Dead or Alive!
Owen Sound, Ontario
Everywhere that anyone may wander there is a reminder of death and life. From 4th Avenue I trekked on passing by the length and width of the local cemetery, Greenwood. It was too dark to read the inscriptions on the tombstones. Sun hadn't yet shown its' glorious face.
Traffic trickled along the grid of this tiny city. It showed life though. And you can imagine the minds of those motorists. It's Monday morning. A blue mood persists. It seems like death for some people. Runners are running. Motorists are motoring. I seemed to be the only walker.
Priyam is 13, and Krishna, his brother, is 8. As I completed my walk I sat down with them for breakfast. They are driven by Mom to school each day. Dad is in Orlando on a work assignment. The boys will not be running, walking or driving a car. Their love is hockey. And they're good at it according to them. Hockey makes them feel alive. Their summer shifts them to soccer and Dad plays cricket then.
What? In Canada? Apparently.
There's enough people in Owen Sound from South Africa, New Zealand, the U.K. and India to form a team.
What is most extraordinary about this family of Gujarati origin is that while they put out work and play efforts, the always have time for God. The moments when they don't play and work is the time for shanti, peace and stillness. The parents, Rajesh and Alpa, keep a beautiful shrine in their front room.
The situation for this family seems as close to perfection as possible. The boys do well in school. They have a nice home. The town is clean, Victorian-looking and there are natural waterfalls all around. Good karma, for sure!
One thing we learn form stories found in the Vedas, like the story of Sudama Brahman, is that you should never be ungrateful for the great that comes your way. Don't let your good karma spoil you.
Our hosts, the family, demonstrated so much kindness to Surya, Deva and myself during our one night stay. We saw what ideal life is like.
On our return to the city while the sun suspended itself in its glory, snow like light dust was blowing about when we saw a massive arched rainbow in the sky. Has anyone ever seen a rainbow in the dead of winter? It was so much alive.
6 KM
B L O G S P O T
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Sunday, January 9th, 2011
Checking Imbalances
Owen Sound, Ontario
A long haul by wheels limited walking as time restricted. Snow drifts retarded our speed from Detroit to this northerly south Ontario city, Owen Sound. Combined with the previous day, this short trip was squeezed in to encourage Krishna Consciousness to worthy and loyal to-the-mission folks.
What is the mission? It's an interesting word. I recall meeting hippie types who would stop to greet me on the road and tell me they were on a mission. It wasn't hard to figure out that they were enroute to liberal British Columbia where the marijuana is particularly fine.
The mission I'm speaking of is the humble attempt by our guru to check the imbalanced lives that we folks live in. The families that came together at the home of Rajesh and Alpa and their two sons, Priyam and Krishna, were of Canadian origin. Tome and Dale are at near retirement age. Our mission is somewhat new to them but they sat and heard in what we had to share. I find Canadians and Americans are somewhat curious at that age to at least listen with respect.
The rest of the group at the home event were three families, all born as devotees of Krishna. They always emit and incredible enthusiasm. Would I consider their lives imbalanced? No, but surrounding them are the enticements of a highly charged techie world and that can steer anyone away from life's prime objective.
I did get the chance to come closer to the children by giving gifts of devotional value - colouring and reading books. Each child left happily adorned with sacred tulasi neck beads around their necks. Most valuable for this day was the pleasure of giving and receiving the good company of Deva and Surya, who like anyone else, just need a little change from valuable but routine services.
That provided a balance for them.
1.5 KM
Owen Sound, Ontario
A long haul by wheels limited walking as time restricted. Snow drifts retarded our speed from Detroit to this northerly south Ontario city, Owen Sound. Combined with the previous day, this short trip was squeezed in to encourage Krishna Consciousness to worthy and loyal to-the-mission folks.
What is the mission? It's an interesting word. I recall meeting hippie types who would stop to greet me on the road and tell me they were on a mission. It wasn't hard to figure out that they were enroute to liberal British Columbia where the marijuana is particularly fine.
The mission I'm speaking of is the humble attempt by our guru to check the imbalanced lives that we folks live in. The families that came together at the home of Rajesh and Alpa and their two sons, Priyam and Krishna, were of Canadian origin. Tome and Dale are at near retirement age. Our mission is somewhat new to them but they sat and heard in what we had to share. I find Canadians and Americans are somewhat curious at that age to at least listen with respect.
The rest of the group at the home event were three families, all born as devotees of Krishna. They always emit and incredible enthusiasm. Would I consider their lives imbalanced? No, but surrounding them are the enticements of a highly charged techie world and that can steer anyone away from life's prime objective.
I did get the chance to come closer to the children by giving gifts of devotional value - colouring and reading books. Each child left happily adorned with sacred tulasi neck beads around their necks. Most valuable for this day was the pleasure of giving and receiving the good company of Deva and Surya, who like anyone else, just need a little change from valuable but routine services.
That provided a balance for them.
