Friday, September 21st, 2012

Madhavi, The Wind and the creek

Vita, Manitoba

Today’s walk goes to Madhavi, a gentle soul who finds herself in hospital for treatment. She played a role in one of the dramas I directed, “Sati”. She gave it her all. Now she needs some help and prayer. A mantra will do for calling on inner strength for her, Hare Krishna.

Regarding my trekking today, whatever physical strength carried me was fueled by the crispness in the air and then the gusty wind to follow. Doug, who’s 69, is a real trouper, fighting the wind just as I am. He put under his feet 24 Kms, and no complaints. At one point as he remained on the Highway, Highway 201, I paralleled his footsteps by walking the dried up creek running alongside the road. This location helped cut the wind and it gave me a new challenge. It reminded me somewhat of my blazing the trail in Israel last year – sand and rocks. It was uneven and rivaled the general prairie flatness. Incidentally this area, especially in the Piney municipality, we find some of the best water in the world. Rain, snow and the like filters through the sandy soil and leaves an incredible pure tasting water. According to Daruka, Donald Trump gets his water from the springs in this south eastern Manitoba region.

Doug and I walked through some Ukranian communities, including Sundown and Vita. Although a little human interaction occurred today, it was an Ojibwe person and an elder who slowed down their vehicle after noticing me for a second time on the road. Instantaneously he could comprehend our walking mission and the purpose behind it. He said confidently, “This is what my people have been doing for centuries. You see, we don’t really need these,” as he banged on the steering wheel. He implied that the automobile has spoiled his people and in general, the human race. Srila Prabhupada, our guru, was also highly critical of the car culture and other machinery invented. Since technology is what it is, and having an all pervasive presence in today’s world, then let it be utilized for the purpose of generating a spiritually based world.

Our day ended at the home of Leonard and Rameshni, who arrived originally from South Africa to Winnepeg some years back. We had delicious prasadam (food blessed by Krishna), it was tummy friendly. To really put the day to a full circle situation, Vrinda, the mother of hospital bound Madhavi, was also there to enjoy the prasadam with us.

30 Km

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

In God’s Wildness

Piney, Manitoba

“In God’s wildness lies the hope of the world – the great un-blighted, unredeemed wilderness.” - John Muir.

This is a quote I picked up yesterday when I read it from a picture depicting bison in the snow’s wonder. I found it so applicable to the feeling and belief that spurs me while viewing nature’s beauty around me.

Today off Highway 12, and then Highway 201 I have pine, tamarack, and poplars in the foreground of the dramatic sky of clouds. It’s awesome.

Doug, my walking partner for the day, and I, dove into a piece of that nature for a rest by the grassy side of the road. We knew that our lying there would attract some attention. We were genuinely tired. The prairie wind and coolness will do it to you. Concerned motorists pulled over to ask, “Is everything alright?” Then two Mounties, while off duty, stopped, flashed their badges and asked about our walking by the road.

Doug and I as part of our route hung a left and then an immediate right to take the most direct westerly road which is Highway 201. This is truly a shanti road, shanti meaning peaceful. We clocked it about 1 vehicle about every 20 minutes. That’s remote. As the day passed and night slipped in our venue, Our Lady of Perpetual Help church conducted an interfaith session in Winnipeg. Diverse faiths participated and presented their various moods and approaches to the absolute. One song was presented, “May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You”, and one stanza goes like this:

May you walk with sunlight shining,

And a bluebird in every tree

May there be a silver lining

Back of every cloud you see.

As guest of honour I was asked to come forward with a blessing for the group. I led all in a bhajan meant for protection from worldliness, greed, anger and excessive lust. We will appeal to God in the form of a divine magnanimous lion, Narasingha. The session was very participatory. All presenters at the occasion did splendid. The dialogue and the listening to each other is most healing and reassuring. I dedicated today’s trek to dear Godbrother, Yasomatinandan of Ahmadabad.

