Markham, Ontario
Involve the Experts
Devotion to the Supreme is an open expression of love. There are multiple ways to express it. There is a need to practically regulate the various expressions. Here’s an example:
Chaitanya the great master of chanting, out of his sheer popularity, was receiving many many offerings of personally prepared food by his followers. Upon receiving a prep his assistant was asked to store it and He would eat it later. As a monk Chaitanya regulated eating and did not succumb to the level of gluttony. He did not want to show disrespect to the cooks and donors so He procrastinated the eating. When the stalk pile of food increased to an extent that it was ridiculous and followers hounded the assistant for Chaitnaya’s opinion on the taste of their prep, His assistant became anxious. “I don’t want to tell white lies, that you had eaten and liked what they cooked.”
So Chaitanya agreed to sample the food and of course enjoyed the love of His people through eating what they had prepared. The job got done and “feedback” reached the donors ears. Thank God, the sanyassi (monk), Chaitanya, had a friend to regulate things expertly.
In relation to this story I have seen over the years many people come to offer their devotions to the various temples. In each community you have a number of people who all want to contribute to the temple’s décor based on individual taste. If there is no regulator you end up with a hodge –podge of interior decorations. Seeing this trend I had decided that one person or small committee be assigned to encourage the participation of others in their devotion to the cause but one decision must be made as to colour, accessories, ornaments, furniture, etc. otherwise you have a mess. So an artistic committee was formed and the matter was settled for the temple.
The evening brought us to the home of Subha Vilas where a few of us more senior devotees were asked to tell of vintage tales of devotion. Nostalgia seems to warm hearts.
0 Km.
B L O G S P O T
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Friday, March 13th, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
Back up Person
The weather’s nature is to be transitional. It then transitions the surface of the earth by making it either dry or wet, thick with vegetation or barren, eroded or piled.
In testing an urban ravine for walking I concluded along with Brahmacari Devadatta , and Brahmacarini Nitai Priya, a female devotee from Vancouver, my walking mates for the day, that this little haven of a forest was muddy and too icy. Staying street level where it was flat and dry was obviously the favorable route.
Tomorrow our choice or opportunity will change. Time transitions all things in this world. It alters circumstances.
In the evening Devadatta and Nitai Priya and myself sat down to watch a recording of a past dramatical production when I worked with the youth in Houston just as we had done the night before in viewing Nitai Priya’s direction for the play, “Vamana”, something I had written. She has recently arrived form Mayapur India where she worked extremely hard at piecing together this production of a duration of 45 minutes. I was scheduled to do this myself but because of circumstances controlled by time (an infectious catfish wound) I was forced to cancel the trip to the land of Dharma.
It is very satisfying knowing that someone can function and preserve a certain style of presentation should I be absent. Her attitude is, “the show must go on!” And so it did.
3 Km
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIENDS!
We can't take much credit for anything, but as His agent, God gave the idea to this humble head to initiate a program, "Those Were the Days". To make it less cliche, I tried "Those Were the Days, My Friends!" I suppose you can't win with either. In any event, I had a desire to welcome the now maturing members of our society, or better still, the pioneers of higher consciousness to the west to try their hand at sharing with words their past inspirations.
Our guest was Lila Katha. To our local monks she is known as "the cake lady" because she makes these fabulous egg-free cakes that could sweeten up any old sour-puss. Now with all ears, the monks of the temple are hearing from her beyond sweet things. Born in Quebec, she had decided with her boyfriend years before to join a spiritual society. Eventually she married and moved to a rural community in West Virginia, and gave birth to three boys.
Life was rigid and the daily compulsory body shower was without heat in the winter chill. The community kitchen offered oatwater for breakfast while pokeweed was the natural vegetable growing locally to substitute Indian subjee. In the floor below them were cow stalls full of those moo-juice producers. Lila told us in her presentation, "Wherever we went, people noted that we smelled like cows!"
She had us listeners excited about miracles and mystical experiences, but her strongest message was one of service to others, to guru and Krishna. I especially appreciated her loyal commitment to morality and duty. She had challenges in her life, but she always shrugged off worry and pain to replace with a forward march. She is a trouper - a real one and she made friends with us all.
