Mayapura, India
Meeting Arjuna
Last night was one of those sleepless nights. I took an early shower, donned my clothes,
and left Room 505 of the Gada Building, to enter an atmosphere of shanti
(peace) and amble along the misty pathways.
Would I be alone for some time? Would
a stray dog come along and trek right by my side (as they sometimes do) as I'm
chanting my meditative mantra?
Once, at about this time (2:00 a.m.), three dogs did more
than just stroll along. Two of them
clung onto my thigh and backside, while a third was ready to display similar
aggression. I managed to inch my way to
a gate, free myself, and close the gate on them.
But this morning was different. I met a tall, rather passive young Russian
who had been locked out of his residential building, so he decided to hang out
at the Mayapura campus.
"Let's walk together," I suggested to sixteen-year-old
Arjuna. So, we walked and chatted. He told of how his friend, Gauranga, along
with another, climbed up the ladder of a massive crane during the early
construction of the TOVP temple. They ascended to the top, then upon descending,
discovered a portion of the crane was collapsing. Security came running. The two lad were safe but they fled and hid
behind some walls of the foundation.
"Did they get caught?"
"No, I don't think so.
I'm not sure."
Anyway, it was a story about youthful adventure. Both Arjuna and I passed some time
walking. We weren't lonely. He staying on with me until Mangal arati
services commenced. I guess that was a
first for Arjuna, to ‘shoot the breeze’ with a monk.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
No comments:
Post a Comment