The Walking Monk

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

2012-01-29T20:54:00.000-05:00

After the Rain in Crane

Crane, Guyana

We tucked in our dhotis (lower robe) to almost half-mast. An overnight tropical storm made muddy, the Saturday morning market place. The farmer’s market is the weekly outing for the monks in the area. A mirdanga drum, coupled with a djembe and hand cymbals were our tools. Marketers, vendors and us monks were somewhat not well prepared at first, but we became adaptable to the wet conditions eventually. Planks were being placed over puddles while husks of corn were set in mud spots offering some relative dryness. At least we were contented at least the kirtan party.

The over cast weather with its surprise gusts of rain is a treat over the scalding heat that is common in Guyana. A trek on Guyana’s main road, another on a side road and fairly a hard pace back and forth in my designated room, constituted all that the feet did today.

We got our memory working also. I took the devotees on one of those verse memorization sessions. The group found it a little tough to tackle 6.42 from the Gita which detail the positive destiny of a Yogi who continues his spiritual path by taking birth in a family of transcendentalists after not attaining full enlightenment. In other words, there are concessions for those who cannot reach the goal of freedom before passing from this world.

Because it was Saturday those who live in a devotional setting feel the justification behind making the evening festive to rival chutney shows and what have you.

I read from “Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead”,the book, to an eager group at the temple in Crane. For these types of reading you can’t avoid putting a bit of your own personality in your delivery. We had a real great devotional time.

6 Km

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

2012-01-29T20:48:00.001-05:00

One More Soul

Alachua, Florida

By the blessings of Krishna I was asked tospeak from Canto 10 of the Bhagavatam. I hope that the class inspired at leastone soul. Just one soul. Hmmm! Maybe two souls are better. One spiritualbrother gave a piece of paper with two names on it, Vaikuntha and Sarva Satya.

“They are two souls who are in a nursinghome for veterans.” The gentle devotee who handed me the slip with names,directions and room numbers in the home indicated that the two patients arealso veterans of our Krishna Conscious mission. I was happily committed tocontribute my short visit to these two contributors of humanity.

After a great walk over the sandy roads ofthe area, my host family took us to Gainesville Health Care Center. We hit anawkward time. It was dinner. Sarva Satya had lost an arm and needed to be fed.To Vaikuntha’s room we slipped by and we saw him sincerely offering his food toKrishna with the deepest meditation. He uttered mantras loudly with head to thefood. Once done, he raised his lovely bearded head and then noticed us standingthere. He blurted out a gorgeous, “Hare Krishna!” and with a welcome that wasnovel to us; arms outstretched and with a smile enough to kill.

Back to Sarva in another room we went, andhe gave us his brief but meaningful greetings as well.

These were two souls there that we touchedand in turn touched us. Upon our departure from the center, Anil and family,who drove us there in the first place, remarked after seeing the price paid inthe struggle of life by patients, “The entire Bhagavatam lesson about life canbe found by a visit to the home for veterans.”

Evening came upon us and there was one lastvisit to make – to a local massage therapist, Michael Loomis. It was greatmeeting him. One-hour session with him passed by in a flash. He just happenedto be a trekker himself, an adventurist. We had great stories to share.

It was just one more soul to be inspired.I’m speaking about myself.

7 Km

Friday, January 27, 2012 to Guyana

2012-01-28T22:16:00.000-05:00

Chutney Show

Gainesville, Miami, Port-of-Spain,finally Georgetown,

Guyana

.

Going through four airports this day left little time forwalking. It was hard to find some spunkout of the day, except for reading about conversations our Guru, SrilaPrabhupada had with people in 1968, some of which interviewed him on radio inthe Bay area of Frisco (San Francisco). Apart from that if there was anything thatwas a little arousing, spunky or spicy about today then there was a meremention of “chutney” by a Guyanese man whom I met on the plane.

“Chutney” is a common condiment, possibly pickled, could-be-tardy and maybe dragon-like hotpreparation. It’s often used as a dip for savouries and is common in the south-eastAsian communities. It can tantalize or kill depending on your conditioning.

So this one man, whom I met, who recognized the robes said, “yahknow, we need more people like you to give the alternative to our young folks.In Trinidad and

Guyana

they are so muchexposed to these Chutney Shows.

“Is it a new cooking show?” I asked innocently.

“No!“ he said, ” you can imagine what is.”

“Oh, you are talking about sex in your face”

“Yeah, and most of the lyrics in the songs talk aboutencouraging rum consumption.

“Not Ram, but rum?” I asked.

“Yes, exactly!”

I suggested that we fight fire with fire; that we, as a pioussociety entertain with enlightenment; we give the youths of today enter-light-en-ment.Give them song, dance and drama. Do it light but with a subtle smack.

“Light their fires” with a message of bhakti (devotion) and maketheir chutney taste disgustingly, bland and flat.

I told this gentleman that I write, direct and producedevotional plays that attempts to insert Shakti (spiritual energy). He seemedhappy that someone is working on bringing the young under a spiritual banner. Ilet the gentleman know that I have come to

Guyana

before to engageyouths in performance. On this trip, I will be leading some chanting sessionswith some teenagers. This is also just the best engagement for them. Withkirtan chanting you have it all- sweet and sticky, spicy and hot, cool andchilled. And it is for everyone.

1 Km

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

2012-01-28T22:02:00.002-05:00

Krishna House

Gainesville, Florida

One alligator had chomped on a turtle andanother gator had been eyeing a blue heron for as long as we could fathom, atleast for the length of our 30-minute stay.

Companions 4 and I walked the horse trailat Payne’s Prairie Park when we decided to detour to the spring fed pond replete with thereptiles mentioned above. What looked like logs and driftwood were a group ofalligators sun bathing. They were there in the plenty and we were intrigued towatch them do absolutely nothing, except for the one lying dead still, his headand body aimed in the direction of a perhaps naïve bird, the crane. The gatorwas surrounded by lush green water vegetation – rather hidden.

We pondered, “How long would it take beforethe gator made that straight dart for the bird a few feet away? When wouldnature take its ugly course?”

Our little trekking excursion in this Florida wildprairie where bison and horses also co-exist was preceded by the morning’sBhagavatam class that I was asked to conduct. The verse 1.11.28 reads likethis: “After entering the house of His father, (Krishna) was embraced by themothers present and the Lord offered His obeisances unto them by placing Hishand at their feet. The mothers were headed by Devaki [his real mother].”

And in the evening at the same venue called“Krishna House” I spoke from the Gita verse 6.32 which goes like this “He is aperfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self sees the true equality of allbeings, both in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna!”

My participation at Gainesville’s“Krishna House” went on by the kindness of the person who runs this successfulprogram. His name is Kalakanta, a dear friend, who draws many a young UFstudents to Krishna Consciousness.

Now, in between the two classes came thewalk at Payne’s Prairie and one more thing – a kirtan at the downtown farmer’smarket. This is a weekly outing for the members of the Krishna House. Charlie,the coordinator for this organic market remarked, “You guys really shonetoday.”

7 Km

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

2012-01-28T21:33:00.000-05:00

Through Fields That Lie Fallow

Gainsville, Florida

Lifeis easygoing in the Florida countryside. Kind Anil and wife, Vidhya, and theirsons Aravind, 13, and Gopal, 4, came to fetch me at quaint Gainesville Airport.With our drive to their home I would see a dry but pleasant temperatureatmosphere. By the ditch a couple of turkey vultures were downing some obscureroadkill. And there are fields of fallow space separated by trees of Spanishmoss cover.

Ourtrek over the fields was a treat. A deliberate route by their edges providedshade until all became shade for the absence of the sun. Gopal is too young forthe walk and stayed at the house as Aravind babysat his younger sibling. AndAravind had some catching up to do with schoolwork. It left us three adults tobe in the fields, to chant, to chat and to dream a little.

Thedreaming is so necessary. And whenever I get together with friends such as Sesaand Yugala who came for soup at night with their families, we usually discussand ponder about the world and how things could probably go better with ourspiritual mission and us. And as usual, we part our ways after some thoughtshoping that some of our aspirations will become realities.

So,there you have it – some hours with friends at a peaceful neighbourhood, withmoderate climate, surrounded by fields of great potential and you have all thehope imaginable. You have God. You have guru. You have some experience and youthink, “I’ve got it made!”

7 Km

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

2012-01-24T23:06:00.002-05:00

Extermination of the Bad

Miami, Florida

Heading north on South Bayshore, which turns into Miami Ave., then off from a side street I came upon Skanda Yoga Studio. I made it almost all the way on foot until one of the members of our Coconut Grove community pulled over to get me there in time. We were prepared for an evening of kirtan.

Yoga societies have discovered the magic of kirtan, a new and yet ancient sound that defies some of the current [Insert Word Here] passing as music today. That might sound harsh to say but I mean it. Perhaps kirtan, the more angelic side of music, is a response to the denigration of much of today’s popular music.

We did not waste time with the brief hour and fifteen minute session allotted to us. We got right into japa which is chanting without a melody and kirtan/bhajan, chanting with melody and instruments. Two young chaps, Dharma and Gopal, played mrdunga drums and they were fantastic. The thirty or so participants got up off their feet to sway, swing and surrender to the sound.

This practice of chanting (and to add the dancing which completes this particular from of yoga) is described as “the prime benediction for humanity at large” as quoted by Sri Chaitanya.

Chanting is that function that is supposed to address the little devils within. It is like the termites that are having their hay day in our local temple where anything made of wood is slowly dissolving. Doorframes, baseboards and any ornamental wood fixtures are going through a disappearing act. There are experts who know how to deal with them.

In the same way, the little devils of lust, greed, and anger that exist within our lives need extermination of sorts. This chanting serves the purpose to offer this benediction.

10k Km

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-23T21:25:00.002-05:00

Work Me As If I'm Your Chappati Dough

Miami, Florida

Three kind souls came to greet me at the Miami Airport. Garga Muni, Raghini and Rupa Manjari arrived a few minutes late. Not their fault, but the plane arrived early. I was set to be in the city for 2.5 days not knowing where I was to serve.

There was mention of an itinerary so I was glad someone worked on a schedule. But as far as I was concerned I remarked to the three, "Mold me, shape me, as you like."

As I recall when my Guru, Srila Prabhupada came to visit us in Canada in '76, he asked us, "What is it you want me to do while I'm here?" I took to copycatting that mood. It is a mood that would enhance surrender to the will of Krsna, Guru and devotees.

After delivering the Sunday message from the Gita before the congregation I announced, "Now I request questions or comments. I have nothing to hide." I implied that if anyone wants to shape a question, I will shape an answer. In other words I was opening myself to be rolled around a bit and have some fun. I'm like a batch of chappati dough and very stiff and hard. I need to be engaged and if you use me, I'll warm up and become pliable. Some students from Saint Thomas University were taking a course in world religions and posed some questions after my presentation. They were so eager.

While during the course of the day, I had set ideas on how to use my time, but being a spiritual master, I have to make myself available to the public needs.

If the mental application is applied, "I'm your chappati dough." I believe one day I'll be shaped into perfectround paddy and will be offered to the flame and then presented to Krsna. I will then be cooked to perfection.

6 Km

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

2012-01-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

Clapping Away

Mississauga, Ontario

Some days the feet are unhappy. Due to numerous obligations the hour permit little time in the day for flexing legs. This evening however, our hands were in creative motion.

During kirtan chanting our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had spoken about how the lines on your hands, which determine very much your destiny (as in palm reading) can be altered. When clapping before the deity of Krishna, as kirtan resounds, the markings can change to a more blessed situation.

At the 25th Anniversary of the Grovers we did clap, not just to congratulate the occasion, but in celebration of our life in Krishna Consciousness. A good fifty or so people took to smacking the hands in time with tempo. Dhira Grahi, a Ukranian devotee, and Jitu, a local born, second generation devotee, led our group in kirtan. For those not so accustomed, their palms turned red.

Since I wasn't able to squeeze in much time for wearing down or altering the etchings on my soles I thought, "the hands will have to do." The result was an exuberant devotional expression with palms. To facilitate clapping even more the torso, arms and head also go in motion. Clapping is a perfect time keeper. It also keeps the kirtan perked up. It engages a good part of the body. In many cultures the bringing together of hands to make noise is an expression of appreciation. It is also a device to get attention or or to send off and strike fear in an adversary or a flock of birds eating your orchard fruit.

Clapping is effective. We don't do it enough. It's the perfect cheer-leading practice.

As of late, when I'm asked to lead a chanting session, I often decline the hand cymbals or kartals often used to add a sweetness and timing to the sound. I ask someone else to play them while I have the freedom to use my hands in some unique way.

Come to think of it, my hands are my upper feet, my arms my upper legs. I've found a great use for them.

4 Km

Friday, January 20th, 2012

2012-01-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

A Couple

Mississauga, Ontario

Rajeev and Ajita are a professional business couple who were curious about everything Krishna. After a great North Indian meal, Rajeev asked the question about the eastern concepts coming to the west in the 60's. He was keen to know about the history, the Age of Aquarius, and the humble beginnings of a tiny man, a sadhu (a swami) who drew the attention of beatniks and hippies.

I tried my best to provide an overview.

Then Ajita, his wife, asked about the proof, the reality of God. "We've been told, but how can we be sure."

"The best way to be sure is to apply. Factor Him in and then see that the equation fits. Answers come and fulfillment is reached. Not all things are comprehended by our limitations. More can be understood through feeling and hearing. The first thing the swami of the 60's, Srila Prabhupada, the Hare Krishna guru, recommended was principles. He offered discipline coupled with having a good time. When we clear the cobwebs of our mind we become a clear channel for receiving Him. We agree to be a servant and to feel the joy of serving and loving Krishna. Instead of so much philosophizing, it's best to just do it."

Ajita laughed and said that was the slogan of Nike.

"Ah yes, their mantra."

Questions kept coming from Rajeev and Ajita. It was good but my backside was sore. I began shifting uncomfortably. The couple has offered me the prime seat in their home, an one hundred year old antique chair, an actual hardwood Rajasthani bench taken from a bullock cart. It was chic. I stood up.

"Any chair loses its coziness after a while. The only relaxing pose for the human body is a changing one - walking." (Laughter)

Our conversation with the couple and two other families of the area terminated at the witches hour. Rajeev and Ajita have a 15 year old son (a wiz kid I'd speculate), who had returned from his extra curriculum activity - assembling a robot.

Robots! Well, all I can say about them is "if they ever infiltrate I'll never have one do my walking for me."

4 Km

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

2012-01-20T23:16:00.000-05:00

Matter/Spirit

Toronto, Ontario

"The guru might snore or burp, because he is human after all. It doesn't take anything away from his divinity."

That was my remark during our Bhagavatam class discussion amongst our ashram residents. Our talking led to the same logic when applied to the sacred plant tulasi, a warm climate plant, member of the basil family, which is honored every morning as an integral part of our morning spiritual exercise. The plant Tulasi may be healthy or ill. She may be attacked by white flies or spider-mites, but nonetheless she is still sacred, packed with spiritual energy. The Ganges River may also apply. Here you have anointed waters with origins (at least on the physical planet) in Gangotri in the Himalayan Mountains. She may manifest some foam on the surface at certain locations of her downward journey to the ocean. Still she possesses the spiritual power, the ability to purify.

Divinity is found within matter. The reverse is also true. Matter is found in spirit. In fact, everything we see is encased in spirit. The mundane eye leads us to believe that matter exists and only matter, but our senses are dull, blunt and limited. Our perceptions in general have their restrictions.

As I took to the street for a much needed evening wind-down walk I could perceive what was in front of me and only that, to a small range. Because I'm human I have my limitations despite a "divineness" that persists within me.

In other words, all that is material and all that is spiritual are folded into each other.

Even though sometimes we see defects, which are a display of imperfect matter, the effervescent spirit is always present.

6 Km

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

2012-01-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

La Belle Nouvelle

Toronto, Ontario

The very good news is that "Nuit Blanche" the all white night contemporary art event that storms the city every year has accepted our application for mantra chanting in the early fall. The Scotiabank sponsors this popular event when the world's longest street (Yonge St.) closes off traffic for an all-night pedestrian happy art loving venture. This year chanting will be an exhibit.

This evening Keshava Sharma, one of our younger community co-ordinators, and I, scouted out the downtown to explore possible indoor or outdoor venues. We were walking with a different purpose. We were excited by he acceptance and by the special "in" as contemporary artists.

Art today is no longer an object or a painting you view hanging on a wall with unique directional lighting. It's something experiential and chanting with some additional features such as hooking up the kirtaniya, the chanting leader, to a screen to register his/her heartbeat during the process is an incredible art experience.

Paris began this world acclaimed event. New York also took up "Nuit Blanche" as an annual festival. Toronto and other cities have also caught on for a few years now.

Kesava and I were walking on cloud 9 imagining the coming eve of Sept. 29 when the sun makes a descent and art lights up. I reflected on my first days as a monk in '73 when chanting by a small group of us on the street was a daily happening. At that time I never would have dreamed that the city would back our mantra meditation with a space and a grant to fund the effort almost four decades later.

The plan is to have a 12 hour chanting session. When you consider that the theme for 2012 is "If it weren't for the buildings..." then you can throw yourself back in time when "Toronto," which means "the meeting place," was a place of indigenous people celebrating life with drums and shakers. How appropriate!

11 Km

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

2012-01-18T14:59:00.001-05:00

What I Left Behind

Toronto, Ontario

It's strange! In devotional life it's such a different world from the secular one. Within the context of temple life, we speak about increasing our endeavors of bhakti, devotion. Either that, or you speak about intensifying what you are already doing, such as improving heartfelt chanting. Then you hear how important it is (from the outside) how sex must be increased or Tim Horton's chain restaurant comes up with a larger cup, hence enhanced caffeine intake.

There's clearly two worlds. The emphasis is different. The gap is large.

As soon as I step out of the temple building, I might hear coarse language that is unacceptable to the ears. Life in the temple ashram is not perfect but much closer to the spiritual world, for sure. As soon as I track myself down those concrete stairways I enter into the mixed world of beautiful nature and nasty nature. I also make the entrance into what man has created; not all good.

The general populace is innocent and they want more out of life. Spiritual life can fill a vacuum beyond Churchianity, beyond dogmatic endeavors. If only they would try, if only they would make some room for a small dosage of higher conscious activity and relax in the pursuit of the Divine. It's adventurous. It's pleasurable. Susukham in Sanskrit means "joyful." Kartum means "execution." These are words from the Gita.

