Analyzing the danger notice
At airport
Dance session in Youth Lounge
Durban Ratha Yatra Day procession
Durban Ratha Yatra Night Procession
Make up for Little Big Ramayan
On stage with the cast of Little big Ramayan
B L O G S P O T
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Mauritius, April 2014
Chilling at the top of a waterfall
Cup shaped Mushrooms
Hiking in La Vallee de Ferney
Hiking in La Vallee de Ferney
Kirtan at La Vallee de Ferney
Jambavan & I
Morning walk in Mahebourg
Morning walk in Mahebourg
Morning walk in Mahebourg
Outside Court house in Mahebourg
Outside Court house in Mahebourg
Point where Prabhupada visted Lion Mountain in the back
Point where Prabhupada visted Lion Mountain in the back
Point where Prabhupada visted Lion Mountain in the back
Prabhupada in Mauritius at Lion Mountain
Prabhupada in Mauritius at Lion Mountain
Reading memorial of war between British and French
Sitting in boat at Mahebourg
South Indian style temple
South Indian style temple
Storytelling mode
Sugar Cane Farming
Sunrise at Mahebourg
With Tamohara
Tamohara dasa and Kala dasa
With Tamohara, Thayalan and Kala at Krantzkloof
Valley view at Krantzkloof Nature Reserve
Walking in Mahebourg waterfront
Walking the trails
Friday, April 25th, 2014
Miami, Florida
Give Gita A Chance
It’s not my most favourite time of the year to be in Florida, the weather gets balmy and hot. I decided to stay in the Miami airport terminal, as I usually do, to take advantage of the AC in anticipation for a pickup or a ride. That was the reason for missing my ride by Dr. Romue, AKA, Murari Gupta. In other words, I should have been standing outside. I took pleasure in a sit down reading from the book, “Chaitanya Bhagavat”, on the life of the renowned mantra master. Time passed by. I phoned the doctor, but no response. Okay, taxi then. Walking was out of the question for the chance of getting lost. And also contending with the distance factor while hauling luggage.
I arrived by taxi at the Coconut Grove ISKCON address. Happily, I met a group of eager people I’d not seen for months. There were new people in the mix, people who had since my last visit, discovered the wisdom of the “Bhagavad Gita”, and which resonated with them. New faces, and joyful ones, enthusiastic to hear and see someone who might be an exemplar of the culture of the Gita. Personally, I could not fit such shoes. In any event, “I’ve given some friendship as best as I can,” I thought.
We all gathered in my accommodated room and basked in the warmth of light heartedness, and not the sun. I offered words of encouragement, “Life,” I said, “on the outside provides little fulfillment. We are all looking but we are not receiving. When you come to the point of stumbling upon Krishna’s divine word, then everything changes.” The room full of people all admitted that it’s all there – in the Gita, like, “An empire spoke,” as Emerson said. And as Thoreau had put it, “I bathe my intellect in the stupendous philosophy” of the Gita’s enlightenment.
Humbly, I could not say anything fresh and new, but to point to the text itself which can change the hearts of all. Give the Gita a chance.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Give Gita A Chance
It’s not my most favourite time of the year to be in Florida, the weather gets balmy and hot. I decided to stay in the Miami airport terminal, as I usually do, to take advantage of the AC in anticipation for a pickup or a ride. That was the reason for missing my ride by Dr. Romue, AKA, Murari Gupta. In other words, I should have been standing outside. I took pleasure in a sit down reading from the book, “Chaitanya Bhagavat”, on the life of the renowned mantra master. Time passed by. I phoned the doctor, but no response. Okay, taxi then. Walking was out of the question for the chance of getting lost. And also contending with the distance factor while hauling luggage.
I arrived by taxi at the Coconut Grove ISKCON address. Happily, I met a group of eager people I’d not seen for months. There were new people in the mix, people who had since my last visit, discovered the wisdom of the “Bhagavad Gita”, and which resonated with them. New faces, and joyful ones, enthusiastic to hear and see someone who might be an exemplar of the culture of the Gita. Personally, I could not fit such shoes. In any event, “I’ve given some friendship as best as I can,” I thought.
We all gathered in my accommodated room and basked in the warmth of light heartedness, and not the sun. I offered words of encouragement, “Life,” I said, “on the outside provides little fulfillment. We are all looking but we are not receiving. When you come to the point of stumbling upon Krishna’s divine word, then everything changes.” The room full of people all admitted that it’s all there – in the Gita, like, “An empire spoke,” as Emerson said. And as Thoreau had put it, “I bathe my intellect in the stupendous philosophy” of the Gita’s enlightenment.
Humbly, I could not say anything fresh and new, but to point to the text itself which can change the hearts of all. Give the Gita a chance.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Thursday, April 24th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
With His Finger
In our ashram office, a small packet was lying there on the desk. I was curious. It had arrived by regular post, I guess. I opened the package, got to the contents, and saw it to be a complimentary copy of a CD entitled, “Mighty Govinda”, by the artist of the same name. It’s a dancey piece of music with a touch of reggae, hip hop and classical music. It’s upbeat. I think I could walk to this genre of music. It made me happy, gave me pleasure. That’s all anybody ever wants anyways, right? We desire ananda (joy).
Don’t we all know from experience that where there’s pleasure there also will be some pain. I have been concerned about my right index finger giving some botheration for a straight month now. Not quite sure what it is – some minor infection. It was some coincidence that I read from a calendar of Prabhupada’s meditations, a daily excerpt from his realization. While listening to the music, I had a hard look at the finger, when I happened to glance at the quote for today.
