Wednesday 15 July 2020

Monday, July 13, 2020

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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