BHAKTI IS WHAT CONNECTS
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Every day since arriving in this Maritime city there has been interviews with journalist students and radio broadcasters with the university. Not a flood of them mind you, and not prominent outlets but humble and meaningful endeavours by students of Dalhousie University and King's College.
Mandee, for istance, is a yoga teacher and runs a two hour radio show weekly on the subject. She frankly admitted that the term 'yoga' is so much misunderstood. The common public impression is limb stretching on a yoga mat. "It goes much deeper", she explained to me 'off the air', and she asked me to clarify that 'on the air'.
In brief, the Bhagavad-gita, the most authoritative yoga book reaffirms that yga with all its different levels culminates with the principle of bhakti. Bhakti means intense devotion or feeling for the Absolute. Regular yoga practice tends to lightly touch the heart aspect of the yogi.
To put emphasis on bhakti, I conducted another session of "9 Devotions" at Dalhousie University. As an opener, I informed the group of attendees that nine processes or ways to improve your life and allow you to move ahead were the recommendation of a very young person. It is said often that great things come in small packages. Well, here we have a small five year old boy, who conjured up these remarkable methods beginning with attentive listening and clear responding. The boy was actually a prince who's name was Prahlad. The story of his life can be found in the book Srimad Bhagavatam, also known as Bhagavat Purana.
In many respects, the 9 methods of devotion is the target of all yoga practices which have the aim 'to connect' as Mandee, the yoga instructor, puts it.
3 Km
B L O G S P O T
Friday, 27 March 2009
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
MUSICIAN’S INCLINATION
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I explored the city a bit walking North on Robie St. to St. Mary’s University, then a divergence on Spring Garden St. and back to Quinpool. Not a serious distance. A limp can’t be helped from time to time. It’s subtle, but it’s there (I’m diagnosed with osteomyelitis and a doctor friend recently said it could take months before cured).
At bus stands a big ad promoted “Il Divo”, the popular all male operetta group of singers, coming to town. At the bulletin board of St. Mary’s, renowned Cape Breton songstress, Rita McNeil, will perform a concert. Less known, but promising are the up and coming Strange Boys, a bluegrass band doing a circuit in Nova Scotia who also share an interest in spirituality. Dan, Jeff and Adam, members of the band, came to see us in the ashrama loft on Quinpool for a cooking demonstration, followed by eating participation, philosophical inquiry and last but not least, breaking into devotional instruments along with chanting. Dan took a crack at harmonium; Jeff at kartals (hand cymbals) and Adam, at mrdanga drum.
They all did marvelous at their newly-found music.
I was moved by their philosophical questions. Artists have always felt at home with spiritualism. It is not a chore for them to penetrate this field. Consider some of the world’s best music compositions. They have been assembled and performed by spiritually empowered persons.
I am not sure where the Strange Boys will end up musically, but they certainly feel comfortable with Krishna.
6 Km
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I explored the city a bit walking North on Robie St. to St. Mary’s University, then a divergence on Spring Garden St. and back to Quinpool. Not a serious distance. A limp can’t be helped from time to time. It’s subtle, but it’s there (I’m diagnosed with osteomyelitis and a doctor friend recently said it could take months before cured).
At bus stands a big ad promoted “Il Divo”, the popular all male operetta group of singers, coming to town. At the bulletin board of St. Mary’s, renowned Cape Breton songstress, Rita McNeil, will perform a concert. Less known, but promising are the up and coming Strange Boys, a bluegrass band doing a circuit in Nova Scotia who also share an interest in spirituality. Dan, Jeff and Adam, members of the band, came to see us in the ashrama loft on Quinpool for a cooking demonstration, followed by eating participation, philosophical inquiry and last but not least, breaking into devotional instruments along with chanting. Dan took a crack at harmonium; Jeff at kartals (hand cymbals) and Adam, at mrdanga drum.
They all did marvelous at their newly-found music.
I was moved by their philosophical questions. Artists have always felt at home with spiritualism. It is not a chore for them to penetrate this field. Consider some of the world’s best music compositions. They have been assembled and performed by spiritually empowered persons.
I am not sure where the Strange Boys will end up musically, but they certainly feel comfortable with Krishna.
