Toronto, Ontario
Warm Up When Cold
It is so very possible to work up a sweat while in the snow. Myself, and so many other people took advantage of the tranquility in the ravine that runs near Bayview Avenue. You walk at a good speed and beads of perspiration will form and get absorbed in the clothes you wear. Sweat is a sign that the machinery is in motion. Motion can make you wet. Motion is also the best for toning down emotion.
Our Inuit people knew the art of keeping warm in the igloo. For southerners who aren’t aware, snow is a remarkable insulator from chilly winds. A small fire inside combined with body heat emits enough warmth to make life pleasant in the white domed home. You keep bundled up and you are fine. In our childhood, we constructed snow tunnels. Inside you felt very protected.
I embarked on this trail, bidding all other walkers with a, “Have a good one!” And, one by one, they, in good spirits, offered their brief greeting to one another and to me. In one way life in terms of pleasure doesn’t get better than this meeting of people in a winter setting.
I reflected on the day prior on a visit to a young couple, Yogendra and Rasa and their newborn daughter, Audharya. Warmth was demonstrated, particularly by daddy to daughter, during my short visit there. Not so long ago, Yogendra was a cheerful young monastic living the life of learning, simplicity and devotion. Those three items are dream catchers in a monk’s life. They are just precious and they set the stage for the challenging life of parenting, home making and community contributing.
I’ve watched Yogendra personally grow, and I can see life for him is becoming fulfilled.
My last touch of warmth for the day came during the famous open house at the Hare Krishna Centre, what in hippie days was called The Love Feast. The temple managers arranged a gorgeous lit flower petaled staged for the local bhajan band, Gaura Shakti. A seat with similar décor was set for me to use before the Sunday crowd to explain the power of hearing mantra and a further enhanced power from reciting it. The mantra presentation by Gaura Shakti warmed so many hearts that night.
I think that if hearts can sweat in devotion, that happened tonight.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
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