Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

The Day Was Lit

 

Pickering, Ontario

“Happy Diwali.” This is how I addressed the crowd at the nuclear plant in Pickering for the Vedic New Year. James Woodcroft, one of the administrators was sitting next to me before I gave some kind of explanation of Diwali’s meaning. He had never before attended this function which was organized by young Hindu workers while on their internship. He had never been to India nor ever had an Indian meal. James had come to know that about one billion people on the planet celebrate Diwali and celebrate the iconic heroes of the Ramayan, the epic, and how Prince Rama in particular vanquished evil epitomized Ravana. All inhabitants of Ayodhya received their sovereign over his great victory and greeted his with flames of welcome, hence, the term “a row of lights” from the root word ‘dipa-vali’. James loved the food and so did the other attendees, many of whom were of Hindu background, but not excluding an array of people of origins of other global regions.

From the nuclear plant I got driven to the Tender care Senior citizens Home in Markham. Here I was accompanied by monk, Uttamanada and young newly married Nova Scotian priest Yogendra as we engaged in kirtan, as we displayed drumming, chiming and vocalizing to a room full of seniors. The majority of the folks were of Chinese decent and perhaps 100% of them heard the song Hare Krishna and Hare Rama for the first time. Translation was provided for anything I had to say about the day’s significance. Finally at the ISKCON centre in the downtown, we found a trail of young people coming to offer small lit ghee wicks to the temple deities as this is part of tradition for welcoming a new year, a new start in a person’s life. Since being human, we tend to make mistakes and fail in virtue, a new opportunity avails itself at the time of Diwali.

5 KM

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Going Yonder

 

Miami, Florida

 

By the time I reached on foot, the swank streets of Coconut Grove, including Coconut Walk, all that might be exciting for moderate drinkers had died down. I guess you could call it‘Monks Hour’, it’s civil at this time, 4 AM. The madness of corporate passions hadn’t yet arisen. In reality it might be a subdued Monday morning, with Veterans’ day being honoured today. In the US, veterans of the 2 world wars, Vietnam, Gulf War, and the Iraqi situation, are being remembered. Naturally the atmosphere carries with it a sobriety. Chanting and walking at this time is just right, even temperature wise for Canadian blood. The highest it will reach today will be 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The subject here then regarding Veterans is sacrifice. This is a common enough word that gets flung around in our monastic setting back at the ashram on Virginia Street. The Sanskrit word for sacrifice is ‘yagya’, and it refers to an offering up, specifically for a Divine cause.

Last evening a young Venezuelan by the name of Yonder came forward to offer himself to Krishna, formally. He had already had some experience with life, being at age 29. Yet his inward journey was limited. He had decided that it was time to let the One, who is actually in charge, to play His natural role without interference, to let Him to be ‘in charge’. It is experienced that one must take charge of himself, in other words, take control of himself – his senses.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada came to the west to suggest that one learn to restrain from eating food that invokes passion and violence, from taking harmful substances (such as that which is consumed at coconut grove at the clubs), from gambling or being frivolous with finance and from casual sex life. These principles when adhered to lead one to a level of freedom.

So while we take the day to honour those who sacrificed their lives in combat, let us take a warrior stance and commit to some resolution where wholesome control over the senses can make a difference. By the way, Yonder added a name to his already existing one as part of the right of passage, one accepts a Sanskrit name. Yonder is being addressed now as Yadhava, a name of Krishna.

5 KM

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

At Green Cay

 

West Palm, Miami, Florida

 

At Green Cay Village, Jagat Vira and I took ‘goom-goom’trek around the lake. On either ends of this lake there is posted a sign,“Alligators may be present”. But Jagat and I got more intrigued viewing the birds sporting about. We couldn’t spot any reptiles. There came a crane and another type of  feathered creature, we couldn’t make it out. Then but 6 feet above us on an angle came a hawk that caught our fascination. He dove into the water and with the greatest of ease scooped up his breakfast. The super surprised fish that took his first flight, and probably his last.

Personally, I really like this lake, it takes about 7 – 8 minutes to cover the circumference, which is the same time it takes, interestingly enough the time it takes to do one revolution of the sound of beads for chanting the mantra.

Jagat and I left the lake for Interstate 95 for Miami where we indulged in a tasty meal more relishable than a fresh fish. Thank God I’ve left loathsome food behind me. 40 years ago it took some monks to tell me I don’t need the likes of birds, fish, mammals or reptiles for food. I could be relived and take to karma free communion, prasadam, to be precise. I delighted in some asparagus for the second round of prasadam. Asparagus is a favourite of mine.

You know, God is always kind to me. Not only does he send me the best veggies, but people also. Staying at Miami ISKCON is a young Puerto Rican by the name of Christian, age 26. He’s another young guy I could surely use in the upcoming drama productions. I suddenly realized that I’m a hunter, not of beast but of man. Casting people for a play is a passion for me as much as walking and chanting is, all in His service.

