Comparing Notes
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami and I trekked along the Great Gorge. He liked it, it’s quite impressive. We even took to the aero car, a moving suspension unit that ski lifts you over a whirlpool of water. Who says that a monk can’t be a tourist and have some fun?
In all frankness we are far from being hermits. Our time together provided the opportunity to gain each other’s association. The exposure to the public is also good. Bhakti Chaitanya and I are both world travelers, although we travel in different directions and end up in different places. Generally we are always with people, formally, for meetings, and less so at festivals. Downtime is necessary, he just came from Siberia.
We compared notes. He said ticks are a big problem over there in Siberia. Many people die contracting fever from them. Also, Russian mosquitoes are huge and aggressive he said. He never heard of our vicious black flies that we have in Canada. The main principle is that there are many little vampires about in both lands in the raw of Siberia and Canada.
What about comparing the people? It seems that wherever there has been a communist regime, people are left with a curious mind, whereas capitalistic folks have become over stimulated. I leave it to you, the readers, to figure out who is who in this regards.
6 KM
B L O G S P O T
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Friday, 12 July 2013
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Make It Light
Toronto, Ontario
A day becomes light when a friend is in your company. That's how I felt in the presence of god brother Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, a New Zealand native who had come to visit us for the first time in Canada. He delivered a brilliant class based on the Bhagavatam concerning the book itself which is virtuous although from a literary point of view it may not be perfect.
The deeper you go in penetration of philosophy, the lighter appears a day's drudgery because you have entered the larger picture. And after that a fruit and smoothie breakfast was followed by grave topics of concern. When shared, grave topics appear to relieve some weight and pressure on the heart.
We also had a planned drive through of all the places that our mission made history in Toronto and including the pilgrimage sites where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, did tread. On Beverly Street a Victorian period home was the first location of Krishna Love Feasts in the city. That was in '69/'70. On 187 Gerrard Street, we pointed out to our monk guest, Bhakti Chaitanya the second location for Krishna Conscious activity - a rented house in the heart of Cabbage Town, a slightly more dodgy section of town.
We then ventured by car along Lakeshore Blvd to reach the Beaches area and the boardwalk where in '75 Prabhupada was taken for a sunrise walk. Bhakti Chaitanya was determined to touch with feet the path once trodden. It's always great getting out of a car and doing what's natural. The feeling in the heart becomes feather light when you know that a path is worn out for you. Starting a trail is hard work, treading a seasoned one becomes easy.
Bhakti Chaitanya along with driver, Savyasachin, parted and I went about my day in preparation of the busiest weekend of the year for the Ratha Yatra fest. The final hour before sundown I spent in the ravine catching up on chanting my prescribed number of beads on the strand of meditation which makes the day brighter, even in darkness.
6 KM
Toronto, Ontario
A day becomes light when a friend is in your company. That's how I felt in the presence of god brother Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, a New Zealand native who had come to visit us for the first time in Canada. He delivered a brilliant class based on the Bhagavatam concerning the book itself which is virtuous although from a literary point of view it may not be perfect.
The deeper you go in penetration of philosophy, the lighter appears a day's drudgery because you have entered the larger picture. And after that a fruit and smoothie breakfast was followed by grave topics of concern. When shared, grave topics appear to relieve some weight and pressure on the heart.
We also had a planned drive through of all the places that our mission made history in Toronto and including the pilgrimage sites where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, did tread. On Beverly Street a Victorian period home was the first location of Krishna Love Feasts in the city. That was in '69/'70. On 187 Gerrard Street, we pointed out to our monk guest, Bhakti Chaitanya the second location for Krishna Conscious activity - a rented house in the heart of Cabbage Town, a slightly more dodgy section of town.
We then ventured by car along Lakeshore Blvd to reach the Beaches area and the boardwalk where in '75 Prabhupada was taken for a sunrise walk. Bhakti Chaitanya was determined to touch with feet the path once trodden. It's always great getting out of a car and doing what's natural. The feeling in the heart becomes feather light when you know that a path is worn out for you. Starting a trail is hard work, treading a seasoned one becomes easy.
Bhakti Chaitanya along with driver, Savyasachin, parted and I went about my day in preparation of the busiest weekend of the year for the Ratha Yatra fest. The final hour before sundown I spent in the ravine catching up on chanting my prescribed number of beads on the strand of meditation which makes the day brighter, even in darkness.
