Sunday, June 29th, 2014

Burnaby, British Columbia

 

Not the End

 

 

It was a few minutes after 4 that I woke up for the last leg of the Fourth walk across Canada.  I woke up Karuna who like a real trooper is habituated to morning trekking.  I let Daruka sleep in for a well-deserved one, considering it's also a less-demanding day with a mere 22 kilometres to go.

 

I was determined to make this a quiet finish as far as a marathon pilgrimage is concerned.  It doesn't require a big hoopla necessarily.  It's a walk for peace afterall - inner peace.  And the walking is only meant to continue.

 

From Akrura's home in Surrey Karuna and I had set out to make a few turns and twists on various streets and a stepping on yet another bridge, the Patulla, to New Westminister and then Burnaby.  Once entering Burnaby the sights and buildings began to be familiar to me as this is where I generally trek when I visit Burnaby.  

 

One way I thought we could celebrate however, in the most wholesome and calm way was just test out some of the wild berries lined along the street along the stretch.  Generally I go for touching the ocean nearest when putting an apparent closure to such a pilgrimage.  The Pacific is but a few clicks (kilometres) away but I vied for taking the final steps to the lotus feet of Krishna deities this time around and the ISKCON temple in the heart of Burnaby.

 

The very final steps was actually a full obeisance (prostration) before the magnanimous avatar of Krishna, Sri Chaitanya, who was a popular mover of legs - a pilgrim himself - in early 16th century India.  My heart did indeed melt momentarily as I glanced at the smiling brass image of the Chaitanya deity.  There is power in the deity.  I could feel it, especially now.

 

As I was peering at the deity a hazy but sublime backdrop of mountain, trees, semi-deserts and prairies super-imposed itself.  "It's all one!" yogis often say.  For me the elements and the elemental source are one.  They are also different.  Creator and creation shine together and also apart.

 

While it's been one big-time adventure once again trekking a great piece of the globe, Canada, I ventured through this land with its multiple eco-systems seeing it in awe and offering it a service.  As I play a small role in massaging the land's hard and soft surfaces I know that mutually my very bottoms (the feet) got a treat.

 

I lost some pounds.  I lost some karma.  From trees we learn tolerance; from wind, creativity; from water, gravity; from the sun and moon, energy and from people, hospitality and kindness.

 

Thank you all donors in cash and in kind.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

22 KM

Saturday, June 28th, 2014

Surrey, British Columbia

 

Walk, Drive, Dance

 

 

Karuna and I started from Pitt Meadows.  Led in his hand with a Rogers Samsung phone, Karuna had navigated us through pedestrian-friendly streets.  The day began with drizzle from the sky as our walk included a long trek over the Golden Ears Bridge which arches over the Fraser River.  Overcast it has been for one more morning.  The both of us see this as mercy from Krishna.  It's so much easier to trek in conditions that are moderate as we made our way to the home of Akrura in Surrey.

 

Kindness is what spurs you on and Akrura, a world traveller and bhakti-yoga teacher, is always good to me.  For accommodation and now giving our CanWalk team a ride to Ashcroft, he demonstrates his good-heartedness.  The event of the day is the Chariot Festival, a re-enactment of the big-draw celebrations held in Puri, India for centuries.  In fact today, by lunar calendar, the anniversary of this colourful event falls on this very day.

 

Members of the Govardhana School Academy presented this great drama.  And a special highlight for me was the garden-fresh food, prasadam.  It's blessed.  The program also involves a procession, so guess who had the opportunity to put on an extra two kilometres of walking?

 

Anyways, no problem!  These legs are on a roll.  I did have the good fortune to use different leg muscles when it came time to leading the kirtan chant and dance.  It was obvious that some participants were not used to moving (in dance).  Stiffness is a predominant feature of today, but for all those who attempted to thaw and loosen up for dancing, I honour them and respect the great effort.  Effort is always devotional, especially when done for the Absolute, for Jagannath, the Incredible Force.

