Reading my books – excerpts from Conversations
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Reading my books - excerpts from Conversations.
Conversations and Morning Walks
1969 Conversations and Morning Walks
Room Conversation With John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and George Harrison – September 11, 1969, London, At Tittenhurst: Prabhupāda: So Bhagavad-gītā is accepted by scholarly section, by philosophers. So I think people should have one scripture, one God, one mantra, and one activity. One God, Kṛṣṇa. One scripture, Bhagavad-gītā. And one mantra, Hare Kṛṣṇa. And one activity, to serve Kṛṣṇa. That’s all. There will be peace. There will be actually peace all over the world. So I request you to, at least to understand this philosophy to your best knowledge. And if you think that is nice, you take up. You are also willing to give something to the world. So you try this. You have read our books, this Bhagavad-gītā As It Is?


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What is this? What is this? What is this?
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What is this? What is this? What is this?
Bala Gopal dasi: In Rome, Prabhupada wasn’t very well. So he was traveling with his own personal cook, who was Satsvarupa Maharaj. But when they arrived, they had just come from India, Satsvarupa had hepatitis. So then it was decided that I would be his cook. Because of that, Prabhupada was very involved in the cooking.
On three different occasions he came into the kitchen, and on this one particular time he came in to cook lunch and he cooked the whole meal along with me and whoever was helping, Narmada. For some reason, I’m pretty sure we made asparagus that day.
I had cooked for him previously, but one of Prabhupada’s endearing qualities was his pure innocence. He would come into the kitchen, and this was a very, very tiny room. Prabhupada would walk into the kitchen and he’d see a bowl of chickpeas. He’d point at everything, “What is that?” He was just so curious, but never imposing. He would just be pure innocence – “What is this? What is this? What is this?” – curious about everything. So we had a couple Italian devotees cook an Italian preparation on a few days and Prabhupada inquired what it was before he ate it, but he enjoyed them.
Reference: Following Srila Prabhupada – Remembrances

Decisions! Vaisesika Dasa: The word, decide, means, “to come to…
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Decisions!
Vaisesika Dasa: The word, decide, means, “to come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration.”
Before leaving one’s present human body, a man or woman has the chance to make a fixed number of decisions. Because our time is limited, the number of decisions we get to make is also limited.
However, the decisions that we make now – before the process of aging debilitates us – directly determine our future body and facility.
Bhakti yogis keep their spiritual intelligence sharp by regularly hearing from the scriptures, the guru and advanced devotees. When the need to make an important judgment arises therefore, these wise practitioners are prepared to make beneficial decisions that situate them ever more soundly in their service to the Lord.
Srimad-bhagavatam 7.19.12:

After all the rsis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, [Maharaja Pariksit] humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death.

PURPORT

Although the King had already decided to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges, he humbly expressed his decision to elicit the opinions of the great authorities present there. Any decision, however important, should be confirmed by some authority. That makes the matter perfect. This means that the monarchs who ruled the earth in those days were not irresponsible dictators. They scrupulously followed the authoritative decisions of the saints and sages in terms of Vedic injunction. Maharaja Pariksit, as a perfect king, followed the principles by consulting the authorities, even up to the last days of his life.

A Motivational Talk at PIET (Album of photos) On the 24th May…
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A Motivational Talk at PIET (Album of photos)
On the 24th May 2018, H.G. Govind Krsna Prabhu invited to Panipat Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET) to give a motivational talk on “HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION”? On the completion of the session, the Director & Principal said that they had found a teacher in Him & that the session was an enthralling one!

The Audience were Awestruck .. with the presentation & participated throughout the session very enthusiasticallyOn the 24th May 2018, H.G. Govind Krsna Prabhu invited to Panipat Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET) to give a motivational talk on “HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION”? On the completion of the session, the Director & Principal said that they had found a teacher in Him & that the session was an enthralling one!

