Tues. Nov.20/07 Miami, Florida
It was a long overnight flight to Miami and so walking had it’s limitations due to catching up from the fatigue it imposes. I’m talking of a sleep after participating in the temple’s morning sadhana. Our benevolent doctor friend Hugo Romeu, aka, Murari Gupta treated myself and the few other resident monks to a motor boat ride off of the harbour at Coconut Grove. We were anxious to see the common manatees, sometimes referred to as large sea cows. The younger monks enjoyed a swim in the salty waters. No manatees to be seen. The doctor did warn that occasional sharks have been known to take bites out of people. Usually though sharks find human flesh foul and little is pursued after the first bite. He did mention that he treated shark bite patients. By this time the boys were out of the water and into the boat. It’s a dangerous world.
One of the top stories of the local paper featured an article, “Detroit, the Most dangerous City.” I recall it used to be Miami in terms of crime. In any event the whole planet is rather insane and dangerous.
The day ended in safe territory, the place where people sing and dance, the temple at 3220 Virginia street.
(Flying, boating, dancing).
B L O G S P O T
Friday, 7 December 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sun. Nov.18/07 Buenos Aries, Aregentina
The real star of yesterday’s show at the Montevideo monument was a little urchin boy (about 6 years. old) clad in smudged sweat pants and no top, his face injured by a recent fall or fight. After spending hours mingling in the crowd he helped himself up to the top of the monument’s base and managed to squeeze his body between Bhakti Bhushana Swami and I. There he decided to remain to see what it’s like at the top. Despite hie frivolity he steadfastly kept his ground. Finally after the exuberant kirtan finished he gambled his way to the mic hoping to imitate Ajamaila with an amplified voice. The lengthy kirtan drew us into the night and the show was over but our friend tried to make a last sound. Before disassembling the sound equipment our sound man decided to give the unkept but quiet boy a chance. Our local Mother Superior, Maha Murti, schooled him in a crash course on the popular chant, “Hare Krishna.” He proudly and exclusively delivered the mantra-nothing else. It grabbed the attention of the few remaining stragglers who gave him a cheer and applause. I think it was the greatest moment of the boy’s life.
Today’s venture top the park fueled by local monk, Gunagrahi swami, entailed a three and a half hour chanting session. The park was flooded with craftsmen, musicians and buskers of all kinds. The tango couple were popular but I would see our performance, not far behind in bringing attention, was a show of a different kind.
Reflecting on the day of entertainment from dawn to dusk the robins enjoying spring in Argentina have everyone beat when they send off their melodies at the crack of dawn. When first seeing them on their first day of this trip to Buenos Aries I addressed them while they were perched on trees, “So this is where you guys go in the winter.”
7kms.
The real star of yesterday’s show at the Montevideo monument was a little urchin boy (about 6 years. old) clad in smudged sweat pants and no top, his face injured by a recent fall or fight. After spending hours mingling in the crowd he helped himself up to the top of the monument’s base and managed to squeeze his body between Bhakti Bhushana Swami and I. There he decided to remain to see what it’s like at the top. Despite hie frivolity he steadfastly kept his ground. Finally after the exuberant kirtan finished he gambled his way to the mic hoping to imitate Ajamaila with an amplified voice. The lengthy kirtan drew us into the night and the show was over but our friend tried to make a last sound. Before disassembling the sound equipment our sound man decided to give the unkept but quiet boy a chance. Our local Mother Superior, Maha Murti, schooled him in a crash course on the popular chant, “Hare Krishna.” He proudly and exclusively delivered the mantra-nothing else. It grabbed the attention of the few remaining stragglers who gave him a cheer and applause. I think it was the greatest moment of the boy’s life.
Today’s venture top the park fueled by local monk, Gunagrahi swami, entailed a three and a half hour chanting session. The park was flooded with craftsmen, musicians and buskers of all kinds. The tango couple were popular but I would see our performance, not far behind in bringing attention, was a show of a different kind.
Reflecting on the day of entertainment from dawn to dusk the robins enjoying spring in Argentina have everyone beat when they send off their melodies at the crack of dawn. When first seeing them on their first day of this trip to Buenos Aries I addressed them while they were perched on trees, “So this is where you guys go in the winter.”
