Thursday, January 29th, 2009

LBI, Guyana

One of the world’s longest floating bridges, set over the Demerara River, was out-of-bounds for pedestrians due to repairs on the walkway. Somehow, with a monk’s humble persuasion, passage was granted for Rupa and myself. It was 5:30AM. Rain was pouring. Drenched we were as we took that mile long rickety bridge. Waters below are known for the presence of electric eels, in the rivers incredible depth and speed. We felt on cloud nine because all traffic was stopped at the time we trekked the bridge. We had it all to ourselves. Now we hit land at Vreed-en-Hoop. Torrential rain persisted.

Noontime was spent at the busy market square. People know us as the “Haribols” which has become a common salutation. Shopkeepers and purchasers were eager to receive our hand bills promoting Padayatra. I found the butchers there with flesh pieces dangling to be exceptionally receptive. Some folks read the center page of Kaieteur News captioned “Walking Monk on Guyana Journey”. My objective here, of course, is to promote the spiritual culture of India – a culture that offers something for all. I am merely a humble servant and tiny component of the ancient mantra culture. If a little attention comes my way, it is then an opportunity to speak on behalf of the tradition.

The evening stage event was held at Ramkisson Lumber Yard. The business had been converted for one day into a spiritual oasis. A Trinidadian, Rajarsi, delivered an impactful message on Krishna Consciousness and Ajamila, a Bengali by birth, led a passionate chant. The last two evenings I engaged twelve young men in the drama, “The Gita” presented tonight. Good stuff boys! You looked good. The grand finale was chanting and drumming. Our venue had become a place of sweat, sweat, sweat.

No rum! No vodka! No meat, fish, or eggs would dare show their face at this festival. It’s just good, clean fun.

10 Km

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

Mon Repos, Guyana

Guyana boasts making the best rums in the world packaged as El Dorado. A beverage like this couldn’t entice Rupa (my traveling partner again) and I even on the steamiest of days. When we trekked near the massive distillery a worker invited us past the security and into the lobby for a stretch-the-leg-and-take-it-easy-break. We were moved by their hospitality and the soft drinks that were cold and pleasing.

We also hear that Guyana has some of the best gold deposits in the world. It has its best and worst. So what’s worse? Rupa and I did encounter the meanest ants, perhaps the nastiest the globe has to offer. A few mere seconds of mistakenly standing on one of their hills hidden by foliage gave me the experience of a lifetime. Rupa also had an incredible “ouch” session as the pesky things crawled up his legs. Despite dealing with the unknown on ground level my feet begged for comfort so I submitted to a barefoot stretch while carefully watching each step.

As we made our way en-route towards the airport, Rupa and I made it a point to distribute flyers as we met folks in transit to work or school. It seems the whole country is “abuzz” on the Padayatra festival. The numbers increase each night as national television and various media outlets inform the public of the foot-and-song festival. I took the liberty to parade marshal the procession. Many participants are habituated to spontaneous performance but I’ll beg to differ on this approach and go for order, focus, and some regimentation. I believe our guru, Srila Prabhupada, favours a much more melodious and structured approach.

28 Km walking / 6 Km in procession

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Lusignan, Guyana

Just east of Georgetown is the town of Lusignaan where the second night of padayatra was staged. Many people along the processional route expressed that they recall similar events in the late eighties when the first Krishna pioneers of Guyana such as Bhutadi, Agrani, Paramatma, and others hosted this main event. What made tonight’s event major was the attendance of prominent local Hindu pundits as well as the country’s acting president, the Honourable Samuel Hind. I particularly liked one pandit’s definition of ego. Pandit Prakash saw it as an acronym to “Edging God Out”. Honourable Hind recognized the work of organizers for their effort to thrust the notion of peace in a world of social disturbance.

The second day of padayatra had increased in size and vibrancy. Response were good as was my early morning walk with Rupa eastbound on the main highway. We are talking about simple sweet folks here who are not burdened with many of the distractions of the developed world. People are so quick to wave a hand and make the address, “Ram Ram” or “Sita Ram” or “Haribol”. Black folks express these terms as do Hindus.

Spirituality is very doable in this country of limited population (700,000) and where soft-heartedness is prevalent. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they like seeing their swamis out and about. In any event, piety is a feature of this north shore South American land. They turn up for an event on a Tuesday night which promotes walking for spirituality sake. I’m pleased.

