"Just Open"
Toronto, Ontario
This sprinter sped right passed me as I practically baby-stepped over the ice, moving with utmost caution. It was inspiring to see the daring nature of the runner. Just by seeing him I picked up speed and broadened my strides.
In one rendition of the pastimes of Krishna's advent, His father Vasudev, was hesitant to cross a raging Yamuna River to protect His son. He was apprehensive to cross, but when he saw a jackal make his way, plying across despite darkness, rough water and depth, Vasudev became inspired to tread the water keeping Krishna unharmed above his head.
Everyone needs an inspirational element in order to move on in life. It often comes from people, not always, but often enough - it's some hero. Those who can move through the darkest hour encouraged others. What comes to mind is Krishna's raising hope in Arjuna, His dear warrior friend.
Without inspiration you're a dead man. We just can't live without it. Even in the most mundane sense an alcoholic gets inspired by the bottle.
When we enter into a period of confusion, despair or defeat there will be something stirring up to spark excitement, inspiration. It comes to us at the toughest hour. We just need to recognize when it pops up. Expect it when you're down-in-the-dumps. It's waiting there, staring at you. Just open your eyes and see it.
8 Km
B L O G S P O T
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Monday, 9 January 2012
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
Time Pressured
Brampton, Ontario
It's a blessing to keep busy in service. It's a curse to be under engaged. It's a mixed blessing/curse to have too much. Even a devotional life requires prioritizing and working within timelines. Being human means that anyone can 'snap' due to overload, regardless of how strong your fever for service.
In monastic life such as mine, which takes on a mentor's role and added to that, administrative duties plus the artistic output, much happy time is consumed. If it wasn't for the daily reflective walking, life would be overwhelming. The walk permits a much needed 'time to myself' period as time for people, congregants, gets very demanding.
People need attention as life in modern times arouses too many complexities. There appears to be a lacking of 'outlet' or 'chill out time' for the average person in the so called developed world.
It's as a Nepalese woman, the clerk at a grocery store counter, told me today, "In this country there is not time to go to the temple. You have to always work to pay the bills."
This woman detected my 'devotioness', my 'ISKCON-ness', while incognitoed in winter wear, upon seeing my neck beads, faded forehead tilak markings and saffron coloured kurta top.
"Hare Krishna?" she asked as I came to the counter for a small yogurt purchase.
"Yes!" From there we talked.
It had been a day of 'go-go' - delivering a class in our Brampton centre, then two more class presentations in Toronto with people needing in between. Of course, on Sundays, demands intensify. All the more reason for 'the walk that chills'. It makes the difference between make or break. We must plan wisely in order for balance to prevail.
8 Km
Brampton, Ontario
It's a blessing to keep busy in service. It's a curse to be under engaged. It's a mixed blessing/curse to have too much. Even a devotional life requires prioritizing and working within timelines. Being human means that anyone can 'snap' due to overload, regardless of how strong your fever for service.
In monastic life such as mine, which takes on a mentor's role and added to that, administrative duties plus the artistic output, much happy time is consumed. If it wasn't for the daily reflective walking, life would be overwhelming. The walk permits a much needed 'time to myself' period as time for people, congregants, gets very demanding.
People need attention as life in modern times arouses too many complexities. There appears to be a lacking of 'outlet' or 'chill out time' for the average person in the so called developed world.
It's as a Nepalese woman, the clerk at a grocery store counter, told me today, "In this country there is not time to go to the temple. You have to always work to pay the bills."
This woman detected my 'devotioness', my 'ISKCON-ness', while incognitoed in winter wear, upon seeing my neck beads, faded forehead tilak markings and saffron coloured kurta top.
"Hare Krishna?" she asked as I came to the counter for a small yogurt purchase.
"Yes!" From there we talked.
It had been a day of 'go-go' - delivering a class in our Brampton centre, then two more class presentations in Toronto with people needing in between. Of course, on Sundays, demands intensify. All the more reason for 'the walk that chills'. It makes the difference between make or break. We must plan wisely in order for balance to prevail.
