Sri Krishna is coming to Town
Saskatoon
I spent the earlier part of the day scouting Saskatoon’s downtown on foot. My reason being is I have high hopes for this city in the near future. A seasoned devotee of Krishna who is from the Greater Toronto Area, has moved here recently. This means Krishna Consciousness will open it’s doors to this smart looking city in the prairies. Maybe I should put it in the opposite way, Saskatoon will open offer it’s welcome to Krishna Consciousness. My going about on foot is a way of checking the pulse of the city.
In the summer of 2006 I did walk through Saskatoon, on my third Canadian pilgrimage. At that time I was hoping and wishing that some presence of Krishna would make its way here. Now, with the presence of my host, Kasyapa Muni who has recently taken up work here and after having run a successful program of devotional gatherings in his former home. He will now duplicate the same here.
It is our ambition to offer the opportunity to the residence of this fine city the message of Krishna, found in his book Bhagavad-Gita. The public revels in the diversity of choice about lifestyle. Now the choice will be expanded. Although I haven’t as yet checked out the active yoga societies here, there is always room for more of Krishna’s words on the bhakti approach, the way of devotion. .
I was rather bundled up in winter attire while trekking through minus 20 degrees weather for three hours in the downtown area, on the trails of the south Saskatchewan river. I’m happy to be here in anticipation for Krishna Consciousness to be established here in the near future.
12 Km
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Cool and Kind
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I am often times reminded how important kindness is in dealings and interactions with others. This reminder comes from pedestrians themselves. Kindness is a saintly trait. Some people will dismiss encouraging remarks or helping gestures and just common courtesy. Even so, common courtesy is a mark of goodness.
While walking some residential streets in Toronto the former evening after hours of indoor service I was highly impressed with kind remarks of snow shovelers as I walked by. Here in Saskatoon city and in the province of the land of the living skies fellow pedestrians were so friendly despite low temperatures outside.
Without introduction an elderly man saw me and remarked, “It’s easier going the other direction (referring to the strong head wind I was battling)”. He didn’t have to say anything at all which is the approach or modus operandi of a lot of big city folk.
I had asked at a Husky gas station how to get to the downtown? A customer at the store who overheard the conversation immediately responded, “I can drive you there.” That remark plus frequent smiles and greetings are more prevalent in small places like this one (after all, whoever heard of Saskatoon?)
After being in the business so to speak, of spirituality for three and a half decades and having witnessed behaviour of a large spectrum of people I have concluded this; those who smile and are cordial and go out of their way to be helpful are usually very productive and liked by all. If I can be so bold as to say - they are close to God in nature.
Someone may argue, “You are speaking mode of goodness terms. Indifference and transcendence are superior.” I have heard that type of attitude and I beg to differ.
Our Guru Srila Prabhupada demonstrated these acts of so called mundane goodness, such as smiling and politeness all of the time, to the exception of gravity and sternness when needed to be applied. And so I stand on affirmed affirmation that kindness kills and that it is cool to be that way. You might check your own environment and ask if there is any killer-kind place or is just tolerable. If tolerable why not change the environment and become a killer kind artist.
7 Km
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I am often times reminded how important kindness is in dealings and interactions with others. This reminder comes from pedestrians themselves. Kindness is a saintly trait. Some people will dismiss encouraging remarks or helping gestures and just common courtesy. Even so, common courtesy is a mark of goodness.
While walking some residential streets in Toronto the former evening after hours of indoor service I was highly impressed with kind remarks of snow shovelers as I walked by. Here in Saskatoon city and in the province of the land of the living skies fellow pedestrians were so friendly despite low temperatures outside.
Without introduction an elderly man saw me and remarked, “It’s easier going the other direction (referring to the strong head wind I was battling)”. He didn’t have to say anything at all which is the approach or modus operandi of a lot of big city folk.
I had asked at a Husky gas station how to get to the downtown? A customer at the store who overheard the conversation immediately responded, “I can drive you there.” That remark plus frequent smiles and greetings are more prevalent in small places like this one (after all, whoever heard of Saskatoon?)
After being in the business so to speak, of spirituality for three and a half decades and having witnessed behaviour of a large spectrum of people I have concluded this; those who smile and are cordial and go out of their way to be helpful are usually very productive and liked by all. If I can be so bold as to say - they are close to God in nature.
