Humour in Spirit
Durban, South Africa
After the exerting Easter weekend at the Chariot Festival we usually organize a small PPP (post production party). As a group the young performers of the plays over the weekend converge for a bonding time over food, smoozing, chanting and some form of recreation (I confess to a good game of soft ball once a year).
It was a good evening in particular with a group that jells so well together. Our stage manager, Krsna Chandra, is the life of the party being a professional comedian. “Laughter is the medicine that cures all ills is sometimes the saying. What is ill is this world of struggle. As the Gita points out “we struggle with our senses and especially the subtle mind.”
What makes light of this grave and serious world is humour. It’s the obvious antidote. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, employed humour in his dealings when needed. As a matter of fact, he consistently pulled the strings of sobriety, wisdom and warmth. Humour is definitely a component of warmth. It is a necessary ingredient in creating the encouragement that we hanker after.
The great contemporaries of Chaitanya, who wrote books on the science of devotion declare that humour is a feature of all of us as well as a feature of the Creator. Yes, even God had a sense of humour.
4 Km
B L O G S P O T
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Monday, April 13th, 2009
Progress? Failure!
Durban, South Africa
Today was the final day for the Chariot Festival in Durban. A second “return trip” like the one held in India’s east coast city, Puri, is re-enacted. I had the pleasure to be there this time and to lead the chanting in front of the middle chariot. It’s an honour. Many youths devotionally flaunted their drum playing. The event culminated with popping fire works. I thought about the extraordinary creative nature behind the invention of fireworks originating from the Orient. Whoever came up with the idea must have been empowered. Sometimes these inventions are a fluke.
There is one monk who comes to see me every year on my visit to South Africa. His name is Vraja Krsna, Croation born, and he showed me an article from his monthly publication Ahead of Time. There were excerpts from Bhakti Tirtha Swami on the topic of the Renaissance, a very expressive, creative and exploratory time. I found his comments interesting in regards to an overlooked phenomena of this idealistic and inventive time.
“Probing beneath the enthusiasm and idealism” he says, “the Renaissance actually set the stage for increasing conflict between individuals and nations. If we look at the biographies of some of the renowned personalities of that time, we find many of them were not just exploring new techniques in art and literature but were also exploring new outlets for their carnality and greed.
We can be very intoxicated by accomplishments that we as individuals may have been involved in and in the name of progress we may have developed certain comforts. The question remains even with the technology of today and the tagged on conveniences born out of it – are we truly peaceful?
Despite all the avenues of sense gratification tried over again and again, withoutspirituality, mundane achievements always fail us.
3 Km
Durban, South Africa
Today was the final day for the Chariot Festival in Durban. A second “return trip” like the one held in India’s east coast city, Puri, is re-enacted. I had the pleasure to be there this time and to lead the chanting in front of the middle chariot. It’s an honour. Many youths devotionally flaunted their drum playing. The event culminated with popping fire works. I thought about the extraordinary creative nature behind the invention of fireworks originating from the Orient. Whoever came up with the idea must have been empowered. Sometimes these inventions are a fluke.
There is one monk who comes to see me every year on my visit to South Africa. His name is Vraja Krsna, Croation born, and he showed me an article from his monthly publication Ahead of Time. There were excerpts from Bhakti Tirtha Swami on the topic of the Renaissance, a very expressive, creative and exploratory time. I found his comments interesting in regards to an overlooked phenomena of this idealistic and inventive time.
“Probing beneath the enthusiasm and idealism” he says, “the Renaissance actually set the stage for increasing conflict between individuals and nations. If we look at the biographies of some of the renowned personalities of that time, we find many of them were not just exploring new techniques in art and literature but were also exploring new outlets for their carnality and greed.
We can be very intoxicated by accomplishments that we as individuals may have been involved in and in the name of progress we may have developed certain comforts. The question remains even with the technology of today and the tagged on conveniences born out of it – are we truly peaceful?
Despite all the avenues of sense gratification tried over again and again, withoutspirituality, mundane achievements always fail us.
3 Km
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
Durban, South Africa
To walk in South Africa you might consider your neighborhood. My place of residence at the temple in Chatsworth (near Durban) is situated in a mediocre-safe vicinity. I will not be shy to say as the sacred texts, the Vedas, say that in this material world there is no safe place. At every step there is potential death.
