Saturday, July 9th, 2016

Saturday, July 9^th, 2016

Minneapolis, Minnesota

More News

Taking another one of those breaks became another reality today, as my trusted team, including Gopal and Uttama, drove north to Minneapolis for a speaking engagement on “Tales from Trails.”  Seventy to eighty people showed up.  These talks also assist us financially towards the walking cause.  Donations came our way.

Before it becomes forgotten, I will happily report another newspaper reporting, this time from the Chicago Tribune News, author Urvashi Verma.

Chicago, Il: Bhaktimarga Swami, a 63 year old Canadian born monk has embarked on a transnational walk of 3,000 miles across the United States from New York City to San Francisco to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the coming of the Hare Krishna Tradition to the West and to promote a more green style of living in America.

Swami who has arrived in Chicago, IL on June 11 has traversed open plains, highways, and landmarks. For the general public, Bhaktimarga Swami is best known as "the walking monk".  To share his message of peace and gratitude he has already crossed Canada four times covering over 17,000 miles on foot.

The Swami is walking to draw attention to the contributions of his own spiritual teacher, or guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.  Prabhupada arrived in the USA 50 years ago, on September 17, 1965.  He came practically penniless from India at the age of 70 on the order of his teacher to promote God consciousness, or devotional bhakti-yoga, to the English-speaking world.

"In the broader sense I'm walking to honor all our teachers," Swami says.  "Our teachers open the doors to the world for us, and to other worlds as well.  I hope to remind us all how grateful we should be to those who give us knowledge, especially knowledge about our inner potential,” he says.

Each day Swami, donned in monastic orange garb and his favorite crocs he walks 20 miles each day along path chartered by his companion assistant Gopala and returns to the same spot where he left the next day to complete another 20 miles.

"Generally it takes about 10 to 12 hours to complete the days walk, because often we have to start from the same spot where we left last day, and many times we get up by 3:30 AM to be able to back to the location where we left off.  On the way we find accommodation is spiritual places and often have meetings with others on the path of spirituality.  The time it takes to complete the 20 miles is not important what is important is make sure that you take every step," shared Swami in an interview with Desi Talk Chicago.

(Bhaktimarga) Swami, whose name coincidentally means the "path of devotion," took up the monastic lifestyle at the young age of 20 and since then has dedicated his life to teaching of spiritual knowledge and devotional arts and theater.

“I knew was meant for sanyaas, (monastic life) even at a very young age, and I always knew deep inside that I had already fulfilled my worldly commitments in my past life and that for me this life was supposed to spiritual," said Swami.

Swami who has traversed more than 1,000 miles in the US so far made his first walk across Canada in 1996.  Since then he has walked across the world's second largest country four times going both east to west, and west to east and has also trekked across Ireland, the Fiji Islands, Mauritius, Trinidad, Guyana, Israel, and other countries.

"More relevant that the distances covered are the people I encountered," Swami says.  He reflects on his experiences and adventures in his daily blog, which he calls "Tales from Trails."  Sometimes we meet the kindest people who provide us food and shelter, we have enlightening conversations about Krishna consciousness, and most are very intrigued for the reasons of the walk."

Traveling on foot is a common practice in various spiritual traditions, and the walking monk believes that it's an effective way to reach out and communicate the importance of morality and ethical priorities.

Swami says that when you walk, "You learn to take it all in.  The heat, the wind, the rain, the traffic, the cold, the black flies, the mosquitoes, the public attention or none.  With all of that you learn detachment from externals and how to go within to be happy."

Thank you, Urvashi, for the article.

May the Source be with you!

0 miles

Friday, July 8th, 2016

Friday, July 8^th, 2016

Hills, Iowa

Motorists Respond

The public is responding to today’s article in The Muscatine Journal, entitled “The Walking Monk,” and subtitled “Traversing the U.S. on foot.” It was written by Emily Wenger.

MUSCATINE, Iowa— Bhaktimarga Swami, also known as "The Walking Monk," passed through Muscatine on Thursday as part of his walk across the U.S.

The 63-year-old Swami hopes to encourage people to connect with their spirituality through walking.

He began his trek in New York City and plans to finish his journey in San Francisco in the summer of 2017 after taking a break during the winter months.  He timed the end of the walk to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love.

Although his entry into Muscatine Thursday was greeted with rain, everything around him, Bhaktimarga Swami said, reminds him of his spirituality.

"So when you're outside walking seven hours a day on average you can't help but see the spiritual things that creep up around you, the rain has a message to tell you," he said, "Davenport to Muscatine has been one of the most beautiful days."