7 KM

Saturday, November 10th, 2012

Colour

 

Columbus/West Palm

Colour became a theme for my time in Columbus. I walked 6^th Avenue through a residential area and an older man crossing the street shouted “Hey, I like the way your robes blend in to the trees!”

“It’s kind of merge isn’t it?”

What struck me after that is there is this intensity of colour everywhere. Then I saw rambling through the dispersed brown leaves your average grey and black squirrels at play. Accompanying them was a pure white one. He had the bushy tail and all. Quite captivating to the eye!

I was jaunting to the Krishna House where I came to meet a young man who had really had it rough in life. His mother has a reputation of being an absolute saint, but like in most cases, every young guy growing up who doesn’t have a father figure, a good male role model, is usually really missing out. You might say this chap has led a life with lots of promised colour, but things only ended up looking really dull. There’s been a general trail of failures. Yet the other day when he picked up the mrdanga drum, he played it extremely well. It was astounding. Then I asked him what else he was (while thinking about recruiting people for future productions)? Then he showed me on his iPhone a stunt where he jumps over a car, flips in the air and makes the perfect landing on his feet. I was wowed. Then he tells me he does a host of other things including photography.

Overall he just needs to be rightly situated and be engaged according to his nature. And then I think he’ll be just fine. “He just needs a break” I thought. Let me ask, if he can travel with me to India and South Africa. I was thinking to slot him in to an acting role for the future festivals. I asked him and he said yes after some deliberation. He looks like a rainbow full of life and full of colour. I’m so happy for him. His mother was ecstatic.

10 KM

Friday, November 9th, 2012,

Hope For The World

Columbus, Ohio

 

I was extremely touched by the behavior of two outstanding brahmachari monks. They were both visiting from a 4 hour drive from the farm in Kentucky. One of them, Baladev, rolled up his sleeves to his kurta shirt and also his dhoti robe up to the thigh level for cleaning out the moldy fridge. He wasn’t asked to do this, he just volunteered and enjoyed the service. His companion, Tyler, also from the farm, handed over 40 dollars cash to the Krishna House coordinator as a token of appreciation for staying over. By American standards, this amount is worth peanuts, but let’s view the gesture. Prem, the coordinator was very moved by this. These two men, Tyler and Baladev, have practically no funds, yet they gave what they could as an established policy adhered to when making a visit somewhere.

Tradition has it that monks are financially supported by family households. Here I witnessed a moment of truth of honesty and straight dealings. Tyler had gone beyond the call of duty really and Prem received this offer baffled by the gesture. I wouldn’t be surprised if he returned the amount.

In a discussion with another visiting brahmachari based out of Kansas City, Paramishvar by name, we talked about the ethical values of the spiritual culture. He expressed very meekly, however, that honest affairs weren’t always experienced in this spiritually institutional climate, “My father was an extremely ethical person and he imbibed in me those principles,” he remarked. He wanted to know how the tendency he sometimes sees can be corrected.

I know that in the matter of speaking about our own brahmacharis in Canada, that they uphold a strong place for etiquette. This comes from believing that one represents someone else – one’s guru and other preceptors and that one should not shoulder embarrassment where it can be avoided. It also means that one has firm faith in the process and that if you uphold good old values, it will get you to places, even Godhead.

That’s why I say the sentiments and behavior of the boys in saffron both above and below the US/Canadian border, are to me, men of character. It gives me hope for the world.

10 KM

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Ohio Rocking With Krishna

 

Columbus, Ohio

Even if you are clothed in holy robes and play the role of a monk or a priest, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be referenced as people from the secular world. Akhilananda and I had a photo taken of us because we were perceived as JFK and Kevin Spacey look alikes according to inmate Arjun at the Warren Prison yesterday. Is that a compliment? You can decide.

By the way, things are percolating in Ohio from a Krishna Conscious perspective. Last evening a packed room was drawn at the home of Don Foose (aka D.Nitai). People came to hear kirtan and some message from the mind of a monk (me). Don is producing of a more mellow heavy metal sort these days. His lyrics are great, very devotional. And while something happens on the weekday on Wednesdays in Cleveland on the west end of town, there’s a whole other active group on the east end of town with an active program on Sunday.

When Akhilananda and I arrived at the Krishna House in Columbus, we met Ananta Dev, a brahmachari monk from the UK who’s embarking on a project in Cincinnati. Plans are to open a large spiritual complex there. And in Columbus, renovation is going on to define a new space in the basement at Krishna House – all to facilitate a student population that’s coming to the centre.

A congregant member Naveen, conducts a weekly vegetarian demo in the student’s centre called Arpac at the Ohio State University. A meal follows, it’s for free, kids love it. They scrape the pots clean and eat it. According to Prem Vilas, the Krishna House coordinator it’s “the only healthy deal in town, it’s so successful.”