The evening wind was turbulent, as is the world in its mundane manifestation. It actually deterred me from a night-time stroll and so I vied for the protectiveness and sanctity of the temple and paced the balcony in its horseshoe shape. I went for a good hour and a half, every so now and then stopping to peak out to the world of harshness, the world that doesn't need to be so, the world I left behind.

6 Km

Monday, January 16th, 2012

2012-01-17T22:58:00.002-05:00

Do Something About It

Toronto, Ontario

I will continue to promote the walking culture to colleagues and dependents,students and anyone who seeks life improvement.

Here's what I stumbled upon (with eyes) written by author Colin Fletcher:

"I had better admit right away that walking can in the end become anaddiction, and that it is then as deadly as fashion or heroine or television orthe stock exchange. But even in this final stage it remains a delectablemadness, very good for sanity, and I recommend it with a passion."

You know how I don't care if people call me a fanatic when I fire out wordsabout taking care of yourself. Yura, a young York U student picked me up at theairport and I asked the usual, "How's your health?" as much as I say,"How's your Sadhana?" which is in reference to a metaphysicalworkout.

Yura expressed he has tension in his machinery and especially in his lowerback. "Well do you walk?" I asked. Yura is in his early 20's.

To paraphrase his answer, he said that it was minimal. So then I got on hiscase for letting his many hours of study indoors stand in the way of hisoverall well-being. As Mark Twain said, "Don't let school get in the way ofyour education." In the same way, don't let current living conditionsrestrict you from the healthy and sane life.

We have potential. Look at your frame. Is it for flying? Swimming at longlengths? Unrestricted sex? No! Then what? Think about it and do something aboutit!

8 Km

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

2012-01-16T21:43:00.000-05:00

The Second Day

Dallas, Texas

The second day of our "Jagannatha Story" drama presentation and the follow up success had me wound up to the point that rest was tough. I chose to walk on the same old trail towards White Rock Lake, that body of water whose edge was walked by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the mid-seventies.

Naturally, the route becomes a pilgrimage site for me. I felt safe being here even at the midnight hours. There was no one else in sight. I had no inhibition about chanting at a volume more than usual. That stirred up some dogs at properties lined at the edge of the trail, arousing their barking.

I got to thinking about the watch dog nature in all of us. For those of us on the disciplinary path of monastic rigors such as abstaining from meat, fish, eggs, drugs, drinking, gambling, sex, it means you have you watch dog on the alert. "Abstinence" is a way of saying "NO" to the things that weaken us physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a safeguard.

The above mentioned happy strictures are what Srila Prabhupada gave us to ensure that at least some members of society can be hard-core on "principles." Honouring these principles is a source of inspiration for the general public.

As I completed my mid-night hour trek, I was finally led to wind down feeling a general satisfaction to have the chanting as my life-line and principles to hold that life-line in place. Restfulness finally nabbed me.

But, up at 3am I went, to ready and catch a flight for home. Good-bye Texas.

7 Km

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

2012-01-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

On the Trail and In the Temple

Dallas, Texas

One woman on the trail jogging behind her kid on a tricycle burst out with a happy, "Hare Krishna!" She used every muscle in her face to express it. A man minutes later expressed, "Blessing from Krishna!" as he held his hands in pranam formation. This confirms, perhaps, that the west is more and more embracing the east. Then a second fellow who stretched his joyful facebeyond imagination greeted me on the same trail with an "Amigo!" The etched-curves on either side of his mouth were a classic impression.

What this all tells me is that the Krishna community on Gurley Ave. here in Dallas are being appreciated in the area. It is the fruit of the community doing the right thing.

I am grateful to be in such a great company of saintly-like people who have come from various parts of the U.S. and Canada. I have also had the great privilege of leading kirtan chanting while here at the temple program and also to inaugurate each new day's meeting with mantras and drums that become explosive with everyone's participation. Also with these committed swamis
here, Romapada and Bir Krishna, I was also put on the schedule to deliver a class from the book Bhagavatam. The talk and discussion was on the mystical play of Brahma, the secondary creator, and his frivolous dealings with Krishna as a young cowherd boy.

Krishna was enjoying lunch in the pasture with His playmates when Brahma tested his mystic might against Krishna's. The event was a learning curve for Brahma, this greatest of demigods, on appreciating the Yogesvara. In the very last verse of the Gita, Krishna is addressed as the master of all mystics.

You don't want to mess with Him.

7 Km

Friday, January 13th, 2012

2012-01-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

Disperse It

Dallas, Texas

My curiosity took me through some bush area near White Rock Lake. Some of the vegetation I couldn't identify. Texas is to the far south of Canada, and it is relatively a rather dry state, hence, a different planet in some respects. The foot worn path I was on became more and
more narrowed as I meandered on and which finally lead to human habitat - a makeshift camp - a squatters domain. No one was there at the time, the time being my break from meetings, and the time of absence for the occupant.

He had a great set up for himself from what I could see. A blue plastic tarpaulin for a ceiling and including three walls. A metal framed fold out cotter bed with a matching blue comforter. Lots of paraphernalia was there, a pot for cooking, likely for fish, as I saw a fishing rod leaned against a tree. Knowing that the lake and river are a mere 5 minute trek from location, the fellow's got it made, I thought.

The path clearly ended with the squatters super deluxe set up and it was slightly unsettling hanging around. How would the occupant take my intrusion if he was to suddenly show up? Perhaps my assumption that here's a person who doesn't have full equilibrium is justified.

Confirmation came, from Randy. After I left the squatter's haven and returned to a bona fide path, Randy, a cyclist stopped wheeling when he saw a robe-clad me. He works in the psychiatric field. "Most homeless have mental issues," he said. Randy deals with people of that challenge almost everyday. He proposed that their path is difficult. "I spend much of my time just listening to these people." He also said hat mental illness coupled with drug consumption is so damaging. The biggest part of the cure is to give some attention - to be human.

Randy and I parted. I resumed sitting with colleagues back at our meeting place. I just couldn't help remembering that giving attention, giving some love is what cures all.

Let us take into consideration this point; the ultimate love is with God and when you genuinely embrace that love and attention it needs to be dispersed to all.

9 Km

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

2012-01-16T21:15:00.003-05:00

SKK

Dallas, Texas

I was waiting at a street corner for my walking partner to fetch his thickest coat to address the strong wintry chill when a beach ball rolled its way past me. It had taken a diagonal direction and landed in the front yard of a non owner. Immediately I thought, "Who reeled that thing at this hour, 12:20 am?" and secondly, "Whose kid does this ball belong to?" The second question couldn't be answered, but the first could.

The wind grabbed that circular object and tossed it for relocation. Further logic ignited. What caused the wind to do that?

Answer: The cause of all causes. I dare say, I thought the answer in Sanskrit, "sarva-karana-karanam," but the meaning is the same, the cause of all causes.

As my walking companion, Chaitanya Chandra and I, walked towards White Rock Lake, it became another query to ask, "How did it get so cold?" After all I'm in Texas and not Cananda. The answer was the same as before, "sarva-karana-karanam." Truly, nothing moves without the will of the Lord.

I took a second jaunt in the evening, in the same direction, along the fairly new path restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. The moon shine lit the way. "What lit the moon?" I asked.

Answer? Is it self-sustaining? Or is it divine intelligence? Or is there another scientific diagnosis? My simplistic approach to all questions about life always ends up the same conclusion. "sarva-karana-karanam," SKK.

7 KM

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

2012-01-16T14:26:00.003-05:00

Chair Sculpture

Dallas, Texas

The morning sights and sounds of east Dallas. Pecans are strewn over the sidewalks, winds strike them down from their treetops. And, as every year, the roosters crow in this 95% dominant Mexican neighbourhood, to the awakening of the day. Dogs are also prevalent, tough ones, barriered behind yard fences, thank God. I hit the trail. Once a railway line that runs next to Santa Fe Street. One direction takes you to White Rock Lake, the other to downtown. The temperature reached this day's zenith at 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Nice.

"Why couldn't we have meetings while walking?" I thought. "The oxygen is awesome outside." My reason for being in Dallas is to attend meetings, or to put it more casually, 'knocking heads' with the devotional kind. Surely no one will buy in to the outdoor rendezvous, but it was a thought.

The second reason reason for the flight to Dallas was to provide some theatrical entertainment for the group, which are coming from various corners of Canada and the US. This is a special service I like to provide. God also loves entertainment, theatre to be more precise. The epics of the Ramayan, Mahabharat and stories of the Bhagavat
Purana, are all the productions of God that have been recorded practically as script, and when you consider that script and scripture are so similar, it leads you to wonder about the root word. As part of our dramatical warm up exercise for the first night's practice, our group of 5 pushed for creativity. The exercise was to stack readily available metal chairs, up to balance, upon each other, all held up by one single chair. Remarkably, we measured up to 9 chairs with this chair sculpture. This practice allowed us to build up team spirit and cooperation, which is vital when a group is working on a project, even
for God's sake.

4 Km

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

2012-01-16T14:23:00.002-05:00

Made My Day

Toronto, Ontario

A flight to Dallas began with a 9 km walk towards Pearson Airport from Dupont to Keele to Weston Road, I went through a working class neighbourhood. I like it. It's simple folks, family oriented, who are set to toil during the week to bring food to the table, to have a visit to the shopping mall on Saturday to purchase something shiny and perhaps to put an hour and half time in for a service at church on Sunday. Such is life for the human basics program.

It was great being out there in the urban outdoors, catching a moment with people at the bus stops. Shirley was waiting at Keele. I gave a nod and then she introduced herself as coming from Jamaica. She wanted to know about the markings on my forehead.

"This is an earth based substance put on the brow to mark the body as a temple of God,"
I explained. "God is in us." She liked that and then asked,
"What religion are you?"
"Hare Krishna," I said.
"Hare Christian?" she asked.
"No, Krishna. It's origins are India, it goes way back."

I gave her a mantra card and told her I walked the distance from Avenue Road which at this point from the start measured at 7 km. She was wowed by that. Of course, she is bus bound and likely has an incredible ways to go, so walking is not an option. I find it's important to impress someone by one way or another, either by friendliness or words that stimulate. Once that's achieved, you can talk spiritual to anyone. What was nice about Shirley is that right off the bat she wanted to dive right into the spiritual realm. She was non pretentious and didn't wander around the bush.

My ride came and I was then on my way to the airport and then Dallas. I had numerous interactions with people since morning, but Shirley, the Jamaican, made my day, although a brief encounter.

9 Km

Monday, January 9th, 2012

2012-01-10T19:22:00.004-05:00

"Just Open"

Toronto, Ontario

This sprinter sped right passed me as I practically baby-stepped over the ice, moving with utmost caution. It was inspiring to see the daring nature of the runner. Just by seeing him I picked up speed and broadened my strides.

In one rendition of the pastimes of Krishna's advent, His father Vasudev, was hesitant to cross a raging Yamuna River to protect His son. He was apprehensive to cross, but when he saw a jackal make his way, plying across despite darkness, rough water and depth, Vasudev became inspired to tread the water keeping Krishna unharmed above his head.

Everyone needs an inspirational element in order to move on in life. It often comes from people, not always, but often enough - it's some hero. Those who can move through the darkest hour encouraged others. What comes to mind is Krishna's raising hope in Arjuna, His dear warrior friend.

Without inspiration you're a dead man. We just can't live without it. Even in the most mundane sense an alcoholic gets inspired by the bottle.

When we enter into a period of confusion, despair or defeat there will be something stirring up to spark excitement, inspiration. It comes to us at the toughest hour. We just need to recognize when it pops up. Expect it when you're down-in-the-dumps. It's waiting there, staring at you. Just open your eyes and see it.

8 Km

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

2012-01-09T19:44:00.002-05:00

Time Pressured

Brampton, Ontario

It's a blessing to keep busy in service. It's a curse to be under engaged. It's a mixed blessing/curse to have too much. Even a devotional life requires prioritizing and working within timelines. Being human means that anyone can 'snap' due to overload, regardless of how strong your fever for service.

In monastic life such as mine, which takes on a mentor's role and added to that, administrative duties plus the artistic output, much happy time is consumed. If it wasn't for the daily reflective walking, life would be overwhelming. The walk permits a much needed 'time to myself' period as time for people, congregants, gets very demanding.

People need attention as life in modern times arouses too many complexities. There appears to be a lacking of 'outlet' or 'chill out time' for the average person in the so called developed world.

It's as a Nepalese woman, the clerk at a grocery store counter, told me today, "In this country there is not time to go to the temple. You have to always work to pay the bills."

This woman detected my 'devotioness', my 'ISKCON-ness', while incognitoed in winter wear, upon seeing my neck beads, faded forehead tilak markings and saffron coloured kurta top.

"Hare Krishna?" she asked as I came to the counter for a small yogurt purchase.
"Yes!" From there we talked.

It had been a day of 'go-go' - delivering a class in our Brampton centre, then two more class presentations in Toronto with people needing in between. Of course, on Sundays, demands intensify. All the more reason for 'the walk that chills'. It makes the difference between make or break. We must plan wisely in order for balance to prevail.

8 Km

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

2012-01-09T19:40:00.002-05:00

Leadership Lesson

Toronto, Ontario

It was a glorious day for me to participate in two events. The first one was an appreciation dinner for the cast of, “Dhroova”, the story of a great prince who learned many lessons from his austerity in the forest. The actors in this production worked hard. Secondly, I attended another dinner, much later on in the day, to honour the weekend warriors of BBT book distribution. I sat to hear the stories of devotees who relished in the spiritual activity of approaching people at different venues – the street, homes, shops – about the value of taking the spiritual path. It was a delight to digest, not only the food but the stories of human interaction. To better digest it all, I took to an evening walk, trekking Yonge Street, up to the point where break dancers were whipping up incredible moves, including fast spins on their heads.

Upon my return from the walk I opened to a page of “Tales of Ancient India” based on the text Hitopadesh, which our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would quote from. A dear friend, Guy Tetreault, from Quebec, wrote/translated it. Here’s a story about heavy responsibility in leadership.

“A prince was sent to a school of a guru to pursue his studies. Once they were completed, their master informed the king that he could come and pick up his son. When the prince demonstrated his achievements, the king was very appreciative. Desiring to teach one final lesson to the prince, the guru asked the king to go on horseback to a distant tree and then to return.

As the king galloped away, the guru told the prince to try to catch the horse. Meanwhile, the king had reached the tree. It was on his way back when he saw his son running breathlessly toward him. Furiously, he asked the guru, why he had obliged the prince to run in this way.

The guru replied, ‘now his education is complete. With this last experience he will not show indifference to the suffering of his subjects, especially of those who must labour hard in the service of others.’”

The moral: Leaders who have not received an education based on the principles of wisdom, will inevitably be blinded by power, fame, and wealth. They may certainly make decisions that benefit their own wallets, but they’re likely to be disastrous for the people they are supposed to serve.

7 Km

Friday, January 6th, 2012

2012-01-08T15:27:00.001-05:00

Prisoners

Toronto, Ontario

I rarely receive snail mail these days. One person who constantly sends letters as an update on his life is Dave. He's in a situation where he doesn't have the freedom to walk. Dave is a prisoner in the US and I"m sure he doesn't mind me sharing his letter which arrived today:

"Dear Maharaj,

Hare Krsna Guru-deva. I have a new celly named Chris Cherry and he likes to eat all my food. I found him stealing my oatmeal this morning. Just a token reaction for my sins.

But he likes to chant Hare Krsna, just out of the blue, so I will fan that fire. He is not really serious about Krsna but I will be humble and tolerant.

Now I know how you and mother feel when I sin.

Bhakta David"

From this letter we can sense Dave's realizations about karma and about being tolerant and being humbled.

One thing I would add to Dave's message is that we are all souls imprisoned in these bodies. We are all 'cellies' even though we might regard ourselves as free civilians. We are in this prison, this durga and we are locked in behind the bars of our strong desires. While here, our good conduct can make a difference. The 'key' to releasing ourselves from jail is bhakti (devotion), love - deep love for the Divine.

10 Km

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

2012-01-08T15:24:00.001-05:00

Ice Under You

Toronto, Ontario

Along Moore Park Ravine it has become a virtual skating rink but with pedestrians sliding about. Over the years I've taken to slipping trials and even learned how to fall although there's no guarantee that its a one hundred percent smooth landing once hitting the ice. For the most part Krishna has protected me.

I recall, as a kid being an ice slider talking to trekking of a different kind over frozen ponds, rivers and lakes. Dad used to take us kids for a Sunday drive (spin is more like it) with our 50's Dodge on Lake Erie. Fortunately we never went under with the car. There was no casualty.

The saying 'treading on thin ice' could be analogous to our spiritual life when our sadhana practice is not strong and the deepening of our devotion has a hard time to manifest. Some practitioners depart from the spiritual path altogether after meeting a dark hour. We sometimes refer to that drop of faith as a 'fall down'.

After yesterday's episode with the lady and the wedding gown, I stopped suddenly on my tracks to see a former avid follower standing on the sidewalk chatting with someone. I stood there trying to get his attention to make a cordial greeting, a 'Hare Krishna', a 'Happy New Year". I hadn't seen for some time this young person whose past participation illustrated so much enthusiasm. Once I got his attention he walked away and expressed a type of denial with a hell of a snarl. "What happened?" I wondered. "A loss of faith?"

It hurt to see the negative response, the rejection. To me it registered as a walking away from God. I turned and moved on completing the day's walking obligation feeling that even if a person spiritually slips and falls, he/she can make their way back up again. There's always another chance, another opportunity. Any endeavour made, devotionally makes a permanent mark. It's not that if you don't make the grade this time around that you get thrown into a furnace where ice can't survive.

What I learned is that some people chose thin ice to tread, some chose thick. It's always good to be safe than sorry. You want ice under you, not on top of you.

9 Km

Bhaktimarga Swami in Cuba December 2011 - Varadero

2012-01-05T23:33:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

2012-01-05T23:22:00.001-05:00

What He Wants

Toronto, Ontario

Good Samaritan? I don't know. I was trying to be what I believe my guru, Srila Prabhuapda wants me to be - helpful.