Going “goom goom” as it is said in Hindi or “round & round” is the most secure path custom-made to circle the temple. Clockwise circumambulation around sacred ground has been a practice since time immemorial for pilgrims.
A brief amount of walking is all I have time for. Today’s rehearsals kept me going for a good twelve hours. It’s no burden for me as long as cooperation among actors and technical people prevails. A film director who has worked with some of the screen greats such as Richard Burton, Allan Bates, Rod Stergis, Johnny Depp, and others told me about his career. “It’s an obsession. It’s not work at all. It’s an obsession.”
And that’s certainly the way I feel about drama in spiritual consciousness. There is so much to gain from performance with a message and what to speak of the good passions behind a theatrical formation.
Thank God that our guru, Srila Prabhupada, gave me so much support to transcendental theater.
5 Km
Monday, April 6th, 2009
A Drama
Durban, South Africa
I come here yearly to participate in the Chariot Festival where I lead chanting kirtans, deliver classes in Bhakti Yoga, and spend the greater percentage of time engaged in drama presentations with the local actors and aspiring actors from the community. To my satisfaction I have a Zulu native of South Africa who has a background in acting. He has played major roles such as Othello on the professional stage. Reggie told me that he would spend three months working on a piece with acting companies before the presentation to the theater.
I apologized to him for our quick assembly of drama. “We have four days before we step on stage,” I said. He was fine with that and graciously accepted a script I gave him for the first day. I had not pre-sent it because the organizers and I were not quite settled on the second play to be presented at this year’s festival, known historically under the name Ratha Yatra.
The piece Reggie had agreed to take the lead role in is the drama “Nandulal” which highlights the story of the blind Vilvamongala. It is a play written and adapted for the stage in 1981 by Andy Fraenkel, also known as Sankirtana Das. It’s a touching story about one person’s way of dealing with personal lust.
5 km
Durban, South Africa
I come here yearly to participate in the Chariot Festival where I lead chanting kirtans, deliver classes in Bhakti Yoga, and spend the greater percentage of time engaged in drama presentations with the local actors and aspiring actors from the community. To my satisfaction I have a Zulu native of South Africa who has a background in acting. He has played major roles such as Othello on the professional stage. Reggie told me that he would spend three months working on a piece with acting companies before the presentation to the theater.
I apologized to him for our quick assembly of drama. “We have four days before we step on stage,” I said. He was fine with that and graciously accepted a script I gave him for the first day. I had not pre-sent it because the organizers and I were not quite settled on the second play to be presented at this year’s festival, known historically under the name Ratha Yatra.
The piece Reggie had agreed to take the lead role in is the drama “Nandulal” which highlights the story of the blind Vilvamongala. It is a play written and adapted for the stage in 1981 by Andy Fraenkel, also known as Sankirtana Das. It’s a touching story about one person’s way of dealing with personal lust.
5 km
Sunday, April 5th, 2009
Today’s Failures with Family, Marriage
In flight over Africa
Somehow it happened that I ended up on the KLM flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg in a middle seat with a fairly large woman on one side and a thin woman on the other side. Traditionally monks or nuns for that matter stick to the company of the same gender. In circumstances such as now I have no choice. We might consider that the situation was not one of orthodox practice and that I am not necessarily keeping company of women. It is well engrained into the monastic culture to see everyone as family and at least to me the elder of two women I saw as a sister and the younger, my daughter.
Throughout the flight, which is austere (the only walking is to the toilet and back), we struck a little conversation. Only near the end did them and I open up, particularly to the younger one. She was curious.
I asked her, “Have you heard of us?”
“Yes, I attended the wedding of my friend, Arun, in your temple in Toronto last summer.”
From that point on we talked about the entity of marriage. The young Caucasian woman expressed that there is something essentially missing in today’s education. We both concurred that the subject of life is not taught and of the responsibility found within it. We also both agreed the preparedness of lifetime partnerships, learning to be committed and to discuss and compromise and sacrifice needed far more attention. It was a congenial conversation.
Personally, this topic of remorseful coupling and dysfunctional families disturbs me also daily. I am disappointed in the easy quitters, especially when children are involved.