The Audience were Awestruck .. with the presentation & participated throughout the session very enthusiastically.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EoQGXR

Purushottama Month
→ Ramai Swami

The ancient Vedic calendar is calculated by the movement of the moon. Lunar months are shorter than solar months so every three years a month is added called Purushottama month. 

Once, long ago, Sri Narada Muni reached Badrika Ashram, the residence of Sri Narayana Rishi.

Lord Narayana smiled. He said, “O Narada, please listen to the narrations about the supremely pious pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, for they will diminish all sinful reaction.

Once upon a time, by the arrangement of providence, an extra month came to this world. Every one took this month to be most inauspicious, and even saw it as a stool-like month. It was constantly unprotected and blasphemed, and rejected by everyone as an improper time for any religious and auspicious activities.

Being so rejected by all human beings, and constantly hearing only bad words and blasphemy, the personality of this extra month became very sad. She went to Vaikuntha to explain her sorrowful situation to the Lord.

Lord Vishnu became very merciful towards her. He told her, “Do not lament, I shall give you protection from all of your miseries. Get up and come with Me to Goloka Vrindavan, which is unattainable even to great yogis. Goloka is the abode of Lord Sri Krishna.” 

Having reached the Supreme Abode, Lord Vishnu met Lord Sri Krishna who was surrounded by many devoted gopis. 

Sri Krishna said, “Oh Vishnu, you have done a very great deed by bringing this extra month to Me. I shall make this poor extra month just like Me in quality, fame opulence, realisation, success, and in giving benediction to the devotees. This month will become equally potent to Me. I am bestowing all of My divine qualities in this abused month. Named after Me, this month will be famous as Purushottama month in this world.”

All human beings should perform some devotional service in this Purushottama month by:

1. Worshipping Sri Krishna, by chanting His holy name

2. Study of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita, particularly Chapter

Fifteen, Purushottama Yoga

3. Giving in charity

4. Offering ghee (lamp) daily

Materially Successful Spiritually Strong – Q&A May 27, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Raseshvara Madhava Prabhu will be sharing his thirteen years of experience and leading an interactive Q&A on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 2pm on a variety of topics on balancing work, school, family and spiritual life. Event will be geared towards university, post grad and young working professionals. A great opportunity to come forward with all your burning questions and have a practical discussion that hopes to motivate and inspire.

Event will be a Facebook Live Event on ISKCON Toronto Facebook page. Those locally can attend in person at ISKCON Toronto. 

Please send questions prior to the session to Garg.aditya91@gmail.com



Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018
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Halifax, Nova Scotia

At the Harbour

Myself and the boys—I call them boys because they are 21, 23 and 23—drove to Halifax’s waterfront to indulge in a gracious walk just as corporate folks started milling about.  It really is a nicely done up harbour.  It also has its history.  In 1917, a Belgian and French ship collided, with one bearing explosives.  On that foggy day their vision was obscured and the worst occurred.  No one had ever in the history of the world seen such devastation from explosives—before the bombing in Japan.

It is remarkable that the city resurrected.  At the end of the harbour promenade is the pier where so many immigrants landed by boat over the decades—people searching for a new life.

When our early trek was completed, we resumed a seat in the van.  A breeze from the ocean was setting in.  Marshall, one who’s 23, made wraps for us with the ingredients hummus, olives, avocado, peppers and fiddleheads, while I was reading from Prahladananda Swami’s book, “Hope This Meets You in Good Health.”

For us monks, it was interesting.  The topics include physical health, letters from our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on the topic, and it also touches on Vedic astronomy and astrology.  I read a section on celibacy, which is pertinent to the crew I was with.

However, for everyone’s appeal—I assume—here is a small excerpt from the astrology section:

In summary we have different planets and their influences on the consciousness of the soul:

Sun-ego (one’s identity) / Moon-mind (desire for peace) / Jupiter (mission how to achieve peace and happiness) / Saturn (duties to be done to achieve mission) / Mars (determination, conviction and courage to perform duties) / Venus (enthusiasm required to achieve goal) / Mercury (results that come from assimilation of the qualities of the planets to achieve one’s goals).