And last night an eclectic group attended the Krishna House where I was asked to speak. In Dayton, the university program also takes place which features kirtan chanting and discussions. Perhaps one of the most exciting elements in the Columbus community is the monthly delivery ahimsa (non violent) milk products from the local Kentucky farm called Chintamani Dham. In his excited tone, Prem tells me, “You can’t believe it they bring this yogurt and milk sweet preps like sandesh and srikand.”

Now this may not sound appetizing to the vegan community, let it be known, “dairy tastes great, especially when it comes from protected cows and bulls. In summary, Ohio is rocking with a brand of spiritualism that I guess it deserves.

13 KM

 

 

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Some Heroes

Warren, Ohio

“But in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir (conservationist hero).

Down by Rocky River reads this plaque. Three comrades and I decided to make the drive down the ramp at Mustik Road, and then to the valley, “to receive far more” by way of walking. Everyone I know here in Cleveland expects from me that request – let’s walk a trail. We do then enjoy each other’s contribution of words and what the raw world of nature offers. To me anyone who takes to the trail is a hero, to the exception of my humble self.

Speaking of heroes, my good friend Akhilananda, who is involved in pastoral services took me to Warren to see a prisoner. His name is Arjun and I’ve mentioned him before. He is highly respected by inmates and security. He grew up in the family and circle of friends of Bob Marley. Bob had Arjun, then Aaron as a toddler, on his lap on occasions. Arjun told us of another of his heroes who grew up with him in his childhood.

Jason Dawd, copilot to a Jet Blue aircraft a few months back, successfully landed a plane when the main pilot went under a seizure or some fit attack. Passengers and flight attendants fought for their lives when they held down the pilot whose intention was to crash the plane (so it was told to me). Jason, Arjun’s school friend became a national hero overnight for saving the lives of all those passengers. Akhilananda recently met Jason being from the same area in Ohio.

At the tail end of our visiting session with Arjun, I encouraged him to study carefully the traits of a hero. Bhagavad Gita, 18.42 identifies peacefulness, self control, self discipline, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, acting wise, and being dutiful as attributes of heroism.

7 KM

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012

Follow The Horse Dung

Cleveland, Ohio

From a short essay on Vaishnava Christian dialogue by Professor Jon Pohl is excerpted here a piece about his revelation when he, a Christian, took a trek in the woods with some Vaishnavas:

“We talked and laughed and prayed and walked in silence amid the beauty of the trees and crunch of the ground under our feet. And it persuaded me then as it continues to do today, that our shared inheritance of the ‘field of truth’ poses for us the greatest battle, the greatest adventure we can possibly face… We share the inheritance of nature – a grace that is wholly unmerited, yet as necessary as it is beneficial.”

After a short flight to Cleveland, I asked Jatayu, my host driver, if we could go to the Emerald Metro Park System and just catch a bit of the forest air while moving our limbs. We stuck by a cliff’s edge overlooking Rocky River, meandering along the way as we took the last bathing of the saffron sun before it disappeared.

We could see the damage done by Hurricane Sandy of last week. Some maples were downed. Whatever we saw in the way of variegated trees, it was all nature’s grace, making us feel a strong tie to the forest. Leaves, trunks, air, mud and bush and space and water and fishermen – these were the images. Basically, we just followed the trail of the horse dung. It was great, and while we were peaceful in the woods, in the nearby urban areas, the general populace was absorbed in the political excitement of voting for the next political leader of the US. I think the whole world was looking at the final tally of votes.

7 KM

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Life and Passing

 

Markham, Ontario

As usual, every morning Praveen faithfully comes to the morning Sadhana and reads a passage from the Gita before the group of us. Today the verse 6:25 reads as if our spiritual journey is like a steady walk.

"Gradually, step by step, one should become situated in trance by means of intelligence sustained by full conviction, and thus the mind should be fixed on the Self alone and should think of nothing else."

That's profound! One is not expected to reach self-realization overnight. It takes time. It does take time to reach any destiny by whatever speed or mode of travel but "śanaiḥ śanair" gradually step by step is the principle.

This morning also I attended the funeral of one of our senior men, Sesha Prabhu, who was born in Guyana and who helped pioneer the consciousness of Krishna in that country. He passed away on October 31st with mantras being chanted all around. He was an inspiration. And so is his daughter, Dwarka, who remained so composed throughout the ordeal of her father's passing.

My main contribution at funeral gatherings is to see that kirtan chanting prevails. And so that is what transpired.