The other evening Sivarama Swami spoke to his birthday crowd about how his upbringing was one of support and kindness, and being so sheltered he thought everyone had the same experience, until he got older and looked around him.
I could practically tell the same story. When I moved to the city 36 years ago to take up residence with the monks, I realized that many of the colleagues came from broken homes. It is unfortunate.
These days I prescribe to people to check out the Grihasta Vision Team, a group of professionally trained counselors in the art of learning to strengthen the bonds that free us.
0 km
In flight over Africa
Somehow it happened that I ended up on the KLM flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg in a middle seat with a fairly large woman on one side and a thin woman on the other side. Traditionally monks or nuns for that matter stick to the company of the same gender. In circumstances such as now I have no choice. We might consider that the situation was not one of orthodox practice and that I am not necessarily keeping company of women. It is well engrained into the monastic culture to see everyone as family and at least to me the elder of two women I saw as a sister and the younger, my daughter.
Throughout the flight, which is austere (the only walking is to the toilet and back), we struck a little conversation. Only near the end did them and I open up, particularly to the younger one. She was curious.
I asked her, “Have you heard of us?”
“Yes, I attended the wedding of my friend, Arun, in your temple in Toronto last summer.”
From that point on we talked about the entity of marriage. The young Caucasian woman expressed that there is something essentially missing in today’s education. We both concurred that the subject of life is not taught and of the responsibility found within it. We also both agreed the preparedness of lifetime partnerships, learning to be committed and to discuss and compromise and sacrifice needed far more attention. It was a congenial conversation.
Personally, this topic of remorseful coupling and dysfunctional families disturbs me also daily. I am disappointed in the easy quitters, especially when children are involved.
The other evening Sivarama Swami spoke to his birthday crowd about how his upbringing was one of support and kindness, and being so sheltered he thought everyone had the same experience, until he got older and looked around him.
I could practically tell the same story. When I moved to the city 36 years ago to take up residence with the monks, I realized that many of the colleagues came from broken homes. It is unfortunate.
These days I prescribe to people to check out the Grihasta Vision Team, a group of professionally trained counselors in the art of learning to strengthen the bonds that free us.
0 km
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
"About the Summer Bus Tour"
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A rap poem (song)
I travel on a bus in the summer each year
With spirit sons and daughters that is very clear
In June we set-out together to gather all our gear
We anticipate fun, only 'skitters to fear
Now Manu's in charge - the captain of the ship
He makes sure it'll be a super-great trip
At night we drive at a very decent clip
Fuel-up the tank and take a chip with no dip
Two buses there are; one for girls, one for boys
They're all past the age of having their toys
There may be dreams of Lexus or Rolls Royce
Hey, let's not get distracted but sing with a voice
They are talented indeed, incredible skill
They're angels who perform with the aim to kill
They sing and dance whether it's Jack or it's Jill
Sita or Ravi, they all know how to chill
They mix service with pleasure and see it's all one
Rafting bunjee jump or swim, it's all fun
Clean, cook, cut, paint until the work is done
It's work, fun, work, fun, work, work, fun, fun
We travel through the whole of the North continent.
Putting on shows with quality content.
We seek blessings from above and get His consent
The audience is convinced these guys are God-sent
Now the bulk of them all are the second generation
They play hard and work-up a seal perspiration
All in the name of the Krishna fixation
Roads east, west, north, south - all through the nation
Now they all get to meet with the swamis on the bus,
Whose life is easy, not to make a fuss
It's an interactive time, the learning is a plus
Question and answer to clear-up the mental puss
Before the youth embark, they're at a crossroads
Maybe taken to illusion in the overloads
It's easy when young to hit the lower modes
By the time the trip is over they seek divine abodes
It's an empowering program I know you'd be impressed
Each summer rolls by, youth concerns as then addressed
Growing in this world can make you real depressed
The guys put on a dhoti when it's time to get dressed
Spirit sons and daughters - a happy bunch indeed
They're out and about where there's a planted a seed
I look at them all like a strand of japa beads
And one of these days they're gonna take the lead
Chorus: The youth summer bus tour, the youth summer bus tour, the youth summer bus tour...
I dedicate this song to the Youth Bus Program which I travelled with and supported through association and directing plays. This year I decided not to travel with this great bunch of youths.
I'm flying to South Africa on KLM.