1.5 KM
Saturday, January 8th, 2011
The Changing Bodies Blitz
Detroit, Michigan
Before a 400 kilometre drive down the 4-0-1, the country's busiest highway, and with thru stops along the way before reaching a destination, I took to some trekking. The blitz to London, Chatham and Windsor where chosen obligations for family, friends, devotees.
In Windsor friends Tom and Betty had cooked up a simple but wholesome veggie meal which I always have the honour to consecrate before spooning to my lips. After lunch, Tom had shared an old black and white TV series with host, Boris Karloff. It was dubbed as the best series that's never been seen (don't ask why it never went on the air, I don't know).
One episode was irresistible for Tom to share. Called, "The Veil", this drama brings you to Delhi in the 20s when a young woman had received a proposal for her hand, marriage by a fellow named Krishna. She cannot accept the offer because she admits to already being betrothed to a man from her previous life. She had died prematurely, you can say, leaving behind a husband and a son, Ram (played by George Hamilton) who is about her own age.
The story is fun. It pokes at the plausible scenario of reincarnation. The girl's mom speaks with more of a Transylvanian accent than a woman from Delhi and George looks half Indian. The only thing that qualifies the piece as Indian apart from the subject, which India cannot monopolize a claim to, is the use of the word, "Namaskar!" Produced in the fifties (is my guess) the production was a real honest attempt at looking out-of-the-box for that time. I admired the attempt.
Speaking of reincarnation and our trip, the two other monks, Surya and Deva and I, we felt as if we stepped into different bodies. Each stopover, each place was different, although we remained the same persons. Our last reincarnation was in Detroit where we were greeted by a most vibrant community including some who trailed over from Ohio.
What a day! Much was accomplished in solidifying relationships. Detroit, not only being in another place but country, was just the icing on the cake, as I had the opportunity to speak from the Gita on Krishna's sublime nature.
4 KM
Detroit, Michigan
Before a 400 kilometre drive down the 4-0-1, the country's busiest highway, and with thru stops along the way before reaching a destination, I took to some trekking. The blitz to London, Chatham and Windsor where chosen obligations for family, friends, devotees.
In Windsor friends Tom and Betty had cooked up a simple but wholesome veggie meal which I always have the honour to consecrate before spooning to my lips. After lunch, Tom had shared an old black and white TV series with host, Boris Karloff. It was dubbed as the best series that's never been seen (don't ask why it never went on the air, I don't know).
One episode was irresistible for Tom to share. Called, "The Veil", this drama brings you to Delhi in the 20s when a young woman had received a proposal for her hand, marriage by a fellow named Krishna. She cannot accept the offer because she admits to already being betrothed to a man from her previous life. She had died prematurely, you can say, leaving behind a husband and a son, Ram (played by George Hamilton) who is about her own age.
The story is fun. It pokes at the plausible scenario of reincarnation. The girl's mom speaks with more of a Transylvanian accent than a woman from Delhi and George looks half Indian. The only thing that qualifies the piece as Indian apart from the subject, which India cannot monopolize a claim to, is the use of the word, "Namaskar!" Produced in the fifties (is my guess) the production was a real honest attempt at looking out-of-the-box for that time. I admired the attempt.
Speaking of reincarnation and our trip, the two other monks, Surya and Deva and I, we felt as if we stepped into different bodies. Each stopover, each place was different, although we remained the same persons. Our last reincarnation was in Detroit where we were greeted by a most vibrant community including some who trailed over from Ohio.
What a day! Much was accomplished in solidifying relationships. Detroit, not only being in another place but country, was just the icing on the cake, as I had the opportunity to speak from the Gita on Krishna's sublime nature.
4 KM
Friday, January 7th, 2011
Religious and Secular Extremism
Toronto, Ontario
It is no wonder that atheism is on the rise. The reason for this phenomenon growth might not be so easy to ascertain but one thing is for sure, people are appalled. Is the increase a response to right-wing Christianity which carries a high level of bias? Is it a reaction to Muslim fundamentalism? Extremist attitude and extremist behaviour can be very unsettling.
If you pay attention to the testimony of someone like Nonie Darwish, an Egyptian woman who came to America to escape duress, it can cause alarms to go off. Her writings tell of the gross oppression of women under the sharia law, a religious-induced policy. And yet in the west the opposite extremity of 'looseness' in the name of freedom prevails for both women and men. You have stringent versus looseness. The Buddhists teach the middle path and the Vedas from India encourage sattva guna, the way of being temperate.
In our current pop culture you may have a concept where a woman is set in a cage wearing a very restrictive, almost straight-jacket type of Islamic wear. She dances out in captivity very artistically from the oppression. At one point the cage is lifted, and the dancer is relieved of her overly restrictive clothing to reveal a so called 'freedom' in the form of suggestive sensuality. The transformation is no doubt a crowd pleaser. But both approaches weigh far too much to the left and the right. A happy medium doesn't seem to be accommodated. It's a shame really.