7kms.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Sat. Nov.17/07 Buenos Aries, Argentina
This morning I was driven to the park at Plaza Francia to look at our site for performing. I had been informed that this year no stage would be set up so Ii was curios how our production , “The Gita” was going to become a reality. A regal monument of Montevideo was to be our backdrop featuring lion and horse images and historic heroes in stone and bronze looking like Demigods and Apsaras. The base of the monument offered various levels from which to make presentations. That was also attractive as a feature and lent itself to a greater feeling of depth. All in all the set up was favorable.
The Ratha Yatra or Festival of Chariots, a component of the Festival of India rolled along several retail and residential streets with hundreds of participants, chanters, shaking the town. Ajamila, also from Toronto, and I took the lead of chanting during the procession. Both the procession and the play were pulled off very successfully. I was proud of the performers. They worked hard and they deserved the praise they received.
The day ended with explosive kirtan in front of the monument with Gunagrahi and Bhakti Bhushana Swamis, my dear friends, playing congos and kartals respectively.
10kms.
This morning I was driven to the park at Plaza Francia to look at our site for performing. I had been informed that this year no stage would be set up so Ii was curios how our production , “The Gita” was going to become a reality. A regal monument of Montevideo was to be our backdrop featuring lion and horse images and historic heroes in stone and bronze looking like Demigods and Apsaras. The base of the monument offered various levels from which to make presentations. That was also attractive as a feature and lent itself to a greater feeling of depth. All in all the set up was favorable.
The Ratha Yatra or Festival of Chariots, a component of the Festival of India rolled along several retail and residential streets with hundreds of participants, chanters, shaking the town. Ajamila, also from Toronto, and I took the lead of chanting during the procession. Both the procession and the play were pulled off very successfully. I was proud of the performers. They worked hard and they deserved the praise they received.
The day ended with explosive kirtan in front of the monument with Gunagrahi and Bhakti Bhushana Swamis, my dear friends, playing congos and kartals respectively.
10kms.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Thurs. Nov.15/07 Buenos Aries, Argentina
There are favorable breezes in Buenos Aries as I assume the name implies. Myself and several novice monks, young brahmacaris, took to walking with meditation beads in hand on the streets. Eighty street blocks was the distance covered over two hours of fairly attentive chanting. Sidewalks, curbs, and cobblestone streets are uneven so at least reflexology came to us as a natural benefit to the usual lazy feet of the current age. Even for myself accustomed to an average eight hours of trekking during marathons I am experiencing such lazy feet.
My voice and the balance of my entire body is active though. Devotees here insist on my leading the chanting sessions and with that comes innovational dance. The afternoon and evening hours see me directing a drama-“The Gita” in preparation for the weekend’s Festival of India. Fortunately the volunteers numbering twelve amateur but sincere actors shape the play that will hopefully satisfy the outdoor audience at the Plaza Francia. The challenges are plentiful. One volunteer was engaged at his regular job. I haven’t as yet secured an available narrator, an integral part of this thirty minute production. Everything is done in Spanish, so there’s a natural barrier for me. And lastly, one of the female actors at the trail end of our rehearsal was informed that her father was struck with a heart attack. She apologized for her having to bow out. With tears in her eyes and empathy from the cast members we were left with a pleasant hurdle to contribute to a new adventure. Tomorrow would be our last and third day for a crack at practice. We have so little time, the consolation is we have Manyana (tomorrow)!
10 kms.
There are favorable breezes in Buenos Aries as I assume the name implies. Myself and several novice monks, young brahmacaris, took to walking with meditation beads in hand on the streets. Eighty street blocks was the distance covered over two hours of fairly attentive chanting. Sidewalks, curbs, and cobblestone streets are uneven so at least reflexology came to us as a natural benefit to the usual lazy feet of the current age. Even for myself accustomed to an average eight hours of trekking during marathons I am experiencing such lazy feet.
My voice and the balance of my entire body is active though. Devotees here insist on my leading the chanting sessions and with that comes innovational dance. The afternoon and evening hours see me directing a drama-“The Gita” in preparation for the weekend’s Festival of India. Fortunately the volunteers numbering twelve amateur but sincere actors shape the play that will hopefully satisfy the outdoor audience at the Plaza Francia. The challenges are plentiful. One volunteer was engaged at his regular job. I haven’t as yet secured an available narrator, an integral part of this thirty minute production. Everything is done in Spanish, so there’s a natural barrier for me. And lastly, one of the female actors at the trail end of our rehearsal was informed that her father was struck with a heart attack. She apologized for her having to bow out. With tears in her eyes and empathy from the cast members we were left with a pleasant hurdle to contribute to a new adventure. Tomorrow would be our last and third day for a crack at practice. We have so little time, the consolation is we have Manyana (tomorrow)!