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Dhanvantari, a plenary portion of a plenary portion of Lord Vishnu (video)
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Bhanu Swami at ISKCON Juhu (video)
SB 8.8.34 — This person was Dhanvantari, a plenary portion of a plenary portion of Lord Viṣṇu. He was very conversant with the science of medicine, and as one of the demigods, he was permitted to take a share in sacrifices.
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Prabhupada was a master who never stopped learning
→ Servant of the Servant

Srila Prabhupada was a deeply compassionate soul where he put his life to spread the message of Krishna. He did that till the very end without stopping or slowing down. He still woke up in the dead of night to translate Srimad Bhagavatam as a service to his guru even when he was in his last days on earth. But such determination and durability in preaching is possible only if we know when to be fast and furious and when to slow down. When to pat the person in the back and give a moral instruction on material grounds and when to give a deep philosophical exposé. It requires intelligence with compassion.

At times, Prabhupada did not speak to his guests but letting his tape recorder speak instead. Sometimes, he just played the harmonium and sang bhajan and in that way preached and sometimes he was fast and furious like the lion going for its kill. Srila Prabhupada was a master of preaching who never stopped learning from his disciples and the environment around him. Otherwise, how else can we explain the impact an old Calcutta man had on the hearts' of misguided youth of America. We have to learn from him, take lessons from the memories given by his disciples and try to humbly follow.

But one thing is for sure, if Prabhupada showed anything, he showed us blind following or blind talking about Krishna will not change the heart of the person listening. He used his intelligence and presented Krishna philosophically, critically, musically, jovially, silently, cynically etc fitting the person, time and circumstance. He did whatever it took to bring the person into the fold!

To do this, requires for us to understand our own capacity (strengths and weaknesses) and depending on our capacity, we assess the environment around us and accordingly present. This takes time because we will make many mistakes, not being hard on our self or feeling discouraged, we should continue to learn from our mistakes and other's as well and gradually cultivate the art of being a good judge of time, person and circumstance. When we are in-tune with our self and surrounding, we will have the confidence to navigate the turf. Having said all this, it is our duty to be a devotee of integrity, practice what we preach and not compromise on the principles of bhakti as given in the Bhagavad Gita. When we are aligned internally and externally, always practicing the art of shelter to Krishna, our effort to present Krishna will never go in vain!

Hare Krishna

RATHA – YATRA Festival by ISKCON Dnipro, Ukraine (Album with…
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RATHA - YATRA Festival by ISKCON Dnipro, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When one is face to face with the sun, there is no longer darkness for one’s eyes. Similarly, when one is face to face with a sadhu, a devotee, who is fully determined and surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one will no longer be subject to material bondage. (Srila Prabhupada’s rendering of SB 10.10.41)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VGWVHi

Sensitivity in relationships 3 – Dealing with insensitive people
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

The post Sensitivity in relationships 3 – Dealing with insensitive people appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How to get realizations
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to get realizations appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sun Love Feast – May 27th, 2018 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Anant Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton



Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one
who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja                      
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                    
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast
COMING UP AHEAD

Padmini Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri May 25th,2018
Breakfast................  on Sat May 26th, 2018 b/w 5.42am – 8.12am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or
simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures
and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through
regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 



ONGOING PROGRAMS

Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values.
Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness
and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the
same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com


Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates,
quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed
to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna
consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make
Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your
loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your
visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs
inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Iskcon Communications Minister: Religious freedom is under attack in many parts of the world!
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Iskcon Communications Minister: Religious freedom is under attack in many parts of the world!
On May 8, 2018, the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) held a policy briefing on Capitol Hill with government leaders, academics, and experts on religious freedom issues, including ISKCON’s Minister of Communications, Anuttama Dasa.

