I Actually Grew Tired
Toronto, Ontario
I actually grew tired after a mere five kilometres on foot. Everywhere it was wet and damp and there was no place to actually sit restfully for a break. When I reached McCaul Street, I saw the massive door to a church open and light poured out of it offering a welcome.
I climbed the stairs to the church, Saint Patrick’s by name, entered the foyer which revealed once again open doors, this time to the church hall itself. I helped myself to the back pew and chanted softly on my beads.
A parishioner, a woman, maybe 65 years of age, came to me with a curious stare and spoke.
“Are you Catholic? You’re Hindu aren’t you?”
My intense dyed robes must have drawn her attention. I said, “I’m a Hare Krishna, it’s related to Hindu.”
“But you’re not Catholic.”
“I was raised Catholic.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I didn’t, I just added on Krishna.” She went on in her subtle probing and with her stare of disbelief, so I continued, “You see, Krishna Consciousness taught me to be a vegetarian and I’ve enjoyed a deeper sense of philosophy.” She was holding her rosary all this time, so I showed her my japa beads. “I chant on these,” I said.
“What do you get out of it?” she pressed on quietly.
“A communication with the Lord.”
“What are you communicating?”
“I’m asking for every opportunity to serve Him.” And that was pretty much it. There was no introduction or farewell. She retreated toward the altar and walked there with a look of continual disbelief.
This young man who was kneeled at a pew nearby heard the entire hushed conversation. In a rather stoic way he looked at me and then finished the actual conversation quite spontaneously, even though he wasn’t a party to it, and said, “May the Lord be with you.”
“And with you too.”
My fatigue was over, I was enthused to continue the walk in the unusually moderate climate.
Om Tat Sat.
9 KM
B L O G S P O T
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
I’m Likely The Only Bead Chanter
Toronto, Ontario
It’s practically t-shirt weather, although damp, as I found my way walking in what’s called The Annex area, with beads in hand. They are a glorious string of 108 beads, which act as an aid to my chanting. The word ‘bead’ hails from the German word, bidden, which means prayer. The word is very similar to the Dutch word I’m familiar with, when as a child raised by a family from the Netherlands, we would pray on the rosary at the time of Lent. To my recollection there are 54 rosary beads which is half the number of what we call japa beads. That, of course, shouldn’t matter, the half number, because the routine is cyclic. Once one revolution is completed, you just do another round of prayer.
While embracing my japa beads in the right hand, privately chanting my prayer and thinking of the good fortune to be able to do this, a young man was about to pass by me on the sidewalk. He used his right hand and had just put a light to his cigarette. When we actually met he blew out his smoke, and in a relative sense I’m sure he felt to be a lucky dude himself. To each his own.
“I’m likely the only bead chanter on Davenport this evening,” I thought. By this time of night, 10 PM, few pedestrians walked the street with a higher ratio of people as motorists. Surely those whizzing by at the steering wheel are not embracing a mala, as a Buddhist or Hindu would call it, or a Jew bearing a tefillin, a small leather strap for prayer, or a Muslim clutching on to a tasbih, while a Christian might have a rosary. You sometimes see one of these holy instruments dangling from the rear view mirror as a kind of talisman offering a protective power.
I, indeed, do feel fortunate to have my japa beads as my security blanket. I can’t help but project into the future with the anticipation that more prayer with an instrument of such will become a practice of many. How we could use that help at the current perilous time. And when is it not perilous in this precarious material world? The great master of chanting, with and sometimes without beads in hand, was Sri Chaitanya. He recommended that we all do as much chanting or praying as possible.
7 KM
Toronto, Ontario
It’s practically t-shirt weather, although damp, as I found my way walking in what’s called The Annex area, with beads in hand. They are a glorious string of 108 beads, which act as an aid to my chanting. The word ‘bead’ hails from the German word, bidden, which means prayer. The word is very similar to the Dutch word I’m familiar with, when as a child raised by a family from the Netherlands, we would pray on the rosary at the time of Lent. To my recollection there are 54 rosary beads which is half the number of what we call japa beads. That, of course, shouldn’t matter, the half number, because the routine is cyclic. Once one revolution is completed, you just do another round of prayer.
While embracing my japa beads in the right hand, privately chanting my prayer and thinking of the good fortune to be able to do this, a young man was about to pass by me on the sidewalk. He used his right hand and had just put a light to his cigarette. When we actually met he blew out his smoke, and in a relative sense I’m sure he felt to be a lucky dude himself. To each his own.