I got enthused listening. I managed on this day, with still a limp, an enjoyable...
6 Km
THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIENDS!
We can't take much credit for anything, but as His agent, God gave the idea to this humble head to initiate a program, "Those Were the Days". To make it less cliche, I tried "Those Were the Days, My Friends!" I suppose you can't win with either. In any event, I had a desire to welcome the now maturing members of our society, or better still, the pioneers of higher consciousness to the west to try their hand at sharing with words their past inspirations.
Our guest was Lila Katha. To our local monks she is known as "the cake lady" because she makes these fabulous egg-free cakes that could sweeten up any old sour-puss. Now with all ears, the monks of the temple are hearing from her beyond sweet things. Born in Quebec, she had decided with her boyfriend years before to join a spiritual society. Eventually she married and moved to a rural community in West Virginia, and gave birth to three boys.
Life was rigid and the daily compulsory body shower was without heat in the winter chill. The community kitchen offered oatwater for breakfast while pokeweed was the natural vegetable growing locally to substitute Indian subjee. In the floor below them were cow stalls full of those moo-juice producers. Lila told us in her presentation, "Wherever we went, people noted that we smelled like cows!"
She had us listeners excited about miracles and mystical experiences, but her strongest message was one of service to others, to guru and Krishna. I especially appreciated her loyal commitment to morality and duty. She had challenges in her life, but she always shrugged off worry and pain to replace with a forward march. She is a trouper - a real one and she made friends with us all.
I got enthused listening. I managed on this day, with still a limp, an enjoyable...
6 Km
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
SUPPORT AND LOVE
Professor David Miller of the Department of History Studies at the University of Toronto explained to a small group of us monks about the years when he witnessed our monks working hard to establish ourselves. Just as we were about to sit in his classroom to teach of spiritual teachers, Madhavacarya and Chaitanya, and as students were settling in their seats, he brought us back to the 70's. At that time, he was teaching in Concordia University in Montreal when Krishna devotees found themselves in court. The issue was over distribution of spiritual literature and encounters with the police. Professor Miller had come to offer help in establishing a greater understanding between the authorities and the monks. When Prof. Miller went up to the stand to offer his historical perspective on Krishna Vaishnavism, the judge protested, "I am not interested in hearing this", dismissing the theologian's offer.
I was given a good hour to speak and expand on Chaitanya's life and life as a monk who sometimes takes long treks. The finale was a kirtan, chanting session, which students and teacher took to fully. I then invited Prof. Miller to attend our summer walking festival, Ratha Yatra, which he graciously accepted.
Anyone who has in the past stepped up to support the spiritual mission is very much loved by those devotees, and I'm sure, by their Lord.
0 Km
SUPPORT AND LOVE
Professor David Miller of the Department of History Studies at the University of Toronto explained to a small group of us monks about the years when he witnessed our monks working hard to establish ourselves. Just as we were about to sit in his classroom to teach of spiritual teachers, Madhavacarya and Chaitanya, and as students were settling in their seats, he brought us back to the 70's. At that time, he was teaching in Concordia University in Montreal when Krishna devotees found themselves in court. The issue was over distribution of spiritual literature and encounters with the police. Professor Miller had come to offer help in establishing a greater understanding between the authorities and the monks. When Prof. Miller went up to the stand to offer his historical perspective on Krishna Vaishnavism, the judge protested, "I am not interested in hearing this", dismissing the theologian's offer.
I was given a good hour to speak and expand on Chaitanya's life and life as a monk who sometimes takes long treks. The finale was a kirtan, chanting session, which students and teacher took to fully. I then invited Prof. Miller to attend our summer walking festival, Ratha Yatra, which he graciously accepted.
Anyone who has in the past stepped up to support the spiritual mission is very much loved by those devotees, and I'm sure, by their Lord.
0 Km
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
HARVARD DR. SPEAKS ON THE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
On the calendar for the Krishna devotee community is something called "Gaura Purnima". It is our actual New Year and commemorates the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was he who conducted a demonstration, a peaceful civil disobedience march to oppose the injunction against public chanting. His mission was successful as he was able to capture public sympathy at the turn of the 16th century in West Bengal. What Gandhi was hailed for over four hundred years later, Chaitany had established long before. Gandhi had struggled for national independence, whereas Chaitanya wrestled with political powers over the right to freedom of spiritual expression in a public setting.