6 KM
Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
Millions of Ways
Mississauga, Ontario
My theme for the marathon walk in southern Manitoba has been dubbed as "a friend-raiser, not a fundraiser." Yet, today, for the sake of fueling, the coming Festival of Chariots financially, I took to raising cash, coin, card, or in kind to address the budget. My dear friends Rupa Manohar and Vishva drove us to the suburbs visiting annual donors.
At some obscure mall in the outskirts of Toronto's downtown, we popped in to a "Sara Lee" dress shop. We had a great chat with the owners in their back store room flanked by gorgeous evening gowns that were hanging all around us. For assistance it was mission accomplished. We then moved to a dental office to the head of the clinic who is a yearly contributor. Despite his extreme absorption with his profession he had enough time to drop everything for a few minutes (even his patients) to greet us and to leave us a generous donation. From here we shifted to a car dealership whom had never entertained a monk in his establishment before. Again, kindness was demonstrated.
Thank you all.
In the evening I slotted time for an hour long kirtan at Bhakti Lounge. This brought me to the downtown when I did not ask for donations but rather, time. Attendees were invited to the weekend spiritual festival. Being students, most of them are not in a strong position 'to give', but indeed they can contribute in some other way by serving the exotic free feast, keeping the grounds at the festival site clean, loading and unloading things. And if none of the above fits in, then at least a person's presence tells a whole lot about getting down to the spirit.
There are millions of ways to serve and millions of ways to surrender.
9 KM
Mississauga, Ontario
My theme for the marathon walk in southern Manitoba has been dubbed as "a friend-raiser, not a fundraiser." Yet, today, for the sake of fueling, the coming Festival of Chariots financially, I took to raising cash, coin, card, or in kind to address the budget. My dear friends Rupa Manohar and Vishva drove us to the suburbs visiting annual donors.
At some obscure mall in the outskirts of Toronto's downtown, we popped in to a "Sara Lee" dress shop. We had a great chat with the owners in their back store room flanked by gorgeous evening gowns that were hanging all around us. For assistance it was mission accomplished. We then moved to a dental office to the head of the clinic who is a yearly contributor. Despite his extreme absorption with his profession he had enough time to drop everything for a few minutes (even his patients) to greet us and to leave us a generous donation. From here we shifted to a car dealership whom had never entertained a monk in his establishment before. Again, kindness was demonstrated.
Thank you all.
In the evening I slotted time for an hour long kirtan at Bhakti Lounge. This brought me to the downtown when I did not ask for donations but rather, time. Attendees were invited to the weekend spiritual festival. Being students, most of them are not in a strong position 'to give', but indeed they can contribute in some other way by serving the exotic free feast, keeping the grounds at the festival site clean, loading and unloading things. And if none of the above fits in, then at least a person's presence tells a whole lot about getting down to the spirit.
There are millions of ways to serve and millions of ways to surrender.
9 KM
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Monday, July 8th, 2013
What We Did
Toronto, Ontario
By the time I got freedom to make any kind of a jaunt on foot, torrential rains descended on the city. Thunder, lightening, "stay inside, keep safe," went the little voice from within.
Another rain came my way today - it was a rain of mercy. It came in the form of 40 souls, a group exploring different faiths. Our ashram was on their list for today. I became the fortunate host. By the kindness of my guru, Srila Prabhupada, who has passed away, but is still living in a divine way, I lead the group in a small ritual, a chant and a gesture of flower petals thrust to his foot imprint. I then presented a viewing of our Radha Krishna deities. Then questions came about the divine vigraha (forms of Krishna). We then zeroed in on chanting along with an explanation, "Oh beautiful Creator, please allow the joy of serving You to take place."
Uttamanada, my brahmachari (monk) assistant, delivered a drumming demo on the mrdanga, and Anthony displayed his know how on the karatals (hand cymbals). We pulled it all together to let everyone sing in rhythm with the instruments. Then dinner came and our girls served it so well. It was Absolute food, prasadam, cooked by our boys. Mind, body and soul were gratified.
When the water deluge came down it was there to humble us all. It was just another great installment from the Supreme.
