to be given to where you step—like in life.

May the Source be with you!
7 km




Friday, September 28th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Over Food

Karuna and I walked to and from Subuddhi’s home near Christie Pitts, and there we had the best meal of prasadamincluding turnips, a favourite when done by her.  A few guests also came as well as Sita.  It’s been a while since seeing her.  I remember when she first came in the late ‘70s to explore the consciousness of Krishna.

Originally from Montreal, her family was mostly of an Anglo background.  She met Jivan M, and they got married.  The couple eventually bought a farm near Duntroon, a bit north, and Sita has been the one to get the veggies going, organic and good.

Here’s another couple who has this agro-initiative for a life-style.  This is of course what our guru, Prabhupada, wanted. Good food means good health.  Good food means it is offerable to Krishna. This summer has yielded a bumper crop. Much sun and much rain.  Thank you, Sita, for the talk over an exceptional lunch.  Keep up the good work on production.

Speaking of production, my main anxiety, as of late, is pulling together the drama, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” to be slotted into the upcoming ‘Man-Tra Retreat’ next week.  I just don’t have the cast I need, and lack of experience is at the helm of my worry. When I got onto the practice this evening with novices Akshay and Pratik, I saw their potential.  What a relief!  Perhaps a couple of stars are born.

Incidentally, our guru also was super fond of transcendental dramas.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Thursday, September 27th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Walking Poles

Today’s venture was to Mountain Equipment Co-op, MEC, with twenty-four branches across the country, offering excellent merchandise for outdoor adventures.  It was the second day in a row that I didn’t exactly splurge, but spent an amount of cash to assist in my service to Krishna.

I walked the four kilometres to King and Peter Streets, through the downtown madness, to get myself a pair of walking poles.  With intent on continuing a pilgrimage already begun, the Bruce Trail awaits a yearning pair of feet.

In our order of renounced men, the order ofGaudiya sampradaya, or lineage, the sanyasi often uses his danda or holy staff.  Wrapped in saffron cloth, there are three thin bamboo rods which represent a surrender of body, mind and words to Krishna.

Now I haven’t used my danda,or holy staff of three, for years.  Travelling overseas has been a trial, because, for myself, I often carry props and costumes for our dramas.  A swami’s dandais just too much.

Now that I have two actual high-tech adjustable sticks or poles, they will indeed come into good use.  The Bruce Trail is more of a hike than a walk, and I have found that I need aid, especially for the knees.

I proudly held my new possessions—of which I have very few—in hand, ready for the test this coming Saturday morning on that glorious trail heading north.

On with the walking culture!

May the Source be with you!
8 km


Wednesday, September 26th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Always Changing

Karuna and I walked to the local Canadian Tire store, a national automotive/hardware department store, to purchase some small but essential items.  I was standing at the corner of an aisle, in the cupboard section, when I overheard two middle-aged women, one of whom—as she was about to purchase some items—said, “They’re always changing everything.”

I poked my head out and replied, “Everything’s always changing.” A philosophical point.

The second woman said, “Oh, as in nothing’s permanent, right?”  Continuing on with the fun, she said, “That’s your department isn’t it?” confirming my vocational purpose in life.

“That’s right,” I concurred, and as the two moved on to other aisles, they laughed and so did I, and we all  went about our business.

On our return from the store, Karuna and I passed by Ramsden Park where a major renovation is taking place.  It’s getting spruced-up, but not with spruce trees.  What came to mind was the ‘change’ theme once again, and as the Gitaalludes, the mind itself is in a constant state of flux.

I looked at the park’s grass and thought about how a cow grazing on greenery, will change location, and wander a whole pasture day after day.  Yes, in a department store the routine is to shift the merchandise around so that everything gets altered, while in the Spiritual world, the Creator is changeless.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Editor’s Note:
The September 25th, 2018 blog contained an error. The person named as JoAnn should have read, Joyce. We apologize for any confusion created. Thank you. 


Tuesday, September 25th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Family

Today was something to do with nostalgia.  Two sisters, one brother and a sister-in-law came over for lunch, and for me.  They are not all from town.  Rose Ann is from Chatham, Ontario, and Paul, as well as JoAnn, are from British Columbia. We all get along.

A monk can have congenial relations with family.  At least in our order of monasticism we don’t completely cut ties and live in a cloistered way.  I do see the advantages of that lifestyle at times, but our guru, Prabhupada, taught that we should consider being inclusive instead of exclusive.