I had walked through a schoolyard leaving boot impressions in the freshly strewn snow earlier in the morning. I contemplated on the direction of the world. It's fine if a moderate spirit prevails but if majority falls to the side of either the fundamentally rigid or loose then these impressions, like footprints in the snow, leave me concerned.
The only solution ahead is to step up to a higher consciousness and demonstrate, live and breathe that moderate approach.
5 KM
Toronto, Ontario
It is no wonder that atheism is on the rise. The reason for this phenomenon growth might not be so easy to ascertain but one thing is for sure, people are appalled. Is the increase a response to right-wing Christianity which carries a high level of bias? Is it a reaction to Muslim fundamentalism? Extremist attitude and extremist behaviour can be very unsettling.
If you pay attention to the testimony of someone like Nonie Darwish, an Egyptian woman who came to America to escape duress, it can cause alarms to go off. Her writings tell of the gross oppression of women under the sharia law, a religious-induced policy. And yet in the west the opposite extremity of 'looseness' in the name of freedom prevails for both women and men. You have stringent versus looseness. The Buddhists teach the middle path and the Vedas from India encourage sattva guna, the way of being temperate.
In our current pop culture you may have a concept where a woman is set in a cage wearing a very restrictive, almost straight-jacket type of Islamic wear. She dances out in captivity very artistically from the oppression. At one point the cage is lifted, and the dancer is relieved of her overly restrictive clothing to reveal a so called 'freedom' in the form of suggestive sensuality. The transformation is no doubt a crowd pleaser. But both approaches weigh far too much to the left and the right. A happy medium doesn't seem to be accommodated. It's a shame really.
I had walked through a schoolyard leaving boot impressions in the freshly strewn snow earlier in the morning. I contemplated on the direction of the world. It's fine if a moderate spirit prevails but if majority falls to the side of either the fundamentally rigid or loose then these impressions, like footprints in the snow, leave me concerned.
The only solution ahead is to step up to a higher consciousness and demonstrate, live and breathe that moderate approach.
5 KM
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Thursday, January 6th, 2011
The Drastic Chili Story
Toronto Ontario
Somehow or other the morning's Bhagavatam class facilitated by myself swung over to the topic of red hot chili peppers. The two monks from India sitting there to listen amongst the rest of us looked at me with amazement as if fire came out of their mouths when I said "Chillis" did not come from India. They were introduced." Like the tea drinking the British crazed over is now custom in India, so is the use of chilies and the ground up version cayenne powder.
The boys were startled. Perhaps someone can now research further on Google, but it is the curry leaves, yogurt, chic pea flour, ginger, tumeric and cumin that is India's culinary contribution and not the red hot 'sharks' as some of us in the ashram called it.
While our actual topic was "sense control" we landed at the point of the over use of the passionate pods for cooking. Some of our visitors of the previous night bit into a hot pakora(veggie fritter) and had the dragon-mouth experience of their life. It was then and there at the tail end of class that we declared that all chilli peppers and cayenne make an exodus from the building. Subuddhi, president approved and co-president Madhavendra Puri, happily disposed of the little devils, with sneezes of course.
Why the reason for the drastic injuction? Well, those little guys shaped like the country Chile itself make you overly rajasic (hyper). It is intolerant to children because of the large doses used in the temple cooking and not that a small amount hurts). Many of our cooks just can't help themselves. They over do it. That's the actual problem. I guess our two topics tied in together-control chillis.
Not only the kids but most people who come find it not newcomer friendly. They won't eat with us again, and may never return. Even though by night-time the little sharks were chucked the little asurae (demons) will make their way back (by well intentioned donors) and a rerun will then occur. The toss-out leela (pastime) repeat itself.
As a compromise the temple ashram is usually stocked with fresh green ones. Maybe we can call them "green hornets". They can be a side-dish for those wanting them but we certainly don't need flames shooting off everyone's tongue as a result of an en masse curry cooked for hundreds.
To me chillies are like cigarettes. Use them outside and keep temple food nutrition healthy, colorful, and in the mode of goodness. Today I trekked a good seven kilometers all in one sweep, despite the hernia, and I didn't need one red hot shark to fuel me.
7KM
Toronto Ontario
Somehow or other the morning's Bhagavatam class facilitated by myself swung over to the topic of red hot chili peppers. The two monks from India sitting there to listen amongst the rest of us looked at me with amazement as if fire came out of their mouths when I said "Chillis" did not come from India. They were introduced." Like the tea drinking the British crazed over is now custom in India, so is the use of chilies and the ground up version cayenne powder.
The boys were startled. Perhaps someone can now research further on Google, but it is the curry leaves, yogurt, chic pea flour, ginger, tumeric and cumin that is India's culinary contribution and not the red hot 'sharks' as some of us in the ashram called it.
While our actual topic was "sense control" we landed at the point of the over use of the passionate pods for cooking. Some of our visitors of the previous night bit into a hot pakora(veggie fritter) and had the dragon-mouth experience of their life. It was then and there at the tail end of class that we declared that all chilli peppers and cayenne make an exodus from the building. Subuddhi, president approved and co-president Madhavendra Puri, happily disposed of the little devils, with sneezes of course.
