Thursday 30 July 2015

Tuesday, July 14th, 2015


Tuesday, July 14th, 2015
Texas

 
Some Steps Inside

Somewhere off the interstate between Houston and St. Louis our two bus-loads of youth from the US, Canada and Europe had a driving break. Let’s call this somewhere "Blue-collar Town". In "Blue-collar Town" the main feature of the place was none other than the Wal-mart.

For shopping we went. I sponsored ice cream for the fifty-plus teens. Grocery supplies were purchased for the journey ahead.

One of the UK boys asked, "What is Wal-mart?" as we spun into parking position. I summarized it like this, "A big box that you enter. It has everything in it that is cheap and smells like plastic."

The one big attraction for both boys and girls, their drivers and one monk was the air conditioning inside. The boy’s bus is one of the older school bus types which has open windows for its AC, which are minimally effective when the vehicle is in motion. The generator on the girl’s bus is malfunctioning. So we were totally happy to be in a cool unit; the Wal-mart. For me it was the only opportunity for a walk. So I began doing cycles along the building’s interior. I met a Wal-mart greeter several times over – a woman. I stopped for a second to explain my intent and her response was, "Oh, people do it all the time. They walk to feel chilled." That was great because I was slightly uncertain about my intent.

In any event, embarrassment of any kind was now removed. I felt justified in my actions, put on three kilometres and became rather proud of the accomplishment.

While going for that walk it dawned on me that perhaps I’m executing a kind of Karma Yoga, the path where you offer your action’s fruits to God. Here I was, using my body, which belongs to Krishna, and offering it in His service.

 
May the Source be with you!

3 km

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Monday, July 13th, 2015


Monday, July 13th, 2015

Houston, Texas
 

Back In Texas

I have come to this city to connect with the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Krishna Youth Bus Tour. The celebration will be events and touring itself throughout North America. It is my 10th year hooking up with the crew. And what a joyous reception it was. Not for me but for the Lord! Minutes after I arrived at the mega ISKCON temple on 34th St. I entered the room where the deities of Radha Nila Madhava adorned at Raj Boga (or high noon).While entering, I was approached by organizers of a much larger retreat, a youth sangha. “Can you show us some dance steps?” asked an eager three guys.

“Sure!”  

So we went at it. 

The main chunk of the day, however, had me engaged in preparations for the main drama for our tour, beginning in Toronto. The piece is called ‘Krishna is... !’ Consisting of seven scenes, they are entitled: 

  1. Krishna Is... The most humble being.
  2. Krishna Is... the Ultimate Protector.
  3. Krishna Is... the Giver of Free Will.
  4. Krishna Is... the Deliverer of Divine Wisdom.
  5. Krishna Is... the Subduer of Evil Forces.
  6. Krishna Is... the Performer of Divine Dance.
  7. Krishna Is... a Child
Practice went on. I had no time for walking, only limping through two airports. A challenged right knee is somewhat taxing me. I forge ahead.
 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015



Wednesday, July 8th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Where is Raganuga?

A group of doctors from Iran came to see me today.  No, I'm not sick.  The group leader happens to be a personal friend and he introduced his friends to the temple food, and me.  Dr.Shahi and I have known each other for years.  His medical profession has brought him to various parts of Canada.  During my cross-country walks I would bump into him at places like Fort Frances and New Glasgow.  During a walk, I would be in a quiet residential area, cross the street and suddenly come face to face with him as he just came out from around the corner.

Tonight he brought his friends over.  They enjoyed a feast, but he fasted in order to honor Ramadan.  He told me of his early days when in Iran a Krishna devotee by the name of Raganuga would work in the kitchen together with him. 

"I'm indebted for his teachings and association.  I've lost track of him.  Can you find him for me?" asked Shahi.

One of his doctor visitors was questioning whether God is being or an entity.  He was more inclined to believing in God as a force.  I gave the example of the sun which is obviously an entity radiating so much light and heat energy.  We know this to be the sunshine.  We can appreciate that this force, the sunshine, has a source.

Our discussion went on and we eventually finished with kirtan, which always opens up the chakra of understanding.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday 20 July 2015

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015



Tuesday, July 7th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

New Man Came

A young chap from Calgary, a second-generation Hare Krishna devotee, came to join us for the summer.  His name is Jagannath and at 18 years of age his parents, Gaurachandra and Vanipriya, felt that a summer-long retreat in our ashram would be the best experience for him.