6 Km
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
JEFF THE STAR
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Jeff just amazes me. He let his wandering mind get anchored in higher consciousness just a few short months ago. He’s Canadian born and is a real brahmin in the sense that he conducts good behaviour, thrives on bhakti disciplines, he’s peaceful, reserved, yet speaks when necessary and really cares for people. Recently he took to the culinary arts and is doing splendid. With the assistance of Yamuna’s daring cookbook called “The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking”, Jeff, our new Halifax monk, is churning out great preparations. In the evening with time he set aside for himself, he meticulously jotted down recipe details in his personal notebook.
To verify his natural brahminical inkling, he has also taken well to memorizing Sanskrit mantras and singing standard songs that are familiar to the tradition. Frankly the melodies, tunes, the language whether Sanskrit or Bengali, are heart melting and have an appeal that can favourably entice any soul searcher.
Jeff, or Bhakta Jeff (devotee Jeff), as we call him, is in good hands with companion Nitai Rama. You just can’t find better people in the monkhood business than these two blokes. They are inspiring indeed.
The evening culminated in a modest trek in the neighbourhood near Quinpool Avenue with Bhakta Jeff, but the snow blast of the hours restricted our time out. Winter is stubbornly exiting the reason, but it IS exciting.
The Bhagavad-gita instructs to live with duality. ‘Titikshava’ is the word. Tolerance.
Jeff is a very tolerant young man. Jeff is a star.
1.5 Km
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Jeff just amazes me. He let his wandering mind get anchored in higher consciousness just a few short months ago. He’s Canadian born and is a real brahmin in the sense that he conducts good behaviour, thrives on bhakti disciplines, he’s peaceful, reserved, yet speaks when necessary and really cares for people. Recently he took to the culinary arts and is doing splendid. With the assistance of Yamuna’s daring cookbook called “The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking”, Jeff, our new Halifax monk, is churning out great preparations. In the evening with time he set aside for himself, he meticulously jotted down recipe details in his personal notebook.
To verify his natural brahminical inkling, he has also taken well to memorizing Sanskrit mantras and singing standard songs that are familiar to the tradition. Frankly the melodies, tunes, the language whether Sanskrit or Bengali, are heart melting and have an appeal that can favourably entice any soul searcher.
Jeff, or Bhakta Jeff (devotee Jeff), as we call him, is in good hands with companion Nitai Rama. You just can’t find better people in the monkhood business than these two blokes. They are inspiring indeed.
The evening culminated in a modest trek in the neighbourhood near Quinpool Avenue with Bhakta Jeff, but the snow blast of the hours restricted our time out. Winter is stubbornly exiting the reason, but it IS exciting.
The Bhagavad-gita instructs to live with duality. ‘Titikshava’ is the word. Tolerance.
Jeff is a very tolerant young man. Jeff is a star.
1.5 Km
Monday, 23 March 2009
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
Hello Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia
David Vest is a trucker who rides the treacherous route in Canada’s northern Territories. He is my flight neighbour on Air Canada Tango headed for Halifax. David told me about his job that on the winter’s frozen tundra you can drive for hours, see no people (especially pedestrians) and maybe pass two or three trucks in the course of one day. If you run into mechanical problems you could be a goner. You would freeze to death as there may be no help or rescue.
“In two or three weeks der won’t be no highway. It will dissolve. Everything will thaw and melt”, said David who lives in Gander, Newfoundland.
To greet me at the airport was Nitai Rama. He arranged for my stay at the tiny Halifax ashram on Quinpool, a flat one floor above a vintage clothes shop called, “This and That – Recycled Fashions”. Nitai was telling me about his success along with new monk, Jeff, on their special Indian sweet stall at the downtown Market Place. It’s a regular feature and is a big hit at the crowded Saturday venue. The sweets are unique and the monks here are a little reserved to sharing how they are made.
A group of twenty guests crammed into the ashram indulging in a killer kirtan (chanting session). We really developed the dance accompaniment. Preceding that was reflection on the verse 2:40 from the Gita wherein Krishna expresses that even the smallest endeavour made on the path of devotion is a permanent asset for the soul.
It was a very encouraging message for the group.