 

I want to thank Manu for his classical dance piece executed on the rustic stage by the side of a mountain slope overlooking a tranquil lake at Saranagati village.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

16 KM

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Maple Ridge, British Columbia

 

Monk at Mission

 

 

Highway 7 was gritting our brains – dense traffic, speed, unsafe, noisy.  Any alternative would do.  My assistant, Nitai Priya, here on the west coast, searched on Google maps, to find a quieter more straight and direct route – the Dewdney Trunk Road.

 

Karuna Sindhu and I loved the idea and headed for peace, until the Dewdney itself became uproarious and then merged with highway 7.

 

As was done on the previous day, Daruka, with his well-focused networking abilities, made friends with yoga people and so we had, within hours, company of the nicest group at the Iron Lotus headed by Laura and Josh in the city of Mission.

 

Mission is an interesting place.  As we were told there are a number of people in town dressed as monks.  Some come across as mere beggars and/or could be inwardly challenged in some way.  When I was spotted going down Main Street the question came, “Is he a genuine monk or a fake?”  A philosophical answer to the question can be, “You really don’t know until he opens his mouth.”

 

May the Source be with you!

 

33 KM

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Mission, British Columbia

 

With Hope

 

 

Yes, I’d been here before – this route.  Hwy 7 is as usual, beginning from Mission, busier than ever.  From the east side is an impressive tower on top of a mountain with adjoining edifices – a Christian monastery.  And yes, to my right as I go westward, stands a permanent Gurudwar.

 

Of course, you have the common iconic this-century structures that mean a practical ‘much’ to people – Rona (the home centre), Best Western (the hotel), and Superstore (where all exists to take care of grocery needs).

 

As mentioned, traffic is crazy and you appear to be the only person in the world that is walking (and chanting).

 

By evening a backtracking to Hope, by car, was a neat obligation to fulfill.  Kevin, a young yoga teacher, who hails from Thompson, Manitoba, invited us for a presentation at his yoga studio.  A couple of cyclists from Calgary heard about the program and came to hear about our devotional endeavours on the road.  Nicole, from Sunshine Valley, heard of the event and also saw me walking past her house so she put two and two together and came.  Other real nice, good-listener folks came to grace us with their down-home type of presence.

 

I had passed through Hope zillions of times, on foot or via car and acquired an impression of the place only because it’s a major junction leading to many roads.  Tonight we stopped and got happily familiar with some of the citizens through chatting and chanting with them

 

May the Source be with you!

 

33 KM

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Harrison Mills, British Columbia

Start of the Valley


It was breakfast time.  We were breakfast.  Mosquitoes were out in full force and Karuna and I were the natural target.  There were no other humans visible to take on in the out of doors along the highway.  We survived, even though deprived of our Burt’s Bees herbal insect repellant. 

In the Fraser Valley, temperatures were in the low 30 Celcius, quite hot for continued walking.  At break time, one god brother (classmate of the same guru) had invited us for lunch.  He goes by the name of Tota Gopinatha; he resides in Chilliwack and has a heroic history.  He became a Krishna monk at age 15.  Eventually he got married and ended up working in the Ministry of Children and Family.  He managed to reach success, even on a grade 6 education, in helping orphans and abused children.  Even though he left monastic life years ago, he maintains a strict level of sadhana (internal exercise) which includes mantra meditation.  He cooks up a great veggie meal for our small Canwalk team.  We were grateful for his blissful company along with his wife, Paulette.

From Tota’s home, we ventured by car to West Star Auto, managed by Tulsi, origins, Mauritius.  He called the local media, Greg from the local paper.  He also called in all of his staff.

“Meet the Walking Monk who can tell you the purpose of life,” he said as I walked in.  Tulsi’s style is curt and cute at the same time, “Take this Gita, read chapter 2.  We are not these bodies.  Learn how to get out of the cycle of birth and death.  The monk will tell you.”