32 Km

Wednesday, Septemer 19th, 2012

Somewhere Under The Rainbow

 

Sprague, Manitoba

At the Manitoba/Minnesota border Middlebro, the two officers at this customs place were absolutely shocked to see me approaching their office. One uniformed person came out with hands on hips, then a second.

“What’s going on?” says one officer as if an alien descended from the sky.

“I’m a monk and I’m in the middle of the country on foot starting from Newfoundland. My purpose? To promote pilgrimage.” That softened the two tough looking officers, actually they were women.

After the handshakes I turned to head west. A rainbow greeted me. It was a perfectly defined striped bow in the sky and I happened to walk right under it’s highest point, in other words, in the middle. It was interesting to receive that welcome and in the village of Middlebro (hey, I’m a middle bro).

The bow dissolved under a deep blue Krishna tint of clouds; then it reappeared but only to flaunt its last pride for the day.

I read signs along the way that say, “No Hog Factories in Rural Municipality of Piney”. People don’t want the pig run off into their water systems. They are fed up.

A farmer’s dog came to join me for quite some time. I gave him a mantra to hear, Hare Krishna. After some time my loveable friend got taken by the owner in his pick-up truck.

“I meant nothing at all,” I said, “the dog just kept following me.”

“No problem,” said Corey, the young farmer, who is in the middle of a soybean harvest. Doug, who is 69 from Winnipeg came to join me along with Daruka. We meandered at Buffalo Point Park. Here you see no buffalo, but deer galore. What a great time with these bros walking within the forest cutting ourselves from the harsh and rainy prairie wind. Our evening was spent at 108 Chestnut Street, the ISKCON centre for chanting and walk talking. I just wanted to give the group a taste of what a wandering mendicant goes through in the modern age.

22 Km

Tuesday, September 18th, 2012

Another Personal Landmark

Rainy River, Ontario

This was a landmark day because it’s the day that our feet carried us to the finish line of the province of Ontario. It had been a good period moving along this long stretch of territory during the summer of 2012. Did I say summer? Well, perhaps that period is over. Temperatures are dropping to the near freezing point at night and my fingers felt it as I was walking during the sun’s rising.

Cathy Caul of confederation college arranged for Daruka and I to speak to her students at lunch hour. They are studying social services. I guess from her perspectiuve the idea was to expose the students to a monk who’s walking for the wellbeing of others, and that might add a little extra depth to their studies. She graciously arranged lunch for all during my presentation which included mantra meditation. Of course, Billy the Parrot was a hit with the young adults there.

From the college Daruka and I drove to the location of yesterday’s yet-to-do lengths of Highway 11 – a mere 7 Kms which terminates at the town of Rainy River and whose waters separate Canada from the US. I personally walked the last step to the customs office to shake hands with the officers and inform them of the feat taken.

One mention though about a stopover; before touching the Ontario/Minnesota border, Daruka and I made a detour at Emo to visit Issiah Wildneress centre. There we met Michale Shriver who’s known as the Gentle Bear Man. The man is remarkable. The furry creatures love him. The place is like a sanctuary for black and brown bears. I counted one dozen young and adult bears, playing, climbing, feeding, and enjoying in their natural setting. And it’s true, they eat right out of your own hand with no barrier between you and the mammal. We were in awe. Whatever little phobia I had about these guys I dropped when two full grown bears came to devour sugar buns from our hand to their mouth.

It was magic.

17 Km

Monday, September 17th, 2012

 Inspired to walk the Camino

 

Pine Wood, Ontario

 

A letter came in from a Chris Andrews. Here it is:

 

Hi,

 

You are awesome. Over the last five years, when I was told of a pilgrimage called the Camino Santiago, I often joked about doing it. That started to slowly change over the last five years, for I am starting to plan to do it likely in 2014 if I'm lucky.

I saw an article about you in my local newspaper, and I agree with your comment about being boxed up. I'm not a religious man, but I would like some spiritual connection to this planet. I could go on all day about my reasons and choice for the Camino. It feels right to do what others have done for over a thousand years. It is safe. There is good infrastructure to support its pilgrims. I've also never been

overseas. The pilgrimage is starting to gain popularity again. Your efforts will be noticed. People are going to realize that we need to consume less and love more.