Unofficially, the Hare Krishna movement started from here. In the words of Harvard professor, Dr. Diane Eck:
"The Krishna Consciousness movement is part of an important and distinctive tradition of devotional faith, the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition which began in the sixteenth century with the great saint, Sri Chaitanya, but which participates in a much older movement of devotion dating back to at least the second century B.C.
The devotional faith is called bhakti, which means devotion to God, or love of God. Bhakti expresses the relationship between human beings and the Lord. It is a relationship of shared being and of natural love.
The Bhakti tradition found a full expression in the ancient Bhagavad-Gita, 'The Song of the Lord'... and existential dialogue on some of the most deeply significant human questions... What is human life? What is transcendence? How can one be actively engaged in the world without being ensnared by it?"
4 Km
HARVARD DR. SPEAKS ON THE KRISHNA MOVEMENT
On the calendar for the Krishna devotee community is something called "Gaura Purnima". It is our actual New Year and commemorates the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was he who conducted a demonstration, a peaceful civil disobedience march to oppose the injunction against public chanting. His mission was successful as he was able to capture public sympathy at the turn of the 16th century in West Bengal. What Gandhi was hailed for over four hundred years later, Chaitany had established long before. Gandhi had struggled for national independence, whereas Chaitanya wrestled with political powers over the right to freedom of spiritual expression in a public setting.
Unofficially, the Hare Krishna movement started from here. In the words of Harvard professor, Dr. Diane Eck:
"The Krishna Consciousness movement is part of an important and distinctive tradition of devotional faith, the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition which began in the sixteenth century with the great saint, Sri Chaitanya, but which participates in a much older movement of devotion dating back to at least the second century B.C.
The devotional faith is called bhakti, which means devotion to God, or love of God. Bhakti expresses the relationship between human beings and the Lord. It is a relationship of shared being and of natural love.
The Bhakti tradition found a full expression in the ancient Bhagavad-Gita, 'The Song of the Lord'... and existential dialogue on some of the most deeply significant human questions... What is human life? What is transcendence? How can one be actively engaged in the world without being ensnared by it?"
4 Km
Sunday, March 8th, 2009
Brampton, Ontario
THREE PATHS
I had received a call from a Vancouver devotional enthusiast who is combing through the Bhagavad-gita for about the third time. Ralph Waldo Emerson describes the Gita as "the voice of an old intelligence." My caller is exploring the beauty of its message and with particular reference to the personal versus impersonal spiritual direction to take. To explain a bit deeper, in spiritual searching, one may be drawn to the aspect of the Absolute as a force or energy of light or may be attracted to God as a supreme divine person. Both thrusts are historically pursued depending on one's particular attraction. Much clarity on the topic of these two paths is elaborated upon by the purport of Srila Prabhupada.
What was fascinating to my caller from British Columbia was the discovery of a middle path referred to as paramatma realization. On this path of transcendentalism, the yogi sits in solitude and feels a satisfaction in having the presence of an impartial God manifested in the heart. On this path there is little sense of emotional feeling, but more a sense of 'being' as a soul accompanied by a supersoul, God.
I chose this very topic, the middle path, to speak on at the ISKCON Brampton Centre. As the Gita itself confirms in Chapter Six, the path of devotion, the realm of personalism, the notion and practice of service is most favourable amongst the three paths and is the most emphasized in the Gita. For the rest of the evening I had been moving my mouth more than my legs. A second talk about a pilgrim, Madhavendra Puri, at ISKCON Toronto which I delivered helped me to recall the extraordinary life of this personalist ascetic. From what we know of Madhavendra's life, there were no options open towards the various approaches of God for him. He was profoundly in love with the Absolute.
And when we speak of success on the spiritual path, love (or prema) is the thing.