“I’m likely the only bead chanter on Davenport this evening,” I thought. By this time of night, 10 PM, few pedestrians walked the street with a higher ratio of people as motorists. Surely those whizzing by at the steering wheel are not embracing a mala, as a Buddhist or Hindu would call it, or a Jew bearing a tefillin, a small leather strap for prayer, or a Muslim clutching on to a tasbih, while a Christian might have a rosary. You sometimes see one of these holy instruments dangling from the rear view mirror as a kind of talisman offering a protective power.
I, indeed, do feel fortunate to have my japa beads as my security blanket. I can’t help but project into the future with the anticipation that more prayer with an instrument of such will become a practice of many. How we could use that help at the current perilous time. And when is it not perilous in this precarious material world? The great master of chanting, with and sometimes without beads in hand, was Sri Chaitanya. He recommended that we all do as much chanting or praying as possible.
7 KM
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Monday, January 28th, 2013
From Here To The Royal York And Back
Regina/Toronto
If Regina is an iceburg, then Toronto is a slushburger. From Regina’s frigid frontier, I flew into Toronto, which is commonly known as The Melting Pot (for ethnic cultural reasons), and now, perhaps, for it’s regular snow meltdown; it’s kind of messy.
Weather affects our lives all the time. When is there a day that you don’t check up either on line the forecast (the lazy way) or peer out the window (which is more honourable) or just stick your head out the window (most intelligent)? It’s likely a daily affair, like sticking your big toe in the water before going the full dip.
The lid on the eye-of-God, the sun, went shut – night time. When I decided to enter into the world of splash, catching me at the door was a couple from our neighbourhood who had just come in from outside. They indicated that it was ugly outside. I let them know that whether pretty or ugly, I go into it with a bravado.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from weather changes,” it’s don’t let it intimidate you”. I believe that those who try to shake off Mother Nature by avoiding her are the ones that get sick. Of course, the word of caution can be given to not over expose yourself to the elements and we should certainly “dress for the occasion”. I often times have to remind myself that I’m not God and do not transcend. But generally, I find people all around me getting sick while I remain immune. It’s often the same people whose immunity is not built up for a lack of a willingness to embrace nature. Let’s face it, most of us are stubbornly trapped in our boxes whether it be the home or conveyance.
And what’s with all the running on a treadmill when you can be working up a sweat outside? For much of the world’s climate it should be no problem. Some days in Regina at 30, 40, or 50 below, it’s understandable. But really, breathing in those bad human fumes from the guy next to you on a passionate pace with a tread mill, it gets pretty bad, please give me a break. I’ll stick to the sadhu, holy man’s approach. I’ll continue to go outside to breath in God’s air and feel His wind and lick His sweat with my tongue stuck out (and raindrops did fall this night).
And when a car dashes by to create a splash of slush to cover me, I’ll say to God, “Thanks for reminding me I’m not You. Thanks for the lesson in humility.”
9 KM
Regina/Toronto
If Regina is an iceburg, then Toronto is a slushburger. From Regina’s frigid frontier, I flew into Toronto, which is commonly known as The Melting Pot (for ethnic cultural reasons), and now, perhaps, for it’s regular snow meltdown; it’s kind of messy.
Weather affects our lives all the time. When is there a day that you don’t check up either on line the forecast (the lazy way) or peer out the window (which is more honourable) or just stick your head out the window (most intelligent)? It’s likely a daily affair, like sticking your big toe in the water before going the full dip.
The lid on the eye-of-God, the sun, went shut – night time. When I decided to enter into the world of splash, catching me at the door was a couple from our neighbourhood who had just come in from outside. They indicated that it was ugly outside. I let them know that whether pretty or ugly, I go into it with a bravado.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from weather changes,” it’s don’t let it intimidate you”. I believe that those who try to shake off Mother Nature by avoiding her are the ones that get sick. Of course, the word of caution can be given to not over expose yourself to the elements and we should certainly “dress for the occasion”. I often times have to remind myself that I’m not God and do not transcend. But generally, I find people all around me getting sick while I remain immune. It’s often the same people whose immunity is not built up for a lack of a willingness to embrace nature. Let’s face it, most of us are stubbornly trapped in our boxes whether it be the home or conveyance.
And what’s with all the running on a treadmill when you can be working up a sweat outside? For much of the world’s climate it should be no problem. Some days in Regina at 30, 40, or 50 below, it’s understandable. But really, breathing in those bad human fumes from the guy next to you on a passionate pace with a tread mill, it gets pretty bad, please give me a break. I’ll stick to the sadhu, holy man’s approach. I’ll continue to go outside to breath in God’s air and feel His wind and lick His sweat with my tongue stuck out (and raindrops did fall this night).
