Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Clapping Away

Mississauga, Ontario

Some days the feet are unhappy. Due to numerous obligations the hour permit little time in the day for flexing legs. This evening however, our hands were in creative motion.

During kirtan chanting our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had spoken about how the lines on your hands, which determine very much your destiny (as in palm reading) can be altered. When clapping before the deity of Krishna, as kirtan resounds, the markings can change to a more blessed situation.

At the 25th Anniversary of the Grovers we did clap, not just to congratulate the occasion, but in celebration of our life in Krishna Consciousness. A good fifty or so people took to smacking the hands in time with tempo. Dhira Grahi, a Ukranian devotee, and Jitu, a local born, second generation devotee, led our group in kirtan. For those not so accustomed, their palms turned red.

Since I wasn't able to squeeze in much time for wearing down or altering the etchings on my soles I thought, "the hands will have to do." The result was an exuberant devotional expression with palms. To facilitate clapping even more the torso, arms and head also go in motion. Clapping is a perfect time keeper. It also keeps the kirtan perked up. It engages a good part of the body. In many cultures the bringing together of hands to make noise is an expression of appreciation. It is also a device to get attention or or to send off and strike fear in an adversary or a flock of birds eating your orchard fruit.

Clapping is effective. We don't do it enough. It's the perfect cheer-leading practice.

As of late, when I'm asked to lead a chanting session, I often decline the hand cymbals or kartals often used to add a sweetness and timing to the sound. I ask someone else to play them while I have the freedom to use my hands in some unique way.

Come to think of it, my hands are my upper feet, my arms my upper legs. I've found a great use for them.

4 Km

Friday, January 20th, 2012

A Couple

Mississauga, Ontario

Rajeev and Ajita are a professional business couple who were curious about everything Krishna. After a great North Indian meal, Rajeev asked the question about the eastern concepts coming to the west in the 60's. He was keen to know about the history, the Age of Aquarius, and the humble beginnings of a tiny man, a sadhu (a swami) who drew the attention of beatniks and hippies.

I tried my best to provide an overview.

Then Ajita, his wife, asked about the proof, the reality of God. "We've been told, but how can we be sure."

"The best way to be sure is to apply. Factor Him in and then see that the equation fits. Answers come and fulfillment is reached. Not all things are comprehended by our limitations. More can be understood through feeling and hearing. The first thing the swami of the 60's, Srila Prabhupada, the Hare Krishna guru, recommended was principles. He offered discipline coupled with having a good time. When we clear the cobwebs of our mind we become a clear channel for receiving Him. We agree to be a servant and to feel the joy of serving and loving Krishna. Instead of so much philosophizing, it's best to just do it."

Ajita laughed and said that was the slogan of Nike.

"Ah yes, their mantra."

Questions kept coming from Rajeev and Ajita. It was good but my backside was sore. I began shifting uncomfortably. The couple has offered me the prime seat in their home, an one hundred year old antique chair, an actual hardwood Rajasthani bench taken from a bullock cart. It was chic. I stood up.

"Any chair loses its coziness after a while. The only relaxing pose for the human body is a changing one - walking." (Laughter)

Our conversation with the couple and two other families of the area terminated at the witches hour. Rajeev and Ajita have a 15 year old son (a wiz kid I'd speculate), who had returned from his extra curriculum activity - assembling a robot.

Robots! Well, all I can say about them is "if they ever infiltrate I'll never have one do my walking for me."

4 Km

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Matter/Spirit

Toronto, Ontario

"The guru might snore or burp, because he is human after all. It doesn't take anything away from his divinity."

That was my remark during our Bhagavatam class discussion amongst our ashram residents. Our talking led to the same logic when applied to the sacred plant tulasi, a warm climate plant, member of the basil family, which is honored every morning as an integral part of our morning spiritual exercise. The plant Tulasi may be healthy or ill. She may be attacked by white flies or spider-mites, but nonetheless she is still sacred, packed with spiritual energy. The Ganges River may also apply. Here you have anointed waters with origins (at least on the physical planet) in Gangotri in the Himalayan Mountains. She may manifest some foam on the surface at certain locations of her downward journey to the ocean. Still she possesses the spiritual power, the ability to purify.

Divinity is found within matter. The reverse is also true. Matter is found in spirit. In fact, everything we see is encased in spirit. The mundane eye leads us to believe that matter exists and only matter, but our senses are dull, blunt and limited. Our perceptions in general have their restrictions.

