Monday 19 January 2015

Sunday, January 11th, 2015

Georgetown, Guyana

Land of Lotuses

In the many canals that you find in Guyana, there is a healthy growth of lotus flowers in full bloom.  They are something to marvel at for their esthetics.  Portions of this plant make a great veggie prep, and when ground up, it ends up being a tasty flour for baking or cooking.

The lotus flower can also remind us of the Gita’s mention of it, “It is found in water, but remains aloof from water,” to illustrate the transcendence we endeavour for while being in the mundaneness of this world. 

Don, a young man in our community, took me for a local walk and pointed out that the husband of the young woman sitting by the edge of the canal’s bridge was collecting lotus pads for the big event tonight.  It will be the fifth and final day of our padayatra in Georgetown.  The Prime Minister will be there.  He and other delegates will be feasting off of these exotic and natural plates – the lotus pad. 

The turnout for this final day was a full capacity crowd for its venue which is the future site of the Nimai Pandit Study Centre.  It now has a foundation and steel frame structure in place. 

Those who attended the evening’s events of chant, dance, drama, and speeches, were all lotus-like in a sense.  They were looking good as far as attire was concerned, and they were spiritually immersed to the point of not wanting to leave. 

Guyana has incredible potential for being a Krishna Conscious country.   Response is generally favourable.  Life here is less hustle bustled in the land of lotuses. 

And just to finish off, one of our boys in the drama is studying to be a lawyer.  I suggested, “Why not succeed, somewhere in the future, as Prime Minister?” 

I was serious.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

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