Toronto, Ontario
A Gale: Before and After
The decorated Christmas tree came crashing down. A metal barrier at a construction site also
collapsed to a horizontal position and lay there. Clear plastic bags flitted in the air, here—there. It was surreal and it was happening within a
certain solitude. A strong gale whipped
through the downtown where I was walking.
It was 3:30 a.m.
I needed that walk.
It has been a sleepless night.
The hike through the gale inserted energy while I held onto my dhoti
(lower garment).
I entered the Krishna temple/ashram, only to find
peace and a form of stillness. Dakshin,
an early-rising monk, sat there in his japa meditation. And then the day went by, with my moving
about and up to various tasks. Some
talking. Some mopping. Some encouraging. Some eating.
Some napping (to catch up on some sleep).
Govinda's Dining Room (inside the temple) was hopping. People came for the tranquil meal. A Bengali family came in with their friends
and fairly newborn. She received her
first grains. The room became more
boisterous in a pleasant way.
Now it was time to walk the same route as earlier. It was 6:30 p.m., and also dark. The Christmas tree was put up erect again
(Yorkville). The metal barrier also was
hoisted up (Yonge). And the clear
plastic bags seemed to have made a landing somewhere. (Bloor).
I come back home to the ashram to get my luggage in
order. I'm leaving for Edmonton tomorrow. We'll so some "Tales from Trails"
there. I will explain the reason we walk
and how the optics can reveal both movement and stillness.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
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