8 Km
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
Leadership Lesson
Toronto, Ontario
It was a glorious day for me to participate in two events. The first one was an appreciation dinner for the cast of, “Dhroova”, the story of a great prince who learned many lessons from his austerity in the forest. The actors in this production worked hard. Secondly, I attended another dinner, much later on in the day, to honour the weekend warriors of BBT book distribution. I sat to hear the stories of devotees who relished in the spiritual activity of approaching people at different venues – the street, homes, shops – about the value of taking the spiritual path. It was a delight to digest, not only the food but the stories of human interaction. To better digest it all, I took to an evening walk, trekking Yonge Street, up to the point where break dancers were whipping up incredible moves, including fast spins on their heads.
Upon my return from the walk I opened to a page of “Tales of Ancient India” based on the text Hitopadesh, which our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would quote from. A dear friend, Guy Tetreault, from Quebec, wrote/translated it. Here’s a story about heavy responsibility in leadership.
“A prince was sent to a school of a guru to pursue his studies. Once they were completed, their master informed the king that he could come and pick up his son. When the prince demonstrated his achievements, the king was very appreciative. Desiring to teach one final lesson to the prince, the guru asked the king to go on horseback to a distant tree and then to return.
As the king galloped away, the guru told the prince to try to catch the horse. Meanwhile, the king had reached the tree. It was on his way back when he saw his son running breathlessly toward him. Furiously, he asked the guru, why he had obliged the prince to run in this way.
The guru replied, ‘now his education is complete. With this last experience he will not show indifference to the suffering of his subjects, especially of those who must labour hard in the service of others.’”
The moral: Leaders who have not received an education based on the principles of wisdom, will inevitably be blinded by power, fame, and wealth. They may certainly make decisions that benefit their own wallets, but they’re likely to be disastrous for the people they are supposed to serve.
7 Km
Toronto, Ontario
It was a glorious day for me to participate in two events. The first one was an appreciation dinner for the cast of, “Dhroova”, the story of a great prince who learned many lessons from his austerity in the forest. The actors in this production worked hard. Secondly, I attended another dinner, much later on in the day, to honour the weekend warriors of BBT book distribution. I sat to hear the stories of devotees who relished in the spiritual activity of approaching people at different venues – the street, homes, shops – about the value of taking the spiritual path. It was a delight to digest, not only the food but the stories of human interaction. To better digest it all, I took to an evening walk, trekking Yonge Street, up to the point where break dancers were whipping up incredible moves, including fast spins on their heads.
Upon my return from the walk I opened to a page of “Tales of Ancient India” based on the text Hitopadesh, which our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would quote from. A dear friend, Guy Tetreault, from Quebec, wrote/translated it. Here’s a story about heavy responsibility in leadership.
“A prince was sent to a school of a guru to pursue his studies. Once they were completed, their master informed the king that he could come and pick up his son. When the prince demonstrated his achievements, the king was very appreciative. Desiring to teach one final lesson to the prince, the guru asked the king to go on horseback to a distant tree and then to return.
As the king galloped away, the guru told the prince to try to catch the horse. Meanwhile, the king had reached the tree. It was on his way back when he saw his son running breathlessly toward him. Furiously, he asked the guru, why he had obliged the prince to run in this way.
The guru replied, ‘now his education is complete. With this last experience he will not show indifference to the suffering of his subjects, especially of those who must labour hard in the service of others.’”
The moral: Leaders who have not received an education based on the principles of wisdom, will inevitably be blinded by power, fame, and wealth. They may certainly make decisions that benefit their own wallets, but they’re likely to be disastrous for the people they are supposed to serve.
7 Km
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Friday, January 6th, 2012
Prisoners
Toronto, Ontario
I rarely receive snail mail these days. One person who constantly sends letters as an update on his life is Dave. He's in a situation where he doesn't have the freedom to walk. Dave is a prisoner in the US and I"m sure he doesn't mind me sharing his letter which arrived today:
"Dear Maharaj,
Hare Krsna Guru-deva. I have a new celly named Chris Cherry and he likes to eat all my food. I found him stealing my oatmeal this morning. Just a token reaction for my sins.
But he likes to chant Hare Krsna, just out of the blue, so I will fan that fire. He is not really serious about Krsna but I will be humble and tolerant.
Now I know how you and mother feel when I sin.
Bhakta David"
From this letter we can sense Dave's realizations about karma and about being tolerant and being humbled.
One thing I would add to Dave's message is that we are all souls imprisoned in these bodies. We are all 'cellies' even though we might regard ourselves as free civilians. We are in this prison, this durga and we are locked in behind the bars of our strong desires. While here, our good conduct can make a difference. The 'key' to releasing ourselves from jail is bhakti (devotion), love - deep love for the Divine.