No Km but KLM
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A rap poem (song)
I travel on a bus in the summer each year
With spirit sons and daughters that is very clear
In June we set-out together to gather all our gear
We anticipate fun, only 'skitters to fear
Now Manu's in charge - the captain of the ship
He makes sure it'll be a super-great trip
At night we drive at a very decent clip
Fuel-up the tank and take a chip with no dip
Two buses there are; one for girls, one for boys
They're all past the age of having their toys
There may be dreams of Lexus or Rolls Royce
Hey, let's not get distracted but sing with a voice
They are talented indeed, incredible skill
They're angels who perform with the aim to kill
They sing and dance whether it's Jack or it's Jill
Sita or Ravi, they all know how to chill
They mix service with pleasure and see it's all one
Rafting bunjee jump or swim, it's all fun
Clean, cook, cut, paint until the work is done
It's work, fun, work, fun, work, work, fun, fun
We travel through the whole of the North continent.
Putting on shows with quality content.
We seek blessings from above and get His consent
The audience is convinced these guys are God-sent
Now the bulk of them all are the second generation
They play hard and work-up a seal perspiration
All in the name of the Krishna fixation
Roads east, west, north, south - all through the nation
Now they all get to meet with the swamis on the bus,
Whose life is easy, not to make a fuss
It's an interactive time, the learning is a plus
Question and answer to clear-up the mental puss
Before the youth embark, they're at a crossroads
Maybe taken to illusion in the overloads
It's easy when young to hit the lower modes
By the time the trip is over they seek divine abodes
It's an empowering program I know you'd be impressed
Each summer rolls by, youth concerns as then addressed
Growing in this world can make you real depressed
The guys put on a dhoti when it's time to get dressed
Spirit sons and daughters - a happy bunch indeed
They're out and about where there's a planted a seed
I look at them all like a strand of japa beads
And one of these days they're gonna take the lead
Chorus: The youth summer bus tour, the youth summer bus tour, the youth summer bus tour...
I dedicate this song to the Youth Bus Program which I travelled with and supported through association and directing plays. This year I decided not to travel with this great bunch of youths.
I'm flying to South Africa on KLM.
No Km but KLM
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
"A Swami's Birthday"
Toronto,Ontario
Today was the birth anniversary of Rama, a prominent avatar and whose name we chant so regularly (as in daily). He is remembered through reading the Ramayana text, a fast until sunset and then followed by a feast.
Coincidentally it is also the birthday of one of my monk colleagues, Sivarama Swami. It is his 60th. It makes me feels like a baby (I'm 56). Maharaja, as his friends know him, came to visit Toronto where his mother resides. It was quite a fine celebration in the home of his childhood friend who also turned 60. Robert Lantos, an established film producer in Canada, had travelled to India with Maharaja and picked-up on the spirit of the place leaving the impressions that India does.
Bhakti Brnga Govinda Swami, another dear god-brother, also flew-in for the commemoration.
The program begun with the lighting of candles and a rabbi breaking bread and offering wine in traditional standard. Alternative arrangements were made for us monks.
In truth the two mothers of the birthday were honored. Family and friends came close and in some ways so did Moses and Krishna (through their respective devotees).
But a word about our birthday Swami, Sivarama is someone who has his feet firmly on the ground and with a tall stature opens his resonant voice commanding attention for what he says which is always soft, deep and very Krishna Conscious. He's a great example of saintliness.
I decided to walk from the Forrest Hill home to the temple at the time of departing for a measly.
2 Km
Toronto,Ontario
Today was the birth anniversary of Rama, a prominent avatar and whose name we chant so regularly (as in daily). He is remembered through reading the Ramayana text, a fast until sunset and then followed by a feast.
Coincidentally it is also the birthday of one of my monk colleagues, Sivarama Swami. It is his 60th. It makes me feels like a baby (I'm 56). Maharaja, as his friends know him, came to visit Toronto where his mother resides. It was quite a fine celebration in the home of his childhood friend who also turned 60. Robert Lantos, an established film producer in Canada, had travelled to India with Maharaja and picked-up on the spirit of the place leaving the impressions that India does.
Bhakti Brnga Govinda Swami, another dear god-brother, also flew-in for the commemoration.
The program begun with the lighting of candles and a rabbi breaking bread and offering wine in traditional standard. Alternative arrangements were made for us monks.