Someone may argue, “You are speaking mode of goodness terms. Indifference and transcendence are superior.” I have heard that type of attitude and I beg to differ.
Our Guru Srila Prabhupada demonstrated these acts of so called mundane goodness, such as smiling and politeness all of the time, to the exception of gravity and sternness when needed to be applied. And so I stand on affirmed affirmation that kindness kills and that it is cool to be that way. You might check your own environment and ask if there is any killer-kind place or is just tolerable. If tolerable why not change the environment and become a killer kind artist.
7 Km
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
Flashback!
37 years ago
Toronto Ontario
It was 37 years ago at Christmas time that 5 monks came into my life to change me forever. Their names - Visvakarma, Ayodhyapati (now Bhakti Brngha Govinda Swami), Satyohit, Dustadura and Drupada. It was in a mining town, Sudbury the nickel capital of the world, that I first met these boys with their extraordinary names. I had been searching and trying to find myself in those months as an art student roaming some of those streets when one day in December I acquired a "Bhagavad-gita".
This joyful group of monks were chanting and drumming in front of a downtown mall when Visvakarma's arm extended out with that unique book with two unfamiliar characters on its front cover. There was some exchange of words. I asked "how much?"
"Give what you can. Five dollars is pretty standard ", said the smiling Visvakarma.
I was interested in the monks as much as I was in the book. They had been staying in a church’s basement, courtesy of a minister. But they were interested in my offer to stay at my apartment for the night. That night the five monastic shaved headed men came over to the large room. My room-mate, Michael, was gone for the weekend. His marijuana plant in the apartment caught the attention of the visitors. They remarked that it should be a tulasi plant.
"What's a tool-si?" I asked.
And so they remarked about this plant of India held sacred for thousands of years.
"Okay!”
That night all six of us crammed in the room to rest. I slept not a wink. My world of wonder and indecision was spinning at an incredible velocity. When they awake they showered and wrapped their robes around themselves preparing themselves for what they called a sadhana. I hoped it wasn't going to be something sad.
Visvakarma conducted a class. The men all prayed on their rosaries after which Ayodhya read a story to me "The gopis attracted by the flute of Krishna".
"Whoever wrote that has a wild imagination", I thought.
By noon the men were on their way home to their ashram in Toronto. That brief stay impacted me so much. I became an instant vegetarian. I started chanting on beads and started to get clean about everything. I read a lot. I constantly looked at a picture of the monks' teacher.
I had written a letter to Visvakarma asking him "Why does maya (illusion) exist?" His answer -"To protect Krishna from those who were insincere", he replied.
Since that time I have been having a good fight with maya.
5 Km
37 years ago
Toronto Ontario
It was 37 years ago at Christmas time that 5 monks came into my life to change me forever. Their names - Visvakarma, Ayodhyapati (now Bhakti Brngha Govinda Swami), Satyohit, Dustadura and Drupada. It was in a mining town, Sudbury the nickel capital of the world, that I first met these boys with their extraordinary names. I had been searching and trying to find myself in those months as an art student roaming some of those streets when one day in December I acquired a "Bhagavad-gita".
This joyful group of monks were chanting and drumming in front of a downtown mall when Visvakarma's arm extended out with that unique book with two unfamiliar characters on its front cover. There was some exchange of words. I asked "how much?"
"Give what you can. Five dollars is pretty standard ", said the smiling Visvakarma.
I was interested in the monks as much as I was in the book. They had been staying in a church’s basement, courtesy of a minister. But they were interested in my offer to stay at my apartment for the night. That night the five monastic shaved headed men came over to the large room. My room-mate, Michael, was gone for the weekend. His marijuana plant in the apartment caught the attention of the visitors. They remarked that it should be a tulasi plant.
"What's a tool-si?" I asked.
And so they remarked about this plant of India held sacred for thousands of years.
"Okay!”
That night all six of us crammed in the room to rest. I slept not a wink. My world of wonder and indecision was spinning at an incredible velocity. When they awake they showered and wrapped their robes around themselves preparing themselves for what they called a sadhana. I hoped it wasn't going to be something sad.
Visvakarma conducted a class. The men all prayed on their rosaries after which Ayodhya read a story to me "The gopis attracted by the flute of Krishna".
