Sunday, November 28, 2021

Sudbury, Ontario

Today

While my host Damodara, and his student occupants, took that extra Sunday morning rest, I snuck out for a quiet stroll. The sun hadn’t yet risen so “all is calm and all is (not yet) bright.” It was really soothing to know that I can walk for two minutes and I’m on a stretch of the longest recreational, multi-use trail in the world. The signage, which I’m so familiar with since seeing it from my first marathon pilgrimage in 1996, was like meeting an old friend. The trail is 24, 000 kilometers long and is referred to as the Great Trail. This morning the signage took me along not only Lake Ramsey, but also a zig-zag of a walk through the older part of the downtown.

At one point I thought I was the only pedestrian but then, near the old train station, an oncoming walker, much bigger than myself, came right towards me and momentarily put a few shivers up my spine, especially when he extended his arm. It actually is the crazy part of town. He ended up just placing his right hand for a quick stroke along my left arm, giving a warm “How’s it going?” According to the boys back at the house, the gesture is common enough in this town. “Neighbourliness” is what you might call it.

One family that moved-in to the area from Saskatoon, whom I once visited there, are here now and they came to the house to get reacquainted. They were somewhat keen to have their young, shy son and daughter meet a monk in living flesh. Usually, a high five is the technique that breaks the ice with them. Also, I engaged in some Zoom-ing, which included a sibling reunion on the occasion of my sister Rose Ann’s birthday. As usual, we talk silly on such a calls. We’re human right?

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Sudbury, Ontario

Walking a Bit of the Past

There are places in Sudbury I just had to revisit as part of my personal “memory lane.” First of all Ramsey Lake, a sixty-five feet deep and eight kilometre-long body of water within the city limits; a place I would gravitate to fourty-nine years ago.

Damodara, my host in the city, drove a few of us to Cambrian College, where I attended as a fine arts student. Two boys accompanying us are current students in the computer science field. The campus has expanded since my time.

Finally, I just had to set my feet at the downtown corner where Bonimart used to stand. It was here that I met five Krishna monks. Ayodya Pati (now with the name B.B. Govinda Swami), Visvakarma, Drupada, Dustadura, and Satyahit were those fine, young devotees who first treated me to Krishna. They were chanting at that corner on a wintry night near Christmas. I could see they were very determined, swaying in the cold playing drums and hand cymbals. I received a hardbound Bhagavad-gita for five dollars. I invited them to stay in my apartment overnight. Those few hours with them changed my life forever.

Now, our evening was spent at Damodara’s home with a dozen students from India, all of whom want to start a new life here. They wanted to hear about my “Tales from Trails,” so that is what I delivered.

My message to them was “study hard, work with attention to detail, settle down and keep Krishna in the centre.”

May the Source be with you!

 

5 km

Friday, November 26, 2021

Sudbury, Ontario

Back Where It Started

This is where it all began for me. My seed for bhakti was planted on Yonge St., in Toronto, and Victoria, B.C., where I had brief encounters with Krishna monks. However, it was here in this town, Sudbury, the nickel capital of the world, where my actual practice of devotion began. That’s why I’m excited to be back. To arrive here hits some sentimental nerves. It pushes emotional buttons. I met devotees during Christmas in 1972.

First of all, I really like the airport. If I say, it’s an incredible edifice. I’m being facetious, if not sarcastic. It’s the size of a chicken-coop, a shack. You’re in. you’re out. I like that.

When I came out, I was greeted by northern enthusiasts. “Northern” because they were standing in snow, but the term could be misleading. The eight or so young, bright men all migrated here or are on visas, having come from steamy India. Trained by one of our boys from Toronto, initially, Dharshan, the sweet souls raised their arms and gave out a boisterous “Haribol!” which means “chant the name of God.”

Locals who were also standing about waiting for their arrivals were entertained by the boys’ reaction. I feel I’ll have a good time here.

On a grave note, I wanted to mention that during the earlier part of the day I attended the cremation event for our dear Madhurya Lila, who gloriously left this world with loving family and friends around her. The Brampton community will miss her very much; an example of a fine devotee and human being.

May the Source be with you!

 

 

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Toronto General, Toronto

Take Care Vaishnava

I trekked in the rain to see our beloved Vaishnava Prabhu at the Toronto General Hospital. His heart is not in the best condition and so he deserved a visit. Being in the CIUC is a very protected and secure division of the hospital, which is number one in the country and one of the best in the world for cardio challenges. Visitation is quite restricted so I was lucky, as the priest, to come in. Vaishnava’s family comes daily. His wife, Janaki, brings tasty prasadam from home, blessed by Krishna. Hospital food is rather bland.

Our man, Vaishnava, is one of our heroes. Born in South Africa, he migrated to Canada in the late ‘80s and, along with his family of five, they took up Krishna Consciousness so well. They got serious about running the Sunday School, and then opened an Iskcon branch in nearby Brampton, starting a school there.

He is in a stable condition and is in good spirits. It is an obligation and natural motivation to come and give some moral support to persons like Vaishnava, who is a great family and community person.

We know from the Bhagavat philosophy that we are not these bodies, yet, at the same time, we must take care for what God has given to us in the way of a physical body, which serves the Supreme and fellow human beings. To the best of our ability, we should demonstrate conscious care of both body and soul together. Take care, Vaishnava.

May the Source be with you!

6 km