Los Cuevas, Trinidad
Two Friends
It was a treat on this perfect day to be with an old friend, a new friend. Along this world class beach I did trail alongside Guru Prasad Swami, an American born who became a monk around the same time as me. The new friend referred to is Agnidev, known in the world of devotional circles as a leader of smooth sounding kirtan.
Agnidev, I never met before, until now. When singing as he did at the beach under a tropical tree with a group of Longdenville Community and I, his voice came across, as usual, in a very transparent way. It’s the voice of a crooner without ego. Compliments to him. After running a successful restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, for a number of years, Agnidev decided to retire from the restaurant business. When he received the consent of his dharma patni, wife, he moved back to his native Trinidad where he is now the smooth mover and shaker of the community.
With the old friend, Guru Prasad, we talked of many things. While waves of the ocean were crashing near to us, we contemplated the direction of our worldwide mission. We were rethinking and redefining our various centres and temples. Our thoughts were that a certain type of person is very much drawn to the ritualistic side of devotion. The majority of people in many countries that we travel to (he, predominantly in Latino places, and I more so in Anglo territory) appear to be more attracted to kirtan, to discussions, and good exotic, but holy food. He and I firmly believe that we should give greater emphasis toward cultural educational approaches. We pondered the benefits of this direction, giving ritualism a secondary place.
Number one, it is always imperative to deliver what’s in demand. And number two – presentations must be of quality standard, even though the subject is non secular.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
B L O G S P O T
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Monday, January 20th, 2014
Longdonville, Trinidad
When Walking is an Art
One of the monks of Longdonville in Trinidad quoted Schopenhauer, he compared life to walking. He referred to taking a step forward and in order not to fall, you correct yourself by striding and planting the other leg forward.
If I got him right, it’s hard to stand on one leg. The balance factor has to be in place.
The last few days I’ve been trying to strike a balance by not always being on the feet. Addressing some varicose vein issues, I recall my doctor saying, I must give some time to the blood in the legs to flow downward while they are suspended up. So in the last few days, I chose the wall next to the bed I’ve been laying on for propping my legs up and allowing the flow of blood to occur. I believe I should religiously follow this regiment, even when I’m not on long marathon treks.
It was the same monk, Kavi, by name, who quoted Schopenhauer, who took me for a short jaunt within the neighbourhood of the ISKCON Centre.
The neighbourhood is predominantly Hindu. This is clearly demarked by the various flags you see pegged in their front yard. The colours of the flags vary and they represent different personalities of the Vedic pantheon. By the time we walked, the sun was descending when we met some of those folks, and connected with them.
Kavi and I discussed the art of connecting. Connecting is sometimes referred to as the word ‘yoga’, as in when you take up the practice of yoga, you are ultimately making a connection or union with the Divine, in other words, communicating with God.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, went so far as to say that this is the art of all work. This full reference from the Bhagavad Gita goes as such:
“A person engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad reactions, even in this life. Therefore, strive for yoga, which is the art of all work.”
Take walking, for example. It takes the form of an art and going beyond mechanics when the spiritual connection is made, when you walk not just for fitness, but when there’s a spiritual intent behind it.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
When Walking is an Art
One of the monks of Longdonville in Trinidad quoted Schopenhauer, he compared life to walking. He referred to taking a step forward and in order not to fall, you correct yourself by striding and planting the other leg forward.
If I got him right, it’s hard to stand on one leg. The balance factor has to be in place.
The last few days I’ve been trying to strike a balance by not always being on the feet. Addressing some varicose vein issues, I recall my doctor saying, I must give some time to the blood in the legs to flow downward while they are suspended up. So in the last few days, I chose the wall next to the bed I’ve been laying on for propping my legs up and allowing the flow of blood to occur. I believe I should religiously follow this regiment, even when I’m not on long marathon treks.
It was the same monk, Kavi, by name, who quoted Schopenhauer, who took me for a short jaunt within the neighbourhood of the ISKCON Centre.
The neighbourhood is predominantly Hindu. This is clearly demarked by the various flags you see pegged in their front yard. The colours of the flags vary and they represent different personalities of the Vedic pantheon. By the time we walked, the sun was descending when we met some of those folks, and connected with them.
Kavi and I discussed the art of connecting. Connecting is sometimes referred to as the word ‘yoga’, as in when you take up the practice of yoga, you are ultimately making a connection or union with the Divine, in other words, communicating with God.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, went so far as to say that this is the art of all work. This full reference from the Bhagavad Gita goes as such:
“A person engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad reactions, even in this life. Therefore, strive for yoga, which is the art of all work.”
