Thursday, May 7th, 2009

"Stress Is Good"

Moundsville, West Virginia

Some people call this place "Mudsville". Near this very ordinary village is a popular retreat for spiritualists. Certain seasons, all except for summer, attract excess water which moves the soil. On day one of our stay here, japa walking enthusiasts joined me in a chant-and-walk experience in a valley road gradually making our way to a river at the base of McCreary Ridge.

Spring air and sunshine put an all-attractive spin on this impromptu event. Like all roads that we roam there are obstacles. In this case a serious mud-slide made it impenetrable. Oh! Some of our walkers gave it a try but if you had any interest to come out clean you would turn right around. Topsoil that shifted from rain exposed the dominant clay of the area.

We then did make that 180º turn to eventually find the perfect nook softened below by fallen oak and maple leaves laden from the fall. Instead of the walk we settled for a sit-down. Next to us was a cemetery, ancient by North American standards. A local told us that buried here are the first European settlers intolerant of indigenous folks.

On this special day devotees of Krishna honour the avatar known as the lion/man incarnation. A renowned monk in the community, Radhanatha Swami, spoke about the particular qualities of saint Prahlad who became the exemplar of tolerance and calmness. Despite being a victim of severe domestic violence he pulled out of such turmoil unscathed and sought shelter of this incredible Lion God.

In these days of stress evasion those who are fortunate to read of the pastimes of this young boy can derive inspiration from hearing about stress tolerance. A Canadian author wrote a best-seller book "Stress is Good". Pressure pushes people to higher levels. This doesn't mean to say that abuse is encouraged but something called tapasya is. Tapasya is a self-imposed voluntary inconvenience. Austerity is the favoured life-line of the ascetics.

Prahlad went on to be a family man and a monarch. All the while that he ruled he never forsake the principle of tapasya, austerity. It made him a firm individual.

3 km