THREE PATHS
I had received a call from a Vancouver devotional enthusiast who is combing through the Bhagavad-gita for about the third time. Ralph Waldo Emerson describes the Gita as "the voice of an old intelligence." My caller is exploring the beauty of its message and with particular reference to the personal versus impersonal spiritual direction to take. To explain a bit deeper, in spiritual searching, one may be drawn to the aspect of the Absolute as a force or energy of light or may be attracted to God as a supreme divine person. Both thrusts are historically pursued depending on one's particular attraction. Much clarity on the topic of these two paths is elaborated upon by the purport of Srila Prabhupada.
What was fascinating to my caller from British Columbia was the discovery of a middle path referred to as paramatma realization. On this path of transcendentalism, the yogi sits in solitude and feels a satisfaction in having the presence of an impartial God manifested in the heart. On this path there is little sense of emotional feeling, but more a sense of 'being' as a soul accompanied by a supersoul, God.
I chose this very topic, the middle path, to speak on at the ISKCON Brampton Centre. As the Gita itself confirms in Chapter Six, the path of devotion, the realm of personalism, the notion and practice of service is most favourable amongst the three paths and is the most emphasized in the Gita. For the rest of the evening I had been moving my mouth more than my legs. A second talk about a pilgrim, Madhavendra Puri, at ISKCON Toronto which I delivered helped me to recall the extraordinary life of this personalist ascetic. From what we know of Madhavendra's life, there were no options open towards the various approaches of God for him. He was profoundly in love with the Absolute.
And when we speak of success on the spiritual path, love (or prema) is the thing.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Richmond Hill, Ontario
"A MEEK MOUSE"
Naresh is from Kashmir and he's 59 today. Some of us members of the Krishna community descended upon his home (by invitation) to celebrate the occasion with chanting and a tasty grainless feast. An additional spontaneous feature to the event also manifested. I'll explain.
Most of the attendees to the lively program are seasoned followers which means they have been participating for thirty years average. Seeing that much experience was in our midst instead of a small talk delivered by myself to address the group I thought let's try a game at interaction. I proposed to the group to open-up with a topic and deliver one minute of a message on that topic and then go around the room asking each person to continue with the theme expounding on the message. One person blurted out, "I'm too nervous." So our topic was obvious, "Nervousness - Why and What to do about it?"
I nervously began and as we went around the chain very decent responses come from all. When we completed one revolution much wisdom pervaded the atmosphere and there was a sigh of relief from the more nervous, while others spoke confidently. The consenus amongst the group was that nervous, lack of confidence or stage-fright (whatever you will call it) stems from the bodily conception. When we appreciate our true essence "I am not the body but spirit", there is less apprehension. The world is full of a population of shyness. I was personally a victim of uncertainty and fear and expressing this through jitters in my hands when I first joined to become a monk. Eventually through the kindness and love of the Krishna community I gained confidence and now have little fear of getting behind a microphone, except when in front of peers. I believe I'll remain permanently paralyzed in front of my monastic peers. Why? I have a profound respect for them and I feel like a meek mouse before them.
"A MEEK MOUSE"
Naresh is from Kashmir and he's 59 today. Some of us members of the Krishna community descended upon his home (by invitation) to celebrate the occasion with chanting and a tasty grainless feast. An additional spontaneous feature to the event also manifested. I'll explain.
Most of the attendees to the lively program are seasoned followers which means they have been participating for thirty years average. Seeing that much experience was in our midst instead of a small talk delivered by myself to address the group I thought let's try a game at interaction. I proposed to the group to open-up with a topic and deliver one minute of a message on that topic and then go around the room asking each person to continue with the theme expounding on the message. One person blurted out, "I'm too nervous." So our topic was obvious, "Nervousness - Why and What to do about it?"