10 Km
Toronto, Ontario
I rarely receive snail mail these days. One person who constantly sends letters as an update on his life is Dave. He's in a situation where he doesn't have the freedom to walk. Dave is a prisoner in the US and I"m sure he doesn't mind me sharing his letter which arrived today:
"Dear Maharaj,
Hare Krsna Guru-deva. I have a new celly named Chris Cherry and he likes to eat all my food. I found him stealing my oatmeal this morning. Just a token reaction for my sins.
But he likes to chant Hare Krsna, just out of the blue, so I will fan that fire. He is not really serious about Krsna but I will be humble and tolerant.
Now I know how you and mother feel when I sin.
Bhakta David"
From this letter we can sense Dave's realizations about karma and about being tolerant and being humbled.
One thing I would add to Dave's message is that we are all souls imprisoned in these bodies. We are all 'cellies' even though we might regard ourselves as free civilians. We are in this prison, this durga and we are locked in behind the bars of our strong desires. While here, our good conduct can make a difference. The 'key' to releasing ourselves from jail is bhakti (devotion), love - deep love for the Divine.
10 Km
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Ice Under You
Toronto, Ontario
Along Moore Park Ravine it has become a virtual skating rink but with pedestrians sliding about. Over the years I've taken to slipping trials and even learned how to fall although there's no guarantee that its a one hundred percent smooth landing once hitting the ice. For the most part Krishna has protected me.
I recall, as a kid being an ice slider talking to trekking of a different kind over frozen ponds, rivers and lakes. Dad used to take us kids for a Sunday drive (spin is more like it) with our 50's Dodge on Lake Erie. Fortunately we never went under with the car. There was no casualty.
The saying 'treading on thin ice' could be analogous to our spiritual life when our sadhana practice is not strong and the deepening of our devotion has a hard time to manifest. Some practitioners depart from the spiritual path altogether after meeting a dark hour. We sometimes refer to that drop of faith as a 'fall down'.
After yesterday's episode with the lady and the wedding gown, I stopped suddenly on my tracks to see a former avid follower standing on the sidewalk chatting with someone. I stood there trying to get his attention to make a cordial greeting, a 'Hare Krishna', a 'Happy New Year". I hadn't seen for some time this young person whose past participation illustrated so much enthusiasm. Once I got his attention he walked away and expressed a type of denial with a hell of a snarl. "What happened?" I wondered. "A loss of faith?"
It hurt to see the negative response, the rejection. To me it registered as a walking away from God. I turned and moved on completing the day's walking obligation feeling that even if a person spiritually slips and falls, he/she can make their way back up again. There's always another chance, another opportunity. Any endeavour made, devotionally makes a permanent mark. It's not that if you don't make the grade this time around that you get thrown into a furnace where ice can't survive.
What I learned is that some people chose thin ice to tread, some chose thick. It's always good to be safe than sorry. You want ice under you, not on top of you.
9 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Along Moore Park Ravine it has become a virtual skating rink but with pedestrians sliding about. Over the years I've taken to slipping trials and even learned how to fall although there's no guarantee that its a one hundred percent smooth landing once hitting the ice. For the most part Krishna has protected me.
I recall, as a kid being an ice slider talking to trekking of a different kind over frozen ponds, rivers and lakes. Dad used to take us kids for a Sunday drive (spin is more like it) with our 50's Dodge on Lake Erie. Fortunately we never went under with the car. There was no casualty.
The saying 'treading on thin ice' could be analogous to our spiritual life when our sadhana practice is not strong and the deepening of our devotion has a hard time to manifest. Some practitioners depart from the spiritual path altogether after meeting a dark hour. We sometimes refer to that drop of faith as a 'fall down'.
After yesterday's episode with the lady and the wedding gown, I stopped suddenly on my tracks to see a former avid follower standing on the sidewalk chatting with someone. I stood there trying to get his attention to make a cordial greeting, a 'Hare Krishna', a 'Happy New Year". I hadn't seen for some time this young person whose past participation illustrated so much enthusiasm. Once I got his attention he walked away and expressed a type of denial with a hell of a snarl. "What happened?" I wondered. "A loss of faith?"