“If there is little pain in the finger, I become so much disturbed because I’ve got intimate connection with this finger. Similarly, we have got intimate connection with Krishna, and we are fallen. Therefore, Krishna always also feels little pain, and therefore, He comes down. Krishna is feeling pain, so you become Krishna Conscious, then Krishna will feel pleasure.” – Srila Prabhupada.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
With His Finger
In our ashram office, a small packet was lying there on the desk. I was curious. It had arrived by regular post, I guess. I opened the package, got to the contents, and saw it to be a complimentary copy of a CD entitled, “Mighty Govinda”, by the artist of the same name. It’s a dancey piece of music with a touch of reggae, hip hop and classical music. It’s upbeat. I think I could walk to this genre of music. It made me happy, gave me pleasure. That’s all anybody ever wants anyways, right? We desire ananda (joy).
Don’t we all know from experience that where there’s pleasure there also will be some pain. I have been concerned about my right index finger giving some botheration for a straight month now. Not quite sure what it is – some minor infection. It was some coincidence that I read from a calendar of Prabhupada’s meditations, a daily excerpt from his realization. While listening to the music, I had a hard look at the finger, when I happened to glance at the quote for today.
“If there is little pain in the finger, I become so much disturbed because I’ve got intimate connection with this finger. Similarly, we have got intimate connection with Krishna, and we are fallen. Therefore, Krishna always also feels little pain, and therefore, He comes down. Krishna is feeling pain, so you become Krishna Conscious, then Krishna will feel pleasure.” – Srila Prabhupada.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Thursday, 24 April 2014
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014
Dubai, UAE
Clothes Vs. None
I’m not the only one in free flowing loose attire. At the international airport at Dubai, you see plenty of Orthodox wear that isn’t necessarily square. There’s the Islamic clothes, for men it’s head gear in white, with long gown to match. Some men sport the lungi, a draped from the waist down comfortable cloth, and then a white chaddar wrapped around the upper torso, folded over on the left shoulder. Some women wear the traditional black, some with the burqa over the entire head.
As a Hare Krishna monk, I don’t stand out as unique any more, unless I’m walking in the prairie country or the mountains which I’m quite excited about for the coming May. Common place in these areas are coveralls and denims, and where you hardly see a lady’s dress, that seems to be something of the past.
Back in the airport you see the signs for the passengers’ washrooms where you see the symbols of the human figurines, one with a dress and one with pants. The male’s room shows the form with the pants, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to an airport like Dubai’s where the genders seem to cross borders when it comes to dress style.
Look! There’s another guy in robes, a solid dark brown material worn by a Southeast Asian who happens to be a Buddhist monk.
Whatever the duds, it’s mostly needed to cover up embarrassing figures and conceal bad body odour from being stuck on a plane for hours. Thank God for clothes, whether it be a dress or pants. Thank God that Adam and Eve came up with something practical after realizing the naked truth. Thank Providence that the naga babas (naked sages) of the Himalayas have their caves to wear as their clothes. We might, however, learn something from their being beyond the bodily concept. I am not this body, I have a body, and I will shed it like I do my clothes.
I am spirit.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Clothes Vs. None
I’m not the only one in free flowing loose attire. At the international airport at Dubai, you see plenty of Orthodox wear that isn’t necessarily square. There’s the Islamic clothes, for men it’s head gear in white, with long gown to match. Some men sport the lungi, a draped from the waist down comfortable cloth, and then a white chaddar wrapped around the upper torso, folded over on the left shoulder. Some women wear the traditional black, some with the burqa over the entire head.
As a Hare Krishna monk, I don’t stand out as unique any more, unless I’m walking in the prairie country or the mountains which I’m quite excited about for the coming May. Common place in these areas are coveralls and denims, and where you hardly see a lady’s dress, that seems to be something of the past.
Back in the airport you see the signs for the passengers’ washrooms where you see the symbols of the human figurines, one with a dress and one with pants. The male’s room shows the form with the pants, but that doesn’t necessarily apply to an airport like Dubai’s where the genders seem to cross borders when it comes to dress style.
Look! There’s another guy in robes, a solid dark brown material worn by a Southeast Asian who happens to be a Buddhist monk.
Whatever the duds, it’s mostly needed to cover up embarrassing figures and conceal bad body odour from being stuck on a plane for hours. Thank God for clothes, whether it be a dress or pants. Thank God that Adam and Eve came up with something practical after realizing the naked truth. Thank Providence that the naga babas (naked sages) of the Himalayas have their caves to wear as their clothes. We might, however, learn something from their being beyond the bodily concept. I am not this body, I have a body, and I will shed it like I do my clothes.
I am spirit.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014
Durban, South Africa
Something About Family
After four days of intense devotional output at this 26th annual Festival of Chariots in Durban, there was happy fatigue. The attendance at the temple’s morning program was skimpy for that reason, and more. Some of the visiting monks from Europe, the US and India, had already departed for other destinations. You can say things are back to normal. The party’s over. Members of the spiritual family have gone to their respective areas of what they call home.
The few of us lingering folks sat down for listening to a recording of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, speaking about the concept of family from the Vedic perspective. Imagine stretching out to beyond extended family. “It is not just a man with wife and children, it is generations,” Srila Prabhupada explained from a pravachan (talk) he delivered on October 5th, 1976, Vrindavan, India. He went on to say that the family consideration was so important in Vedic culture. If there was some misbehaviour on the part of a member of the family, it would leave a great scar on the dynasty.
This is a major issue raised at the inception of the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in the “Bhagavad Gita”. Arjuna was concerned about improper action impacting the family. From his standpoint, the proper action was no action, in the case of the Kurukshetra war. From Krishna’s point of view, failure to perform meant cowardliness and irresponsibility. Krishna’s constant reminder to Arjuna, being of a dignified clan, was saying that there was an obligation to act in their defense, making it honourable.
While some Krishna followers I know have little or sometimes no tie with biological family, there is, however, a strong allegiance to their spiritual family. Another case, family in the broad sense, needs protection from ill repute. You want to try to avoid doing that which is embarrassing to yourself, and above all, your allegiances.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Something About Family
After four days of intense devotional output at this 26th annual Festival of Chariots in Durban, there was happy fatigue. The attendance at the temple’s morning program was skimpy for that reason, and more. Some of the visiting monks from Europe, the US and India, had already departed for other destinations. You can say things are back to normal. The party’s over. Members of the spiritual family have gone to their respective areas of what they call home.