10 kms.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wed. Nov.14/07 Buenos Aries, Argentina
By the solar calendar it would be calculated as thirty years since the departure of our beloved teacher, Srila Prabhupada. It is a day of serious contemplation. The most significant part of the hour and a half flight to Buenos Aries from Miami was reading some of our master’s correspondences to his students. It struck a humorous cord when in a letter of the 4th of March, 1973 to one disciple in regards to dressing deities or icons in the temple, and the dressing habits of people. “The more you can decorate the deities soberly and not fanatically, the more you become decorated with all honors. At the present moment, civilized man has forgotten how to decorate, therefore this mini-skirt …..Human being means to be decorated, not naked.” He also one time wrote that we live in a topless-bottomless world. He was expressing that he did not approve of revealing too much flesh. In support of the culture where covering yourself and looking good was in vogue a friend once said, “ I remember the times when people used to dress.”
It was interesting when I cleared at customs and was received warmly by the the local monks. One of them said to me, “ On your flight there is a famous porn star so a lot of people are out here waiting to greet her. When one person saw us (monks) waiting he joked with us…..Are you guys here to see the porn star as well?”
Of course, I had I had to chuckle but inside I wondered if anyone had any interest in the motherly types of women who don’t mind dressing, and dressing not to kill.
The reception at Centro Bhaktivedanta on Andonaequi in Buenos Aries was warm like at any latino grouping of people. The drums resounded and all chanted,” Hare Krishna” before they had me take the lead.
0 kms today and that’s the “plane“ truth.
By the solar calendar it would be calculated as thirty years since the departure of our beloved teacher, Srila Prabhupada. It is a day of serious contemplation. The most significant part of the hour and a half flight to Buenos Aries from Miami was reading some of our master’s correspondences to his students. It struck a humorous cord when in a letter of the 4th of March, 1973 to one disciple in regards to dressing deities or icons in the temple, and the dressing habits of people. “The more you can decorate the deities soberly and not fanatically, the more you become decorated with all honors. At the present moment, civilized man has forgotten how to decorate, therefore this mini-skirt …..Human being means to be decorated, not naked.” He also one time wrote that we live in a topless-bottomless world. He was expressing that he did not approve of revealing too much flesh. In support of the culture where covering yourself and looking good was in vogue a friend once said, “ I remember the times when people used to dress.”
It was interesting when I cleared at customs and was received warmly by the the local monks. One of them said to me, “ On your flight there is a famous porn star so a lot of people are out here waiting to greet her. When one person saw us (monks) waiting he joked with us…..Are you guys here to see the porn star as well?”
Of course, I had I had to chuckle but inside I wondered if anyone had any interest in the motherly types of women who don’t mind dressing, and dressing not to kill.
The reception at Centro Bhaktivedanta on Andonaequi in Buenos Aries was warm like at any latino grouping of people. The drums resounded and all chanted,” Hare Krishna” before they had me take the lead.
0 kms today and that’s the “plane“ truth.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tues. Nov.13/07 Miami Florida
On the flight to Miami the man sitting next to me took some interest in my lifestyle as a person in the renounced order. Although we both wore the same brown crocs our attire was markedly different. While he was clad in regular casual wear I donned my saffron cloth.
“can you pick your own color?” he asked. He commented that he liked the colour. I let him know his comment was appreciated and that this colour was reserved for the single celibate men of our order.
As I deplaned I also reminded myself that this life of self-control along with this specific colour of cloth is something you earn after years of comfortable restrain. I say comfortable because for me it has been thirty-four years of experiencing what Krishna explains in the Gita as the higher taste. Travel, whether it be on foot or on flight with the purpose of touching souls, is a great privilege.
The remainder of the day was spent at the Miami ISKCON Centre at Coconut Grove until it was time in the evening to depart for Buenos Aries. I was happy to see the massive smile of our local legal advocate who is also very much a devotee. Apparently a pending and grueling court case involving the temple terminated into a happy settlement.
Legal battles are ugly and in the current climate of social awares they ciontribute majorly to the stress factor.