I nervously began and as we went around the chain very decent responses come from all. When we completed one revolution much wisdom pervaded the atmosphere and there was a sigh of relief from the more nervous, while others spoke confidently. The consenus amongst the group was that nervous, lack of confidence or stage-fright (whatever you will call it) stems from the bodily conception. When we appreciate our true essence "I am not the body but spirit", there is less apprehension. The world is full of a population of shyness. I was personally a victim of uncertainty and fear and expressing this through jitters in my hands when I first joined to become a monk. Eventually through the kindness and love of the Krishna community I gained confidence and now have little fear of getting behind a microphone, except when in front of peers. I believe I'll remain permanently paralyzed in front of my monastic peers. Why? I have a profound respect for them and I feel like a meek mouse before them.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Thursday March 5th, 2009
Toronto, Ontario
"The Hind-Jew"
Each day health gets progressively better, as far as leg mobility is concerned. To help me in the foot-recovery department is Maheen, a Sri Lankan cab driver. He spends 2 or 3 hours at the ashram everyday cleaning pots in kitchen, cleaning the washroom and handling garbage. Bless his soul. When I was in the prime of pain he would massage my infected right foot. Bless his soul once again. Now that I can manage to walk some distance I asked Maheen to take me to a spot in the downtown, where I would be forced to make it back to the ashram instead of walking some convenient loops. I measured a distance of 4 km, and while taking a walk (with a limp of course), I had time to reflect.
During the morning sadhana, or spiritual exercise, a presentation was made by Barry Brown, a journalist, before a group of us monks. I had intentionally invited him to speak about his passion, which is the India-Israel connection. I had known Barry for years. He was a former monk and he is also known as Baladeva, as he was initiated by our guru Srila Prabhupada. Back in 1975 he and I traveled together as monks in the southern states while on our mission most endearing was our getting arrested and jailed for 3 days; the charge being soliciting literature without a permit. That was an interesting time. I won't forget Greensborough, North Carolina and the deep south, where some people are not always so deep.
In any event, Baladeva and I and a third monk used to travel and stay in motels. We would open up the motel rooms' dresser drawer and pull out the Gideon's Bible or St.James version - Whatever they had. We would read some passages and then see some Vedic connections with ancient Indian culture. Incidentally Baladeva introduces himself to people nowadays as a "Hind-Jew". Being born Jewish and then coming to Krishna Consciousness I believe that he is really on to something when he speaks about his theory including dates and people of the pre-Jesus era. Surely the true traditions, that is Judaism and Hinduism, both having existed for thousands of years, have much in common. In his presentation, it was evident that not only these two paths he was putting into parallels, Baladeva referenced a book, "Anacalypsys" by author Geoffrey Higgins, where he says that once there was a world religion that worshipped the negro god Kresna. Higgins further went on to say that Stonehenge was a temple where Kresna was honoured. That's very interesting material, Baladeva. Keep-up the good work on your reserach.
4 Km
"The Hind-Jew"
Each day health gets progressively better, as far as leg mobility is concerned. To help me in the foot-recovery department is Maheen, a Sri Lankan cab driver. He spends 2 or 3 hours at the ashram everyday cleaning pots in kitchen, cleaning the washroom and handling garbage. Bless his soul. When I was in the prime of pain he would massage my infected right foot. Bless his soul once again. Now that I can manage to walk some distance I asked Maheen to take me to a spot in the downtown, where I would be forced to make it back to the ashram instead of walking some convenient loops. I measured a distance of 4 km, and while taking a walk (with a limp of course), I had time to reflect.
During the morning sadhana, or spiritual exercise, a presentation was made by Barry Brown, a journalist, before a group of us monks. I had intentionally invited him to speak about his passion, which is the India-Israel connection. I had known Barry for years. He was a former monk and he is also known as Baladeva, as he was initiated by our guru Srila Prabhupada. Back in 1975 he and I traveled together as monks in the southern states while on our mission most endearing was our getting arrested and jailed for 3 days; the charge being soliciting literature without a permit. That was an interesting time. I won't forget Greensborough, North Carolina and the deep south, where some people are not always so deep.
In any event, Baladeva and I and a third monk used to travel and stay in motels. We would open up the motel rooms' dresser drawer and pull out the Gideon's Bible or St.James version - Whatever they had. We would read some passages and then see some Vedic connections with ancient Indian culture. Incidentally Baladeva introduces himself to people nowadays as a "Hind-Jew". Being born Jewish and then coming to Krishna Consciousness I believe that he is really on to something when he speaks about his theory including dates and people of the pre-Jesus era. Surely the true traditions, that is Judaism and Hinduism, both having existed for thousands of years, have much in common. In his presentation, it was evident that not only these two paths he was putting into parallels, Baladeva referenced a book, "Anacalypsys" by author Geoffrey Higgins, where he says that once there was a world religion that worshipped the negro god Kresna. Higgins further went on to say that Stonehenge was a temple where Kresna was honoured. That's very interesting material, Baladeva. Keep-up the good work on your reserach.
