Thursday, March 1st, 2018

Columbus, Ohio

A Liquid Liquor-Free Fun Day

From Toronto, I flew to Detroit, and then Cleveland, before being driven to Columbus by good friend, Avadhut.  The drive was pleasant because of the smooth hills of Ohio.  Nice scenery!  The weather was a drencher.  Early spring.  We hope.

I arrived at the Columbus ISKCON centre in time to browse at the new site of Hare Krishnaland for ISKCON Greater Columbus.  Nice property.  Good neighbours.  That’s a $10 million project up and going, starting with drawing the lines for the architectural blueprints.

The Mother Centre, located on 8^th Avenue, was the venue for the Gaura Purnima Fest.  The event entailed a ritual called abhishek, with one interruption—my talk.  The verse I spoke about from Canto 11.5.32 of the Bhagavatam, tells us of the golden avatar, Sri Chaitanya, who was born in 1486, in West Bengal, and how he introduced mantra-murti, God in sound representation.  He bonded with people, and was extremely inclusive of having everyone join in this unique spiritual expression of emitting sound. 

Back to the event, Djembes (West African Drums) were used.  There were enough Afro-Americans in the sound to put out the rhythm that excites.  The prasadam was simply amazing.  https://instagram.com/p/Bf28Q6xFDXE/

It is always like that.  The magic of Sri Chaitanya unfolds every year on this day, wherever you are.

May the Source be with you!

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Wednesday, February 28th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

The Eve Before the Gaura Morn

Globally, members of the bhakti yoga tradition are warming up for the following day’s full moon, when the birthday of a great personality will be honoured.  His name is Sri Chaitanya and He has popularized the kirtan movement which entails drumming, dancing and, most of all, chanting.  It also may include walking because the practice of kirtan is not static but ecstatic.

The mrdunga drums of the Bengals—east and west—were custom-made of earth or terra cotta.  Being that they are light-weight, one can move with them, even dance with them strapped about the torso.  Jajas, often referred to as whompers, are cap-shaped, brass-based cymbals that accompany the mrdunga.  There were no harmoniums at the time of kirtan’s heyday.  The harmonium was born in Germany in the 1800s, two hundred years after Chaitanya’s initiation of sharing kirtan.  Harmoniums would also be too awkward and heavy to carry around during a kirtan’s dance/chant sessions.

After a good day of careful travel planning, but no walking—unfortunately—and spending time with journalist Kevin Connors of the Toronto Sun newspaper, I took a glance, as I had the chance, to see from above, via the balcony, the Wednesday crew chanting below.  They did not dance and a harmonium was used, but they did chant and that is the most important component of kirtan.   https://instagram.com/p/BfyFRw4F6Ru/

Let us refer to the term sankirtan which means group participation in chanting.  It is awesome.

May the Source be with you!

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Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

Brampton, Ontario

Teeth and Legs

Whenever I go to the dental clinic, I bring with me a bag of goodies.  Today, it was just apples and oranges meant for the dental staff.  The large produce market wasn’t yet open, so I settled for what the local convenience store had to offer.  The lady in front of me, by the purchase counter, took forever.  Her legs were shaking from some condition.  I felt for her, and even more so when I saw her pulling out card after card to check for a lottery win.  It went on.

Anyway, I got my apples and oranges.  The staff were pleased, including Naomi.  She was my dental cleaner for the day.  She asked, “Are you a Hindu…?”  She didn’t know what to say.  I spared her with, “I’m a monk, a Hare Krishna monk.”

“Oh, I’ve been to your festival on the Island (referring to the Toronto Island, and Ratha Yatra).  I love it.  All that singing and dancing.”

“Did you just happen to be there and bump into us?” I asked.

“No, I went specifically to experience it.”

Naomi also told me she’s done three walks involving traveling the entire length of Queen Street, Bloor Street and Yonge Street, from Newmarket to the Lake (Ontario).  These are, of course, actual marathon-length walks.  She did admit to fear of dogs in more remote countryside places.

“Do dogs bother you?” she asked.

“Not much, but mosquitoes, they are something else.”

She also shared her love for George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” and how it just raises your spirit.

May the Source be with you!

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