Friday, June 24, 2022

Burnaby, British Columbia

Sage the Earth

Congratulations to Bhakta Michael who accepted diksha initiation. What a fine person he is! A gourmet chef and caterer, he is also a good devotee. His Sanskrit name now is Mukunda Madhava.

Offering initiation to Mukunda Madhava is one of my reasons for coming to Vancouver. I’m also here to participate in an event called “Sage the Earth.” I just finished a poem on the topic.

 

Sage the Earth

 

She goes by the Vedic name Bhumi

And is worshipped by many a sage and muni

Sometimes she’s described as a sacred cow or calf

A sentient being who can sob and laugh

 

We are speaking of none other than this planet, the giver

Our sustainer, our mother, and deliverer

She favours a massage with our walking on her surface

Her glories are told in folklore verses

 

Indeed, Mother Earth is loved but she has been ravaged

We act upon her as though we are savage

But she is tender and very fragile

Deserving attention and a break from the hostile

 

It is sensitivity that we must awaken

To the spill of the rubbish, she has taken

We must own up to our deviation

And, hence, offer our practical protection

 

May the Source be with you!

 

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Saranagati, British Columbia

Back to the Valley

Vallabha Hari flew in, as did I, to attend the “Sage the Planet” event, in the role of master of ceremonies. He arrived last night from Toronto, but this morning an idea came to his head of tagging along with the Walking Monk on a five-hour drive from Vancouver to destination spot Saranagati. Vallabha heard about this unique bhakti village, with a population of 75, in the quaint atmosphere of the mountainous boreal forest.

“Sure, come along,” I said.

Lilananda, maintenance man from ISKCON Burnaby, became our driver. Along the way, I noticed many physical changes since the last time I came through, which was either by foot or by wheels. Although scenic, much of the area was ravaged by forest fires and last fall’s floodings. In Abbotsford, there are dynamic remains of landslides. One town, Lytton, burnt right down to the ground. And from my last walk on Highway One, I could see that some businesses went into decline, with motels, restaurants and fruit stands overtaken by the natural world, such as trees and grasses, obscuring human endeavour.

When our party arrived at Venables Valley, I saw a space of rich green like never before. Rain had been pouring quite consistently. The afternoon and evening at Radha Krishna and Damodar’s were a reunion with all the devotees. So much love. After two and a half years we walked together, chanted, hugged, ate, and did some poetry reading. I’m sure Vallabha Hari had no regrets about coming.

 May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Vancouver, British Columbia

Down on Marine Drive

By evening I was able to reflect on the day’s affairs as I strolled down on Marine Drive. It was past the sun’s setting. The air was cool; good for contemplation. I’ll add that overall, it is the coolest spring (and now the dawn of summer) that I’ve ever experienced.

A five-hour flight from Toronto and a three-hour time-zone change threw the biological clock a slight bit off course. I settled down in a room by the ISKCON facility, visited Govinda’s Restaurant for physical and spiritual nourishment, followed by a cat nap and then off to Devender’s. He has this quiet townhome in east Surrey where his family and I engaged in kirtan.

Three kids, two girls and a young son, Saket (2), are all adorable. We chanted and I listened. Devender asked what my thoughts were on whether he should go back with his family to India. “My parents are there. Here in the west, it is so materialistic.” He wanted my opinion. And to add – his folks are coming for a visit soon.

I suggested that he make his own decision, but that it would be nice if he got “fixed up,” as we say, here in Canada in his Krishna Consciousness, and share it with neighbours, friends, and fellow Vancouverites. That would gain, for him, some mercy from Krishna and our guru Prabhupada.

He appreciated the recommendation, which I was happy to hear.

May the Source be with you!

3 km