20 Km

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Buxton, Guyana

It was in Buxton a year ago today that racial tension struck hard in this small bedroom community of Georgetown. The army was forced to step in to resolve a merciless shooting of children in their sleep. Things have relaxed somewhat since then. It was only appropriate that the Padayatra (festival on foot) was initiated today and under the theme of peace and unity. The response was generally favourable.

As a classy shaped cart was pulled by foot-festival-participants, people came out onto their balconies to view. It was not exactly like balconies of the aristocracy. Rather, many homes are built on stilts. The homes are the balconies. Some folks actually came to the roadside to receive some small token of sweets. It was not just humans that expressed excitement. Cows, horses, goats, and pigs picked up on the resonating sounds of drums, cymbals, and chants. In that sense humans and the fury domesticates share space quite closely in Guyana.

A portion of our route occupied one lane of the two-lane coastal highway. Exposure of the exotic cart was great as it enshrined the glowing images of Caitanya and Nitai, two revered visionaries of medieval India who demonstrated no differences as to one’s ancestral background. In other words, their message of goodwill, bhakti – the devotional path, was an open door pathway for all. In addition to the Padayatra program, Rupa from New York and I tackled 20 kilometres on foot headed east of Georgetown. It is the third country that I’m fixed to walk across after Canada and Ireland. My dream is to roam the globe.

20km

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Georgetown, Guyana

In metaphorical fashion, the book “Light of the Bhagavats”, by author Srila Prabhupada, likens lost souls to the thundering clouds. To quote, “The forgetful living entities, individually and collectively, make sounds like thundering clouds: “I am this”, “It is ours”, or “It is mine.”
In a similar way, the forceful Guyanese sea breeze whipped its way across the flat coast as if to say, “I’m here”, “I’m strong”, “I can move things”. All night the wind made his presence known through sound and touch. He crept through my window at the house of host Haresh and Dolly, just a two minute walk to the Atlantic sea wall constructed first by the British and Dutch in the mid 19th century.

Haresh, Radha Gopinath from Toronto, and Rupa from New York, accompanied me on a westbound trek by the sea wall from Haresh’s home to the Pegasus Hotel. We had taken in the breeze, the sun, and the humidity. As early as 6AM, people are already lined up to relax, or snack, or fish, or to do puja, a Hindu ritual with the use of coconut and flowers. Some men were sitting with bird cages containing their pet song bird. They readied themselves for a competition with each other, a routine Sunday morning practice, betting on whose pet would sing the longest.

My sponsor for the trip to Guyana is an accountant from Canada, Ram Lila, who came to whisk us away by vehicle for an abhishek, a liquid ritual for the sacred images of Caitanya and Nityananda, two stalwart foot travelers from the medieval times of India. I spoke on the significance of Padayatra, a celebration for pedestrians who sing, dance, and drum in rhythmic fashion, before an enthusiastic community who would participate in a village to village foot journey celebrating the joy of the soul for the coming walk.

A trip over the Demerara River by way of a crude bridge to Crane, a town with a second community, was looking forward to tomorrow’s padayatra. Our small crew savoured the local cuisine of dahl puri, split pea soup, and fresh locally matured fruit.
The inhabitants in the land of plenty water, Guyana, are of two major descents – those of the Africa and India. Both groups generally respond well to outdoor events to do with any beat in the heat. Personally, I can’t wait.

12km

January 26, 2009

PADAYATRA IN GUYANA

The devotees of ISKCON Guyana have restart Padayatra on Monday, January 26th, 2009. Padayatra was first launched in Guyana by His Holiness Agrani Swami in 1989 from the easternmost Village of Crabwood Creek, near the Suriname border, with a five mile walk daily followed by massive evening sankirtan and other Krishna consciousness presentations. That segment covered 200 kilometres along the main coastline where most of the population is concentrated. There was then a break for several years. In the mid nineties Padayatra again continued for another 50 kilometres on the West Coast of Demerara when World Padayatra Minister, His Holiness Lokanath Swami, graced the festival.

This third segment of Padayatra is scheduled for one week from January 26—February 01 and the walk will be for about 40 kilometres through the most populated villages leading to the Capital City of Georgetown. A new aluminum fabricated Padayatra cart and two huge tents were imported from Canada for the occasion, and the Deities of Nitai Gaurasundara were brought from Mayapur last month; all through the kind courtesy of Ram-lila das, a disciple of His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami.

