Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

Wednesday, January 6^th, 2016
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Breathing Space

The title of this entry says it all. We went to the ‘Breathing Space Yoga and Wellness Centre’ today where we did just that. On the ground floor of this new condo building you enter a spacious room with air a little stifling. Lights low and neutral colours for walls, decor is nil except for the bust of Buddha. We made ourselves home here for three hours.

Set-up means to lay out a table with Prabhupada's books for sale, chairs put out in the back, and typical yoga mats placed in the front to face a chair (for me) and more mats for the mrdanga (drum) player Chaitanya, harmonium played by Mukunda and karatalas chimed in by Etienne.

People trickled in and at the start of the presentation I began speaking from a chair, about the power of chanting. I didn't say much. I moved rapidly towards the mantras. Boy did they ever chant.

The key to realizing this is by choosing a simple melody. What also added to the success of the evening was the dance. This is where breathing came into play. It is obvious that some folks are out of step but it is those people that work harder than to those who pick it up so naturally.

Once again, we keep everything simple, even the steps. Those with highlander blood understand the value of dance whether they are a pro or a con when it comes to keeping in time. I would say the muscles used for smiling expanded as the minutes wore on, especially when it came to free-style by each and all, when they have their moment on the dance floor. This is the crescendo of the night before mingling with each other.

Feedback on all of this was super super positive. "The Breathing Space" on Cobourg Rd. was filled with bhakti as much as it was breath.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Tuesday, January 5th, 2016

Tuesday, January 5^th, 2016
Fredericton, New Brunswick

By a Hydro Pole

Verinder and I drove by a hydro pole. He pointed out that perched on top there's an eagle's nest, but I questioned whether it belong to an osprey. Whatever the bird of prey may be, it is good to know that such creatures can survive in an industrial world that imposes and encroaches on a territory that should be shared.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't contemplate how it would be good to go back to the basics, to a simpler and not necessarily primitive way of existence.

People coming together to partake in music and song is a basic practice known and executed by the ancients since time immemorial. At the ‘Enrichment and Counselling Service’ on Queen St., we came for a second visit, this time to speak about, and join in on the power of mantra meditation. Back in June I spoke of the glories of walking. On this day the presentation was about its companion--the mantra.

We only had an hour and it was remarkable how some local office people took their lunch break off to join in. I asked for feedback in one word responses and the messages were: "connected", "united", "present", "happy", and “peaceful". Some folks came into town from quite the ways to participate in the chanting.

Wouldn't it be nice if all lunch hours were like this?

A second round of chanting took place at the Norfolk Motel. Prabhir Sarkar, the proprietor, invited us to honour his mom's recent passing. It was more of a Hindu crowd that came to acknowledge the grace of chanting for the sending off of a dear soul to a greater world, where all is organic and untouched by the industrial component… where the eagles and osprey fly.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Monday, January 4^th, 2016
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Getting Warm

We had worked up a sweat at the upstairs art gallery next to the shop, ‘Radical Edge’. Wade and a group of Krishna guys from Montreal backed me in a presentation on the power of chanting. The greatest partner to chanting, of course, is dancing, and that’s what warmed up the group, consisting of us and some local people.

I would liken our style of dance to something that is quite folk-ish. It involves swaying to the left, and swaying to the right, then moving forward and back, and then turning around. When everyone keeps synchronized, then oneness is achieved. All the while that our bodies were in motion, the mantra is as well.

Hridaya Chaitanya did great at rhythms on the mridanga, and Etienne was on karatalas, hand cymbals. The rest of us only had to worry about the mouth moving along only with the body.

What a great warm up it was to start a year’s beginning.

But that was not all, Verinder, my host in Fredericton and I, braved the cold Arctic air that set in. We decided to trek home despite the 26 degree below Celsius with wind-chill factor after getting our warm up session. When I suggested to do the walk, he came on with a spontaneous, “Yes!” He told me he goes to the gym twice a week. I was trying to convince him that to trek every day, as a program, is far superior. To his delight, the trek built up heat inside his parka. I guess it was a revelation to him to know that you can be warm in the cold. Just dress warm, be warm, and think warm.