Over the years I’ve observed the draining and devastating effects that disputes have brought on. Conflict and disagreement are unfortunate indeed but they are components of this mundane world. If we take shelter of our spirituality then it is possible to survive such a trying world.
6kms.
On the flight to Miami the man sitting next to me took some interest in my lifestyle as a person in the renounced order. Although we both wore the same brown crocs our attire was markedly different. While he was clad in regular casual wear I donned my saffron cloth.
“can you pick your own color?” he asked. He commented that he liked the colour. I let him know his comment was appreciated and that this colour was reserved for the single celibate men of our order.
As I deplaned I also reminded myself that this life of self-control along with this specific colour of cloth is something you earn after years of comfortable restrain. I say comfortable because for me it has been thirty-four years of experiencing what Krishna explains in the Gita as the higher taste. Travel, whether it be on foot or on flight with the purpose of touching souls, is a great privilege.
The remainder of the day was spent at the Miami ISKCON Centre at Coconut Grove until it was time in the evening to depart for Buenos Aries. I was happy to see the massive smile of our local legal advocate who is also very much a devotee. Apparently a pending and grueling court case involving the temple terminated into a happy settlement.
Legal battles are ugly and in the current climate of social awares they ciontribute majorly to the stress factor.
Over the years I’ve observed the draining and devastating effects that disputes have brought on. Conflict and disagreement are unfortunate indeed but they are components of this mundane world. If we take shelter of our spirituality then it is possible to survive such a trying world.
6kms.
Friday, 23 November 2007
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 Winnipeg, Manitoba
I guess I reiterate the case of the robes and how they are so eye-catching. They excite or alert the people who notice them. About three years ago I visited Orlando, Florida and stayed with a monk colleague, Trivikrama Swami, an American who took to monastic life as a Hare Krishna devotee in the late 60's. I ventured off on my own, walking through downtown. As I was nearing the core of the city, I was approached by a young chap who pulled over in his vehicle. He was a photographer, Michael Brown, on assignment for National Geographic covering the side of Mickey Mouse's domain that you never see. Michael asked me if I would be interested in being photographed viewing some of the sites of the city, both good and bad. I agreed and so the following day we roamed around the city for hours in various neighbourhoods with Mike clicking away on his state-of-the-art camera. Between shots we naturally talked about our different lifestyles with mutual respect. The photos never did appear in the National Geographic, but my point is that robes, comprised of dhoti, kurta and chadar, caught this young proffesional's eye, leading to a friendship.
While taking my daily walk in Winnipeg, this time on Portage Avenue again, I met a woman who was thrilled to spot the robes.
"Are you Hare Krishna?" she inquired.
"Yes I am," I replied.
"I have a sister in the movement. Her name is Sanga. And I'm Tracy....."
The robes did it again.
This evening I did a talk and slide show at a venue on Maryland Street. "Pilgrim power" was highlighted. The attendance was skimpy to start off with but eventually the room filled up. My objective was to attempt to mentally take the audience on the road and try to see the world differently.
7 kms
I guess I reiterate the case of the robes and how they are so eye-catching. They excite or alert the people who notice them. About three years ago I visited Orlando, Florida and stayed with a monk colleague, Trivikrama Swami, an American who took to monastic life as a Hare Krishna devotee in the late 60's. I ventured off on my own, walking through downtown. As I was nearing the core of the city, I was approached by a young chap who pulled over in his vehicle. He was a photographer, Michael Brown, on assignment for National Geographic covering the side of Mickey Mouse's domain that you never see. Michael asked me if I would be interested in being photographed viewing some of the sites of the city, both good and bad. I agreed and so the following day we roamed around the city for hours in various neighbourhoods with Mike clicking away on his state-of-the-art camera. Between shots we naturally talked about our different lifestyles with mutual respect. The photos never did appear in the National Geographic, but my point is that robes, comprised of dhoti, kurta and chadar, caught this young proffesional's eye, leading to a friendship.
While taking my daily walk in Winnipeg, this time on Portage Avenue again, I met a woman who was thrilled to spot the robes.
"Are you Hare Krishna?" she inquired.
"Yes I am," I replied.
"I have a sister in the movement. Her name is Sanga. And I'm Tracy....."
The robes did it again.
This evening I did a talk and slide show at a venue on Maryland Street. "Pilgrim power" was highlighted. The attendance was skimpy to start off with but eventually the room filled up. My objective was to attempt to mentally take the audience on the road and try to see the world differently.