In truth the two mothers of the birthday were honored. Family and friends came close and in some ways so did Moses and Krishna (through their respective devotees).
But a word about our birthday Swami, Sivarama is someone who has his feet firmly on the ground and with a tall stature opens his resonant voice commanding attention for what he says which is always soft, deep and very Krishna Conscious. He's a great example of saintliness.
I decided to walk from the Forrest Hill home to the temple at the time of departing for a measly.
2 Km
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009
"Comments on the Robes"
Toronto, Ontario
While walking on Yonge St. a young fellow remarked, "Hey man, that a soothing colour you've got on. It goes with the skin and everything." "Well, thank you!" I said as he crossed the street.
Another man in corporate attire walked-up next to me and to my face asking, "So, do the robes work?"
"They are very comfortable," I said.
"How about the cold?"
"Well you wear extra..."
"There is nothing like a good pair of good old long johns," he chuckled.
"So what is your group doing?"
"Maintaining a community, working with youth and instilling some moral values," I answered.
He came on with another question, "Are you winning the battle?"
"You mean the battle of materialism?"
"Yes," he asserted.
"We are putting a small dent in this world of materialism," I assured him.
"That's all you can do," he said as if he was behind us in our humble effort.
It was a final and perfect comment coming from a new friend.
8 Km
Toronto, Ontario
While walking on Yonge St. a young fellow remarked, "Hey man, that a soothing colour you've got on. It goes with the skin and everything." "Well, thank you!" I said as he crossed the street.
Another man in corporate attire walked-up next to me and to my face asking, "So, do the robes work?"
"They are very comfortable," I said.
"How about the cold?"
"Well you wear extra..."
"There is nothing like a good pair of good old long johns," he chuckled.
"So what is your group doing?"
"Maintaining a community, working with youth and instilling some moral values," I answered.
He came on with another question, "Are you winning the battle?"
"You mean the battle of materialism?"
"Yes," he asserted.
"We are putting a small dent in this world of materialism," I assured him.
"That's all you can do," he said as if he was behind us in our humble effort.
It was a final and perfect comment coming from a new friend.
8 Km
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
"Fear"
Montreal, Quebec
The theme of our discussion for the morning Bhagvatam class was fear. The sanskrit word for fear is bhaya. It is one of four proclivities natural to all of us which include eating, sleeping and mating. Fear is an unpleasant emotion stirred-up by some encroaching danger or evil. It makes you hesitate, to cower or shrink. It is often conjured-up when we are alone.
The beautiful thing about Krishna Consciousness is that one is really never alone and that the protector, Krishna, is present. Omnipresent! Srila Prabhupada, our guru, expressed a weakness in us, his students. He said, "The problem is that you don't fear illusion". How true this is! For renunciants or those who aspire for spiritual progress, fear is a must. A vigorous or healthy, sound fear for the things that entangle us in self-indulgence is a quality to embrace. And if we are genuine in our approach to spirituality we will shun temptations and stay protected.
Some folks I've met avoid any opportunity for spiritual participation as if it's the plague. For them it is actually fear that they experience - a fear of losing sense gratification whereas a spiritualist encounters fear for gaining sense gratification.
There are a whole lot of people who fear walking a few city blocks. It is common enough that for picking up a few items at the local convenience store it means hopping in the car and driving to that corner store. This is misplaced fear and at all costs we should try to avoid such unhealthy fear.
5 Km
Montreal, Quebec
The theme of our discussion for the morning Bhagvatam class was fear. The sanskrit word for fear is bhaya. It is one of four proclivities natural to all of us which include eating, sleeping and mating. Fear is an unpleasant emotion stirred-up by some encroaching danger or evil. It makes you hesitate, to cower or shrink. It is often conjured-up when we are alone.
The beautiful thing about Krishna Consciousness is that one is really never alone and that the protector, Krishna, is present. Omnipresent! Srila Prabhupada, our guru, expressed a weakness in us, his students. He said, "The problem is that you don't fear illusion". How true this is! For renunciants or those who aspire for spiritual progress, fear is a must. A vigorous or healthy, sound fear for the things that entangle us in self-indulgence is a quality to embrace. And if we are genuine in our approach to spirituality we will shun temptations and stay protected.