Personally I like the concept of "monk for a month" or "monk for any length of time, a week-end etc." It is just ideal for a young guy especially.  Why?  Well, you take on disciplines like early rising.  There's the occasional fast.  You do some menial tasks such as cleaning or prep-work in the kitchen.  You learn team-work, cohesion and harmony of activity.  You also familiarize yourself with sastra, sacred wisdom.  You apply it.  You eat good healthy food.  You build character.

Part of Jagannath's experience was to accompany me on a trek along the ravine.  As a special treat we had Michael Oesch with us.  Michael, whom I've written about before, is one of those rare creatures to have walked across the country so we share so much in common.  We identified plants, trees, bad water (the creek), and good water (the rain) which came down in buckets just as we finished.

Michael remembers the Brickworks from years ago when it was an abandoned empty quarry.  To his amazement the place, at one time full of dug-out clay for brick-making, has transferred into an urban green haven.

I believe that Jagannath benefits totally from his stay in the ashram.  With our walk, he spent time with a couple of older pogeys (us) and he will be in the company of younger monks, encompassing a wider range of experience.  I wish all younger men, and women, could have the ashram experience for their ultimate benefit.  It's an adventure. 


May the Source be with you!

10 km

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Monday, July 6th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Sky Walkers Indeed

“Krishna was compared to Luke Skywalker”, said the woman who came with twenty-six other curious browsers as part of an Encounter group. The woman said she just finished a course on gods and super-heroes. Somehow the comparison was made between the two persons; perhaps because Krishna appears young and is from the countryside, as I understand is the case with Luke.

But I just prefer to talk about my experiences with these lay-members and clergy of some sort. Brian Corwoods leads the group of students, which turns over annually, of interfaith or multi-faith. Generally when Brian pops over his group has already been to a synagogue, church, mosque, or temple for the morning and after a visit to our facility they are off to see another faith group.

They were thrilled about the philosophy, participating in our kirtan and our Q&A as well as a meal at Govinda’s Dining Room. It was a refresher for them, the experiential visit. With groups like Brian’s I sometimes get tempted to ask, “Which of the groups that you visit do you like the most?”

Brian had already briefed his people before reaching us. They were not surprised to hear about the soul’s transmigration. The statement made by Krishna in the Gita (Chapter Two) tells of the soul’s journey within one life, having numerous experiences through the eyes of a child, an adult and then through seniorhood. This principle of many lives within one body, reincarnations within one life-time is an interesting concept which I’m sure Luke Skywalker doesn’t speak about.

I had a rather complete day with Brian’s group and felt like I had many days within one, after which I went for a good 5 kilometre walk before “hitting the sack”. That makes my day most complete.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Sunday, July 5th, 2015



Sunday, July 5th, 2015
Vancouver/Toronto 
 

Welcome to the Material World

Fires have still not subsided. British Columbia is as dry as a bone. Its trees are under siege by flames. As Harold and I drove past the entrance to the valley where Saranagati Village is nestled you still find trees ablaze. “They are contained”, said Harold, meaning fire-fighters have the flames under control.

Once I got back up in the air headed for Vancouver, my co-passenger Dean Kop, a saw-mill business operator, and I noted the hazy skies of the mountains. This was not fog necessarily. It was collective dampness and smoke from accumulative brush fires going on all over the place. To me, it gives a glimpse of final devastation when the world is engulfed by the basic elements. You could visualize Shiva dancing away at the time of cosmic dissolution. This dance is not an expression of joy but, more so, a display of serious business, a display of ultimate passion. 

When the skies became a little more clear, Dean and I guestimated what the landmarks were below us. In the same way on my trip north the question was, 

“Would that be the Thompson River or the Frazer?”

“No, it must be the Frazer,” said Dean, “because it’s a muddy river.”  

The theme for today was that the world is on fire and that holds true for the insatiable desires of people. 

At the Vancouver Airport I met devotees who lovingly offered me pasta prasadam to consume along with legal documents to sign. All in the service... 