Why the reason for the drastic injuction? Well, those little guys shaped like the country Chile itself make you overly rajasic (hyper). It is intolerant to children because of the large doses used in the temple cooking and not that a small amount hurts). Many of our cooks just can't help themselves. They over do it. That's the actual problem. I guess our two topics tied in together-control chillis.
Not only the kids but most people who come find it not newcomer friendly. They won't eat with us again, and may never return. Even though by night-time the little sharks were chucked the little asurae (demons) will make their way back (by well intentioned donors) and a rerun will then occur. The toss-out leela (pastime) repeat itself.
As a compromise the temple ashram is usually stocked with fresh green ones. Maybe we can call them "green hornets". They can be a side-dish for those wanting them but we certainly don't need flames shooting off everyone's tongue as a result of an en masse curry cooked for hundreds.
To me chillies are like cigarettes. Use them outside and keep temple food nutrition healthy, colorful, and in the mode of goodness. Today I trekked a good seven kilometers all in one sweep, despite the hernia, and I didn't need one red hot shark to fuel me.
7KM
Friday, 7 January 2011
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
So Right
Toronto Ontario
As I dandered my way south on University Avenue it became apparent that despite winter overcoat robes were exposed. That cost some smiles and even nods, although most pedestrians just go about their business. The route took me by ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), then a half loop along Queen's Park, the provincial legislative building, then you pass several hospitals for cardio, cancer, and sick children up to the corner of May Pickford's bust(her birth spot) and into a medical clinic for a blood and urine testing.
My medical assistent was a woman from Guyana, and my guess was that she's Hindu. I'm sure I was her first robed patient. It showed in her surprise. "Just leave yourself bare chested, lie down and I'll be back."
"Fine,"I said.
"Is this Buddhist?" she asked.
"Hare Krishna."
"Oh yes, I was raised Catholic but I became a Hindu," she remarked.
She was pleasant as Guyanese folks usually are and our dialogue went on as time allowed. She got my invite to the temple. I was happy to have made that friend.
It was a bit daring doing the trek there and back walking on a hernia but it was painless. I looked down at my feet and reflected on what the monitor had said in the waiting room, "your feet have 25% of your body bone structure. Protect them."
Okay! I believe I've been doing that. Protect the body. Protect the soul. That sounds like a balanced equation. Keep body and soul together. I know I'm not just a body, a lump of chemicals. I'm a person, a divine spark. I'm convinced that there is this dimension otherwise devotional activities wouldn't feel right, so natural.
Toronto Ontario
As I dandered my way south on University Avenue it became apparent that despite winter overcoat robes were exposed. That cost some smiles and even nods, although most pedestrians just go about their business. The route took me by ROM (Royal Ontario Museum), then a half loop along Queen's Park, the provincial legislative building, then you pass several hospitals for cardio, cancer, and sick children up to the corner of May Pickford's bust(her birth spot) and into a medical clinic for a blood and urine testing.
My medical assistent was a woman from Guyana, and my guess was that she's Hindu. I'm sure I was her first robed patient. It showed in her surprise. "Just leave yourself bare chested, lie down and I'll be back."
"Fine,"I said.
"Is this Buddhist?" she asked.
"Hare Krishna."
"Oh yes, I was raised Catholic but I became a Hindu," she remarked.
She was pleasant as Guyanese folks usually are and our dialogue went on as time allowed. She got my invite to the temple. I was happy to have made that friend.
It was a bit daring doing the trek there and back walking on a hernia but it was painless. I looked down at my feet and reflected on what the monitor had said in the waiting room, "your feet have 25% of your body bone structure. Protect them."
Okay! I believe I've been doing that. Protect the body. Protect the soul. That sounds like a balanced equation. Keep body and soul together. I know I'm not just a body, a lump of chemicals. I'm a person, a divine spark. I'm convinced that there is this dimension otherwise devotional activities wouldn't feel right, so natural.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
It Started With White
Toronto, Ontario
Snow had snuk in with its silence changing the dynamics of things. I had completed a second trek for the previous day, then lay down to rest at midnight when all was dark and grey. At a 4 AM rising, nature's white sprinkle moved in to provide that new world of surprise. Weather gave fascination to the day. It gives an impetus to live and love life.
Each morning is like that for the spiritual practitioner. When you open the door to be hit softly or harshly by the atmospheric conditions it comes like that when you arise to a day of devotional wonder. There's adventure.
When the gates and doors to the vigraha (Krishna deity) opens to expose us to a fresh look our optimism escaltes. Our kid-in-the-candy-shop mood becomes ignited. Their smiles radiate a warmth that stokes your devotional energy permitting you to bear up against the day's onslaught.
I didn't have the opportunity to push a leg after that rising, I only had the fine memory of doing so before it struck midnight. Issues came at me from different parts of the continent either electronically, telephonically or personally. It took a stressful toll on me although I felt sustained because of the morning pull - seeing the most beautiful forms of Radha Gopinath (Krishna's sacred images). They stand there confident in pose and curvy like poetry or prose.
