Saturday, May 7 th , 2016

Saturday, May 7 th , 2016
Moundsville, West Virginia

Point to Consider

I don’t take shorthand – probably should, but I can remember points that are delivered at a conference when strong and good messages filter through my fingers and the pen. I highly revere one of the speakers at the retreat here for his candid and thoughtful presentation. He quoted our guru, Srila Prabhupada, as saying, “Do not be upset with the instrument of your karma.”

In some order I will present to you additional remarks that I was able to capture with my own concocted shorthand. The messages are as follows, some of them being thoughts, and some are stats:

THOUGHTS

1. “Appreciation should be our driving force.”

2. “Service is the heart of everything.” – Sharpe

3. “Service is not a chore.” – Mother Theresa

4. “Find yourself in service to others.” – Gandhi

5. “There are two births – the day we were born and the day we learned why we were born.”

6. “If you are not challenged, you can’t change.”

7. “Are you a contributor or a consumer?”

8. “Humility is the solid foundation of all qualities.”

9. “The body is a PC – a pleasure centre and a pain centre.”

FACTS

10. “There are 108 stitches on a baseball.” (108 being an auspicious Vedic numerical figure.)

11. There is one suicide every 40 seconds globally.

12. 1200 teenagers attempt suicide every day.

Reasons for This Teenage Tragedy

1. Not having a spiritual foundation.

2. Very materialistic lifestyle.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, May 6 th , 2016

Friday, May 6 th , 2016
Moundsville, West Virginia

When I arrived at this country retreat, a good 600 km from Toronto, I was asked one usual question, “Did you walk here?”

To which I reply, “I wish.”

In truth, I piled into a van with other, what I consider, pilgrims, and made the not so long ride through great countryside. I would think that anyone who makes the endeavour to leave the concrete machine for a little green-time and space is headed for a healing. Here, in New Vrindavan, West Virginia, the healing also has much to do with hearing.

As shastra (scripture) states, “The sacred place has a primary purpose for being a place to learn – to hear.”

To hear about what?

About the Absolute.

Here you can admire the Appalachian world of mountains, trees, and other greenery. And, oh yes, there are those albino deer around here. They are completely white. This is the property site of New Vrindavan, which is an animal cruelty free zone. Deer love it here.

So do the pilgrims who came from Detroit, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and even Canada, like us.

Our group was comprised of four vanloads of the members of our troupe – set for a performance of the drama, “Krishna Is”. We are set for a weekend of practice and fun for our unique presentation to honour Mothers’s Day.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Thursday, May 5 th , 2016

Thursday, May 5 th , 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Hint of Happiness

I took a delicious walk after which both Jonathan and I enjoyed some nutritious compressed juices.

Yummy!

I also set my eyes on a new book by a friend, Mohan Asthakala, AKA, Hari Mohan. It’s entitled, “The Yoga Zapper.” May I share an excerpt of this excellent read, about the hint of happiness through personal transformation for some American tourists in India?

The casualties littered the road side; huge lorries lay flipped over at depressingly

regular intervals along with broken cars and an occasional dead goat.

At night the traffic became even more hair raising making no concession to darkness,

navigated by fatalistic drivers with no fear of death. The trucks, with 6 or 8 headlights
blazing, their sides painted with fierce female divinities carrying swords and axes,
careened down dusty, country roads at break-neck speed. But the next morning, away
from the large metropolis, came scenes of great beauty; hills garlanded with
shimmering green rice fields, snow-capped mountains reflecting in their blue waters.
In the evenings, they rested in tiny villages where small wiry men of the hills returned
home from fields, their lives following the timeless, primordial cycle of seasons, rains,
and crops. Stopping in these hamlets, we sensed the simplicity of the inhabitants
lives. Despite the poverty of their possessions, they showed little anxiety. Genuine
warmth filled the evenings; villagers shared songs and what little food they had
unhesitatingly. ‘What does it take to be like them’, he wondered, ‘What makes them
happy with what they have?’