So, here you have it – the material world. Fire, desire, illness, etc. As our Air Canada aircraft was ready to take off for the air the fellow next to me pulled out the bag for collecting rejected edibles consumed from the seat in from of him. He vomited but did a real good job. Perfect aim! Not a splatter reached me. In Sanskrit the word for illness is vyadi. It means dis-ease. “Food poisoning” he called it, “from the night before.” 

Welcome to the material world. 

 
May the Source be with you.

0 km
      

Saturday, July 4th, 2015


Saturday, July 4th, 2015
Ashcroft, BC

Suddenly, Fire!

Of all days for this to happen.  More than the usual number of planes were in the air.  They were dropping water bombs and chemicals.  A forest fire had started on the north end entrance to Venables Valley, the location where I was staying and also the place where the annual countryside Chariot Festival was to take place at noon today.  This fire dynamic, sourced from Mother Nature (or Father Jagannatha), turned everything upside down.

It was 11:00 AM when my hosts Harold, his good wife and a friend, Vyasapad, were told by police that any non-residents in the valley must leave immediately.  This red alarm got us thinking, “Two out of the four of us are in that category.  We’ve got to evacuate.”  Furthermore, Harold raised a concern in his mind that this wasn’t the first time people have had to evacuate.  In 2004, residents, which were about 100, had to honor a one week mandatory absence from the valley by authorities.

We were also informed that the bus from Vancouver destined for the festival was not allowed to enter the valley due to the spreading flames, while winds were unfavourably headed in the direction of everyone’s homes.  This was getting exciting.   Harold started to secure his essentials, packing his Krishna deities.  I recommended, “Why not get your legal documents and money together?”  And Vyasapad added, “How about some basic food to take with you?”

Harold was totally on board.  We gathered what we could to get in his car, what the car could accommodate.  We arrived at the festival site, hoping that the fire was under control.  There were mixed reactions about the police order from the residents but it wasn’t safe to stay.  The police then rolled in at the site.  Officer Phillips persisted, “Guests must leave.”

I asked him to announce that at our pavilion, so he did.  Managers of the valley from the Saranagati Village arranged then to send all the prasadam, food, to Legacy Park in the nearby town, Ashcroft.  It was a very wise decision.  That did the trick.  Everyone, including residents, converged at the park where the bus passengers were waiting.  The party went on in full force while fire fighters did what they could to contain the flames.  Harold set up his Krishna deities on the grass.  I addressed the crowd, “What does Jagannatha (our Father of the Universe) want?  Does he want a festival in a town and not in a secluded Valley?  Let’s explore the idea for the future.”


May the Source be with you!

6 km





 

Sunday 19 July 2015

Friday, July 3rd, 2015


Friday, July 3rd, 2015
Kamloops, British Columbia

Back In B.C.

Sitting next to me on the flight from Vancouver to Kamloops was Shane from a northern city, Fort St. John. Shane, I learned, works in the oil fields.  I assume he was on a business trip. From thousands of feet up in the air we conversed while looking down out the window.  Basically we fell into a joyful speculation as to the names of the towns below us, “Was that the town, Hope?”  “Oh, could that be the Thompson River?” 

The vistas were stunning.  In elevation, we were above the bird’s eye view.  Even cranes and storks don’t fly this high.   

Then we got to talking about us, in other words, what is going on in each other’s life – beyond the oil fields, etc. We hit on the topic of walking.  Shane admitted to doing more walking lately.  Perhaps he felt he wasn’t doing enough before.  “It gives you time to think,” he said, “then you notice trees, the other creatures, nature, and you mix it all together.”  He was talking like a real advocate of pilgrimage now. 

Shane and I, along with the plane load of people, landed at quaint Kamloops Airport.  Shane and I parted and Harold picked me up and brought me to Saranagati Village where we took to trekking along a trail called the “Ratha Yatra Way”.   

On that trail, Saskatoon berries are abound – and mosquitoes in even greater numerical figures.  Our destination was a farm, owned and run by Bala Krishna, and a gathering of devotee villagers.  The meal that drew everyone was of local harvest and organic quality.  The kirtan that followed was home performed, but the sound, the mantra, originated from the spiritual world.   


May the Source be with you!

