Friday, December 25th, 2015

Friday, December 25th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Christ/Krishna

After my AM walk, I sat down for mantra chanting along with a modest showing of people in the temple. We then did discuss about the birth of Jesus and compared notes to the birth of Krishna. We observed some parallels.

The events surrounding both Krishna and Christ’s birth involved much intrigue during the political climate of the time:

1) - Christ: He appeared during the time of the corrupt King Herod.
- Krishna: He appeared when there was the corrupt King Kamsa

2) - Christ: During His time there was an order that all male children be killed.
- Krishna: All of Krishna’s male siblings were killed before his birth.

3) - Christ: Born in a barn in amidst cows.
- Krishna: After His birth He was transferred to a household where he mingled with the cows as he grew.

4) - Christ: His parents fled, and at birth, baby Jesus was hidden.
- Krishna: After His birth, he was taken for hiding to the countryside.

5) - Christ: It is believed He was born at midnight.
- Krishna: He was born at midnight.

6) - The sound of Christ very much resembles the name of Krishna, which has a variation to the word Krista.

The above was our simple analysis. We also observed a similarity in the disposition of both Christ and Krishna. They both held in their character a sense of peace, yet they were known to exhibit anger at times when necessary.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Thursday, December 24th, 2015

Thursday, December 24^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

At Christmas Eve

What do a bunch of Krishna monks and followers do on Christmas Eve?

They chant!

A group of us were invited to the city’s oldest Hindu community centre, the Hindu Prarthana Samaj near High Park. We were invited to a program to let loose the holy name in their large meeting room with their many murtis (deities). Hanuman, the powerful body-built demigod that so many people adore, was set in his shrine. He seemed to be loving the chanting. The Divine couples, Radha Krishna and Lakshmi Narayan, were also smiling in the presence of the sacred sound. There was also the quadruple deities of the Ramayan, centrepieced by Sita-Ram. They seemed delighted.

Prominent, also, was the Siva Lingam, the deity of creative potency. It was difficult for me to discern whether Siva’s manifestation of prowess was joyful at the sound, but judging by the current company, the lingam must have also been elated.

When I entered the room at 6:40 PM I could hear my Bengali friend, Ajamil, singing. As usual, he excites people with his special kind of 'spunk.' Then, Pradyumna from Montreal wooed with a mystical melody when he lead. I took the role of the dance motivator. Yes, for Christmas, it’s probably better to dance to the music than to walk, unless, someone is singing Silent Night while trekking somewhere, and allowing its soft projection to move in the fresh evening air. It was unmistakably a good celebration.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Through Fog

Some devotees came up from Montreal. We walked through a misty air. One of the walkers, Marc Andre, remarked, “It’s like a life, isn’t it, moving through fog?” To that we had a chuckle, while simultaneously it struck the nerve of reality. The laugh made light of gravity. There’s a famous line by Ken Kesey, in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – “Man, when you lose your laugh, you lose your footing.”

We did our footing, practically, through Rosedale, and through what appeared like a mystical mist. We were chanting softly. Only periodically would we stop or interrupt the chanting.

Tina, who was with us, fell a little behind. Compared to the others, her legs are more tiny. “Tiny Tina”, I thought. Another cause for laughter, but I really had to hold it inside because I didn’t want to disturb. This brahma muhurta hour, the hour at which we’re walking, is very sacred. It is the time before the passions of the day spill out.

And what about this time of the year? It’s rather messy, I would say. You know, that time before Christmas when maddened motorists and shoppers do the squeeze? There’s the squeezing-out of time, the squeezing-out of space, and the squeezing-out of the budget. Peace isn’t coming as it should.

“Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men (and women).” The Earth is tense with threat of terrorism looming in the air. It’s not a laughing matter, rather, it’s one of concern.

Christmas, for a long time, had not been my favorite time of the year. I recall that before becoming a monk, I became quite disappointed with all the commercialism which puts a lot of haze (fog) into the lives of people.

No offense to Jesus, I adore him.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015
Vancouver, Canada

Not Walking Again

I had this blissful stopover in Vancouver, a neat hour of time to spend with three of our monks there. They brought me breakfast, they brought me news of the previous day's success, in terms of Bhagavad Gita sales in Vancouver. Recall that it was the anniversary of the Gita's being spoken on that ancient battlefield in northern India.

With the boys we took some precious moments to look at travel plans for the coming months. I'm happy, except for not being able to walk today. Only airport corridors provided some of that after I departed. On flight to Toronto I caught up on some reading, and then watching a National Film Board (NFB) documentary on something that conjured up a deja vu called "The Back Breaking Leaf". The film zeros in on the tobacco harvest in New Delhi, in southern Ontario. Set in the fifties, this old black and white flick brought me back to my youth when I used to labor in the stuff. It was extremely hard work. What I got out of watching it was the camaraderie built around it - the teamwork- and from my own experience, the never give up attitude.

Apply the policy of stick it out, and something will become of you. I am well aware that adjusting our sales is necessary, and that our energies sometimes need re-channeling. The pain point is that the energy or the 'drive', if you will, that we have should always be directed to the positive, to that which sustains - the Source.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Monday, December 21st, 2015

Monday, December 21st, 2015
Honolulu, Hawaii

We Can All Be Pilgrims

With it being my last day on the island in Hawaii before going back to Canada, I took the opportunity to reflect on my stay here.

To begin, the Vaishnava/Krishna community had been really great to me, providing me with a room on the second floor of the temple; a room with a cross ventilation that welcomed the comfortable ocean breeziness, and sometimes storminess. Special preps were made for me, although I'm fine with the regular fare served. My stolen Oofos shoes were replaced with a new pair of Crocs. Devotees went out of their way to please.

I was very satisfactorily engaged in giving classes, mostly in the morning. I spoke, from the Bhagavatam, a section on King Vena- a corrupted dictator- and how progressive sages united to dispose of him through "high sounding words" (mantras). Those sages acted swiftly and also expressed the concern about the residual effects of the monarch's loss by seeking a successor. Basically, the topics dealt with, "how do you address both practicality and spirituality in the aftermath of disaster?"

My visit wrapped up with a kirtan at Waikiki Beach, with the above mentioned spiritual family consisting of godbrothers like Srutakirti, Narahari, and Raghu. I was told that President Barack Obama was in town for the holidays. I hope he had the chance to hear our kirtan. I was anticipating that the general public- the beach and bar goers- would like our Krishna 'caroling.' Literature on Krishna was also being passed out. People were receptive.

When I did make the final goodbyes to Gurudev, who sponsored me, and others who saw me off at the airport, one fellow behind me in the security lineup said, "I saw you on the highway by the North Shore the other day. It was obviously you!" To this I confirmed for him that I'm a pilgrim, and we can all be pilgrims.

 
May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Sunday, December 20th, 2015

Sunday, December 20^th, 2015
Honolulu, Hawaii

No Billboards

Radha bit me today.