And when a car dashes by to create a splash of slush to cover me, I’ll say to God, “Thanks for reminding me I’m not You. Thanks for the lesson in humility.”
9 KM
Sunday, January 27th, 2013
The Mention of a Queen and a King
Saskatoon/Regina
My Saskatoon hosts, Kasyap and Panchami, had put together an excellent kitchery brunch after a great trek up their street and back. Temperatures have become more tame as of late (only 10 below), my first winter visit ever in Saskatoon imposed a scary 50 below Celsius with the wind chill factor. That was 3 years ago. You wouldn’t dare attempt the outside for any serious length of time. Locals who do daily walks customarily go to the warm mall for trekking inside before shops open. I did the same. The place never had a monk visit before, so one shop owner told me.
The kitchery, a great mix of rice, lentils and veggies, sat well in the tummy during a 3 hour southern direction drive to Regina. Regina was a name of Queen Victoria, yes, the British ruled here.
Our destination, a small temple on Retallack Avenue, is situated in a Cree neighbourhood. Perhaps there’s a mix of Ojibwa and Metis people here as well. This humble temple is a regular stop for me and today it’s kind of special, since a younger man, Darshit, was going to receive his initiation. I believe I went into the overtime in speaking about the significance of diksa (initiation). I made sure he understood that he’s now an actual member and that his primary guru is also my guru, Srila Prabhupada, the founder.
Making this message clear is critical in the sense that if you want to have cohesion in a society like ours, then one umbrella under which to stand will give hope of longevity. Without recognition of Prabhupada’s preeminent position, this society often referred to as a movement, will certainly move in all different directions, divisible by numerous initiating gurus. That, we don’t want.
Darshit received the name Dasarath, after the great king and father of Ram. Dasarath ruled well after a lengthy term in northern India in the era known as Treta. He was a virtuous monarch. Congratulations, Dasarath!
8 KM
Saskatoon/Regina
My Saskatoon hosts, Kasyap and Panchami, had put together an excellent kitchery brunch after a great trek up their street and back. Temperatures have become more tame as of late (only 10 below), my first winter visit ever in Saskatoon imposed a scary 50 below Celsius with the wind chill factor. That was 3 years ago. You wouldn’t dare attempt the outside for any serious length of time. Locals who do daily walks customarily go to the warm mall for trekking inside before shops open. I did the same. The place never had a monk visit before, so one shop owner told me.
The kitchery, a great mix of rice, lentils and veggies, sat well in the tummy during a 3 hour southern direction drive to Regina. Regina was a name of Queen Victoria, yes, the British ruled here.
Our destination, a small temple on Retallack Avenue, is situated in a Cree neighbourhood. Perhaps there’s a mix of Ojibwa and Metis people here as well. This humble temple is a regular stop for me and today it’s kind of special, since a younger man, Darshit, was going to receive his initiation. I believe I went into the overtime in speaking about the significance of diksa (initiation). I made sure he understood that he’s now an actual member and that his primary guru is also my guru, Srila Prabhupada, the founder.
Making this message clear is critical in the sense that if you want to have cohesion in a society like ours, then one umbrella under which to stand will give hope of longevity. Without recognition of Prabhupada’s preeminent position, this society often referred to as a movement, will certainly move in all different directions, divisible by numerous initiating gurus. That, we don’t want.
Darshit received the name Dasarath, after the great king and father of Ram. Dasarath ruled well after a lengthy term in northern India in the era known as Treta. He was a virtuous monarch. Congratulations, Dasarath!
8 KM
Monday, 28 January 2013
Saturday, January 26th, 2013
Hot Dancing
Calgary, Alberta
If you are familiar with the various chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, you may recall chapter 15 where it describes a banyan tree with its roots up and branches down. It is a rather mysterious section of the Gita.
This evening Jason's dancing at the kirtan reminded me of the banyan tree because his feet were up and his hands were down. Our kirtan was getting warmed up and just to make it "hot", knowing Jason to be a break-dancer, I asked him to come to the centre of our circle to ignite the night. With him coming to our event I was determined to get the most out of him, and to take our program to another level. This wasn't going to be a cute little pious conforming type of bhajan, but in the direction of a party-rocking kirtan. That it was!
I really had not a super clear idea where to take our guests until they came and I could see them. The program earlier at the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir threw me off a little. I was informed I was going to spend 2 hours with the youth of the area it turned out the age range was from 8 to 65. I didn't mind I just had to make quick decisions and make a few mental adjustments in my approach. We ended up making every thing interactive with Kirtan memorization and a theatre workshop. Acting out the images found in the Gita based on a number of images. It all worked out fine.
