Wednesday, May 4, 2022

To Ottawa, Ontario

Strides of Shanti

It was really good to get out of the city. Actually, it was liberating to get in between the two cities, Toronto and Ottawa, because twixt the two population densities lies the country side; rolling hills, barns, blue skies, etc.

I asked our driver, Mahadeva, as we sailed along on serene Highway 7, “Do you think we could take a break, stop and hit that trail?” I was implying that I get some physio in and walk a stretch of that 22,000-kilometre trail known as “The Great Trail.” And so Mahadeva, partner Anna Purna, and I made a stretch on this appealing trail edged by cedars and swamp, visited by red-winged black birds and set under the most friendly sky.

Since my knee operation four weeks ago, I hadn’t walked with such guts, in relative speed and distance. This is Lanark County, but we felt we were in Oz, down a yellow brick road. Magical moments. The sun was first on our back, and then with an about-face he was on our face.

We were feeling Krishna on our back and on our front. Pacing like this in such a superb environment is the best therapy. I would say it would have been a cardinal sin had we not gone for those strides of shanti, peace.

Anyway, it was time to end the beautiful spell, get on board the van and head for the nation’s capital, only to then be greeted by loving, cheering devotees at 212 Somerset East.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Greektown, Toronto

Krishna is a Guy

Neil is an accomplished sculptor who hails from Ingersoll, Ontario, and is now settled in Toronto, near Greektown. A generous sponsor, Lajput Prasher, commissioned him to sculpt Krishna and Radha out of a massive maple tree trunk for the upcoming Huntsville project.

I had the good fortune to see Neil’s work-in-progress as he’s putting the finishing touches to an 8-foot-tall Krishna. Thus far, Krishna projects a powerful presence. I’m impressed. It’s indeed rare to see a rendering of the Lord, in wood, by a Canadian, on Canadian soil.

I asked Neil if he could just enlarge the eyes a little as well as put a tiny extra smile to His face. Other than that, He looks good. It was my driver, Karuna Sindhu, who was with me and made the observation, “He looks masculine.” That is what we wanted to achieve, so I’m happy that Karuna said that. We desired a handsome Krishna to stand beside a pretty Radha.

I have expressed it before, that Krishna should not be portrayed with feminine features, which is often the case. Many artists come across rendering Him in an overly female fashion. It gets to be very overdone with make-up and fine ornaments. I’ve seen artist portrayals of Shiva and Rama as being “actual men.” I believe Krishna deserves the same treatment. I get a little tired of people asking me, “Who is that woman on the chariot with Arjuna?”

Dear artists, please do justice and fairness in presenting the Supreme.

May the Source be with you!

 

Monday, May 2, 2022

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

The Robin and the Book

Nowadays when you wake up in the morning it is not uncommon to hear one of the sweetest song birds around. Even at 4 am (my general time to roll out of bed) I am greeted by the optimistic feathered friend in the form of the common robin. This most prominent of spring birds flies from tree to tree but also takes quality time on grass or soil, bobbing along, looking for breakfast. This welcoming red-breasted creature is well-equipped for yanking out of the earth the juiciest of worms. I really just wanted to put this guy under the spotlight because, for me, this creature really does, like many birds, bring joy to my life.

One more thing I wanted to bring to the readers’ attention is the launch of the book “The Saffron Path,” written by me, the Walking Monk, which in some respects is the translation of my name, Bhaktimarga Swami. The book is a compilation of walking experiences in the US, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Guyana, Trinidad, Fiji, and Mauritius.

I hope the contents will be pleasing to the reader. I have incorporated the element of adventure, introspection, pilgrimage, and the marathon mood. For me, a highlight is the interaction with people. Lots of pics.

The book is available with Amazon and comes in paperback form and with kindle format soon to come. I want to thank editors Abhidheya (Lynne Murray), Wade Wilson, and Nitai Priya (Jennifer Layne) for the excellent editing. The book is selling on a good discount right now.

May the Source be with you!

https://youtu.be/zEVa7ePCGFw

 

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Stouffville / Hamilton

Two Towns

The Stouffville group is great; very attentive to the message based on verses 8 and 9 of Chapter Five (Bhgavad Gita). The theme established was what is good separation and what is bad separation?

First of all, Krishna addresses, through the channel of sankhya philosophy, that the body must be seen as separate from the self. For instance, He mentions that merely talking, sleeping, breathing, and even evacuating – all actions of the body – are to be perceived as aloof from the person, the soul. Eventually, the individual within the body must see this distinction.

Ultimately, we must draw the line between matter and spirit. Inevitably, we will separate from this matter. This is favourable separation.

The unfavourable separation, which we initially conceived from time immemorial, was the break-away from God. It was indeed a divorce of sorts. Thus yoga, which means a reconnection with the truth, is what we take up in order to unite. Call it a reunion.

I explained to the group that there are nine methods that allow for this reconnection. Of these nine, the first two – introspective hearing and chanting – are what we concentrated on with a group in Hamilton. Oh, and it was so sweet. We ended up feeling so connected to each other through kirtan. This group only gets together monthly, so naturally we feel separation (the good type) from each other. We had three great drummers where we gathered at Monica’s yoga studio.

May the Source be with you!

 

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Old City Hall, Toronto

Wonder the Destiny

The Gita verse for the Windsor group today is a strong endorsement to the principle of the soul’s transmigration. Verse 15.8 describes how the living entity carries different conceptions of life from one body to another, as the air carries aromas. The group found the concept most interesting, on the point that impressions which trigger desire determine one’s subsequent body.

Our Gita chat with Windsor was a stimulating morning session and I believe all mornings should be blessed with some philosophical concepts; even if it be a five-minute contemplation.

The afternoon was spent in the sun and air. To honour those victims of the Ukraine War, local devotees organized a Chant for Peace in front of Old City Hall, an ideal location for getting attention. The prestigious building, the current downtown courthouse, is at the crossroads of bustling Queen and Bay streets.

Leading the chant was Vrkodhar, a native Ukrainian, who has a gift for keeping everyone solid to the mantra, Hare Krishna. He was surrounded by 100 of us chanting in response. There is so much that can be said about yet another useless war, but as most of us know, millions of people are adversely affected, with families displaced and separated, loss of jobs, people fleeing, people hungry.

It is astounding, though, how the world responds, either in aid or in fueling the fire of hate. You have to wonder what will be the destiny of those who instigate and perpetuate hate.

May the Source be with you!