"Whoever wrote that has a wild imagination", I thought.
By noon the men were on their way home to their ashram in Toronto. That brief stay impacted me so much. I became an instant vegetarian. I started chanting on beads and started to get clean about everything. I read a lot. I constantly looked at a picture of the monks' teacher.
I had written a letter to Visvakarma asking him "Why does maya (illusion) exist?" His answer -"To protect Krishna from those who were insincere", he replied.
Since that time I have been having a good fight with maya.
5 Km
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
The Spirit For All Seasons
Calgary, Alberta
As I walk around areas of retail I see a mix of moods. Some people seem to have got it, the Christmas spirit, that is: There is something cheerful that they have picked up, and that does take some will. It’s not that it always comes natural. An effort is made. As in the life of St. Nicholas, whose birth anniversary just past on Dec.6, there are multiple stories telling of his kindness and humanity disposition.
Then there are those who sustain, not just at Christmas, but year round, an air of scrooginess or gringeness. I have even encountered members of the vaisnava community who chant mantras but have missed the boat due to a pejorative mentality. Apparently some of us are not too attentive to offences that can be committed while chanting that greatest of all carols, the Hare Krishna mantra.
With chanting and serving others we are meant to combat the sour mentality towards others especially those who make such a deliberate effort to change hearts. It seems that some people make it a mission in life to do character assassination. Might we say that media is often times guilty of this and they offer little balance of the good that does go on.
Some people just don’t get it. There’s a curse of grumpiness that persists throughout the seasons and it is difficult to be in such a bitter atmosphere. It is most non- conducive for making spiritual progress in such an environment. Even in a mundane scenario where there’s a grouch how can you be a productive person?
There is so much to be grateful for. We need only to remind ourselves of this everyday of our life.
5 Km
Calgary, Alberta
As I walk around areas of retail I see a mix of moods. Some people seem to have got it, the Christmas spirit, that is: There is something cheerful that they have picked up, and that does take some will. It’s not that it always comes natural. An effort is made. As in the life of St. Nicholas, whose birth anniversary just past on Dec.6, there are multiple stories telling of his kindness and humanity disposition.
Then there are those who sustain, not just at Christmas, but year round, an air of scrooginess or gringeness. I have even encountered members of the vaisnava community who chant mantras but have missed the boat due to a pejorative mentality. Apparently some of us are not too attentive to offences that can be committed while chanting that greatest of all carols, the Hare Krishna mantra.
With chanting and serving others we are meant to combat the sour mentality towards others especially those who make such a deliberate effort to change hearts. It seems that some people make it a mission in life to do character assassination. Might we say that media is often times guilty of this and they offer little balance of the good that does go on.
Some people just don’t get it. There’s a curse of grumpiness that persists throughout the seasons and it is difficult to be in such a bitter atmosphere. It is most non- conducive for making spiritual progress in such an environment. Even in a mundane scenario where there’s a grouch how can you be a productive person?
There is so much to be grateful for. We need only to remind ourselves of this everyday of our life.
5 Km
Monday, December 7th, 2009
A White Furry Night
Calgary, Alberta
The place just becomes a frozen wonder. At pre-dawn hours at 30 degrees below Celsius it is no surprise that everything is still and quiet. But wait! My eyes did catch a glimpse of a moving white ball in the distance at ground level. As I got closer it became obvious what it was- a massive white rabbit. It seemed he and I were the only animate anything at this time of day. Only I’m walking and he’s hopping. I’m chanting to gain peace. He’s moving to gain a piece of something-something to eat no doubt.
“Hello! And Haribol! My furry friend!”, I said.
No response. No reciprocation. In fact he went in the opposite direction. It’s understandable. I’m human and I’m bad (at least in his mind).
In the same neighbourhood, now in nighttime darkness I was driven by my Calgary host, Radha Madhava, and family to the home of a Bengali household for a gathering of Vaisnavas (devotees). People really got packed in. It makes for a cozy evening. Each time the door opened for a guest to enter our gathering room received an amazing dry ice effect from the outside air. Talk about ambiance.
It was a dramatical reading of “Krisha In Indraprastha City” that kept our gathering focused. At the end I made a pitch for distributing Bhagavad-Gitas. I held high in hand a Gita and challenged the group if any one would volunteer to make “the cold sale”, so to speak, by enticing the next door neighbour to accept the book and also offer something for the printing of a new book.