 

Safe journey!

Thank you Chris for the encouraging words.

 

I received in less words (and on the road) the same kind of kindness from an elderly gentleman who remembers me from 2003. He offered me juice and a congratulations. James, a drug councillor, also pulled over for more dialogue. The policy of give and take is always a real dialogue. It is reflective of a remark by sage Rupa Goswami who expressed in Sanskrit dadhati prati grhnati (give and receive).

 

Here's where the day got the greatest. At Little Beaver Cultural Centre in Fort Francis, Jenny had arranged, quite spontaneously, a gathering of people from her mailing list. It was a wonderful experience having people chant. But, earlier in the day we spent an equal amount of time at Jackie's home for the most casual interview for a newspaper. That was in Rainy River. Her opening question was, "What's it like living in a monastery?" The conversation took off from there. She and her daughter were so hospitable.

 

30 Km

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

Consistent Sun

 

Emo, Ontario

 

The consistent sun and still air has made the project of walking so appealing in this central part of the country. What also has made this feeling of contentment more aggrandizing is the positive public response. People that I meet remark: "I saw you the other day!"; "I heard about 'cha;" "I seen ya walkin' Eh;" and, "Everybody's talking about you!" Those are the kind of sunshine remarks that are coming.

 

Aaron, of North Bay, is part Ojibwe and is taking law in school hoping to reintroduce traditional law policies for the First Nations people. An even younger Aaron, led Daruka and I to the town of Stratton where huge burial mounds are located. These sacred mounds are the remains of hundreds of years of ancestors. It was awesome to be there and honour those souls of the past. Older Aaron and I were comparing notes of the ways of the Ojibwe and the Vedas of India. The use of herbs are stunningly similar. Young Aaron's granddad Willy Wilson was our lively tour guide. There was a mutual willingness to hear from each other culturally about the way things are done.

 

By the time we saw these sights, I had covered 20 kilometres on foot. During that walk, I met one of the organizers of the world renowned Terry Fox Run Research for Cancer. Daruka and I had intended to participate in the run. I came in to register somewhat late, but I got my five kilometres in. This was followed by a luncheon at the Methodist church. Daruka and I came in along with Billy the parrot perched on his shoulder. Those who were present were delighted. We were introduced to all the runners and walkers. A round of applause came upon us after I mentioned that it would be a good idea to bring back to focus the ancient way of the ancestors - pilgrimage. We were received with warm hearts. And, we enjoyed eating what we could with the people in the hall.

 

Daruka and I departed for our booked room, and as I turned the corner the driver was an old friend, general surgeon, who was as shocked as I was to see each other. He moved to Fort Francis three months back. This encounter just added to the appealing nature of the area.

 

30 Km

Elder Willy Wilson, our tour guide at the sacred Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung (Place of the Long Rapids) burial mounds, near Stratton, Ontario

 

Willy's grandson, Aaron, our tour driver

 

The luncheon after the Terry Fox Memorial Walk in Fort Frances

 

 

 

Saturday, September 15th, 2012

Smoking Away

Fort Francis, Ontario

Melissa saw me last week near Thunder Bay, and now she saw me again. The Boston Pizza employee was so wanting to know, so she stopped and asked, "What do you believe? What is your concept of sin?" I recall our guru, Srila Prabhupada, having looked at that word "sin". It is traced back to an old German word "upsunder" meaning to break away. Sin then, means to break away from dharma, the path, or turning away from God. Pulling out of grace, or in other words, acting irresponsibly.

 

"We look at the damage done to the environment. That's sin isn't it?" She had to agree. "Greed is sin. Ghandi, spoke of need and greed - two different things. And these days we are full of greed." As a global race, we have definitely shifted from the need to the greed.

 

Melissa is a Christian believer, she also believes in being open-minded. That was so much appreciated.