While walking to Muscatine on Highway 22, Bhaktimarga Swami said he encountered a curious police officer, and people who have offered him rides along the way.  In those interactions, he said, he has seen the kindness the Midwest has to offer.

"The people have been very kind, mostly I would say, with offering rides.  And then I have to disappoint them and say I can't cheat," he said.

The Swami became a monk in 1973, and said the introspective walks he has been taking for 20 years are a way to raise spiritual awareness.

"It's my calling," he said.

What Bhaktimarga Swami has noticed most is the kindness from people along the way.  While traversing the U.S., he said he has had a place to sleep every night.

"The people are phenomenal, they have been really kind," he said.

Every day Bhaktimarga Swami walks around 20 miles, sometimes beginning as early as 3 a.m. to avoid the worst heat of the day.  He has friends who follow him, and occasionally check in.

"He checks in sometimes just to make sure I'm still alive," Swami laughed.

He also takes occasional detours from his walks, to drive to a nearby temple to speak, but he always begins where he left off.

The Swami has crossed his home country of Canada three times (actually it’s four), and he said the Iowa cornfields remind him of home.

"The cornfields are what I grew up with," he said.

Cars have caused a disconnect among people, Swami said.  Returning to walking allows personal connections to form.

"The automobile is cold, you don't really see each other," he said.

He hopes that the universal understanding about walking will help raise people's spiritual awareness.

"It is a kind of non-denominational approach to spirituality," he said.

The Swami is an instructor of bhakti yoga.  Bhakti means "devotion," and he said the objective of yoga is connection with the divine.

"It's a very old traditional practice that has roots in India and like the Mississippi it flows through all people, countries, nations, and races," he said.

He is also a director and playwright of "morality stories" based on ancient Indian epics, which he said are a spiritual outlet for his creativity.  Bhaktimarga Swami said walking across countries sometimes reminds him of these plays.

"When you put your feet right on the ground and you meet everybody and you see the way their hair blows, you see the skin color, you see the face of the individual whatever it may be, grumpy or cheerful, that's like having a drama in itself," he said.

That drama crosses boundaries of religion, and Bhaktimarga Swami said that while appreciating differences, the unity of people is most important.

"The diversity is beautiful but we really have to look at is the oneness factor," he said.

While moving across the country, Bhaktimarga Swami hopes to remind people of the need for human connection.

"The intent is to try to encourage people to slow down the pace of life and get connected to their soul," he said.

Beth Van Zandt took a photo whose caption reads. “It’s not every day you see a monk walking down the street of Muscatine, but, Bhaktimarga Swami of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, walks along Cedar Street Thursday in Muscatine as he treks across the United States, walking from New York City to San Francisco.  He is a member of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness and has walked across Canada three times.”

May the Source be with you!

16 miles

Thursday, July 7th, 2016

Thursday, July 7^th, 2016

Muscatine, Iowa

Wrinkly Shirt

I started off the day with a wrinkly shirt, or what we call a kurta, but one hour after the walk began perspiration took all creases out.  Problem solved.

I took shelter of our support van today, when another substantial downpour came.  After the rainfall, moisture just hung in the air like a possum hangs from a tree branch.  It’s ‘sticky’ conditions.  Except for construction workers doing extensions to the “Hon” office-chair company, most people prefer to be indoors.  I recommend walking and noticing a vibrancy about the place.  These days it’s rare to find manufacturing going on in North America.

Muscatine was also known world-wide for its production of pearl buttons.  Plastic put that out of business.  I was learning as much about the town from Emily Winger, the reporter from The Muscatine Journal, as she was learning about my walking project.  Actually she was equally keen on knowing about life in the moderate lane, as a monk.

The interview went well, and longer than usual.

I am a little saddened to see the Mississippi leave me.  It makes an acute turn towards the south, and I’m going west.  Some magical moments did happen here, like in almost any place.  I met Alijandro, who hails from Mexico, who greeted me with the mantra “Namah om Vishnu padaya…” This is a mantra which honours our guru Srila Prabhupada.

Alijandro said, from his works pick-up truck, that he was once ready to shave off his hair and be a full-fledged monk when his family stopped him.  That was years ago.

Later on, an officer of Hispanic origin offered to give me a ride to the next town.

“I’m walking to San Francisco.  I can’t cheat,” I said.

“Oh!  I gotcha!”

May the Source be with you!