To Be or Not To Be- Bhakti solves it all!
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Hare KrishnaBy Suhrit Krishna Das

ARISE with R.I.S.E!!! (Rupanuga Institute of Spiritual Education). The response at the time of registration was overwhelming, entries were very encouraging. Knowing the fact that this is happening for the first time in Auckland, gave enough confidence as to what could be expected. Even though it was a cold evening on Narsimha Chaturdashi yet devotees were enthralled with the idea, came up for registration and could not wait to attend the three session seminar on “ The Journey of Self- Discovery”, a systematic and scientific presentation on the essence of Bhagavad Gita. Continue reading "To Be or Not To Be- Bhakti solves it all!
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Nourishing the creeper of devotion 2 – Regulate attachment even to things that help in devotion
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Chaitanya Charitamrita class at ISKCON, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Nourishing the creeper of devotion 2 – Regulate attachment even to things that help in devotion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sensitivity in relationships 2 – From judgment to encouragement
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[Seminar at ISKCON, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Sensitivity in relationships 2 – From judgment to encouragement appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

What happens when someone genuinely seeks God?
→ Servant of the Servant

One who seeks God genuinely...

has to seek out a bona fide spiritual master and, under him, learn what Krsna consciousness is. The spiritual master can drive away all nescience, as the sun drives away darkness. Even though a person may be in full knowledge that he is not this body but is transcendental to the body, he still may not be able to discriminate between the soul and the Supersoul. However, he can know everything well if he cares to take shelter of the perfect, bona fide Krsna conscious spiritual master. One can know God and one's relationship with God only when one actually meets a representative of God. 
- Purport by Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad Gita 5.16

Once the genuine seeker understands his or her relationship with God from a bonafide guru, the seeker will engage in Bhakti/seva to Krishna or God. As as result of bhakti or seva to Krishna, the following will happen;


For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Prtha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.
- Bhagavad Gita 12.6-7

The story of Dhruva Maharaj illustrates these two points nicely!

Hare Krishna

Monday, May 21st, 2018
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Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

At the Cove

Peggy’s Cove is one of those iconic places in Canada which is a destination point for tourists.  It’s a charmer of an old-time, quiet, fishing village.  Hordes of people come here to have a look and a feel.  The weather was perfect, above 20°C.  The sun was shining on the cove and all the visitors.

The three brahmacharis, Prana Gauranga, Bhakta Marshall, Bhakta Samuel, and myself decided to do our morning sadhanahere, and include breakfast, some kirtanand some boulder hopping.  We were smart about it and got there before the world descended on the place, doing the hopping—as mentioned—viewing the old lighthouse, and listening to the bag-pipers playing their melody.  We weren’t the only guys in skirts.  The highlanders wore kilts.  Buses of people on cruises came over, as well as motorists, bikers and cyclists.

Anyway, it was heaven at 8:00 a.m.  By 11:00 a.m., the huge, worn boulders looked like anthills, only here people were scurrying about on them.  The boys valued the place though, with its clean ocean air and everyone being in a great mood.

Back in Halifax at Yassin Saukar’s home, which is atop a hill, a satsangwas held at 5:00 p.m.  Father Alfred, from a local Catholic parish—who is in charge of three churches—came to listen and discuss matters of spirituality.  It was hard to see his deterioration of sight. He’s becoming blind, yet he appeared resilient in some way.  Discussions centred around the Gita’sexplanation of four seasons for coming to God, as well as the acceptance of God as both the Divine Father and Divine Mother.

I told of ‘Walking Tales’, naturally.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Sunday, May 20th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Connections with Victoria

This is a long weekend in honour of Queen Victoria.  In her 40,000 plus pages of diary, she mentions nothing about Canada’s independence from Britain in 1867.  Her father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was stationed in Halifax in the late 1700s at the Royal Navy’s North American headquarters, right here.