 

I walked through Couchiching, Fort Francis and Alberton. At Couchiching, where I took a break, a cultural Native event took place. People were really smoking away. In the Rainy Lake area, wild rice grows in abundance. Now, under the bright Indian summer sun, Daruka and I watched the traditional method of husking the wild rice and roasting the kernels. It was definitely a labour-intensive program. In my opinion, wild rice is the best tasting rice. This social event opened the doors to new opportunities for Daruka and I, as we mingled with the Ojibwe and the whites. One great moment came from reading a statement on Alex's T-shirt. It read: "If you want to know the land, then you walk it."

 

30 Km

Fort Frances campground- home for the night

 

The Walking Monk, Daruka + Billie entering fort Frances, Ontario

 

Wild rice preparation the traditional Ojibway way at Couchiching Reserve by Fort Frances

 

Couchiching council member Alex's shirt rings a bell with the Walking Monk

 

Alex's mother Dorothy + the Walking Monk inspect the wild rice

 

 

 

 

Friday, September 14th, 2012

Misty

Rainy Lake, Ontario

The night was cold, but I didn’t feel it. I was snug and warm in my sleeping bag until I exited the tent. A mist so thick slammed to my body with a chill. I knew it was temporary though. From the walk up to the hill where the shower room is located, the sky could be seen with piercing stars.

It wasn’t until 3 hours later at 8 am on Highway 11 that the low fog lifted revealing the colours of fall. With eyelashes collecting some dripping fog. My eyes welled with joy at seeing this joy. How to describe this artistry! I rarely cry at the sight of such vibrancy. My heart warmed.

When I reached a panoramic vista at the east of Rainy Lake, so close at the cliff’s edge, four eagles dispersed in flight at the sound of my feet. Then a 5^th terminated his perched pose to do the same, “I’m sorry to scare you.”

I had been wearing my safety vest, a luminescent orange vestment, a present from my sister, Roseanne. Of course, that was it, these foul detected the colour first, it wasn’t the sound of my feet. Come to think of it, I not only wear this vest to be seen by motorists through the mist, but I also get a chance to feel like I’m one of them, people in the forestry hunting, fishing, all wear such vests. The idea is to blend in. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Cathy Aness, the yoga teacher, stopped to talk. Cathy Caul, a confederation college teacher also stopped.

Randy of CFOB, The Border Radio Station, recorded my story for broadcast on Monday, and Heather from The Fort Frances Times came out to see me at Pithers Point Park for their publication. In fact the response in Fort Frances (population 8000) situated on Rainy Lake was phenomenal. The well known French explorer, LaVerendrey, who came here during the heyday of the fur trade, and seeking a special travel route to the west, would be surprised to see development today. In those days canoeing was the mode of travel. I wonder if he would take kindly to the gas guzzling of now. Would he have believed that people in the future would cycle or walk across this incredible stretch.

The other day, Daruka and I took a 3.8 km trail off the highway. This was a little closer to what it used to be like. We moved through moss, dry ground, wet ground, over rocks and fallen trees, and through uncut plant life. This was a sample of the austerity of days gone by. Incidentally we had no hassle with bugs. The weather is too cool. The major pests to deal with were the little demons within.

35 km

Chipmunk who didn't even make it halfway across highway

 

Randy at Border radio in Fort Frances interwiew

 

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

On Both Sides of Me

Mine Centre, Ontario

I have jack pine, black spruce, birch, some maple, and more trees on both sides of me. The road is solid with few cracks in it. Wild life leaves there stool samples to the edge of it. I can sort out the bear dung, the rest could be fox, wolf or coyote. I believe I see every piece of feces common to this area, except for moose and deer droppings. In any event, the highway is someone’s idea of a toilet.

