Etobicoke/Hamilton
Getting About
The grass is still green and the pumpkins
orange at Hamilton’s Gage Park. This was our designated destination for a fall kirtan.
In dedication to Bangladesh victims of rioting madness our small group (for
starters but which grew) sang with soul giving attention to a Sunday afternoon.
I believe that those who don’t know the Hare Krishna maha mantra
might see us as some kind of gathering singing something along the lines of
“kumbaya,” which is an American-African spiritualist song calling on the Lord
to help. This melodic piece is sometimes joked about but the implication of the
spirit in the words conjures up strength and togetherness.
Ben Zambiasi is a retired linebacker of
Hamilton’s football team, “The Tiger Cats.” I’ve known him for some years but
haven’t seen him for some time, so it was great to have him out to join us for
a stretch on chanting mantras.
It was Roman who drove me around, first to
the group registered as the “ISKCON Russian-speaking Toronto” group. They are a
fine bunch of devotees that meet weekly. We spoke about surrendering, conducted
a home vigil for Krishna as Damodara and had non-spicy food, the way Ukrainians
and Russians like it.
So, all in all, two chanting programs –
plus a final chanting session back at 243 Avenue Road, T.O. for the outdoor
Stairwell Kirtan.
Hamilton and the Russians will be monthly visits for me. I am fortunate.
May the Source be with you!
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