His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami and Ajamil Prabhu arrived over the weekend and several live appearances on television and press conferences were scheduled over the weekend, prior to the big event on Monday. There has been wide media publicity of the event and devotees are on television daily promoting the festival and sensitizing the public. Hundreds of local devotees will participate and a contingent of devotees from neighbouring Suriname and Trinidad will join. Everyone is excited and upbeat in anticipation of the festival and support from the local villagers and government officials is overwhelming—people are spontaneously coming forward to offer assistance and make contributions.

Guyana is the only English speaking country located on the north eastern shoulder of South America, having an area of 215,000 square kilometers and has a relatively small population of only three-quarters of a million. Located between latitudes 1 and 9 degrees, the country enjoys yearlong mild climate, with a mean temperature of 27.5 degrees Centigrade. Fifty-five percent of the population is Indians, 40 percent Africans and the remainder, mixed races. More than 90 percent of the topography is covered with tropical rain forest and the country is more agriculture based.

ISKCON is well received and very popular countrywide and has cordial relations with the government. There are three main Temples, one in each county, and a thriving preaching centre near the only University. The installed Deities here are: Sri Sri Radha Gokula Chandra located at New Kulinagram, Berbice, and Sri Sri Nitai Caitanya Chandra located at Gaura Nitai Ashirvaad Mandir on the West Coast of Demerara. For further information please e-mail Paramatma das: paramsdg@yahoo.com

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Toronto, Ontario

I have mentioned it before that a monk should be out and about. There are many reasons for this. Especially where there is foot traffic new friends are made and old acquaintances connect again. Coming around the corner at Spadina and Bloor headed for the gym was Jivan Mukta, a man who takes pride in his family, and former monk whom I used to share my devotions with. I hadn’t really seen him for some time and years had lapsed since he pulled up stakes to leave the city for the better small town life. Well, he’s back in the city with clan and ventures by the temple from time to time.

It was god to converse, although brief. After an amiable talk I pondered on how well arranged is the Vedic system. What I mean by that is when one is young and learning responsibility one obtains the benefit of happy restraint as a brahmacari, celibate monk. At the mature time one fixes himself or herself in married life with blessings from all. After journeying through the role as spouse and parent one may lean again towards the simple life of monk hood. I’m speaking about the maturing years. One may choose the happy restraint again and concentrate on simple devotion as before. This has been the tradition in India for years.

Had I not set foot on Bloor st. to chant on my beads I would have missed Jivan Mukta, a monk from the past and perhaps a monk for the future.

8 Km

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Toronto, Ontario.

While walking south on Avenue Rd. before the crack of dawn I shouldered “the face of freshness”. My dad used the term “fresh” whenever he would describe winter winds biting the face. It sometimes even stings. Tagged on to the word Fresh I can hear his voice lingering in my mind. “It’s good for you.” This phrase always stuck with me. In applying this toughness, so to speak , I have felt the benefits. The elements can be harsh but once there is psychological acceptance then the harshness becomes soft.

From a newspaper stand the caption’s message was clear. The new US president Barak Obama was quoted saying that there will be a new era of responsibility. With all the recent enthusiasm over the new leader I believe some of the public cheerleaders are hoping the new chief can solve all the problems. But this isn’t so. Sometimes a candidate for accepting a guru is motivated in a self-centered way thinking, “if I have a guru he/she will relieve me of all my problems, financial, relationship difficulties will dissolve.” This isn’t so. The guru or leader encourages responsibility supplying the inspiration to carry on despite the challenges of the world.

One of our monks in the ashram is encountering some depression. I and others have encouraged him to surf on the wave of hope, to go for those brisk walks, do some pranayam (breathing exercises), take cool showers and above all to let the mantras heal him. We cannot “do for him”, but advise. He must take some initiative and ride on the momentum we, his friends, can supply.

He responded well to the evening walk in the chill ,which I accompanied him on.

8 Km

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Houston, Texas.

I had rushed south-bound on Ella Blvd. to try to reach the morning service aarti at 4:30am. The weather for me is fine, cold for the southerners. Amongst the attendees at our Houston convention was Partha Sarathi, a member of the U.S. Forces in Iraq. Partha, who has a significant number of high action/high motion tales to tell of his experience on the warring fields, has a mere six days to complete his term in the service. Already he is chalking put his plans for the future which entails recruiting human beings for the spiritual path. On a few occasions he mentioned that I was his hero for doing all these marathon walks. I on the other hand, have the greatest respect for him for the encouraging role he has played in boosting the spirits of his fellow fighters during their very difficult times. From the accounts he has given he has turned a lot of soldiers around to becoming people of improved character and giving them something to believe in.