May the Source be with you!

10 km

Sunday, January 3rd, 2015

Sunday, January 3^rd, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

Cooperate

If there could ever be a New Year’s resolution that resonates universally, I would say it could be to step-up on cooperation. Cooperation appears to be a high symptom of love.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had remarked that love is demonstrated by the ability to work as a team.

In other words, cooperate.

Some quotes I like on the topic are:

“Even freckles would form a nice tan if they could ever get together.” – Anonymous

“You cannot clap with one hand alone.” – John Taylor Wood

“Cooperation is a higher moral principle than competition.” – Bryant McGill

“Cooperation is willing collaboration by free individuals in a collective effort that creates more value than it spends.” – James Raymond Lucas

“Cooperation is an evolved type of relationship paired with initial egocentric forms.” – Jacques Montangero and Daniel Maurice Naville.

“Two heads are better than one.” – Polish Proverb

“Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up strong fire.” – Chinese Proverb

One thing I would like to add, when the heart and the feet cooperate, then you call that walking.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Saturday, January 2nd, 2016

Saturday, January 2^nd, 2016
Mississauga, Ontario

Verbing My Way Through

Walking was an actual pacing in the temple this morning.
Singing was about Krishna and his various forms.
Speaking entailed describing His shark-shaped earrings.
Greeting involved a return of two pilgrims from India.
Sleeping was napping before being taken to a home program.
Eating took the form of Chinese-style food. Yum!
Speaking at this home covered the topic of the name Vasudeva.
Being driven meant napping for lack of sleep last night.
Attending an engagement involved blessing a he and a she.
Eating again meant refusing lots of goodies, a monk’s pride.
Being driven to the temple involved speaking about the environment.
E-mailing was addressing a cancer discovered by monk Gunagrahi.
Chanting for his well-being gives reassurance to him.
Sleeping with no hope meant picking up a pen.
Writing to add to a new script was a creative outlet.
Answering the phone at 1AM came from Andrew and Dakota.
Answering their questions gave me a boost.
Delving into another day is quite exciting.
Getting surprises and adventure is to die for.
Having no regrets about this life because it’s a privilege.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Friday, January 1st, 2016

Friday, January 1^st, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Mandala

Mandala and I did trek along Danforth Ave, through Greektown, then onto the bridge overlooking the Don River, and finally retail and residential areas. It’s new territory for him, a native of Norwood, Ontario, population of 1200.

Now in a city of 6 million, it’s quite a leap for him as it was for me when I first moved into town in 1973. I actually come from a farm. As a 20 year-old I had that antsy feel, an itch to be in the larger metropolis, a place for greater opportunity. What an opportunity it was! In ’72 I made my first visit to a temple of sorts, a three storey rented house in the Cabbage town district, where Irish settlers came to start a new life in the 1800’s after a potato famine.

Mandala’s got Irish blood in him. Everyone knows the Irish are known for a fist and a beer, as well as the church and charm. With a name like Mcallister, it’s a giveaway. His first name Mandala is Sanskrit, a name given by his parents- first generation Krishna devotees in Canada. I remember Mandala was in diapers when I stopped into the house while on my first walk across country walk in ’96.

He’s a nice guy, always eager to serve with a great attitude. He’s liked by all. He’s experiencing temple/ashram life for the first time. He’s a natural. He will be accompanying me to India in February for a second time. It’s a second time because he’s a good person to have around, as much as it is to have a decent walking comrade and assistant.

Sorry Mandala, if it sounds like over-praise but complimenting someone is an integral part of the culture.

May the Source always be with you!