As I took to the street for a much needed evening wind-down walk I could perceive what was in front of me and only that, to a small range. Because I'm human I have my limitations despite a "divineness" that persists within me.

In other words, all that is material and all that is spiritual are folded into each other.

Even though sometimes we see defects, which are a display of imperfect matter, the effervescent spirit is always present.

6 Km

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

La Belle Nouvelle

Toronto, Ontario

The very good news is that "Nuit Blanche" the all white night contemporary art event that storms the city every year has accepted our application for mantra chanting in the early fall. The Scotiabank sponsors this popular event when the world's longest street (Yonge St.) closes off traffic for an all-night pedestrian happy art loving venture. This year chanting will be an exhibit.

This evening Keshava Sharma, one of our younger community co-ordinators, and I, scouted out the downtown to explore possible indoor or outdoor venues. We were walking with a different purpose. We were excited by he acceptance and by the special "in" as contemporary artists.

Art today is no longer an object or a painting you view hanging on a wall with unique directional lighting. It's something experiential and chanting with some additional features such as hooking up the kirtaniya, the chanting leader, to a screen to register his/her heartbeat during the process is an incredible art experience.

Paris began this world acclaimed event. New York also took up "Nuit Blanche" as an annual festival. Toronto and other cities have also caught on for a few years now.

Kesava and I were walking on cloud 9 imagining the coming eve of Sept. 29 when the sun makes a descent and art lights up. I reflected on my first days as a monk in '73 when chanting by a small group of us on the street was a daily happening. At that time I never would have dreamed that the city would back our mantra meditation with a space and a grant to fund the effort almost four decades later.

The plan is to have a 12 hour chanting session. When you consider that the theme for 2012 is "If it weren't for the buildings..." then you can throw yourself back in time when "Toronto," which means "the meeting place," was a place of indigenous people celebrating life with drums and shakers. How appropriate!

11 Km

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

What I Left Behind

Toronto, Ontario

It's strange! In devotional life it's such a different world from the secular one. Within the context of temple life, we speak about increasing our endeavors of bhakti, devotion. Either that, or you speak about intensifying what you are already doing, such as improving heartfelt chanting. Then you hear how important it is (from the outside) how sex must be increased or Tim Horton's chain restaurant comes up with a larger cup, hence enhanced caffeine intake.

There's clearly two worlds. The emphasis is different. The gap is large.

As soon as I step out of the temple building, I might hear coarse language that is unacceptable to the ears. Life in the temple ashram is not perfect but much closer to the spiritual world, for sure. As soon as I track myself down those concrete stairways I enter into the mixed world of beautiful nature and nasty nature. I also make the entrance into what man has created; not all good.

The general populace is innocent and they want more out of life. Spiritual life can fill a vacuum beyond Churchianity, beyond dogmatic endeavors. If only they would try, if only they would make some room for a small dosage of higher conscious activity and relax in the pursuit of the Divine. It's adventurous. It's pleasurable. Susukham in Sanskrit means "joyful." Kartum means "execution." These are words from the Gita.

The evening wind was turbulent, as is the world in its mundane manifestation. It actually deterred me from a night-time stroll and so I vied for the protectiveness and sanctity of the temple and paced the balcony in its horseshoe shape. I went for a good hour and a half, every so now and then stopping to peak out to the world of harshness, the world that doesn't need to be so, the world I left behind.

6 Km

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Do Something About It

Toronto, Ontario
 
I will continue to promote the walking culture to colleagues and dependents, students and anyone who seeks life improvement.

Here's what I stumbled upon (with eyes) written by author Colin Fletcher:

"I had better admit right away that walking can in the end become an addiction, and that it is then as deadly as fashion or heroine or television or the stock exchange. But even in this final stage it remains a delectable madness, very good for sanity, and I recommend it with a passion."

You know how I don't care if people call me a fanatic when I fire out words about taking care of yourself. Yura, a young York U student picked me up at the airport and I asked the usual, "How's your health?" as much as I say, "How's your Sadhana?" which is in reference to a metaphysical workout.

Yura expressed he has tension in his machinery and especially in his lower back. "Well do you walk?" I asked. Yura is in his early 20's.

To paraphrase his answer, he said that it was minimal. So then I got on his case for letting his many hours of study indoors stand in the way of his overall well-being. As Mark Twain said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education." In the same way, don't let current living conditions restrict you from the healthy and sane life.