I took that evening much needed walk. I was south bound on Yonge Street when I saw a woman struggling terribly with lugging baggage on the sidewalk. It was a large duffel bag on tiny wheels which was reeling all over the place. I offered to help. She accepted. She was a Korean woman (the other day I met a Congo woman who was in distress).

"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Down the street." It ended up being a good 1.5 kilometres. I strapped the bag over my shoulder. It was medium heavy. She was curious about my spiritual and monastic life, about the term "Hare Krishna", about the Gita and the philosophy. She had a hard time accepting the concept of the soul being in bodies other than humans.

"There's no essential difference between humans and other creatures, even insects. We all eat, sleep, mate and defend. The soul, the living force is in everything," I explained.
"Oh, just one minute!" she said excitedly and rushed into a grocery store. I waited for a good five minutes, chanting on my beads. She came out and we proceeded to her building. She ended up being most appreciative. She then explained the reason for the cargo and the additional groceries.

"I'm leaving for Orland tomorrow at noon, by bus. I'm going there to get married and in the bag you carried is my wedding dress. Thank you so much."

"Congratulations!" She said she'll contact me after the wedding and honeymoon to learn more about what I believe.

I'll tell you readers what I believe. I believe I might be the first monk in history to carry a woman's wedding gown. I do think nothing of it though. I believe my guru would want me to be helpful.

5 Km

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

2012-01-05T23:20:00.002-05:00

One But Not One

Toronto, Ontario

Someone remarked that the creatures in flight on New Year's Eve were starlings and not bats. That makes more sense. It was quite spectacular nevertheless, seeing flocks in formations above the chanting party. It was awesome.

Somehow we are all fundamentally the same, whether mammal or feathered friend. We have the same physical constituents of earth, water, fire, air and ether, regardless of different body types. In essence we all have variant DNA. By constitution the spiritual DNA for all of us in Sanskrit is called sat, chit, and ananda, which means eternity, knowledge and happiness. Such is what the Vedas teach. We are not these bodies but spirits that are permanent, always were, are now and always will be. We are sat.

Secondly, we are cognizant, meaning we are intuitive, aware, conscious, beyond the dullness of matter. We are chit.

Lastly, we are by nature blissful. Certainly we are in utter search for this feature, groping about trying to find happiness through a perverse attempt with matter. Deep within though, we are happy. We are ananda.

We are sat, chit and ananda, but in this mundane world have become covered over by viscous modes. While we share these three constituents, still there exists some scope for individuatlity despite the commonality. In other words the oneness and distinction within us, runs parallel. We have this unity-and-diversity concept wrapped up in one.

Whether starlings, bats, rats, pigs, cats, dogs, humans, etc., all are denominations that are common while a differentiation persists, simultaneously.

Om Tat Sat.

8 Km

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

2012-01-05T23:19:00.003-05:00

Congo Woman and Bats

Toronto, Ontario

We hit a cold snap so when I took that evening trek south on Avenue Road you could feel it. With wind chill it registered at 20 degrees Celsius below zero.

A woman asked for the Bay subway station. She was lost. I then diverted from the route I was to take in order to see that she would find her place. It's a service I could do. I relayed to her that I live in the Krishna temple up the street. I asked her where she was from.

"From the Congo."
"You must find this weather interesting?" I asked.
"Yes, it's cold. So you believe in the Lord?"
"I certainly do," I affirmed. "There's no other way! And you?"
"Yes, I depend on the Lord, I can't live without Him."

As she said this I thought that one advantage of extreme cold is that it forces dependency so it can't be all that bad. Taking the old saying, "If you have to live with it, you might as well love it", takes on a powerful meaning at such times. With this simple circumstance of winds whipping in from the north I had made a friend. I was able to be of some service. The woman from the Congo was ever so thankful to reach the Bay Station.

Now for enthusiasts of the winter airs, check out YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJjn16jowwk&feature=share

Hundreds of bats swirled in the air on midnight at Dundas Square. We were at our spot, chanting away in the midst of party animalism, when above us in the sky an influx of Batman bhaktas (devotees) came in to welcome the New year.

Happy 2012! Hare Krishna!

7 Km

Bhaktimarga Swami in Cuba December 2011 - Matanzas Farewell

2012-01-05T23:07:00.003-05:00

Bhaktimarga Swami in Cuba December 2011 - Matanzas and Havana

2012-01-05T23:00:00.004-05:00

Bhaktimarga Swami in Cuba December 2011 - Eco Park and Havana

2012-01-05T22:54:00.005-05:00

Bhaktimarga Swami in Cuba December 2011 - Alamar, Marianao and Initiation

2012-01-05T22:47:00.005-05:00

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

2012-01-03T10:18:00.002-05:00

Tenor Voice Has a Place

Toronto, Ontario

Darren is a tenor opera singer who's fairly young and at 23 has already run for a political position in a recent campaign. Good for him! Better still, he's getting his spiritual life together.

"It's been 10 months that I've been chanting and been with Krishna devotees," he told me. "And it's been wonderful."

Darren and I were strutting along in the Rosedale residential area after the annual "Prabhupada Festival" at night when he was reflecting on his good fortune. Of course, I couldn't contain myself, I just had to tell him how great walking is for a singer's set of lungs in addition to the spiritual benefits. Also, being of political mind, Darren was curious about the social and administrative structure of ISKCON. So I responded. In brief, our founder, Srila Prabhupada took a strong stand for autonomy and not centralization while at the same time all projects were accountable to a Governing Body Commission.

This was but a tiny portion of our dialogue. Before you know it, we had 8 kilometres under our feet, something he admitted to not being used to. And to a momentary chagrin I had not chanted one full mantra on this stroll, something that I'm not used to.

It just so happens that Darren is enthused now to take a pilgrimage to India with me in February. There I will engage him in using his tenor voice at a very special place in Mayapura, West Bengal at the site of the Puspa Samadhi building which receives vocals so well and less so, musical instruments due to the structure's acoustical dynamic.

I'm really looking forward to the pilgrimage and being in a position to answer his questions plus hear him chant in operatic style, the maha mantra.

8 Km

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

2012-01-03T10:16:00.002-05:00

Year Finishing

Vaughan, Ontario

The real trekking for today was the round trip (on foot) from the ashram to Toronto's old city hall and back. Purpose? I went to take part in what proves to be one of the most exciting chanting sessions of the year - the New Year's countdown. Unique about this kirtan is that dozens of people take the 3.5 km trek back to the ashram after chanting with the rest of us. We arrived after a 3 hour chanting, in other words, 3 AM in the morning. An unforgettable party!

Three outreach New Year's Eve programs preceded the countdown and all were sweet.

I can't resist taking an exerpt from the book, "Surprises Around the Bend" and sharing it. On Mother Theresa: "In 1948 she arrived in the slums of Calcutta, but she was still not sure she had made the right decision. Could she really identify with these people? After praying for God's ugidance, she formulated a plan to walk through the slums and see what would happen. She quoted: 'I walked and walked all the time, until I couldn't walk anymore. Then I understood better the exhaustion of the really poor, always in search of a little food, of medicines, of everything.'

"That specific walk proved to be pivotal in resolving whether or not to accept the promptings of her heart. Yes, she could live like the people she sought to help. Though she had no shelter, no money, no employment, no security, somehow she believed God would provide."

8 Km

Friday, December 30th, 2011

2012-01-03T10:13:00.002-05:00

Surprises!

Toronto, Ontario

What a grand day of surprises - mostly good! Firstly, another accident destined vehicle going down the Dupont/Avenue Road area, spun out of control and this time it hit our temple/ashram building. It totalled our north barriered fence while the driver did survive. Thank God!

Next surprise! I received a call from Dr. Vikram Jal in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He told me of the good news that the deal is done; that a property not far from his home has been purchased, a building on one acre for monk-training purposes.

Our head brahmachari (monk) in Canada, Nitai Ram, originating by this purchase of a space that will provide facility for men who want to have that monk experience. Students will come there to have the full on Krishna Conscious training for taking to a time of learning, discipline and fun all wrapped up in one. We are ever so grateful to Vikram for being so progressive and so generous, I can't thank him enough.

Shortly after Vikram's call I received a notice slip from the local Post Office. Post Office? Who uses those places these days in the time of electronic dispatches? My good friend Akilananda from Ohio had sent me a cast mold of the footprints of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the historic world leader of mantra disemination. Chaitanya was a great walker and a great guru of bhakti. This imprint will adorn a space on our second floor where we have a pictorial display of Chaitanya. Thanks, Akilananda! You are a good friend.

Finally, without expectation, I received a gift in the form of a book, "Surprises Around the Bend" by Richard A. Hasler. Talk about surprises! Here's a great publication about 50 adventurous walks among them Francis of Assisi, John Bunyan, Mother Theresa and the Peace Pilgrim. I am indebted to Ananda Vrindavan for the thoughtful gift. I recall walking through her town in Ireland in 2008. How thougtful of her. My obeisance! This is one of the best days of my life.

5 Km

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

2011-12-31T00:10:00.001-05:00

Perceptions Outside

Toronto, Ontario

Winter has hit. Colours have shifted from green to white. It's a component of change and a symptom of cycle, an aspect of duality, the way of this world.

These truths of nature's phenomena are so evident when you step outside of the indoors. I had spent hours inside today caught up in the world that was imposed upon me. And then that illusion broke for another. I needed to get out into the elements. Yes, the elements - I have always found them to be a good way to meet Krishna. It becomes like an immersion into the vibrations of a temple, only outdoors.

When it's slippery and wet, pedestrians are more cautious. When it's cold heads are tilted forward and down to avoid snow. The body tenses up and shoulders tighten. It is also the time for an earned austerity. That could never be bad for anyone. The experience has to be taken as such, otherwise it is regarded as inconvenience.

When you are a renunciant, you look forward to sacrificial opportunities. It brings you closer to Him. When you see the sun or the moon they are His eyes. And when it's nighttime, He's wearing his shades. When it's too hot or too cold in His living room (the outdoors) it can only remind us that we are not these bodies and are beyond that.

6 Km

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

2011-12-31T00:06:00.004-05:00

Follow That Doctor's Instructions

Toronto, Ontario

While one of our young monks, Yogendra, was giving me a night time foot massage, I was reading some memories from our guru's students. The following is what Brahmananda, one of Srila Prabhupada's students recalls in regards to his walking:

"Prabhupada had a serious stroke on Memorial Day weekend when everyone had left New York City. Prabhupada couldn't function. We didn't want to bring him to a hosptial, so I called my family doctor, but he was out of town. I started making random calls, but everyone was out of town for the weekend. Ultimately, an old Jewish doctor came to see Prabhupada. The devotees were walking around barefooted, wearing jeans and T-shirts, chanting. We had no furniture, just a carpet. The doctor couldn't figure out what was going on. Meanwhile, Prabhupada was very sick.

"It took the doctor a long time to understand what was going on, what to speak of examining Prabhupada with the stethoscope and this and that. Afterwards we asked, 'What's wrong?' He said, 'I think the old man prays too much.' We said, 'Oh. Yeah. Okay.' The doctor said, 'He's got to get out. He's got to get some exercise.' Prabhupada could hear him from the other room. 'In the mornings he should go to the park for a walk.' then the doctor left.

"Eventually Prabhupada went to the hospital. When he came out we took him to a rented house by the seashore in New Jersey where he recovered. One day he announced, 'Now I will take a morning walk. That doctor said something valuable.' We thought the guy was nuts. 'No, no. He has given a good instruction. I will take that up.' Prabhupada proceeded to take a morning walk and Prabhupada always took that morning walk, no matter what his condition, what his health.

"When Prabhupada was in a hotel in Switzerland, it was snowing. Prabhupada couldn't go outside for his morning walk so he took it in the hotel corridors, walking and chanting just as if he were outside. When Prabhupada and all of us were injured in an automobile accident in Mauritius, we had aches and pains, but the next morning he went on his morning walk. Prabhupada followed that doctor's instruction."

7 Km

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

2011-12-29T00:07:00.002-05:00

The Kissin' Kind

Varadero, Cuba

There is the parting of the family in John Steinback's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" when the line comes out (I can't even remember the character's name) "we're not the kissin' kind." It's a tragic closing to a story of the Great Depression. In Cuba, it's the contrary. Everyone here is the kissing kind' so welcoming and warm and Latino.

It's my final day in Cuba so for the first farewell in Havana our group circled and sat in front of Calixto Garcia's monument, a replica sculpture of the 19th Cuban hero who staved off the Spanish. The history is interesting. Americans got a footing in the country and opened up Cuba as a summer resort, vacation and gambling destination. That all went on until the revolution in the fifties. Casinos were closed. The US moved on and Las Vegas then became what it is.

Now back to the circle where we expressed each others' association (without kisses) but with some instructions. Our communities in Havana and Matanzas have their humble beginning so all efforts to advance personal and public spirituality need cooperative implementation. If a kiss can take the form of instructive whisper, then that's what we dispatched.

Edelmira from Raidio Taino interviewed me for her show. Her questions were open. "Is ISKCON growing in Cuba?" "What is involved in your initiations?" and lastly, "Are you planning a walk across Cuba one day?" I wish all interviewers were like her - the motherly kissing kind.

Our day wrapped up at the Varadero beach for water fun. Here we created a water circle and discussed the tales of "The Mahabharat" until time rushed us off to the Matanzas group for a healthy meal and discussion with doctors and healers who inquired about my teatro espiritual.

"That's a project I love to talk about - therapy for the youth participants. It gives them a hope and a richness they might otherwise miss." We bid farewell and left the group for my flight. And, of course, there's always a smacking of lips to the cheeks to babies and adults alike, also guy to guy. I left that circle with a more softened heart and an internal tear of hope and prayer that love for Krishna will take hold in this land of loving people.

7 Km

Monday, December 26th, 2011

2011-12-28T23:59:00.002-05:00

Water, Fire, Air

Havana, Cuba

Our small group of japa walkers were set off for the Malecon when two tall big burly men noticed the robes. They stopped and asked for blessings, which we delivered.

Fishermen and young couples take advantage of Cuba's longest beach, the sea wall. I imagine many dreams lie on this beach as well, as people look over the Florida Strait's waters and the sun rises to their right with saffron smokey clouds drifting across ethereal skies.

Dreams can be so deceptive. Anyways, my dream since being here was to have a standard big fat North Amercian vegetarian meal. That's my weakness. Probably Cubans eat more modest but appropriate amounts. I don't see much obesity here and no malnutrition.

Our first speaking presentation was held at a community centre, Jaimanitas. Some of our congregants attended and also some new folks. We led them in chanting, dancing, philosophic/Vedic of course, and in surya namaskar, salutations to the sun. Oh yes, the sun is ever present here. I asked for feedback after the session and the consensus was that the attendees in general were joyful. On our return I offered to say to our young and slowly growing group that when making presentations to the public, there is no need to use the sledgehammer effect. Friendliness wins the game and not fanaticism.

On previous visits to Havana I made contact with the Indian Embassy. Today I went again for an unscheduled visit. It was interesting that deligates there knew that the sacred Bhagavad-gita was on trial in Russia.

In the evening Matanzas and Havana devotees converged at a doctor's home on the sea side. There Iksvaku conducted a standard ISKCON fire ceremony for two new initiates. Edelmira, a local radio broadcaster, took on the spiritual name of Elavati under the auspices of godbrother monk, Hridayananda Goswami (while in his absence). And Armando of Matanzas, who's 63, took the name Arjavam which means 'honesty' as found in the Gita.

To light the wood, camphor in plenty was supplied, but our outdoor uninvited guest, the wind god, posed obstacles. We were down to the last available match, when suddenly Agni, the fire god, kicked in, which made everyone present pretty cheerful.

13 Km

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

2011-12-28T23:55:00.001-05:00

Dreadlocks, Books and Mantras

A La Mar, Cuba

It doesn't seem to matter how calm are the ocean's currents, waves tend to leap over the Malecon sea wall and leave a slippery sidewalk. Joining me today on the slip 'n slide were Janardan, Das Avatar, Muni Srestha, and Santiago. We passed by security guards and with a nod, smile and salute, continued walking. My robes remain to be a curiosity, even for couples leaning on each other at this Lovers' Lane. It hits them with a dose of reality I guess. And since I prefer to expose my japa beads instead of keeping them in a bead bag (the last time a boy mistook it for a money bag and ran off with my 38 year old beads), it seems to quiet the street party goers, at least, momentarily. Perhaps it reminds some of them of church.

Off to A La Mar, our community went for a spiritual happening. It turns out it was Rastafarians and us, making music and matras at an outside residential street. We worked seperately and then merged together. Neighbourhood kids were very inclined to get in on the fun, but it was Iksvaku's father, Devaraj, 87, who stirred up the most excitement in the weather's comfortable low 20's temperature - Celsius that is.

In Cuba, music always permeates the air; an upbeat Rumba genre. I understand the government is down on hip hop music. Lyrics tend to denounce 'authority'. It looks like our style - kirtan, is accepted for now. People came forward to purchase Bhaktivedanta Book Trust literature and carry home with them mantra cards.

Early evening was spent at one household where devotees asked of details about the ten famous avatars. I only covered two in fine detail as that's what time allowed. Devotees were curious to know where to find such information as they wanted to know more.

We did come up with a system to keep in memory the 10 avatars, unless you know the Jayadev song quite well. There are 4 animal avatars (fish, tortoise, boar and lion). Then there is the avatar that by behaviour defended animals - Buddha. There are 3 avatars with the name Ram - Ram, Parasurama and Balaram. Finally there's a brahman - Vamana and the ultimate ksatriya - Kalki.

At least, this is one way to remember the list.

13 Km

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

2011-12-28T23:51:00.001-05:00

Cuba's Alright

Havana, Cuba

Transportation to various sat-sang speaking engagements has been kind of fun. Vintage cars as cabs have been our way of getting around apart from the walks along the Malecon, Havana's north side sea wall. A 55 Dodge model took us from Matanzas to Havana and once arrived, a 57 Ford model continued the service, compliments of Iksvaku. They are not in a souped up condition and their exhaust sends black clouds in the air so it's a mixed triumph and defeat experience, but an experience nevertheless.

There are meagre hints of Christmas tinsel and Hanukkah celebrations hardly can be seen or heard, yet a party spirit pervades the atmosphere. The Ecological Park got busy on Havana's west end with families taking advantage of the green space. Kids are up in fashion in Cuba with the Emo look disproving the myth that Cuba is totally cut off from the rest of the world.