The few of us lingering folks sat down for listening to a recording of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, speaking about the concept of family from the Vedic perspective. Imagine stretching out to beyond extended family. “It is not just a man with wife and children, it is generations,” Srila Prabhupada explained from a pravachan (talk) he delivered on October 5th, 1976, Vrindavan, India. He went on to say that the family consideration was so important in Vedic culture. If there was some misbehaviour on the part of a member of the family, it would leave a great scar on the dynasty.
This is a major issue raised at the inception of the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna in the “Bhagavad Gita”. Arjuna was concerned about improper action impacting the family. From his standpoint, the proper action was no action, in the case of the Kurukshetra war. From Krishna’s point of view, failure to perform meant cowardliness and irresponsibility. Krishna’s constant reminder to Arjuna, being of a dignified clan, was saying that there was an obligation to act in their defense, making it honourable.
While some Krishna followers I know have little or sometimes no tie with biological family, there is, however, a strong allegiance to their spiritual family. Another case, family in the broad sense, needs protection from ill repute. You want to try to avoid doing that which is embarrassing to yourself, and above all, your allegiances.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Monday, April 21st, 2014
Durban, South Africa
Trail Break
I had been pining for an African trail to come my way, and so it came to pass that Tamohara dispelled the dream, and had in most practical terms, arranged for a drive by his dad, Thayalan, to take Kala, Jambavan and I to a gorgeous gorge at Krantz Kloof. We arrived there at the hour of dawn when trees drop dew and the aromas of plants perk the nostrils. The rubber tree was there to greet us, perfectly circular mushrooms of a rustic tone were also there. Fortunately, or unfortunately, no big game crossed our paths. In fact, the largest form of wildlife that we sighted came in the form of a microphone length (you can tell I’ve been on the stage lately) centipede of sorts. It was perfectly coiled as it clung on to the side of a tree. A creek appeared and disappeared, snaking its way to its own natural whim, and making its own descension to manifest as waterfalls.
Being in this green zone was a great break from the asphalt at the festival site. And, as always, when you trek the softened and uneven path under nature’s canopies, it is such a far cry from moving over the hardened, flat surfaces of city constructs. I felt certain leg muscles stretch – muscles that become lazy from plying over the terrain of manmade evenness.
‘Twas a treat.
Back to a baking sun at the old Durban Drive-In Theatre grounds, and this day, at the Bhakti Cloud tent, we danced out the eight stanza “Chaitanya’s Verses”. Verse three especially resonated with volunteers as I rapped out,
It is best to chant with humility
To be as humble as you can possibly be
It’s like a blade of grass you see
And be more tolerant than a tree…
From executing the dance I could appreciate the dynamics of flatness.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Trail Break
I had been pining for an African trail to come my way, and so it came to pass that Tamohara dispelled the dream, and had in most practical terms, arranged for a drive by his dad, Thayalan, to take Kala, Jambavan and I to a gorgeous gorge at Krantz Kloof. We arrived there at the hour of dawn when trees drop dew and the aromas of plants perk the nostrils. The rubber tree was there to greet us, perfectly circular mushrooms of a rustic tone were also there. Fortunately, or unfortunately, no big game crossed our paths. In fact, the largest form of wildlife that we sighted came in the form of a microphone length (you can tell I’ve been on the stage lately) centipede of sorts. It was perfectly coiled as it clung on to the side of a tree. A creek appeared and disappeared, snaking its way to its own natural whim, and making its own descension to manifest as waterfalls.
Being in this green zone was a great break from the asphalt at the festival site. And, as always, when you trek the softened and uneven path under nature’s canopies, it is such a far cry from moving over the hardened, flat surfaces of city constructs. I felt certain leg muscles stretch – muscles that become lazy from plying over the terrain of manmade evenness.
‘Twas a treat.
Back to a baking sun at the old Durban Drive-In Theatre grounds, and this day, at the Bhakti Cloud tent, we danced out the eight stanza “Chaitanya’s Verses”. Verse three especially resonated with volunteers as I rapped out,
It is best to chant with humility
To be as humble as you can possibly be
It’s like a blade of grass you see
And be more tolerant than a tree…
From executing the dance I could appreciate the dynamics of flatness.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Sunday, April 20th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
Katha Dance
African born Jambulani, affectionately known as Jabs, accepted a new name today through diksa initiation. His new name is Jambavan. In the ceremony held in the temple tent to local monks, Bhakti Chaitanya and Kadambha Kanana Swamis and I, initiated several candidates. It simply means that the spiritual family is growing in South Africa.
On the schedule and in demand was more of the Dance Master stuff at the Bhakti Cloud tent. With the presentation of “Little Big Ramayan” the night before, the details of avatar, Ram, and His pastimes, are fresh in the mind. So, the djembe drums triggered some creative juices which lead to my rapping out the story. This compelled participants to dance it out. If you didn’t drum the site, you ended up standing and clapping, if not dancing and repeating the rap.
This approach attracts major attention as on goers outside the marquee stood in delight and awe. Many of the dancers were relatively new to the story of Ram’s great heroism, of love, of devotion, loyalty and dharma. This technique, dancing out the story, is a remarkable learning curve and great substitute for mundane dance.
I’m hoping that this katha dance (story dancing) will really take off and become mainstream one day, because it is wholesome and takes the practitioner to a metaphysical level beyond this world of maya (illusion).
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Katha Dance
African born Jambulani, affectionately known as Jabs, accepted a new name today through diksa initiation. His new name is Jambavan. In the ceremony held in the temple tent to local monks, Bhakti Chaitanya and Kadambha Kanana Swamis and I, initiated several candidates. It simply means that the spiritual family is growing in South Africa.
