Monday, December 26th, 2011

Water, Fire, Air

Havana, Cuba

Our small group of japa walkers were set off for the Malecon when two tall big burly men noticed the robes. They stopped and asked for blessings, which we delivered.

Fishermen and young couples take advantage of Cuba's longest beach, the sea wall. I imagine many dreams lie on this beach as well, as people look over the Florida Strait's waters and the sun rises to their right with saffron smokey clouds drifting across ethereal skies.

Dreams can be so deceptive. Anyways, my dream since being here was to have a standard big fat North Amercian vegetarian meal. That's my weakness. Probably Cubans eat more modest but appropriate amounts. I don't see much obesity here and no malnutrition.

Our first speaking presentation was held at a community centre, Jaimanitas. Some of our congregants attended and also some new folks. We led them in chanting, dancing, philosophic/Vedic of course, and in surya namaskar, salutations to the sun. Oh yes, the sun is ever present here. I asked for feedback after the session and the consensus was that the attendees in general were joyful. On our return I offered to say to our young and slowly growing group that when making presentations to the public, there is no need to use the sledgehammer effect. Friendliness wins the game and not fanaticism.

On previous visits to Havana I made contact with the Indian Embassy. Today I went again for an unscheduled visit. It was interesting that deligates there knew that the sacred Bhagavad-gita was on trial in Russia.

In the evening Matanzas and Havana devotees converged at a doctor's home on the sea side. There Iksvaku conducted a standard ISKCON fire ceremony for two new initiates. Edelmira, a local radio broadcaster, took on the spiritual name of Elavati under the auspices of godbrother monk, Hridayananda Goswami (while in his absence). And Armando of Matanzas, who's 63, took the name Arjavam which means 'honesty' as found in the Gita.

To light the wood, camphor in plenty was supplied, but our outdoor uninvited guest, the wind god, posed obstacles. We were down to the last available match, when suddenly Agni, the fire god, kicked in, which made everyone present pretty cheerful.

13 Km