16 miles

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

Wednesday, July 6^th, 2016

Fairport, Iowa

Cool Mississippi Folk

“There aren’t too many monks around here,” remarked the officer.  I was really enjoying the route along the east/west flow of the Mississippi, on Concord St., and then on Hwy 22, headed for the town of Muscatine, where I met the police officer.  To my left, the muddy waters would carry massive barges of cargo.  It is a river that has perhaps as much folklore and social value in America as the Ganges has been to India.  The only feature about the Ganges that distinguishes it from other rivers, is the spiritual power attached to its name.

In any event, people along the Mississippi have been real “cool,” including the police.  There have been so many ride offers.  I have to decline, of course.  People give me water.  This compensates for the loss of it, by way of my sweat.

It’s humid, but over-cast.

Young fellows ask about life as a monk.  A woman asks for a picture of me, which she wants to send on the internet.  There are also questions, “Where did you start?  Why the walking?”  No challenges!  Just interested people asking questions.  Perhaps the most intriguing interaction was with someone named Johnny.

I met Johnny at the side of the river.  He had parked there overnight, tucked amidst the trees and onto the sand.  He has his life’s belongings in his car.  It was a rough night with strong wind gusts, thunder, lightning, and heavy rain; enough to make a sheep rather restless.

I take it that he’s about 40.  He’s from one of the Carolinas and is trying to get to Colorado to start up an existence again.  He’s super friendly, but kind of lost.  I shared with him the maha (great) mantra.  It was his first time meeting a monk.

May the Source be with you!

16 miles

Tuesday, July 5th, 2016

Tuesday, July 5^th, 2016

Davenport, Illinois

Mississippi Milestone

“Just think of those five toes on each foot as being like a team of horses.  They have been working hard and now that it’s rest time, squeeze each one lightly, like you would pat each horse, by the neck, to thank them for their wonderful service.”

Such is what I explained to Uttama as he gave me a massage last evening as I suggested he encourage giving attention to the fine mechanics of the feet.

Well, this paid off, and, with the help of the new kyboots footwear, I felt like I was flying this morning.  I was also childish with anticipation of reaching the Mississippi River today.  That was accomplished.

I was on a conference call, a break to my walking, and one that consumed time.  Badrinarayan Swami, a monk from the west coast who was on the call, remarked, “I think you’re now clearly in the west (having stepped over that line).”

It was at a park by Union Station and near a casino (an actual riverboat), that I made a call, met Kevin Schmidt from the local “Times” for photos, and where I made friends with a black dude.  I offered to show him a hand shake that puzzled him.

Excitedly he said, “Hey, man, that’s new!  Yah learn somethin’ every day. If yah don’t learn somethin’ new every day yah ain’t nothin’ but dead, man!”

May the Source be with you!

15 miles

Monday, July 4th, 2016

Monday, July 4^th, 2016

East Moline, Illinois

Illinois by Way of Canal

The trek on the Hannepin Canal Trail wraps up today at Cologna, a town just a few miles shy of the Mississippi River.

The solitude is unbeatable.  Even fishermen along the canal are quiet, like focused yogis.  They do give a greeting.  Also serene are the snake, the turtle, the otter, the rabbit, and the cricket-- though loud, his sound adds to the calmness.  Voiceless is the coyote.  As is the coyote scat.  It is always something to dodge and it’s interesting that coyotes eat grasses, roots, and berries.  You can tell by their stool samples.  Apparently that’s their easy-to-acquire menu.

After two and a half days by the canal you almost forget what traffic sounds like.  The canal did come to an end near Rock River and so back I went to the noisier side of life.

People are out and about.  U.S. flags are plentiful, set in front of businesses and residences alike.  No, they don’t flap.  The air is still.  It’s humid.  Yes, weather changes and it’s wet in the air.  The canal had been like a mirror.  Only the tiniest of ripples had appeared during a five-minute drizzle-- hardly noticeable.

My mantra never changes.  It’s the regular sound that I shelter myself in each morning, which is the time of my walk-- the best time.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Sunday, July 3rd, 2016

Sunday, July 3^rd, 2016

Atkinson, Illinois

He’s A Trip Monk

From the News Tribune an article appeared, authored by Ben Hohenstatt in the city of La Salle, Illinois.

He’s a Trip Monk

If you saw a man with a shaved head in orange robes in the Illinois Valley Thursday that wasn’t an oddly dressed flagger.

A walking journey from New York to San Francisco took Bhaktimarga Swami “The Walking Monk”, a Hare Krishna monk originally from Canada, through Ottawa, Peru and La Salle Friday.