At the one end of Hemlock Ravine Trail, Prince Edward had a garden which is no longer there.  He also had a mistress, prior to his marriage and the birth of his daughter, Victoria. The two spent time at this former garden which is now a pond of water shaped like a heart.  Our friend, Cory, from Halifax, led us to the trail and then the heart-shaped pond.

Why the heart?  I think we can all guess.

An older couple told our walking group,, of today, part of the story of Prince Edward when he was younger and single.  “A mistress for over twenty years,” they said.

Cory was kind to take us down this exquisite trail.  A mix of hard and softwood trees pervade the forest here.  Cory also came with us to the Vedanta Society for an evening dance-chant-hear-and-speak program.  Victoria would have been pleased.  I understand she liked to dance.

The latest film about her centres on an infatuation she had for a Muslim man, Abdul Karim, whom she met in India, when she was widowed, and her later companion, John Brown, was also deceased.

Canadians are content to celebrate with a holiday on Monday—tomorrow.  Fireworks go off to honour the Queen of the British colonies, Canada being one.

I do believe that when your senses are tucked in, you are a king or a queen, in your own right—a hero of sorts.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Saturday, May 20th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Fredericton, New Brunswick

She Remembered

I met Mary from New Brunswick.  She remembered seeing me on the road years ago when she was in Grade 6.  We both calculated that the year was 1996.  She said something about seeing me from the school yard.  I guess it left a strong impression.

On the railway bridge, so many people trekked along.  I was happy to see people taking to the walking culture and taking it seriously.  After the bridge I veered left, next to Waterloo Row and Lincoln Road.  The pathway next to these streets is actually The Great Trail, established last year on Canada’s 150th, and, what is apparently, the longest trail on the globe.

A cyclist slowly passed by, “What’s shakin’ up, Buddy?  What’s shakin’ up?”

“Not a great deal,” I shouted as he cycled on with his son.  “Enjoy the long weekend.”  It’s Victoria Day weekend in Canada.

Our host at the Norfolk Motel, Sema, had fifty people over.  Most of the folks were Bengalis.  That always brings me close to my guru, Prabhupada, who hails from Bengal—Kolkata actually.

We had kirtantogether.  We reflected on Chapter 10 of the Gitawherein the opulence of the Absolute is detailed.  I also spoke about Prabhupada himself, his struggles in the beginning, his successes, and the relevance they have to the world.

Today’s audience was different.  Chanting mantrasand quoting from sastrais not unfamiliar to them.  I believe some of them stay tuned by watching panditsspeak their words broadcast directly from Kolkata.

From Fredericton, we drove the long haul to Halifax.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Friday, May 18th, 2018
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Fredericton, New Brunswick

Goin’ to the Chapel and I’m Goin’ to Give a Message

The evening’s program was held at Holy Cross Chapel, on the St. Thomas University campus.  Like yesterday’s experience in Sussex, there were good vibes, good people and especially tonight, good questions.  The venue here was a different layout.  The boys and I stationed ourselves on the altar with its crucifix on the wall.  It was less conducive to dance, as was our format yesterday in the fitness centre.  The place was holy.

I capitalized tonight on walking pastimes and touched on, not only the spiritual power behind the practice of pilgrimage, but also the difference between trekking in Canada, as opposed to the U.S.

Questions from attendees rolled out most favourably.  I hardly receive any challengers in these events.  If one was to turn up, it would be fine, even if the boat would be slightly rocked.

Prana Gauranga, our monk from Quebec, made a stupendous pasta, garnished with olives and fiddleheads.  The prep was a big hit, and I wish we could have shared it with the universe.

I must mention that my dear friend, Professor Tom Parkhill, came to hear us in Sussex.  That night, Gary came, a local engineer, who had invited me to his office ten years ago, where he fed me a salad and also took interest in the walking project I was on when I came through the Fredericton area.

Tomorrow we are expected to meet a fairly close relative of Paramahamsa Yogananda, a woman who settled here in the city with her family.

All is good!  I'm lovin’ the Maritimes tour.

May the Source be with you!
5 km