7 kms
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Monday, November 5, 2007 Winnipeg, Manitoba
I was walking towards the home of my hosts for tonight's satsang, home program, when I met curious young man at the corner of Sherbrooke and Portage. As I stood there waiting for the light to change, I looked at the figure standing next to me.
"It's cold," said the oriental man.
"Yes, it has suddenly turned into winter here." After nature's dumping of hail-stones the snow flurries came.
"This is the first time I've ever seen snow," he remarked with a child's excitement in his eyes and in his voice.
"Get ready, there's more to come." I had wanted to say in an Al Jolson tone, "You ain't seen nothin' yet," but I didn't think he would understand the style or the word 'ain't.' "What country are you from?"
"Viet Nam," he replied with a smile.
We talked a little more but it was time to part and time to walk. Walking keeps you warm.
It's always the robes that initiate the friendships. Had I been wearing regular civilian clothes, the chance of meeting this fellow were slim. Another gentleman pulled over at McPhillips, got out of his car and offered a ride. That's rare in the city and in the dark. It was the robes.
Finally I reached the home of Varun and Prianka where chanting took prominence during the visit. The small gathering was pleased to pleased to recieve the sadhu (monk) as is customary for East Indian families.
7 kms
I was walking towards the home of my hosts for tonight's satsang, home program, when I met curious young man at the corner of Sherbrooke and Portage. As I stood there waiting for the light to change, I looked at the figure standing next to me.
"It's cold," said the oriental man.
"Yes, it has suddenly turned into winter here." After nature's dumping of hail-stones the snow flurries came.
"This is the first time I've ever seen snow," he remarked with a child's excitement in his eyes and in his voice.
"Get ready, there's more to come." I had wanted to say in an Al Jolson tone, "You ain't seen nothin' yet," but I didn't think he would understand the style or the word 'ain't.' "What country are you from?"
"Viet Nam," he replied with a smile.
We talked a little more but it was time to part and time to walk. Walking keeps you warm.
It's always the robes that initiate the friendships. Had I been wearing regular civilian clothes, the chance of meeting this fellow were slim. Another gentleman pulled over at McPhillips, got out of his car and offered a ride. That's rare in the city and in the dark. It was the robes.
Finally I reached the home of Varun and Prianka where chanting took prominence during the visit. The small gathering was pleased to pleased to recieve the sadhu (monk) as is customary for East Indian families.
7 kms
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Lake Shebandowan, Ontario
Sunday, November 4, 2007 Lake Shebandowan, Ontario
It was the first frost felt since spring. Two associates from our mission: one Vaisnav, a father of four and devoted
to wife, hails from Brampton and the other, Nitai Rama, a monk stationed in Halifax, trekked with me on this brisk
morning along a segment of Highway 11. The sun hadn't yet glanced over treetops and not even one motorist could
claim having witnessed us delayed trick-or-treaters trekking. Yes, we were in our favorite apparel, our robes. Our
purpose for being in this northern resort area where monks rarely tread, was to attend a spiritual retreat. It was
more than a three day relaxation and break from our respective urban regions which included more delegates.
Strategic planning for the coming year was our agenda. The venue here at Lake Shebandowan is a paradise with a
serene waterfront presence at each of the cabins: the moose manor, the wolf den, and eagle roost. So review and
stategize we did.
Nearby in the city of Thunder Bay, Dr. Jani had organized for us a presentation on kirtan, chanting, at the Resting
Frog Yoga Studio in the evening. Approximately forty people turned up for the group chanting session. And chant
they did with utmost enthusiasm.
I opened up the presentation appealing to the group to put aside the misconception that we are the body, rather
we are consciousness. In 2003 in my trek across Canada, Benjamin was my companion for forty-five days. As the
childhood friend of George Harrison's son, I asked him what he recalls about George having visited his home
frequently. The late George Harrison, a bhakti-yoga himself, told the young Benji once, "Just remember one thing-
you are not this body!"
5 kms
It was the first frost felt since spring. Two associates from our mission: one Vaisnav, a father of four and devoted
to wife, hails from Brampton and the other, Nitai Rama, a monk stationed in Halifax, trekked with me on this brisk
morning along a segment of Highway 11. The sun hadn't yet glanced over treetops and not even one motorist could
claim having witnessed us delayed trick-or-treaters trekking. Yes, we were in our favorite apparel, our robes. Our
purpose for being in this northern resort area where monks rarely tread, was to attend a spiritual retreat. It was
more than a three day relaxation and break from our respective urban regions which included more delegates.