Radha is the name of the parrot who is lovingly being looked after by her owner, Narahari. My finger just got too close to her as I was trying to be friendly. She lives at home with Narahari, a haven of a place with tropical gardens, Koi goldfish fountains, and an exotic home with an Indonesian touch. Narahari has been doing 700 marriages a year at this house of his, which is also a tourist attraction. If you’re getting a marriage solemnized here, just stay away from Radha, who is very pretty to look at with his blood-red feathers.

Now, just across the road, and with a few meters walk, you land yourself on the beach known as Hale’iwa Alii. It was here that our guru, Srila Prabhupada, touched the ocean in the early 70’s, got wet, and splashed himself. Just down the street called Laumilo at number 911, he did spend some days. You can consider this area a place of pilgrimage.

Narahari was relaying this information to Gurudev, Madhan, and I, while we were taking a stroll over the sand. We were actually going to sail today, but high winds restricted us from making the journey to Gilligan’s Island.

Being Sunday, the globally known Hare Krishna Sunday Feast was held at the Iskcon center, where I was asked to speak. My chosen verse was 9.2 from the Gita, and, since tomorrow is the anniversary of the Gita being spoken, which coincidentally falls on the winter solstice this year, it was deemed appropriate to explain how this dialogue brought forth Krishna’s sublime wisdom as the raja-vidya, the king of knowledge.

What else can be said of Hawaii? Well, you have exquisite beaches, moderate weather, rainbows, pineapple groves, mild people, and finally, no billboards! It’s illegal to have one. That makes it like heaven.

May the Source be with you!

0 km (except for a short beach stroll).

Saturday, December 19th, 2015

Saturday, December 19^th, 2015
Haleiwa, Hawaii

Being Saturday

Madan was kind to drive me to the place where I left off from the day before, at Pearl City Mall. From there it became a series of complex ramps leading to highways that became part of my route for the day. Because it was 4:30 AM, and it’s a Saturday, these tight ramps were passable. Eventually, I made it to Highway 99, and while still dark (and raining), a Hawaiian fellow stopped and offered a ride. I responded the usual way.

“Thanks so much, I’m a monk, and I’m walking to promote pilgrimage....” One hour later, and he came back with a bag of goodies, including banana bread and M&Ms. He stopped and held up quite a back log of traffic. He was determined to please.

I encountered a bit more of the same. One after the other, motorists stopped to offer rides, and of course, I had to courteously decline, and they would go on their merry way. Being Saturday, I believe people generally carry a more chilled out mood.

It was actually a tree that also demonstrated charity. This was a guava tree situated along the side of the road. I recognized it as such for there being a single piece of fruit that lie under it. It was hard to detect any more fruit hanging from the tree, I just had a wish to have one undamaged fruit to try. It would be nice for a refresher. At that moment, a sizeable guava fell from a high branch, landed on the soft grass below, and rolled its way right to my feet. Yes, it was mystical, and yes, it tasted fine, sweet and succulent.

Madan and I made it to the north shore after 6 ½ hours of my walking on Oahu Island, passing many pineapple groves. We then took a swim close to where all the surfers do their thing. As I’ve experienced in the past, walking and swimming go hand in hand. Our final destination was at the home of Vrindavan Das, who hails from Bengal, and in his home, he has an elaborate altar set up. I consider that- a 32 mile trek from Honolulu in the south, up to the north shore- to be an actual pilgrimage, since it entailed going from one temple to another.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles /32 km

Friday, December 18th, 2015

Friday, December 18^th, 2015
Pearl City, Hawaii

Walking Hawaii

My godbrother, Narahari, could understand 100% what I was talking about when I mentioned hip issues while walking for hours along the road’s slant. He said, “It’s like the beach, it affects your hips and knees. We’re getting too old for that.” He’s 67, I’m four years behind. But even a young spring chicken of a fellow could feel the challenge on his skeleton walking along the slant of a river or the slant of a beach.

Fortunately today, on a snap decision to go on a moderate marathon walk, the trail through the guts of Honolulu – industrial, residential, and even the dwellings of homeless people under bridges, was relatively flat.

I managed with the assistance of Madhan, and a support vehicle, to make it through a 12 mile stretch. Moving along the northern edge of Pearl Harbor Base, and up to Pearl City Mall. The people, I find, are generally mild and timid, but respectful, and as what would be expected, the youth are wired up to ‘listen in’ and be ‘zoned out’. In the evening, our planned outdoor kirtan at Waikiki Beach was cancelled due to high winds and rain. In its stead, our group of devotees gathered to read, as I charaded out the story of Krishna and Princess Rukmini’s elopement. A passage that really grounded us was a statement by author, Srila Prabhupada, wherein he says, “A peaceful mind is the basis for becoming truthful, clean, equipoised, self controlled, and tolerant.”

May the Source be with you!

12 miles / 20 km

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

Thursday, December 17^th, 2015
Honolulu, Hawaii

By The Sands

Madan Gopal, originally from Oklahoma, had settled down here on the island of Oahu. He was kind enough to drive me to the south shore where we could enjoy a brief walk to Magic Island, which is actually a peninsula. The distance wasn’t much, as the divine pressures of time propelled us to make it for the 7:30 darshan at the temple.

Later in the day, Gurudev and Madan drove us to the island’s far western corner, where a famed lighthouse is situated. There we hit the sand allowing ourselves to be by the ocean’s waves, which swept up a number of those blue bottle jellyfish. The blue bottle bear this toxic, nematocysts that sting you and leave a paralyzed feeling. I know little about the blue bottle, but I’ve seen them in the water in Durban with their long tentacles. It reminds me of the numerous sea creatures that are actually a bit dangerous.

It is awesome how there is this diversity of living entities that populate the water and the world, some of which come across as seemingly hateful. Perhaps human beings excel in this area. There is the statement by Nikola Tesla, inventor of many things, who said, “If your hate could be turned into electricity, it could light up the world.”

On the brighter side, Gurudev had hosted a number of people to his home, where he asked that I speak about a number of experiences on the road. In the group was Balabhadra, renowned for his sustaining cows and training oxen. He flew from his home in Florida to see his mom who just turned 100. A letter was sent from Obama’s office congratulating her.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

Wednesday, December 16^th, 2015
Burnaby/Honolulu

Near To Heaven

I’m now en route to Hawaii and it is by way of air travel. Actually, it’s Air Canada that is my carrier. It appears to be a new aircraft, a 7-something-7. Passengers are noting the spacious leg room. There’s no screens, which is probably good. You may rent an iPad, if you want. The meal is optional and you pay for that as well. All payment is done by credit card, which rules me out. It ended up being a fully capacitated but quiet flight. Hey, we can all do with a little more shanty, peace, right?