It was instant friendship with his open-minded staff.  The final piece of glory that crowned this day when a couple of Krishna devotees from Vancouver tracked me down to walk some kilometres for the evening shift.  In fact, I was greeted by one of them playing Highlander bagpipes.

May the Source be with you!

36 KM

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

Hope, British Columbia

Metaphor on Life


So many artists and poet have sung and written about the travel on the road as a metaphor on life.  You hit low points and valleys and high points and elevation.  You also see the road as a link to destinations where experiences take place.  In many of these places, there’s so little distinction, however, the only difference is in the name.

On the road or the trail there are so many enlightening moments, and sometimes sad ones, as in collision.  God forbid, but it does happen.  Lots of thought processing goes on in the mind of travellers as they are in motion.  For a walker, there’s no exception.  And also in the case of Karuna Sindhu and I who endeavour to keep a spiritual focus.

For the first four hours, he and I met with our first rain in a long time, until we reached the town of Hope.  From there I took solo to Highway 7 and to a distinctive natured culture, the Fraser River Valley.  Motorists along the way were super and friendly.  One trucker saw me earlier on and knowing he would see me further down the road on his return, pulled over, came out of his cab, presented some cold water and a bag of almonds.  He wasn’t much interested in my story or mission, he just wanted to give, to serve someone.  What a big heart.  And special thanks goes to Jiva and Jaya Sri for their gracious company and accommodation in Chilliwack.

May the Source be with you!

36 KM

Speaking to a parenting group at the Ashnola Indian Reserve

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

Hope Slide, British Columbia

Make a Friend


The Kootenay Mountains are way behind us for now.  I had been walking a new mountain range as of very recently – The Cascades.  Every ecosystem of these mountain ranges seems to carry some uniqueness.  The unique feature of where I tread today was the strong presence of different wild flowers.  The rhododendrons really stand out.  The ponderosa pine had for me become conspicuous by its absence.  Everything here is very green.  The Similkameen River had been my amigo for several days.  Now it’s departed and it’s replaced by other streams. 

It was fun to experience the companionship of crows.  It almost seemed that around every other bend in the road, a pair of them (Heckle and Jeckle) would seem to be waiting, watching and squawking.  They would buzz around a bit before taking flight off in some direction, perhaps for the next traveller.  It was my last full day on the Crowsnest Pass.  Perhaps these black feathered dudes were expressing parting words. 

And of humans?  Much interaction.  An older man from France came cycling up a steep hill on destination to the Atlantic.  A biker by the name of Pete bombed up and down the highway passing me by several times, until finally he just had to stop and ask, “What are you doing?”  A couple, Ruth and Paul, were driving, then stopped to find out what my mission is all about.  Corey, a female trucker, blew a tire going eastward on the Crowsnest Pass.  She was stuck on the highway, and was also stuck talking to me about the virtues of walking and spirituality.  It was mutual gain.  Flat tires are often times opportunities for opening up new friendship. 

Friendship is a major component of spiritual life.  If we look at the life of Krishna, He had so many friends.  So make a friend, go for a walk. 

May the Source be with you!

40 KM

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014

Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia

Against Green


Against the green mountain backdrop, I appear like a tiny saffron speck, I’m told.  When Karuna joins me on the road with his usually orangey coloured wear, we are two obvious specks.  Although small in dimension, we stand out at a distance.  The only object that might be standing in our way is another mountain, and as the road circumvents these giants, a driver coming around the bend will suddenly see those two specks become bigger and bigger until he passes us by.

I had a conversation with myself this morning, “Am I a speck?  Because I’m certainly not a saffron clad swami or a monk.  The monk is only a position or a role that’s played out.  I’m not these saffron robes either, they are a cover for the body.  And the body is a cover for the soul.  I am a soul, which is a mere speck according to Vedic authority.”

