Monday 17 October 2022

Monday, October 10, 2022

Ottawa, Ontario

We Give Thanks

Out of the whole calendar year few days come across as days of shanti, or peace. Thanksgiving Day, which in Canada is today, is one of them. It also happens to be, by the Vedic calendar, the first day of an auspicious month, known as Kartik. At this time one can make tremendous progress on the spiritual platform.

Bearing all this in mind Brhat Mrdunga, the newly initiated Shreyas and I ventured along Ottawa, including a walk, in front of and behind the parliament buildings. We also factored in a stroll over bridges to the district of Gatineau on the Quebec side.

We were bathing in the sun and embracing the autumn colors while pedestrians, many of them tourists, offered their “Hellos!” or “Bonjour.” For sure peace was in the air as we kept walking and walking on what I would say is the perfect weather (not summer) for parikrama, which as a Sanskrit word means “pilgrimage” or “spiritual walk.”

A very kind cook at Govinda’s Restaurant, by the name of Mandala Rama, prepared some great veggie preps for us. Beginning tomorrow, the 11th, he will spearhead a program called “Feed the World,” a weeklong free feed-out of prasadam, blessed food. Being in the heart of the student world at Ottawa U, students will go crazy, as in previous years, over the great meals made available to them allowing a chance at making baby steps at spiritual progress.

May the Source be with you!

10 km




 

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