I reflected on last evening’s event. I took a second installment of trekking when I met Wandering Thunder, that’s the name of a local Ojibwe. His wife and whole family were in the vehicle sitting at ease, but when they heard their dad talking to a wandering mendicant, or rather, a monk, the boys in particular got excited. While we busied ourselves in taking photos alongside the road, a motorist pulled over inviting me to a Mennonite church service. I accepted. When Wandering Thunder bid me farewell, he remarked, “The Ojibwe had powerful legs and feet, they had to catch their animals, eh?”

Daruka and I sat in at the Christian service, more of a prayer/discussion session really. The congregants sat in pews, men to the right, women to the left. They spoke mostly from Revelations about the other world, how to perceive the angels? Are beasts actually in heaven? Are there babies or the aged situated in Heaven? They pondered these interesting points. Then some prayers were conducted to honour any recent deceased in the community and also for those struggling in life, as well as a mention of a family parting their own ways.

The group was totally gracious dealing with Daruka and I, and they were reciprocally wanting to know about our pilgrimage.

At 1:10 pm I have a presentation to students at Mine Centre School, grades 5 to 8. They were all indigenous kids. They liked chanting. I relayed to them how you might think of yourself as Ojibwe or Cree or Mowhawk, but ultimately we are none of these, “We are spirits.” The kids had lots of questions. As a gift from the school Daruka and I received a harvest of fresh veggies and fruits set in an ornamented box. Nothing is better, especially when it comes from the garden. Thanks, Jen. I’m certain there are angels on earth.

31 Km

Daruka + Billie at Bliss Cabins campground

 

 Young fox on Highway 11 by Mine Center

 

Mine Center School talk

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Near Death

Flanders, Ontario

 

John is fortunate to be alive today. Daruka and I heard his story. He had come up from Madison, Wisconsin, to go canoeing in the area. Just last Friday, while I was trekking highway 11, John was in the canoe on a lake when he stretched out to collect some water and the boat tipped over. John landed in the water, holding onto the capsized canoe. He struggled to stay afloat - an ordeal that went on for one hour, then two, going on three. The water was chilling his bones. Luckily, he had a whistle. He blew it. Some canoers, from quite a distance heard it. The family who heard it paddled to the scene. He was safe now, and taken to land. His clothes stripped, he was laced in a warm sleeping bag until an emergency helicopter came to his aid. He almost died. He described to us that he was very accepting that he was going to go for good. "I felt bad that I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to my family." He also mentioned that he felt it was a divine act when those canoers came.

 

John was telling us this in the pool room/bar at the Atakokin hotel. It was by a fluke that we met John. Daruka and I decided to take a room in the hotel, as it was cheaper than a camping spot. In these areas, camping is restricted because people are generally irresponsible with camp fires. Otherwise we would have so many choices in which to pitch a tent in this land of wilderness.

 

Bob Davidson was a gentleman shooting pool. When he heard I had checked into the hotel, he asked to see me. As former mayor of Atakokin, and a retired forest ranger, Bob had much experience with life skills. He sat with Daruka, John and I. He had this inquisitiveness about the walk. It was an unusual setting for me in particular. A monk in a bar? There were a few people there, they were respectful. Bob and John were keen to have the maha-mantra in their hands as we shared it with them and the meaning behind "Hare," "Krishna" and "Rama." Our discussion was a good one, over the topics of social issues, forests and philosophy.

 

Stephanie and (another John) were owners of the hotel. She was a darling of a lady. Daruka captured her on camera making perogies. All the people of the hotel were such fine folks, and they were so good to us.

I had been contemplating on the previous nights' experience with these beautiful and real people while on my walk today. I was so calm inside, I even napped so well on one of those massive rocks that you find on the Canadian shield on the road. There was soft moss around me and I was keeping clear of a hard wind. Physically, I was gone, but mentally I was calm.

 

I believe that its better to have physical strain and a relaxed mind than physical comfort and an agitated mind.

 

40 Km

The 'Walking Monk' with John from Wisconsin and the ex-mayor of Atikokan at the Atikokan Hotel

 

Stepahanie, owner of the Atikokan Hotel, (and her dog Sidney) making perogies

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

Towns - I Love Thee!