We have potential. Look at your frame. Is it for flying? Swimming at long lengths? Unrestricted sex? No! Then what? Think about it and do something about it!

8 Km

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

The Second Day

Dallas, Texas

The second day of our "Jagannatha Story" drama presentation and the follow up success had me wound up to the point that rest was tough. I chose to walk on the same old trail towards White Rock Lake, that body of water whose edge was walked by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the mid-seventies.

Naturally, the route becomes a pilgrimage site for me. I felt safe being here even at the midnight hours. There was no one else in sight. I had no inhibition about chanting at a volume more than usual. That stirred up some dogs at properties lined at the edge of the trail, arousing their barking.

I got to thinking about the watch dog nature in all of us. For those of us on the disciplinary path of monastic rigors such as abstaining from meat, fish, eggs, drugs, drinking, gambling, sex, it means you have you watch dog on the alert. "Abstinence" is a way of saying "NO" to the things that weaken us physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a safeguard.

The above mentioned happy strictures are what Srila Prabhupada gave us to ensure that at least some members of society can be hard-core on "principles." Honouring these principles is a source of inspiration for the general public.

As I completed my mid-night hour trek, I was finally led to wind down feeling a general satisfaction to have the chanting as my life-line and principles to hold that life-line in place. Restfulness finally nabbed me.

But, up at 3am I went, to ready and catch a flight for home. Good-bye Texas.

7 Km

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

On the Trail and In the Temple

Dallas, Texas

One woman on the trail jogging behind her kid on a tricycle burst out with a happy, "Hare Krishna!" She used every muscle in her face to express it. A man minutes later expressed, "Blessing from Krishna!" as he held his hands in pranam formation. This confirms, perhaps, that the west is more and more embracing the east. Then a second fellow who stretched his joyful facebeyond imagination greeted me on the same trail with an "Amigo!" The etched-curves on either side of his mouth were a classic impression.

What this all tells me is that the Krishna community on Gurley Ave. here in Dallas are being appreciated in the area. It is the fruit of the community doing the right thing.

I am grateful to be in such a great company of saintly-like people who have come from various parts of the U.S. and Canada. I have also had the great privilege of leading kirtan chanting while here at the temple program and also to inaugurate each new day's meeting with mantras and drums that become explosive with everyone's participation. Also with these committed swamis
here, Romapada and Bir Krishna, I was also put on the schedule to deliver a class from the book Bhagavatam. The talk and discussion was on the mystical play of Brahma, the secondary creator, and his frivolous dealings with Krishna as a young cowherd boy.

Krishna was enjoying lunch in the pasture with His playmates when Brahma tested his mystic might against Krishna's. The event was a learning curve for Brahma, this greatest of demigods, on appreciating the Yogesvara. In the very last verse of the Gita, Krishna is addressed as the master of all mystics.

You don't want to mess with Him.

7 Km

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Disperse It

Dallas, Texas

My curiosity took me through some bush area near White Rock Lake. Some of the vegetation I couldn't identify. Texas is to the far south of Canada, and it is relatively a rather dry state, hence, a different planet in some respects. The foot worn path I was on became more and
more narrowed as I meandered on and which finally lead to human habitat - a makeshift camp - a squatters domain. No one was there at the time, the time being my break from meetings, and the time of absence for the occupant.

He had a great set up for himself from what I could see. A blue plastic tarpaulin for a ceiling and including three walls. A metal framed fold out cotter bed with a matching blue comforter. Lots of paraphernalia was there, a pot for cooking, likely for fish, as I saw a fishing rod leaned against a tree. Knowing that the lake and river are a mere 5 minute trek from location, the fellow's got it made, I thought.

The path clearly ended with the squatters super deluxe set up and it was slightly unsettling hanging around. How would the occupant take my intrusion if he was to suddenly show up? Perhaps my assumption that here's a person who doesn't have full equilibrium is justified.

Confirmation came, from Randy. After I left the squatter's haven and returned to a bona fide path, Randy, a cyclist stopped wheeling when he saw a robe-clad me. He works in the psychiatric field. "Most homeless have mental issues," he said. Randy deals with people of that challenge almost everyday. He proposed that their path is difficult. "I spend much of my time just listening to these people." He also said hat mental illness coupled with drug consumption is so damaging. The biggest part of the cure is to give some attention - to be human.

Randy and I parted. I resumed sitting with colleagues back at our meeting place. I just couldn't help remembering that giving attention, giving some love is what cures all.