I took a good amount of time to reading “Journal of Vaishnava Studies”, which is probably my favorite of all reads; outside of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust material. I also managed to secure a copy of the “Globe and Mail” newspaper to catch up on the world scene. There was a whole spread on the truth and reconciliation of native children in Canadian residential schools, and the government’s response towards amending. It got me quite emotional looking at pictures of the kids who lead very disturbed lives, beginning with being taken away from their parents. These tragedies went on from the late 1800’s to 1996.

I was greeted by Gurudev Allin of Honolulu after the plane touched down. Family and friends of his were kind to drive me to the local Iskcon temple; which just went through a major battle fumigating termites. Even Hawaii is not heaven.

One strong feature about life in the material world – there’s bugs everywhere.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Tuesday, December 15th, 2015

Tuesday, December 15^th, 2015
Burnaby, British Columbia

Do Monks Eat Pizza?

Do monks eat pizza? Answer is yes, in our order, we do. Do monks take sweets? I
confess – sometimes. Do monks partake in samosas? Most definitely.

When it comes to eating I do not break rules, but there is one condition, the menu must be prasadam; food offered to Krishna. ‘Consecrated’ would be the word. We talked a little bit about the process of consecration, that is, food transformation, at the home of Jaya Sachi Suta and Julan Yatra, a very nice mature couple of siblings that hail from Fiji. They also ended up being the cooks to the meal that we enjoyed.

In addition to the above mentioned items on the menu I relished the juice, something called 'sour sop,' a macaroni salad, and tomato soup, as well as tamarind and coriander dips. It was a killer of a meal. This couple always spoils me. Other guests were there also.

For more information about a monk’s lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness, it really has much to do with eating, sleeping, meeting, and defending.

Now when we meet, whether it be amongst monks, lay members, or newcomers, we usually open a book and read something enlightening. I took the liberty at the gathering to pull off the shelf, Canto 1 of the text ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ to the chapter, ‘Questions by the Sages’. The passage I read and discussed spoke of the hunger to the hearing of Krishna’s pastimes. The passage read much like a description of a succulent meal. The ‘pastimes’ were described as ‘sweet’ and ‘relishable’.

So, I got to thinking, that sacred verses or sacred passages are like a feast of a delectable magnitude.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

 

Monday, December 14th, 2015

Monday, December 14th, 2015
White Rock, British Columbia

Bird to Human

A young nursing student, Kuvera by name, and I, took to a trail that leads you to the Fraser River. It was dark at 5:30 AM but somehow Kuvera spotted the feather crane perched on a tree's branch and overlooking the creek. Instantaneously, he reminded me of a yogi in deep meditation, although more probably he was in slumber. At the sound of our footsteps and hushed words of his acknowledgement, he turned his neck and kept that eye on us revealing his proud beak.

We felt that the area is his turf and from that higher elevation he could be most observant over the space, including any meal that might make its way, in swimming format, from down below. He was inspirational to see there in solitary serenity; an admirable state of focus.

I made a visit to see a god-sister, Padyavali, who is spending her days in a seniors' home. Three of us guys, Kripanidhi, Manu, and I, spent some time with her and she really came across in the spunkiest and most jovial mood. We shared in a boisterous time in our corner of the lunch room. I believe she really needed the attention. After all, we may be spiritual, but there is also a call to be human. There's time to be a crane, but not all day long.

Time was also spent in visiting members of the community who will remain as such when given attention. It is an obligation, a privilege, and an honor.

The last installment of visitations was held at the weekly 'Holy Cow Kirtan' session in Vancouver, where we engaged people in kirtan and dance. I'm blessed to be part of a movement that offers a balance of introspection and joy.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Sunday, December 13th, 2015

Sunday, December 13^th, 2015
Burnaby, British Columbia

Sunday in Burnaby

I had done a quota of minimal kilometres but now it was time to sit down. It was 6:10pm during the Sunday Open House at the Burnaby temple, and such is the customary time for a delivery of words from “The Gita”. The crowds are not very big at this time and, like most temples that I’ve seen in Canada, the US, and practically all over the world, the volume of people goes on the rise closer to feast time.

In any event I sat down at the special asana referred to as the vyasasan, designated for the speaker. I sang the standard song of devotion “Jaya Radha Madhava”. Then I opened to the page in Bhagavad Gita, 7:13, and began to read the powerful words from the purport authored by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

“The whole world is enchanted by the three modes of material nature... Every living entity under the influence of material nature has a particular type of body and a particular type of psychological and biological activities accordingly... Although life is temporary and we do not know what we are going to be in the next life, by the spell of this illusory energy we consider ourselves in terms of this bodily conception of life, and we thus think that we are American, Indian, Russian, or brahmana, Hindu, Muslim, etc.”

On the basis of this message we were able to convey something that allowed people to listen, to process, and then it’s up to them- to act or not act- as all souls have their free will.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Saturday, December 12th, 2015

Saturday, December 12^th, 2015
Vancouver, British Columbia

Very Scary Ferry

I bid my farewells to my brother, Paul, as we puddle dodged along Elk Lake’s shoreline, close to Highway 17, en route to Schwartz Bay where you catch the ferry for the mainland.

Yes, the ferry. It was, today, a very scary ferry as it was pulling out of the harbor. I preferred to remain on the lowest deck possible where traffic was parked. While seated in the car of Jaya Govinda, I could see the automobiles and vans shake around me due to gusts of wind. Waves were crashing at the ferry’s walls, and anybody that happened to be walking along the side of the deck was practically swept off their feet due to the swift gale. On the PA system it was announced at one point to all the passengers aboard the ferry, “Try to remain in your seats, and if you must move, then hold on to the handrails.” And the announcements went on, “In case of an emergency…”

Thoughts were definitely milling through my mind along the lines of: “What if this is the time that I am to leave my body, and it will come through drowning? Will I be mentally prepared? I better put it to practice now – HARE KRISHNA.”

Well, all went fine in the end. The two brahmachari monks that came to join me along with Jaya, were all survivors thanks to the responsible sailing of the ferry operators.

Thanks, guys!

I was keen to attend a program called, “Enchanted”. By good fortune and nothing else, we made it to our destination through an ongoing storm to the district of the infamous 'Main and Hastings', and to a warehouse by a dark alley door, inscribed on it, “Karma Teachers”. There we did chant, dance, and some went into what seemed like a trance in the psychedelically lit room full of kirtan enthusiasts.

We went wild, but we felt safe.

Here’s a quote from Einstein, “A ship is always safe at shore, but that is not what it’s built for.”


May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Friday, December 11th, 2015

Friday, December 11^th, 2015
Victoria, British Columbia

About That

My host, Adosha, took me on foot to Swan Lake to circle it. It’s more like the size of a pond, but it was pleasant to be by nature. A second stroll for the day was down a piece of the Trans Canada Trail, which is a foot path that is 17,000 km long. Here we allotted only 4 km at best. It was some panoramic scenery worth remembering. Just a little bit north of Victoria, we took to the trail where you find a former wooden trestle railway bridge. En route we saw some cute signage on someone’s adjoining property that read: ‘No trespassing. My dog’s got a gun, and he hasn’t taken his medication.’