6 km


 

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015
Peterborough, Ontario

Observations

It wasn’t really planned, but in an impromptu way our van-load of Krishna devotees decided to break up the five-hour drive to Toronto with a stop.  The city of Peterborough boasts having Trent University and Fleming College.  It’s a rather handsome downtown that we did stride through with our voices, drum and cymbals.  In my opinion, we were not in full gear and perhaps that’s one of the reasons for a more indifferent reception from the streets.

When we moved to a green strip along the Trent River system, the niceness of the town seemed to show itself.  Sometimes the soft approach gets more attention. We were sitting on the grass looking perhaps less intimidating.  It’s just an observation.

We also came upon Toby Tyler, who was originally from the US and who had met our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in New York in those very early days in the sixties. Toby runs a restaurant in the downtown and was so happy to see us at his eating place, the Electric City Gardens.

Life as a monk has its ups and downs like it is for anyone.  In my case, I worry for people’s lives.  As a mentor for some, I hear sometimes of the personal struggles. If it had not been for their adherence to Krishna Consciousness they naturally would be in a worse spot.  There is a lot of encouragement that goes along with the job.  Outside of the “worry” there is a pattern in this lifestyle of travel, fun, interaction, learning and realizations as we encountered in Peterborough.

May the Source be with you.

6 km

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015
Ottawa, Ontario

Big Party

The walk today went on more like a shuffle.  After a good long drive to the nation’s capital city, Ottawa, through some rain we were poised to chant at the usual designated spot close to the Parliament Buildings, approximately two blocks away.  For this first session of Kirtan rain did meet us, an incredible downpour at one point.  It was session two with the evening crowd where we got out of the sit-down stationary mode to move along through the crowds.

Actually you might say that a crowd within the crowd led the chanting party through the thousands, bringing some attention to the sound.  It was the dancers, the squealers and horn blowers that moved in front of us with exuberant energy that seemed to be sourced from some other planet.  Mind you, it may be an insert of a little alcohol that provided an explosion of power, a power that may crash the next morning.

There are nothing but dazzling moments on this day, of which included, at the top, a prasadam meal at Ottawa’s Govinda’s Restaurant.  Much credit for the good food goes to Shankar, aTrinidadian-born stalwart of bhakti-yoga.  He’s been running a steady operation for decades now, satisfying both a university crowd with the excellent dishes and a faithful crew of congregants that meet on Sundays.

Now, back to the second kirtan session, everyone is in the party mode and yes, everyone is out for some sparkle to behold in the form of jets speeding through the sky or listening to the hottest band from the grandiose stage.  Those who jump in to join our party within the big party were out for a good time – with a spiritual flavour to it.  Our communities from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto merge together every year for the ultimate pow-wow.

May the Source be with you.

6 km

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015


Tuesday, June 30th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Removal of Junk

Spider webs, mould spots, dust and crumbs had to be removed after the well-established Hare Krishna Sunday feast.  It was a cleaning that involved table- top, wall, and floor surfaces.  It began Monday morning, done sporadically until today. Yes, I partook and engaged others.  It’s a good feeling to get done because you care.  It’s your ashram and it’s your temple.

When asked by our head brahmachari, Karuna Sindu Das, to say a few words of inspiration at a small mid-day gathering, I mentioned to our crew, “Dirt, you must always see dirt – on the floor, the window sills, the wall.  Be concerned and act accordingly.”

Such applies to the heart also.  There is a lot of stuff inside it, stuff that needs cleaning.  The perfect way to know of your own dirt is through chanting.  It becomes more clear just what the stuff is and where it is hiding and in which corners.

After our meeting we ventured to Yonge and Bloor for a quick cleansing of the heart.  We stood, or rather swayed to the swing of the Krishna song. A young man by the name of Logan came over to us asking if we offer retreats.  I could see by his sincerity that he wanted a cleanser.  He went away with a book “Dharma” which our boy Nick presented to him.  That word dharma is like magic to peoples’ears these days because it sings of order, being grounded, peace and purging.

May the Source be with you.

8 km

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Monday, June 29th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

 Advance!

In my humble travels throughout the neighbourhood of our ashram I see so many physical improvements being made; the exteriors to people's homes, the landscaping and, in some cases, whole new structures coming up.  This is a fairly established residential area.  All the face-lifting and sprucing-up gives a grand appearance.  In nearby Yorkville the streets are now being laid out with an interlocking cobblstone effect.  It looks smart, impressive.  Some of the cosmetics have to do with the upcoming Pan Am Games no doubt.