A man out of the crowd volunteered. He took the Gita, put on his jacket and went boldly for the mercy as we applauded his boldness. We were left in suspense. Our volunteer came back all smiles and showed up empty armed except for a donation from the recipient. We all cheered him on his first attempt at this.
The evening program wrapped up rather late up to the time white rabbits take over the night as humans take their rest.
7 Km
Calgary, Alberta
The place just becomes a frozen wonder. At pre-dawn hours at 30 degrees below Celsius it is no surprise that everything is still and quiet. But wait! My eyes did catch a glimpse of a moving white ball in the distance at ground level. As I got closer it became obvious what it was- a massive white rabbit. It seemed he and I were the only animate anything at this time of day. Only I’m walking and he’s hopping. I’m chanting to gain peace. He’s moving to gain a piece of something-something to eat no doubt.
“Hello! And Haribol! My furry friend!”, I said.
No response. No reciprocation. In fact he went in the opposite direction. It’s understandable. I’m human and I’m bad (at least in his mind).
In the same neighbourhood, now in nighttime darkness I was driven by my Calgary host, Radha Madhava, and family to the home of a Bengali household for a gathering of Vaisnavas (devotees). People really got packed in. It makes for a cozy evening. Each time the door opened for a guest to enter our gathering room received an amazing dry ice effect from the outside air. Talk about ambiance.
It was a dramatical reading of “Krisha In Indraprastha City” that kept our gathering focused. At the end I made a pitch for distributing Bhagavad-Gitas. I held high in hand a Gita and challenged the group if any one would volunteer to make “the cold sale”, so to speak, by enticing the next door neighbour to accept the book and also offer something for the printing of a new book.
A man out of the crowd volunteered. He took the Gita, put on his jacket and went boldly for the mercy as we applauded his boldness. We were left in suspense. Our volunteer came back all smiles and showed up empty armed except for a donation from the recipient. We all cheered him on his first attempt at this.
The evening program wrapped up rather late up to the time white rabbits take over the night as humans take their rest.
7 Km
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
A little push
Edmonton, Calgary
It was dark at 5am. Wind was biting the nose with its chill. The temperature was about 20 degrees Celsius below. I was walking near white mud drive in Edmonton’s Southern side maneuvering myself on foot from sidewalk to street wherever there was a passage of plowed snow.
Then I saw a motorist in trouble his wheels were spinning but not moving forward. In the attempt he was getting more and more buried Like a victim of quicksand. The more he struggled to free himself the more quickly he sank. It was a remote area and very quiet at this hour, the poor guy just needed a push. He revved up. I pushed….Voila! He moved forward inching away and Eventually sped off.
“Thanks!” he shouted in appreciation after rolling down his windows.
“No problem”, I shouted in return.
To draw an analogy; we all get stuck in a body and our actions plunge us deeper into a mire unless of course someone comes along to yank us out.
Thinking of the motorist I told myself , “I’m so glad I don’t own a vehicle”, I have to think twice, "but I do have one – this body". Better to get unstuck and work my way towards a spiritual body”. My rationale then brought me to the point of, “Well that’s why I’m out here chanting I’m not just walking, I’m out here in the cold chanting towards freedom”
I spent the morning and evening in Edmonton/ Calgary speaking to a community in each city about sharing or to put it in other terms, giving each other a little push. How do you do that? Share information, I quoted verses from the Bhagavad- Gita about the benevolence about sharing wisdom. 18.68-70 go as follows; “ For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees pure devotional service is guaranteed and in 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. And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of our, worships me by his intelligence.“
Hmmmmmmm!
The Gita could make a great Christmas gift for someone.
7 Km
Edmonton, Calgary
It was dark at 5am. Wind was biting the nose with its chill. The temperature was about 20 degrees Celsius below. I was walking near white mud drive in Edmonton’s Southern side maneuvering myself on foot from sidewalk to street wherever there was a passage of plowed snow.
Then I saw a motorist in trouble his wheels were spinning but not moving forward. In the attempt he was getting more and more buried Like a victim of quicksand. The more he struggled to free himself the more quickly he sank. It was a remote area and very quiet at this hour, the poor guy just needed a push. He revved up. I pushed….Voila! He moved forward inching away and Eventually sped off.