4 Km
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Norwood, Ontario
En-route back home from Ottawa, Surya, the monk who drove me to and from stopped for another needed doze to break up the five hour drive. At Norwood, a town of population 1300, there is a large house which Surya and I was trying to find. In it dwells one of the largest Krishna families on earth. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate the home of the McAllister’s who represent 1% of the town’s population. One of the McAllister girls, Vraja, one of twelve kids told me that technically, her mother was pregnant for 108 months or 9 years.
What I have to say about this family is that here is the most incredible progeny. Smiling faces like you have never seen. I have always appreciated this clan and I’m sorry to miss them now.
I braved a four kilometer walk on Hwy 7, a major achievement since the catfish encounter. This is God’s grace.
While walking (with a limp), I dwelt on the topic of appreciation or more so on the lack of it. On the previous night, I read some short historical facts article in a local Ottawa paper. The capital city of Canada, Ottawa was founded by Lieutenant- Colonel John By. He was responsible for building a carving of a 202 kilometer canal through wilderness of rough bush, swamps and rock terrain. The canal was hatched after the War with the Americans in 1812 and was to be the safe supply route from Montreal to Kingston, avoiding the St. Lawrence River, a vulnerable route. 50 dams were built and 47 locks constructed.
Colonel By was highly appreciated for this major engineering feat. (Remember there was no high tech around that time.) When he returned, to his native England, instead of receiving knighthood British authorities blasted him for some over expenditure. In 1836 at 53 he died, a broken man with his character smeared by the press. He spent his last years trying to clear his name. It was sad to read about a man who had given his blood and was not appreciated for his services.
It is a fact that man can be colder than an iceberg and emit more venom than a serpent.
Certainly anyone who cultivates spiritual life demonstrates signs of encouragement or praise for others. Appreciation is the mark of maturity.
4 km
En-route back home from Ottawa, Surya, the monk who drove me to and from stopped for another needed doze to break up the five hour drive. At Norwood, a town of population 1300, there is a large house which Surya and I was trying to find. In it dwells one of the largest Krishna families on earth. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate the home of the McAllister’s who represent 1% of the town’s population. One of the McAllister girls, Vraja, one of twelve kids told me that technically, her mother was pregnant for 108 months or 9 years.
What I have to say about this family is that here is the most incredible progeny. Smiling faces like you have never seen. I have always appreciated this clan and I’m sorry to miss them now.
I braved a four kilometer walk on Hwy 7, a major achievement since the catfish encounter. This is God’s grace.
While walking (with a limp), I dwelt on the topic of appreciation or more so on the lack of it. On the previous night, I read some short historical facts article in a local Ottawa paper. The capital city of Canada, Ottawa was founded by Lieutenant- Colonel John By. He was responsible for building a carving of a 202 kilometer canal through wilderness of rough bush, swamps and rock terrain. The canal was hatched after the War with the Americans in 1812 and was to be the safe supply route from Montreal to Kingston, avoiding the St. Lawrence River, a vulnerable route. 50 dams were built and 47 locks constructed.
Colonel By was highly appreciated for this major engineering feat. (Remember there was no high tech around that time.) When he returned, to his native England, instead of receiving knighthood British authorities blasted him for some over expenditure. In 1836 at 53 he died, a broken man with his character smeared by the press. He spent his last years trying to clear his name. It was sad to read about a man who had given his blood and was not appreciated for his services.
It is a fact that man can be colder than an iceberg and emit more venom than a serpent.
Certainly anyone who cultivates spiritual life demonstrates signs of encouragement or praise for others. Appreciation is the mark of maturity.
4 km
Sunday, March 1st, 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
The day was glowing with sunshine and my driver companion is graced with the name, Surya (the Sun God). Warmth was abound, to the exclusion of temperatures. Minus 20 Celsius was the fresh gauge for the day en-route to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. It was my first ‘real’ trip since Guyana a month ago. I could, for the first time, fit a shoe around the right foot without pain. At some point of the five hour journey on scenic Highway # 7, Surya needed to pull over and take a break.