My day began before those buoyant forms and it ended that way as well. Before them, at evening arati (service), I picked up a drum and let fingers walk on its ends while Keshav, an always zestful one, gravitated to the same space. His fingers walked over the harmonium's teeth. We played and sang. It was a perfect day, as usual, except for the lack of trek.
0 KM
Toronto, Ontario
Snow had snuk in with its silence changing the dynamics of things. I had completed a second trek for the previous day, then lay down to rest at midnight when all was dark and grey. At a 4 AM rising, nature's white sprinkle moved in to provide that new world of surprise. Weather gave fascination to the day. It gives an impetus to live and love life.
Each morning is like that for the spiritual practitioner. When you open the door to be hit softly or harshly by the atmospheric conditions it comes like that when you arise to a day of devotional wonder. There's adventure.
When the gates and doors to the vigraha (Krishna deity) opens to expose us to a fresh look our optimism escaltes. Our kid-in-the-candy-shop mood becomes ignited. Their smiles radiate a warmth that stokes your devotional energy permitting you to bear up against the day's onslaught.
I didn't have the opportunity to push a leg after that rising, I only had the fine memory of doing so before it struck midnight. Issues came at me from different parts of the continent either electronically, telephonically or personally. It took a stressful toll on me although I felt sustained because of the morning pull - seeing the most beautiful forms of Radha Gopinath (Krishna's sacred images). They stand there confident in pose and curvy like poetry or prose.
My day began before those buoyant forms and it ended that way as well. Before them, at evening arati (service), I picked up a drum and let fingers walk on its ends while Keshav, an always zestful one, gravitated to the same space. His fingers walked over the harmonium's teeth. We played and sang. It was a perfect day, as usual, except for the lack of trek.
0 KM
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
"Devotional Milestones for 2010"
Toronto, Ontario
A wrap up or review of the past year would look something like the following with regards to my feet and heart at home or other territory.
1. Early in February a sweaty walk got me through the nation of Trinidad.
2. Along the Mediterranean bare foot I went in October covering half of Israel.
3. Prem Kishor aka Dr. Jani, dear friend and devotee, hosted the first Festival of India in Thunder Bay at the shore of the world's largest lake, Lake Superior, in July. It was a grand success.
4. Montreal ISKCON launched its first devotional talent show called Natakam featuring dance, drama, and music of a unique kind.
5. The brahmacaris (monks) from Halifax purchased a bus, compliments of kind donors, for the purpose of travelling Canada throughout the year.
6. A Tamil gang leader turned pious and joined our Scarborough ISKCON centre. He now chants mantras on japa meditation beads.
7. Devotees of Brampton cooked up a storm serving thousands at the India Panorama.
8. Saskatoon is the latest city to open Krishna Consciousness programs led by team Kasyapa and Pancomi.
9. Ottawa ISKCON celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Guara-Nitai deity installation in August.
10. Vancouver ISKCON has finalized drawings for a new temple, a unique monolithic domed structure.
11. The village of Saranagati, an eco-friendly rural and devotional community, hosted a grand Balarama Festival in the summer, fusing indigenous and Vedic culturals. A huge teepee was erected to symbolize unity.
12. The Krishna Youth Bus Tour drove into Regina for its fifth year of devotional talents. Regina was the first city to host indoor stage events with the tour.
13. The Toronto Star, Canada's most widely read major city newspaper featured an article "Hare Krishnas Go Mainstream," a favourable update on the city's Krishna community. It was sourced to other papers nation wide.
14. Sunday school (Krishna Conscious style) is increasing in Calgary at the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre in age group up to age 21, thanks to co-ordinators Twani and Gopika.
15. Toronto's downtown Urban Edge Yoga Centre is enjoying its second year of operation catering to U of T spiritual seekers.
16. Alas this humble self, the Walking Monk, travelled in addition to Canada, to the USA, Guyana, Trinidad, Cuba, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, India and Dubai.
8KM
Toronto, Ontario
A wrap up or review of the past year would look something like the following with regards to my feet and heart at home or other territory.
1. Early in February a sweaty walk got me through the nation of Trinidad.
2. Along the Mediterranean bare foot I went in October covering half of Israel.
3. Prem Kishor aka Dr. Jani, dear friend and devotee, hosted the first Festival of India in Thunder Bay at the shore of the world's largest lake, Lake Superior, in July. It was a grand success.
4. Montreal ISKCON launched its first devotional talent show called Natakam featuring dance, drama, and music of a unique kind.
5. The brahmacaris (monks) from Halifax purchased a bus, compliments of kind donors, for the purpose of travelling Canada throughout the year.
6. A Tamil gang leader turned pious and joined our Scarborough ISKCON centre. He now chants mantras on japa meditation beads.
