High Hearing
Burnaby, British Columnia
My chanting of japa took place on the balcony of the Toronto temple. The building was formerly an old Methodist church, and because of a fledgling thriving community in the 40’s. A place of worship under the inspiration of Reverend Charles Templeton saw the need to construct a balcony where there wasn’t one. It was a lofty idea. The balcony actually accommodated more parishioners.
Destiny had it that I was to be situated in a more elevated state than the balcony. I ended up in the air – a flight to the west coast of British Columbia. I managed to do more japa 30,000 feet in the air. A nasty hurricane called Sandy was to hit the Atlantic coast and also to move inland into Southern Ontario. It looked like I was leaving nature’s wrath at the appropriate time.
The screen in front of me on this West Jet flight revealed that the physical world’s emotions can strike every which way. On Canada’s west coast, the Queen Charlotte Islands, an earthquake hit registering 7.7 on the Richter Scale. More aftershocks were forecast for today. The Earth’s impulses are strong and it appears there’s no real great escape from such onslaughts.
After landing and arriving finally, at the ISKCON Burnaby centre, I did the dutiful pilgrimage thing. Upon arrival you shower or bathe upon entering a sacred place. Before the deity shrine of Radha Madana Mohan, I offered my prostration and then sat down for a reading of the Gita, 13.26. The contents emphasize japa. And now to quote from the purport:
“As for the common man, if he is a good soul, then there is a chance for (spiritual) advancement. Spiritual advancement by hearing… Chaitanya gave great stress to hear… Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. “
7 KM
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