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, May 4 th , 2016

Wednesday, May 4 th , 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Some Thoughts

That term we sometimes use, budding artist; came as a reminder from actually seeing the spring buds on my walk this morning. It became relevant in this way. Our evening rehearsal of our drama, ‘Krishna Is…,’ revealed a star to be born.

Vicky is a fairly young guy who is shy on the stage. But with a slight twist of the arm I convinced him to give it a try and he ended up having a good presence there. A budding artist perhaps?

It was at a park that we particularly noticed a lot of bird sounds. It’s inspiring, as the vibrations are awesome - very optimistic. One sound that was a little off-track was that of a woodpecker drilling against a lamp post. It really appeared like he was ‘barking up the wrong tree.’

The above scenario reminded me of how many people put themselves at their own disadvantage, simply by not doing what they ought to. Everyone should be following their natural codes. It’s what we call dharma, but how often do we find the opposite to be true? It is like the idiom of a ‘square peg in a round hole.’

What did concern me most about any oddity or victory of the day was the news of 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray fleeing for their lives. Raging fires are consuming this Canadian city in Alberta. I’m happy to see that our temple in Edmonton is stepping up and doing something to help some of these folks who have had to abandon their homes and jobs.

I feel for them. Hare Krishna!

May the Source be with you!

8 km

 

Tuesday, May 3 rd , 2016

Tuesday, May 3 rd , 2016
Toronto, Ontario

The Path

I often tell people that they should explore their own city and that if you want to know the land you must walk it.

I then had to think, “Do I know my own turf?”  It surprised me when I came upon the PATH, an underground walkway leading to the world’s largest world of shopping and thruway. It’s seventeen miles of this and it’s called a marvel of subterranean engineering. The reason for this to exist has to do with the quality of soil. The rock floor that gets removed to create the PATH is something called, simply, till.

To me it was quite the discovery and it could be a great break for when the weather becomes icy and messy on a winters day. I do admit a slight claustrophobic feel. The air quality isn’t what you get outside, but I do like the fact that there is no hindrance by automobiles, no street lights and stinky garbage trucks. You can just zip right along on your feet.

Anyway there we were - Jonathan, Durjoy, and myself - breezing through the maze. The only minor hurdles are the push-bar doors that you come upon occasionally. The population of this underground is about the same as above-ground. As soon as we took that escalator to take us to the street level we felt the same density of corporate/shopper pedestrians.

To top off our experience, I met Billy James singing and strumming on guitar. Billy, with a golden voice, I‘ve known for years and now I found him singin’ away in the netherworlds, nay, the underground Path. I asked him for a request, “Please sing George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ You know, it’s got the chanting in it!"

We had to run/walk. I hope he got to it after we left him.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Monday, May 2 nd , 2016

Monday, May 2 nd , 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Full Day

It was a full day of service - devotional service. The clock struck at 10 pm and I suddenly realized that I devoted no time to walking. By now I should be asleep, but no, I have yet to walk.

Balaram, who was sitting at the front steps, at his cell phone, noticed me making my way for that important daily mission.

“At this hour?”

“Yes, there was not the opportunity earlier, so now I’m off!”

I went south, towards Queen’s Park where big decisions are made for provincial matters. I paced by the hospital district and by the building where Dr Fleming discovered penicillin. I headed west on Wellesly and then to Yonge St, the street that becomes the runway for the three chariot festival every year. On Yonge there is also the Gay Pride Parade, and from Yonge I make my turn onto Bloor – where the St Patrick Parade takes place.

At Yonge & Bloor a woman crossed and offered her pranams upon seeing me. Nods and smiles from pedestrians continued to come my way which to me is an indication that life isn’t totally dissatisfying for people even for a Monday night. I like the fact that I can walk the street in safety and see some signs of life amongst the humans.