But my conversation with myself continued, “The self, or the atma (Vedic terms), is small, nevertheless, significant.”  I kept thinking, “When I walk along the road, tiniest of bugs may land upon my bald head.  Despite the bugs’ minuteness, I feel his presence significantly, especially if he bites.  Small can be profound, even important.  When we identify with our tiny spirit or soul and we come to the point of service, to the big Spirit from Whom we’ve come, then we become very significant.”

May the Source be with you!

35 KM

Saturday, June 21st, 2014

Princeton, British Columbia

Hitching


To my recollection, it’s been over forty years since I did some hitchhiking.  In the late sixties to early seventies it was a fad to stick your thumb out appealing for a free ride from some kind motorist.  Anyways, that’s what I did in my teens, in my jeans, with hair and beard. 

Now, seeing the need to get back to our campsite after completing a brisk trek on the Trans Canada Trail over adventurous bridges and under old railway tunnels, I hitched a ride.  I’m a different person  since those youthful adventurous days.  I’m now bald, in robes, and try to carry a smile to look cheerful, even though the body aches. 

The fourth driver to come along showed me mercy.  He said, after I boarded his van, “I saw you, and well, you’ve got to admit, you’re not the ordinary Joe.  In fact, you’re a character, you’re interesting.”

My new friend told me he practiced some Buddhism, implementing some form of solemnity.  But he found that people took advantage of that.  He said he lacked assertiveness when needed.  He’s had to adjust and has sought balance. 

I suggested he be soft like a rose, and hard like a thunderbolt, depending on the situation.  Or, as our guru, Srila Prabhupada, used to say, “Be a lion on the chase, but a lamb at home.”

Anyways, job done.  I got dropped off at the campsite, just in time for Daruka to drive us to Leon, the monk.  Indeed, we drove to his cabin to meet him.  It is a piece of craftsmanship built by himself.  He also employed cow dung that was used at the joints of this octagonal shaped home.  Leon was one of those American boys who avoided the draft for Vietnam recruitment.  He has a profound love for Picasso, and also expressed about the cabin, if it should be challenged by a forest fire one day, “So be it,” was his attitude.  He was very pleasant. 

May the Source be with him!

37 KM

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Hedley, British Columbia

Slight Confusion Over Monks


A pickup truck that was hauling a wagon with fir log pieces pulled over.  The two male occupants came out and obviously mistook me for another monk as I was footing along on the shoulder of the road.  One of the fellows spoke.

“We were wondering if you had some trees we could cut on your land.”

“Sorry, but I’m the walking monk, and I don’t own any land.  You must be talking about this local monk I’ve heard about, Leon is his name?”

“Yeah, that’s him,” said the one man.

“When I came walking through here eight years ago, I heard about a guy living in a cave near Hedley.  I hope to see him one day.”  The two fellows wished me well for the continued trek as they tread their trail on wheels.  They had pointed out the entrance way to the roadway leading to the monk’s current cabin.  I took note.  This was Native reserve land.  I hope to meet Leon either today or tomorrow while in the area with intent to share concepts and traditions. 

With Friday being what it is, traffic thickens.  It is a weekend that has begun.  The sun is upon us and it is a summer solstice, the longest day on the calendar.  I had been looking with envy at the quieter road across the road from the Similkameen River.  Daruka was kind enough to shift me and Karuna to the parallel trail where it was much more pedestrian friendly.  Once we arrived there it was confirmed, yes, this is the path of a slowed down more genuine pace. 

I will rate roads according to the modes.  In our precious text, the Gita, the modes of nature are three in number.  They are sattvic (cautious); rajasic (passion and speed); and finally, tamasic (destructive).  In the transfer of roads we had shifted from passion to cautious. 

May the Source be with you!