Take walking, for example. It takes the form of an art and going beyond mechanics when the spiritual connection is made, when you walk not just for fitness, but when there’s a spiritual intent behind it.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Saturday, January 18th, 2014
Unity, Guyana
The K&K
The K & K Service Station off of the Coastal Road is the slickest gas station in the country. It's a landmark and also the weekend beer drinking and chicken finger - licking, cool place to be. It's right in the center of Guyana. Owned and managed by the Nauth family, they have everything to do with the fifth and final day of padayatra because today the family facility with a huge parking area became the sight for devotion.
We did the usual - kirtan on the setup stage, a truck that convert into a fold - out stage. Special guest speakers conveyed their message from there. Our drama "Little Big Ramayan" also made its appearance for a second night in a row. In attendance was (in my, estimation) six to seven hundred people who also partook in a free feast.
I met with the Nauth family. Nice folks. They were relaying what usually goes on. It's the big hang out place where music booms out from some of the fanciest cars around; where people make their connection with one another. They admit it was different this evening. By night's end, 11 pm when I chatted with them, they were impressed with our cleaning up the sight.
I was reminded of one thing our guru, Srila Prabhupada said, "First you be conscious, then you be Krishna conscious ." There is so much profundity in this statement. How can you be a saint if you are not at least pious and a good steward of the Earth?
The finale of the program was wild kirtan, dancing and additional djembe drumming, to provide a special flavour . The moon, almost full, shone on the sight with swift-moving clouds making it disappear at times.
The carpets were rolled up, so to speak. The sight will likely go back to the norm but weekenders will see the location as the spot where the monks took over for a day.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
The K&K
The K & K Service Station off of the Coastal Road is the slickest gas station in the country. It's a landmark and also the weekend beer drinking and chicken finger - licking, cool place to be. It's right in the center of Guyana. Owned and managed by the Nauth family, they have everything to do with the fifth and final day of padayatra because today the family facility with a huge parking area became the sight for devotion.
We did the usual - kirtan on the setup stage, a truck that convert into a fold - out stage. Special guest speakers conveyed their message from there. Our drama "Little Big Ramayan" also made its appearance for a second night in a row. In attendance was (in my, estimation) six to seven hundred people who also partook in a free feast.
I met with the Nauth family. Nice folks. They were relaying what usually goes on. It's the big hang out place where music booms out from some of the fanciest cars around; where people make their connection with one another. They admit it was different this evening. By night's end, 11 pm when I chatted with them, they were impressed with our cleaning up the sight.
I was reminded of one thing our guru, Srila Prabhupada said, "First you be conscious, then you be Krishna conscious ." There is so much profundity in this statement. How can you be a saint if you are not at least pious and a good steward of the Earth?
The finale of the program was wild kirtan, dancing and additional djembe drumming, to provide a special flavour . The moon, almost full, shone on the sight with swift-moving clouds making it disappear at times.
The carpets were rolled up, so to speak. The sight will likely go back to the norm but weekenders will see the location as the spot where the monks took over for a day.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
Friday, January 17th, 2014
Mahaica,Guyana
The Scientists Mistake
While the procession of padayarta carried on successfully in the village of Mahaica, some trekking naturally takes place. And while there are details to report regarding the stage events, I chose to present here an excerpt from a conversation from which our guru, Srila Prabhupada speaks.
From a tenth morning walk at Cheviot Hills Park in Los Angeles, May 14th,1973, we have the following:
"The scientists mistake is that they are ignorant of the two energies - material and spiritual. They say that everything emanates from matter. The defect in their theories is that they began from matter instead of spirit. Since matter comes from spirit, in a sense everything is spiritual. Spiritual energy is the source and can exist without the material energy. But the material energy has no existence without the spiritual energy. It is correct to say darkness begins from light, not light begins from darkness. Scientists think that consciousness comes from matter. Actually, consciousness always exists, but when it is covered or degraded by ignorance, it is a form of consciousness.”
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
The Scientists Mistake
While the procession of padayarta carried on successfully in the village of Mahaica, some trekking naturally takes place. And while there are details to report regarding the stage events, I chose to present here an excerpt from a conversation from which our guru, Srila Prabhupada speaks.