For the evening we celebrated life. Our Scarborough community sang "Happy Birthday" to Dhira Nitai, who turned 62, only we put a Krishna spin to the song which goes like this: "Hare Krishna to you!". So we celebrate a soul's entrance, even if it be a birthday or a passing away. But for my return trip back to my ashram my kind driver told me of a non-celebratory event. A young man crossed the very street we were on earlier in the day. A mercedes hit him and ran over him. The driver got scared he took off. A black Honda then drove over the victim, stopped and reported to the police who came and then also accidentally drove over the corpse. Eventually the mercedes driver turned himself in but how tragic a story.

You see, cars don't move with śanaiḥ śanair. They "zoom zoom" and then claim lives. Damn them!

7 KM

Sunday, November 4th, 2012

I Really Like...

Toronto, Ontario

I really like the policy of the Jewish community on the Sabbath. They walk to the synagogue. Last evening our car load of monks left for a satsang program via Bathurst St. This street is known from south to north for it's density of Israeli and Russian Jews. I admire the fact that they, at least orthodoxy, honours an abstinence of the car. Om Shalom!

This afternoon I had come to a point where I needed a break from the indoors so I took to the dry leaf trail near the Brickworks-Pleasantly I had chanced upon easygoing pedestrians who honoured no real policy from a religious perspective. Sunday, in the minds of many, still means "Family Day". Young and old take advantage of post Indian summer and the pre-biting-cold days to come.

A couple walked their pair of dogs. To be neighbourly I asked what breed they were. Pointing to one and, then the other, the woman said "This guy is bull-dog. The other is part beagle and part bull."

"Well they look like a handsome couple of guys," I remarked but not really intending it. To me they look downright mean and tough. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I thought, reflecting on the owners love for their pets. To be neighbourly was my intent. Friendliness opens the door to discussion and then perhaps to a trust in something deeper like spiritual life.

It has been my firm belief for quite some time that a stroll to the park is very close to the spirit. At least I feel a heck of a lot better, and closer to Krishna, after taking in forest air and connecting to people in that setting.

In the evening I was asked to speak to our Avenue Rd. temple Sunday crowd about young Krishna who maximized His time in rustic and rural settings. Yes, indeed the countryside is close to God. Urban imposition is what it is - a block to spiritual growth.

7 KM

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012

Go deep and Rich

Toronto, Ontario

Hayagriva is one of our younger monks who gave a lively class this morning. He can't do otherwise. He is a most animated person.

In his presentation regarding the soul versus the body he relayed how souls which are by nature pure get trapped. It's the consciousness, the soul's extension, that gets polluted, he explained. It may be that the soul receives a body and goes trough a life cooking french fries. Hayagriva gave an example such as this about someone whose destiny might be limited  to a greasy-spoon restaurant and where there may be no scope for introspection. Whether confined to being in a box cooking junk food day in and day out or having thousands of people at your beck and call from a pent-house office for a broader world, where will our soul end up?

Hayagriva had raised certain points regarding succesful life as opposed to not making the grade. Should we just stay on the grid of mundane life and be a statistic of lost souls? In any event he conveyed his message well and all listeners  appreciated what he had to say based on youthful but deep realizations.

The day was blessed for me because of a potent morning program in the ashram and one more occurrence. I received in the mail a copy of " Rama-smarana ", a collection of creative reflections on divine pastimes, monologues actually. The publication aids the reader in realization or penetration towards devotional feelings. Most of the contributors are from Croatia, Czech Republic and other areas of East Europe or West Russia. Somehow my insert got included. Entitled " Maricha's Deliberation " it conveys the inner thoughts of the cunning mystic by the name of Marich from the epic " The Ramayana ".

In my opinion editor Krishna Ksetra has offered a great contribution to the library of devotional litterature with this book.

From the class about French fries to the book of Rama and walking some steps in between the day was very rich.

6 KM

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

Time and Grace

Burnaby, British Columbia

A drizzle. A walk. A mantra. Some words... began my day. In the Fraser River delta region a peaceful and timeless spirit can be felt especially before the sun is peeking. Unfortunately the timing of the sun's rising seems to excite the mode of passion. Traffic. Speed. Movement. Anguish then prevails.

I was driven to the Vancouver Airport by Jaya Govinda, one of the temple co-ordinators and it's always a pleasure to be in his company. I did end up in the last seat of an earlier West Jet flight. I was sandwiched between two women who happened to be friends. They were rather jolly. We spoke about time, about spirituality and of hurricanes and earthquakes and of their recent damage done on both coasts of North America.

I shared with them a passage I came across from a Christian writer of the 19th century. Frederic Faber wrote:

"God is slow, we are swift and precipitate. It is because we are but for a time, and He has been from eternity. Thus grace for the most part acts slowly, and mortification is as long as leveling a mountain, and prayer as the growth of an old oak. God works  by little and little, and sweetly and strongly He compasses his ends, but with a slowness which tries our faith because it is so great a mystery. "

The two women from Richmond and who were on either of my side really liked hearing the passage which I read to them.  I also found it insightful.

5 KM