Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Toronto, Ontario

Nippy Fingers Nippy Legs

“My fingers are getting numb. I can hardly feel them,” said Narahari, who obviously was affected by the January evening chill. He fussed around with his Japa meditation beads, before sliding them into his coat pocket on the right side. We were walking through the residential area of Rosedale, and subsequently, I said, “I figured that one out years ago.  When your fingers get cold remove the beads from the pouch they’re in, and make your pocket the pouch (bead bag).

Narahari was chanting quite attentively in the course of our short walk, as we snaked our way through the curvy walkways of Rosedale. It’s really quite pleasant here despite the nippiness of the night.  The chill is no problem for a Canuck like me, but for Narahari, who hails from India, it was a new experience, so it seemed.

Narahari was remarking about the expensive homes, some of them mansions, and how none of them are acquisitions he would be interested in.  ‘Keeping it simple’ was what he was getting at.  I was thinking he was more like a monk than a householder.

We swung around in the direction heading back to the ashram where the day had been most interesting.  To catch a thief is more like what we went through, today, as it was Narahari who was the victim of theft two weeks ago.  Police came over to ask questions and give directions to a group of us should the thief reappear. 

The day was long, and at the end I was forwarded an article from the Toronto Observer on the topic (with pictures) of “The Walking Monk’ by journalist Doha Hanno.  https://torontoobserver.ca/2019/01/10/torontos-walking-monk/

May the Source be with you!

4 km