2 Km
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Full of Life
Toronto, Ontario
Perhaps the greatest love for many of us bhakti-yogis is public chanting. I wish I could share with you the reactions of people at Kensington Market as their faces lit up – in some cases a mean to a beaming look upon seeing our small procession of fifteen joyous chanters. In reality, any market place that sprawls with folks and displays no entertainment just cannot be up to people’s expectations. Except for a young chap pounding at his braced djimbe, we provided not necessarily a show of professionalism but an explosion of joy. People gobbled up the happiness that bounced from our drums, accordion, hand cymbals and voices. As I said it is hard to describe the spontaneous response emanating from the shoppers and strolling crowd at this popular multi-mix of people.
Part two of today was a satsang, devotional gathering, in Markham, Ontario, a suburb. Our driver was Soraya, a new devotee to our ashram. What really tossed us passengers into a state of laughter was when Saraya’s GPS attempted to navigate towards our destination and we found ourselves not in Markham, but another suburb, North York, at a beer store.
You just can’t depend wholly on man-made machinery.
Our satsang included a demonstration on devotional dance. It seemed to be a real treat for hosts Bala and Padma and their guests.
Bhakti yoga is full of life.
2 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Perhaps the greatest love for many of us bhakti-yogis is public chanting. I wish I could share with you the reactions of people at Kensington Market as their faces lit up – in some cases a mean to a beaming look upon seeing our small procession of fifteen joyous chanters. In reality, any market place that sprawls with folks and displays no entertainment just cannot be up to people’s expectations. Except for a young chap pounding at his braced djimbe, we provided not necessarily a show of professionalism but an explosion of joy. People gobbled up the happiness that bounced from our drums, accordion, hand cymbals and voices. As I said it is hard to describe the spontaneous response emanating from the shoppers and strolling crowd at this popular multi-mix of people.
Part two of today was a satsang, devotional gathering, in Markham, Ontario, a suburb. Our driver was Soraya, a new devotee to our ashram. What really tossed us passengers into a state of laughter was when Saraya’s GPS attempted to navigate towards our destination and we found ourselves not in Markham, but another suburb, North York, at a beer store.
You just can’t depend wholly on man-made machinery.
Our satsang included a demonstration on devotional dance. It seemed to be a real treat for hosts Bala and Padma and their guests.
Bhakti yoga is full of life.
2 Km
Friday, March 20th, 2009
Straight Walking
Mississauga, Ontario
This is my first limpless walking day. Hurray! I trekked through sunshine in Eglinton Avenue West, the Jewish quarter, the Jamaican quarter and then the Italian and Portuguese neighbourhoods. It was 10 km of pure joy walking and chanting.
The host to the evening satsang, devotional gathering, was Acharya, a Russian born Krishna man. He picked me up midway to his Mississauga house managed by himself and wife, Sabrina. Once guests arrived I sat to speak from a verse of the Bhagavad-gita, 18:47. An interesting look at this statement compels us to understand a person’s prescribed duty or life’s obligations more clearly. The Gita analyses four different classifications of people – the thinkers/visionaries, the administrators/law enforcers, producers and labourers.
A question came.
“How do you know your prescribed duty or which of the four groups do you belong to?”
Abbreviated answer: “1) Analyze what you like to do; 2) Observe the nature of your parents and see that in most cases their inclinations reflect in you; 3) Consult with caring peers; 4) Consult with guru; 5) Study the qualities of each group as found in chapter 18; 6) Make an astrological check; 7) Take direction from God in the heart.”
Another question.
“Why are there so many religions, so many Gods?”
Abbreviated answer: “God is one, but known by different names. There is one sun and it is also known by different names.
“Chapter 17 of the Gita explains the cause and effect behind different spiritual paths. There are various paths to accommodate the various natures of people according to three modes. Obviously some faiths are more tolerant of others while some are less. That also depends on the influence of the three modes of nature, which are satvic (in goodness), rajasic (in passion) or tamasic (in darkness).”
10 Km
Mississauga, Ontario
This is my first limpless walking day. Hurray! I trekked through sunshine in Eglinton Avenue West, the Jewish quarter, the Jamaican quarter and then the Italian and Portuguese neighbourhoods. It was 10 km of pure joy walking and chanting.
The host to the evening satsang, devotional gathering, was Acharya, a Russian born Krishna man. He picked me up midway to his Mississauga house managed by himself and wife, Sabrina. Once guests arrived I sat to speak from a verse of the Bhagavad-gita, 18:47. An interesting look at this statement compels us to understand a person’s prescribed duty or life’s obligations more clearly. The Gita analyses four different classifications of people – the thinkers/visionaries, the administrators/law enforcers, producers and labourers.