46 KM

Thursday, June 19th, 2014

Keremeos, British Columbia

 

The Road Gives

 

 

The road always offers provisions.  In the last few days of walking, Karuna and I have been harvesting a number of natural growing goodies along the way just by the highway.  We have been at plucking the Saskatoon berries, taking in amaranth - grains that ancient Greece indulged in, and also wild mustard leaves grabbed in generous clumps.  I also witnessed lambs’quarters, a lovely substitute for spinach.  These are all delectable items to add to our camp cooking.

 

Speaking of camping, the three of us (Daruka included) had the real trial of a time contending with high winds overnight, yet the weight of three men trying to be at peace in slumber, kept our tent in position.

 

Something that brought a different spin to our outdoor experience was being present at a tanning.  Lynn, a native woman from the area, invited us to the bush by the river where I was asked to give a talk on parenting.   Not having played the role as parent in this life (I'm a life-long celibate and monk for two thirds of my life), I at least qualify having witnessed my own parents being responsible and mature in this department.

 

In any event I delivered a lesson and thoughts on what it means to be a good mum or dad, while the group there had stretched deer skins and were treating them for moccasin-wear.  It was a pleasure being in the company of these sweet members of the First Nations.  Daruka had arranged a second trip to the Similkameen school to share my pilgrimage experiences with a new group of students.

 

Now Keremeos being situated in a fruit-belt area, gave me the opportunity to meet guys in the fruit-farming occupation.  Handshakes worked for a local young farmer and pranams (palms together), addressing "Namaste/Hare Krishna" was natural when meeting a Sikh on his tractor.  When opportunities arose I also shook hands with clusters of cherries off their branches, seeing them in such abundance.

 

I want to give a special thanks to Steve of the town's 'Review' newspaper.  His questions for the upcoming issue were penetrating and insightful.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

36 KM

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

Keremeos, British Columbia

 

Know Your Natural World

 

 

I mentioned to Dez, "I was walking through your valley and along the way I was singing my favourite (Vedic) songs at the top of my lungs." 

 

Dez and his dad own close to 15,000 acres which are on both sides of the highway.  I was telling him the feeling of freedom on the road.  He nodded as if he knew the concept of freedom just from driving his ATV through his fields.  In fact when he saw me at the other end of the valley he thoughtfully drove to a supply of water in his house, to fetch some back to me.  What a heart!  Now he's a beef rancher, but he's got a heart.

 

While I'm trekking (and usually for the first three hours Karuna accompanies me) Daruka is busy setting up engagements for me.  He's not exactly the advance party.  Things must happen rather spontaneously, almost on the spur of the moment.  In the province of British Columbia teachers are on strike but that doesn't deter Daruka from approaching the private schools.  He has a chat with the local First Nations people in Similkameen Rerserve and books me for a talk to the young students.

My presentation with them ends up being a part life-style/geography/history/phys-ed pep talk.  The kids were great.  They could also appreciate cultural parallels between their ancient ways and my adopted lifestyle from India.

 

"One thing we should all learn about the out-of-doors is to know our plants," I had suggested to the kids.  Before heading off to school, our dear Karuna Sindhu unaware of the shiny three-leafed plant, poison ivy, decided to rest on a patch awhile there by the river.  I hope he's immune.

 

"Also know where to step," tells the teacher of the class.  She warned that in the area you have ruthless snakes which release poison.  "When approaching a log, step on top of the log before gaining a good grounding on the side of the log you can't see.  Don't startle the animals!"

Good advice! 

 

May the Source be with you!

 

34 KM

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

Osoyoos, British Columbia

Where Bhakti Is Strong


Fran was struggling up the summit with her bicycle which was weighed down with her goods, namely her tent, sleeping gear, clothes and food, which were equally balanced on either side of her conveyance.  Her one third of the way up the mountain and my two thirds of the way down at a road’s switchback, became the meeting point, a spot ideal to stop and take a few breaths.  We naturally had something to share about the glories of road travel, and as we did so, the strong scent of sage was ever present, enhancing the already pleasant sensation of overlooking the Okanagan Valley at the city of Osoyoos. 