On the schedule and in demand was more of the Dance Master stuff at the Bhakti Cloud tent. With the presentation of “Little Big Ramayan” the night before, the details of avatar, Ram, and His pastimes, are fresh in the mind. So, the djembe drums triggered some creative juices which lead to my rapping out the story. This compelled participants to dance it out. If you didn’t drum the site, you ended up standing and clapping, if not dancing and repeating the rap.
This approach attracts major attention as on goers outside the marquee stood in delight and awe. Many of the dancers were relatively new to the story of Ram’s great heroism, of love, of devotion, loyalty and dharma. This technique, dancing out the story, is a remarkable learning curve and great substitute for mundane dance.
I’m hoping that this katha dance (story dancing) will really take off and become mainstream one day, because it is wholesome and takes the practitioner to a metaphysical level beyond this world of maya (illusion).
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Sunday, 20 April 2014
Saturday, April 19th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
From Tent to Tent
I had paid a visit to the unsung heroes who are doing all the cooking outdoors for the hungry festival goers. It’s impressive! Just shy of the golden number 100, are these sizeable pots under fire that are burning and crackling away. Beryani, a South African favourite, is on the boil for this second day at the Chariot Festival which is held at the old Durban drive in theatre.
Food is one of the major features of festivals. Apart from the stage where our group brought down the house for the standing ovation performance of Little Big Ramayan, my like at the event is a tent called the Bhakti Cloud. Here the youth organize presentations of various sorts. On the program schedule, I’ve been dubbed as The Dance Master, so the expectation is for me to pull off a dance to the sound of half a dozen djembes.
So much for being The Walking Monk. Now there’s the expectation that I’m Fred Astaire. Anyways, our half hour stint went well. We got everyone up to dancing out and enacting the ten Avatars.
Another highlight for me was an hour session given to talking at Tent A, about walking experiences. I wasn’t sure that my Tails on Trails would carry an appeal, yet the tent filled up and interest in pilgrimage was generated. My final word was actually a question, “How many of you anticipate to do more walking now that you hear how fun and freeing it is?” The response was, “Lakker”, which in Afrikaans means, “Good”.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
From Tent to Tent
I had paid a visit to the unsung heroes who are doing all the cooking outdoors for the hungry festival goers. It’s impressive! Just shy of the golden number 100, are these sizeable pots under fire that are burning and crackling away. Beryani, a South African favourite, is on the boil for this second day at the Chariot Festival which is held at the old Durban drive in theatre.
Food is one of the major features of festivals. Apart from the stage where our group brought down the house for the standing ovation performance of Little Big Ramayan, my like at the event is a tent called the Bhakti Cloud. Here the youth organize presentations of various sorts. On the program schedule, I’ve been dubbed as The Dance Master, so the expectation is for me to pull off a dance to the sound of half a dozen djembes.
So much for being The Walking Monk. Now there’s the expectation that I’m Fred Astaire. Anyways, our half hour stint went well. We got everyone up to dancing out and enacting the ten Avatars.
Another highlight for me was an hour session given to talking at Tent A, about walking experiences. I wasn’t sure that my Tails on Trails would carry an appeal, yet the tent filled up and interest in pilgrimage was generated. My final word was actually a question, “How many of you anticipate to do more walking now that you hear how fun and freeing it is?” The response was, “Lakker”, which in Afrikaans means, “Good”.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Friday, April 18th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
Round and Around and Round We Go
The smart path for walking on the Chatsworth temple grounds is essentially a concrete walkway running as a concentric formation around the building. If you were to look from the bird’s eye view, you might see a spot on the rim of a wheel circling about over and over again. That spot would be a group of chanters moving constantly for at least an hour or more.
I am one of several in that group that makes the spot. Unofficially we have become by chance a japa team. Our group began as one. One became two. Two became three and so on.
Jabs from Pretoria joined us. He is a relative new comer to Krishna Consciousness and bhakti yoga. There are several paths leading to the temple which cross our walking path. Jabs happened to be walking on one of those paths, he spotted our group and I nodded that he should join our japa walking team. So I suggested to Jabs, which is short for Jambavan, “If you join us you just concentrate on the mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare . You’ll be happy to know that while chanting at this time, and you keep with our pace, you’ll be going at 5 kilometres an hour.” I implied to him that with chanting and walking simultaneously you get double mercy. Jabs was sold on the idea and he joined our group as it grew and grew. Everyone on board seemed to enjoy the power of joint chanting and joint walking. In addition to there being a moat around the temple with a constant flow of H2O that hugs the edifice, it creates a very pleasant atmosphere. It just so happens that Nelson Mandela had stepped and walked on our circular path more than once, giving our trail an extra significance.
Congratulations to Jabs and other members of our South African based drama troupe who pulled off a great rendition of Big Fish Little Fish on the first day of the great festival.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Round and Around and Round We Go
The smart path for walking on the Chatsworth temple grounds is essentially a concrete walkway running as a concentric formation around the building. If you were to look from the bird’s eye view, you might see a spot on the rim of a wheel circling about over and over again. That spot would be a group of chanters moving constantly for at least an hour or more.
I am one of several in that group that makes the spot. Unofficially we have become by chance a japa team. Our group began as one. One became two. Two became three and so on.
Jabs from Pretoria joined us. He is a relative new comer to Krishna Consciousness and bhakti yoga. There are several paths leading to the temple which cross our walking path. Jabs happened to be walking on one of those paths, he spotted our group and I nodded that he should join our japa walking team. So I suggested to Jabs, which is short for Jambavan, “If you join us you just concentrate on the mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare . You’ll be happy to know that while chanting at this time, and you keep with our pace, you’ll be going at 5 kilometres an hour.” I implied to him that with chanting and walking simultaneously you get double mercy. Jabs was sold on the idea and he joined our group as it grew and grew. Everyone on board seemed to enjoy the power of joint chanting and joint walking. In addition to there being a moat around the temple with a constant flow of H2O that hugs the edifice, it creates a very pleasant atmosphere. It just so happens that Nelson Mandela had stepped and walked on our circular path more than once, giving our trail an extra significance.