From a tenth morning walk at Cheviot Hills Park in Los Angeles, May 14th,1973, we have the following:
"The scientists mistake is that they are ignorant of the two energies - material and spiritual. They say that everything emanates from matter. The defect in their theories is that they began from matter instead of spirit. Since matter comes from spirit, in a sense everything is spiritual. Spiritual energy is the source and can exist without the material energy. But the material energy has no existence without the spiritual energy. It is correct to say darkness begins from light, not light begins from darkness. Scientists think that consciousness comes from matter. Actually, consciousness always exists, but when it is covered or degraded by ignorance, it is a form of consciousness.”
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Thursday, January 16th, 2014
Guyana
Down With The Sin!
At the location of a weekend marketplace Day Three of padayatra was held. I share the stage with two senior members of the Krishna community, Paramatma and Haridas, both of Guyana. The theme of our discussion basically defined what is padayatra. One way to describe it is "a journey with feet and heart".
I am so impressed with the receptivity of people as we go on proceeding through the villages, and also of their innocence and simplicity. It is something to be admired. The dichotomy is the trash found in the canals and beaches, otherwise I love the place.
Here's another plus: like Cuba, fruit and vegetables are organic and are not genetically modified. Fresh food is in abundance. Eating becomes a big attraction. Delivered from the home of Paramatma are, papaya, guava, black spice bottle mangoes. There's Suriname cherries and new to me are these small tasty dunks and karambola. Mostly eatables are served on lotus leaves. It's Paradise!
When all is good and flavourful, why must we cater to the forces of artificial foods? I don't care to use the word "demons" on people, but in the case of those companies that have tampered with earth's food sources, I believe that the word is most appropriately used. Down with the sin!
May Guyana stay clear of their nonsense!
And may the Source be with you!
3 KM
Down With The Sin!
At the location of a weekend marketplace Day Three of padayatra was held. I share the stage with two senior members of the Krishna community, Paramatma and Haridas, both of Guyana. The theme of our discussion basically defined what is padayatra. One way to describe it is "a journey with feet and heart".
I am so impressed with the receptivity of people as we go on proceeding through the villages, and also of their innocence and simplicity. It is something to be admired. The dichotomy is the trash found in the canals and beaches, otherwise I love the place.
Here's another plus: like Cuba, fruit and vegetables are organic and are not genetically modified. Fresh food is in abundance. Eating becomes a big attraction. Delivered from the home of Paramatma are, papaya, guava, black spice bottle mangoes. There's Suriname cherries and new to me are these small tasty dunks and karambola. Mostly eatables are served on lotus leaves. It's Paradise!
When all is good and flavourful, why must we cater to the forces of artificial foods? I don't care to use the word "demons" on people, but in the case of those companies that have tampered with earth's food sources, I believe that the word is most appropriately used. Down with the sin!
May Guyana stay clear of their nonsense!
And may the Source be with you!
3 KM
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014
Strath Haven, Guyana
Water Form Above And Within
Clouds and sun have a field day with each other. Expect a downpour at anytime. It keeps temperature from rocketing. I don't mind that at all.
At the temple of the Nimai Pandit Study Center a few of us were poised for the opening of the curtain for viewing the two erect-standing beautiful deities of Gaura and Nitai but before they were revealed a large black moth invited himself into our space. He got very close to the curtain. For viewing? I doubt it.
A donkey was braying. He didn't seem to stop. Meanwhile the curtain opened. It was 6:08 am and a formal arati (offering of items to the deities) began. We started chanting for guru and Krishna. All was good except I asked one young monk to clap softly as he was obscuring the mantras.
I gave class and proceed on with my assistant, Dronacharya, to our accommodation where a second rehearsal was held for "Little Big Ramayan". Boy, do people sweat here! It is near enough to the equator and any minor movement invites perspiration. That's supposed to be good for you.
Day two of padayatra went on. Two young brothers, 8 and 3, tagged along. The three year old one held onto my hand the whole time. No one seemed to know who their parents were. I concluded that love and trust prevails in Guyana. It was only at the end of the program, 9 pm, that their dad showed up.The atmosphere is strong with family values, I would say, and where you have that, it's a safer environment.
Personally I crave for a more wholesome world - with family - you know the type of family I am talking about: Mum, Dad, God, cat, dog, brother, sister, donkey or ass. Not necessarily in that order. They are creatures who sweat together.
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
Water Form Above And Within
Clouds and sun have a field day with each other. Expect a downpour at anytime. It keeps temperature from rocketing. I don't mind that at all.