It hurt to see the negative response, the rejection. To me it registered as a walking away from God. I turned and moved on completing the day's walking obligation feeling that even if a person spiritually slips and falls, he/she can make their way back up again. There's always another chance, another opportunity. Any endeavour made, devotionally makes a permanent mark. It's not that if you don't make the grade this time around that you get thrown into a furnace where ice can't survive.
What I learned is that some people chose thin ice to tread, some chose thick. It's always good to be safe than sorry. You want ice under you, not on top of you.
9 Km
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
What He Wants
Toronto, Ontario
Good Samaritan? I don't know. I was trying to be what I believe my guru, Srila Prabhuapda wants me to be - helpful.
I took that evening much needed walk. I was south bound on Yonge Street when I saw a woman struggling terribly with lugging baggage on the sidewalk. It was a large duffel bag on tiny wheels which was reeling all over the place. I offered to help. She accepted. She was a Korean woman (the other day I met a Congo woman who was in distress).
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Down the street." It ended up being a good 1.5 kilometres. I strapped the bag over my shoulder. It was medium heavy. She was curious about my spiritual and monastic life, about the term "Hare Krishna", about the Gita and the philosophy. She had a hard time accepting the concept of the soul being in bodies other than humans.
"There's no essential difference between humans and other creatures, even insects. We all eat, sleep, mate and defend. The soul, the living force is in everything," I explained.
"Oh, just one minute!" she said excitedly and rushed into a grocery store. I waited for a good five minutes, chanting on my beads. She came out and we proceeded to her building. She ended up being most appreciative. She then explained the reason for the cargo and the additional groceries.
"I'm leaving for Orland tomorrow at noon, by bus. I'm going there to get married and in the bag you carried is my wedding dress. Thank you so much."
"Congratulations!" She said she'll contact me after the wedding and honeymoon to learn more about what I believe.
I'll tell you readers what I believe. I believe I might be the first monk in history to carry a woman's wedding gown. I do think nothing of it though. I believe my guru would want me to be helpful.
5 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Good Samaritan? I don't know. I was trying to be what I believe my guru, Srila Prabhuapda wants me to be - helpful.
I took that evening much needed walk. I was south bound on Yonge Street when I saw a woman struggling terribly with lugging baggage on the sidewalk. It was a large duffel bag on tiny wheels which was reeling all over the place. I offered to help. She accepted. She was a Korean woman (the other day I met a Congo woman who was in distress).
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Down the street." It ended up being a good 1.5 kilometres. I strapped the bag over my shoulder. It was medium heavy. She was curious about my spiritual and monastic life, about the term "Hare Krishna", about the Gita and the philosophy. She had a hard time accepting the concept of the soul being in bodies other than humans.
"There's no essential difference between humans and other creatures, even insects. We all eat, sleep, mate and defend. The soul, the living force is in everything," I explained.
"Oh, just one minute!" she said excitedly and rushed into a grocery store. I waited for a good five minutes, chanting on my beads. She came out and we proceeded to her building. She ended up being most appreciative. She then explained the reason for the cargo and the additional groceries.
"I'm leaving for Orland tomorrow at noon, by bus. I'm going there to get married and in the bag you carried is my wedding dress. Thank you so much."
"Congratulations!" She said she'll contact me after the wedding and honeymoon to learn more about what I believe.
I'll tell you readers what I believe. I believe I might be the first monk in history to carry a woman's wedding gown. I do think nothing of it though. I believe my guru would want me to be helpful.
5 Km
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
One But Not One
Toronto, Ontario
Someone remarked that the creatures in flight on New Year's Eve were starlings and not bats. That makes more sense. It was quite spectacular nevertheless, seeing flocks in formations above the chanting party. It was awesome.
Somehow we are all fundamentally the same, whether mammal or feathered friend. We have the same physical constituents of earth, water, fire, air and ether, regardless of different body types. In essence we all have variant DNA. By constitution the spiritual DNA for all of us in Sanskrit is called sat, chit, and ananda, which means eternity, knowledge and happiness. Such is what the Vedas teach. We are not these bodies but spirits that are permanent, always were, are now and always will be. We are sat.
Secondly, we are cognizant, meaning we are intuitive, aware, conscious, beyond the dullness of matter. We are chit.
Lastly, we are by nature blissful. Certainly we are in utter search for this feature, groping about trying to find happiness through a perverse attempt with matter. Deep within though, we are happy. We are ananda.