“Thanks!” he shouted in appreciation after rolling down his windows.
“No problem”, I shouted in return.
To draw an analogy; we all get stuck in a body and our actions plunge us deeper into a mire unless of course someone comes along to yank us out.
Thinking of the motorist I told myself , “I’m so glad I don’t own a vehicle”, I have to think twice, "but I do have one – this body". Better to get unstuck and work my way towards a spiritual body”. My rationale then brought me to the point of, “Well that’s why I’m out here chanting I’m not just walking, I’m out here in the cold chanting towards freedom”
I spent the morning and evening in Edmonton/ Calgary speaking to a community in each city about sharing or to put it in other terms, giving each other a little push. How do you do that? Share information, I quoted verses from the Bhagavad- Gita about the benevolence about sharing wisdom. 18.68-70 go as follows; “ For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees pure devotional service is guaranteed and in 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. And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of our, worships me by his intelligence.“
Hmmmmmmm!
The Gita could make a great Christmas gift for someone.
7 Km
Friday, December 4th, 2009
In The Right Queue
Edmonton Alberta
“I would really like to wear saffron cloth someday soon”, expressed a young man, Nelson from BC who recently joined our Montreal center. He walked with me a stretch expressing his desire to switch from his white robe to the cheerful saffron color.
“Just be patient and the color will come. Work these details with your mentor in Montreal what does he say? “
“After six months I can change.” He said.
“More important than the color is our eagerness to serve”, I said in pep talk to him.
“Saffron tint as you know is for one in a serious celibate role and if you desire to be married then you go back to white. But remember dress is external. It’s what is in the heart that counts.”
I appreciated he was eager to jump at the next step on the ladder of spiritual evolution. At least he had incentive. He was standing in the right queue to develop his spirituality.
Speaking of standing in the appropriate queue that evening I was waiting at the wrong departure gate for a flight to Edmonton I was paged over the speaker in the airport but I could not hear the page. Finally I was found by an airport assistant. One thing led to another and I just made it on time to an Air Canada flight. Slightly embarrassed I stepped onto the plane and was greeted by a smiling caucasian flight attendant, who said : “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare"
She had the whole mantra down I was astounded! Most people don’t get beyond saying "Hare Krishna”
I say she was standing in the right queue.
4km
Edmonton Alberta
“I would really like to wear saffron cloth someday soon”, expressed a young man, Nelson from BC who recently joined our Montreal center. He walked with me a stretch expressing his desire to switch from his white robe to the cheerful saffron color.
“Just be patient and the color will come. Work these details with your mentor in Montreal what does he say? “
“After six months I can change.” He said.
“More important than the color is our eagerness to serve”, I said in pep talk to him.
“Saffron tint as you know is for one in a serious celibate role and if you desire to be married then you go back to white. But remember dress is external. It’s what is in the heart that counts.”
I appreciated he was eager to jump at the next step on the ladder of spiritual evolution. At least he had incentive. He was standing in the right queue to develop his spirituality.
Speaking of standing in the appropriate queue that evening I was waiting at the wrong departure gate for a flight to Edmonton I was paged over the speaker in the airport but I could not hear the page. Finally I was found by an airport assistant. One thing led to another and I just made it on time to an Air Canada flight. Slightly embarrassed I stepped onto the plane and was greeted by a smiling caucasian flight attendant, who said : “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare"
She had the whole mantra down I was astounded! Most people don’t get beyond saying "Hare Krishna”
I say she was standing in the right queue.
4km
Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Powerful Things
Edmonton Alberta
Alberta got clobbered last night not as in “ beatin’ in a hockey game” . No! The province received a deluge of snow. It is a special privilege to live in the stormy North where this most white of all white substance sometimes comes sideways. It’s an opportunity for service.
I decided to dawn pants to shovel out the stuff which was blocking the entrance to the Radha Govinda centre. It felt good clearing the powdery substance like doing away with heaps of karma.
Snow is invigorating to be in as you trudge through fresh fall of it you hear the crunching sound under your feet if the word clean has a sound then that might be it.