At the temple of the Nimai Pandit Study Center a few of us were poised for the opening of the curtain for viewing the two erect-standing beautiful deities of Gaura and Nitai but before they were revealed a large black moth invited himself into our space. He got very close to the curtain. For viewing? I doubt it.
A donkey was braying. He didn't seem to stop. Meanwhile the curtain opened. It was 6:08 am and a formal arati (offering of items to the deities) began. We started chanting for guru and Krishna. All was good except I asked one young monk to clap softly as he was obscuring the mantras.
I gave class and proceed on with my assistant, Dronacharya, to our accommodation where a second rehearsal was held for "Little Big Ramayan". Boy, do people sweat here! It is near enough to the equator and any minor movement invites perspiration. That's supposed to be good for you.
Day two of padayatra went on. Two young brothers, 8 and 3, tagged along. The three year old one held onto my hand the whole time. No one seemed to know who their parents were. I concluded that love and trust prevails in Guyana. It was only at the end of the program, 9 pm, that their dad showed up.The atmosphere is strong with family values, I would say, and where you have that, it's a safer environment.
Personally I crave for a more wholesome world - with family - you know the type of family I am talking about: Mum, Dad, God, cat, dog, brother, sister, donkey or ass. Not necessarily in that order. They are creatures who sweat together.
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Tuesday, January 14th, 2014
Georgetown, Guyana
Push Through
One of the persons to care for me in Guyana is Ram Lila. After a decent overnight rest I awoke for a simplified morning sadhana (spiritual workout) which mainly involved chanting japa at the home of Khemraj and Marsi.
Monsoons are in full swing, creating another version of nature's harshness. Ram Lila, a native of Guyana, now spends a good amount of time in Canada as a successful accountant . After a successful outdoor Pada - Yatra which culminated at a rice mill yard in the town Cane Grove, Ram Lila and I walked back to our place of rest. While dodging incredible pot-holes in the dark he told me his story.
His dad died when he was young. Being the oldest of the three siblings he took on the responsibility to maintain the household. At 8 he went to the creek before school to catch fish to be sold. This was a bare-hand, bare foot, underwear-only ordeal. It meant feeling your way to the reeds where the fish often hang out. It also entailed a full submergence in water frequented by huge crabs. After the catch, sales went door-to-door and sometimes to the market.
Ram Lila was a smart kid and he skipped a couple of grades. In between the fish catching days, becoming a bookkeeping expert and then onto opening his own accounting firm in Toronto, he squeezed in sometime as a monk. Devotees nurtured him in the ashram and the studies formed a moral basis for his life.
Personally I was fascinated at his rags-to-riches story. With "rich" I mean his implication and spiritual depths. Some people push through anything to achieve their goals. I had been watching these yellow birds, what they call kiskadie, as well as white cranes, sit through heavy rain and wind as they were perched on fence or cable. Some people are like that. Some people transcend.
This, we must aspire towards.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Monday, January 13th, 2014
Miami, Florida
AP (Airport Picnic)
It was just a stopover in Miami enroute to Guyana that made my day. We had a picnic at the airport. Murari, Garga, Buddhi and Rupa from our community came for a greeting - and plenty to eat. Honestly most airlines just don't cut it when it comes to tasty veggie food. Out of the packaging came wraps, pasta and curd.
Since I did not have the opportunity to be in an ashram or temple where one can view the deity of Krishna, there are some things to compensate for that - and that is the devotee. Just as one benefits from seeing the positive image of a sacred icon, the same merit is achieved by seeing and serving one on the path of bhakti.
Just one floor down from the Caribbean Airlines ticket booth, we sat, content as ever, serving, seeing and hearing each other. I informed our picnic circle of the successful meeting in Houston, of an apparent growth in North America. Even my host for an evening, Anil and Savatri, formally became members, and took diksha, initiation. Their new names are Abhay Charan and Sukrti respectively.
I also let the crew know that our "Little Big Ramayan" was well accepted and a high point for me was when one of the actors, Emdee Anderson from Jamaican descent, a dread locked chap, posed as the hair-whipping demon in opposition to Ram (laughter).
Time came for departure and a closure to a sweet session with the group from Miami. We reminded each other to declare war on maya (illusion and temptation) and to not be a servant of matter.
