Sunday, October 26th, 2008

Sun, Oct.26/08 - Burlington, Ontario

There has been restless sleep for me the last two nights. It’s not to do with jet lag but more to do with the unsettling circumstance of our god-brother’s critical condition. Fortunately Jayapataka Swami’s condition has improved as he is showing signs of being conscious. The collective prayers world-wide has proved fruitful. Let’s continue the prayer.

For the evening I was hosted in the home of a friendly doctor. Jagannatha Misra (Dr. Vikas Pandith) his wife Saci and their two sons drove me to their home from the Toronto temple ashram last night after having participated in a well- orchestrated wedding reception for a very special couple. As I have explained prior, monks are permitted to be involved in such events. Newlyweds ask for blessings and monks feel obliged to offer them.

I had taken an early stroll along the westerly lake Ontario coast in Burlington. I came upon the replica home of Thayendanegea also known as Joseph Brant (1743-1807). Known for his effort to regain land for his people. As a Mohawk chief of the Wolf Clan he had become a fearless warrior during the time of the American Revolution as a British ally. He was perhaps the most popular native of his generation. He was extremely influential for his time and built this handsome two story home where he maintained about twenty white and black servants and slaves. He was interesting, because he defended his people the famed Six Nations, knew all their languages, became adept at English and became a formal member of the freemasons and much more.

Those times were different and who are we to judge under the circumstances of the past? I admit being a bit of a history buff. The harsh circumstances under which people lived in those times can be an impetus for appreciating our great comforts of today.

The wind at this early morning hour seemed to pass here before carrying the past to another domain. The sliver of a moon set in the open sky above the water appeared like a yogi’s eye lid, half open, watching the past and present together.

8 Km