There appear to be people prowling, strolling, or pacing with great purpose. Few, I assume carry the pilgrim’s mind. It’s an observation and not a judgement because all the folks out here are actually spirits. They (we) are currently wanderers in the wilderness.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, May 1st, 2016

Sunday, May 1st, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

The Beggar Who Wanted More

The beggar, a young man, had his cup in his left hand as he sat on the cold concrete. As I walked by him, his eyes looking upward, I could see a movement of lips, but his voice was muffled. Traffic noise restricted my hearing. I responded with a, “Sorry, I don’t have anything.”

The beggar retorted, “I didn’t ask for anything.” I stopped, and then said, “Well, then, how can I help you?”

“Are you a real monk?” he asked.

“For 43 years.”

“That’s awesome,” he said, “can you tell me about it?”

“Well, I’m committed to a lifestyle of higher consciousness – addressing the needs of the spirit, the soul. Essentially, we are the spirit, we are not this body.”

“What do you do and how do you spend your time?”

“I have a few things on the agenda which includes pilgrimage.”

With curiosity still kindled he inquired, “Can you explain about that, and what do you get out of it?”

I conveyed it involves walking, meeting people, getting very much in touch with the elements and getting in touch with yourself. “You begin to see in these travels that sacredness is behind everything. Where are you from?” I asked.

“Everywhere.”

“I mean, where were you born and raised?”

He said, “Lindsay.”

“Your name?”

“Darcy.”

“Darcy, please chant this mantra (I gave him a card with the mantra). Come over some time to our ashram. We can have a great meal together.”

“I’d like that.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Friday, April 30th, 2016

Friday, April 30th, 2016
Bracebridge, Ontario

25 Years of Together

It was when I was a young teen, one Saturday afternoon, while I was sharing the washroom with my dad. He was shaving and I was taking my bath in the tub. A conversation began that he started. I don’t recall all of the contents, but I do remember how he said, “Don’t get married, John,” (referring to me).

He did not give an explanation to the remark as to why, when I grew to maturity, that this would be my best course. I did not respond. I do remember internally, however, being somewhat surprised by what seemed like an ‘out of the blue’ comment. Somehow I accepted the advice and responded within with an, “Alright.”

The above small tale of truths I conveyed to a wedding anniversary crowd. The lucky and happy couple of 25 years of togetherness is comprised of Rajasuya and Surabhi. Their two sons, whom I addressed in the crowd as princess due to their spiffy attire, were also there engaged in the celebration. The anniversary included a renewing of vows.

So, here we are – a couple of the tightly-bound kind juxtaposed against a lifelong monk, but we work well together. Rajasuya does my secretarial work, shared by a dedicated person from Vancouver, Nitai Priya by name. Surabhi helps me with donations in the matter of keeping expenditure receipts together. In this way we are serving together in the mission that promotes higher consciousness.

May the Source be with you!

12 km

Friday, April 29th, 2016

Friday, April 29th, 2016
Norwood, Ontario

Two Bulls and Two Angels

Jonathan and I were strolling. A man and his dog went out of their way to catch up to us, pursue us might be a better phrase, out of curiosity.

“What sect do you belong to?” asked the man.

“Hare Krishna.”

“Oh, yes, I was in India, in Varnasi, last year.”

“That’s one of the few places I’ve missed on my travels there.”

The middle aged man continued, “The first day I got there, I shook my head and said, ‘Boy, oh boy, what a mess this place is.’ But on the 5th day there, I was enchanted. I don’t know, there’s something about India that’s magical.”

And that’s still the attitude that most visitors have about the land of Bharat (India).

Jonathan and I had been in the ravine when we had the brief encounter with the man who visited India, but it was our visit today to the Norwood Hastings area that took us to India. There, along the Trent River, an hour and a half from the city, is Govardhan Farms, a 50 acres haven of grass, hills, a house, and a newly born set of bulls sweet like anything. Their names are Gopinath and Ananta.

