Friday, April 29, 2022

Mississauga, Ontario

Like Minded People

Jason is the latest friend I made. The strategy to making friends is simple: sit at the park bench along the trail where pedestrians stroll. What stops some people is the monk’s attire. It’s different.

Jason stopped and we started talking. I believe the conversation began with chatting about the weather. From there the dialogue included walking on a marathon level. I told him it was a half a century since I took up monastic life. He was impressed. Later on in the evening he sent a text message saying how he enjoyed the encounter. It was on the basis of a mantra card with my contact on it that he was encouraged to follow up.

The evening had me meet with old friends in the household of Gunam, from South India. The people he invited were family and friends, and, through a Zoom call with other groups from Hamilton, Welland, Barrie and Philly, we discussed verse 18.72 from the Gita.

In this verse, Krishna demonstrates His kind and caring nature. Said one of the attendees, Dharma, “Krishna offers independence and doesn’t force love.” He went on saying that in this portion of the Gita, Krishna more or less rounds up the dialogue with questions. “Have you heard me? Are your illusions dispelled? Now that you’ve heard, you can do as you like, Arjuna.”

We also spoke about what real wealth is. It has little to do with having a Swiss bank account, and more to do with spiritual cultivation and making spiritual buddies; cherishing that kind of sangha, circle of bhakti, in the form of like-minded people.

May the Source be with you!

 

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Death and the Dog

The sun and the green of the park drew me to take those few steps to a bench of contemplation. The dog park just behind me has been a location of spriteful activities, for a good twenty-five years now, for pets and owners. Those frisky canines are so much loved by their masters. I pondered on the point, wondering if the masters reserve any affection for the greatest of masters.

While I see an explosive exhibition of life at that haven for animals, I did dwell a bit on the theme of death. On my walking travels, I’ve seen the display of death, with the most common incident being roadkill. Most wildlife can’t stand a chance when crossing our roadway systems. For instance, the other day I spotted a beaver who came from High Park and just abruptly expired from a traffic bully on Gardiner Expressway. Sad.

In the Bhagavatam, verse 11.10.20, from today’s morning session at the ashram, we read, “Death is not at all pleasing.” For pet owners, a dog’s life span only goes for 10 to 13 years in most cases. It can be devastating for dog lovers. That’s why, I say, if people can at the same time offer affection to God, then the emotions become somewhat tempered. You have something to fall back on as He will always be there for you in affection.

One way to look at the practical relationship with Krishna is that we are His dog, as He is our master.

May the Source be with you!

 

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Brampton, Ontario

A powerful Virtue

I am improving day by day in the right knee area. I can’t wait to walk without assistance of crutch or cane. That is already achieved, basically, but walking to me means mileage. The day will come when I can put in a modest four or five kilometres. Only patience is required.

Gandhi said once if you lose patience, you lose the battle.

Patience is that special virtue. When applied, a healing takes place in the case of illness. When applied, your pay check will come, but you work first. And, in the case of a couple wanting a baby, patience spells out nine moths of waiting.

Today I visited my dentist and, in order for my teeth cleaning to take place, I was asked at the clinic to take a seat. I simply had to wait my turn. The assistant and I had a look at photos of a chipped tooth. Well, the dental clinic wasn’t prepared to fix the problem right then and there. A second appointment needed to be booked for the tooth repair.

Like anyone else I would like to have a pronto repair job done, but the world doesn’t work that way. It calls once again for patience. A pedestrian is patient to reach the destination.

As a neophyte monk who had just joined in ’73, I was under the impression that I would be self-realized in a few months. After a few months expired, things were the same, or let’s say a gradual momentum was building up. Things take time. Krishna says, “I am time.”

May the source be with you!