7. Devotees of Brampton cooked up a storm serving thousands at the India Panorama.
8. Saskatoon is the latest city to open Krishna Consciousness programs led by team Kasyapa and Pancomi.
9. Ottawa ISKCON celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Guara-Nitai deity installation in August.
10. Vancouver ISKCON has finalized drawings for a new temple, a unique monolithic domed structure.
11. The village of Saranagati, an eco-friendly rural and devotional community, hosted a grand Balarama Festival in the summer, fusing indigenous and Vedic culturals. A huge teepee was erected to symbolize unity.
12. The Krishna Youth Bus Tour drove into Regina for its fifth year of devotional talents. Regina was the first city to host indoor stage events with the tour.
13. The Toronto Star, Canada's most widely read major city newspaper featured an article "Hare Krishnas Go Mainstream," a favourable update on the city's Krishna community. It was sourced to other papers nation wide.
14. Sunday school (Krishna Conscious style) is increasing in Calgary at the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre in age group up to age 21, thanks to co-ordinators Twani and Gopika.
15. Toronto's downtown Urban Edge Yoga Centre is enjoying its second year of operation catering to U of T spiritual seekers.
16. Alas this humble self, the Walking Monk, travelled in addition to Canada, to the USA, Guyana, Trinidad, Cuba, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, India and Dubai.
8KM
Monday, 3 January 2011
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011
The Year Of Love?
Scarborough, Ontario
Could 2011 be the Year of Love? Let's try! Skeptics and cynics will say 'no' to anything, but for the spiritualist there will always be optimism. For them there will be an attempt at seeking and creating loving exchanges. But let's not be green behind the ears. There is no excuse for naivety regarding this material world.
The Bhagavad-gita cries out its ancient wisdom, "dukhalayam asasvatam'. There is misery in this world. Just consider the agony of being trapped in a mine for 69 days like those heroes in Chile this past year. Against all odds, ecstasy of knowing survivors were living off of hope of seeing their loved ones. Love does keep people alive. Love does make the world go 'round.
Love is powerful. People have declared wars over its passion and have fought in defense to protect those they love. It's just awfully shameful that love clashes as one camp will be totally malicious towards another out of love for kith and kin. If love could be extended beyond the tribal attitude to include the whole universal family we would be in better shape. This might sound idealistic but when love can work beyond the inside of a box then earth has a chance.
In a message delivered to a crowd at the ISKCON Centre, the topic was just that, about the cliche term 'love' which is really a type of lust. Love becomes perverted or self-centered as lust.
I like the definition of the word love coming from one of the great ksatriyas (warriors) of the epic, "Mahabharat". King Bhuma says, "Love means reposing one's affection completely upon one person."
In a devotional context this love which is pure and distinct from the lust of this world, this relationship with its natural reciprocation is in connecting to the Supreme Divine.
The bottom line is that love is a craving that everyone is seeking to fulfill. It's up to each individual to find what is meaningful in this regard. May 2011 be prosperous in the Divine love-making department.
2.5 KM
Scarborough, Ontario
Could 2011 be the Year of Love? Let's try! Skeptics and cynics will say 'no' to anything, but for the spiritualist there will always be optimism. For them there will be an attempt at seeking and creating loving exchanges. But let's not be green behind the ears. There is no excuse for naivety regarding this material world.
The Bhagavad-gita cries out its ancient wisdom, "dukhalayam asasvatam'. There is misery in this world. Just consider the agony of being trapped in a mine for 69 days like those heroes in Chile this past year. Against all odds, ecstasy of knowing survivors were living off of hope of seeing their loved ones. Love does keep people alive. Love does make the world go 'round.
Love is powerful. People have declared wars over its passion and have fought in defense to protect those they love. It's just awfully shameful that love clashes as one camp will be totally malicious towards another out of love for kith and kin. If love could be extended beyond the tribal attitude to include the whole universal family we would be in better shape. This might sound idealistic but when love can work beyond the inside of a box then earth has a chance.
In a message delivered to a crowd at the ISKCON Centre, the topic was just that, about the cliche term 'love' which is really a type of lust. Love becomes perverted or self-centered as lust.
I like the definition of the word love coming from one of the great ksatriyas (warriors) of the epic, "Mahabharat". King Bhuma says, "Love means reposing one's affection completely upon one person."
In a devotional context this love which is pure and distinct from the lust of this world, this relationship with its natural reciprocation is in connecting to the Supreme Divine.
The bottom line is that love is a craving that everyone is seeking to fulfill. It's up to each individual to find what is meaningful in this regard. May 2011 be prosperous in the Divine love-making department.
2.5 KM
Saturday, January 1st, 2011
A Start for 2011
Toronto Ontario
As is common in much of the world, the New Year is received to the sound of popping open the cork of a bottle of booze. Here is the alternative. Chant a mantra and pump into the atmosphere a sound that infuses good fortune.
Guyanese born Vrindavan das had the idea to start off the New Year with a bang of the maha mantra. He arranged a twelve hour chanting session. On a shift basis family and friends took part in the lead and response procedure.