Congratulations to Jabs and other members of our South African based drama troupe who pulled off a great rendition of Big Fish Little Fish on the first day of the great festival.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Thursday, April 17th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
On Anger
SB 1.7.34
I was asked to give the class from Bhagavatam, SB 1.7.34. This I did after a brisk walk. Here are points we came up with on this interesting subject.
ANGER
1) A product of passion
2) It breeds bewilderment and blocks the brain
3) It’s a beast that can be tamed
4) An explosive that blows up in your face
5) It’s what’s behind 4
6) It means you’re not appreciating
7) It could mean you didn’t get enough sleep
8) A temper tantrum triggered by the tempter/temptress
9) It becomes a great opportunity for picking up a drum and creating nice music (kirtan)
10) Controlling it is a great victory
11) It’s a big expenditure to check, and for clean up after damage is done
12) When you keep a lid on it, it turns into a nice prep
13) It does have its place (as in anger over abuse issues). Know when to use it.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
On Anger
SB 1.7.34
I was asked to give the class from Bhagavatam, SB 1.7.34. This I did after a brisk walk. Here are points we came up with on this interesting subject.
ANGER
1) A product of passion
2) It breeds bewilderment and blocks the brain
3) It’s a beast that can be tamed
4) An explosive that blows up in your face
5) It’s what’s behind 4
6) It means you’re not appreciating
7) It could mean you didn’t get enough sleep
8) A temper tantrum triggered by the tempter/temptress
9) It becomes a great opportunity for picking up a drum and creating nice music (kirtan)
10) Controlling it is a great victory
11) It’s a big expenditure to check, and for clean up after damage is done
12) When you keep a lid on it, it turns into a nice prep
13) It does have its place (as in anger over abuse issues). Know when to use it.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Wednesday, April 16th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
Couldn’t Be Sweeter
The pathway has puddles. The ground under the parking lot has waves. The sky is wet and air is still. Not exactly the best conditions. I am moved to an amphitheatre where I can chant and walk simultaneously. But, the narrow shelter above the amphitheatre does little to block out the drizzle. Normally, I’d be trekking round and round the mandir (temple). It’s safe staying on temple grounds. You can’t risk meandering through the streets nearby. Crime is really high. In the past though, I ventured around. You are at some advantage if you are male, and being a monk helps, I imagine. It’s unfortunate that in the past people within the community have been murdered under circumstances. The cause? Myriad reasons.
But life in South Africa is not always great. It has it’s bubbly moments. A monkey perched on a branch near my window was looking for opportunity. I threw him an orange, boy did he get excited. He left me his peels.
Our rehearsals for the weekend entertainment have been exhilarating. Cast members have got all this rhythm, they can dance and they can act. A good chunk of the troupe are from the Zulu community. Performance is up their alley.
The chariot festival always brings out the best in people. Bhakti practitioners come from other parts of South Africa to join in for a mixed reverence and fun. Guests are arriving from other continents. I’m one of them. This is my 14th year. I’m always given warm and great food – avocados and sandwiches especially.
The day couldn’t be sweeter really.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Couldn’t Be Sweeter
The pathway has puddles. The ground under the parking lot has waves. The sky is wet and air is still. Not exactly the best conditions. I am moved to an amphitheatre where I can chant and walk simultaneously. But, the narrow shelter above the amphitheatre does little to block out the drizzle. Normally, I’d be trekking round and round the mandir (temple). It’s safe staying on temple grounds. You can’t risk meandering through the streets nearby. Crime is really high. In the past though, I ventured around. You are at some advantage if you are male, and being a monk helps, I imagine. It’s unfortunate that in the past people within the community have been murdered under circumstances. The cause? Myriad reasons.
But life in South Africa is not always great. It has it’s bubbly moments. A monkey perched on a branch near my window was looking for opportunity. I threw him an orange, boy did he get excited. He left me his peels.
Our rehearsals for the weekend entertainment have been exhilarating. Cast members have got all this rhythm, they can dance and they can act. A good chunk of the troupe are from the Zulu community. Performance is up their alley.
The chariot festival always brings out the best in people. Bhakti practitioners come from other parts of South Africa to join in for a mixed reverence and fun. Guests are arriving from other continents. I’m one of them. This is my 14th year. I’m always given warm and great food – avocados and sandwiches especially.
The day couldn’t be sweeter really.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Tuesday, April 15th, 2014
Stay in the Water
Durban, South Africa
This marks the 20th year since the abolishment of
apartheid in South Africa. People of native origin fought long and hard
to achieve their freedom as recent history tells. Despite the policy
and administrative adjustments, things are far from perfect. Now you
have minorities complaining about favoritism. Job opportunities are
preferentially partial. And it goes on and on.
But lets not be naive. Nothing’s ever going to be a bowl of roses. We are living in the material world, so, let's not whine
so much. Let's not blame everyone else for our own discomforts. You
put yourself in the spot where you are now. Such is the nature of
karma. So swallow it and get on with life. Life isn’t always fair,
okay?
Maybe you don't belong here in the first place? Is that fair? Is that a fair question?
Today
we spent hours on preparing dramas for the upcoming weekend Festival of
Chariots. Walking took a back seat. To address this “other worldly”
issue I found it great in the script writing by local stand up comedian,
K.C., we call him, when the Sangoma, a Zulu shaman, who directs the
troubled under dogged victim out of his misery. The story plays up on
the analogy that we are all fish out of water.
Little Fish is the actual name of the victim and he
addresses the Sangoma, “I need help. I don't know what to do anymore. I
need someone to take my problems away.” The Sangoma spews out sounds
like only a wizard can do as he throws the bones and reads the message.
“The bones don't lie. You were in a good place, a
really good place, a long time ago! Hmm, hmmm, then you got greedy.