A question came.
“How do you know your prescribed duty or which of the four groups do you belong to?”
Abbreviated answer: “1) Analyze what you like to do; 2) Observe the nature of your parents and see that in most cases their inclinations reflect in you; 3) Consult with caring peers; 4) Consult with guru; 5) Study the qualities of each group as found in chapter 18; 6) Make an astrological check; 7) Take direction from God in the heart.”
Another question.
“Why are there so many religions, so many Gods?”
Abbreviated answer: “God is one, but known by different names. There is one sun and it is also known by different names.
“Chapter 17 of the Gita explains the cause and effect behind different spiritual paths. There are various paths to accommodate the various natures of people according to three modes. Obviously some faiths are more tolerant of others while some are less. That also depends on the influence of the three modes of nature, which are satvic (in goodness), rajasic (in passion) or tamasic (in darkness).”
10 Km
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
MANTRAS AT THE CATHEDRAL
Toronto, Ontario
Since the catfish injury, I have adjusted my schedule cancelling morning walks for afternoon walks. I am relishing the ‘wee hours’, if you will, for japa chanting in the temple room with other monastic members. I am happy to see some slight progression made by the efforts of resident dwellers who meditate on the mantra together.
This togetherness was also felt by our small afternoon walking party at a time when the passions of the day start to wind down for some of us. We made our way to St. Michael’s Cathedral and were surprised to see a decent turnout of afternoon prayer people. Our group of three made ourselves at home at a pew to chant Hare Krishna while others were kneeling at prayer and moving to an icon, then to light a candle. The earnest plea of help or praise which one can call either prayer or mantra is the same intent to the same powerful person.
While sitting at the pew, I felt inner peace recalling the morning’s presentation by Ksircora, a lovely god sister, disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who told her story on coming to Krishna. The session called “Those Were The Days, My Friends!” gave her this week’s spot to talk. She mentioned that she and her friends were looking for the Truth in 1974. This took them through psychedelic journeys. When they met a young monk on Yonge Street to tell them of the glories of Krishna, they got sold on the concept. It drew some warmth and memory when she said that young person was me.
5 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Since the catfish injury, I have adjusted my schedule cancelling morning walks for afternoon walks. I am relishing the ‘wee hours’, if you will, for japa chanting in the temple room with other monastic members. I am happy to see some slight progression made by the efforts of resident dwellers who meditate on the mantra together.
This togetherness was also felt by our small afternoon walking party at a time when the passions of the day start to wind down for some of us. We made our way to St. Michael’s Cathedral and were surprised to see a decent turnout of afternoon prayer people. Our group of three made ourselves at home at a pew to chant Hare Krishna while others were kneeling at prayer and moving to an icon, then to light a candle. The earnest plea of help or praise which one can call either prayer or mantra is the same intent to the same powerful person.
While sitting at the pew, I felt inner peace recalling the morning’s presentation by Ksircora, a lovely god sister, disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who told her story on coming to Krishna. The session called “Those Were The Days, My Friends!” gave her this week’s spot to talk. She mentioned that she and her friends were looking for the Truth in 1974. This took them through psychedelic journeys. When they met a young monk on Yonge Street to tell them of the glories of Krishna, they got sold on the concept. It drew some warmth and memory when she said that young person was me.
5 Km
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
A VINTAGE VISIT
Toronto, Ontario
The afternoon brought our small japa chanting party to Kensington Market, a multicultural enclave of modest and colourful shops. Three of them, Flashback One, Flashback Two, and the third (I forgot the name, perhaps you can guess…) are owned and run by a South American friend, Kuladev, known by locals as Roger.
The shops carry old vintage clothing. Roger wasn’t in either of the stores, but upon entering one of them as a search for him just to say, ‘hello!’ we spotted a 60’s juke box. In the 60’s we thought these music machines were high tech. When you consider that sophisticated machinery today holds thousands of music tracks in a tiny i-pod , and when you look at this monster, you start to feel that the world has indeed changed and that perhaps I’m getting old.
In any event, Glen Campbell, who was just too much of a ‘square’ for me when I was young, sang his song from the box. We are all observers of passing phases. Things do pass fast. But the mantra has been around forever and will be around to stay.