Happy trails, friend! 

Down at the Osoyoos Beach, where Karuna was waiting for our ritual wraps in the morning, I also met Keith Lacey of the ‘Osoyoos Times’.  Both he, and then minutes later, Brian Highly, of Okanagan Times, raised great questions about the walk. Hey, here we also met the local pot dealer.  No, he didn’t even bother to try to sell us weed, we’re monks, right? 

The real high power time of the day was a trip up to Kelowna.  The stay over at Karuna Shakti and Aaron’s place, and then the program arranged at the Italian Cultural Centre.  The hall is not large, but it did accommodate 50 plus.  Just imagine a snug group of kirtan lovers who came to indulge in chants and dance after a brief “Tales From Trails”.  I witnessed this enthusiastic group.  There were no shy folks, no transcendental wall flowers.  All was good. Also, our bhakti books, music CD’s and meditation mala beads sold very well.  This is also a barometre that gauges the interest of devotion in a location. 

Residents of Kelowna and Osoyoos, we love you.

May the Source be with you!
 
25 KM

Monday, June 16th, 2014

Rock Creek, British Columbia

Terrific Ordinary People


During my walking break time, I converged with my backup team in Rock Creek Trading Post.  We met Steven, a former TM teacher from Toronto, who came up to us to sing the ancient song in Sanskrit, "Govindam adi purusham tam aham bhajami..."  This means, “Oh Creator, I consider You totally awesome, for You are the original person.”  This is a popular song sung in Krishna temples all over the world, and Steven happens to know it.  Amazing how when and where you meet the most ordinary but special people. 

Today I also met Derek, Jared and Kim, all of Bridesville.  And even though perception  may have it that we are looking at just ordinary people, because they reached out and offered to help me by proposing a ride or giving directions, I considered them extraordinary.  Also, along the walk, I met a Dutch couple who pulled over their RV (recreational vehicle) and wondered if I was the monk they read about in the Creston News.  Right they were.  He is from Holland and she, from Surinam.  What a fabulous gesture it was of them to invite me into their mobile home in sheltering me from the rain for a time. 

My last installment of walking permitted me to meet cyclist, Mark, from Ireland.  What an upbeat fellow he is.  His journey, like many who traverse the vast track of land, happens to end up being one of pursuing self discovery.  It’s not what he initially anticipated.  He admitted about his trip, “I’m learning a lot about me.  It’s meditative.”

May the Source be with you!

46 KM

Sunday, June 15th, 2014

Midway, British Columbia

 

Off the Grid

 

 

Usually there’s a railway line that parallels the road.  There may also be a creek running along, or a river.  In today’s case it is Kettle Creek.  We also have the Trans Canada Trail which I’ve been tempted to trek from time-to-time.  That path is practically visible from the road’s view, Hwy 3 or the Crows Nest Pass.  I also happened to be walking close to another line, the invisible 49^th parallel that separates the U.S. and Canada in the western section of North America.

 

Despite the various divides and lines that man has created, our wildlife just doesn’t understand our grids.  As I was leaving Greenwood I saw a large moose leap a fence, cross the highway, and then occupy ground on a grassy mountain slope.

 

Motorists stopped to flick their cameras at the majestic creature.  The moose, apparently, was not alone.  It turns out she’s a mother and her two calves were left on the other side of the road and fence.  She boldly crossed the road once again to unite with her young. Somehow, instinctively she leapt the fence once again quite close to my spot of standing.

 

The two adorable calves just couldn’t make the leap their mother made.  They were once again separated by fence, road, traffic, and ditch.  It was a real drama when she leapt back leaving her kids confused and she disappeared beyond the trees.

 

I and a number of motorists stood in awe seeing the interaction of kids and mum in a natural adventure.  How absolutely heart-warming it was at that pivotal moment when the two calves ran to their parent in a most anxious mode.