Personally, I'm very happy about my family, and we had a good time.  I place importance on the occasional get-together. I even sacrificed my walking time for the lunch together and the shooting-the-breeze.  In fact it was a great day overall for interaction with just the people who come to dine at our Govinda’s Restaurant, as well as for persons who came for darshan(deity viewing).

“Can you bless my baby?” asked the father of two, while his wife held onto their child.

“Surely.” And so I gave a blessing with my right hand on his head, and ring finger at the third eye, while chanting a mantra.

“Can you bless my other child?”  And thus I did service to this family with which I have no blood relation connection. It’s all part of being a monk/priest.

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Monday, September 24th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Meeting Ben

Walking along Ben Franklin Parkway, I saw what looked like Ben, one of the founding fathers of America, himself.  I got closer to the man of his resemblance, who had just finished reading an historic plaque.  He was be-spectacled, and sporting a graying pony-tale.  He spoke first.

“Are you Buddhist?”

“No! Krishna.  Hare Krishna!…”

“Oh, yes.  You guys have a temple around here, right?”

And the man whose last name is Hickey went on to recall how he had seen us so active in the public before.

“Are you connected to Maharishi?” he continued.

From thereon,  I told him of the history with the Beatles first being involved with the Transcendental Meditation master himself, but then later becoming connected with the Hare Krishna.

“Our first temple in Europe was at John Lennon’s estate.  Then George Harrison donated a massive house to us, a manor, outside of London.” I explained.

Hickey was intrigued.  I told him of my walking ventures and how I completed the U.S. last year.  I left him with a mantra card, hoping he might take up chanting someday.

My visit to Philly is over.  In my short time here I gave three lessons in the Bhagavat philosophy, a lesson in chanting and dancing, and, to arouse the crowd, took to a conformist tribal dance session at the Chariot Fest on Saturday to top it all off.

I'm grateful for the friendships kept and made while here.

May the Source be with you!
6 km


Sunday, September 23rd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chicken?

“Would you like chicken in a wrap?” asked the restaurant manager.  And I said, “Yes!”  I did say “yes” with the fullest confidence because I know that Haryasva, the restauranteur-in-charge would not dare offer me actual chicken.  Only the look and the taste.  I ordered and ate with great relish and with trust.  It was, of course, imitation chicken.

I had wanted to visit Govinda’s Restaurant in Philly for years.  I’d heard so many good things about the place.  So here I was, with Vishnu Gada, Naveen and Esa a young guy who accompanied me for two days on the first leg of my U.S. walk in 2015. I was also treated to the loft above where bhaktiprograms are held. Featured here is the beautiful imposing images of Pancha-Tattva, carved out of neem wood and adorned with simple attire.

Haryasva hijacked me away to the floor above—his quarters—at the corner of Brood and South.  Great location!

Fortunately it was a rather quiet day at Govinda’s.  Possible reasons VG offered were “Rain” and “the game.”

We made it back to the main temple in Germantown.  I was scheduled to give the class and to keep it introductory as students from Rutgers University were coming for the first time.  Nicole is the professor and has been here before.  I kept it simple as opposed to the more complex topic of the morning: “When you reject the guru.”  Heaven forbid!    https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIClYzgIKC/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=p2t446w347h5

May the Source be with you!
0 km / mi

Saturday, September 22nd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dancers, etc.

Dancers, chanters, comedians, musicians, food, parade, images and friendship were all spot-lit by the sun, wind and clouds at the Chariot Fest in Philly. The procession went down the main artery which is named after Ben Franklin.

This is the city of Brotherly Love, or Bro Prem if you want to Sanskritize it some. Lots of love leaked out of the chariots, numbering three, as they rolled down and around, to finish at the Museum of Art, near the steps where the famous Rocky Balboa trained for the championship.

In any event, today’s champ is Jagannatha Himself, the actual Lord of the Universe according to followers of the bhakti-yogatradition.

Personally, I got behind the dancing at thekirtantent and was also asked to do something on the main stage.  Somehow we succeeded in having the audience pull away from their chairs to dance and sing and, of course, all with a smile.

“It appears the festival is growing,” I mentioned to Vishnu Gada, who is one of the organizers and one of my Go Bros—Godbrothers.  VG joined in ’71 and first met Krishna followers who were from the West Virginia centre called New Vrindavan.  He is from Indiana and met devotees at a campus down Lafayette/Perdue way.

“Indiana = corn fields,” is what I said to VG, and he laughed.

“Yeah, that’s right.  I mentioned to him that that’s what I remember about the state when I walked through it.  Corn fields forever!

May the Source be with you!
5 km