6 Km
Toronto, Ontario
The afternoon brought our small japa chanting party to Kensington Market, a multicultural enclave of modest and colourful shops. Three of them, Flashback One, Flashback Two, and the third (I forgot the name, perhaps you can guess…) are owned and run by a South American friend, Kuladev, known by locals as Roger.
The shops carry old vintage clothing. Roger wasn’t in either of the stores, but upon entering one of them as a search for him just to say, ‘hello!’ we spotted a 60’s juke box. In the 60’s we thought these music machines were high tech. When you consider that sophisticated machinery today holds thousands of music tracks in a tiny i-pod , and when you look at this monster, you start to feel that the world has indeed changed and that perhaps I’m getting old.
In any event, Glen Campbell, who was just too much of a ‘square’ for me when I was young, sang his song from the box. We are all observers of passing phases. Things do pass fast. But the mantra has been around forever and will be around to stay.
6 Km
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
WOMEN WITH KRISHNA
Toronto, Ontario
Nitai Priya, one of our female devotees, was invited to speak at the University of Toronto at on of the student clubs on “The Role of Women in Krishna Consciousness”. It has not been her fist time to present this topic to a group of people. Before going she asked if I had any remarks to make that could possibly add to her presentation. She did say that on former occasions the audience primarily women, would ride on the wave of saying that women are better than men.
So I got started, “First of all, we are not men nor women, but spirits with a body that has a particular type of function that is complementary. And while male bashing has become popular in recent years, do think twice about appreciating both genders. After all the chairs we sit on, the microphone you use, the room and building in which you sit with its heating or air conditioning system have all likely been manufactured, assembled and delivered by men and is repaired by men. Let’s appreciate and develop a balanced view.
In the Bhagavad-Gita Krishna lists good memory, fine speech and intelligence as feminine traits. Naturally there are qualities found on both sides of the gender table that are worth taking note of. In Vedic culture, many goddesses are adored right next to their male counterparts. In the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, women share the same responsibilities in their service to the public. Many women are administrators and many take up priestly duties.
Some members carry views that are discriminatory and have personally formed attitudes, but our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on the whole, demonstrated fairness if ever there was provocation. The point he repeatedly made was – “WE ARE NOT THESE BODIES!”
We went for a short afternoon walk with a small traveling party, and passed by Toronto’s famous Casa Loma, possibly the largest castle in Canada. It was built by a man for his wife. Certainly, women have inspired great endeavors throughout the ages.
3 Km
Toronto, Ontario
Nitai Priya, one of our female devotees, was invited to speak at the University of Toronto at on of the student clubs on “The Role of Women in Krishna Consciousness”. It has not been her fist time to present this topic to a group of people. Before going she asked if I had any remarks to make that could possibly add to her presentation. She did say that on former occasions the audience primarily women, would ride on the wave of saying that women are better than men.
So I got started, “First of all, we are not men nor women, but spirits with a body that has a particular type of function that is complementary. And while male bashing has become popular in recent years, do think twice about appreciating both genders. After all the chairs we sit on, the microphone you use, the room and building in which you sit with its heating or air conditioning system have all likely been manufactured, assembled and delivered by men and is repaired by men. Let’s appreciate and develop a balanced view.
In the Bhagavad-Gita Krishna lists good memory, fine speech and intelligence as feminine traits. Naturally there are qualities found on both sides of the gender table that are worth taking note of. In Vedic culture, many goddesses are adored right next to their male counterparts. In the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, women share the same responsibilities in their service to the public. Many women are administrators and many take up priestly duties.
Some members carry views that are discriminatory and have personally formed attitudes, but our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on the whole, demonstrated fairness if ever there was provocation. The point he repeatedly made was – “WE ARE NOT THESE BODIES!”
We went for a short afternoon walk with a small traveling party, and passed by Toronto’s famous Casa Loma, possibly the largest castle in Canada. It was built by a man for his wife. Certainly, women have inspired great endeavors throughout the ages.
3 Km
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Monday, March 16th, 2009
SMALL TOWN ENCOUNTERS AND INSPIRATIONAL NEWS
Owen Sound, Ontario
I had previously walked through this city of 22,000 on two cross Canada walks. It had been a quiet night and morning spent in a 150 year old pioneer home at Gordon’s home, friend and god brother, Gopan. The sun shone. Gaurachandra had errands to run in the downtown. I decided to trek and later he would catch up to pick me up.