A modest group of 20 people formed a circle upon the grass at the park to undergo a session on 9 Devotions. Well received! The dominant factor we discovered about our group was that since our goal is to exit from this world for the other-worldly scenario, to earn this privilege, we need to get along with each other. A consensus was that we didn't want to see dissension, that as a small group starting up a Krishna bhakti culture here in Cuba felt they couldn't afford to have neophyte tendencies to disturb us.

A second meeting of the group was at the home of a mother, son and daughter in law. They are so eager to learn so it came natural and unplanned for me to introduce to them the mantras of the text, "Brahma-samhita". We sang and sang, "Govinda adi Purusham Tam Aham Bhajami" which means "I honour Govinda (Krishna) the original person."

Can I say one more thing about Cubans aside from their receptivity? They look in great physical shape.

9 Km

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

2011-12-28T23:48:00.001-05:00

So Far, So Good!

Matanzas, Cuba

I had arrived at 9 PM the previous night at Varadero, Cuba. Customs was a no interrogation experience. After all, my body is Canadian and Cubans like Canada. there were only friendly questions some of which were asked three times over by three different officers. It began when I was in the line up. Of course, I stood out from the rest of the tourists with a rather Chowpatty orange colour. I was also asked by several Canadians on board about 'my faith'. "Buddhist?" they asked. When customs asked what I do in Canada I told them a no lie situation. "I'm a Bhakti Yoga instructor." This was my third visit to this land that has imposed upon itself a place of mystery.

My first engagement was at a Matanzas household where friends were invited. We spoke about the story of Dhruva from the book, Bhagavatam. Dhruva was a focused, determined young warrior who would on occasion have a fit of anger. We spoke about the boy last evening and this morning to the group. I also entertained private minutes with members of the group, addressing their personal needs and issues. Iksvaku, a Cuban born American, was there with me to assist and translate. What a pleasure it was to be with a less-complicated folk. And if having less produces these kind of people, I would opt for their company over most of the western world.

Finally, our third presentation since arriving in Cuba entailed a verse memorization session, expressing and detailing the Gita verse 18.42 which describes the attributes of peacefulness, self control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, applied knowledge and religiousness. All three programs met with success which included some prasadam, blessed edibles - a trite bland if I might say. But I loved the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Of course, Cuba rates as the number one organic food grower and consumer in the world per capita, so I've been told.

6 Km

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

2011-12-23T23:18:00.002-05:00

Fast Car, Tough World

Toronto, Ontario

This car just went out of control. At 3:45 AM I felt a thud. A female driver headed west on Dupont, crossed the street, went up the curb and into the park behind our temple. She zipped but 2 feet from our Prabhupada maple tree and went crashing against a mature tree, sending the car up in smoke and flames. It became a spectacle for those up at that hour. The woman survived as ambulance came to take the injured driver. The fire brigade put out the fire in no time. City TV came to report and police did their report. By 5:15 all was done, and the plot of land, the scene of the accident, right next to our building, was cleared of any mishap. The efficiency in dealing with the accident is commendable but the major point of reality here is the closeness of death. I could have been walking right there when the car sped along tearing up the grassy terrain and leaving a scar on the tree. The vehicle could also have struck our building leaving damage had it veered towards our temple.

The precariousness of life is interesting when you hear that a Utah truck driver who won a $380 000 Lamborghini in a convenience store contest crashed the sports car six hours after he got it. He now plans to sell the 640 horsepower convertible because he cannot afford the insurance taxes.

Tough world! It's a reality that's confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. "Dukhalayam asasavatam" are two Sanskrit words meaning 'misery' and 'temporary'. Hence, the predawn episode is a mere reminder.

I'm off to Cuba until late December when I return on the 27th. Hare Krishna!

8 Km

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

2011-12-23T23:11:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Kali Yuga!

Toronto, Ontario

Welcome to Kali Yuga, age of darkness!

When there's a threat of rain (looks like no white Christmas here) I'm inclined to trek a street with awnings and stay close to an underground mall where no walking impediment is known. I chose to turn a right on Yonge, but it wasn't all dry. It was a sleazy strip where I stepped over a stream of human urine trailing off into branches. A transvestite lay against a shop letting it loose. A man stood at him /her to say, "You shouldn't be doing that." Well s/he didn't take kindly to that and blurted out the most non-Christmas remark imaginable. Not good for a monk's ears.

At one crossing in that area a newsstand window revealed a headline about two young Dutch men engaged in cannibal sensation as part of a culinary experience. Surgically, flesh was taken from each and then gobbled up. Bon appetit!

"I don't want you near me again," shouted the young woman to her night partner as I walked by the couple who lingered in argument. Happy Holiday indeed!

Sights and sounds of our decadent but decorated season. Night time stuff. It invokes both my disgust and sympathy simultaneously.

I could have chosen a left turn and avoided the entertainment but then I might get spat upon by nature. Someone would probably say, "Oh come on, Swami, what you describe about decadence is just the tip of the iceberg."

Maybe so! I'm rather glad to have been born and raised in more simpler times. I'm also grateful to be in a safe environment, staying in temples, ashrams, and homes of the more pious. If there was anything beneficial about this and my other walks its that it always enhances gratitude.

7 KM

Friday, December 16th, 2011

2011-12-22T10:50:00.002-05:00

The Story of the Missing Benches.

Vancouver, British Columbia

It was with a mix of humour and wrestling of mind that the following brief story was born here:

Once upon a time a considerate priest of the temple decided to make his place of. worship and meditation a more people friendly place. Instead of assuming that all pilgrims coming to visit would take a lotus position by sitting on the cold marble floor (and that especially the elderly just couldn’t be so austere), he decided to shop around for some benches. After investing hours and hours of searching he came upon the perfect seats. They were black, smart looking, cushioned and fit just right, between deco pillars against the wall. The Brahmin priest was happy and most important, so were the elderly.

But someone was not happy. It was a mystery at first that the comfy benches would disappear and be placed in a storage area of the temple. It was finally found out that one of the temple monks was disgruntled and saw these benches as ‘looking cluttered’. He took the liberty to remove them, not considering how vital they were for people over 50, or others with physical issues. Attempts at negotiations and reason failed.

The concerned priest decided that this issue be brought to his temple committee of wise persons who decided unanimously that the benches return. The benches were placed back for the convenience of other, and with a notice tagged onto one of the benches reading, “Utility is the principle!” A quote from the founding father of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhuada.

The committee was curious as to whether the smart benches would make their way back to the storage parking lot, where they would be neglected and be ‘out of service’. Much to their amazement, and especially the Brahmin priests, the benches remained and all those hind quarters that reaped the benefit that those smart benches offered, lived happily ever after.

8 Km

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

2011-12-21T18:05:00.003-05:00

Yamuna

Toronto, Ontario

Back onto familiar sights – Victorian homes - Nice! Corporate buildings. Not nice! A pedestrian with skates wrapped around hockey stick. Okay! Wind. Okay! Night. Okay! Back to the ashram. Great! Morning sadhana. Great! Breakfast baked potatoes. Yum! Phone call from Raja. “Yamuna’s gone!”

That was hard to hear. Yamuna, my godsister. Sister or mother to us all. Pioneer of Krishna movement in the west – passed on in Florida. I know she had a struggling heart. I’ve visited her at her rural Canada home at Saranagati numerous times. They were powerful moments. Dina, her partner, was also there. I needed to just be alone. I was tired from lack of sleep and 2 hours walking. I lay down and I thought of this saint Yamuna whose voice is heard daily in thousands of places around the world with the recording “Govindam adi purusham.” “A lady of fineness.” That phrase came to mind and then a poem to follow after I awoke from a nap.

To Saint Yamuna

A glance from the master
And out of disaster
Came lady of fineness
Of gentleness, kindness
With a voice of grace
In her servant’s place
She’s going home
Ending her roam.
There’s no substitute
Feeling is destitute

A chef’s gone
A friend is gone
Her song’s ever more
At the 7 AM score
From the voice of grace
No flaw to trace
She would shout, “More Gaur!
More Gaur!” she would shout.

This very awesome devotee, Yamuna, is a big loss to the world wide community of devotees of Krishna.

10 Km

Monday, December 19th, 2011

2011-12-21T11:57:00.002-05:00

108 / Be Ready

Over Mountains, Prairies, Lakes, Canada

I was happy to note my Air Canada flight was numbered at 108. 108 is the figure for the number of Upanishads, Vedic texts. 108 is also the count for Krishna's major confidants. It's an auspicious figure.

I looked out my window and like all air travellers (call me The Flying Monk if you will) and below imagine what it would be like if I was dropped from thousands of feet above. My chanting would probably be the most heart felt ever and I likely would not complete one round on the 108 beads even if my dhoti (robes) bellowed out like a parachute allowing me an easy sail downward. Of course, the cold would take my life before I landed on either mountain slope, hard soil, tree branch or a frigid lake.

You can't help but have such thoughts run through the mind. Sudden departure of life come to people all the time in the form of foul play, nature play or accidental incidents. In such circumstances, there's so little time to call for help and to adjust to psychological surrender.

I was taught in my first days as a monk to always have those japa (meditation) beads with me. In the plane the beads, which assist my chanting, are in my bead bag with either my hand inside fingering them along or I have them stowed in the seat pouch right in front of me. The point is that I must always have them in my presence as I do my arms, legs, head, torso, and so on.

By 2:30 PM I landed at Pearson Airport in Toronto. Proceeded to the carousel for baggage pickup and then caught a glimpse on the screen of what I missed in the last few days, news wise. It's reported that hundreds of people in the Phillipines have lost lives in a flood and hundreds more are missing.

How precarious it is living in our world! How essential it is to have those 108 beads on a strand that will ready me for whatever catastrophe.

3 Km

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

2011-12-19T19:54:00.002-05:00

Light Bright

Burnaby, British Columbia

Okay! So you have six powerful young men around you who are armed each with lightweight mrdanga drums the shape of cement mixers that you see on construction sites. It's there hollowness that makes for the booming sound once those young men start pounding away. The men were poised. The ritual began. The beat began as well.

The ritual is actually kirtan which was the same pleasant ordeal that we came back with from Robson Street in downtown Vancouver. Now an even greater resounding occurred in the temple off Marine Drive, challenging the world of maya once the mantra began. "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare." I led the chant by God's grace.

The energy was explosive. All of us in the room were swaying, some even swooning. It's what happens every Sunday night, only perhaps tonight, everything was more ecstatic. Kids are off from school and people have their holidays. The atmosphere is light and bright because of the sound. You can't help but move and be moved by the power that relieves.

Someone showed me a quote recently from a 17th century English dramatist, William Congreve, who said, "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast." People turn to sound for its power to soothe, but here in the kirtan it does more so due to its transcending nature. What a relief it must be for those who go through a grueling week. That's what makes the Sunday crowd here so elated. And then to complete the event is prasadam, delicious sanctified food. The whole thing gives a buzz that lasts the week.

This program, the Sunday feast, with a diving sound, philosophy and great people to meet is a world wide happening. Everyone is welcome! Come during the holiday!

We Vishnu a Hare Krishna and a Hari New Year!

10 Km

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

2011-12-19T10:10:00.004-05:00

Raincouver, British Columbia

Russia Going Bad

I was conducting a 9 Devotions workshop at a gathering at the condo of Miguel and Raman Reti when Miguel was telling his story of how he met her.

"I had attended one of those Landmark Forums wherre you go to this transformational experience. I had then met Raman, who I call Christelle, and it was love at first sight. We talked and got to know each other. I told her I wanted to kiss her but she said, 'I don't want to be kissed by a meat eater.' So I decided to give up eating animals which was difficult at first. Then I said I wanted to marry her and she said, 'If you want to marry me then you have to follow Krishna'. I asked her, 'What do I have to do for that?' And then she explained that in addition to not eating meat, I should not take intoxicants, not gamble, and have no connections with other women. I told her I don't do these things anyways. So that's how Krishna became part of my life."

Thanks, Miguel, for your endearing story.

In the afternoon, a small group of Krishna devotees held a chanting party on Commercial Drive when I spotted Jason Crummy, a fellow from Newfoundland, whom I met on my 2003 trek across Canada. He was hitchiking near Montreal River in Northern Ontario when we met. He chummed with me for a couple of days, and even camped out at night with me. What a pleasure it was to see a walking partner from before.

The evening program held in Langley, a suburb, was hosted by Robert and Banke Bihari. We reflected on the verse 12.17 of the Gita where Krishna states, "One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things - such a devotee is very dear to Me."

Additional reflection for me today constituted as sadness over the likely banning of the most sacred Bhagavad Gita in Russia. Apparently the Orthodox Church, being influential there, is driving the ban, declaring the Gita as a text that promotes violence. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you look at the history of the world, India never attacked anyone. Rather, aggresive empires from outside declared war and seized much of India. It is a pacifistic culture by nature, being nurtured by the Gita's philosophy. As I walked to Marine Drive for a stretch, I found it rather annoying that such legislation by the Russian government would be even considered.

8 Km

If you'd like to help support this cause you can go to the link below and sign this petition, and please feel free to share this link.

http://www.petitions24.com/gita

Once you sign the petition - you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your vote. This is very important - otherwise it will be cancelled.

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

2011-12-17T07:46:00.002-05:00

Star Light

Venables Valley, British Columbia

Though clouds might be lurking in the valley, bright shining stars always punctuate the sky above the village of Saranagati. There are also luminaries found in the valley itself; only they are humans. They are especially the kids. It was my second day for drama workshop with the students at Govardhana Academy. For sure, they shine.

As part of an exercise to learning lines for a drama production, I had them memorize in Sanskrit, another one of my choice verses from the Gita. 9.29 reads like this:

"I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all, but whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him."

The contents of this verse leave us with an apparent contradiction, and here is the justification behind the dichotomy that is explained in the commentary by author Srila Prabhupada:

"Any person in this material world may be very charitably disposed, and yet has a special interest in his/her own children. The Lord claims that every living entity - in whatever form - is His child. And so He provides everyone with a generous supply of the necessities of life. But, for His devotees, He gives specific attention."

And here's more to think about:

"When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when the living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme, he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice."

May the intent behind this verse and your time and thought to it allow you to glow and become like a star.

9 Km

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

2011-12-16T14:26:00.006-05:00

Winter Valley

Venables Valley, British Columbia

Wherever you go in the village of Saranagati, located near the town of Ashcroft in Venables Valley, your likely to roast. That is, inside any of the dozens of homes of its residents, the fire is lit; local wood of pine or fir, has been cut to fit and to power a stove.

I went through a toasty session, a drama workshop, inside Govardhan Academy, the small village school. It was a Krishna Conscious approach to theater for youngsters at age 6 - 15. Outside the quaint building which has everything that deyfies rustic, rural back in the woods Canada, including a phone, computers, toilets, a kitchen and everything modern, there is the raw winter.

After my session with the students, they went outside to experience the "win" out of winter. Unlike Vancouver, anywhere east of the town of Hope, the white and briskness of this season becomes the stark reality.

Nirguna and I craved for that winter flavour, feeling no intimidation whatsoever by the radical change of climate here. We had a purpose in trudging through snow that was falling profusely from the sky. Those wet flakes sent an itchiness to our noses. At the south end of the valley, we came upon a yurt, a circular domed home owned by Stanur, and Narayani and family. It is remotely situated and to drive there you require a good four-wheel-drive vehicle with either snow tires or tires with a snug chain wrapped around them in order to grip the snow.

Because we began to walk the trail at 9pm-after a group reading about saint Bhaktisiddhanta, we would have been groping around in darkness. A small flashlight and the pervasive snow with some moon effect, lit up the way for us.

Our final destination on this quiet trek was a visit to an aging cow, Gopi. Under a sheltered cowshed, with her only attendant being a sound recording of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, singing in solemnity, lay Gopi. She was practically non-responsive to our touch of farewell. It became apparent that the only thing that will be moving for her would be her soul. Our guesstimation was that it would be only hours, or minutes before she would take that journey.

Hare Krishna!

7 Km

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

2011-12-15T08:44:00.001-05:00

A Get Together

Burnaby, British Columbia

A simple six kilometer trek North of Royal Oak from Marine Drive took Nirguna, his fiancee Annique, and I to the residence of Chaitanya Chandra, Manoharini and their three boys. We were greeted at their door by the music they played.

Manoharini was bellowing out on bag pipes to the tune "Amazing Grace". And gracious they were. You just have to see their semi-detached apartment interior. The colours, images, lights and moods throw you into a world of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Frankly, wherever I am invited, the hospitality is also from another sphere but this added feature of mood setting steals the show from venues of drab, everyday furniture and fixtures.

Some newcomers to Krishna Consciousness and solid veterans of Bhakti filled up the space when we sat to an interactive discussion on verses 22-25 from the Gita. Here they are from Chapter 14.

Bhagavan said, "O son of Pandu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal towards the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honour and dishonour; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities--such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature."

6 Km

Monday, December 12th, 2011

2011-12-13T18:04:00.002-05:00

Make A Smart Turn

Burnaby, British Columbia

Whatever the route, there’s always going to be an intersection. I purposefully try to avoid street lights and busy corners where I’m forced to stop. I prefer to coast along on foot without hindrance. I don’t like to interrupt the flow. Eventually, and inevitably though, there has to be a stop (or an Arret, as the sign reads in Quebec).

Life is so much like this type of walking. I found out myself from doing three treks across Canada, if it’s not a street light, a dead end or a cul de sac, it will certainly be an ocean to arrest you. We’ve got three of them, the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic.

The good thing about stopping is that it sets off a moment of reality, puts you on to a different mood, a new train of thought. This could be healthy, and I like to parallel this to life. Of course if you don’t stop at the light, you could turn into a pizza.

I had the great opportunity today to look at two separate instances of teenage boys who hit a cross roads in their life’s soujourn. You don’t have to go far back to process your own past, as an adolescent, when you struck a brick wall and you were forced to think things over and make big decisions. You pondered, should I go right, left, forward or in reverse? It’s still clear in my nostalgic head the imagery of Oz’s cowardly lion who read the sign that said, ‘I’d turn back if I were you.’ Most decisively it has to be determined what’s forbidden territory and what is safe.