Murari, jokingly asked if I put any mileage in today, pacing the halls of the airport. Embarrassingly I had to say "No". I could just as easily take count with an attached pedometer, but "No.” I'll consider it an unregistered bonus.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Sunday, January 12th, 2014
Houston ,Texas
The Open Kind
Americans are an open kind of people, generally speaking. That was a small group's conclusion on this last day of meeting. Nanda Suta, from Seattle, is heading up the group that will coordinate the 50th Anniversary of Krishna Consciousness coming to the US, and then, branching off from there to all corners of the world. In the plan-making stage I've vowed to walk the U.S on 2016 which make the half a century date. Some colleagues suggested that I be careful of right-wing red-neck dynamics, especially where Republicans are strong. It is an ear that some Canadians have about south of the border.
I will see it as total adventure. My host for the evening told me that Texans have an attitude towards Asians, him being from India himself. What to do? I am neither Asian, Canadian, American etc. I am a Spirit. I will approach the marathon walk with a view to connect with all kinds, even cowboys.
Regarding the conservatism of Texas, I know that they can be downright curious and not be closed up, "extroverted" might be the word. One of the monks (brahmacharis) I spoke with as meetings came to a close, said, "I was approached by one these full-fledged cowboys at the airport once. The guy with cowboy hat came up to me to confirm that I was actually a monk. I told him I was and then he asked, acknowledging the robes, 'Well, how do you piss?' "
Call it forwardness! Lack of inhibition. Blunt! Whatever! I look up to meet all those inquisitive open people. They are spirit, after all, and a little dose of Krishna can do anyone a lot of good.
May the Source be with you!
9 KM
May the Source be with you!
9 KM
Saturday, January 11th, 2014
Houston,Texas
Blending Walking and Talking
Somehow or the other our quickly assembled drama troupe pulled off an appreciated "Little Big Ramayan". Then after the performance, as a way to wind down, I took to the sidewalk nearby. With me was Manoram, whom I've travelled with for several summers on the youth bus tour. It was a few minutes of time permitted to be kind to the feet, nay, the body. We went down a few quiet streets, as quiet as it gets on a Saturday evening in a Houston suburb. Turning a corner at a bar towards Shepard Ave, Manoram and I could hear dance music. The sound of voices and the tinkle of glassware for drinks. People are addressing their social needs, "said Manoram.
"Yes," I agreed. "Humans need the Lord to be sociable. It is the way we are. The question is, ‘Aren't there better ways to do it than taking substances?’ We are fortunate in our Krishna culture to be able to fulfill this need through kirtan chanting, through drumming and dance and great food.”
Manoram continued to express himself, "Through alcohol people drop their tensions, they are always uptight.”
“People have a lot of insecurities and don't know how to contend with it all," I said. "We all suffer from lack of inner strength. That's why people also feel the need for spiritual discipline.”
Manoram and I reached Shepard Ave. at Grace Church with its neon sign in pink lumination. And on our return walk we hopped onto a new topic, "How to make spirituality relevant to a public that's in a flux between happiness and distress – dualities?"
Our conversation went on...
The walk, the talk, blend well together provided it's a quiet street where you can hear each other speak and there's no eclipsing of conversation over the traffic. It's therapeutic to think of and for the world. Great way to end the day.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Monday, 13 January 2014
Friday, January 10th, 2014
Houston, Texas
Bad News
It is an integral part of a Krishna monk’s daily life to do some listening to words of wisdom. Then, he reciprocally relays what he heard to someone else after due process. This method is called sravanam kirtanam (hearing and then repeating what’s worthwhile).
Great revelations came from today’s speaker in our class. Anuttama, the speaker, was telling us about the downtime necessary for the intense devotional practitioner. He compared it to slowing down when motorboat racing through shallow waters. What really took away my breath was something not so analogous or philosophical, it was something else.
As communications director for our worldwide community, Anuttama relayed a story of one of his trainees. Aniruddha was a 28 year old bright, vivacious African man who’s life abruptly came to an end in an untimely death in an auto accident. This is not the first time to hear of a personal friend who lost his life to our roads. I recall having this Nigerian whose name is Aniruddha, act as the character Duryodhan from the Mahabharat in one of the dramas I directed. It was a pleasure to work with such a talented and enthusiastic man whom I worked with on several occasions.
Receiving the news of a good soul I’d known being sacrificed to road traffic once again, I liken to war time announcements of countrymen who died in action while in battle. This recurring unfortunate way to exit (automobile accidents) is in my opinion, epidemic in our community. And if you were to talk to practically just anyone, don’t be surprised to hear the same story – testimonies from people who have had dear ones gone to car casualties. I wouldn’t be stunned if the average person could count up to a half a dozen to even a dozen departed souls who are family or acquaintances that died this way.