It's all about make-over, upgrade, betterment and enhancement.  I got to thinking about the great investment not only in time and money expended in this area of renovation but how, if we dovetailed as much energy into our spiritual investment, how it would go a long way to the true advancement of life.

The "good life" usually runs in parallel lines, as in the material and the spiritual.  And that usually comes about through the element of sacrifice.

I like the way it is worded in the latest rendition of the Bhagavd-gita, a comprehensive guide by our guru's disciple Hrdayananda Goswami, when speaking of sacrifice.  From Chapter Three verse 9 he says, "Of old, the lord of creatures sent forth creatures with sacrifice and said, 'By this shall you flourish!  Let this yield your chosen desires' and 'prosper the gods by this, and let the gods prosper you.  Prospering one another, you will achieve the highest good.  Prospered by sacrifice, the gods will certainly give you desired enjoyments.'"

Chapter Three primarily deals with karma yoga, material advancement.  Students of the Gita understand that the goal ultimately leads, however, to spiritual improvement in life.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday 13 July 2015

Sunday, June 28th, 2015

Sunday, June 28th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

A Bit of a Scene

The weather report is that the globe is facing an incredible heat wave, all except for parts of central Canada so it seems.  Hard to believe that the predicted high for today in southern Ontario would only reach 15 degrees Celsius and a northern place like Yellowknife would summit at 25 degrees Celsius.  Climatic changes are abound and right.  At the Toronto Airport, where Brhat and I were standing after de planing, we were experiencing an unseasonable wet and coolness.

While waiting for our ride at the pick-up lane I witnessed something that chilled me further.  An older man exited the building at Terminal 3 very near to us but slipped, banged his head against a hand rail cutting open his left forehead and with blood gushed forth.  He fell on his back and couldn't get himself up.  People came running.  I was one of them.  It was a scene.

Some airport service-women also appeared.  We tried to console him.  We were somewhat reluctant to lift him up.  We had all decided that he should get up and so he grabbed my hand and I lifted him but only once a wheel-chair arrived by airport security.  The ambulance was on its way.  The cut on his forehead was quite ugly.  It looked as though he would be tended to.  My ride arrived.  I was glad to be of service to the older man who apparently was on the same flight from Halifax.

At the Brampton ISKCON Centre I relayed the details of this incident to the community from the vyasasan chair, the seat of the speaker.  I cannot at this point recall why I brought up the incident, in other words, in which context.  But if I could express my after-thought:  "Life is so fragile.  Anything can happen at any moment.  Are we prepared when something happens to us to be in a divine state of mind?

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, June 27th, 2015

Saturday, June 27th, 2015
Halifax, Nova Scotia

On the Waterfront

Mukunda and I took to the Beachville Lakeside Trail.  For me - a new discovery.  We trekked only 5 kilometres but I loved it.  Apparently the trail swings north to Yarmouth, a mere 300 kilometres.  This is tempting for the future.

Then my most important part of the day fell in the evening at Halifax's charming waterfront.  Tons of people were there for the Rib Fest.  Can you imagine what a bunch of Hare Krishnas would be doing there?  Yes, unmistakably they would be chanting.  That's just what we did.  Let's say we helped ourselves to a spot on the wooden dock, took the lotus position and chanted away.  We were armed with mrdanga drum and cymbals.  It wasn't long before Amber, a busker, had shown up with her guitar and her friend, a street entertainer, with djembe.  Our entire ensemble was welcomed by the public.  The sound was one of enchantment.  Joseph took the lead and strummed on Amber's guitar.  Brhat stuck to his drum and Amber went to her impromptu voice tones offering a moody background to the chant.  Ashley was also there with her and Joseph's several month old baby.  Their presence added to the sweetness of the event altogether.
The implications of a Rib Fest is a bit hard to imagine for a group of Krishna people.  What would be the karmic implications for eating 'til it would stick to your ribs?'  Or are we looking at a certain kind of hell that steak-eaters venture to being involved in - by taking the life of a cow or bull, held sacred as a mother and father from a Vedic perspective?
In one sense, we the chanters feel that when the sacred sound is heard it can karmically turn everything around to the positive.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Thursday, June 25th, 2015
Halifax/Fredericton

Phase to Phase

Sundari’s mom passed away a month ago and so she invited a small group of family and friends for a small memorial service.  She and her dad, with origins from Trinidad, and the Hindu family had a clear idea what they wanted from Brhat and I, “Speaking about the soul’s journey and please do some kirtan”.

