Monday, October 28th, 2019

Caledon, Ontario

Was Appropriate

It was appropriate to connect with the land, cows, and bulls, and to admire the many rolling hills, because today was Annakuta, also known as Govardhan-Puja: the worship of the hill called Govardhan.  To be more in touch with the imagery mentioned above, Jaya, David and I set out for Vishal’s farm, which is north of the city.

On this most perfect day of autumn warmth, the sun shone upon various Halloween displays at the homes of residents in the Forrest Hill community.  People go all out with elaborate exhibits of ghostliness.  Everyone needs to have something to celebrate.

Beyond the city and Holland Marsh, we came upon Tottenham, and the home of Vishal, Yasomati, and their children, for a meal of absolute delight. Then, we forged ahead to the farm for a puja, or worship of the bovine.  We took diyas (flames made from ghee wicks) and made circular motions around the physical forms of the cows and bulls, who number around a dozen or so.

Kristen, who usually oversees the farm, was absent at the time. However, Joel, who recently arrived from the Waterloo area, was present, and seeing to the chores.

Vishal and I took a meaningful walk along the edge of the sixty-plus-acre farm lot, where plans are set to build a new house on the property. Vishal was speaking like a visionary, regarding the need for a return to the land, animals, and overall, a life of simplicity.  You can’t help but fall in love with those concepts and their application.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NnEMnAYSm/?igshid=8iszvvvudw8m

Back at homebase in Toronto, Govardhana Puja was celebrated in grandiose style.

May the Source be with you! 

1 km 

Sunday, October 27th, 2019

Flamborough, Ontario

Nine More

Our group of six, consisting of Christopher, Jaya, Gnan, Oksana, and David, began the hike along the Bruce Trail from what some people call the “Dundas Peak”. We were initially greeted by fog and early morning darkness. Soon, however, that dissipated. The terrain on the Escarpment Trail was pleasantly smooth, up to a point.

With a generous supply of rain that had descended overnight, rivers and creeks had been replenished, and waterfalls, like the Borer’s Falls, were full.  Colours of foliage were vivid, rich.  We felt blessed.  During our three-and-a-half hours of hiking, rain was staved off.  Leaves spiraled down, creating a blanket of multi colours over the forest floor.

Eventually, our trail became wavy. It was the usual Bruce dynamic of valley and hill.  Wet rocks were slippery.  Fallen leaves added to the ‘slip’, and whatever soil we tread upon was near-mud.  We all did quite good in keeping our balance.  Christopher told me he lost it more than once.  I also went for a grand fall, but with a soft landing.  Much mud ended up on my backside. 

It happened in one ravine, where leaves were coming down like snow.  It reminded me of souls falling from the spiritual realm, and descending to this mundane world.

We have all been there, I thought. With all integrity, we may call on the helpful affirmation that, “I will not fall lower, morally, than I already have.”

After a successful nine kilometres of trail walking, our group made it to Lynden, and the home of godbrother Girijadhava, and his daughter, Krishna Prem.  We were hosted so sweetly.  We all indulged in the meal Giri had drummed up, some kirtan, and talk about Diwali—the “Festival of Lights”. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4LTKYvgzh_/?igshid=u6t7e1ik9n8s

May the Source be with you!

9 km 

Saturday, October 26th, 2019

 Toronto, Ontario

Everyone Must Find Their Fit

Security cameras are being installed in our temple.  It makes a thief think twice about lifting something of monetary value, or otherwise.  Some people have no qualms about taking from a spiritual place.  It is desperation that leads a person to such wrongdoing.  The decision to go the length of drilling into walls and in-laying another set of cables for cameras was made as a pro-active measure. 

While the workmen were going about their business, some of the members of our community were honoring their guru’s birth anniversary with song, praises, and prasadam.  This high-spirited event was followed by “An Evening of Bhakti”, held in the same temple room.  Seventy to eighty people came to participate in a mellow version of kirtan.

About two months ago, I asked Amala Purana, a music teacher by profession, to take the lead with the musical arrangements and be the main person behind the mic.  She has been doing a marvelous job.  It is just the service she has needed.  There is a place for everyone in the area of seva, service. She has found her perfect fit.

In our morning discussion, the topic was brought up that Krishna, with all His wisdom, has designed the world in such a way that everyone has a function and a particular contribution to make.  Krishna’s contemporary, Uddhava, became a noted advisor and counsellor to many of the nobility in the time of Vedic culture. 

This particular point became obvious during the “Bhakti” evening, when our master cook, Dwarkanath, demonstrated his expert culinary skills.  “Try this,” he said, as he poured some coriander coffee from a pitcher. I sipped. It was divine.   

May the Source be with you!

1 km