7 KM
Toronto, Ontario
By the time I got freedom to make any kind of a jaunt on foot, torrential rains descended on the city. Thunder, lightening, "stay inside, keep safe," went the little voice from within.
Another rain came my way today - it was a rain of mercy. It came in the form of 40 souls, a group exploring different faiths. Our ashram was on their list for today. I became the fortunate host. By the kindness of my guru, Srila Prabhupada, who has passed away, but is still living in a divine way, I lead the group in a small ritual, a chant and a gesture of flower petals thrust to his foot imprint. I then presented a viewing of our Radha Krishna deities. Then questions came about the divine vigraha (forms of Krishna). We then zeroed in on chanting along with an explanation, "Oh beautiful Creator, please allow the joy of serving You to take place."
Uttamanada, my brahmachari (monk) assistant, delivered a drumming demo on the mrdanga, and Anthony displayed his know how on the karatals (hand cymbals). We pulled it all together to let everyone sing in rhythm with the instruments. Then dinner came and our girls served it so well. It was Absolute food, prasadam, cooked by our boys. Mind, body and soul were gratified.
When the water deluge came down it was there to humble us all. It was just another great installment from the Supreme.
7 KM
Monday, 8 July 2013
Sunday, July 7th, 2013
Parents at the Park
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Saturday, July 6th, 2013
Transitions
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Friday, July 5th, 2013
Live on the road
Ottawa\Montreal
I seem to live on the road. Today it was via a coachline called Greyhound en route to Montreal with a stopover in Ottawa. I like the front seat so even with transfer I managed to be up front and to get on with bus drivers on both legs on the trip.
Each driver was passionate about his work. They were both cut from the same piece of cloth; determined to get passengers to their destination in a safe and respectful environment.
“ Respect? “ as Aretha Franklin would sing it. Well there was one passenger who just didn't get it. That passenger, with cell phone in hand, had a volume of voice that clearly indicated she felt she was the only person on the planet. There were at least three of us, including the driver, who had an eye-rolling session, annoyed by the woman's self-centeredness. It was not just the loudness but the length of the conversation that got under our skin.
Enough was enough and the bus driver grabbed for the hand-held PA system, “ Attention ladies and gentlemen... “He went on with his message about RESPECT and so we were finally relieved until two hours later when session 2 began.
Some people just don't get it. Some folks have a passion for driving (as expressed before) but to the point of driving you crazy. Anyways, a mutual amiable communication became established with the coach driver and I over the ladies ignorance in addition for our passion for travel, and my version of it – pilgrimage. When not in conversation I would read, or chant softly with my beads as an aid or look out the window savouring the day when I can once again trek Highway 7 and be that pilgrim. How I relished that time, ten years ago, even the adventure and chivalry of defending myself of nasty deer flies. In the end, all was rewarding, all was gratifying.
Disembarking the bus and thanking the second driver of the day I left for the last moments on foot to reach, contemplating and appreciating the responsible work of the person who drives. Come to think of it, it's Krishna who amongst other duties, takes the reigns of the horse and demonstrates an expertise behind the wheel, so to speak.
5 KM
Ottawa\Montreal
I seem to live on the road. Today it was via a coachline called Greyhound en route to Montreal with a stopover in Ottawa. I like the front seat so even with transfer I managed to be up front and to get on with bus drivers on both legs on the trip.
Each driver was passionate about his work. They were both cut from the same piece of cloth; determined to get passengers to their destination in a safe and respectful environment.
“ Respect? “ as Aretha Franklin would sing it. Well there was one passenger who just didn't get it. That passenger, with cell phone in hand, had a volume of voice that clearly indicated she felt she was the only person on the planet. There were at least three of us, including the driver, who had an eye-rolling session, annoyed by the woman's self-centeredness. It was not just the loudness but the length of the conversation that got under our skin.
Enough was enough and the bus driver grabbed for the hand-held PA system, “ Attention ladies and gentlemen... “He went on with his message about RESPECT and so we were finally relieved until two hours later when session 2 began.
Some people just don't get it. Some folks have a passion for driving (as expressed before) but to the point of driving you crazy. Anyways, a mutual amiable communication became established with the coach driver and I over the ladies ignorance in addition for our passion for travel, and my version of it – pilgrimage. When not in conversation I would read, or chant softly with my beads as an aid or look out the window savouring the day when I can once again trek Highway 7 and be that pilgrim. How I relished that time, ten years ago, even the adventure and chivalry of defending myself of nasty deer flies. In the end, all was rewarding, all was gratifying.