I once took a bus trip through the foothills of the Himilayas on route to Deradun, when our bus stopped at a river. There was no bridge. The driver decided that the river was dried up enough to cross. Despite puddles of water and potholes everywhere. It was a rough crossing.

Back to the teenagers at their intersection: I tried my best to build a human sensitive bridge so they could cross over or jump over the hurdles. I offered some practical advice and encouraged them to have their spirituality take the lead. It was a good exchange. Move ahead! Watch where you go! Stop! Make a smart turn!

15 Km

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

2011-12-13T18:00:00.001-05:00

Curb Apparent Evil

Vancouver, British Columbia

A frost spread itself over the ground's surface leaving a white sparkle effect on grass and road. I did hear a coyote yelp. It was the time of Brahma Muhurta, the moment before dawn, when I took to trails under the Skytrain and elsewhere. The environment spelled out 'ominous' until I interacted with humans. The morning rolled out a series of upheavals.

It began with meeting Raghunatha, who had been jumped upon and attacked by a half crazed drunk person. Raghunatha had just returned from the hospital when the incident happened after last evening's amazing time of chanting. From here on on the hour, concerns and reports came to me of inauspicious goings on. It appeared to be full moon reactions so I could surmise. One of our courageous women in the community here responded to hearing of the multiple mishaps to individuals by saying 'kirtan!'. She was implying that loud and hard chanting, the kind that penetrates through the walls of madness, will bring some resolve and peace. I did not follow the news to the world events today for sure, as far as individuals were concerned I sensed a heap of mind snapping occurrences, which were all too coincidental to be true. According to the Vedas, the moon does have incredible impact on the mind and therefore it is a time when it's at its fullest for us to hold tight on to the mantra, literally, means mind's subduer.

A small group of us stormed the downtown at the Robson and Granville area of trumpet and drum and melodic voices. Hey, the sun shone, and people smiled to the cheerful sound.

10 Km

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

2011-12-13T17:53:00.002-05:00

Mantra and Moon

Vancouver, British Columbia

A trumpet, two mrdanga drums, a pair of hand cymbals, some clapping and powerful voices permeated the ether at Vancouver’s hip strip, on Commercial Drive. Our kirtan chanting party moved joyously up and down the street, delivering the great mantra of deliverance. As we passed by cafes, restaurants, hair salons, chic clothing shops and such, the occupants inside looked as if responding to a happy tremor.

From there we moved to Unity Yoga, a center off of Commercial Drive, where twice a month, bhakti yoga takes the stage. The scheduled event drew a full crowd, 30 people or so, who took well to our message of the Gita, from 2.17. Done for the first time was a choreographed dance to the chant which involved every human being in the room. The mood was just a carry over from our joy on the street and I hoped that the same contagion had rubbed off on all those who had tended the event.

Given that we entered into a full moon period and an eclipse in the early morning, kirtan was a powerful counteracter to such inauspicious luminary occurrences. After a fruitful day at the temple, the street, the enchanting program at Unity Yoga, I layed down to rest, and as my eyelids got heavy, I reflected on the magical image I saw this morning while on that early morning stroll. It was 4 AM Pacific Time, and the moon was practically like the yoga room – full. I entered the temple for morning kirtan, and then exited at 5:20 AM to view that ball in the sky once again. By now, his eyelid closed on him to over half his circumference. He looked sleepy, as I was.

Let coyotes and wolves howl and let Rahu the dark planet, swallow the moon, but let the kirtan resound and make the world shine.

9 Km

Friday, December 9th, 2011

2011-12-13T17:47:00.002-05:00

Let’s Move

Burnaby, British Columbia

There’s time to be mobile and time to be still, but too much of either one seems to throw most people off balance.

An acquaintance of mine here in Burnaby described to me, “I’ve dug myself into a deep deep hole, it’s hard to get out.” My friend, Bill, was saying that he had been depressed for weeks; it’s clinical depression. I offered him the opportunity to walk with me. He agreed, but not so happily. We took to a walk by a community garden area and then tread along on some waste land, and then some regular retail shopping mall strip. The scenery was not too exciting, although BC has some of the best nature esthetics in the world, but that wasn’t important right now.

The walk, the mobility of muscle, the oxygen and especially the talk, all contributed to ‘coming out of the blues’. I was happy to see Bill’s transformation. It was day three since I was trying to crowbar Bill out of his lodge. Well, he made it and he felt better for it. I’m not a therapist, but a type of sadhu (holy person) who likes to be on moving legs at certain times of the day. To Bill, I urged, “please try this prescription every day.”

The wind moves, but not always. It also sleeps. Cars moved and passed by us, but they need their break too. Much of the world stops at nightfall and picks up again at daybreak. Some living entities do it in reverse and are on a night shift. At the ISKCON property in Burnaby, the tiny mole moves and builds his mounds, then he goes to sleep. There is also something called a vole on these temple grounds that are very mobile. So everything moves and also has a tendency to stop. In most cases, movement is the healthiest situation.

Dr. David Frawley wrote a book called, “Arise, Arjuna” about getting active, coming alive, doing one’s dharma, and paying heed to the words of Krishna. First Krishna talked to Arjuna and then he encouraged action. Because they were friends, the talk was natural, and because they were friends, they ended up moving together.

Let’s move, but with some decent breaks.

10 Km

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

2011-12-11T23:58:00.002-05:00

I'm Sure You Have...

Burnaby, British Columbia

I'm sure you've experienced it like I have; that short and brief moment when you think you're being followed.

It's nighttime and you're walking on the street (like I was tonight on a Burnaby sidewalk). It's dark and you are coming towards a street light with its rays casting a shadow; actually, your shadow. It looks and feels like this tall and growing person is behind you and approaching you. He's bigger than you, he may attack you and kill you. In a flash fear hormones explode. You turn your head towards him, nothing's there. You are relieved that it's your shadow. You now feel safe.

Safety is a big factor in people's lives. I had picked up a free Metro paper from a news stand. Once I got to my guest quarters, I browsed through, flipping the pages. You get the usual sensational hype, and much of it instills fear and mistrust in each other.

Some attention grabbing headlines for an ordinary day. Former junior hockey coach pleads guilty to sex abuse. Body Found in Burnaby Identified. Man In A Wheelchair Attacked. Remains of Diver Found 26 Years Later. Some articles are not at all bad, though the subject is chilling. For instance, the one about China police cracking down on child trafficking rings. Apparently tens of thousands of children each year in China. Although, a positive article, it still addresses the unsafe situation for women and children especially. Indeed, we live in a world full of fear, safety is a big issue. So you wonder sometimes. I may be walking and chanting but there's still a chance of becoming victimized. Guardian angel, God, or Krishna, are well wishers and protectors... Still there are surprises in this world. Nothing is totally physically secure, until we shed the body for a permanent one.

Who doesn't want such top security?

7 Km

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

2011-12-08T22:02:00.002-05:00

From Baby to Baby to Baby

Burnaby, British Columbia

"We come like a baby and we go out like a baby," said the voice of an elderly man. I was in the palliative care unit of the Burnaby General Hospital when the comment came out from behind the bed curtains as he was speaking to the nurse.

I suppose it's one of those comments that is heard by those who tend to patients in thier last days. So I, making that pastoral visit, which goes with the brahmin's territory, also hear such truthful remarks.

Kapil, aka, Keith Neale, was a patient I had come to visit. It was only today that the doctor informed him that a few days remained for him. Kapil said to me that he was shocked that his time was soon coming. Yet, he didn't show it, I knew so little of him, only that he was a very steady pujari (priest) at the local Krishna temple. He gave me some biographical details about himself. He gave up an executive life for a devotional one. A lump recently started forming behind his ear and he was diagnosed with cancer.

I was impressed with how he's handling this turn of events, taking it like a hero at 63.

I was also moved by the spirit of Michelle, 70, who is also a member of our community in Burnaby, and whose waning days on this planet are a reality. She is one floor up from Kapil. She was speaking with some spunk about her happy days of serving and visiting the temple. The major theme of our topic at the hospital could be titled, 'Enough'. Enough meaning she wanted to go. She wished that patients could graciously leave this world, to not prolong their stay through modern technical hookups or any other superficial means. Her point was "Let the next life open up to you." It was not totally clear to me that she was in such anguish as to leave her body now, but she was certainly speaking on behalf of thousands, perhaps millions of people whose stay in this world has been prolonged. When in fact, they wish to die and depart for greater hopes.

This concept of life after life is something that gives that extra drive, especially if it promises an improved situation.

Michelle chose a big topic that warrants such big talks and thoughts. I thought about it more as I walked from the hospital back to my guest accommodation. In the Gita Sri Krsna explains, "As the embodied soul continually passes in this life from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at the time of death. One who is self realized (spiritual) is not bewildered by such a change." Bhagavad-gita 2.13

4 Km

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

2011-12-07T19:20:00.001-05:00

Grey Day

Toronto, Ontario

The day is grey, just like the previous one, and the one before that. That most dismal of colours is on a roll. It's out of our control.

I roamed Cabbagetown, the place of early Irish settlers. Cabbages is what they grew and hence, the name. Potatoes failed them. A new veg arose.

I passed by Pembroke St. In 1975, our beleoved guru, Srila Prabhupada, took residence in an apartment there for two to three days. His visit was cut short due to a meeting that became scheduled with Indira Gandhi. Prabhupada had to rush back. That sign, when I read it, caused a yank at the heart strings. There was 187 Gerrard, once an ashram, now a house. It's where I joined. I also walked by a billboard. There was a friend of mine posing as a homeless person for the Salvation Army. He is gestured as reaching out for a blanket neatly folded above him, yet beyond reach.

"Hey, Durward, you're all over town, as a poster boy, relaying the message that there's hope."

Hope is a topic we discussed this morning during our Bhagavatam lesson at the temple ashram. Without searching for a dictionary definition I openly asked our dozen attendees. The replies came, "It's something for the future." "It's light at the end of the tunnel." "A promising sign." "It's Krishna reaching out."

As we analyzed this great virtue an optimism was rising. Apart from the greyness of colour, darkness came my way. A friend from PEI wrote, "I have Parkinson's, a type they can't cure." Another message said, from another devoted soul from Halifax, "I'm having surgery. It's a risky situation." A phone call from BC told that a family I know is breaking up. Through all of this, the japa chanting made it possible to bear challenging bits of news tolerable.

As a renunciant one cultivates a feeling for others, it compels one to wish well those sufferers of this mundane existence. It stimulates compassion and empathy. Without these components the world has no heart.

9 Km

Monday, December 5th, 2011

2011-12-07T19:17:00.002-05:00

Who Can Claim Perfection?

Toronto, Ontario

We all have human frailties. I have plenty. Gurus in our order list or identify four major defects found in humans.

1. Our senses are imperfect.
2. We have an inclination to cheat.
3. We are constantly deluded, for instance we surmise that the body is the self.
4. WE are all prone ot make mistakes.

Hers' one of my personal weaknesses. I sometimes start to fade while someone's talking to me. My eyelids get heavy and they begin to shut until I realize (or the person talking to me realizes) he/she is losing my attention.

"Are you fading?" asked my friend who was seated across from me at a table.

"Yes. I'm tired, sorry!" I said and I was tired from lack of sufficient rest the night before. I didn't have the guts to say that I wanted to have more of a two way dialogue which was clearly not happening. That was another weakness. I could be frank and be less polite.

You learn something about yourself as time passes, or you should be. I learn new things about our neighbourhood. On my walk today I explored at least two locations in our vicinity where I'd been walking for years, locations where two of my favourite artists (during the time when I hit adolescence) churned out masterpieces of acrylic work in a studio that I pass by regularly. It was a personal discovery. I didn't know all this time what's right under my nose.

What else did I realize about myself? Well, maybe age is slowly creeping up. At A group reading of the Bhagavad-gita, a length of two and a half hours, in Sanskrit through transliteration, on this Advent of the Gita, I realized I couldn't read with a gusto as before. Partially it was not the greatest lighting arrangement for which to read the seven hundred verses, but it was also a slow stamina deterioration.

I took the lead with the reading but my recitation was not the greatest and pronunciation, not the best. It was an offense to the Sanskrit language what people were hearing and therefore in pursuit of following, they in turn were left confused. After reading the first twelve chapters with six to go, I asked the crowd, "Shall we recite in English? Let's vote." So we did. Only one person preferred to stick to the mother tongue while the rest vied for rendering it in a language we could understand.

We all admitted to a weakness in pronunciation of the divine language. What to conclude? We're not perfect. If we were, we'd be God.

5 Km

Sunday, December 4th, 2011

2011-12-05T12:37:00.001-05:00

How Christmas Is Treated Today

Toronto, Ontario

A friend of mine, Barry Brown, aka, Baladev, whom I used to travel with in the States while we were both brahmacharis (monks) in the seventies, sent me this poem. It reflects the way many of us feel:

Was the Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feeling, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CD's from Madonna, and XBOX, and i-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd~
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
in hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word "Christmas" was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Payless and Sears
You won't hear the word "Christmas", it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Harper, on Watson, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation or grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
Not Happy Holiday!

Thanks, Baladev.

8 Km

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

2011-12-05T12:36:00.001-05:00

It Can Be Done

Markham, Ontario

I've felt so few encumbrances the last four days and I had to wonder why? Then it came to me. An inner voice spoke, "Hey, Swamiji, you haven't been in a car for that length of time." And you know, the voice was right. I've felt so liberated as of late.

If I had my way, "If I was mayor of town," as I put it to a table of people sitting around it, "I would eliminate all automobiles." Some heads bobbed as nods of approval. My confession is that I will not enter into the political field, not in this life. It's alright to dream.

For practical reasons, I and a small team of two other monks from India, a veteran vaishnav Subuddhi (our fabulous temple coordinator and cook) and one tall Gujrati pujari (priest), Guhya, made utility the principle. We used a van to drive through a superficially laid out urban sprawl. It was in Markham. What we perceived as our feat to achieve this Saturday evening was the obligation to attend three functions at once, or at least to squeeze them into a decent time frame.

Miracles, be what they are, make their ways into our life every day. Our time management played in concert with the miracle and we somehow or other covered all three venues in one evening. On top of that our inclusive Sastra Dhan (scripture sponsorship) program for the Bhagavad-gita was exhausted after the second program. It's a great program designed to engage people in the giving mode of delivering something so precious.

The words of Sri Krishna are indeed precious and it may be worthy to mark on one's calendar the advent of the Gita. December the 5th is the day by lunar movements and the best way to celebrate this master book of yoga is by reading a section and then sharing it.

All blessings!

8 Km

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

2011-12-04T13:43:00.004-05:00

As If For the First Time

Toronto, Ontario

A good number of people cast over themselves a cloud of sadness at Christmas time.

If we are wise, then there is no need for lamentation. Krishna tells Arjuna in the Gita, "You are talking like a learned man, but you do not know that one who is learned - one who knows what is body and what is soul - does not lament for any stage of the body, neither in the living nor in the dead condition."

Quoting further form the Gita 2.11's purport, this is elaborated upon. "It will be clear that knowledge means to know matter and spirit and the controller of both. Arjuna argued that religious principles should be given more importance than politics and sociology, but he did not know that knowledge of matter, soul and the Supreme is even more important than religious formularies. And because he was lacking in that knowledge, he should not have posed himself as a very learned man. As he did not happen to be a very learned man, he was consequently lamenting for something which was unworthy of lamentation. The body is born and is destined to be vanquished today or tomorrow; therefore the body is not as important as the soul. One who knows this is actually learned and for him there is no cause for lamentation regardless of the conditions of the material body."

I was floored when I read this message this morning. It's something which reached my eyes dozens of times before but somehow or other it was so impactful as if reading it for the first time. The words 'does not lament for any stage of the body, neither in the living nor in the dead conditions' stayed with me as I walked one of the city's larger cemeteries. It was dusk and all was fine.

9 Km

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

2011-12-02T22:55:00.002-05:00

The Case of the Bull

Toronto, Ontario

It has been a mild November. Leaves are still the dominant reality, and not snow, as they are strewn by Mother Nature on her own surface. Six men, I say 6, were blowing leaves off a front yard, with their very un-macho noise making machinery. That struck a nostalgic nerve of a yesteryear to a leaf raking back flash.

On Mount Pleasant Avenue the traffic speed lulled to make way for paramedics in a rush. The sirens gave alert. On into Moore Park Ravine, my daily pilgrim path, and I spotted yet another hornet's nest to add to the count of five days before. Hey, I'm counting 'days' too.

One woman in the ravine held one dozen dogs on leashes. I said to the dog sitter, "That's a little bit over-kill, isn't it?" She broke into a smile and agreed. Another dog owner expressed that his pet loves it down there, "And so do I," about himself.

At Evergreen Brickworks a beaver enjoyed his simultaneous bath and swim. My near presence to him didn't phase him at all.

Back up to street level and I pass by a newsstand where I caught a glimpse of a headline. Apparently the Ontario Government will pass legislation on anti-bullying, especially targeted for the school premises. Anyone caught being aggressive could face expulsion. "That's progressive implementation," I thought.

I also thought of the bad rap bulls get when we use the phrase 'bullying'. I was raised on a farm. Bulls are nice creatures. And for almost 40 years I'm linked up to a culture that adores cows and their counter parts. In the secular society we call somone whose physically mean a 'bully'. A graphic expression of anger is explained as 'a bull in a China shop'. In Spain the national sport is to kill a bull and everyone rejoices. And when we express disdain, we say, 'B.S.'.

Poor things! They deserve a better reputation.

Our temple ashram is on the verge of acquiring milk from ahimsa cows, meaning cows that won't be slaughtered. Unfortunately the bulls are 'sent away' if you know what I mean. If reason has a place you can say, 'without the bull there will be no milk, him being the breeder.' and that's 'no bull'. Oops, I caught myself. See how conditioned we are. I believe we should start a Bull Pride campaign.

In India the bull represents dharma. He's labelled as the Father of Duty. I believe India's got it right. His reputation needs boosting. He deserves some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Sing it out, Aretha Franklin! Let's stand up for the old boys!

9 Km

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

2011-11-30T21:34:00.003-05:00

What To Do With A Kali Yuga Man?