The circle of family and friends, we discovered, are from everywhere – the U.S., Bosnia, India, a few more places and even Halifax.  Quoting from the Gita, I had selected a verse from Chapter 2 beginning with dehino ‘smin yatha dehe.  “We are embodied first as a baby, then child, then youth, adult, elderly and finally a new form shapes as a baby again.  “The lesson being that the soul perpetuates despite bodily change and therefore emotions need not be extreme.”

It is apparent that a grieving time is necessary.  I could see that Sundari was happy at this state to have perhaps a closure to the event in the form of a message and a kirtan.

Kirtan also threw a group into a joyous state when after a four-hours-plus drive to Fredericton, Wade, Brhat and I made it to Mazerolle’s Gallery for a “Tales from Trails” happening.  Kirtan is new, if not fresh, for these attendees.  It’s not every day that you get to sing ancient mantras and physically move to the pulsating beat of a drum. 

Just across the street at city hall locals were clad in lime-coloured T-shirts in anticipation for raising awareness on the dreaded Lyme disease which is prevalent enough in North America. Good for them! I like to think that kirtan raises awareness towards the disease of me-consciousness and how we must get beyond bodily identification.  I am spirit that moves from one phase to the next hoping to one day get set free based on clean consciousness. 

May the Source be with you!

9 km

Sunday 12 July 2015

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015
Halifax, Nova Scotia

At Blue Apple

It is only my speculation that the Mainland Linear Trail, as it is referred to, was either a former railway line or a hydro service road.  Whatever it is, it is a convenient path taken advantage of by hundreds of walkers in this peripheral area of Halifax – Fairview.  Both Brhat and I were quite amazed by the amount of strong scented roses, of all things, lined along the way.  That fragrance is not man-made.

It was Theresa, our host in Halifax, who led us to this trail where we met hundreds of trekkers including a group of Bhutanese, all rather committed members, at least in spirit, to the Vaishnava culture, as we are.

It was Joseph Currie (I like to use his last name as a reminder of the Indian prep) who took us to the Blue Apple Wellness Centre downtown. There, an eager group of youthful open-hearts sat in anticipation of hearing about pilgrimage and the life of a monastic.  No doubt, mantra meditation was also a draw.  Joseph himself is not only a fairly good networker, but is a vocalist, guitarist and an activist.  I asked him to take the lead in the end of our chanting session.  Krishna has provided him with a number of gifts and talents.  Isn’t that true for each and every one of us.

May the Source be with you.

7 km

Friday 10 July 2015

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

Tuesday,  June 23rd, 2015
St. John's, Newfoundland

By the Lake! By the Temple!

The previous night's successful event at Memorial U. was such that you wonder if anything gets better than this.
The agreement for the morning was a walk around Quidi Vidi Lake and so some of the listeners of last night came, like troopers, to join in that event.  Even a rep from "The Telegram" newspaper showed up to take photos of some of us doing the most simple thing - walking.

What great views...and then my favourite...the cove at Quidi Vidi Village itself with the picturesque charm of an old fishing enclave.  It was something to melt your heart.

Weather was "the pitts" as they say, rainy, cold.  It's hard to tell its summer.  Again, the warm hearts of the Newfoundlanders make up for the elemental conditions.

There was a fine follow-up by attendees at the Hindu Temple.  As we pulled in that evening for what I thought might be a weak turn-out, I became pleasantly surprised to see a good many vehicles in the parking lot.  Once inside, I was happy to see a circle of sitting people already in the thrust of kirtan.

Once settling down I opened up by speaking about what someone might call the universal truths.  Listed as "divine" attributes in chapter 16 of the Gita, I relayed the twenty six qualities mentioned.  They go as follows:  Fearlessness, purification of being, cultivation of knowledge, generosity, self-controlled, sacrificial, Vedic study, austerity, simplicity, non-violence, truthfulness, free from anger, renounced, tranquility, aversion to fault-finding, compassion for all, free from greed, gentleness, modesty, determination, vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy, and not expecting honour.

