Toronto, Ontario
Palestinian Couple
“We have some questions,” asked a curious young couple, modest in appearance and child-like in inquisitiveness, as I sat there in the centre of the park. I slid over on the bench to make room for them.
“What do you believe?” they persisted.
“We follow an ancient way from India called bhakti, it is a form of yoga-devotion.” I replied.
“You’re not a Buddhist?”
“No, we follow Krishna.”
“Christian?”
“No, Krishna, the speaker of the, Bhagavad-gita. Do you both live here in Canada?”
“We just arrived. We are Palestinians. We love Canada.”
I could see by mannerisms and dress code I was speaking with a young couple who were a mix of ‘free spirit’ and a touch of ‘Islam orthodoxy,’ if that makes any sense. They continued to pleasantly probe.
“You are vegetarian?”
“Most definitely. Much of our values are placed in non-violence.”
“Not Buddhist?”
“Actually we are the origins of Hinduism—the longest, most resilient culture on earth…”
I offered them both my handy maha-mantra cards so they could leave with something. The card reads, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Translation: Oh awesome creator, allow me to be of blissful service to you and the world.”
After a lively dialogue I walked back to my destination—the ashram.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
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