Disembarking the bus and thanking the second driver of the day I left for the last moments on foot to reach, contemplating and appreciating the responsible work of the person who drives. Come to think of it, it's Krishna who amongst other duties, takes the reigns of the horse and demonstrates an expertise behind the wheel, so to speak.
5 KM
Thursday, July 4th, 2013
Celebrate
Toronto, Ontario
The Warped Tour is a music circuit of “ transy dancy ” type that moves around North America. There are the faithful fans of the tour that follow wherever the bands play. It's a culture and a chunk of that culture are the Hare Krishnas. How so? Madhukari is the name of a Krishna monk who comes up from the States not to hear the concert but to distribute books on higher consciousness. He, with four other brahmacharis travel the circuit and came to town for an overnight stay at the concert before moving on to Buffalo. Followers of the Grateful Dead circuit were known as the Dead Hoods but you would never call these boys the Warped Heads because they are absolutely straight in their aim and mission.
I was sitting down at an appreciation dinner for the former council members of our temple operations when Madhu walked in. He and his team are also praiseworthy for their austere lifestyle, travelling about with no real fixed address, no girlfriends, no restaurants, no meat, fish or eggs, no drugs or drinks. Sound blend?
Not a chance! These guys are dead serious and they are loving life. They have picked up on the essence of monkism. Shining examples of renunciation. They resort to being celibate as much as they understood what it means to “ celebrate “.
10 KM
Toronto, Ontario
The Warped Tour is a music circuit of “ transy dancy ” type that moves around North America. There are the faithful fans of the tour that follow wherever the bands play. It's a culture and a chunk of that culture are the Hare Krishnas. How so? Madhukari is the name of a Krishna monk who comes up from the States not to hear the concert but to distribute books on higher consciousness. He, with four other brahmacharis travel the circuit and came to town for an overnight stay at the concert before moving on to Buffalo. Followers of the Grateful Dead circuit were known as the Dead Hoods but you would never call these boys the Warped Heads because they are absolutely straight in their aim and mission.
I was sitting down at an appreciation dinner for the former council members of our temple operations when Madhu walked in. He and his team are also praiseworthy for their austere lifestyle, travelling about with no real fixed address, no girlfriends, no restaurants, no meat, fish or eggs, no drugs or drinks. Sound blend?
Not a chance! These guys are dead serious and they are loving life. They have picked up on the essence of monkism. Shining examples of renunciation. They resort to being celibate as much as they understood what it means to “ celebrate “.
10 KM
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013
Wheels, People and Numbers
Toronto, Ontario
I thought the figure was quite low and revealing. I took a walk and passed by the major police station for Metro Toronto on College St. The death toll for Metro Toronto involving motorists/pedestrians was 13 for the year 2012. It would not be a boasting number but it has already reached the figure of 13 for this year. Unfortunate because we’re only halfway through the year.
Fatalities involving vehicles and pedestrians is everyone’s pet peeve and I’m sure that in the days of horse and buggy collisions and death scenarios were also a reality in the good ‘ol days. In any event the numbers tell that we have relative safety. We all die by some means. The mortality rate is 100%.
Personally I’m looking forward to the summer events of Ratha Yatra and to being an eager participant in the Montreal version this weekend. Foot travellers, chariots and on wheels will be interspersed on streets this season. The chariots do not operate on motor power but by a rope that is sometimes strenuously and sometimes less so pulled by pedestrians of devotion.
Author Adi Sankaracharya writes in the famed song, “Jagannastakam”:
“When Sri Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe) moves along the road on His Rathayatra car at every step large assemblies of brahmanas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure.”
The event is basically enchanting -- full of charm and so little harm.
[For info. on the Toronto Festival of Chariots, contact www.festivalofindia.ca, or 1-888-535-FEST]
11 KM
Toronto, Ontario
I thought the figure was quite low and revealing. I took a walk and passed by the major police station for Metro Toronto on College St. The death toll for Metro Toronto involving motorists/pedestrians was 13 for the year 2012. It would not be a boasting number but it has already reached the figure of 13 for this year. Unfortunate because we’re only halfway through the year.