5 km

 

Thursday, December 31st, 2015

Thursday, December 31^st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

New Year

New Year’s is what it is, a hopeful time. Spirits are high. I guess the word “spirits” is ambiguous.
In front of Old City Hall we did converge and had ready, the two marching drums reserved for this yearly event. We were poised to beat them and all other folks were prepped to sing the song “Hare Krishna.” At 11:45pm we began the uproarious sound when people were drawn into the kirtan. What a happy new year!

A second highlight for me was receiving a poem that landed on my desk by a person who been struggling mentally with his life.

A Prayer to All

Seized with fear,
I can hardly write,
If God Himself wills,
Let me live and learn right,

All the world’s calamities,
Come probably from me,
But I don’t know anything about them,
Until I hear from people on T.V.

Please, everyone spare my life,
And let me chant God’s Name.
Bow to His feet and learn to serve,
Have mercy, I’ll follow His reign.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

Wednesday, December 30^th, 2015
Ypsilanti, Michigan

The Killing Machine

The book “Lessons from the Wild” by Shayamal Vallabhjee, dedicated to my dear god brother and monk Bhakti Caru Swami, changes a person’s way of looking at animals. In the read I took particular interest in the honey badger known as a killing machine that has earned the title “most fearless animals in the world”. Ruthless in battle, despite the size of it’s the opponent (lions, tigers, bears and wolves rarely attack the ferocious badger) this guy apparently can teach us that although the road ahead may not be an easy one, a positive attitude is everything. Fearless he is. It is a quality listed in the divine category. According to Sri Krishna’s teachings “Fearlessness has much to do with attitude- our mental approach to the task at hand” says the author.

I also like the reference from Allen H. Nueharth, who is quoted saying “I quit feeling afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn’t fall down”.

Apparently badgers are found in North America. I recall meeting up with one in B.C., not a honey badger but an American badger. He did meet his opponent alright. It wasn’t me. It was a car. I have a clear recollection of the image from my walk in ’96. I have understood that aggressiveness is a trait of the badger and I guess you can compare it to the boldness we must apply to duty and irregular tasks. I spoke about the honey badger to a group in Farmington, just to make the point about yogis being fearless during their asanas (sitting postures) in the jungle. When a small group of us ventured to the university at Anna Arbor today I admit to being touched by fear since our purpose was chanting. What will people think in the prestigious school? We were five minutes into the chant. Joy took over and I felt there was nothing to worry about.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

Tuesday, December 29^th, 2015
Windsor, Ontario

Trains Rate

I like the train system as a mode of transportation. It doesn’t exceed walking, but it’s up there in my ratings. From Union Station in Toronto the Via Rail set sail for destination Windsor, which is an end of the line train track destination.

Indeed the journey which is less than four hours takes you to the most southern tip of Canada for at some points you look north to see sections of the US in Detroit, strange as it seems.

The train station in Windsor is spanking new. I guess the old building was demolished or recycled for other purposes. I was greeted by a friendly crew that was armed with a drum and karatalas (hand cymbals), all being played together. There was Deva-Madhava and Vivasvan, my support person for the recent walk through Northeastern USA.

The recent snow deluge here had all melted and drained away. Walking was conducive and there was time to kill before a planned house blessing at someone’s new home. So the small group of us took to the well laid out trail along the Detroit River. The river, which is usually of a fine blue tint, appeared rather greyish from all the meltdown.

Our trek was laced and graced with talks about everything from Krishna’s service to political opinions. All were concerned for what to do about a crazy world. An hour and a half passed by, and we had practically reached the Ambassador Bridge when we realized we were running late. We then rushed to the home of our hosts for kirtan chanting, prasadam eating, and exchanges of fine words.

Weather wise, it was a gloomy day, but gloominess did not reflect on what was held in our hearts.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Monday, December 28th, 2015

Monday, December 28th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

I Question

Sometimes I question if members of bhakti-yoga can be serious about their practice, because at times I see a bit of frivolity. Sometimes emotions and feelings prevail over sobriety. This may hold true for a practitioner like myself. I may take the process of devotion lightly and cater to a more selfish level of output from the psychological center of myself. But, it is at such times that I attempt to search for strength from within.

