Monday, 26 September 2022

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Cleveland, Ohio

The Times They Are A Changin’

As I’ve noticed, more and more Americans and Canadians upon greeting are offering pranams with their palms together in a slight bow. It seems to me that we Westerners are touching more on being Vedic/Hindu/Buddhist. The crossover of East meets West is taking hold and it’s interesting.

On one of the streets that I walked, near a red light, a vehicle with two fellows as passengers stopped and, as they did so, the driver looked towards me and offered a “Namaste.” This was not an Indian person, in fact, judging by his attire, demeanor and car, he was an unlikely individual to offer such a gesture. Pranams also came from our way when two older local males saw Kaustubha and I on a bench. And at Edgewater a woman apologized to me after she and companion came out of the beach water in training talking it up somewhat loudly. “I’m sorry we disturbed you. You look rather peaceful sitting there.”

“Think nothing of it.” I was just chanting japa and, as always, the robes gave it away that I’m some kind of ascetic.

Folded palms and “Hare Krishna” came natural when I attended the program at “Grand Power,” the location of the weekly Hare Krishna Sunday program in Cleveland. Though here everyone did much more than bow heads. We chanted and dance to a blissful end of the afternoon. Oh, it was so much delight after dwelling on verse 10.9, which is all about the joy of devotional practice. Bhakti is moving.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

 

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