Explanations were well received.   What I have to say about the rest of the program is, "Wow, how they danced, how they chanted!!!"

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

St. John's, Newfoundland

Questions

"Excuse me, but did you see a monk down the trail?"  The middle-aged robust- looking man stopped
cycling and adjusted his helmet while readying himself for the answer to my question.  "Well, what does he look like?" he first asked. 

"Like me, but younger," as I explained who Brihat was and who was to meet me on this trail lined with trees on both sides.

"What kind of monk? Hindu?"

"Well your close," said I. "A Hare Krishna monk!"

"Nope!  I haven't," he said.  I was relieved to know that even though his accent was strong, I just didn't hear an "eh" at the end of any of what he had to say.  Indeed, I was enlightened on this very day, that Newfoundlanders do not say "eh" like most rural Canadians when finishing a statement.  They may say "bai" when referring to brother.  The women may say "darlin'" or "love" to address, and that's all kind of nice.

Anyway I made friends with the guy and Brhat, who had driven ahead with the deal to meet me on the path finally did show in his robe attire.  We were meant to dash off then to Jan's place to prepare a
meal.  Brhat's kichari, a traditional Indian dish, was a killer, so was Jan's apple crisp sweetened with
coconut sugar.  Jan's partner, Leo, a high court Judge, broke from golf for the meal and company.  Other locals came to the lunch table for food and good questions lodged towards Brihat and I. 
Questions did not finish for the day.  For a second round, eighty people showed up at Memorial
University , at a lecture hall with queries about pilgrim travels and Vedic philosophy.
Questions are a big part of my life.  I use them.  I answer them.

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Sunday 5 July 2015

Sunday, June 21st, 2015

Sunday, June 21st, 2015
St. John’s, Newfoundland

On The First Day Of Summer…


On the street called Penny Lane, you find the local Hindu temple, our first stop for the day.  Brihat and I took to walking along the rails-to-trails path from Manuel’s River before we ventured off to the Hindu temple.  There was an emphasis there on Father’s Day, and the children of the community offered presentations over the microphone for honouring dads.  Some jokes were told.  I particularly liked the phrase, “Even if you grow taller than your dad, you always look up to him.”  The community responded very well to the kirtan, dance, and my talk, and at meal time at the Hindu temple, I found the potato curry scrumptious. 

Our next stop was at Bowring Park where yoga practitioners laid out there mats for exercise at what’s called The Bungalow.  Brihat and I met these fine folks, but sat on the grass by the wayside to catch up on chanting and emails.  Indeed many people strolling pass by.  Although today was International Yoga Day, I felt more comfortable saying to people, “Happy Fathers’ Day”.  That brought nods and smiles.  I can’t see that saying “Happy Yoga Day” works at this point in time. 

Lastly, Brhat and I, along with host, Rashesvar, gathered with people at Miranda’s.  To her credit, Sunday night has become a consistent night for kirtan for 13 years now, something that she and I started.  Now the group at Miranda’s was phenomenal, especially for their singing and dancing.  We took on a semblance of a tribal group, something like what you might find in the musical, Hair. 

Yes, going down Penny Lane in the morning, and ending at the home with drummers and dancers singing a song, flashes you back to the 60’s.  The only thing missing is the weed and the patchouli oil to cover it up, but as monks, it’s rather inappropriate to indulge.  That’s the beauty of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, who taught us how to have fun without such accessories. 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Saturday, June 20th, 2015

Saturday, June 20th, 2015
Gander, Newfoundland

Great in Gander.

Gander, a modest town of about 10,000 people, really made its mark on the map when, at 9/11, 747 aircrafts from many parts of the world landed there.  The substantial-sized runway was filled with planes as a safety measure when New York’s twin towers were demolished, along with occupants.  All of tiny Gander’s hotels and motels were fully capacitated and practically every residents’ home was welcoming beleaguered passengers for refuge at a time when the world seemed to come to a standstill.