Strategic planning for the coming year was our agenda. The venue here at Lake Shebandowan is a paradise with a
serene waterfront presence at each of the cabins: the moose manor, the wolf den, and eagle roost. So review and
stategize we did.
Nearby in the city of Thunder Bay, Dr. Jani had organized for us a presentation on kirtan, chanting, at the Resting
Frog Yoga Studio in the evening. Approximately forty people turned up for the group chanting session. And chant
they did with utmost enthusiasm.
I opened up the presentation appealing to the group to put aside the misconception that we are the body, rather
we are consciousness. In 2003 in my trek across Canada, Benjamin was my companion for forty-five days. As the
childhood friend of George Harrison's son, I asked him what he recalls about George having visited his home
frequently. The late George Harrison, a bhakti-yoga himself, told the young Benji once, "Just remember one thing-
you are not this body!"
5 kms
Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Toronto, Ontario
As I have some managerial responsibilities with our centres across Canada and now including Miami, Florida, it has
me grounded at desk and chair for a portion of the day. Telephone and computer assistance work becomes routine
work in addition to overlooking other administrative affairs.
This evening was a fine time at the Yoga Studio situated near Yonge and Bloor. Thirty enthusiastic spiritual seekers
come to hear about yoga walking and pilgrim power. We spoke about everything from bear wncounters to police
interaction, from foot pain to body exhilaration and from many road challenges to winning them over.
After the talk we all engaged in a fifteen minute session on japa chanting which was followed up by a fine
indulgence in some splendid food, all vegetarian and all blessed. It was meant to be a 2 hour session but everyone
was relishing each others company so much we went way overtime.
10 kms
As I have some managerial responsibilities with our centres across Canada and now including Miami, Florida, it has
me grounded at desk and chair for a portion of the day. Telephone and computer assistance work becomes routine
work in addition to overlooking other administrative affairs.
This evening was a fine time at the Yoga Studio situated near Yonge and Bloor. Thirty enthusiastic spiritual seekers
come to hear about yoga walking and pilgrim power. We spoke about everything from bear wncounters to police
interaction, from foot pain to body exhilaration and from many road challenges to winning them over.
After the talk we all engaged in a fifteen minute session on japa chanting which was followed up by a fine
indulgence in some splendid food, all vegetarian and all blessed. It was meant to be a 2 hour session but everyone
was relishing each others company so much we went way overtime.
10 kms
Windsor, Wallaceburg, Ontario
Monday, October 29, 2007 Windsor, Wallaceburg, Ontario
Windsor is the Canadian counterpart to Detroit as a former stronghold of the automobile manufacturing. Inlike
Detroit it is neat, clean and relatively safe. A so-called productive casino, one of the countries most lucrative (as
I've been told) inserts a strange element to the city. Devadutta was raised here. His father still resides there. As I
have expressed before, I believe that while a monk leads a life of virtual detachment there should be no case for
disposing of humanism altogether. After all in the renouncing order one should feel enough self-confidence and
conviction in one's path spiritually that communion with kith and kin should be no threat. Devadutta's dad is most
supportive of his son's chosen spiritual path. Only if there is acute antagonism lodged against a spiritual seeker
should such association be rejected.
After the drive to Windsor and a warm visit to se his dad, Devadutta drove me to Wallaceburg. It is truly a
father/son day. I'm at the Health Unit or facility for hospital care for my dad who is 88 and dying from lung cancer.
Five siblings have come here to visit a father who is truly virtuous in many ways. As mentioned before my sense of
God-awareness was instilled in me by him so you could say he was my first guru. Just a brief visit for three hours is
not enough to express my thanks.
Devadutta mixed well with my biological family. At his best he is very sociable. I feel closer to him in some respects
being like a spiritual son to me and sharing the same living quarters in our Toronto ashram. He remarked that I have
a good family. In my mind I pondered that he has a good dad. He sure did load us down with juices and fruits for
the trip back home. We arrived at midnight and slept in a bit. It's no sin.