You left that place. You left that lovely place, to come here! But my
friend, you’re never going to be happy over here, this place is not for
you. You are never going to be happy here, unless you go back to your
home. This place is not for you... you are like a fish out of water.”
The message has merit. It gives us something to aspire towards.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Monday, April 14th, 2014
Durban, South Africa
To Tolerate
Kala, Tamohara and I
were flying from Mauritius to South Africa. While waiting at the airport in Johannesburg, the stopover
before heading to Durban, I was reading some anecdotes from those who were with
our guru. A passage I read happened to
be of an occurrence while our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had flown from Mauritius
to Durban. It was a small lesson on
tolerance.
Pusta Krishna: We were flying from Mauritius
to Durban on Quantus Airlines. I was seated beside Srila Prabhupada wearing my
little British hat, shirt, coat and pants. At that time there was a rugby match between
South Africa and New Zealand teams, and there were a lot of rugby types on the
plane. We had a seat in the non-smoking section, but people were smoking there
and I was disturbed. I was also
concerned for Srila Prabhupada’s welfare. So I asked the stewardess to please ask them
to stop smoking in the non-smoking section. She told the rugby type guys, who were
drinking quite a bit as well, to stop smoking. But they didn't stop. I was about to ask the
stewardess, “Please ask them again,” when Prabhupada stopped me. He said “What is the difference between us and
them if we can’t tolerate these sort of things? Don’t be an ordinary, common, foolish man.”
I thought the passage
was instructive. Why whine over
everything? While in the air on whatever
jet, there are always little things that we persevere through. Anyway,
“Sawubona!” which means, “Hello!” in Zulu.
May the Source be with
you!
5 KM
Monday, 14 April 2014
Saturday, April 12th, 2014
La Vallee de Ferney, Mauritius
Sea, Mountains and Folks
Well, what a day! It began with a few young men going for a power
walk with me by the ocean shore, past Bleu Bay, then a loop back to Mahebourg,
and then by car and bus down a rickety road in La Vallee de Ferney. At
one point we pulled out of the bus to experience this gorgeous conservation
area of endemic, indigenous and exotic trees. The names will strike a
funny bone of curiosity. Our guide pointed out some of the official names
of trees – the cinnamon of course, but there were also the black and white
ebony trees. Never heard of a rat tree? Neither have I. Its
leaves, when gathered and put in a draw after three days, start reeking like a
decomposing rat. There, a cyclone tree gives a resemblance of the
swirling dynamic that mother nature sends around now and then. Finally
our group of 23 also viewed the nail tree from the strong hard wood variety, pieces
of the trunk were crafted in the shape of nails and used for construction.
We saw little wildlife but for the kestrel bird, a tiny hawk-like bird
that almost went extinct. Not but four decades ago only four existed.
They were native to Mauritius, but conservationists did their work and
bread the few alive. Now they are making a return.
To their merit, activist nature lovers fought to keep a proposed highway
from penetrating through the fragile eco system. What a delight it was to
be here! And as one Swiss devotee said, “We (meaning Krishna devotees)
need to do more of these type of outings.” I couldn’t agree more.
When you see those creeks and waterfalls you know that there is a kinder,
softer world upstairs and this is a mere reflection of it.
The Dutch have been blamed for poaching the last of the dodo birds, but
more recent research indicates that a famine the country experienced destroyed
this huge feathered guy forever. Anyways! Whatever! We must
endeavour to preserve all that is precious.
A dive in the blue ocean and picnic marked the middle of the afternoon.
Then the evening was topped with a turnout of 300 folks eager for kirtan,
philosophy and a feast to not forget.
That’s why I say, “What a day!”
May the Source be with you!
14 KM
Friday, April 11th, 2014
Mahebourg, Mauritius
By the Sea
In 1802 the French and English had a fierce naval
battle at the bay here near Lion’s Mountain. Kala, Tamohara and I ventured along the town’s
sea wall catching the salt infused currents. We stumbled upon an impressive arts and
culture outdoor amphitheatre, a prospective place for a bhakti show in the future. The occasional Banyan tree graced
the coast line dwarfing us. Young men at
soccer filled a playing field.
Clouds above threatened a downpour. We found shelter from a giant Banyan. Then a more serious onslaught of rain compelled us to head for a roof by a rehab drug clinic. Oh, yes, even here on this tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, social ills challenge the human race.
Our trio continued our exploration of the town. If we could, we would want to boast having touched each street, but time was pressing, calling for an engagement at the auditorium of the local Durga mandir. Eventually the place filled up. I realized that translation from English to Creole was necessary for my message to be understood, so a person by the name of Kaunteya did so.
And this message was that while we venture our way through myriad species of life, the soul’s obligation is to reach the human’s actual potential. “I am not this body,” I stressed. And we let everyone there go home with reciting and hopefully retaining these precious words in Sanskrit, “Aham brahmasmi!” More definitively we are saying, "I AM SPIRIT".
May the source be with you!
4 KM
Friday, 11 April 2014
Thursday, April 10th, 2014
Dubai, UAE
Moving with Time Downtime! Much sitting in the aircraft. Emirates, world
class airline has conditions or facilities conducive enough for japa meditation, reading and writing, all that I relish doing. There's time to talk to the passenger sitting next to you, however, sometimes you respect the fact that its also their downtime, or rather up-time. The flight from Toronto to Dubai is at an unimaginable height, need I detail the figure? Its just very high and very cold, outside. It flashes to mind that we could be victims of a mysterious disapperance, going of the radar screen, as in the case of the recent Malayasian airline that appered to vanish in thin air. Always a good reason to chant divine mantra's with more intrepidity. Time presses on with window shutters closed which makes it confusing to decifer the hour. But thats ok. In the air with such incredible speed (exact figures unknown to me) you really enter a timeless zone, keeping an eye on boarding time is significant but once off from departure, it really doesn't matter much. In a way its off-time. A lay-over in Dubai with a six hour span and a hotel voucher in hand permitted horizontal space to actually sleep which is practically impossible in the plane. Arabian Park Hotel was the space that was destined. No need for its lounge, its drinks or non-veg food. I'm a monastic that can keep cheap thrills at bay. And also, until the new day, new dawn or dusk we do not tarry but move forward with ever changing time. May the source be with you!