Let us take into consideration this point; the ultimate love is with God and when you genuinely embrace that love and attention it needs to be dispersed to all.

9 Km

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

SKK

Dallas, Texas

I was waiting at a street corner for my walking partner to fetch his thickest coat to address the strong wintry chill when a beach ball rolled its way past me. It had taken a diagonal direction and landed in the front yard of a non owner. Immediately I thought, "Who reeled that thing at this hour, 12:20 am?" and secondly, "Whose kid does this ball belong to?" The second question couldn't be answered, but the first could.

The wind grabbed that circular object and tossed it for relocation. Further logic ignited. What caused the wind to do that?

Answer: The cause of all causes. I dare say, I thought the answer in Sanskrit, "sarva-karana-karanam," but the meaning is the same, the cause of all causes.

As my walking companion, Chaitanya Chandra and I, walked towards White Rock Lake, it became another query to ask, "How did it get so cold?" After all I'm in Texas and not Cananda. The answer was the same as before, "sarva-karana-karanam." Truly, nothing moves without the will of the Lord.

I took a second jaunt in the evening, in the same direction, along the fairly new path restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. The moon shine lit the way. "What lit the moon?" I asked.

Answer? Is it self-sustaining? Or is it divine intelligence? Or is there another scientific diagnosis? My simplistic approach to all questions about life always ends up the same conclusion. "sarva-karana-karanam," SKK.

7 KM

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Chair Sculpture

Dallas, Texas

The morning sights and sounds of east Dallas. Pecans are strewn over the sidewalks, winds strike them down from their treetops. And, as every year, the roosters crow in this 95% dominant Mexican neighbourhood, to the awakening of the day. Dogs are also prevalent, tough ones, barriered behind yard fences, thank God. I hit the trail. Once a railway line that runs next to Santa Fe Street. One direction takes you to White Rock Lake, the other to downtown. The temperature reached this day's zenith at 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Nice.

"Why couldn't we have meetings while walking?" I thought. "The oxygen is awesome outside." My reason for being in Dallas is to attend meetings, or to put it more casually, 'knocking heads' with the devotional kind. Surely no one will buy in to the outdoor rendezvous, but it was a thought.

The second reason reason for the flight to Dallas was to provide some theatrical entertainment for the group, which are coming from various corners of Canada and the US. This is a special service I like to provide. God also loves entertainment, theatre to be more precise. The epics of the Ramayan, Mahabharat and stories of the Bhagavat
Purana, are all the productions of God that have been recorded practically as script, and when you consider that script and scripture are so similar, it leads you to wonder about the root word. As part of our dramatical warm up exercise for the first night's practice, our group of 5 pushed for creativity. The exercise was to stack readily available metal chairs, up to balance, upon each other, all held up by one single chair. Remarkably, we measured up to 9 chairs with this chair sculpture. This practice allowed us to build up team spirit and cooperation, which is vital when a group is working on a project, even
for God's sake.

4 Km

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Made My Day

Toronto, Ontario

A flight to Dallas began with a 9 km walk towards Pearson Airport from Dupont to Keele to Weston Road, I went through a working class neighbourhood. I like it. It's simple folks, family oriented, who are set to toil during the week to bring food to the table, to have a visit to the shopping mall on Saturday to purchase something shiny and perhaps to put an hour and half time in for a service at church on Sunday. Such is life for the human basics program.

It was great being out there in the urban outdoors, catching a moment with people at the bus stops. Shirley was waiting at Keele. I gave a nod and then she introduced herself as coming from Jamaica. She wanted to know about the markings on my forehead.

"This is an earth based substance put on the brow to mark the body as a temple of God,"
I explained. "God is in us." She liked that and then asked,
"What religion are you?"
"Hare Krishna," I said.
"Hare Christian?" she asked.
"No, Krishna. It's origins are India, it goes way back."

I gave her a mantra card and told her I walked the distance from Avenue Road which at this point from the start measured at 7 km. She was wowed by that. Of course, she is bus bound and likely has an incredible ways to go, so walking is not an option. I find it's important to impress someone by one way or another, either by friendliness or words that stimulate. Once that's achieved, you can talk spiritual to anyone. What was nice about Shirley is that right off the bat she wanted to dive right into the spiritual realm. She was non pretentious and didn't wander around the bush.

My ride came and I was then on my way to the airport and then Dallas. I had numerous interactions with people since morning, but Shirley, the Jamaican, made my day, although a brief encounter.

9 Km