This is cougar/bear/elk country. The type of place I consider a gorgeous chunk of Canadian landscape. It was actually my brother Paul and his good wife, Joyce, who brought me here to show me this incredible landscape. The scent of coniferous trees is a pervasive feature of the area. Outside of seeing a heron with his wide wing span, we saw no other aspect of wildlife, but that’s alright, who needs to tangle with a bear or a cougar right now?

There’s a program we needed to conduct tonight and it was held at Adosha’s place in the Victoria area. It had been a struggle to keep a continuous sangha going in Victoria for some time now. Perhaps we were given another chance to initiate a regular program for establishing a higher consciousness. I would say that our discussions were inspirational and they centered around the value of the human body, which at least I identified as having two purposes:

1) The human body is meant for walking.

2) It is meant for spirituality.

May the Source be with you!

9 km

 

Thursday, December 10th, 2015

Thursday, December 10^th, 2015
Toronto/Victoria

Tidbits from Two Coasts

While seated in Govinda’s dining room, I had with me at lunch, Mandala, and a guest from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her name is Jan Peters. She’s a dear friend and is very helpful for lining up programs and speaking engagements in Canada’s far east coast. Our quaint meeting then was held with the intent to have a great meal, and secondly, to discuss the when, where, and how our next trip to St. John’s will look like.

When? Definitely, I’m set for a visit there in January however, which day is yet to be determined, and the purpose will be to establish, at least in practice, pilgrimage. The person behind the inauguration of the East Coast Trail is Robert, and he will be there to take a group of us on a mild-to-rugged walk. The theme will be to honor dear ones who have passed away. In any event, the notion of pilgrimage has some people interested, as opposed to just walking a trail for the sake of a workout. I’m very much anticipating this.

At 8 PM I flew off on a five hour journey to the far west coast, to Vancouver Island, to do much of the same; as usual, to attempt to raise the consciousness in a humble way. A program was planned at Adosha’s apartment. I arrived at the Victoria Airport late at night. As a favour for Adosha, Jed came to pick me up. Jed told me a little bit about his life’s challenges, and as a monk, you can expect this kind of thing coming from people, and it’s just fine. I asked him his last name, to which he responded, “Bachman”.

“Wait a minute, I know that Randy Bachman from The Guess Who rock bank has lived out here on the west coast for some time. Any relation?”

“Yeah, he’s my grandfather,” said Jed.

“Really?” And then we went on to talk about the small world in which we live, and how Randy was a no drugs, no alcohol type of rocker, and also how Randy and I had both been featured in the same documentary, ‘The Longest Road’, a National Film Board NFB production.

Anyways, good news from both coasts.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

Wednesday, December 9^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Always Acting

An afternoon stroll was really more like a roll, and had Mandala and I moving through Bloor, Chinatown, Spadina, and U of T districts. Mandala was the one taking greater note of people’s response to seeing a monk (me) in a city that sees almost anything and everything.

In front of a church a man standing there did an exaggerated pranams (folding of hands) upon seeing us. Two guys were cycling along, and one says, “Hi Shaolin monk.” A kid about 6 walking with classmates opened his mouth as wide as Krishna when revealing the universal form, upon seeing me.

These were some responses that permitted Mandala and I to respond. This is the basic principle behind acting. Acting means reacting. Reacting never really stops. There’s always a drama.

Mandala and I were actually rushing to get back to a planned rehearsal at the ashram, a reaction to a tight time-frame. We got back only to find out that the rehearsal was cancelled. Somebody just couldn’t make it. That produced a reaction in us. So you see, everyone is either acting or reacting. Also, everyone has an audience, whether it be those intimately next to you, or just God in the heart, Paramatma, being there. There’s either the sun, moon, or both always witnessing you; if not, the gods of nature, the devatas. “The world is a stage,” Shakespeare informed us.

When I try to recruit someone for a part in a drama, sometimes the response to stage fright is, “I can’t act.” My answer is, “But you already are acting, everyone is always acting (reacting).”

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Tuesday, December 8th, 2015

Tuesday, December 8^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

7:14

7:14. The figure popped up twice this morning. This is the verse from the Gita, and it appeared in my reading to the resident monks, quoted within a purport of Chapter 3. Then again when delivering the class based on Canto 9 of the book Bhagavatam, 7:14 showed up again in the verse’s explanation. “7:14 has something to say to our group,” I thought.

What does 7:14 say? Here’s the translation:

“This divine energy of mine consisting of the three modes of material nature is difficult to overcome, but those who have surrendered to Me can easily cross beyond it."

The energy referred to is the energy we are steeped into. It is nature. We use it. It gives us sustenance and happiness. It also kills us in the form of death. It entangles and implicates us in ways that we can find no ‘out’.

“It is hard to overcome,” states Krishna. However, the second part of the verse offers hope. “Through surrender, through transcending, you can overcome.” “It is difficult, but it is possible,” is what is implied. 7:14, then, is a verse that tells us to never give up.

I had spent several hours in the ashram office today planning and booking for the next 2 months of travel. Valuable time was also given to the rehearsing of our drama, “Krishna Is”, in preparation for our “Bhakti Mela” to be held on December 28^th at a theatre in Brampton. After hours of expending time indoors I decided to go for real air and get some walking in. I admit it was difficult to get moving initially, but I was thinking about 7:14, about surrendering and getting beyond.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Monday, December 7th, 2015

Monday, December 7th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

Best Gift

December is a great month for gift giving. May I recommend a gift of a book – Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It’s not just a book, but a classic dialogue, classic, meaning ‘for all times’. It is a communication between the soul and God, and how the soul feels weak at times and needs encouragement from God.

God (Krishna) speaks directly to the soul (Arjuna) about responsibility (dharma),and how eventually liberation (nirvana, moksha), or a freedom from ongoing troubles, can be achieved. Ultimately the message is about surrender. Surrender is equated to love. It refers to the ultimate sacrifice, to let go, let God.

The soul sacrifices because essentially it belongs to God whose disposition is the Supreme Soul. In fact, all souls belong to the One Supreme Soul. Once the souls reach that sublime destination, there is full satisfaction. It is hoped that all souls will reach this ultimate position, a position of devotional service. Service (seva) is what the soul’s function, in essence is; it is always joyfully executed.

That’s why the dialogue of the Gita is relevant and worth the time. It is the gift of wisdom.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Sunday, December 6th, 2015

Sunday, December 6^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Shoes or No?

Praveen, Mandala, and I took a short stop at the Bata Shoe Museum on Bloor during our walk. I would like to think that there’s some connection between shoes and walking, so we stopped. I was relaying to the other two how I had been inside before to view the displays. There are these stacks that were worn by Elton John. I also remember on display, the personal shoes of Glenn Gould, the renowned pianist. I was most intrigued by a pair of chappals used by an Indian Maharaja, a king. Each time his foot came down with his heel pressing to the shoe, a device inside shot out perfume.