We may pass it all off as karmic play, truth be told, yet we do have the power to choose for proactiveness for all we do. My word of caution would be two fold, number one, avoid driving or passengering if possible, and number two, if you must drive, do so defensively. I took a serious walk in dedication to Aniruddha’s soul and chanted maha mantras in his honour. I hope to see you back, Aniruddha, and if providence wills, perhaps in the next life, we could delight in stage production again for the future. So long, Aniruddha.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Bad News
It is an integral part of a Krishna monk’s daily life to do some listening to words of wisdom. Then, he reciprocally relays what he heard to someone else after due process. This method is called sravanam kirtanam (hearing and then repeating what’s worthwhile).
Great revelations came from today’s speaker in our class. Anuttama, the speaker, was telling us about the downtime necessary for the intense devotional practitioner. He compared it to slowing down when motorboat racing through shallow waters. What really took away my breath was something not so analogous or philosophical, it was something else.
As communications director for our worldwide community, Anuttama relayed a story of one of his trainees. Aniruddha was a 28 year old bright, vivacious African man who’s life abruptly came to an end in an untimely death in an auto accident. This is not the first time to hear of a personal friend who lost his life to our roads. I recall having this Nigerian whose name is Aniruddha, act as the character Duryodhan from the Mahabharat in one of the dramas I directed. It was a pleasure to work with such a talented and enthusiastic man whom I worked with on several occasions.
Receiving the news of a good soul I’d known being sacrificed to road traffic once again, I liken to war time announcements of countrymen who died in action while in battle. This recurring unfortunate way to exit (automobile accidents) is in my opinion, epidemic in our community. And if you were to talk to practically just anyone, don’t be surprised to hear the same story – testimonies from people who have had dear ones gone to car casualties. I wouldn’t be stunned if the average person could count up to a half a dozen to even a dozen departed souls who are family or acquaintances that died this way.
We may pass it all off as karmic play, truth be told, yet we do have the power to choose for proactiveness for all we do. My word of caution would be two fold, number one, avoid driving or passengering if possible, and number two, if you must drive, do so defensively. I took a serious walk in dedication to Aniruddha’s soul and chanted maha mantras in his honour. I hope to see you back, Aniruddha, and if providence wills, perhaps in the next life, we could delight in stage production again for the future. So long, Aniruddha.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Friday, 10 January 2014
Thursday, January 9th, 2014
Houston, Texas
Strong Points
Billy Graham, a popular American evangelist, had never taken up the status as a monk, yet he is commendable as an influential spiritualist.
His name came up in one of our meetings, when the topic arose about being proactive in the matter of maintaining integrity on the spiritual platform. Billy Graham was once asked how he keeps going on as a successful inspiration and his response was capsulated in two points. Number one, he would never find himself in a man and woman in a room alone situation. And with number two, he remarked that he doesn’t handle money.
This information is pertinent for those particularly in the renounced order of life.
At our meetings I took note of other remarks of inspiration quoted from different sources:
“Any course is better than no course.”
“Show them a ladder and people will climb.”
“The rising tide raises all boats.”
“For succession, get the best people, give clear goals, and get out of the way.”
“Where attention goes, energy flows.”
“Better a good plan today than a better plan tomorrow.”
“Be tolerant and continue progress with determination.” (Srila Prabhupada).
“Humility. Yes, but be aggressive, be a lion on the chase and a lamb at home.” (Srila Prabhupada).
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
Strong Points
Billy Graham, a popular American evangelist, had never taken up the status as a monk, yet he is commendable as an influential spiritualist.
His name came up in one of our meetings, when the topic arose about being proactive in the matter of maintaining integrity on the spiritual platform. Billy Graham was once asked how he keeps going on as a successful inspiration and his response was capsulated in two points. Number one, he would never find himself in a man and woman in a room alone situation. And with number two, he remarked that he doesn’t handle money.
This information is pertinent for those particularly in the renounced order of life.
At our meetings I took note of other remarks of inspiration quoted from different sources:
“Any course is better than no course.”
“Show them a ladder and people will climb.”
“The rising tide raises all boats.”
“For succession, get the best people, give clear goals, and get out of the way.”
“Where attention goes, energy flows.”
“Better a good plan today than a better plan tomorrow.”
“Be tolerant and continue progress with determination.” (Srila Prabhupada).
“Humility. Yes, but be aggressive, be a lion on the chase and a lamb at home.” (Srila Prabhupada).
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
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