0 KM (except for moving in the airport)
Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Go It Together
I received a call from Michael who took to the Trans
Canada Highway in 2001/2002 on foot with a backpack. We made an agreement to go it out together on
the road for a three week stint.
Starting in mid May we plan to drive to Taber, Alberta,
the spot from where I left off last summer.
We will stop a bit along the way, put on our shoes (I, with Crocs),
while he will be equipped with camera, hopeful to capture the beauty of the
road, the rhythm of walking, and all that visual vista stuff that people usually
see as post cards. The filming will be
like a reenactment of the walk I did last summer, until we arrive at Taber,
when business will be as usual to complete a fourth trek, bringing me to the
edge of British Columbia.
I’m really looking forward to it because in addition to
having the usual company of support person, Daruka, and his blue front Amazon
parrot, there will also be Michael, a most amiable person. Up for the challenge will be those occasional
cool prairie breezes, and then the intermittent warming Chinook winds coming
from the Rockies. There will be the
upward downward trends of pacing once hitting those lovely mountains. I will not be surprised to hear the jazz of
the road, that is, the last clumps of snow, sliding off the arms of the coniferous
trees, and the feet making the beat gritting the gravel on the highway
shoulder. It will also be the time of
invigoration, rebirth, of so much life springing into action.
Michael knows the road I’ve tread, he’s done it before –
the Crow’s Nest Pass. And, of course,
we’ll be seeing smart crows in flight, and I’ll be dreaming of smooth sailing
swans during naps which will take place by the side of the road that will offer
a peace like nothing else. Hare
Krishna!
Thanks for calling, Michael, it’s a deal. We’ve nailed down the date, May 17th.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
Owen Sound, Ontario
Who’s The Artist?
In the midst of this morning’s meanderings I stumbled
upon Tom Thompson’s Art Gallery. Who is
Tom Thompson? A noted Canadian impressionist
landscape artist he was. His body was
found mysteriously in the wilderness while on a canoeing trip. A result of foul
play? It’s not really known. He’s loved and remembered for defining the
natural esthetics of the north. I admit,
it’s nice work indeed.
I’ve been an art lover for years, including the art of
nature. The artist behind the elemental combinations of the out of doors should
not be denied. “Who’s behind the
placement of patterns of life?” we might ask.
“Does it have to be a person?” If
we settle for intelligent design, as some people use the term, then we admit to
personal implication. Where there’s
intelligence there is a brain. Brain
refers to a person. Where there’s
design, we should come to terms with a designer.
Being that it is Ramnaumi today, a small group of us at
the quiet place of Owen Sound, reflected on the classic Vedic personalities
known as Ram, Sita and Lakshman, who spent a long and interesting 14 years in
the jungles. A good part of that phase
was the travel by foot from the north of India to the south at
Rameshvaram. Shastra, ancient texts like “The Ramayan”, tells of how the three
wanderers enjoyed the features, smells, sights and sounds of the wilderness. Their apparent exile or banishment was
actually a blessing.
Our trip back to the big city, Toronto, allowed our eyes
to see a transition. Behind us was not
only the green spirit of the docks at Georgian Bay, but also rolling hills,
farms and forests, all now to be replaced by highways, high rises and high
expectations of tantalizing pursuits.
Frankly, there’s nothing more boredomsome than peering at square
warehouses and the monotonous looking apartment buildings of a modern day
city. You have to ask, “Who’s the author
of such pathetic creations?” Not the
Great Spirit, that’s for sure.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
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Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Monday, April 7th, 2014
Owen Sound, Ontario
Just Before Ram
It was the eve before Ramnaumi, the birthday of Sri Ram,
that I arrived at this small city of natural beauty all around. Along with Rajneesh and family, we ventured
to this Georgian Bay area to meet acquaintances, one of whom shared foot travel
with me.
Garuda, is now 66, and was with me in British Columbia on
walk number 3 when we encountered a grizzly bear and got close to being
breakfast. That’s a story unto itself, and one I don’t personally mind
reliving. Anything that impels one to
slide into a prayerful mood, isn’t necessarily a bad experience, however
adventurous.
There’s only a 5 year difference between Garuda and I (I’m
the younger one). He’s always been an
active man, but is feeling the aches and pains of aging as of late. Always enthusiastic for chanting, we found he
and his clan, with two younger generations, were absorbed in doing just
that. His three sons are rock
musicians. In reality, for them, kirtan is where it’s at. Another area where we share a passion is in
trekking sections of the country’s oldest foot path, the Bruce Trail, which
runs along Owen Sound’s escarpment.
Our union with Garuda’s clan at the home of hosts Rajesh
and Alka, was a warm up for the coming day’s Ramnaumi. We did so through kirtan chanting, feasting, of course, and reading of memories of
our guru, Srila Prabhupada. We
especially were hearing of his morning strolls by the Pacific. He would go at a pace that was hard to keep
up. In this regard, he was always ahead
of the game in comparison to his students, in practically every category of
activity that you could imagine.
It is a Vedic colloquial term to follow in the dust of a
holy person’s lotus footsteps.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Towards Personalism
A college student came to see me for agreed upon meeting
at venue, the streets. It became a question
and answer session on foot on this most sattvic
day. The sky was clear and bright, air
was fresh, there was hardly a breeze.
I can say for myself, I felt the same forecast
within. I think my friend from Whitby,
Ontario, the college student, was of a similar state. I could tell by the questions and the way he
was receiving and digesting my responses.
He was curious about the long walks I’ve done. To that, I explained that light and long
travel aid in the process of detachment.