Snow flows down speed but hey we all need to slow down anyway the world moves too fast. Snow imposes upon us a reduction in speed weather pedestrian or motorist. It seems to teach us patience. As a high wind that delivers the snow also seems to reduce speed. As powerful as the magpie flies even he cannot perfectly steer through the high velocity of the wind force. One magpie whizzed by me and almost got brushed away by the power of the wind. He seemed to thrive on that though .
Despite nasty weather conditions twenty people came to the centre in the evening I engaged them in group memorization of verse 10:20 from Bhagavad-Gita. We discussed the verse and then enjoyed prasadam (blessed food). Cooks here tend to go overboard on the powerful chilies; nothing to do with trying to combat the cold. It’s purely out of habit.
Interesting!
I start the day with snow and I end up with a bunch of chilies.
4 Km
Edmonton Alberta
Alberta got clobbered last night not as in “ beatin’ in a hockey game” . No! The province received a deluge of snow. It is a special privilege to live in the stormy North where this most white of all white substance sometimes comes sideways. It’s an opportunity for service.
I decided to dawn pants to shovel out the stuff which was blocking the entrance to the Radha Govinda centre. It felt good clearing the powdery substance like doing away with heaps of karma.
Snow is invigorating to be in as you trudge through fresh fall of it you hear the crunching sound under your feet if the word clean has a sound then that might be it.
Snow flows down speed but hey we all need to slow down anyway the world moves too fast. Snow imposes upon us a reduction in speed weather pedestrian or motorist. It seems to teach us patience. As a high wind that delivers the snow also seems to reduce speed. As powerful as the magpie flies even he cannot perfectly steer through the high velocity of the wind force. One magpie whizzed by me and almost got brushed away by the power of the wind. He seemed to thrive on that though .
Despite nasty weather conditions twenty people came to the centre in the evening I engaged them in group memorization of verse 10:20 from Bhagavad-Gita. We discussed the verse and then enjoyed prasadam (blessed food). Cooks here tend to go overboard on the powerful chilies; nothing to do with trying to combat the cold. It’s purely out of habit.
Interesting!
I start the day with snow and I end up with a bunch of chilies.
4 Km
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Feel For Others
Toronto, Ontario
“There is this phrase, Para duhka dukhi,” I said over the phone.
“ Can you say that again, please Maharaja?” said the caller in a genuine curious tone.
And So I repeated it, “para dukha dukhi, which means that a saint is pained to see others in pain. For himself he feels less concern but when he witnesses the anguish that people go through it compels him or her to do something to help.”
The caller was pleased to learn of this new “mantra.” He found it very profound and would attempt to apply this natural born anguish that we have for ourselves and then transfer it over to someone else. Compassion would be a word to describe the concern we have over others who struggle.
Being that it is Christmas it becomes a very appropriate time to demonstrate this compassion. Not the very best comes out in people this time of year. The pressure is on to put yourself in debt over gifts which many folks are not able to afford. It doesn’t take much to walk the street and see the tormented brow on the public. If the face is the index of the mind then it is at this time of the year that faces express the blues more than a happy cheerfulness.
“Can you say that again once more? I’ll write it down this time”, the caller said.
“Para duhka dukhi,” is what I recited again. Let’s have a feeling for others. Let’s feel their pain and the effect is that your problems become trivial.
3 Km
Toronto, Ontario
“There is this phrase, Para duhka dukhi,” I said over the phone.
“ Can you say that again, please Maharaja?” said the caller in a genuine curious tone.
And So I repeated it, “para dukha dukhi, which means that a saint is pained to see others in pain. For himself he feels less concern but when he witnesses the anguish that people go through it compels him or her to do something to help.”
The caller was pleased to learn of this new “mantra.” He found it very profound and would attempt to apply this natural born anguish that we have for ourselves and then transfer it over to someone else. Compassion would be a word to describe the concern we have over others who struggle.
Being that it is Christmas it becomes a very appropriate time to demonstrate this compassion. Not the very best comes out in people this time of year. The pressure is on to put yourself in debt over gifts which many folks are not able to afford. It doesn’t take much to walk the street and see the tormented brow on the public. If the face is the index of the mind then it is at this time of the year that faces express the blues more than a happy cheerfulness.
“Can you say that again once more? I’ll write it down this time”, the caller said.
“Para duhka dukhi,” is what I recited again. Let’s have a feeling for others. Let’s feel their pain and the effect is that your problems become trivial.
3 Km
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