“I’ve been to Chicago, but I’ve never been here,” he said. “We’ve met a lot of nice people…There’s a lot of sweet people…People in the Midwest carry some good values”

In the past, he has crossed Canada four times and walked across Guyana, Ireland, Israel, the Fiji islands and Trinidad and featured in documentaries.

Swami said this walk was to promote physical and spiritual health as well as to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada incorporating the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

“The walk is to encourage people to have a workout and a work-in,” the 63-year-old monk said.

Around 11 a.m. Thursday, he stopped to eat mangoes and cherries in Pulaski Park in La Salle. Swami said his day’s walk began in Ottawa around 5 a.m.

Despite covering dozens of miles a day in weather that is “almost never perfect”, encountering bears and schlepping through the Appalachians and downtown Gary, Ind., Swami said sometimes it can be tough to pause his journey.

“It gets to the point sometimes where it’s hard to stop,” he said.

Swami said he would follow U.S. 6 toward Peru before continuing west toward Davenport, Iowa, and he will be excited to continue westward and cross the Mississippi River.

“I might swim it,” he said. “We’ll see if I can swim it.”

He said he thinks he will be able to make it to the middle of Nebraska before other commitments will cause him to put his walk on hold before being resumed next year.

“Next year, I’m hoping to finish walking to San Francisco

Swami said during his cross-country trek he expects to wear out about four pairs of shoes and several robes, which become faded from sunlight.

While marathon walking, he said he encounters people, wildlife and all manner of weather and tries to engage with his surroundings.

However, the rhythm and repetition of walking also makes it easy to get lost in thought.

“It’s an everyday experience,” he said. “You are very much present, but you’re also someplace else; it’s a great time to dream. Your feet are on the ground, and you’re head definitely isn’t in the clouds.”

Thanks Ben!

May the Source be with you!

18 miles

Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

Saturday, July 2^nd, 2016

Sheffield, Illinois

Without Blessings

A police officer, on his highway patrol, stopped over and asked if I was needing anything.  I was moved by his offer.  I had to think quickly as to what to say in response to his openness.

“Water?” he asked.  This is the most common gift offered while on the road-- good old H₂O.  My companion, Gopal, accepted the gesture.  My conclusion on this is, “Illinois has ‘cool’ cops.”

On the topic of water, related to this are my shoes.  As in the case of practically any new footwear, blisters become a reality.  It took a mean lance through each of the two balloon-like blisters to break open a storehouse of liquid (water mostly).  Uttama then cleaned and bandaged the big and tiny toes that were subject to blistering.

Thanks Uttama!

It was with great pleasure that we tagged on to the trail, a section of the Hemmapin Canal State Trail.  Water, in the form of the canal, accompanied Gopal and I for this stretch, which is really the road less travelled.

Another item to take note of with today’s occurrences was one motorist who, on Route 6, stopped her vehicle to say, “Thank you!  Thank you!  I wish there were more people like you.  I hope it’s alright to say, ‘God bless you!’”

I’m happy she stopped to let us know she’s appreciating the walking efforts.  And in return, we thank her for blessings.  Without blessings it is impossible to succeed in anything.

May the Source be with you!

18 miles 

Friday, July 1st, 2016

Friday, July 1^st, 2016

Princeton, Illinois

Down the 6 and the 26

Well, the Midwest is what I thought it would be-- fields of corn with intermittent crops of soya beans.  It has a relatively optimistic feel here.  Homes and barns are people’s pride and joy.  Towns are quaint.  Cities are small, to the exclusion of Chicago.

As for this morning, somebody out there is letting others know about the walk.  In a shady-treed area, along Route 26, a fellow pulled over his vehicle ahead of me.  Parking was tight and I imagine he was in a hurry.  He walked across the road some distance, held a bottle of water in the air indicating, “This is for you,” and proceeded to place it on a road guard for me to see.  He then crossed the road back to his car and went on his merry way.

Nice!

While trekking with Gopal, we passed by a home at the precinct of Princeton.  An elderly couple, enjoying the lawn-chair mood in their front yard on this fine summer afternoon, waved to us passers-by.  The woman said something that was inaudible.  I wished them a happy, upcoming July the 4^th.  To this she responded, “And today is Canada Day!”

The two nations, the U.S. and Canada, have enjoyed a long-standing, congenial relationship.  Let it be known that their birthdays are only three days apart.  Perhaps there’s some kind of soul connection.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Thursday, June 30th, 2016

Thursday, June 30^th, 2016

Peru, Illinois

Farewell to the I & M

Our last day on the ‘I and M Canal State Trail’ had its own power.  There were images and impressions worth remembering.  The canal itself appeared and disappeared, that is, filled with still water or none at all.  Giant reeds were invasive, yet they provided shade.  A magnificent rock wall cut through like a gorge to our sight.