I took a good hard look at that right foot in the front seat of the van with the vibrant natural light of the sun cast upon it. As expressed before in the culture of India the general public attempts to touch the feet of a sadhu or monk.
Now I may be a monk and hole-y might better describe the roles of the foot. It does have the resemblance of a cross between a war zone and the moon’s surface. To put it in plain English, “lotus feet they ain’t”! I have been battling with wards, tiny craters and some old skin is finally making its way as if dangling and ready to drop. That part two description is actually a sign of glory and I certainly gave all assistance to further shedding. This is not meant to be a gross-out but the confession of a marathon walker’s dilemma.
You don’t know how liberating it was to open the van door window and fling flakes of dead skin to land on crystal snow. It should have happened in slow motion with some appropriate music to accompany it. I felt like a butterfly bursting out of the caterpillar stage.
The rest of the day shone until night when our gathering of bhakti practitioners
at ISKCON 212 Somerset E. danced away like “jubilant peacocks” to the sound of the maha-mantra.
I did feel like a new man (monk).
The day was glowing with sunshine and my driver companion is graced with the name, Surya (the Sun God). Warmth was abound, to the exclusion of temperatures. Minus 20 Celsius was the fresh gauge for the day en-route to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. It was my first ‘real’ trip since Guyana a month ago. I could, for the first time, fit a shoe around the right foot without pain. At some point of the five hour journey on scenic Highway # 7, Surya needed to pull over and take a break.
I took a good hard look at that right foot in the front seat of the van with the vibrant natural light of the sun cast upon it. As expressed before in the culture of India the general public attempts to touch the feet of a sadhu or monk.
Now I may be a monk and hole-y might better describe the roles of the foot. It does have the resemblance of a cross between a war zone and the moon’s surface. To put it in plain English, “lotus feet they ain’t”! I have been battling with wards, tiny craters and some old skin is finally making its way as if dangling and ready to drop. That part two description is actually a sign of glory and I certainly gave all assistance to further shedding. This is not meant to be a gross-out but the confession of a marathon walker’s dilemma.
You don’t know how liberating it was to open the van door window and fling flakes of dead skin to land on crystal snow. It should have happened in slow motion with some appropriate music to accompany it. I felt like a butterfly bursting out of the caterpillar stage.
The rest of the day shone until night when our gathering of bhakti practitioners
at ISKCON 212 Somerset E. danced away like “jubilant peacocks” to the sound of the maha-mantra.
I did feel like a new man (monk).
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Friday, February 27th, 2009
Let’s Not limit the Notion of Charity.
Markham, Ontario
“Those three kids, street kids that acted in Slumdog millionaire now have money that will be put into a trust so that they can have a decent future. The movie producer is helping them with that and that is real charity. Not this promotion of vegetarianism and saving the cow.”
So argued a woman to me at an evening gathering at a residence of one of our congregational members. It was a deja-vu. Particularly her unwillingness to acknowledge animal cruelty and dismissing it as something not to be concerned with. The lady had a n attitude that remained unchanged for over twenty years since I’ve known her. I had had the same argument with her before.
I was on my first visit and outreach engagement since the catfish stung me and here we start with a fight. I did not dispute the slumdog Samaritan act, in fact I supported
The work of the movie producers in helping the kids. My point is let’s extend compassion and see that animals also have rights being psychologically and biologically like humans.
I took the stand, “The cow is our mother.”
“I don’t agree”. She protested.
“Is nature our mother?” Let’s broaden our perspective on the concept of motherhood”, I suggested.
She was kind for listening to that point and courteously (in a motherly fashion) said, “I don’t want to continue right now because dinner is waiting. “ Although not the host she did extend her hand to show me where dinner was being served. The smorgasbord array of delicious items was comprised of raita, a yogurt based prep, spiced rice with butter, paneer subji, a curd and tomato curry, lassi, a milk drink and more. Much of the prasadam dinner was dairy-based from the cow. I hold my ground on the position of seeing that animal slaughter is an exploitation to the cow and bull. Protecting animals and prescribing to a meatless diet is charity. And that’s no Bull.