Fatalities involving vehicles and pedestrians is everyone’s pet peeve and I’m sure that in the days of horse and buggy collisions and death scenarios were also a reality in the good ‘ol days. In any event the numbers tell that we have relative safety. We all die by some means. The mortality rate is 100%.
Personally I’m looking forward to the summer events of Ratha Yatra and to being an eager participant in the Montreal version this weekend. Foot travellers, chariots and on wheels will be interspersed on streets this season. The chariots do not operate on motor power but by a rope that is sometimes strenuously and sometimes less so pulled by pedestrians of devotion.
Author Adi Sankaracharya writes in the famed song, “Jagannastakam”:
“When Sri Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe) moves along the road on His Rathayatra car at every step large assemblies of brahmanas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure.”
The event is basically enchanting -- full of charm and so little harm.
[For info. on the Toronto Festival of Chariots, contact www.festivalofindia.ca, or 1-888-535-FEST]
11 KM
Monday, July 1st, 2013
July 1st
Ottawa, Ontario
July the 1st marks the birthday of Canada. It’s an opportunity for people to get together for a good time over smoothies or beer. And at the Nation’s capital at Parliament Hill much activity goes on attracting the secular and spiritual population.
Every year near the War Memorial we, “the Krishna’s”, set up a stage with speakers, microphones and awnings to accommodate our chanting sessions. I participate on a yearly basis. I make a point of it to come and to lead the chanting.
I believe it to be the liveliest event of the year for those of us who are delivering. What are we delivering? Answer: Mantra. How was it received? Phenomenally well. Very well! The public just lit up when they saw our party of chanters snake and smoke our way through the crowds.
Wherever there’s an opportunity, we will be there to sing the song and for you, the public, to dive in there with us and shake a leg. The slogan “all is one”, as the folks who prescribe to the philosophy known as “mayavad” would say, or as Dr. Bronner’s soap container would read on its label, with kirtan it is most appropriate.
Chanting unites. Happy Birthday Canada!
10 KM
Ottawa, Ontario
July the 1st marks the birthday of Canada. It’s an opportunity for people to get together for a good time over smoothies or beer. And at the Nation’s capital at Parliament Hill much activity goes on attracting the secular and spiritual population.
Every year near the War Memorial we, “the Krishna’s”, set up a stage with speakers, microphones and awnings to accommodate our chanting sessions. I participate on a yearly basis. I make a point of it to come and to lead the chanting.
I believe it to be the liveliest event of the year for those of us who are delivering. What are we delivering? Answer: Mantra. How was it received? Phenomenally well. Very well! The public just lit up when they saw our party of chanters snake and smoke our way through the crowds.
Wherever there’s an opportunity, we will be there to sing the song and for you, the public, to dive in there with us and shake a leg. The slogan “all is one”, as the folks who prescribe to the philosophy known as “mayavad” would say, or as Dr. Bronner’s soap container would read on its label, with kirtan it is most appropriate.
Chanting unites. Happy Birthday Canada!
10 KM
Sunday, June 30th, 2013
“Best Use”
Ottawa, Ontario
It appeared like an endless bus ride, but it did end, like everything else.
I was also at the end of the line, practically the last passenger on the Greyhound destined for Ottawa. That meant little to no choice for seats; I ended up right next to the washroom. It didn’t smell so good being there.
“Make the best use of a bad bargain,” our guru Srila Prabhupada, used to say. This adage of wisdom can apply to most circumstances including the part that I have this body which is temporary and poses problems. Still this machinery, with its defects, can be a most useful tool in accomplishing my goals which should take me beyond the effort to just survive.
I looked at the bright side of things regarding the seating arrangement I had to settle for. I had the best seat for stretching my legs being at the end of the aisle. It even topped that over the leg room that the bus driver had. I should be a happy chappy.
For the use of time, I believe it was well spent going through final pages of the book “Radha-Damodhar Vilas”, which details the lives of two American monks, Vishnujana Swami and Jayananda Prabhu. It delineates the pioneering of Krishna Consciousness in North America during the late 60’s to the early 70’s. It’s a good read as far as outlining the spirit of the time through the testimonies of so many who lived through it all.
Those were enthusiastic, creative and do-the-needful times. We were “just kids”, you could say, but we were serious about our spiritual side. For some of us that mood endured.