3 kms only
Windsor is the Canadian counterpart to Detroit as a former stronghold of the automobile manufacturing. Inlike
Detroit it is neat, clean and relatively safe. A so-called productive casino, one of the countries most lucrative (as
I've been told) inserts a strange element to the city. Devadutta was raised here. His father still resides there. As I
have expressed before, I believe that while a monk leads a life of virtual detachment there should be no case for
disposing of humanism altogether. After all in the renouncing order one should feel enough self-confidence and
conviction in one's path spiritually that communion with kith and kin should be no threat. Devadutta's dad is most
supportive of his son's chosen spiritual path. Only if there is acute antagonism lodged against a spiritual seeker
should such association be rejected.
After the drive to Windsor and a warm visit to se his dad, Devadutta drove me to Wallaceburg. It is truly a
father/son day. I'm at the Health Unit or facility for hospital care for my dad who is 88 and dying from lung cancer.
Five siblings have come here to visit a father who is truly virtuous in many ways. As mentioned before my sense of
God-awareness was instilled in me by him so you could say he was my first guru. Just a brief visit for three hours is
not enough to express my thanks.
Devadutta mixed well with my biological family. At his best he is very sociable. I feel closer to him in some respects
being like a spiritual son to me and sharing the same living quarters in our Toronto ashram. He remarked that I have
a good family. In my mind I pondered that he has a good dad. He sure did load us down with juices and fruits for
the trip back home. We arrived at midnight and slept in a bit. It's no sin.
3 kms only
Detroit, Michigan
Sunday, October 28, 2007 Detroit, Michigan
Devadutta is a good soul and resides in the Toronto ashram. He has so many good qualities. He is appreciated by everyone except on certain moments. He is sometimes considered the moody monk. He is in good spirits today and has become my driver for a trip to the Motor City, Detroit.
The 401, Canada's busiest busiest highway, is pleasantly quiet on this fine morning while being smooth with only the occasional bump. The midway point from Toronto to Detroit on this thoroughfare is a place called London (population 200,000) Randy, who works at a printing press operation in London, is a practitioner of bhakti yoga and listens to bhajans, sanskrit songs, while at the job all day. He has hosted Devadutta and myself for a brunch of wraps. His walls are adorned with Beatle posters and other introspective-type musicians. Naturally we talked about the positive effects of spiritual music.
By mid-afternoon, Devadutta and I were at our destination, Detroit. I was asked to lead kirtan, the chanting session at the ISKCON Centre, the former home of auto baron Mr. Fisher. A scheduled group of students froma Michigan College came to observe and learn something about the oldest sustainable faith on planet earth, sanatan dharma, or Krishna Consciousness. I had the privilege of speaking on the subject of Vidura, a monk who roamed the subcontinent of India during the time of the Mahabharat. He left the Kaurava palace out of disgust. Personal insult was thrust against him by a selfish nephew, Duryodhana. This is all outlined in the epic, "Mahabharat," and it was my chance to extol the glories of a sadhu or holy man that I so much admire.
P.S. The Detroit community is warm and upbeat.
no kms on foot- lots on wheels
Devadutta is a good soul and resides in the Toronto ashram. He has so many good qualities. He is appreciated by everyone except on certain moments. He is sometimes considered the moody monk. He is in good spirits today and has become my driver for a trip to the Motor City, Detroit.
The 401, Canada's busiest busiest highway, is pleasantly quiet on this fine morning while being smooth with only the occasional bump. The midway point from Toronto to Detroit on this thoroughfare is a place called London (population 200,000) Randy, who works at a printing press operation in London, is a practitioner of bhakti yoga and listens to bhajans, sanskrit songs, while at the job all day. He has hosted Devadutta and myself for a brunch of wraps. His walls are adorned with Beatle posters and other introspective-type musicians. Naturally we talked about the positive effects of spiritual music.
By mid-afternoon, Devadutta and I were at our destination, Detroit. I was asked to lead kirtan, the chanting session at the ISKCON Centre, the former home of auto baron Mr. Fisher. A scheduled group of students froma Michigan College came to observe and learn something about the oldest sustainable faith on planet earth, sanatan dharma, or Krishna Consciousness. I had the privilege of speaking on the subject of Vidura, a monk who roamed the subcontinent of India during the time of the Mahabharat. He left the Kaurava palace out of disgust. Personal insult was thrust against him by a selfish nephew, Duryodhana. This is all outlined in the epic, "Mahabharat," and it was my chance to extol the glories of a sadhu or holy man that I so much admire.
P.S. The Detroit community is warm and upbeat.
no kms on foot- lots on wheels
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)