Toronto, Ontario
Moving Bodies
Well, we had a bit of a problem this morning at the ashram. It had something to do with bodily contortions, moans and groans and twitching eyes. The woman, a visitor, who exhibited these unique features, was asked to be less distractive because she persisted and refused tone down advice we gave her.
To her credit, she wore meditation beads and chanted on them. Even some of her physical stretches demonstrated remarkable ability. It’s just that the psychological diversions and the various moanings began to become non-condusive to our devotional atmosphere, and most unfortunately, the authorities had to be called in to deal with this incommunicable individual. I was impressed by the cautious way and their handling of the situation. From the depths of our hearts, we wish the lady well.
The evening continued to be a time of bodily movement. After the beautiful and tasty birthday cake that I received (and yes, the supportive community did sing “Hare Krishna to you…” instead of the usual “Happy Birthday to you…”), an enthusiastic group headed to Queen Street for some stimulative dancing. It was the annual Nuit Blance, an evening of artistic expression in the downtown. Our kirtan with its drumming got people gyrating and coming up with all kinds of interesting and creative moves.
Being a celebratory day in honour of this humble servant, I was pleased to receive words of gratitude at our temple ashram, but it was equally as exciting to co-lead the kirtan with Ajamil and watch the various happy contortions of people’s physical frames. At some intervals of the chanting sessions, people came up one by one to the mic to recite the maha mantra.
All this ecstasy took place in front of the stately Old City Hall. When the tower’s massive clock struck midnight, from there I walked with friends from Michigan back to the ashram. In the course of the walk as we trailed through, or struggled through crowds which numbered at 1 million strong, a meagre realization came about. There has to be as many different ways of walking as there are people. Body movement has no limit it seems.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
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