Walkers need shoes, or so we’re told. It was about ten years ago that I was just one block away from the museum on Bloor when I was chanting. A young chap on bare feet got on my case for wearing shoes. He was part of a growing movement that goes shoeless. I suppose he felt, since I’m a monastic, I should show by example what renunciation is really all about.

That was nice of him to suggest that. I do hope his calluses are what he wants them to be, tough and hard. Personally, I would subscribe to such a radical fashion, but perhaps in a place where temperatures are more mild, and where there’s natural dirt everywhere, free of sharp objects, broken glass, and pavement. I felt that when he told me I should be the example, that I need to pay attention to a directive from our guru that he did not like his students to be without footwear. Yes, he (Srila Prabhupada) was a teacher who never cared for what may be perceived as a hippy look.

When doing pilgrimage in Vrindavan, India, on the trek around Govardhan Hill, it is the preferred approach, you go barefoot. In fact, it’s generally regarded as an offense to sport shoes on the feet on such sacred ground.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Saturday, December 5th, 2015

Saturday, December 5th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

7 Kilometers Won’t Kill

My stay in Cuba had been rewarding. Within my one week there, my legs got fixed up. It was Umesh, who travelled with us, that did the massage healing. He treated my legs as though they were roti dough. He kneaded them back into shape.

That, among other things, allowed me to reflect on the Cuba trip as a success. Now that I am back at home base, more repair (or let’s say ‘preparation’) had to be executed. I went to the dentist for a filling on my wisdom tooth (lower right). Upon arrival to the clinic, and after having a hard look at the tooth, it was determined that it would be better to take it out. The job was done, hence, I’m about 2 grams lighter.

This is all mechanical work of course, you can call it ‘care’ for the machinery, and this is done in order to function on a longer and more effective basis. It’s looking after yourself; clearly a part of the bhakti system. In order to care for others, you must invest in care for yourself. Care for the self doesn’t mean to be excessive or to go overboard, it means to give the right amount.

As Sri Krishna informs us in the Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 16:

“There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much, or does not sleep enough.”

Then Verse 17 reads:

“He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation, and work, can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.”

The message is to be temperate, or moderate, in what one does.

I have to remind myself that extreme walking is not moderate, and I’ve done that. Therefore, I’ve been having leg issues, from trekking through those hills in Pennsylvania. Thank you, Umesh, for fixing them. The 7 kilometres of today won’t kill me.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Friday, December 4th, 2015

Friday, December 4th, 2015
Varadero, Cuba / Toronto, Ontario

Last Glance

Hayagriva and I took a last glance at the ocean’s beach. The air was still, there was hardly a ripple on the water’s surface. Barely, you could see a dividing line between ocean and sky at sunrise. A touch of magic, really.

Off we went to the airport, and a three hour flight to Toronto. I was contemplating about Cuba and "what would a walk entail," from Havana to Santiago, a distance just shy of 900 km. The only thing that would hold me back from such an endeavour is time, plus the apprehension I feel about diesel fuel spewing out of people’s exhausts. It’s rather nasty.

Also, while in flight, I contemplated the various options people have as to how to see their God. Let’s look at it from a Vedic perspective. Up above the cloud-line the sun is visible, and its brilliance is cast throughout. This vision, of sun rays in particular, is sometimes compared to the brahma jyoti, the ‘light’ that people call God.

As we made our descent through poofy clouds, when land below becomes visible, with its patterns on its surface, this may be compared to the localized God (getting close), called paramatma. Finally, when one lands, one sees all things very close up. You see the field, the trees, the plains, the people. This can be compared to seeing God in detail.

These three aspects of the Divine are known as Brahman (the joyous light), paramatma (God in the heart and in the atom), and bhagavan (God in full, with all human-like, personal traits). You can appreciate God in any of these forms.

May the Source be with you.

 

6 km

 

Thursday, December 3rd, 2015

Thursday, December 3rd, 2015
Varadero, Cuba

Relaxer

It was a relaxer of a day for Hayagriva, Nanda, Umesh, and myself at the resort. I took advantage of the opportunity to catch up on reading, writing, and overseeing Hayagriva typing what I guess you could say are “reports” on my recent walk in the States. It’s always good to do this kind of inventory of thought; recalling what achievements were made on pilgrimage. It’s easy to forget the joys of it all, and the challenges. It’s necessary to write it all down and then share it with those who will benefit from it. Then it’s time for planning the next walk.

I did pull out a map to look at what it means to tackle the road in May of next year. The starting point at New York City, en route to San Francisco, should be an exciting time. I’m anticipating it with adventure and therapy.

I also received a strong recommendation from a Spanish monk of our order, Yadunandana Swami, to explore the famous Camino de Santiago for the following year, in 2017. Perhaps I’ll cover a short distance of the long stretch.

My reasons for the treks are multiple. One of the things that drives me is to get out, meet people, and take some interest in their spiritual life. I was reminded of how important this is.

At a buffet at Memories resort, where we checked in six days before, I met this lady who was eager to know. I believe she was Canadian.

“Oh! And what do you represent? Is it Rajneesh?” she asked.

“No! It’s Hare Krishna!”

“Oh yes! I used to see you guys in India all the time. My, you were so outgoing then.”

I believe she was referring to the 70’s or 80’s. I would hope that we could still be known for our extroversion and for our good deeds.

May the Source be with you

 

0 km

 

Wednesday, December 2nd 2015

Wednesday, December 2nd 2015
Cienfuegos, Cuba

Cubans

Cienfuegos is a gem of a town; well, with 150,000 residents, it’s hardly a town. It has a great commons area with gorgeous colonial buildings around it. There’s a car-free promenade and the main street, that does carry traffic, has this broad boulevard with trees and benches. The place is located by a bay off the Atlantic and so it lends to a serenity along with tourist dynamic.

Like anywhere on the island of Cuba, the fumes from exhaust emitted from any form of transport is unforgivable. The people? I love them. They are warm-hearted, simple, and sociable. They like walking but perhaps they don’t always have a choice. Money is hard to come by. Food is rationed. People look good, as well-built creatures. Their clothes are tight; not always what a monk cares to look at. Their hair and attire are up to the mark of the latest fashion, from what I could tell.

Are they swimmers? I don’t know. The group of devotees following us from town to town were divided in their willingness to join Hayagriva and myself into the salty waters. Perhaps it is because of the jellyfish. Yes, Hayagriva got stung by one. Umesh Patel, bold as he is, took it as a mission to capture and hold them in his palm and toss them away. He was also daring with urchins and did the same with them.