Toronto, Ontario

Yogendra, 24, is another one of our monks from Halifax spending some time here. He and I had taken to a wet walk north on Yonge when we met a soul who is really struggling, messed up I'd say. He came up to us smelling like a brewery and began his rambling. He said, "..." , well, I can't repeat. It's not very monk like what was coming out of his mouth. We tried to detour by crossing the street because he kept to our pace and anything we would say would not calm him. He was too far gone. He was big bodied and his demeanour was 'aggressive'. Successfully and eventually we got rid of him. We saw him harassing others as well.

I was reminded of a Zen sarcasm remark. "Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."

Yogendra and I left our foul mouthed friend who stopped traffic to spout out more 'stuff'. He created a 'jam' and the honking began. This poor soul caught up to us later. He was carrying a half female mannequin (from waist down) in his arms trying to offer it. At least he was in the mode of giving. Merry Christmas!

When returning to the temple ashram I reflected for a moment on our (Kali Yuga) man feeling a pint of compassion. I was compelled, however, to look up a few more (possibly related to our encounter) sayings of Zen sarcasm. I already gave number 1.

2) Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone.

3) Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

4) Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

5) Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

6) Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

7) Never miss a good chance to shut up.

To our friend, well, I hope I'll meet him again at a more sober moment when I can share a joke or two and then give him some 'sock it to me' wisdom from the Gita.

8 Km

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

2011-11-30T21:31:00.002-05:00

Walk the Lines

Montreal, Quebec

On the previous night I had a group of about twenty people memorize this verse from the Gita:

"This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed." (Bhagavad-gita 9.2)

The technique for learning this verse was itself joyfully performed. I apply this simple method of going over each word, but in Sanskrit, then line by line, and have each participant recite them to a beat, meaning someone is thumping at the end of a mrgdunga drum. I will do a drill of this and the memorization of the verse would really be moving. I guess you could say we were putting into practice 'a drill thrill' going at the verse forward, backward, inside and out and incorporating the meaning of each word at the same time.

The next time I render some kind of acting workshop I'll use this method. Within 30 minutes our test crew here had the verse memorized through our method. Let's say 80%of those sitting there in front of me in the lotus position were becoming transcendentally immersed in the verse.

Here's the Sanskrit of the verse in Roman transliteration, and it's beautiful:

raja vidya raja guhyam
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakshavagamam dharmyam
su-sukham kartum avyayam

I usually propose that participants chant this verse which expresses the depth of Vedic wisdom while they walk down the street. That always brings a smile.

8 Km

Monday, November 28th, 2011

2011-11-29T18:32:00.001-05:00

At the Edge of St. Catherine's

Montreal, Quebec

Walking is fun in and of itself. You can add frill to it and it becomes even more interesting. Through an opening of a fence at the end of St. Catherine's Street we did go. This led to a trail and then a railroad track. We were sure we weren't supposed to be there but we reasoned that others do it otherwise there wouldn't be a worn out path. For some locals it's a dump site. Tires and some smaller household appliances are strewn about. This little 'escape route' as it appears with trees and grass, path and tracks is the kind of place where youths go to smoke their dope.

It's Montreal's east-end. Not the greatest neigbourhood, but there's a feeling of freedom where we were.

Sonny was with me on a second stroll for the day on St. Catherine's. He decided to leave his computer job of eight years for a year of pilgrimage which includes travelling with our Halifax monks. Good for him. He'll have an awesome time.

To also accompany us were Krtamala from Bosnia and Yajna, who is just ready to leave for BC to see his family there. All four of us are somewhat the creative type of people. We peered into one window at a shop that displayed some fascinating Medeival armour attire. Although it wasn't Vedic ksatriya wear, it reminded us of the battles outlined in the epic, "Mahabharat". We were taken by the work done on these costumes. Immediately I thought 'productions', 'theatre'.

To prepare for a February trip to India for a stage production that I'm working on I needed some fabric material for costumes. We decided as a group to leave that shop of our dreams for Fabricland. It was rather a spontaneous decision and certainly added to the enjoyment of the day. Within minutes we were inside the shopping mall and Fabricland. We selected many metres-length of rich flowing material which was advertized at 40% off. To get your bargain you require to have a card. Out of the four of us no one was cardholder although Yajna had one at home.

What to do? We were at the counter ready to pay.

"Is anyone looking for a card?" said the feminine voice. In the upheld hand of now a fifth person, Sharada, a godsister as we call it, who came out of nowhere, was the discount card we needed. Sharada so incidentally came to the shop overheard us and then whipped out that major card for the deal of the day. We were stunned.

Out of the day's little adventures our culmination was something we call "Krishna's arrangement." We live for that.

7 Km

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

2011-11-28T18:32:00.001-05:00

A Monk with Direction

Montreal, Quebec

'Bonjour' means 'good day'. Such was the way we addressed Sunday afternoon pedestrians along La Rue de la Fontaine as they passed by us. I was with one of our Halifax monks, and we were talking. I was pleased to hear that he had definite plans about his future. He was clear that the student period of his life as a brahmachari, monk, would terminate for a pursuit at furthering his education and in preparation for his next phase in life of a hopeful family person. I appreciated that he approached several devotionally successful people before making his decision.

There’s nothing shameful about entering into a future relationship with someone. There is a mature way to approach it and so he wanted to do everything in “the right way”, as he put it. “Thoughtful” would be the word to describe the steps he is taking to shape what’s ahead. He is applying himself in a focused manner. As in the direction of the Gita, where it states, ekeha kuru nandana, resoluteness is required.

For the Sunday talk to the congregants at ISKCON Montreal, I capitalized on the point of sharing Krishna with others and to conjure up creative and innovative ways for this to happen. One sure way to make rapid spiritual advancement is by investing in sharing your spirituality with others. Since December is a month designated to the gesture of giving, one just needs to apply some conviction and then you have a recipe for success.

All over the world, people are participating in the Prabhupada Marathon with great determination in distributing and disseminating the message of Krishna Consciousness. There are various ways to do that.

4 Km

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

2011-11-28T18:28:00.002-05:00

Looking Up

Toronto, Ontario

I looked up at the trekking trail in a different way today. I looked up with trees barren, all kinds of things were exposed. Apart from black and grey squirrels ‘hanging out’, wiggling their tails, there were master crafted nests. In a short half an hour stretch I counted 6 hornets’ nests, some high and some low, practically dangling from the edge of a branch. The rest of the dwellings belonged to the bird family. There were hundreds. They come in dimensions from the size and shape of a small mug to that of the size of a small osprey’s nest.

I was amazed by the diversity of them and it was adventurous for me to explore this all. The last time I tilted my head slightly and looked at what’s above instead of what’s directly in front of me or below me, was when in Manhattan on Broadway I was looking at all the skyscrapers and flashing signs. That, right there, is the contrast of two worlds. The man made versus nature.

There’s not a day that goes by while walking when I question the direction of our techy and also ticky tacky world. Whether in Buenos Aires, Delhi, a US or Canadian city, the increase of the use of automation is creating a congestion that will be beyond our belief in our lifetime. In fact, automobiles for example, are the real hornets nests that are the sting of our society.

Srila Prabhupada, our guru, had the vision for a protected environment with eco-agro-friendly elements, as a way to counter the world of mass distraction and mass destruction. I sometimes feel like I’m living in this heaven walking through a tree zone. I often flashback to 500 years before and how simpler times were more wholesome times.

I will continue to look up, but not just at hornets or birds’ nests, but at a dream of a permanent, clear sky, that won’t be blackened by our own greedy residue of manufactured nonsense. We live in excess and for that there will be no success. Show me a horse, show me a buggy, and I’ll be humbled. Show me a car to drive and I’ll think I’m God in big time control.

I came back from this walk today to step into a wedding. Rupanuga, a very committed member devotee and attendee at this occasion of Suneet and Mahasundari’s wedding, mentioned to me that travelling can be increasingly a challenge to deal with, even to get to a wedding.

Yes, Rupa, you’re right. What are we all going to do about it? Here’s my crazy answer, stop driving and start living, so we can count the nests.

10 Km

Friday, November 25th, 2011

2011-11-27T22:13:00.002-05:00

I Am Not

Toronto, Ontario

I am not on a Christian kick necessarily, but since it is Christmas time, some Biblical messages seem to be coming my way. From the periodical 'Ministry' which comes happily by snail mail to our ashram mailbox, there is a quote from 1Corenthians (10:31 NIV), and it has a remarkable parallel to a verse in the Gita.

Here we go... from Corenthians

"So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

And here is the verse from the Gita where God speaks:

"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer of give away, and whatever austerities you perform - do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me."

Strikingly similar in message, wouldn't you say? And what if Christmas was actually like that - a time to give to God instead of it being a shopping racket? What was it that Jesus had received when he was born? Some gold, frankincense and myrrh. How did we get to the stats we are in now with such a heavy dose of commercialism? What happened to loving the Lord with all thy heart, soul and mind?

That's another Biblical teaching about loving. I look to a parallel verse from the Gita. From chapters 9 and 18 where God (Krishna) says, "Always think of me, become devoted to Me, worship Me, and you will come to Me."

Christ Consciousness and Krishna Consciousness. Not much difference!

10 Km

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

2011-11-27T22:09:00.002-05:00

Love Thy....

Toronto, Ontario

It's like we knew each other in a former life. This tall fellow, in his 60s, walking his German Sheppard, is someone I've bumped into for at least twenty years. He's an artist, does pencil portraits, is well read and is as regulated with walking that dog of his that it puts my regularity to shame. Every time we see each other its a chat. Funny thing is we never bother to ask each other our names. It's as if no intro is needed. It's always good to keep in touch and 'to love thy neighbour.'

I was informed that Surya (the sun) was being eclipsed around the time of interacting with the artist friend. The sky was overcast and carried a spooky aspect.

In any event, down the ravine I go near Chorley Park, down Milkman's Lane. Maintenance on this trail has not been much to be desired but recently funds were raised to address erosion problems and I can see now that this favourite route for Rosedale folks has a chance.

My chanting was persistant along with the trekking and intermittently between the words Hare Krishna or Rama I would leak out a "Hello!" or "Good evening!" or "Hi!" to the brave mud treaders in the ravine as skies became increasingly darker at this new moon timing. Again "love thy neighbour." The trek was at a retarded speed because of pinching sensations in the lower back. The cause? Too much air travel, I believe. But I walk to survive. Working those lower back muscles (and even sweat) will sustain me until it's time to stop all together. These bodies, this machinery, is not permanent, you know.

Finally, before I enter the temple ashram, I pass by the Prabhupada tree, a gorgeous and hopeful sprawling maple, designated in honour of our guru. All but few leaves have bit the dust, or at least have fallen to the wet grass below. This special tree planted about fourteen months ago, will see its second winter. I guess you could say that it's our new kid on the block. It's now our neighbour. We love thy neighbour. " Human or not.

11 Km

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

2011-11-24T22:33:00.001-05:00

For Lynn

Toronto, Ontario

My peering out the window this early morning before sunrise revealed a wet street and a dripping sky. This told me to put on some rain gear and to walk to a sheltered area where I could pace back and forth. At Yonge and Summerhill there is this century old handsome piece of architecture, a former passenger Canadian Pacific Railway Station and now a high end liquor store. It is one of the few places near by the temple ashram where I can go for solitude to chant and pace.

I noticed a sign on the door, "Public Notice". It went on to read the the administration has removed liquor merchandise from the premises, a certain Woody's brand, that was found to have glass pieces in its contents. That's scary. Imagine getting your stomach sliced open in millions of spots. From the perspective of a swami, one who avoids intoxicants altogether, it raises questions as to which is worse, the fluid or the glass chips? With a peak through the window I was impressed with the neatly aligned filled bottles on shelves, brands of bottles with Christmas ornamentation. The shop is pristine inside and a worker was checking inventory very meticulously. Hmmm! "The quality of cleanliness is what a temple ought to always be," I thought. When you move around into different areas of a city or country, there's always something there to inspire you. You just open your eyes and it's there.

I received a call today (hours later) from Lynn, whom I met in Nova Scotia while on my walk this last September. She kept my number and wanted to talk. Apparently life has been rough for her. Her grandmom of 103 years of age, just passed away and Lynn herself is suffering physically from an accident from when she was in her teens. She was looking to be cheered up from what I could gather.

"You can get inspiration from just about anywhere you look." I thought of the liquor store and how I was able to see beyond the nasty beverage, beyond the chips of glass, beyond all the money that's made from preying on human weakness and beyond the rain.

My message to her was, "Let's swing to the positive. Write down what's positive like I do every day and start healing. And the most positive thing of all is your spirituality." I vowed to send her a Christmas gift - a book about Krishna.

7 KM

Monday, November 21st, 2011

2011-11-22T18:33:00.003-05:00

Meeting Christopher

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Doves and robins filled the ether with their precious sounds. Threes perspire (at least some), and drop rain even on a clear day. This is rather remarkable. There will not be a cloud in the sky and yet all this moisture drops from these massive trees lining the streets of Buenos Aires.

Fortunately this day is over-cast. It's also a day to pack up, give good byes to old and new friends and get a little mentally prepared for the flight back to Canada. I managed to squeeze in a measly three kilometres walking. It would have been more but as I embarked on a projected one hour of leg work, I was approached by a Portuguese photographer on assignment for some magazine. He was fascinated by the image of a monk and took quite the time in his perfectionism to go for the right backdrop of a portrait shot.

"Oh well," I figured, "if the photo gets published it will be a promotion for monasticism."

By evening I was grounded at the Buenos Aires Airport until flight time. A guy, Christopher, in his early thirties and who resides in Iowa, came to chat. I had a feeling he was going to go in the direction of evangelist schpeil. Sure enough. It began with first time niceities and then the Christian trump-card was played when giving me the ultimate "only way" line. He wanted my opinion.

"The problem with Absolutist statements is that it creates an exclusive, rather than inclusive, environment. If Christ wanted us to love our neighbour as much as ourselves then friendship should be sustained through commonality. Wouldn't you agree that loving God is of prime importance, that family, community and declaring war on drugs, pornography and other self centered habits are issues we share. Where you have a Jesus line about 'love' we have an equal message in sacred books like the Gita."

I would say Christopher intended to dominate the conversation. I let him have his space and I hope compassionately. Graciously he allowed for a two-way. I suggested that God is the source of all sperm and that He has more than one son, since He is the father of all. We both raised more points. For the most part it was a congenial exchange. I mentioned to him I appreciated his kind forwardness in talking to me and his resoluteness towards Jesus.

"Consider me your neighbour while I have a conviction to Krishna and please come and visit me in Toronto." He began extolling the glories of what started in the nineties as 'the Toronto Blessing", an evangelical healing movement located near the city's airport. Again, I appealed to Christopher to capture the essence of sacred statements and to not let walls divide spiritual seekers. It's a long journey to get home and we might just need each other to get there.

3 Km

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

2011-11-21T22:32:00.003-05:00

Measuring Up

Buenos Aires, Argentina

I don’t think a day goes by when we do not measure things.

This evening I had decided to trek from the Ratha Yatra site, at Plaza Francia, to Templo Hare Krishna. Others wanted to join me and avoid bus or car transportation. We asked Maha Hari, the temple coordinator, about the distance between the two locations. “About 40 street blocks.”

I was expecting an answer in kilometers, which makes it then easy to calculate the time it would take to walk. When you walk through the streets of a passionate city like Buenos Aires, and go with the flow, the pace can be good, even when factoring in stopping at red lights.

We moved at a steady clip and naturally we thought of the day. At least I tend to measure the success of the festival in terms of numbers attended, the quality of food, the quality of entertainment, weather, and the overall spirit of the event. I would rate it as good with some areas needing improvement. The hard work for play rehearsal paid off. The inexperienced actors, young adults in our community, pulled it off well. My dear friend, Guna Grahi Maharaja, asked me to speak to the crowd of hundreds, winging it as usual. Mahajan and I danced on the stage spontaneously to the rousing kirtan (chanting), of Ajamil who hails from Bangladesh. This segment was really interesting. The crowd merely copycatted our every innovative move. The trick here is keeping everyone focused on dancing and singing simultaneously.

As usual, prior, during, or at the end of an event like this, I get approached by one or two young monks who ask, “Please bless me that I will stay a brahmachari.” They then ask for advice to which I respond by encouraging them in strong morning sadhana (the spiritual workout). That, in fact, is a good measuring device. Your spiritual strength hinges on the performance of sadhana, the study of sacred books, chanting, worshiping, and wholesome dealings with spiritual companions.

9 KM

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

2011-11-21T22:26:00.002-05:00

The Thing About Hair

Buenos Aires, Argentina

I was asked to speak from Canto 2 of the Bhagavatam on a verse in Chapter 7, entitled, “Scheduled Avataras”. Naturally, when asked to do so, the speaker attempts to draw from the verse and companion purport some main points that may have relevance to the audience. Interestingly, the verse (text 26) highlighted the coming of Krishna, who is described as Sita Krishna Kesha, and refers to His possessing beautiful long black wavy hair. So here is the thing about hair.

When I joined to enroll as a monk in the movement, it was the regiment to discard every hair on your head. Shaving the head for male members was a standard activity every fortnight at least. Hair was frowned down upon for those of us living in the ashram. At the same time, in the 70’s when I joined, it was totally fashionable to sport hair and lots of it, covering your scalp with adjoining sideburns, moustache, and perhaps a full beard. In fact, a clean shiny shaven head was regarded as the mark of insanity. The only people who were bald and regarded as cool were Mr. Clean, the squeaky clean caricatured man of a household cleanser, and veteran actor, Yul Brenner, who skillfully played the King of Siam.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, encouraged his male members to have the look of a pure Brahmin Vaishnav, or the look of a classic priest from India. Traditionally, hair was reserved for particular social roles, in the warrior, farmer, merchant, and worker categories.

So the paradox persists. Female students were encouraged to have long beautiful braided hair. Donning hair was for just about everyone, including God, with his fabulously gorgeous strands of hair. To the exception of initiated male members who were to be hairless. It sounded odd to me when I first heard the term, “Hare Krishna”, when I had to ask myself, “who are these hairless people who call themselves the opposite?”

Frankly, I gave brief mention about hair in the class. The thrust of the topic was more on the appearance of Krishna, who in this troubled age, comes without hair, in the form of pure sound vibration.