Markham, Ontario
“Those three kids, street kids that acted in Slumdog millionaire now have money that will be put into a trust so that they can have a decent future. The movie producer is helping them with that and that is real charity. Not this promotion of vegetarianism and saving the cow.”
So argued a woman to me at an evening gathering at a residence of one of our congregational members. It was a deja-vu. Particularly her unwillingness to acknowledge animal cruelty and dismissing it as something not to be concerned with. The lady had a n attitude that remained unchanged for over twenty years since I’ve known her. I had had the same argument with her before.
I was on my first visit and outreach engagement since the catfish stung me and here we start with a fight. I did not dispute the slumdog Samaritan act, in fact I supported
The work of the movie producers in helping the kids. My point is let’s extend compassion and see that animals also have rights being psychologically and biologically like humans.
I took the stand, “The cow is our mother.”
“I don’t agree”. She protested.
“Is nature our mother?” Let’s broaden our perspective on the concept of motherhood”, I suggested.
She was kind for listening to that point and courteously (in a motherly fashion) said, “I don’t want to continue right now because dinner is waiting. “ Although not the host she did extend her hand to show me where dinner was being served. The smorgasbord array of delicious items was comprised of raita, a yogurt based prep, spiced rice with butter, paneer subji, a curd and tomato curry, lassi, a milk drink and more. Much of the prasadam dinner was dairy-based from the cow. I hold my ground on the position of seeing that animal slaughter is an exploitation to the cow and bull. Protecting animals and prescribing to a meatless diet is charity. And that’s no Bull.
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
Encouraging are the Words
Toronto, Ontario
Today I picked up speed although I would still classify the brief walk as a stroll. Patrick, a regular temple-goer, agreed to be my walking companion through posh Yorkville area. He set the pace to his normal speed but I had to remind him if you want a partner then you have to slow down.
Patrick has as interesting mind and is meticulously analytical with names and numbers carefully calculating subtle meanings behind what he observes. I personally have a hard time keeping up to his analytical brain. I just find it fascinating that the world has within it such incredible diversity. Patrick is unique but I’m glad to have someone near me on the stroll.
While On Yonge st. we bumped into Devadatta, one of the brahmacaris from the ashram on his way back from yoga lessons. Deva is taking an intensive course in order to be able to train people in concentration, relaxation and ultimately a focus on bhakti, the science of devotion. With the coming certification he will be recognized as a registered yoga teacher. In my heart I want him to do well and to become an outstanding yoga master.
As Patrick and I proceeded on we encountered at least three homeless people. It was they who seemed to have no apprehension about saying those two magic words upon seeing us, “Hare Krishna”, in a cheerful tone bounced off their tongues. For me it was the sound of cheerleaders saying, “keep going! You’re doing good and you’ll get back to regular walking before you know it.”
God was speaking through them so it was profound.
3 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Today I picked up speed although I would still classify the brief walk as a stroll. Patrick, a regular temple-goer, agreed to be my walking companion through posh Yorkville area. He set the pace to his normal speed but I had to remind him if you want a partner then you have to slow down.
Patrick has as interesting mind and is meticulously analytical with names and numbers carefully calculating subtle meanings behind what he observes. I personally have a hard time keeping up to his analytical brain. I just find it fascinating that the world has within it such incredible diversity. Patrick is unique but I’m glad to have someone near me on the stroll.
While On Yonge st. we bumped into Devadatta, one of the brahmacaris from the ashram on his way back from yoga lessons. Deva is taking an intensive course in order to be able to train people in concentration, relaxation and ultimately a focus on bhakti, the science of devotion. With the coming certification he will be recognized as a registered yoga teacher. In my heart I want him to do well and to become an outstanding yoga master.
As Patrick and I proceeded on we encountered at least three homeless people. It was they who seemed to have no apprehension about saying those two magic words upon seeing us, “Hare Krishna”, in a cheerful tone bounced off their tongues. For me it was the sound of cheerleaders saying, “keep going! You’re doing good and you’ll get back to regular walking before you know it.”
God was speaking through them so it was profound.
3 Km
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