It was near the beach that an arranged indoor program, at a public venue, failed to materialize. The key to open the door was lost but we sufficed with the use of Melia Park across the street. It turned out in our favor. People had easier access to our message and mantra. Some came with intent, others were park-browsers and some heard our kirtan from their balconies. That’s what formed an audience. I spoke. Hayagriva translated. I played the drum.

May the source be with you!

6 km

 

Tuesday, December 1st, 2015

Tuesday, December 1st, 2015
Rodas, Cuba

On the Cuban Trail

For the first time in a long time a good massage came my way. In a session last night headed by Umesh, locals Adideva and Ekanath worked on my legs as if they were chapati dough. They worked at the knots in my thighs, a collective accumulation from the recent walk through the U.S’s northeast and the trek through the Canadian Rockies by way of Crow’s Nest Pass. It was relieving and a much needed work-out for me and for them.

Along with Chaitanya Priya, a teacher at the university, we made a head start and trekked along the six lane highway to Rodas and towards today’s presentation. Holding our interest was the numerous herds of cows and as far as I understand, cows are not slaughtered unrestrictedly but only at the point of old age.

Another point of interest was observing the low fern-like plants called dormidera. Upon touching its delicate leaves, the plant closes up or turns as if lying down to sleep. In the two-hour-plus trek, I believe I met more pedestrians in that time frame than all the people I met walking or cycling while I was in the countryside during the U.S. Walk. The negative side of the Cuban outdoors is the nasty exhaust spewing out of the old car models.

Our ride arrived and we drove to the home of Sruti where I conducted a “Nine Devotions Workshop”. This was much appreciated, especially with my trusted monk assistant, Hayagriva, who does all the translation during presentations. It was a happy bunch and whereas yesterday, our audience was a nice mix, today we captured the hearts of middle-aged mothers. It was good.

May the source be with you!

11 km

 

Monday, November 30th, 2015

Monday, November 30th, 2015
Santa Clara, Cuba

Breaking Ice With Punks

Walking today entailed moving through the Boulevard in Santa Clara, going back and forth between engagements, a deliberate japa walk, the home of Madhumati, the Teatro space and our hostel. The steps add up here and there.

One great thing about eating in Cuba is that our community members are becoming a bit more bold in the usage of spices. The traditional Indian masalas of garam and chat are making the difference for Cuba’s guests (us). I’m glad we have gone beyond the bland stage and I believe that when it comes to offering the preparations of yuca, rice, okra, cabbage, beans, etc. to Krishna, there’s a few more happy hearts.

Yes, food is the thing. At Teatro, the place where we hold sangas (gatherings) every year, we were able to distribute some nice edible surprises, in terms of flavour, to the newcomers. Not only was the eating a success, the kirtan became a hit. In the midst of the jumping/chanting session, Alex, the magician, got in the circle to enact some tricks. It was a great event and fell in sync with the Cuban rhythm.

There was a group of guys, punk rockers, who browsed their way into our venue and I could see that initially, they sat themselves down carrying an attitude. With a whole lot of not much for young people to do in Cuba, kirtan with a beat and a song and some willingness makes an incredible difference. The ice was broken and the group of uniquely shaved heads and metal pieces stuck in their bodies joined in the fun. I would call them a great group of guys.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Sunday, November 29th, 2015

Sunday, November 29th, 2015
La Habana, Cuba

Noble Venture

One Iranian teacher who currently resides in Cuba came forward to receive diksha, initiation into Krishna Consciousness. After having lived and taught in Russia, she has now landed herself on the island of Cuba and is a good standing member of the community here. On behalf of Chaitanya Chandra Charan, her guru, I conducted a fire havan with some assistance to make the event what it traditionally is set out to be. What always makes such an event complete is a chanting session.

To make the day a day of satisfaction, we visited a 1.5 acre plot of land secured by Krishna devotees just at the precincts of the city. There they have banana, mango, and avocado trees and coming up by the careful nurturing of the devotees are additional plants, lemons, peppers, yucas and there are prospects for growing more produce for human consumption. The food that grows in Cuba is tasty and rich in nutrients; a far cry from the items shipped into the resort where we stay in Varadero.

Carlos and Chaitanya Priya are the heroes behind the farming project secured by Ikshvaku; names of people worth mentioning. I find that, at this moment, not all of our available youths are taking interest in cultivating the land and getting their fingers dirty! Incentive is lacking for some of the more physical and psychological benefits of the day. It appears to be a worldwide phenomena, with Cuba not being the exception. In all reality, growing your own food is definitely a noble and necessary venture, if not now, then in the near, near future.

Such is what our guru, Srila Prabhupada, promoted.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Saturday, November 28th, 2015

Saturday, November 28th, 2015
La Habana, Cuba

Sin No More, Chant!

It’s almost a sin to not take advantage of the ocean’s water at Varadero.  Hayagriva and I obliged before our trip to Habana along with Nanda and Umesh.

After a two hour cab ride to the city, we were heartily greeted by a group of enthusiastic devotees who were also recently blessed with the senior company of Manonath Prabhu, an Italian born student of our guru, Srila Prabhupada.  The Cuban community of devotees crave for anyone who can give them some attention.  They will be the first to admit that they want regular training in the teachings of Sri Chaitanya’s philosophy, regarding surrender to the Supreme, Krishna, through the system of kirtan, chanting.

Kirtan crowned the day for us.  The venue for this joyous expression was the art studio of Leo D’Lazaro at 501 Esq. Villegas.  With his innovative art pieces all around, attendees sat in lotus pose, anticipating a “Saturday Night Fever” of a different kind.  Frankly, most of the people there were our people, familiar with the chant, yet you could feel how they approached the sacred sound with freshness once we geared up in levels of surrender, speed, and volume.

A Danish couple heard our chanting from their rented space through their balcony just kiddie corner from the art studio.  They took interest and gravitated over to our little hub.  A professional photographer also snooped over to our open doors venue and let his curiosity go wild.

My challenge was leading the mantra while drumming on the mridanga drum. Much work is to be done here in Cuba where the playing of musical instruments is concerned (not that Cubans don’t have rhythm, they do) as well as a host of other devotional items that are yet to be known.

The task is on to discuss the implementation of such things.  While returning to our rented space, we tracked through a city square where all the young folks could catch their internet communication, hence their connection to the greater world is realized.

 
May the Source be with you!

6km

 

Friday, November 27, 2015

Friday, November 27, 2015
Varadero, Cuba

To Cool Cuba

I wrapped up this stay in the Toronto area the night before at Dhira’s home.  It’s an annual program where he invites friends and family for kirtan.  He had asked that I share some of my experiences from the recent walk in the States.  It was a great opportunity to encourage pilgrimage.

For an attempted sleep, I spent the night at Nanda’s place along with monk, Hayagriva.  The three of us set off for the Sunwing check-in counter at the airport for the trip to Cuba.  Omesh joined us.