7 Km

Friday, November 18th, 2011

2011-11-20T23:33:00.002-05:00

Little Breakthroughs

Buenos Aires

At the corner of Shady Cuidad, de la Paz and Jorge Newberry Streets, is located the ISKCON centre. I have been placed in a guest room, actually the terrace. It’s a modest place with features of the developing world. The monks hang their laundry here, dhotis, lower cloths, kurtas, upper cloths, and even kaupins (monks’ strip cloth underwear), all flying in the wind, hanging from clotheslines. I have the sky with me which offers other inspiration. I was stuck in a particular spot in the development of the play, “Demon”, that I am working on with the community here in preparation for the weekend’s festival, Ratha Yatra. Being situated in this lofty and airy place, I found answers to my puzzles. At this spot I can think and iron out any kinks in my mind. I can think creative. Sure enough, certain breakthroughs occurred, or light bulbs lit up in my head.

To be more specific, I needed a prop for the king in the play, a type of royal seat or throne. I wanted something different. As I paced back and forth on that open terrace in the dimly lit space, a street light revealed to me the perfect rustic looking large spindle like apparatus that once put on its side, made the ideal seat. It was right there on the terrace. Also, when contemplating on how to make the hero, the lion avatar, look large, it came to mind that I could use the 6 young boys in the play to act as an expansion of him to surround the adversary and intimidate him, making him appear small.

Some people say that the greatest ideas, great or small, come from when you are walking or pacing, and so these little breakthroughs are my little testimonies of that truth.

After a 10 hour day of rehearsal, and a 2 hour jaunt on the street with assistant, Facundo, I climbed a narrow stairway to the loft and the terrace to retire. When checking the moisture status of my towel hanging there, I accidentally hit a clothesline at the chocking level by my throat. I could read this as a small omen. To me it just means that you have to watch where you go in life. Just continue to walk with care, chant, and breakthroughs and realizations will manifest.

9 Km

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

2011-11-20T23:32:00.001-05:00

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Facundo

Two brahmacharis met me at the international airport, Adi Yugya, a 7 year monk, and Facundo, a young man who joined our order last June. Facundo is my designated assistant during my 5 day stay here and he is proving to do a marvelous job.

According to Adi Yagya, Argentinians like city life, he says 95% live in urban areas. Facundo is a native of this large city of millions, but he didn’t seem to achieve the satisfaction out of party life here. He had come upon the movement of Sai Baba, but after some time, “I had serious questions about his self proclaimed avatar status,” so Facundo said. He searched deeper for a more in depth presentation of the Bhagavad Gita, regarding Krishna’s counsel to his warrior friend, Arjuna. Reading that personal direction that Krishna gave to Arjuna, spoke to Facundo with heartfelt power. He met Hare Krishna monks and from there it was game over. He really pined for this type of life, one of discipline and focus on monastic activities. I am visiting Buenos Aires for the 6th year to participate in their Ratha Yatra. Two areas or maybe 3 contributions for me are the drama production, leading kirtan, that is, chanting, and delivering some classes in bhakti yoga. For the drama practice which I had commenced this evening with chosen actors, Facundo did all my assisting work.

“How did you think our practice went?” I asked him.

“It was all good except for …” and I then bust in,

“Except for when I was giving direction to the two young ladies?”

“Yes.”

“What can you do? You have this wonderful hot Latino blood in you, it is the karma you are born with,” (laughter from both of us).

I see those two girls like my daughters, and you were present and so were others, so there was no problem. He admitted to being calm when he saw how I dealt with them. I was very happy for him. I took a much needed stroll to get some walking in, and at 11 pm, he was up waiting for me to open the gate at the ISKCON centre where I’m accommodated. He was tired, but he waited. He’s a very committed person and has many fine qualities. I wish him well.

7 Km

Pictures from New Orleans

2011-11-20T23:27:00.002-05:00

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

2011-11-17T09:59:00.002-05:00

I Like to See

Toronto, Ontario

My regular walking companion is Praveen. I am so fortunate to have someone like him. I chalk out the route which is usually a rather spontaneous meander. When a new person is invited to join us he/she can't figure out where we're going. It can be a kind of maze. It's a different route each day. What is consistent is our mantra: "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare."

Today we took to a park called Rosehill Reservoir and then through residential areas. I appreciated the quiet nature of these places. It is inevitable to hit traffic though. I'm peaceful but for one thing. I resent the carbon monoxide just like I resent having to take in the fumes of a cigarette. My rebellious mind wants to argue and say, "There are such strict stipulations on where smoking is prohibited. Why can this not apply to automobiles? Why does my health have to be compromised by your greed, Mr. or Mrs. Motorist?"

I asked someone today, "What kind of world are we leaving the next generation, one that where we will gag at every breath because of people's laziness of body or people's brains lacking the intelligence to come up with innovations on clean mobilization?"

I hear horror stories about traffic in places like Manila, Mexico and Delhi regarding pushing people out of their freeness to walk safely. How is traffic emissions any less harmful than trafficking drugs? I would give preference to horse and donkey emissions than to the foulness we toss in the air from our automobiles.

As you can see, my resentment is strong but for a reason. I like to see a better world- a world increased in cleanliness and in spirituality.

7 Km

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

2011-11-17T09:38:00.002-05:00

Frame the Day

Toronto, Ontario

In the past when I was more firmly entrenched in management I found it absolutely necessary to give myself recess- that is, to break away from a routine that was going to wear me down. It could have been kitchen work in the ashram as much as it was office work. I needed to incorporate into the pattern of my activities a change.

I recall driving throughout Canada and the States, on behalf of the mission of course, putting on thousands of miles/kilometres. Driving a van with one or two companions/monks and carrying good Bhaktivedanta Book Trust reading material and our own brand of monk-made carved candles and such, I encountered a physical drain and lower back problems. Solution: change directions somewhat and start walking. My mottos became "Have shoes, will travel," and "Take beads, will chant."

It was a cure. Muscles became activated that were not otherwise and I developed greater calmness. There was time for myself with Him, God-in-the-heart.

Yogendra, Dhruva and I arrived by bus from Buffalo at 6am. We had a choice to take a cab or our legs. I suggested the latter. It was a break from wheels. Our trek was miniscule in length- a mere 2.5 km. Nevertheless, short that it was, it broke the dullness of sitting in a bus. We enjoyed the air.

To wind down the day I again broke routine. After hours of nailing down dates and tickets for future trips I just had to burst out the door at 9:30pm to meet the real air again, to meet the sidewalk and to have whatever little connection with Him that I could have. I arranged to meet with Keshava, one of our young facilitators at the temple. We discussed at Queens's park on a park bench topics to do with breathing fresh air and then walked back to the temple/ashram on the same route as the early morning, on Avenue Road. We parted. I lay down to rest happy to have framed my day with air, shoes and God.

6 KM

Monday, November 14th, 2011

2011-11-15T22:44:00.002-05:00

Reflect/Review

New Orleans, Louisiana

We have completed our pilgrimage to New Orleans, to the ISKCON Centre on Esplanade Ave and the Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) at Washington Square Park.

I asked the boys accompanying me for an assessment on our trip as we stopped over in Cleveland. Dhruva, Yogendra and Sing Lung gave their contributions while Nitai Priya stayed on in New Orleans for additional days.

Dhruva offered to say: "We were bumped off of the stage schedule to do our drama. We could have been upset but we saw it as an opportunity to do some other service. We went for public chanting."

Yogendra offered to say: "I made some mistakes in not getting the directions so firmly so our driving took so much time. I felt bad, guilty but guilt isn't always bad. It's part of being humble."

Sing Lung offered to say: "Wherever and whenever I go to temples and festivals I witness a genuine interest to serve and take care of others."

Dhruva offered to say: "We arrived late at the hotel to deliver prasadam (food) to other visiting devotees. They were not in the least bit disturbed, but grateful. That impressed me."

Yogendra offered to say: "Bhaktimarga Swami initiated this slow motion exercise. I learned that it takes a great amount of control and focus. It was good."

Sing Lung offered to say: "The weekend provided nice family feelings. Bhakti yoga is where I belong."

Dhruva offered to say: "When we were chanting on the streets we were giving people an alternative way to approach life. Was all the booze they were consuming really giving them happiness."

My remark: "I've always found it helpful to do a summary review on such programs. Such reflection is enriching to one's spiritual life."

Second remark: "I regret to say that I was restricted from walking. Storms rerouted our plane to Pittsburgh from Cleveland. We spent the whole evening making our way back home. We did everything but canoe and walk back to Toronto."

0 KM

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

2011-11-15T22:41:00.002-05:00

A Small Endeavour Pays Off

New Orleans, Louisiana

Actually local people pronounce the name of this City of Love as "N'awlins" I stood to be corrected on my southern drawl version of it. Once again our little drama troupe took to the streets, N. Peter's and others and what to speak of Bourbon. Some people were telling us that the chanting is really needed on that street.

N'awlins really does pride itself in its music, partying and the certain flavour of voodoo culture they speak about.

We were fortunate to present our play "The Jagannatha Story" at Day Two of the Chariot Festival. Well received. It was fabulous bonding with peers like T.K., Nirantara - both from L.A. - and monk Bhakti Caru Swami from India. He in particular is always a real gentleman with me.

To say a small mention of this - behaviour is almost everything. The way one acts or treats others is the fruition of real culture, of training and of assimilating the true understanding of things.

I would also like to express appreciation to a godbrother, Visvakarma, from Canada. It was he who, as servant-leader of our temple/ashram in Toronto, took the time to help a new immigrant to Canada in the 70's. Mr. Ashok Patel called me on the phone expressing his thanks for being made to feel at home while so far away from his motherland, India. Ashok, who owns and runs the Hotel (yes, a Patel Hotel) where we are staying as guests. He has flourished with life's prosperities, while not excluding his devotion to Krishna. Because of Visvakarma's kindness thirty-plus years ago, Ashok has hung in there with us for all this time.

Please refer to chapter two, verse forty of the Gita for inspiration along this line.

6 KM

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

2011-11-14T22:19:00.002-05:00

A different Sound in New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

Canal and N. Peters were the streets where the Festival of Chariots took place. It's a procession, so naturally walking is incorporated into it. The public locals and tourists, responded so well. As usual, as time progresses, participation swells.

Our rendez-vous point was at Washington Square Park. There, a great feast was served for all, exhibits and a stage show were high-lighted. Unfortunately a few items including our drama got transcendentally bumped-off the schedule as the colorful carriot and procession arrived late at the spot and a group of professional singers were needing their time to perform.

Our drama troupe decided to tunr what could have been a negative into a positive by wearing their costumes while chanting in the streets of the French Quarter, as an event in itself. Based on the success of the previous night we felt it was a win-win situation. Our group was talented and chipper enough to not feel wasted by engaging in the ultimate beneficial service through the spiritual feel good event of Hari Nama chanting. We only needed to be cautious near the mule and horses drawing the carriages. They respond wildly to the hand cymbals.

In the French Quarter merchants and shoppers demonstrated participation through dance. When we diverted to one street we accidentally bumped into a Jewish wedding procession. Our drums blended into their horns and so it went for several blocks.

The chanting on this Sabbath evening will remain memorable for all those in the fire of singing and body movement. It's this chanting that takes centre stage to everything else including rituals and even eating the spiritual food. It is inclusive, joyful and rests on the bosom of Vedic wisdom. Yes, the king of knowledge is expressed in this most exuberant way,

12 Km

Friday, November 11th, 2011

2011-11-14T22:07:00.003-05:00

JAZZANATHA!

New Orleans, Louisiana

Our small drama troupe was invited to New Orleans for their third annual Ratha Yatra. Travelling with me via air from Buffalo with stop-over in Cleveland was Dhruva and Yogendra, our two Nova Scotian monks, Sing Lung Wong, who is a lay member from our Toronto community and Nitai Priya, the receptionist at our temple.

The air was fresh after exiting from Louis Armstrong Airport. It was cooler than us Canucks had anticipated. We were treated to the local temple prasadam (sanctified food) and then set out for walking the French Quarter.

New Orleans is certainly a music town. You hear brass music in and outside venues. Brass and beer are the features of this birthplace of jazz and various forms of blues. It came to mind that jazz is really an expression of emotions rendered artistically. We say in Vaishnava (devotee) circles that Jagannath (a name of Krishna) is the master of the universe. Could we stretch it to say that God is the source of all sentiments and emotions and therefore we could call him Jazzanath?

It was a thought.

It became evident to me that our tiny group of pilgrim tourists had musical abilities. With no determined or scheduled service outside of the morning talk from the Gita, we decided to drive back to the temple to pick up mridanga drums. Our two Scotia monks went to N Peters Street and we, with our vocals and tambourine, played and sang up a storm. People were so warmed up to it. It convinced me that the sankirtana (collective chanting) is well-received in this city that breaths out music. 24/7.

New Orleans, we love you...

Another thought came to mind as devotees of Krishna we never need to feel that sight-seeing is complete in itself, unless of course, we're speaking about tirthas (sacred places). We always have something to contribute wherever we are. We pick up some instruments and sit down somewhere and project out devotional songs.

10 Km

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

2011-11-14T22:01:00.002-05:00

In The Course of A Day

Fort Erie, Ontario

In the course of a day there are situations to be happy about and to be grave about. Sadness should never fit into the picture.

I was glad to read about the vegetarian campaign going on at the U of Toronto. Posters read, "Why Love One and Kill Another?" with images of a puppy dog on one side and a piglet on the other. That's progressive thinking.

I was indeed feeling warm about this day being the Rasa Yatra of Krishna. His dalliance with the cowherd maidens is a celebration of the heart for devotees world-wide as is the anniversary of the marriage of two divinities, Tulsi and Salagram.

It's the full moon and you could visibly see it as serious clouds had passed by over Erie, one of the Great Lakes, where I'm accommodated with four actor devotees. Swans graced the sky and waves rippled against the beach where we tread.

My thoughts shifted to greater gravity when our conversation with Pundarik and Murli, our hosts, moved in the direction of a war between Canada and the U.S. two centuries ago. The old garrison, Fort Erie, is right near us.

I Became more pensive when I heard someone express dissatisfaction at another's service when in my mind I felt the performance was fine. Who's perception and who then is wrong? Such dualities of mind can be puzzling. You should always give the benefit of the doubt to someone and yet it might not always be stepping into the truth.

The beach is the place to deliberate. In the end the only reconciliation over such matters is determined by Divine Intelligence.

5 Km

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

2011-11-11T23:16:00.003-05:00

Conquest for Satisfaction

Toronto, Ontario

I had the great privilege to cook breakfast, give a class on conquering God with love (bhakti) and then taking conquest over our drama and costume room. Years of stuff has been accumulated in the way of clothing, props, and whatever knick knacks and tools are related to productions of Krishna Conscious theatre.

I get requests all the time for scripts, background sound tracks, costumes to borrow and how to start a drama troupe for dummies. Assembling plays is a very big part of my life when you consider I keep going to all continents with productions. With theatre I feel practically the same adrenaline driven power in me as in the walking. I never seem to do enough of both.

Anyways I see these two forms of seva (service) as my offering to our guru, Srila Prabhupada. Both provide me with mercy or blessings. Both are very therapeutic.

Everyone of us has an illness, a serious disease. We are in the bodily concept of life, overwhelmed by ego and deeply infected by three gunas (modes of nature) as explained in the Gita. Fortunately there are cures, with one of the most important ones being, whatever you have as a gift, a skill, a propensity, use it in the higher service to God. Do not horde it for yourself. Engage your abilities and intelligence for that higher cause and become satisfied. Who isn't looking for satisfaction?

Since the dawn of man that has been our inclination- to be satisfied. I passed my day straightening-out and cleaning that drama room leaving no time for walking but I was content. I'm sure that I'm a far cry from conquering God.

0 Km

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

2011-11-11T23:12:00.002-05:00

I Took A Break

Toronto, Ontario

I took a break from administrative duties to walk one of our brahmacaris (monks), Yogendra, to a spot for his meeting people on Bloor St. to interest them in books on spirituality. Upon arriving at the corner of Spadina, a chap came forward, drawn by the robes, and took interest. I proceeded back to the ashram. Not but one block away a couple of young women were raising awareness towards an organization called "Because I Am A Girl." It raises funds for women who need assistance particularly in areas of the world where attention is lacking. I was approached by one of the women. With her index finger in the air she indicated with a kind voice, "Just one minute!" So I stopped and listened. Her black binder with hot-pink writing entitled "Because I Am A Girl" sparked a question in my mind.

"What about the boys?" I asked in the least challenging tone. I added that women are treated quite second rate in developing countries. I mentioned to her that I see that in my travels. In the developed world, however, it is somewhat reversed. My opinion is at least in Canada most large-sized bill board images are of women. Men are usually the butt of jokes, legally they are at a disadvantage, and when it comes to decision making within a couple, the woman usually has the last say. The girl seemed to agree with what I said.

My plea with her was that I wish we could balance matters fairly. "That would be a perfect situation don't you think?"

She was gracious as a listener and I invited her to our temple dining room where we have fabulous vegetarian meals. After the dialogue I took off by foot-power to destinations; the ashram and Govindas Dining Hall.

I believe it always pays off to have a balanced diet in eating and in attitude. Extremes create indigestion.

10 KM

Monday, November 7th, 2011

2011-11-08T17:38:00.002-05:00

How Things Fall

Toronto, Ontario

I trekked with Praveen down my favourite path east of Mount Pleasant Road along with the Brickworks and through the Rosedale residential area. Being autumn, leaves make a sail downward. Some make a longer journey than others, coming from more lofty positions. All hardwoods participate in this discharge, sending varying designs of leaves in a straight descent or a twirl. The landing is a soft one and makes hardly a sound. I am reminded of the eternal debate of the soul's fall to this material world. Did the soul fall from a spiritual planet or a spirutal sky? Did the soul even fall in the first place or was it automatically a component of existence? There are various allegiances to these philosophical theories about the soul's origins, but one thing is for sure, our consciousness is low and usually in the gutter. We should seek eleveation, a raising of our consciousness. It is generally implied that one should look within and ultimately go upward. By practice in devotion to Krishna it "brings one into spiriutal life even while one is within the jurisdiction of matter for it is an arousing of spirutal existence by practice in the material world," as Srila Prabhupada puts it.