I had the pleasure to be inside the circle of chanters in the living room and our Halifax monks were there to form a lively kirtan group. from there I made my way to my sister for a family reunion. Siblings from various parts of Ontario emerged for a New Year's meal at a table of tolerance for a mix of veggies, grains, and bird. Out of our lot one third of us are firm vegetarians
As the day wore on the number of people around me increased. At the downtown temple/ashram, (and my residence) hundreds of people ushered in cheers of a hopeful 2011. Young Bhaktin Becky from Cleveland received her new name Hari Lila.
Why the name "Hari?" It has something to do with her love for George Harrison. George asked our guru about committing to an ashram (style of life). The things that our guru suggested to George was that hair shaving was not necessary for him, that his music making with devotional lyrics was a benevolent service to the world and that his name need not change since his surname Harrison implies being the son of Hari (God).
On January 4th 1973 thirty eight years ago, our guru Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter to George indicating that he "was making good spiritual progress"...Its not by accident that you are coming gradually to the right point" He quoted Krishna in the Gita 7. 19 "After many births and deaths he who is actually wise surrender unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is."
I took the opportunity to read an excerpt from the lengthy letter reading also the closing " I know you are very intelligent boy, and I like you very much. You are better than my own son" My message to Hari Lila was to grow fond of Krishna as much as she is of George. In this way the fortune is enhanced.
5KM
Toronto Ontario
As is common in much of the world, the New Year is received to the sound of popping open the cork of a bottle of booze. Here is the alternative. Chant a mantra and pump into the atmosphere a sound that infuses good fortune.
Guyanese born Vrindavan das had the idea to start off the New Year with a bang of the maha mantra. He arranged a twelve hour chanting session. On a shift basis family and friends took part in the lead and response procedure.
I had the pleasure to be inside the circle of chanters in the living room and our Halifax monks were there to form a lively kirtan group. from there I made my way to my sister for a family reunion. Siblings from various parts of Ontario emerged for a New Year's meal at a table of tolerance for a mix of veggies, grains, and bird. Out of our lot one third of us are firm vegetarians
As the day wore on the number of people around me increased. At the downtown temple/ashram, (and my residence) hundreds of people ushered in cheers of a hopeful 2011. Young Bhaktin Becky from Cleveland received her new name Hari Lila.
Why the name "Hari?" It has something to do with her love for George Harrison. George asked our guru about committing to an ashram (style of life). The things that our guru suggested to George was that hair shaving was not necessary for him, that his music making with devotional lyrics was a benevolent service to the world and that his name need not change since his surname Harrison implies being the son of Hari (God).
On January 4th 1973 thirty eight years ago, our guru Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter to George indicating that he "was making good spiritual progress"...Its not by accident that you are coming gradually to the right point" He quoted Krishna in the Gita 7. 19 "After many births and deaths he who is actually wise surrender unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is."
I took the opportunity to read an excerpt from the lengthy letter reading also the closing " I know you are very intelligent boy, and I like you very much. You are better than my own son" My message to Hari Lila was to grow fond of Krishna as much as she is of George. In this way the fortune is enhanced.
5KM
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Friday, December 31st, 2010
A baby and the new year
Scarborough, Ontario
She sat there rather uncomfortable. I mentioned to her husband sitting next to her, “us guys could never understand the pain these ladies go through.” She is eight and a half months pregnant and looking beautiful in her own type of way.
She remarked, “ I’ve been known as a phys. Ed guru for years , always conscious of my looks, but recently being very hungry and trying to feed the baby and I don’t seem to care.” The Three of us, minus the unborn, discussed how parenting is all about giving, all about sacrifice and that the experience is setting themselves up for their spiritual life. The husband, a very successful tattoo artist, indicated he was trying to be a good support during these last few months, when again, the baby started making his moves. As we continued over a little chat at the back of the temple room it crossed my mind, “ Hhmmmmmm! Perhaps the baby’s trying to walk. I could have another future walking companion. “
I had to bow out of the most exhilarating event of the year, the new Years kirtan, chanting at Toronto’s old city hall. With health condition what it is (the hernia) I opted for a home program at a Bengali’s home. It was our community youth that took the reigns of the New Years smashing and bashing chanting which was received with tremendous approval. A protective phalanx of police broke into smiles of delight when they realized the explosive passion of chanters had more of a subduing effect on the crowd rather than stirring up a form of rowdiness. The “smashing” and “bashing” adjectives were merely a poetic way of challenging Maya (illusion) that were to come for 2011.
You can be guaranteed that the world and the individual will be threatened by the devil just like any other year. As our guru, Srila Prabhupada, once wrote in a letter to Brian Marvin aka Shukavak of Scarborough, Ontario “history is eternal”. And he added, “history repeats itself. “
We just need to be prepared for the attacks when they arise.
Happy New Year!
0 KM
Scarborough, Ontario
She sat there rather uncomfortable. I mentioned to her husband sitting next to her, “us guys could never understand the pain these ladies go through.” She is eight and a half months pregnant and looking beautiful in her own type of way.