What gives the place the spiritual magical feel is not just the Sanskrit names and the peaceful atmosphere, but the presence of a set of twins, two little angels, and for the love of me, I just can’t remember their names. I know that this forgetfulness is merely a display of ignorance, but the proud parents are Fil and Sukhayanti. You can catch a photo of the two little darlings whose names I can’t remember on Instagram, ‘thewalkingmonk’.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, April 28 th , 2016

Thursday, April 28 th , 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Forces of Nature

Today’s hike was in a different ravine from yesterday’s. The creek, at its base, goes underground at one point beneath Mount Pleasant Cemetery. During my last venture here, and comparing it to today, I am clearly reminded that nature shifts big time, meaning the water within the creek desires to change course. It’s not as drastic as the erosion that I’ve seen by the Ganges water in India, but it’s noticeable enough.

This just reveals to me the forces of nature and how powerful they can be. Man’s attempt to check a deliberate whim of a tiny rivulet such as this one doesn’t always work. Fair sized boulders have been laid out to make the creek behave, and planted trees of various sorts have their roots planted trying to keep soil in place. But here again, it’s not going to be a cent percent job. I can’t help but refer to a line from the Gita where Krishna says,

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī

mama māyā duratyayā

(Material energy is very forceful. It is Divine, and it is an emanation from the Divine).

“Keep that in mind,” I have to convince myself. The winds of nature can change in any direction, and at any moment. Be fully aware of its ever altering ways. We also seem to swing from moments of joy to moments of melancholy and back again. That is the pattern set by the Creator, and there’s often times so little you can do about it. It’s almost futile, like trying to stop death itself.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Two Talking

Jonathan has been living in Edmonton and recently spent some quality time at our ashram in Montreal, for some training in devotional life. He is now slowly making his way back to Edmonton as a more experienced man after having lived like a monk. His stopover in Toronto is for seeing family and a chance to see our humble self. He agreed to join me on a trek down the ravine – a mere 7 kms after his 5 hour bike ride from Kexwick.

I was impressed with his physical output.

As we pulled along we talked much about food and healthy eating. He recently just came off a master cleanser, a popular fast. And so, our parlance was rather typical of what you would expect from anti-pesticidal, anti-genetically modified food fans.

Let’s agree that the quality of food today leaves much to be desired. Considering we live in the age of Kali (age of deceit), we can expect imperfections, and we shouldn’t harbour on food forever, so let’s get beyond that.

Let’s talk of sadhana, spiritual things, mantras and such which serve to liberate. After all, a conversation needs balance. Jonathan was happy to oblige me. The trek through the raving went speedily, or so it seemed, because our talk was very engaging.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Tuesday, April 26 th , 2016

Tuesday, April 26 th , 2016
Calgary/Toronto

The Experts Were All Wrong

Once in a while I’m compelled to insert an article from a good old fashioned newspaper such as The Globe and Mail, especially when it has relevance to our lifestyle, and when it takes you home. The excerpt has to do with food, and food has much to do with walking, and vice versa. The article is called, “Pass the Butter, the Experts Were All Wrong” subtitle – “For Decades We’ve Been Told a Healthy Diet is a Low Fat Diet – Not So, Research Shows” by author Margaret Wente:

“When I was a kid the milkman came right to our back door. He brought us white glass bottles of rich whole milk, and thick sweet cream… That was in the 1950s. Nobody was fat, except for one lone girl at school who everybody picked on. Most kids ate like horses and were as skinny as rakes…

Then experts came along and declared that all that fat was killing us. Whole milk was banished from children’s diets so they would not develop clogged arteries and heart disease in later life…

The results were not what they had hoped. Obesity rates soared but heart disease did not subside. The biggest villain of modern diet isn’t fat, it’s sugar and carbohydrates…

There is the investigative work of journalist Mina Teicholz (author of ‘That Big Fat Surprise’ who is persona non grata among the nutrition establishment), but the establishment is still deeply embedded in the status quo. Reputations and careers are at stake; plenty of leading doctors have diet empires of their own… “

Food for deep thought – thought on how we get duped.

May the Source be with you!

5 km