Some folks I've met avoid any opportunity for spiritual participation as if it's the plague. For them it is actually fear that they experience - a fear of losing sense gratification whereas a spiritualist encounters fear for gaining sense gratification.
There are a whole lot of people who fear walking a few city blocks. It is common enough that for picking up a few items at the local convenience store it means hopping in the car and driving to that corner store. This is misplaced fear and at all costs we should try to avoid such unhealthy fear.
5 Km
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Montreal, Quebec
People love to share their future ideas with you. It ranges anywhere from marriage, to a physical move or money making schemes. As a person in the renounced order of life you may wonder why a monk would even bother to give the time of day. Well, the reason why it is important to lend an ear to such mundane causes is that people seek some kind of blessing from a monk. Plans may fail but a common belief is held by the public is that the more you stack in your favour, the more your project has a chance to succeed.
My comment to people at such times is to plan well, go forward with conviction but don't be disappointed with the results if it doesn't reach your expectation. A key verse from the Bhagavad-Gita supports this mind-set. "Be attached to one's duty and not to the fruits of one's duty." In other words live in the moment of responsibility. You may not be happy with the outcome of an endeavour. Be happy with the endeavour.
It's like walking. Don't be too anxious about the final destination but enjoy the walk.
To cap off to the day Tuesday evenings there is a reading circle of the Gita at the Pie IX temple. From 7:30 pm to 9 pm thirty or more spiritual seekers dwelt on texts from Chapter Four to do with the various types of sacrifices that exist in the world and that more important than the sacrifice of material possessions is the cultivation of knowledge.
5 Km
People love to share their future ideas with you. It ranges anywhere from marriage, to a physical move or money making schemes. As a person in the renounced order of life you may wonder why a monk would even bother to give the time of day. Well, the reason why it is important to lend an ear to such mundane causes is that people seek some kind of blessing from a monk. Plans may fail but a common belief is held by the public is that the more you stack in your favour, the more your project has a chance to succeed.
My comment to people at such times is to plan well, go forward with conviction but don't be disappointed with the results if it doesn't reach your expectation. A key verse from the Bhagavad-Gita supports this mind-set. "Be attached to one's duty and not to the fruits of one's duty." In other words live in the moment of responsibility. You may not be happy with the outcome of an endeavour. Be happy with the endeavour.
It's like walking. Don't be too anxious about the final destination but enjoy the walk.
To cap off to the day Tuesday evenings there is a reading circle of the Gita at the Pie IX temple. From 7:30 pm to 9 pm thirty or more spiritual seekers dwelt on texts from Chapter Four to do with the various types of sacrifices that exist in the world and that more important than the sacrifice of material possessions is the cultivation of knowledge.
5 Km
Monday, March 30th, 2009
"From Snow to Houdini"
Montreal, Quebec
Constant rain seemed to move the last traces of snow, though stubbornly clumps of the film covered stuff remain tucked under north shadows cast by buildings and trees. Winter is being ushered out and cyclists, pedestrians and motorists get excited by the change.
Personally, I have always enjoyed the drama of seasonal change. Variety is the spice of life.
My day became stocked well with tasks that included receiving guests with personal issues and not even enticing some of those who wished to talk to do so while on a walk. I am a fan of fresh air and good respiration.
One person who came to visit me has been a friend for many years - Yves Prescott. Yves has native blood and always reminds me of native culture and customs. Though he is proud of his heritage he is expert at drawing from all traditions, impersonating practically anyone. He really has got all accents down from my part of the world and like any comic is able to express the futility of our modern world in a most humorous way.
Yves knows his city well and is a store-house of information. And about Montreal, it was here that the famous escape artist, master magician, Houdini, died at one of the city's hotel lobbies. A casual admirer wanted to test Houdini's invincibility and gave him a punch in the stomach. The master of escapism was caught off-guard and quickly thereafter was set-up for a new body.
Life is fragile.
6 Km
Montreal, Quebec
Constant rain seemed to move the last traces of snow, though stubbornly clumps of the film covered stuff remain tucked under north shadows cast by buildings and trees. Winter is being ushered out and cyclists, pedestrians and motorists get excited by the change.
Personally, I have always enjoyed the drama of seasonal change. Variety is the spice of life.