Uttamananda and I viewed the intensely cardinal-red colour of one bird.  During a chanting session we had, a song, in honour of the guru, I spotted two stellar blue birds that went in a flit and a flirt.  Solitary deer came out of thickets to feel the freedom enjoyed on the trail, but upon seeing us they would dash away timidly.

A plaque informed us that Wild Bill Hickok began his nefarious ways along the canal when he was a teen.

Beginning from the city of Ottawa, the trail seems unfrequented by pedestrians.  Of course that might be because we started trekking early.  By the time we got to where the trail cuts through Utica and La Salle, the presence of people picked up.

“Hey, that was you on TV wasn’t it?” asked one elderly man who stopped and dismounted his bike.

Fishermen and fisherwomen began to dot the edge of the canal, some successfully reeling in fish, mostly bass.

Kamlesh, a 59 year old, successful Gujarati businessman in the area decided to join us and even arranged rooms for our night-time stay at the Tow-Rest Motel.  But, before sleep, I was invited to the proprietors’ home for kirtan and a message from the Gita, chapter 8, verse 6, about preparation for positive thoughts at the moment of death.  This is what we dwelt on.

It was a glorious day, but I’m sad to see the trail leave us.

May the Source be with you!

21 miles

Wednesday, June 29th, 2016

Wednesday, June 29^th, 2016

Vancouver / Chicago

The Persons on Either Side

My days of duty are done.  This means the visitations to two devotional communities in British Columbia, to provide encouragement, are now terminated and I’m going back to the road in America.  The flight to Chicago was the dream-time for the return to the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail.  I had a person on either side of me on the plane, reminding me of my duty and place.

First of all a young Austrailian chap did a browse on his iPhone.  I caught a glance of a picture of himself with soccer teamsters.  From this glance I knew he was an athlete-of-sorts so, when it came time for him to excuse himself to use the facilities, I suggested, “You’re a sportsman. Why not climb over me?”  I witnessed this act, performed by another athlete, a tri-marathoner from New Zealand.  At that time he was in the window seat when he leapt over me with ease.

Of course, Pat, the middle-aged, sweet lady had to step out into the aisle-- with grace.  Our soccer player could in no way leap over two of us.

Pat is from Davenport, Iowa, as she introduced herself.  The place of her residence struck a chord when she mentioned it.

“Davenport!  Oh yes!  That’s where I’ll be walking.  I’m doing this trek to San Francisco.”

A conversation ensued.  And when our soccer friend returned, he too was drawn to the details of the walking mission.

“20 miles.  Slowing down.  Getting more in touch with ourselves.  It’s a work-out, and a work-in!”

I felt like I had two more people rooting for me at the end of the conversation, as the plane descended and landed.

And then there was something I reminded myself of.

“Return the favour and root for the other person(s) as a reciprocation.”

All need encouragement!

May the Source be with you!

0 km / 0 mi

Tuesday, June 28th, 2016

Tuesday, June 28^th, 2016

Venables Valley, B.C.

The Body

“These bodies are embarrassing,” I said to these young guys, Jacob, Hari and Nikunja.  It was hard to sell, their average age being 10 and trying to convince them of this concept.  It sounded foreign to them when I made the statement as they sat, restful, for a moment on the couch across the room from me.

“Alright then, how about you wake up in the morning and you have white things in the corners of your eyes, you’re groggy and your hair is all over the place?  Isn’t it embarrassing?”

That didn’t seem to register with them.

“How about when you have to deal with the call of nature?  Isn’t that embarrassing, during the process?”

Hari shrugged his shoulders.  Jacob nodded.  Nikunja was just blank.  Maybe they didn’t understand the phrase.

“How about when you pass gas?”

Now the responses came.  Smiles.  Laughter.

“Don’t you find that embarrassing?”  This clicked.

“Now, wouldn’t it be nice to not have a body, but to be liberated?”

That, they also had to think about.  In any event, we agreed to join other residents for a swim in Venables Lake.  That, the body will like.  So there we swam, amidst the birds known as coots.

One thing that the body doesn’t like is getting bit by a rattle snake.  One of our women accidentally stepped on one here in the village of Saranagati.  Her name is Mahatma and she was rushed to the hospital, immediately.  Rattlesnakes reside in the valley, but this was the first time ever that one of the villagers got stung.

As long as you have a body you will be stung by something.  I wish Mahatma well.

May the Source be with you!

1 km of swimming