Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Toronto, Ontario

IT IS DUE TO SALLY

 

It was in two thousand fifteen

That Sally was happy to be seen

By those who admired her

At New Vrindavan it did occur

Known to be the special agent

The one so absolutely patient

In signing the fateful papers

For Swamiji to reach those skyscrapers

To New York all the way from Bharat

To tell us what we had forgot

I sat with her for an hour or so

When her pleasant words began to flow

When she put her name to submit

"I didn't think much would come of it

His picture looked quite intimidating"

But signing meant Gopal saw her participating

Sally felt Swamiji was so far away

But then he came to the door one day

Presenting an "oceanic smile"

From the 'Y' he walked daily for less than a mile

To cook lunch with pots on three tiers

Despite meat in the fridge he'd persevere

He was amazed to see clean frozen produce

Vacuum cleaner–a marvellous introduce

Acquainting himself with American culture

With a vision for improved future

With books, temples, and people

And blessed food, a weapon so lethal

A global conquest with humble beginnings

A challenge that will see an actual winning

It was Sally who opened that door

In gratitude for this alone, we underscore

-          Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

 

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Wasaga Beach, Ontario

Last Day

It was the last day of summer and our intent was to squeeze in the few remaining hours by taking advantage of sun, water and sand with members of the Bhakti Academy. Our first destination for this outdoor bonding was in Wasaga where a kind Vaishnava, Jiva Mukta, lent us his beach house for the day. Thank you!

From this location our group of eleven drove south to Caledon, to a farm where ahimsa-milk is produced. Vishal and Yasomati own and run the place. Their son, Radesh, 16, took us around their state-of-the-art farm; a highly mechanized facility for tending to lovable bulls, cows and calves of the gir species. We listened and watched how when one has the funds and smarts an efficient job can be done to protect these giving animals. The family of five, with three generations on site, are an amazing workforce taking up this vital service. I am feeling an incredible reverence towards them.

Along with the Academy to accompany us was a new pujari priest, Durgan, and a new temple assistant, Giridhari Lila, from the Ukraine, we all indulged in the study of the Gita, chapter 3, text 27 and what we could consider to be a perfect definition of what is maya. This Sanskrit word, used amply by practitioners of bhakti-yoga culture, identifies the action of the ego and the three modes of nature. The idea, though, is to confront them.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Monday, September 19, 2022

Cleveland, Ohio

The Storm and After

Just as the sun was to greet us for the morning, Kaustubha and I could see clear over the horizon a mess of black coming our way. It was menacing in appearance though a regular stunt of nature. We were simply on a walkway by the lake when I felt cold drops from the sky strike my neck. Then polkadots appeared on the white cement surface; more and more came until it became a solid mass of wet.

Kaustubha and I darted for the Kiwanis’ Pavilion, a shelter. It became a hard rain and then seventy-three-year-old Mr. Patel joined us and shared his breakfast things with us. He became our new friend. And for a good while K and I paced back-and-forth chanting on our beads.

The rain subsided. K pointed to a bird, “There’s an American bald eagle.” And indeed the massive bird soared along to reach the peak of a tree. No longer than a minute later K pointed to a family of associates. “There are his buddies, the Canadian geese.” They had just landed now in the freshness of air.

These are some of my last impressions in Cleveland before taking the flight back to Canada.

Actually, it was with great joy that in these last days that I felt strongly the play of rhythm; whether through the waves of water lapping on the beach, the movement of clouds and, of course, walking, but most definitely the movement of warmth emanating from the devotees at the gatherings with kirtan.

May the Source be with you!

4 km