 

Love is a powerful thing.  It is especially powerful when it takes Absolute status.  And speaking of love I want to offer my congratulations to all the dads of this world on this Father’s Day.  My reflection goes to my own father who is deceased but was a great dad.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

37 KM

Tiger Lilies

James, Billie and Daruka

James' Angora Goats

Church in Roossland

HARE

Black Bear near Greenwood

Saturday, June 14th, 2014

Greenwood, British Columbia

Beauty Along the Way


I walked amidst the red pine, cedar, and deciduous trees, and myriad herbs that seemed to line the roads on both sides.  The road is a marvelous vein that slices through nature’s environment.  Each morning I receive the nostril arousement from fragrant disbursements that those green companions share.   I only wish that the world could be with me to experience it.  You are lucky to catch it at the right hour, somewhere at dawn. 

A cattle rancher from the area proposed to offer a ride.  I declined for obvious reasons.  He was inquisitive so I explained my pilgrimage purpose.  His remark before he trailed off was, “Hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“Will do!”  I said, while in my mind I was content to believe that I’m indeed finding it – Divinity and all that’s natural around me. 

I met the Websters, a couple with this lovely home overlooking a valley with a lake.  They tell me their son has made it big on a TV show called “Timber Kings” to do with log homes.  Well, they have the ideal home themselves, which they proudly wanted me to view from the deck so I could capture the ultimate vista.  This was a slight divergence from walking while at the same time the meeting of people is part and parcel of this walking mission. 

May the Source be with you!

35 KM

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Grand Forks, British Columbia

In The Doukhobors’ Town


I went to the emergency ward at the local hospital simply to address a fingernail infection.  The pain of it kept me up most of the night – no connection to Friday the 13^th full moon I hope.  While waiting with patients for some treatment, I clued into some of the conversations.  Topical were the two subjects of disease and death. 

“It’s all those chemicals they put in the food that’s causing the cancer.  It’s killing all my friends,” said a woman to an acquaintance. 

Then a new patient took a seat and told me why he was in the hospital, “Lower back issues,” he said.  I suggested he walk, which is what I did when I encountered low back spasms.  Another older woman, 88, with a walking cane, intimated to me that even with her cane she falls frequently.  Then she showed me the bruises on her legs – the result of injury from collapsing.  One couple started the conversation on euthanasia, about willful and premature dying.  This all sounded somewhat depressing. 

I was compelled to tell each and all about the actual truth regarding dying as being superficial.  The spirit goes on, only the body is shed.  I felt, however, that the opportunity didn’t really arise.  Friendship and listening was apropos, as opposed to preaching a sermon.  Many of those really good folks I chatted with and listened to have a unique ancestral background. 

The history of Grand Forks is very interesting with many of the early settlers being immigrants from Russia.  The particular group were known as the Doukhobors, which when translated means, spirit fighter.  After renouncing the rituals of the Russian Orthodox Church, and refusing Russia military service, these early Doukhobors faced intense persecution by the church and state.  There was help from a number of influential humanitarians including the famous writer, Leo Tolstoy.  Apparently about 8,000 Doukhobors escaped Tsarist Russia and migrated to Canada in 1899.  Many settled in this area.  They were largely vegetarians as diet was concerned.  One of the radical branches of the Doukhobors would protest in the nude, and that was in the 1920’s, and that was a group called The Sons of Freedom. 

When I spoke to elders in the area, not necessarily the people I met in the hospital, some of their woes were that the current young generation keep meagerly to the ways of their ancestors. 

May the Source be with you!

30 KM

Kirtan and mantra meditation at Ymir Community Hall

 

 Salmo hotel

 

Salmo Community center mantra meditation

Salmo Community center mantra meditation

 

Salmo Library: tales From the Trails

 

Salmo Library: tales From the Trails

 

Karuna's Kitchen

 

Karuna's Kitchen

 

Grouse on old highway near Christina Lake