It is common enough to see members of the Mennonite community. Two young males in conservative haircuts and black attire passed by on the street. The monk look was new. Courteous gestures prevailed. On a cigarette break, a young clerk from a store asked, “What does it mean?” referring to my robes.
“A monk’s clothing. Hare Krishna.”
“What do you believe?” he asked further.
“In the afterlife…you are given another chance, a chance to improve. And there is a Divine Intelligence doing good things, hoping and helping you to improve.”
He made his last puff, excused himself, and gave a handshake before getting back to newly arrived customers.
An inspirational piece of news captured my eyes. Jodi Mitic, a 32 year old corporal with the Royal Canadian Forces, lost his legs below the knee in a mine explosion in Afghanistan, and now has carbon-fibre prosthesis. Mitic ran for a charity run on his new feet which have a shape like short, curved skis. A picture shows the man glowing.
In the military spirit, his superior Gen. Walter Natynezuk said of Mitic, “When times are tough, we just suck it up and get going. We put our game faces on and do not feel sorry for ourselves.”
What a great day!
13 km
Owen Sound, Ontario
I had previously walked through this city of 22,000 on two cross Canada walks. It had been a quiet night and morning spent in a 150 year old pioneer home at Gordon’s home, friend and god brother, Gopan. The sun shone. Gaurachandra had errands to run in the downtown. I decided to trek and later he would catch up to pick me up.
It is common enough to see members of the Mennonite community. Two young males in conservative haircuts and black attire passed by on the street. The monk look was new. Courteous gestures prevailed. On a cigarette break, a young clerk from a store asked, “What does it mean?” referring to my robes.
“A monk’s clothing. Hare Krishna.”
“What do you believe?” he asked further.
“In the afterlife…you are given another chance, a chance to improve. And there is a Divine Intelligence doing good things, hoping and helping you to improve.”
He made his last puff, excused himself, and gave a handshake before getting back to newly arrived customers.
An inspirational piece of news captured my eyes. Jodi Mitic, a 32 year old corporal with the Royal Canadian Forces, lost his legs below the knee in a mine explosion in Afghanistan, and now has carbon-fibre prosthesis. Mitic ran for a charity run on his new feet which have a shape like short, curved skis. A picture shows the man glowing.
In the military spirit, his superior Gen. Walter Natynezuk said of Mitic, “When times are tough, we just suck it up and get going. We put our game faces on and do not feel sorry for ourselves.”
What a great day!
13 km
Sunday, March 15th, 2009
A TRIP TO BRUCE PENINSULA
Wiarton, Ontario
Gaurachandra, a monk of Hungarian decent and I drove north early enough to escape the oncoming traffic for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Midway between Toronto and Wiarton, a three hour drive, Gaurachandra expressed an interest to stop and catnap. This meant I could have my moment of liberation in the form of walking. The route was Highway 10. The sun was bright and I was dressed light. Snow and ice were on the throw and you could hear water trickle and rush in many directions. A reflection came to me.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, took his cane once and poked holes in ice puddles. He went at this persistently on a walk with some of his students on a fresh and frigid morning in Europe. When asked about his doing this, he replied that it is the nature of water to flow ant hat similarly it is the nature or constitution of the atma, the soul, to serve.
I hope that with spring upon us some soul will consider their natural proclivity towards service and seek opportunities.
Upon arriving at our destination in Wiarton, we pulled up at Gould Street to meet the Hannah family of which Garuda, 61, is an avid walker/talker. Before conducting a small service of chanting and speaking, I asked for more walking and so the Hannahs and guests indulged. With that accomplished I looked at our audience of a remarkable range from 6 to 60. How to make the message of spirituality in a way to stimulate everyone? I asked for a copy of “Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead” and I charaded through a chapter. It worked. In fact, the kids were very jacked up. I guess I was perceived as a fun monk. Three of them came at me with a tickle attack and I had to beg the ambushers to back off. Only granddad Garuda could call them off.
What a day!