I have another imagery I would like to share about things falling in relation to a spontaneous occurrence. It was unrehearsed. Nursing students arrived from George Brown college. I delivered a presentation about life as a monk. I engaged the students in listening, chanting and even involving them in a ritual. After they arrived we gave each a handful of flower petals to hold. After reciting mantras we asked them to trow them at the footprints of our guru's murti (statue). Now that they were trained up by the time the presentation was completed, the students were handed another batch of some petals.

I asked Kathryn, their teacher, to come forward (she didn't know it was coming to her). After reciting mantras we flung those petals in the air and in her direction. She was surprised and on behalf of the students she was honoured.

It was a little gimmick that worked and contributed to making 'their visit very rich; said Kathryn herself.

7 Km

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

2011-11-07T21:53:00.002-05:00

People Know Sam

Wasaga Beach, Ontario

Everyone in Wasaga seems to know Sam. The manager at the local hotel, the gas station attendant, people at the beach and even I know Sam, for that matter.

Sam runs a boxing studio near the beach in this modest size city of 16,000. He was as a young adolescent growing in Fiji a body builder and got in rigorous training for all of his growing years. Something that paid off. "It kept me out of trouble" he once told me. At 69 he still teaches boxing and he doesn't look his age.

On the wall at his studio on Dunkerron Street. He has his students commit to reciting the tagged on quotes from the Gita- quotes that emulate the qualities of a priestly warrior.

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness, heroism, power, determination, resourceful, courageous, generous and ability to lead."

Beyond reciting the above the students hear from Sam about curbing fowl language, smoking, and drinking. Sam gets real happy when he sees their commitment and the transformation. Sam himself is a staunch applicant of not only martial arts but of bhakti yoga, the lifestyle of surrender to Krishna. He has a large mural of Krishna and his brother Balaram engaged in stick fighting and a second one with Krishna fist-fighting the notorious opponent Kamsa.

I've known Sam since the seventies when he became a student of bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada. It was good to see him and his wife, Bhismaka, who was the guru's cook in the last months before he passed away. I enjoyed the invigorating walk with Sam aka Vishnu Tattva on the beach which goes on forever, so it seems.

It was a snap decision in the late morning to drive up to Georgian Bay to see them after delivering a talk on the topic of "balance." Sam, by the way, leads that perfect balanced life of levelling spirit and material.

8 KM

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

2011-11-07T21:49:00.002-05:00

Attitudes Changed

Markham, Ontario

"Holy Cow!" remarked the guy as he passed by. It confirmed for me that the North Americans can be rather extro-verted and uninhibited about expressing something when they see something different, namely me, a monk.

I've been called "Love Guru", "Grasshopper" (a martial arts character) and numerous other things by passersby, mostly compliments, from people on the street. It's mostly young people who volunteer names. When travelling the world you find most people to be reserved although it doesn't mean there isn't judgemental thoughts milling through people's minds.

Opinions have changed over the years with subsequent remarks so I've seen since I was a young brahmacari who joined the order in the spring of '73. We, the Hare Krishnas, were a curiosity at that time, a residual spill-over from the liberal sixties. By the mid-seventies we were viewed with suspicion by the public, mainly hyped by the media. The Ontario government commissioned an inquiry in the early eighties into surging faiths, (cults as we were called then) and with the Dan Nill Report groups like us became more or less liberated from sinister opinion. With so many immigrants coming into Canada, a feel for multi-culturalism and a firm alliance with the Hindu community we succeeded in gaining acceptance from the public.

It was no longer "cool" to call someone a cult member just because he/she belonged to a minority. The world was shaping into a mosaic form and we, the Hare Krishnas, were part of it. I recall battles involving the Human Rights. We were perceived as antagonists, but those were truly just not well informed people.

As of late people have become more cautions about what they say and if they speak spontaneously it is with enhanced respect. Malicious remarks have been on the decline since I've hit the streets. It's a kind of victory over unhealthy prejudices.

In Markham a community which epitomizes multi-culturalism, I attended a home program, a sat-sang, where everyone feels more or less in a safe environment. Of course the highlight feature was the kirtan, chanting.

10 Km

Friday, November 4th, 2011

2011-11-07T21:42:00.002-05:00

A Rather Regular Day

Toronto, Ontario

I had not the chance in the morning for a brisk walk due to plane travel from Columbus. When you get home after being absent even for two or three days, and avalanche of tasks descend on your lap. Happily there are the usual emails from hopeful communicators. There are issues to discuss with ashram dwellers and with people who come to do volunteer services. I had two sibling sisters who came for a surprise visit which I was really charmed about. It meant I had to delay walking. How important is it to prioritize?

I don't mind being swamped or being under some pressure as long as Krishna is centre stage and as long as I can get a breather now and then. Then I accomplished for the day as the sun began to sink. The weather was near-freezing. I went out in my thick hemp robes. One man who was placing these deep red dogwood branches in a municipal planter stopped and wanted to know, "How about when it's real winter?"

"I'll wear a coat."

"How about long-johns?" he queried.

"I'll do that too. We have to be practical and use our brains."

He went on to say, "Yeah, we have to use the gifts we've been given."

"Thanks for being concerned," I said, no sarcasm intended.

I proceeded on, walking a steady pace to keep warm, I walked the brain as well, thinking that the human gift is to be introspective, spiritual. "We must follow our nature," is the message of the Gita in chapter Four.

When I returned to the temple/ashram (my home) I was handed a slip of paper with a quote from Einstein:

"Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."

6 Km

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

2011-11-04T22:38:00.001-04:00

A Spacey State

Columbus, Ohio

We were moving in a weaving fashion between tree trunks walking light as on air (or clouds), actually leaves, layers upon layers. Madhu, Ram and I drove a short distance from Ram's house to Allum Creek State Park for a fresh air experience. It was Ram's first time to this place. I like to think that wherever I travel I contribute to helping my host explore his/her neighbourhood territory. I insist, "Let's go for a walk and see what you haven't seen in your own backyard."

To my own surprise, Ohio has lots of great woodsy escapes. And talk about it being a spacey place, well, astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong come from Ohio. And there's also the Wright Brothers who claimed Ohio as their home. Wilbur Bright wrote: "Let in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room 'til it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor... a toy so delicate lasted only a short time in the hands of small boys, but its memory was abiding."

It appears that fascination for flying really took off for the two boys. In 1903 they built the first aircraft.

The Krishna community in Columbus this evening showed a fascination for my pilgrim pastimes. Students from U of Columbus wanted to hear and so that's what I delivered. In speaking about trekking for the soul you should never assume that it's only a topic about moving on the ground. In any of these talks I let people know that there is a big sky up above where a whole world exists beyond what you could imagine - a world not dependent "on sunlight or moonlight or electricity", a world of lightness where life carries no exertion of weight.

I like to explain that in long distance walking you travel very light and you might keep in mind a hero like Narada, the sage, who does interplanetary travel between both the material and anti-material worlds.

Ah Ha! There ya go. There is this monk who is an actual astronaut who moves continuously into outerspace.

8 KM

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

2011-11-04T22:31:00.002-04:00

Getting to Know

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Tiffany and Kaustubha got married. It happened in the summer. They did it the way they wanted, they were determined. The young couple wanted a Krishna Conscious style marriage. Their pundit, or priest, was Dayal Nitai, AKA, Don Foose, who is a hardcore rocker. Could a priest be both a man who solemnizes marriages and at the same time rocks the punk crowd with over amplified music muddled on high decibel music?

If you meet Don, or Dayal as he's known by his Sanskrit name, you'll understand. He's a sensitive man who has embraced the philosophy of Indian sage, Vyasa. He loves Mantras as much as he does his personal lyriced Rock. He's a fabulous vegetarian cook to boot and he also does construction work for his livelihood, when he's not tattooed torsoed at his concerts. Imagine that, he's all that, all wrapped in one.

Kaustubha, the happily married man, is much like Dayal, whom he assists at concerts. Kaustubha is creative, does hairdressing, builds and renovates, in addition to serving the devotional gathering that takes place at Dayal's every Wednesday night. He's a multitasker. 'Kaustubha', in Sanskrit, is a particular precious stone, and this Ohio kid of the same name, is a gem of a soul.

As far as Tiffany is concerned, the lovely bride of August last, well, I'm just getting to know her more, and that was possible shortly after arriving from Canada via bus to Cleveland. I have been cooped up in the Greyhound all day and needed to unleash the legs, so Tiffany suggested for us to take the trails at Metro Parks. She had the right idea. Together, the couple and I and dear friend, Akhila, trod down the oak and maple trail near Rocky River. It was a creative, active and devotional group that blazed the path of bhakti, getting to know each other more before departing for the gathering, where we all get to know more of Krishna.

6 KM

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

2011-11-02T23:21:00.002-04:00

Let’s Get It

Toronto, Ontario

Earth’s population reached the 7 billion mark. I propose it’s not Earth shattering to hear that. An acquaintance of mine, she remembers when she was young, that the 4 billionth kid was born in 1987. Imagine, in such a short time we’ve blown up to an incredible proportion. Poor Mother Earth, poor us.

To hear about the rate of human population growth gives me the creeps. I don’t know what it does to you. I personally feel a concern, like you, about the overload of energy consumption, and the subsequent waste thereafter. I picture in my mind an Earth ravaged in the not so distant future, of trees leveled and wild life carcasses found everywhere for lack of food and space.

In the time that our guru, Srila Prabhupada was with us for a decade, from the mid 60’s to mid 70’s, the topic of population explosion did arise from time to time. Back then he dissuaded us from being alarmed, when it was then a concern. He argued that the Earth can accommodate many people. He’s right. The problem is who we are as a species and what we do with precious Earth. We are a destructive lot, expert at the ruination of our habitat. We’ve proven to be so, and we are not correcting ourselves at a fast enough rate. For instance, China and India, who have well over a billion population each, are supposed to be in an economic boom, but reportedly these places are being divested of good air and water to hold their astronomical supply.

The problem is that we Earthlings, more particularly, humans, just do not have our priorities straight. Going deep into matters is not our strong point. Going into our selves is not our norm, and yet, to be introspective is a gift we have over all other life forms. We shouldn’t expect them to correct our wrongs. At some point in time, Goddess Bhumi (Mother Earth) and Bhagavan (Father God) will say, “Enough is enough. We flush you all down.”

Isn’t it better to pay heed to warnings than to selfishly pass on our crap to the next generation? It would allow us a better karma to contend with. I hope we get smart. I hope we ‘get it’. I’m also guilty of contributing to the mess like everyone else. I hope I ‘get it’, and become a better guardian of my place, the Earth. She’s too sacred. Let’s enjoy her a whole lot more and walk upon her soft and hard soil, giving her the massage she deserves, and let’s watch the pollution.

10 KM

Monday, October 31st, 2011

2011-11-01T00:15:00.005-04:00

Inspiration from Optimistic Words

Toronto, Ontario

Each morning Praveen faithfully reads a passage from the Gita to our small group of fifteen residents in the ashram. I particularly like today's reading from the purport of 1:21-22.

"The relationship between the Lord and His servitor is very sweet and transcendental. The servitor is always ready to render service to the Lord, and, similarly, the Lord is always ready to render service to the devotee. He takes greater pleasure in His pure devotee's assuming the advantageous position of ordering Him than He does being the giver of orders. Since He is master, everyone is under His orders, and no one is above Him to order Him. But when He finds that a pure devotee is ordering Him, He obtains transcendental pleasure, although He is the infallible master in all circumstances."

This was read in a pleasant and sincere tone as the message is.

I had spoken to a good friend of mine, Ugresh, whom I used to travel with when he was single, a monk, as I was (and still am). In our dialogue it came up that pleasant remarks, positive words and encouragement is the true spirit and culture of Krishna. We made mention of the sad internet culture of bashing and put-down. This is unwanted. Again, I look to the lines in the Gita's purport, "He takes greater pleasure" and "He obtains transcendental pleasure." That's the spirit - the willingness to serve and take pleasure in doing so.

I had taken a walk to see some people who were decked out in Hallowe'en ghoulishness (frankly, they are Krishna devotees in disguise). They externally cut the ghastly profile but in spirit they resonated what is totally optimism.

They couldn't scare me even if they tried.

8 Km

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

2011-11-01T00:08:00.001-04:00

Kicking Leaves

Toronto, Ontario

As fallen leaves were tossed by the shuffle of the feet I looked up and imagined the street without automobiles parked at the edge. Replace those machines with pathways and green things and you would have something that would look awesome and handsome.

I incorporated into this day some hearing and chanting as usual. The message from our visitor, a monk hailing from Nigeria - Bhakti Vasudev Swami, was a breathing of freshness into the atmosphere. He's a scholar working on his PhD (Yes, even swamis can go to further their education). He spoke of the application of varna and ashram which recognizes one's natural propensity with regard to career inclinations and how to make pure our practical activities.

"Everyone must work," so Krishna states in the Gita. But how are you working? Is it with satisfaction that you execute your work?

The general key to happy life is you do what is natural for you. For this reason the four varnas (career-types) and ashrams (marital states) is established. Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief, monk, married, whatever niche we are in must become God-centered. Because we are all uniquely psycho-physically individuals, we require something in our life to anchor ourselves together. That anchoring is the spiritual component. It is that which is common ground to all. We are all spirits in essence. Our bodies vary, as do our different natures. The thing that glues us as one is the spiritual side of life. The Maharaja, Bhakti Vasudeva Swami, proposed a Krishna-centric life.

So on a second walk that I took to I tossed some autumn leaves just by accident and I likened it to turning our lives around and not being lazy with our spiritual selves. We must be active in both the spiritual and material lives.

8 Km

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

2011-10-31T13:05:00.004-04:00

Warming Up

Burlington, Ontario

In fighting the common cold, I’ve found that walking is the way to combat it. It warms up the machinery, the body. I spent the night at a devotee doctor’s home, and mentioned to him that I’ll likely get up at an early morning dark hour and make my way down the Burlington trail, so I did. I warmed up my heart to Krishna through chanting, while warming up my body through mobilizing the legs. Along this beach side of Lake Ontario, rabbits were leaping about in happy numbers. I didn’t seem as a threat to them, it was their territory and their time at 4 AM. They were willing to share it.

A young couple (humans this time) passed by, and I wished them well, “Good morning, or good evening, whichever way you look at it”. That remark sparked some giggles. They got warmed up and so did my rabbit friends in the excitement at Fishermans’ Pier. For the balance of the day, my concentration was focusing on warming up to our guru, Srila Prabhupada. On November 14th, 1977, he passed away in Vrindavan, India, and corresponding to the lunar calendar, the anniversary happens to fall on this day. With ambivalence, I approach this day feeling cool and warm at the same time. It is understandable that sadness hits the emotion. As the day rolled out, with three programs attended, and all in his honour, I felt a growth of appreciation for his great contributions to the world. As I was hearing others speak, and I was obliged to the same, the heart softened somewhat. I have moved from Burlington to Toronto to Brampton and then to Mississauga for these events. I guess you could say that something stoked up inside. It is possible to warm a cold hearted someone like myself when the topic is so endearing as the pastimes of guru. One reaches the inevitable; you can’t help but feel the chills go away.

9 KM

Photos from October 25th, 2011 walk

2011-10-31T11:10:00.003-04:00

Friday, October 28th

2011-10-31T10:51:00.002-04:00

Some Power at the Power Plant

“For my training in doing long-distance walking I explored the trails of the Greater Toronto Area. One of them took me along the lake, which curved away form the coastline to accommodate the building and the complex we are in right now and I wonder what go on in there?"

After saying Happy Diwali to a crowed of 200 at one of canada largest nuclear plant, these where my words. I was asked to be the guest speaker to employees here who where from various ethnic backgrounds (mostly your standard white canadians) to say something about Diwali. Being introduced as the walking monk I opened up with the above words and then continued.

“On the new moon of this time of year is a celebration of good over evil when King Rama had slain the demon Ravana and returned home, when the spirit of surrender over comes the atmosphere, to resonate a mood, "Oh God, from this day on I am yours!" And when the public approaches a fresh start of resolution, burying the ego and attempting an inner and outward peace once again. Diwali is celebrated in India once a year but for those wishing to see it stretched out you make Diwali the time you wake up each morning with a mood that benefit us all lets all celebrate.

I had five minutes to talk and so the message had to be succinct and to the point. At the end, everyone followed my lead of peace with two chants. “ Shanti means peace so lets come together on that : Shanti Shanti Hari OM Shanti. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” Response was great! We lunched with the group and organizers of the event who where employees with a Hindu background. I met and spoke with chief staff members, one of whom is about my age and is the same Dutch background and who’s wife teaches yoga. We hit it on well. The program wrapped up within an hour and a half.

Another day was lit up and this time with Diwali cheer.

7 Km

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

2011-10-27T10:17:00.002-04:00

Our Peace in the City of Conflict

Haifa Israel

The dream to reach Nazareth today had to be shelved until a future Israeli trip. We would not reach there because of time constraints considering the flight home tomorrow. Bala Krishna and I reverted back to completing the coastline adventure to Haifa, a significant-sized city in this wondrous country.

An Israeli devotee Audaria drove up from Harish to locate us and join us, but his endeavor was in vain. Regretfully his tires got stuck in the sand and he remained stranded like that for hours until someone on that quite beach turned up and assisted him.

The bulk of today’s affairs were in Jerusalem, where we met with Eli and Igor, two well-read men who are very inclined towards Krishna Consciousness. I asked them how they became attracted to being conscious of Him and they replied by saying that the search for Indian food led them to a Hare Krishna cook book by author Kurma Das. One thing led to another a finally their staunch approach to Judaism made room for an additional belief in chanting and in Krishna.

Eli became our guide for a tour within the walls of older Jerusalem he encouraged our party of six to hold kirtan at the top of the tower of David, so we did. We were brought to the crypt in honour of Mary Magdalene, to a German basilica, a mosque and finally a lunch at Greg’s Restaurant where we settled for fabulous salad and sandwich. Both items on the menu were consecrated by way of mantras as a way to bless the food as prashadam. It was an on-the-spot implementation. Thank you Eli and Igor for a great afternoon and telling us about the famous temple in India, where they worship rats-a place of pilgrimage you stopped at on your visit to India.

The evening sat-sang was held in Ariel, a final one on this trip. Our verse learning today expressed another opulence of the Absolute. From the Gita we have verse 10.20 which reads, “I am the Supersoul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings.”

That brought everything to a bright finish.

20 Km