The only real issue was not catching rest until arriving at our resort called “Memories”.  There, we also ventured along the beach for a good walk westbound and back.  Before reversing directions, Hayagriva and I sat on the sand for the silent Gayatri mantra and we also adored the clouds, admiring their variegated images, not the least revealing an avatar or two.

It was a moment to appreciate.

One tourist I met, who was rather mild mannered, expressed that he decided to come to Cuba, “before the Americans come to take over and the prices go sky high.”

Personally, our small group of four came to Cuba not just for the great beaches and decent weather but more so to offer encouragement to our humble but developing group of students here in the land of mystery.

At least mentally I vowed to one day walk the length of this largest of the islands in the Caribbean.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

 

Thursday, November 26th, 2015

Thursday, November 26th, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

Identify the Foe

I committed myself to remaining in the temple room for this morning's japa meditation.  I paced back and forth from one wall to the next.  To my comfort and mental peace, the space on each of the two walls was adorned with Orissan style renderings of Krishna lila.

On the eastern wall there is a depiction of baby Krishna who has tackled the demoness Putana.  She lies on her back, devastated, with her life air sucked out, her bulging eyes on their last sight (Krishna) and her claws are spread out with bodily hairs extending from her fingers.

This portrayal represents defeat over the ugliness of evil.  It is a triumphant moment.

The western wall's painting displays a scene from the epic, “Mahabharata” where an attempted shaming of Queen Draupadi is checked by Krishna’s heroic stance in supplying her limitless cloth to protect her honour.

Yes, it is protection that we seek in this world of onslaught and insecurity.

While pacing I began to think at one point how important it is to identify the enemy.  We often mistake our foe for being something external, outside of our very being. Thank God they pop up to remind us of what we have within.  What we think is the enemy is really just a mirror.  It is not Putana that we have to cuss at or at Dushasan, who attempted to strip Draupadi naked.  We have to address the evil that lurks inside and then start to live.

It was really gratifying, passing valuable time in a meaningful art gallery/temple.

May the Source be with you!

3km

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Rice Lake, Ontario

Scouting Around

I've never heard of anyone getting motion sickness in the course of walking.  However, it is a reality for some people who are situated in some type of moving conveyance.  We encountered two incidents with two individuals today.  It required pulling over by the highway's shoulder and allowing the poor victims to release.

Naturally there was concern for those persons who were not having the greatest time with their vomiting sessions.  Those of us riding with them expressed empathy.  One tow-truck stopped behind us, ready to haul us for what he perceived was a breakdown so he could make a little extra cash.  Unfortunately the guy didn’t have any luck and saw a different kind of breakdown.  He moved on.

The actual purpose of the trip to Rice Lake was to scout around for a piece of property to possibly secure for a rural development project.  The intent is to have a facility or retreat for future generations where people can have a break from the material world.  The vision for such a retreat will feature accommodations, gardening, kirtan, yoga, kids' activities and recreational and spiritual events.

Our agent was great.  We were rather open with him as to who we were - a group of Krishna Conscious people.  With that he opened up and told us about his wild side.  At age 19 he got on board a cruiser as a stow away.  There he was, with only swimming trunks on and a djembe with all his belongings inside.  Pretty adventurous I'd say.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Russell, Ontario

Hook Again

There is this rails to trails in Russell that comes to an end and it is such a shame because every path, I believe, should lead to somewhere.  At Russell's west end, the path becomes partially impassible, overgrown with prickly, thorny bushes.  You can see it coming. First there is pavement, then a clear well-worn trail, then it turns grassy or “fluffy”, as expressed in the words of Pradyumna (one of the comrades with me), and then it turns into “mean forest” at a certain point beyond a perpendicular gravel road.

What was the trail trying to say? 

“I'm the path of no return.”

I think it is more like, “I'm the path which tells you to turn around.”

Okay!  So we did and discovered the trail from a new angle.  And even though this trail runs very much in a straight line, being an old railway track, it does take on a new look when changing directions. There's new things to see that were missed before.  You just have to open your eyes with willingness.

Someone might charge, “There's nothing here.  The trees have lost their leaves.  All appears dead or asleep.  But No!  Now the textures of the bark are exposed.  Bird condos are revealed, meaning their nests are now in view.  You see the depths of the trees and so on.

There's always something new if you believe in deeper dimensions. Similarly, a look at this world could leave you with a physical experience but look again and you will see a spiritual dimension.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Monday, November 23, 2015

Monday, November 23, 2015
Montreal, Quebec

Bonjour!

For today's combined practice of exercise and meditation on sound, Mandala and I took to Ste. Catherine St. West up to the brewery section.  When the stench in the air became too much, we turned around and went the other way until we walked enough to complete our prescribed number of rounds (16) on our beads and to get at least 7 kilometres under our feet.  It also worked out that by 7:30 AM it was time to honour our guru, Srila Prabhupada, something which is devotionally executed in temples, ashrams and homes all over the world.

While walking in Montreal, I only interrupt my chanting when I see an oncoming person in order to greet them but I have to remember to do so in the French medium. ”Bonjour!” I will say, having to check myself from saying the Spanish “Olah!” which I do in Argentina and Cuba, my regular destinations in November.

In our ashram in Montreal our communication is mostly in English and French and when I deliver a class it is embarrassingly rendered in English.  My French is too poor, to be frank.  Not all persons who visit the ashram have a handle on French.

The most important issue is to communicate the science of bhakti (devotion) and to learn how to avoid the stenches of Maya, the worlds' illusions.

I like this quote about communication:

“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.”

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Sunday, November 22nd, 2015

Sunday, November 22nd, 2015
Montreal, Quebec

Travel

Mandala and I were driven by the Megabus to Montreal through the night.  Bus transportation isn’t the best mode of travel.  There’s only one way of moving that I like.  Guess what it is? 

We took a chunk out of the day to appease the legs.  We headed for the Botanical Gardens off of Pie IX Blvd. - always a pleasant place.  To reach the gardens from our temple, one passes through the landmark area of the Olympic Stadium.  The stadium resembles a space ship and reminds me of other places in the atmosphere where we might venture.  It has a futuristic look. 

While walking, I was contemplating the incredible vimana (a magnificent aircraft the size of a city, invisible at times) described in the book, Srimad Bhagavatam.  Shalva was the name of the captain of that aircraft and he had a rather selfish disposition. 

When you delve into other worlds and various means of transport, you do at least become mentally transported. 

I hope that I was able to take my listeners, while I was giving class, to some outer limits.  I was asked to speak from 18.66 of the Bhagavad Gita on the topic of surrender.  It is generally understood that when you alter your consciousness to a higher level of being, then you have the freedom to travel to other spheres beyond the earthly plane.  Once going to the optimum place, known as Vaikuntha, you never wish to return to this world of struggle, of birth and death. 

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, November 21st, 2015

Saturday, November 21st, 2015
Mississauga, Ontario

I Am Not…

It was the second day consecutively where either my driver or my host was talking about what was on their mind.  In general, that’s what people do.  The subject of one's talk is one’s projected thoughts.

