Monday 30 September 2019

Friday, September 27th, 2019


Oakville, Ontario

Content Versus Discontent

The world is very much in a turmoil from discontented citizens on the climate change issue.  There was a big student rally at our usual chanting spot in Kensington.  Then there are serious talks about impeachment of the U.S. President who is in denial of any wrongdoings.  Closer to home, news has surged on the infamous killing of ten people—which also left fifteen injure—when Alek Minassian drove a van along a Yonge Street pedestrian sidewalk leaving a trail of death.

All are reminders of a gloomy globe, but on a perfect weather day.  At 20 degrees Celsius, we drove all the way to Oakville with windows rolled down.  I was in good spirits.  I had completed a chanting session at Kensington's Bellevue Square Park where Dan, our musician friend from yesterday, came back with fifteen bucks to purchase a softbound Gita.  Should he read it, I think he'll be on the road to a wonderful discovery.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B26jtoTgip2/?igshid=qfawy67w6mj6

Thank you Krsna Katha and Hari Katha for bringing me to the new home of Kasyapa Muni, whose birthday is today.  Friends came to his new home; a new family to add to our congregation.  Children were at least a dozen, and they sat there in front of me, with parents behind, in rapt attention.

I read the chapter, "Description of the Autumn," on analogous rendition of the fall season in people's lives.  You know, it's not all that bad.  Despite reflecting on the woes of the world, there are bright moments to contemplate on, too.

With our return journey back to Toronto, I insisted on Krishna Katha's dropping me at King and Spadina so I could “walk back to the ashram.  I didn't get a footstep in today."  One hour later and I retired for bed.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Thursday, September 26th, 2019


Toronto, Ontario

SHOOT FOR THE STARS  ©Bhaktimarga Swami

Shoot for the stars
Go beyond Mars
Bow and bend low
Humble we go
Attentive to detail
Then you won't fail
Be that optimist
Not that 'I'm pissed'
Do not procrastinate
For virtue can't wait
For all, have regard
That, or be hard
To pull out a vice
Take some advice
Make a new friend
Loneliness will end
Always move forward
Reverse has no reward
Without determination
Expect termination
Life is so great
Step up to the plate

Written after and before a walk.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Wednesday, September 25th, 2019


Toronto, Ontario

Walking and Seeing

My walking ventures are nothing compared to those of our guru, Prabhupada.  When I walk, I gawk.  I find things of interest and I like to link what I see, whether it be trees, buildings and people, and relate them to the universal creator, but I don't always succeed.  I'm certain he would have been fully seeing from the Krishna-centric perspective; all through the eyes of sastra, scripture.

In today's stroll, I came upon the stately home of George Brown, a Father of Confederation for Canada.  Okay then, now can I compare this historic structure to just one of the palaces we read about in regard to the ancient city of Dwarka?  I walked along Beverly Street, and there admired the first building the Krishna pioneers of Toronto used as a temple/ashram, a place of devotional service.

In the annex area, I passed by a massive shady tree whose branches extended over the street and also reached out to spread over three houses.  Nothing like the banyan tree that we read about in the Gita, on the upside-down world (Chapter 15).

I came to the church, St. Stephen of the Fields, went inside and used this appropriate space for japa meditation.  I believe that that is something our guru would do in the ‘60s in New York.  Just a few minutes presence there, and I moved on through the University of Toronto district.  Hmmm…  A place of learning?  How about reflecting on the city of Ujjain, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, which is the site where Sri Krishna took His education from Pandit Sandipani Muni.

It can be quite fun attempting to connect all that we see and do to the Supreme.  Let us try.

May the Source be with you!
5 km