Speaking less so of my own experience, it was my group of actors from the community, some experienced in the acting field, and some not- who I anticipated would be fairly casual during our rehearsal the day before for the drama ‘Krishna Is’. We had this schedule slotted out from 8 AM to 1 PM. The end result was that our cast of 20 or so members, of primarily a younger generation, worked so sincerely. I felt like I was working at a movie set where all participants are on a high payroll and are all serious.

On the contrary, here we were, not at a studio, but in our sizable temple room, where everyone had come on a voluntary basis. I would say real bhakti shone through.

I give much credit to Raj who stepped forward to manage the actors and the techies, and as an end result, we whipped together a phenomenal show held at the Lester B. Pearson Theatre in Brampton as part of a larger program, Bhakti Mela. This event also featured great kirtan leader, Gaura Vani, from DC, and from New York, Ananta on drums, and from Florida, Kanya Kumari, who danced out classical moves of bharat natyam. The modest size hall of 400+ seats reached full capacity despite the ugly snow/sleet storm outside.

I was proud of the crew, the chanters, the dancers, and dramatists. Thanks to the organizer, Savyasachin, whom I sometimes refer to as ‘Savy’, and company, for a successful cultural presentation. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would be pleased.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Sunday, December 27th, 2015

Sunday, December 27^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Oil Texan

There has been a great hype in and around the temple, and that has much to do with what we call the Prabhupada Book Marathon. Devotees all over the world consider the month of December to be THEE month for pressing forward with distribution of books on Krishna Consciousness.

Last evening I just missed the book distribution crew at Yonge and Dundas as they dismantled early, being that it was such a long day for them. At 6 AM they started interacting with the public on Boxing Day. I had walked to the destination point only to find I was late .

While I was there I met Joel, who could easily identify myself within the crowd. Ironically, I couldn’t recognize him. Joel was geared up in cowboy attire and all done up in black. He looked like an oil Texan. He is one of those street actors who stand statuesque for some change. I’ve seen him in the past as Spiderman and multiple other heroes.

“This is my livelihood, I can’t hold down a job,” he said. I admit though, that he is good at what he does. He is a crowd pleaser. He told me he has shelves full of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust material because he’s met so many Hare Krishnas over the years. When friends come over to his place, they get convinced that he’s a Krishna man. Of all of his getups, I doubt that he has one where he will be dressed as a Krishna monk. Come to think of it, I don’t even know what Joel really looks like because he’s always in garb and covered in paint in so many incarnations. He’s definitely found his niche, he’s an entertainer. He’s got his dharma down, but like all of us, he could add a little dash of spirituality in the day.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Saturday, December 26th, 2015

Saturday, December 26^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Recalling This Relatable Neighbor

One neighbor, just down the street on Roxborough, is a known artist; he sketches portraits. I didn’t know about his skill until more recently. I’ve seen him for years walking his dog. My seeing and greeting him has been happening for so many years that the current dog he has is not the dog of the past. Both my neighbor and I have outlived them.

On our last bumping into each other, he had been curious to know where I had been doing my extreme walking lately.

“Pennsylvania, part of New England, and New York,” I said.

“You know, I should do a portrait sketch of you,” he offered.

“Sure, if you have the time.”

Well today, Wayne Terry, the artist, brought the portrait over. He did a splendid job. I mentioned to him that I get embarrassed to see myself; that I’m not a fan of looking at myself. He remarked that most people don’t.

Anyways, he was really nice about it and left. I offered for him to enjoy lunch with me someday at Govinda’s, located in the ashram.

Wayne is terribly good natured about everything. He reminds me of what neighbors are all about. You share the same karma with them in terms of territory, interaction, and encouraging each other. ‘Love thy neighbor as much as thyself’ comes to mind. Not all neighbors are nice, but you still need to love them somehow. But Wayne is not like that.

May the Source be with you!

5 km