We are sat, chit and ananda, but in this mundane world have become covered over by viscous modes. While we share these three constituents, still there exists some scope for individuatlity despite the commonality. In other words the oneness and distinction within us, runs parallel. We have this unity-and-diversity concept wrapped up in one.
Whether starlings, bats, rats, pigs, cats, dogs, humans, etc., all are denominations that are common while a differentiation persists, simultaneously.
Om Tat Sat.
8 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Someone remarked that the creatures in flight on New Year's Eve were starlings and not bats. That makes more sense. It was quite spectacular nevertheless, seeing flocks in formations above the chanting party. It was awesome.
Somehow we are all fundamentally the same, whether mammal or feathered friend. We have the same physical constituents of earth, water, fire, air and ether, regardless of different body types. In essence we all have variant DNA. By constitution the spiritual DNA for all of us in Sanskrit is called sat, chit, and ananda, which means eternity, knowledge and happiness. Such is what the Vedas teach. We are not these bodies but spirits that are permanent, always were, are now and always will be. We are sat.
Secondly, we are cognizant, meaning we are intuitive, aware, conscious, beyond the dullness of matter. We are chit.
Lastly, we are by nature blissful. Certainly we are in utter search for this feature, groping about trying to find happiness through a perverse attempt with matter. Deep within though, we are happy. We are ananda.
We are sat, chit and ananda, but in this mundane world have become covered over by viscous modes. While we share these three constituents, still there exists some scope for individuatlity despite the commonality. In other words the oneness and distinction within us, runs parallel. We have this unity-and-diversity concept wrapped up in one.
Whether starlings, bats, rats, pigs, cats, dogs, humans, etc., all are denominations that are common while a differentiation persists, simultaneously.
Om Tat Sat.
8 Km
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
Congo Woman and Bats
Toronto, Ontario
We hit a cold snap so when I took that evening trek south on Avenue Road you could feel it. With wind chill it registered at 20 degrees Celsius below zero.
A woman asked for the Bay subway station. She was lost. I then diverted from the route I was to take in order to see that she would find her place. It's a service I could do. I relayed to her that I live in the Krishna temple up the street. I asked her where she was from.
"From the Congo."
"You must find this weather interesting?" I asked.
"Yes, it's cold. So you believe in the Lord?"
"I certainly do," I affirmed. "There's no other way! And you?"
"Yes, I depend on the Lord, I can't live without Him."
As she said this I thought that one advantage of extreme cold is that it forces dependency so it can't be all that bad. Taking the old saying, "If you have to live with it, you might as well love it", takes on a powerful meaning at such times. With this simple circumstance of winds whipping in from the north I had made a friend. I was able to be of some service. The woman from the Congo was ever so thankful to reach the Bay Station.
Now for enthusiasts of the winter airs, check out YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJjn16jowwk&feature=share
Hundreds of bats swirled in the air on midnight at Dundas Square. We were at our spot, chanting away in the midst of party animalism, when above us in the sky an influx of Batman bhaktas (devotees) came in to welcome the New year.
Happy 2012! Hare Krishna!
7 Km
Toronto, Ontario
We hit a cold snap so when I took that evening trek south on Avenue Road you could feel it. With wind chill it registered at 20 degrees Celsius below zero.
A woman asked for the Bay subway station. She was lost. I then diverted from the route I was to take in order to see that she would find her place. It's a service I could do. I relayed to her that I live in the Krishna temple up the street. I asked her where she was from.
"From the Congo."
"You must find this weather interesting?" I asked.
"Yes, it's cold. So you believe in the Lord?"
"I certainly do," I affirmed. "There's no other way! And you?"
"Yes, I depend on the Lord, I can't live without Him."
As she said this I thought that one advantage of extreme cold is that it forces dependency so it can't be all that bad. Taking the old saying, "If you have to live with it, you might as well love it", takes on a powerful meaning at such times. With this simple circumstance of winds whipping in from the north I had made a friend. I was able to be of some service. The woman from the Congo was ever so thankful to reach the Bay Station.
Now for enthusiasts of the winter airs, check out YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJjn16jowwk&feature=share
Hundreds of bats swirled in the air on midnight at Dundas Square. We were at our spot, chanting away in the midst of party animalism, when above us in the sky an influx of Batman bhaktas (devotees) came in to welcome the New year.
Happy 2012! Hare Krishna!
7 Km
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