The talk was wrapped up in one subject – violence.  The hashtag words would be ‘Syria’, ‘Paris’, ‘Terrorists’, ‘ISIS’, ‘War’, ‘Refugees’.  People seem to be expressing their opinions about what to do about ugly doings which are hiding behind religion.  It is madness that seems to be under the microscope as of late.  How much of it can we take?  Also, how generous should one be, specifically for nations, considering how many refugees to receive in the wake of people being displaced and who live in fear? 

I attended devotional programs at the homes of these two individuals.  The above topics did not enter into the joyous atmosphere of our gatherings.  It was before and after that the socio-political concerns surfaced.

In general, problems always arise from the bodily conception.  The conceptions that ‘I am this body’ and ‘Anything connected to this body is mine’, are false notions.  They lead to false controlism, false territorialism, and false identity. 

The Vedas teach that, “I am not this body.  I am not Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jew, Male, Female, Black, White, etc.  I am a spirit, free from all bodily designations.”

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, November 20th, 2015

Friday, November 20th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

Going For A Cleaning

I was sitting in the dentist’s chair while the assistant was working at cleaning my teeth.  At one point, I began to slightly fade, a moment of fatigue hit me and the assistant could feel my teeth closing in on her fingers. 

“Sleepy?” she asked.

“Yes, a bit.” 

I had little time to say much more as she had to press on with her work but when I saw the opportunity I asked her, “Does it happen to many clients or am I the only one?”

“Yes, it happens enough, especially at this time of day.”  It was 3 PM. 

It was a consolation hearing that.  I lingered in that thought, reasoning that if I’m a trite tired it’s because I’m working hard for our mission in sharing higher consciousness with others. 

The assistant did a nice job.  I was complimented for keeping my teeth maintained well, although in the past my brushing was too aggressive.  I take pride in the preservation of my teeth.  I believe it is maya, illusion, to neglect the body God has given us to use as a tool in service to others. 

I asked the assistant, “Your name?”

“Sophia.”

“As in Loren?”

“I wish,” she said and with a great smile. 

From the dental clinic, Mandala, who was waiting for me, and I walked to the home of a Krishna devotee.  We took the scenic route and captured the willow trees, golden leafed and set against a bold blue sky, on our iPhone camera.  It was such a clean look.  And that’s how we have to be – clean in consciousness before leaving this world. 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, November 19th, 2015

Thursday, November 19th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Cutting Down

It was a beautiful array of food on the spread of our host’s table - pasta, paneer in sauce, subji, chickpeas in salad.  Chopped up jackfruit and pineapple were also featured.  I should also mention that there was homemade misty dahi, a dessert and another sweet Bengali dish called chumchum.  Chumchum for the tum tum.  Our host, Subal, had intended to kill us with cuisine kindness.  He succeeded.

It was a good thing that our small group from the ashram came walking to the home of Subal.  The 4 km walk was well worth the investment.  It stoked up our digestive powers and after the meal and gathering, we did the same thing home, keeping the fires within going. 

At the home of Subal, we read about Krishna, His pastimes and glories.  We serenaded about Krishna in His aspect as Damodara.  Then we ate.  Ah, it was good. 

When looking at the phenomenal spread of eatables, our eyes were delighted.  Our tongues became active but the stomach stopped cheering at a certain point.  As a monk, I must watch and monitor the intake.  As of late, I’ve been doing better at controlling the eating organs.  I still have a ways to go. 

Many, and I say MANY maladies pester humans due to consuming food in overdrive.  This holds true also for bhakti yogis, who sometimes get carried away with an overload consumption of prasadam (sanctified food).  You can never deceive yourself by saying that, because it is prasadam, therefore, you are protected regardless of quantity.  That type of reasoning may apply when trying to wean off of drugs.  Going from drugs to prasadam is a good transition. 

Now, let’s say that you do not fall into that category but you just want to reduce.  Let’s try this.  Whenever you look at a great display of food and your eyes tell you there’s a certain quantity you could handle it’s a good idea to reason with yourself at that point and say, “I’ll take half of that.”

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

The Mayor and More

I met Paras, age 30, after a long time.  I engaged him in some of my dramas in the past.  He’s on the verge of opening his own restaurant. 

“I’m vegetarian but I’ve got to serve some of the other stuff,” he said, almost apologetically.  I told him that I understand and that it will take time for the world to get off of eating animal body parts. 

This evening we attended an event.  The venue was Toronto City Hall and the occasion was "A Diwali Remembrance".   There we met mayor John Tory.  He remembers us (Keshava, Gayatri, and I) from the summer’s Ratha Yatra festival.  It was great to hear him say, “Hare Krishna” and also congratulate me on the walking. 

Speaking of walking, I decided to go home from that venue on foot via Yonge Street, always the more interesting route compared to blasé Bloor Street.  

There I met a fellow who was curious. 

“You’re a monk?” he asked. 

“Yes!  A Hare Krishna monk!”

“A hug?” he asked.

“Sure!”  And so we embraced. 

Then I met a man whom I had seen in Cuba.  As usual, he was puffing away on a cigar.  He reminds me of a cross between George Burns and a chimney.  He always seems to sport a good smile. 

“Hey, when are you going back to Cuba?” he asked. 

“The end of this month.” 

“Bring me back some cigars!”

“No, it’s no good for you.  It turns your lungs into something ugly.”

“I’ve got a lot more ugly things going on with my life than a set of bad lungs.”

With that we both laughed.  I kept walking, half amused and half empathetic. 

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Return of the Demon

I encountered another insomnia attack last night. Let's see how the patterns goes. I thought that forty-five days of good hard work on the feet, walking, and regulation could cure sleeplessness. Lo and behold, soon after returning to home-base the old pattern seemed to return, hauntingly. What to do? I’ve tried everything under the sun to deal with the issue but I’m dealing with a stubborn ox. What can I, as a bhakti yogi, learn from stubbornness? I had to think about it.

Well, I will be very obstinate towards “Maya”, worldly temptations. I will say “NO!” to Maya’s beckoning and deny any offers from that department of illusion. I will try to see staunchness and stubbornness to be like a set of twins, good neighbours at least, who live on the same block together. Patience will also be a part of the same community.

Perhaps I’ll take up juggling and toss these three pins in the air, like balancing time, place, and circumstance together. It seems like a formula for easier living, beginning with the creature called stubbornness. I’m glad to meet with a challenge although initially it was uncomfortable when I saw insomnia coming on.

I’m learning from this, that whatever rears its ugly head is an act of God. In this way I am beginning to see divinity manifest all around.

I did manage to pace a bit during the time of apparent despair. The balcony of our ashram provided a good space as I addressed the little demon (Oops! Excuse me!) my little friend called Insomnia.

May the Source be with you!

3 km