243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
The Feet in the Spiritual Context
I am reminded of feet every day, not just merely because I use them daily, rather my reflections on feet come from another source. As a devotional routine our monkly crew offers prayer to the guru. We approach him with all humility while reciting these prayers in a firm meditation. As tradition has it, when the guru is no longer with us in body, but in spirit, one can offer flower petals to an imprint of his feet as a way of honouring him; as a way of expressing gratitude. It is a ritual that is a highlight of the day and is very moving.
We first recite the translation of what’s called “Guru Vandanam” and then one among us leads in singing in a call-and-respond format. The words begin such as: “The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain to pure devotional service.”
Our obligation in reverence is all about giving credit where it’s due. So that is the way of spiritual progress. It begins with the teacher. Our devotional life begins with inspirational words that we absorb from the platform of pridelessness.
While our universal guru, or what is sometimes referred to as “jagat guru”, demonstrated the wise and wholesome, practical application of a daily walk, our Prabhupada also offered, from his speech, the way spiritually forward.
May the source be with you!
2 km
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