Gander became world-renowned for being ultra-hospitable and I had the good fortune, along with Rashesvar and Brhat, of being hosted in the town with its one and only but growing community of yogis.  Christa was the facilitator of our two part program on our speaking about yoga-walking, bhakti-yoga and a demo and inclusive chant-and-dance kirtan.  I was happy to also meet Matthew, a local who recently became certified as a yoga teacher.  It’s not all that often that you find male mentors on this field.  All I can say is, “Yeah, Guys, let’s step up!”

Julie from the CBC Radio came over for an interview.  Questions were basic, but pertinent, “What’s the walking all about, and what’s a monk all about?”

To Julie and to listeners on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation I would like to say that the type of walking I do is self-reflective and introspective.  A monk?  To define that, “it is someone who voluntarily takes to discipline, simplicity and fun and one who inspires and gets inspired.”

Julie also filmed me on the drum and with the Krishna mantra.  Hmmm?  Maybe it’s also intended for TV?

May the Source be with you!

9 km

Friday, June 19, 2015

Friday, June 19, 2015
St. John’s, Newfoundland

Where’s That? Sometimes my American friends ask me, “Where’s that?” when I tell them I’m in Newfoundland.

“It’s near where the Titanic sank,” is my response.  So they get it.  It’s the perfect reference point. Here I am, in Newfoundland and its capital city, St. John’s.  People here sound and look Irish.  They are unmistakably the friendliest folks in the nation.  Jan Peters is one of them.  I’ve known her for twenty years. Loving and giving she is.

She picked up Brhat, my assistant monk, and I at the airport, took us to her
beautiful home and had all these ingredients ready for us to assemble one of my favourites – veggie wraps.  We then moved on to the campus at Memorial U. to check out our lecture hall for the upcoming speaking engagement.  A few extra posters informing students of the event were affixed to walls designated for this kind of program.  “Tales from Trails” are highlighted along with mantra meditation.  Oh yes, I met students there, some from Africa, India and China.  It’s an international place for education. 

Lasagna was waiting for us at Rashesvar’s place compliments of the chefs, Neil and Cathy, two doors down.  Once again, I admire Newfoundlanders, I affectionately address as “Newfies” for your niceness.

The pace of life in Newfoundland is relatively relaxed.  Air and water are clean. There are a lot of pros for being in Newfoundland, either as a resident or visitor.

The sun shone all day, giving pleasure until nightfall when rain partnered this night. I required sleep.  My insomnia is at an ultimate high and I haven’t slept well for three days.  The odd nap here and there doesn’t compensate.

Woe is me, being in this body has its accompanying turmoils.  Bear in mind, our problems don’t have to be permanent.

May the Source be with you.

0 km

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

On Radio, Newfoundland

I had an interview with Colleen from Memorial University on their radio station.  It was a promo for my coming to give talks in Newfoundland tomorrow.  I understand that Colleen is a well-liked broadcaster and is good at songwriting and at singing. 

Her questions and my answers regarding “Tales from Tails” were pre-recorded and involved everything about pilgrimage and included the events I’ll be conducting while in Newfoundland.  I’ll paraphrase and shortcut for brevity’s sake. 

Colleen:  What makes a walk become a pilgrimage?

Me:  When one walks for an intended transformation it is then a pilgrimage.

Colleen:  What is the value of a pilgrimage?

Me:  It is down-time, time to reflect, to be introspective, to plan for the future, reminisce on some past experiences and to be very much in the moment.

Colleen:  In this age of technology you feel there’s a need?

Me:  Absolutely! We are dealing with weapons of mass distraction.  Let us re-explore the power of the human body, which is a temple for the atma, the soul.  I’ve never liked cars and the damage they’ve done to the world.  The human body can do so much.

Colleen:  You mentioned in your blog about challenges with the knees.

Me:  I’m 62, going on 63.  Naturally there is some wear-down.  I’ve settled for doing 35 km a day whereas my past average doing the marathons was 42 km a day.

Colleen:  You’re going to be speaking? And walking?

Me:  Yes! Gander is on for Saturday at a yoga studio; Sunday, a talk at the

Hindu temple then ‘Tales from Trails” at the Education Building Room 2018A Monday evening.  Tuesday we’ll conduct a walk around Quidi Vidi Lake.  All are welcome.

May the Source be with you!

7 km