I was equally anxious to bid my farewell to him before he left Houston as I was to attend the 4:30 pm chanting session. We hugged and said our good-byes.

My departing flight from Houston to Charlotte on U.S. airways had me seated right next to a marine. Mike was his name. He was curious about my robes and all affiliated with that. He addressed me as “sir” continuously which is I guess is equivalent to addressing a swami as “Maharaja.

In any event Mike the marine was nice and got really intrigued with long distance walking. I always appreciate monks and soldiers. There is something taming in the training.

10 Km

Sunday, January 18th, 2009

Houston, Texas

I felt quite guilty having been absent from the morning philosophical class. Based on the book Srimad Bhagavatam. I really do enjoy hearing and enjoy delivering a message from this sacred text. Friday morning had been my turn to speak. While I had been reporting about the young boys stage – fright I had been feeling the same fear for many years when offered the chance to speak before peers. No problem in front of a new audience or juniors but for years and years the subtle me inside has encountered major internal avalanches. Or at least tensions rise and things get all knotted up inside.

Somehow I passed the test, spoke from the day’s verse and what was on my mind, (perhaps heart as well) and received so ,many favourable comments afterwards from peers. Even at the age of mid-fifties you may have some hoops to jump. I suggest that you never stop trying to jump. Once you do, you’re dead.

For many of the youths in the drama, “The Witness”, many of them rather young, performing before audience was also “a big deal” . It was that chance to overcome natural fear which can feel like standing naked before the whole world. The effort of the combination of both Houston and Dallas budding artists was highly rewarding.

The story of , “the Witness” is about two walking pilgrims, one young, another old, who end up finding their own truth to self- fulfillment. It was a great pleasure writing the script based on a true story detailed in the Bengali text, “Caitanya Caritamrita” translated into English by our own guru, Srila Prabhupada.

8 Km

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

Houston, Texas

I couldn’t contain myself. I just had to reveal my southern drawl over the mic.
“Y’all get ova hea!”
Tomohara had given me the mic and Asked that I open the meetings with a chant and so to rally the troops of divine leaders the group of forty or so assembled together to do what we much believe in-chanting. We chanted and we danced in a folkish style in three separate circles with space that the Gauranga Hall could accommodate.

After reaching a crescendo we sat down for a sobering session. A presentation regarding the book publishing house BBT and how it’s operation is being threatened. For many years it has been the largest book publisher of vedic philosophy in the world. Further details I will withhold however, I can say that the divine scare brought on quite the discomfort amongst us.

It has become somewhat a given that the walking monk, your humble servant, does not attend all sessions during convention times. I’m occupied some of the time with preparing the drama for a Sunday performance. Whenever assembling one of these plays there are always dramas within the dramas. In our practice with the youth we reached a critical point- our main lead role, Gopal, a diety (icon ) that was to unfreeze as a statue and become an animated dancing boy had to be reconsidered . Yes, it sometimes happens that at the eleventh hour stage fright could consume a player and hence the director (me) must search for an alternative.

The young boy, 9 was not able to come up to his own expectation. By 1 AM we had some alternative ideas but all we met was a bunch of tears from several young actors back stage. What to do? The show must go on!
“Let’s pressure our sincere intent. Sleep on it. Call on Krishna for an answer and an answer will come.”

4 Km

Friday, January 16th, 2009

Huston, Texas

I shared a house with a real gentleman, Tamhohara, who goes by some non-sanskrit name in the secular world. He was formerly a Dean in a Chicago university for several years and since then has turned to fulltime service in the Krishna Consciousness movement. I asked him how he found the transition to which he responded, “the university is superior in organization and there is unlimited facility”.

It has been a common joke amongst peers that if people are somewhat opposed to organized religion then they will like ours. For both Tomohara, the Krishna North American chairperson and myself hope that in the near future that will become a joke of the past.

To the 34th Street I went directly towards Ella Blvd. I came upon a crew of workers on a break sitting outside their workplace. The predominant Hispanic and black guys asked what I’m carrying. I crossed the street happily to answer their question.
“It’s a bag holding meditation beads for chanting, (pause) I guess you guys thought I had a Texas gun in here “ as I pulled out the beads.
“It did cross my mind “, said one fellow. The guys all broke out in a scream of laughter.

In the evening I became acquainted with our local youth to engage them in one of those quick production plays. We sat in a circle.
“We are going to put on a drama called, “The Witness.” It’s a great story of devotion and we will work some long hours tonight and Saturday. Are you guys troupers or party poopers?”
“Troupers!” they responded.
And we got serious.
8 Km