She remarked, “ I’ve been known as a phys. Ed guru for years , always conscious of my looks, but recently being very hungry and trying to feed the baby and I don’t seem to care.” The Three of us, minus the unborn, discussed how parenting is all about giving, all about sacrifice and that the experience is setting themselves up for their spiritual life. The husband, a very successful tattoo artist, indicated he was trying to be a good support during these last few months, when again, the baby started making his moves. As we continued over a little chat at the back of the temple room it crossed my mind, “ Hhmmmmmm! Perhaps the baby’s trying to walk. I could have another future walking companion. “
I had to bow out of the most exhilarating event of the year, the new Years kirtan, chanting at Toronto’s old city hall. With health condition what it is (the hernia) I opted for a home program at a Bengali’s home. It was our community youth that took the reigns of the New Years smashing and bashing chanting which was received with tremendous approval. A protective phalanx of police broke into smiles of delight when they realized the explosive passion of chanters had more of a subduing effect on the crowd rather than stirring up a form of rowdiness. The “smashing” and “bashing” adjectives were merely a poetic way of challenging Maya (illusion) that were to come for 2011.
You can be guaranteed that the world and the individual will be threatened by the devil just like any other year. As our guru, Srila Prabhupada, once wrote in a letter to Brian Marvin aka Shukavak of Scarborough, Ontario “history is eternal”. And he added, “history repeats itself. “
We just need to be prepared for the attacks when they arise.
Happy New Year!
0 KM
Thursday, December 30th, 2010
God Sent A Boxer
Toronto, Ontario
I went for my daily walk when I met the Halifax monks. They were just returning from their book distribution program. In the month of December, worldwide efforts are made to enthuse pedestrians, shop keepers, residential folks, just about anyone in receiving a book of Vedic wisdom for nominal donations. With the month coming to a close the book marathon is beginning to wind down.
To give our community a taste of what I'm talking about with regards to this noble book distribution service I spoke with the boys about recreating some of the highlights of encounters with people (particularly on the street) in the form of a dramatization for a New Year's festival at the temple. There was some eagerness about doing it and the monks came back to start the scripting. Each of the six monks butt heads to write of a person (sometimes 'character') they met. I wondered how I could contribute to the script. I wasn't much involved in the book program other than encouraging people in my recent travels. I'm handicapped with a health issue, a hernia whom I've nicknamed Hernia-kashipu, which has a semblance o to the name of a Puranic demon.
When I returned from a careful walk I saw two young men sitting in the back of the temple room. The one who first noticed me was Ryan O'Campo who won a bronze medal for the 2003 Canadian Winter Games in New Brunswick for boxing. Ryan has made it his second trip to the temple. "I love it here," he said with a smile. He did express a slight depression due to not training for five days.
"I know what it's like, being a marathon walker, and if you don't move those legs for a few days you feel like something's really missing," I said, he concurred. In fact he did agree with so many things including philosophical remarks I made. He was enthused to purchase a book from me. "Coming Back" is a small paperback on the science of reincarnation. Ryan was thrilled.
And when I asked him if he would play himself and to re-enact our encounter in our drama for Jan the 1st, he was doubly thrilled. "Rehearsal will be at 4 pm tomorrow," I said.
I'm glad Ryan came. He’s God-sent. God sent a boxer.
3 KM
Toronto, Ontario
I went for my daily walk when I met the Halifax monks. They were just returning from their book distribution program. In the month of December, worldwide efforts are made to enthuse pedestrians, shop keepers, residential folks, just about anyone in receiving a book of Vedic wisdom for nominal donations. With the month coming to a close the book marathon is beginning to wind down.
To give our community a taste of what I'm talking about with regards to this noble book distribution service I spoke with the boys about recreating some of the highlights of encounters with people (particularly on the street) in the form of a dramatization for a New Year's festival at the temple. There was some eagerness about doing it and the monks came back to start the scripting. Each of the six monks butt heads to write of a person (sometimes 'character') they met. I wondered how I could contribute to the script. I wasn't much involved in the book program other than encouraging people in my recent travels. I'm handicapped with a health issue, a hernia whom I've nicknamed Hernia-kashipu, which has a semblance o to the name of a Puranic demon.
When I returned from a careful walk I saw two young men sitting in the back of the temple room. The one who first noticed me was Ryan O'Campo who won a bronze medal for the 2003 Canadian Winter Games in New Brunswick for boxing. Ryan has made it his second trip to the temple. "I love it here," he said with a smile. He did express a slight depression due to not training for five days.
"I know what it's like, being a marathon walker, and if you don't move those legs for a few days you feel like something's really missing," I said, he concurred. In fact he did agree with so many things including philosophical remarks I made. He was enthused to purchase a book from me. "Coming Back" is a small paperback on the science of reincarnation. Ryan was thrilled.
And when I asked him if he would play himself and to re-enact our encounter in our drama for Jan the 1st, he was doubly thrilled. "Rehearsal will be at 4 pm tomorrow," I said.
I'm glad Ryan came. He’s God-sent. God sent a boxer.
3 KM
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