“Is that like nirvana?”
he asked. I was relieved to know that
the phrase wasn’t just a name to him for a hot rock band, but that it means
something quite different.
“Nirvana is a
word found in the Bhagavad Gita, and it’s a term very much clutched onto by the
Buddhists.” I explained that we are
referring to a state of mind beyond the mundane, beyond the hankering and
lamentation of this world. Although nirvana may not be complete so far as total
spiritual fulfillment is concerned, within popular Hinduism the equivalent to
nirvana would be moksha. For Krishna conscious pursuers, the state of
completion anticipated is union with the Divine in personal service. It is a highly personalistic approach to
life.
The student and I agreed to meet again and to have more
parlance while walking.
Equally enjoyable to walking and talking through the
quiet residential Rosedale neighbourhood, was the evening kirtan which followed right after a successful run of the drama, “Little
Big Ramayan”. The incredibly hyped kirtan with pulsing drum beats and high
strung voices took a strong personal involvement, and many people were there
participating. And it was my arm that
reached out to bystanders of the kirtan,
pulling the eager and shy ones into the dancing circle.
One teenager that I pulled in stood there very flushed
red, shrugged his shoulders up and down, as if declaring, “I don’t know how to
dance!”
“Relax,” I said, “you’ve already got unique style.”
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Saturday, April 5th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Three of Us
All of us crave Sunshine, as long as there’s not too much
of it. It was a pleasure to walk towards
its disc which was making a slow descension into the western sky. The
west side of the street going north/south
was unfavourable for walking because I wanted the sun’s embrace. I
switched directions to College Street. I ended up face to face with
him. There were no more imposing buildings. It was nice, but like
anything in this world,
you take sookh and dookh (happiness and distress), sad and asad (good and bad).
Basically, you receive a duality.
Along with that generous glow of the sun, came the wind. Unexpectedly, to me, as forceful as he
was. He also got blocked by buildings
eventually, just as the sun did. Now, I
had two guys coming at my face. It was
interesting to see them partnered. I had
their company. There are three of us now
until I turned another corner going north on Croft Street. Once again, I was in the shadows of the
buildings. I was seemingly alone, but
not. Paramatma
(Supersoul) is always in the heart.
Croft Street is more like a back lane with mostly garages
on both sides of the asphalt. There is
pleasant graffiti, and some not so, meaning unsophisticated. People have left their mark.
On Bloor Street, I meet my companions again, the sun and
the wind. The sun had moved by now,
humbled by time, or just being on time.
Perhaps defining time. Not
exactly, it is said in the Bhagavatam, out of fear of Him, the sun shines. Who then, in actuality is defining the time
factor.
Finally, I made it home, the temple ashram, where you enter a timeless zone, where all is spiritual,
and where there is relative peace. I say
relative because there are humans in the space, and they are not perfect.
I’m reminded of the joke about the human ego, “Nobody’s
perfect, I’m just a nobody.”
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Friday, April 4th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Fun Pun
I did not go outside the walls of the ashram building today. It doesn’t mean I was confined, as in
prison. I was joyfully locked in with
service – and service of a different kind.
I’m speaking about theatre. The
dramas! The directing! The performance! I put several hours into our practice of the
drama, Little Big Ramayan. Doing “plays”
is a marvelous creative outlet. And it’s
approved (rather, receives blessings) by the previous acharyas or teachers in the line of devotion. In fact, our guru, Srila Prabhupada, loved
dramas that have a spiritual message. He
went so far as to say that the play is better than the book. He loved the theatre and even acted when as a
student in his college years, he played the role of Adwaita, a close associate
of Sri Chaitanya, father of kirtan in
the modern age. Our guru also liked
Charlie Chaplin. He would not go out of
his way to the cinema, mind you, he wouldn’t have anything to do with extreme
mundane entertainment. Once, on the
plane, he had a few chuckles watching the guy with the funny stick, hat and
moustache.
Now, speaking of fun, what about pun? Someone sent me from a facebook source, a
list of puns called, “Punography”.
Here’s are some real dillies:
I tried to catch
some, I mist.
A guy I know is
addicted to brake fluid. He said he can
stop any time.
How does Moses make
his tea? Hebrews it.
I stayed up all
night to see where the sun went, then it dawned on me.
The girl said she
recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I never met herbivore.
I’m reading a book
about antigravity. I can’t put it down.
I didn’t like my
beard at first, then it grew on me.
How do you make
holy water? Boil the hell out of it.
When you get a
bladder infection, urine trouble.
What does a clock
do when it’s still hungry? It goes back
four seconds.
I wonder why the
baseball was getting bigger, then it hit me.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Thursday, April 3rd, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Gems
Some of today’s lessons that came out of our Bhagavatam
session this morning were gems. In sutra form, here’s what we came up with
from 8.5.26 and its purport:
Sense perception is
not complete to understand.
You may see, but
you may not be able to understand.
Seeing Him is not
as important as appreciating Him.
Prayers are
heard and the needful action is taken.
Desire less and
deserve more.
Engage yourself or
encage yourself.
Another major gem of the day was spending time with our
recent most visiting monk, Devamrita Swami, over an excellent meal prepared by
Mangal Aarti. I had trekked to the
apartment where he was staying. My
return to the ashram, however, was by
cab, and that encounter was another gem.
The cab driver was curious, “Do you go to India?” he
asked.
“Yes, once or twice a year.”
“Which part?”
“The eastern side, mostly, Bengal.”
“Do you know any Bengali?” asked the taxi driver who told
me he’s from neighbouring Bangladesh.
“I know some songs, do you want to hear one?”
“Yes.” So I sang,
in its entirety, ‘Gaya Gaura’ to the
cab driver. He was testing me. “Can you
tell me what it means?”
“Yes, do utter or sing the honey like names of the
Supreme regardless of status or mood, and benefit.”
The driver was really happy. He sparkled.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
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