My day became stocked well with tasks that included receiving guests with personal issues and not even enticing some of those who wished to talk to do so while on a walk. I am a fan of fresh air and good respiration.
One person who came to visit me has been a friend for many years - Yves Prescott. Yves has native blood and always reminds me of native culture and customs. Though he is proud of his heritage he is expert at drawing from all traditions, impersonating practically anyone. He really has got all accents down from my part of the world and like any comic is able to express the futility of our modern world in a most humorous way.
Yves knows his city well and is a store-house of information. And about Montreal, it was here that the famous escape artist, master magician, Houdini, died at one of the city's hotel lobbies. A casual admirer wanted to test Houdini's invincibility and gave him a punch in the stomach. The master of escapism was caught off-guard and quickly thereafter was set-up for a new body.
Life is fragile.
6 Km
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
"The Monk Shuffle"
Halifax, Nova Scotia
While waiting for one of our boys, Damodara Gopal, approximately 26, to arrive from the U.S. at 1 a.m., Nitai Ram, the in-charge monk in Halifax, was typing out a new script. I had been on a writing marathon since arriving here. Weather was posing restrictions for serious outdoor walks. Damodara wanted to talk to me. He expressed that as a celibate monk for some years now, and having just returned from a management training course, he felt like he wanted to "move on" and take-up more responsibility. To my ears there is a joyful resonance. Young monks like to move a bit and also go for some challenges. It's a healthy sign.
This is how our modest Halifax centre started less than two years ago. Two adventurous saffron-clad men lived in a tent as starters, then got welcomed into a home for free rent for a short while, and then rented a house in a not-so-great part of town. Growth came incrementally. It's a success story.
Now Damodara wishes to explore a new horizon - his old stomping grounds in Montreal. He feels confident about the move and asked for approval and blessings. Well, he got them. Young monks need freshness of opportunity while making secure what they had started prior.
The desire was deep and sincerity strong. I just feel really fortunate to see the monks move strategically.
I received a call that one new monk from Halifax, Dustin, is enjoying his travels with a big, black, beautiful monk from the U.S., Jaya Keshava. He expressed specifically that he is not interested to go back to Halifax. His rationale was that this is where his maya (illusion) is. He fears that he will get entangled in worldliness again.
So we were up to accomodate him and admit that he should not return but continue the travel.
So decisions are sizzling over where he should stay in order that his growth could continue.
Another Canadian brahmacari will be returning from an India retreat. These men are an opulence.
I think this monk shuffle has its plus points. At the same time some grounded monks must co-exist while the antsy ones move about.
4 Km
Halifax, Nova Scotia
While waiting for one of our boys, Damodara Gopal, approximately 26, to arrive from the U.S. at 1 a.m., Nitai Ram, the in-charge monk in Halifax, was typing out a new script. I had been on a writing marathon since arriving here. Weather was posing restrictions for serious outdoor walks. Damodara wanted to talk to me. He expressed that as a celibate monk for some years now, and having just returned from a management training course, he felt like he wanted to "move on" and take-up more responsibility. To my ears there is a joyful resonance. Young monks like to move a bit and also go for some challenges. It's a healthy sign.
This is how our modest Halifax centre started less than two years ago. Two adventurous saffron-clad men lived in a tent as starters, then got welcomed into a home for free rent for a short while, and then rented a house in a not-so-great part of town. Growth came incrementally. It's a success story.
Now Damodara wishes to explore a new horizon - his old stomping grounds in Montreal. He feels confident about the move and asked for approval and blessings. Well, he got them. Young monks need freshness of opportunity while making secure what they had started prior.
The desire was deep and sincerity strong. I just feel really fortunate to see the monks move strategically.
I received a call that one new monk from Halifax, Dustin, is enjoying his travels with a big, black, beautiful monk from the U.S., Jaya Keshava. He expressed specifically that he is not interested to go back to Halifax. His rationale was that this is where his maya (illusion) is. He fears that he will get entangled in worldliness again.
So we were up to accomodate him and admit that he should not return but continue the travel.
So decisions are sizzling over where he should stay in order that his growth could continue.
Another Canadian brahmacari will be returning from an India retreat. These men are an opulence.
I think this monk shuffle has its plus points. At the same time some grounded monks must co-exist while the antsy ones move about.
4 Km
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)