6 km
Wiarton, Ontario
Gaurachandra, a monk of Hungarian decent and I drove north early enough to escape the oncoming traffic for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Midway between Toronto and Wiarton, a three hour drive, Gaurachandra expressed an interest to stop and catnap. This meant I could have my moment of liberation in the form of walking. The route was Highway 10. The sun was bright and I was dressed light. Snow and ice were on the throw and you could hear water trickle and rush in many directions. A reflection came to me.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, took his cane once and poked holes in ice puddles. He went at this persistently on a walk with some of his students on a fresh and frigid morning in Europe. When asked about his doing this, he replied that it is the nature of water to flow ant hat similarly it is the nature or constitution of the atma, the soul, to serve.
I hope that with spring upon us some soul will consider their natural proclivity towards service and seek opportunities.
Upon arriving at our destination in Wiarton, we pulled up at Gould Street to meet the Hannah family of which Garuda, 61, is an avid walker/talker. Before conducting a small service of chanting and speaking, I asked for more walking and so the Hannahs and guests indulged. With that accomplished I looked at our audience of a remarkable range from 6 to 60. How to make the message of spirituality in a way to stimulate everyone? I asked for a copy of “Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead” and I charaded through a chapter. It worked. In fact, the kids were very jacked up. I guess I was perceived as a fun monk. Three of them came at me with a tickle attack and I had to beg the ambushers to back off. Only granddad Garuda could call them off.
What a day!
6 km
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Markham, Ontario
Involve the Experts
Devotion to the Supreme is an open expression of love. There are multiple ways to express it. There is a need to practically regulate the various expressions. Here’s an example:
Chaitanya the great master of chanting, out of his sheer popularity, was receiving many many offerings of personally prepared food by his followers. Upon receiving a prep his assistant was asked to store it and He would eat it later. As a monk Chaitanya regulated eating and did not succumb to the level of gluttony. He did not want to show disrespect to the cooks and donors so He procrastinated the eating. When the stalk pile of food increased to an extent that it was ridiculous and followers hounded the assistant for Chaitnaya’s opinion on the taste of their prep, His assistant became anxious. “I don’t want to tell white lies, that you had eaten and liked what they cooked.”
So Chaitanya agreed to sample the food and of course enjoyed the love of His people through eating what they had prepared. The job got done and “feedback” reached the donors ears. Thank God, the sanyassi (monk), Chaitanya, had a friend to regulate things expertly.
In relation to this story I have seen over the years many people come to offer their devotions to the various temples. In each community you have a number of people who all want to contribute to the temple’s décor based on individual taste. If there is no regulator you end up with a hodge –podge of interior decorations. Seeing this trend I had decided that one person or small committee be assigned to encourage the participation of others in their devotion to the cause but one decision must be made as to colour, accessories, ornaments, furniture, etc. otherwise you have a mess. So an artistic committee was formed and the matter was settled for the temple.
The evening brought us to the home of Subha Vilas where a few of us more senior devotees were asked to tell of vintage tales of devotion. Nostalgia seems to warm hearts.
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Involve the Experts
Devotion to the Supreme is an open expression of love. There are multiple ways to express it. There is a need to practically regulate the various expressions. Here’s an example:
Chaitanya the great master of chanting, out of his sheer popularity, was receiving many many offerings of personally prepared food by his followers. Upon receiving a prep his assistant was asked to store it and He would eat it later. As a monk Chaitanya regulated eating and did not succumb to the level of gluttony. He did not want to show disrespect to the cooks and donors so He procrastinated the eating. When the stalk pile of food increased to an extent that it was ridiculous and followers hounded the assistant for Chaitnaya’s opinion on the taste of their prep, His assistant became anxious. “I don’t want to tell white lies, that you had eaten and liked what they cooked.”
So Chaitanya agreed to sample the food and of course enjoyed the love of His people through eating what they had prepared. The job got done and “feedback” reached the donors ears. Thank God, the sanyassi (monk), Chaitanya, had a friend to regulate things expertly.
In relation to this story I have seen over the years many people come to offer their devotions to the various temples. In each community you have a number of people who all want to contribute to the temple’s décor based on individual taste. If there is no regulator you end up with a hodge –podge of interior decorations. Seeing this trend I had decided that one person or small committee be assigned to encourage the participation of others in their devotion to the cause but one decision must be made as to colour, accessories, ornaments, furniture, etc. otherwise you have a mess. So an artistic committee was formed and the matter was settled for the temple.
The evening brought us to the home of Subha Vilas where a few of us more senior devotees were asked to tell of vintage tales of devotion. Nostalgia seems to warm hearts.
0 Km.
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