Atakokin, Ontario

This RV (residential vehicle) took off on the side of the road, just a few metres in front of me near Quetico park. As I proceeded on foot, I naturally came close to this conveyance, which had tagged on it "Canada Dream." The front end of it had some bodies stuck to it. Three people emerged from this rather spiffy looking vehicle. They are a support group for 26 cyclists moving across Canada. It is a program sponsored by Sears department store. In a few days, they will have completed 6000 kilometres, for the purpose of raising awareness for cancer. One of the supporters explained about the bodies in the front. "They are bugs that come from as far as British Columbia," she joked. I was as thrilled to meet the cyclist team, as they were with me. When I mentioned to them the purpose of my walk, that it was to raise awareness for the disease called ego, it seemed to resonate with them.

 

"You're doing this for a spiritual purpose, of course," said one of the fellows. "There are a lot of egos in this world," confirmed the other person.

 

"Some consciousness raising is necessary," I suggested.

 

They went on their way, and one other local person pulled over out of curiosity. I shared with him the mantra that accompanies me always. He classified himself as a hunter and a fisherman. The reason why he stopped was he was dying to know if I was for real. "Yes, I'm a monk." We talked, we shared. After he left, he turned around his truck to meet me one last time for one last comment wishing me well. Meat eating folks can be very decent people. They are currently in the majority, but in the future, perhaps the minority.

 

Little Falls, was an ideal spot for a dip in the water. It was also a great place for preparing a grainless meal to honour the Ekadasi, a fort-nightly day for soul healing. People kept coming and going to see the water wonder. And, in the course of it, they happened to stumble across Daruka, Billy the parrot, and myself. Michael, from the "Atakokin Observer," walked all the way from his work spot to see us. That was commendable. A great guy. And there were more. I will not be able to recall the number of people I met in this small town of three thousand. They were very easy to approach. They are very isolated, and were very taken by seeing something different - a monk.

 

Atakokin - I love thee!

 

Here is a quote from Socrates: "Unexamined life is not worth living."

 

28 Km

 

Billie takes over the driving

 

Meeting Cancer Fundraising cyclists support crew

 

The 'Walking Monk' with John from Wisconsin and the ex-mayor of Atikokan at the Atikokan Hotel

 

Stepahanie, owner of the Atikokan Hotel, (and her dog Sidney) making perogies

 

Monday, September 10th, 2012

That is the Idea

Crystal Lake, Ontario

I had begun the day early as usual. It seemed the road was curved to run directly underneath the Milky Way. It was awesome. You have the road under your feet, and above you, way above, is a luminous bar of heavenly bodies. As lightness proceeds from the sun, there are bald eagles, turkey vultures, partridges and gray jays. Park rangers told Daruka and I of the lynx spotted in the area and as I mentioned yesterday, that Mama bear and cubs jay-walked the highway, today it was Papa bear that came across. He was a walker.

Wildlife is one of the remarkable visions to be seen in this North-West of the province. Be assured they also have people here who are friendly. I was determined to see if the christian woman I met nine years ago, running the convenience store, was still around. Indeed she was, tending to the store. She remembers me as well. I believe we were able to bridge gaps this time around, despite our different approaches to spirituality.

One gentleman, a cottager from the area said, "Just by seeing you on the road, you're making people think."

"That is the idea behind this walk," I remarked while traffic passed by. The majoriyty of motoroists here appear to be fisherman, hunters and canoers. Like anyone, they are also compelled "to think."

My final leg of the day's walk was in the country's canoe capitol, Atikokan. My first impression of the town was that it looked a little run-down. But that opinion changed once I moved around in it. I started "to think" differently once I met the people. It's always a favorable thing to do - "to think" - to have your mind at work, especially if you can rap the mind around the spiritual elements. As humans, that is our great worth - to contemplate what is spiritual.

37 Km

A walker's enemy

 

Crystal Beach Campground

 

Dead fox

 

Little Falls in Atikokan