3 KM
Ottawa, Ontario
It appeared like an endless bus ride, but it did end, like everything else.
I was also at the end of the line, practically the last passenger on the Greyhound destined for Ottawa. That meant little to no choice for seats; I ended up right next to the washroom. It didn’t smell so good being there.
“Make the best use of a bad bargain,” our guru Srila Prabhupada, used to say. This adage of wisdom can apply to most circumstances including the part that I have this body which is temporary and poses problems. Still this machinery, with its defects, can be a most useful tool in accomplishing my goals which should take me beyond the effort to just survive.
I looked at the bright side of things regarding the seating arrangement I had to settle for. I had the best seat for stretching my legs being at the end of the aisle. It even topped that over the leg room that the bus driver had. I should be a happy chappy.
For the use of time, I believe it was well spent going through final pages of the book “Radha-Damodhar Vilas”, which details the lives of two American monks, Vishnujana Swami and Jayananda Prabhu. It delineates the pioneering of Krishna Consciousness in North America during the late 60’s to the early 70’s. It’s a good read as far as outlining the spirit of the time through the testimonies of so many who lived through it all.
Those were enthusiastic, creative and do-the-needful times. We were “just kids”, you could say, but we were serious about our spiritual side. For some of us that mood endured.
3 KM
Saturday, June 29th, 2013
“We Are Jewish”
Toronto, Ontario
After doing a marathon and suddenly coming to a halt, or even a break (as in my case), it is easy to go through some withdrawal symptoms. I have been habituated to a 30 plus km daily jaunt. With a flight from Regina to Toronto eating up time and then an engagement with an “Evening of Bhakti” I then end up at the same juncture many times before. With no real physical activity today I am left destitute.
It’s quite simple to understand. I just can’t fall asleep even though it’s past midnight. What to do?
I’ve learned from the past to just get up and start walking. So I picked up my reclining self and went down the Yonge St. trail.
Two fellows approach me at the stoplight at Yonge & Bloor. “Are you Hare Krishna?”
“Yes I am!”
“Can you give us some truth, something to think about? We are Jewish, by the way.”
The light changed. We started walking. And I said, “Yes, essentially we are not these bodies. We are the spirit within the body. Establish who you really are first. You are not a machine (this body). You are the engine inside the machine.”
“That’s good,” said the one guy.
“We come from a Jewish background.”
“Jews and India get along. I go there every year,” I explained. “I have lots of friends who are Jews.”
“Yeah, well, we’re hated all over the world but not in India.”
“India has always been accommodating, especially the Hindu mindset. Tolerance, patience is taught.”
We then parted our ways as they took a different route. They know “our place”, our ashram on Avenue.
“Please come and visit us when you can.”
After a trek up and down what was a noisy street I returned back to the ashram and slept like a baby.”
8 KM
Toronto, Ontario
After doing a marathon and suddenly coming to a halt, or even a break (as in my case), it is easy to go through some withdrawal symptoms. I have been habituated to a 30 plus km daily jaunt. With a flight from Regina to Toronto eating up time and then an engagement with an “Evening of Bhakti” I then end up at the same juncture many times before. With no real physical activity today I am left destitute.
It’s quite simple to understand. I just can’t fall asleep even though it’s past midnight. What to do?
I’ve learned from the past to just get up and start walking. So I picked up my reclining self and went down the Yonge St. trail.
Two fellows approach me at the stoplight at Yonge & Bloor. “Are you Hare Krishna?”
“Yes I am!”
“Can you give us some truth, something to think about? We are Jewish, by the way.”
The light changed. We started walking. And I said, “Yes, essentially we are not these bodies. We are the spirit within the body. Establish who you really are first. You are not a machine (this body). You are the engine inside the machine.”
“That’s good,” said the one guy.
“We come from a Jewish background.”
“Jews and India get along. I go there every year,” I explained. “I have lots of friends who are Jews.”
“Yeah, well, we’re hated all over the world but not in India.”
“India has always been accommodating, especially the Hindu mindset. Tolerance, patience is taught.”
We then parted our ways as they took a different route. They know “our place”, our ashram on Avenue.
“Please come and visit us when you can.”
After a trek up and down what was a noisy street I returned back to the ashram and slept like a baby.”
8 KM
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