Philadelphia, Pensylvania
Germantown and Beyond
Nikhil, a chap from Virginia, and I took to trekking along Germantown
Avenue. Architecturally, it has a European
flavor with its homey-looking shops, cobblestone roads, tight lanes, and just
charm. Going east, it starts to take on
a more gloomy, almost ghetto-like feel.
Being Sunday morning, you see the odd person at 7am on their way to
work. A coffee shop employee, perhaps. There
is always a very devout mama who’s dressed in her Baptist best, hat a la mode
and all. A young teenaged black dude was
darting down the street in a stark white shirt, tie, and spiffy suit. As I was told last year on my visit here, this
area became the first integrated neighbourhood in America. Blacks, whites, southerners, northerners, new
immigrants and earlier established folks all got along. Spirituality may have had something to do
with that. Nikhil and I can see plenty
of churches, even seminaries in the districts. The Lutherans have a gorgeous
ground for their seminary students, just minutes from our ISKCON centre.
Several theology students did visit our temple and in fact, watched
our play, “Little Big Ramayaan.” The
audience – students and congregants – were so responsive. It seems that the
signature line to this play is the final one.
When narration tells, “Relationships have always been complicated. Even
on the divine Absolute realm.” And of course what resonates with the audience
also is Ravana’s line “You disgust me,” amplifying the general disdain that a
worldly person has for the world. Ravana
is the nemesis of ego, something we can all relate to.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
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