The realization I had was that the subject of the Gita is for all in as much as Kirtan is for all.
Back to the sweaty evening (and host Kashyapa deliberately cranked down the heat knowing many bodies would come to heat up the place). We all sat down and I took the opportunity to present a krishna consciousness 101, a basics on belief and thrust. The questions flowed from Matt, from Ramesh, and from others.
At Prasadam eating time Jason demonstrated that he is not just a dancer or dancing instructor he also knows a few things about life. Ramesh, the young Nepalese fellow with a lot of good questions, looked to Jason for some directions. Jason borrowed my drinking cup and said while holding that cup. "This is your comfort zone, this is where you are, but the magic happens here" he said raising his free hand outside the cup indicating we all excel when we stretch ourselves and go beyond what you think are our limitations. That was quite helpful for Ramesh coming from The Lord Nataraj, the king of the dancers - (a name for lord shiva).
7 KM
Friday, January 25th, 2013
Sunken Feet, Hearts High
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
When our feet sunk into the hardened snow about 2 inches deep, I made a remark to 12 year old Jay, my young companion for the hour, about the sound. To me he responded, “Yeah, our walking sounds like the pressing on Styrofoam.”
“Jay,” I teasingly admonished,“I’m not sure I like that analogy.
We took to the comfort of a meadow park bench to enjoy the strong sun and the pure white snow to savour in what dismal grey winter people of the coast won’t ever know. Yesterday the whites of my eyes turned red from this over exposure, but I was willing to go out today and try it again.
The pond at John Azant Park is covered over by snow, but we peered at it as if we were on it with fragile ice on the surface and we considered what would happen should the ice crack and we fall in. Jay knew the solution being an air cadet in training. So, he got off the bench and demonstrated what to do in such an emergency. He punched the snow as if you would the ice and then crawled within that snow as if you slid over the ice. He stood up after the demo and shook off the demigod dandruff, snow, only to reveal to me that he dreams of becoming a pilot one day. Naturally, I encouraged him. I certainly have no intention of imposing on him monastic life if it’s not his calling.
Jay and I returned to his house where we readied ourselves with his dad, Kasyap, for our evening venture. Our walk in the 20 below degree weather was over, but the sangha at the” Divine Goddess”, was to begin at the sun’s departure.
Amber, runs the Goddess Shop, with it’s books, candles, posters, incense, icons and Buddhas on shelves, now all pushed to the perimeter of the shop to make way for our evening of lotus posed curiousos. Indeed, the space got filled up in no time and the walking monk became introduced before speaking. I gave anecdotes of trek adventures and of pilgrimage. I told of the simple life on the road amidst black flies and of the soul’s travel from body to body and how to make good with the little one should insist on having. I told of the benefit of non violent food and how it makes a difference when you consecrate it by implementing a practical method. Chanting followed and oh my God, how the people absorbed and loved it. And like Jay, who was crawling in the snow earlier on, they were crawling in the purity of the Name. Then all participants left the Goddess Shop feeling a real spiritual high.
7 KM With Jason at "Divine Goddess"
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
The Squared Circle
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Rick Titan was a rather well established wrestler with WWF. That type of entertainment, however, just wasn’t fulfilling enough for him. Not long ago he had met our devotees while they were chanting next to the Bow River on a grass patch in Calgary. He enjoyed the kirtan to the extent that he asked to sit down on the grass along with them. Since that magical moment he’s been reading the Bhagavad Gita, “It’s the best book I’ve ever read,” he’s been saying.
I had the pleasure to meet Rick on the previous night’s program in Calgary where a packed room in a huge office suite became our venue. People wanted to hear about my pilgrim pastimes as it was a fresh new audience. Hence, I delivered the goods and mixing in some philosophy and leaving everyone with the consideration that we are all wrestlers. After all, who doesn’t try to wrestle the rascal mind?
Tonight I spoke at another function in another city and province – Saskatoon and Saskatchewan – and specifically on the topic of the Gita’s five subject matters. Yoga students and the Hindu faithful came to hear. One question a man was perhaps wrestling with was as follows:
“What is the distinction between karma, vikarama and akarma?”
Answer in brief:
“Karma means action, and its inherent reaction. Vikarma refers to action that is whimsical or casual, with no regulation and no long term vision. Akarma is action that involves submission to Isvara, God, producing no reaction and which awards freedom from birth and death.”
It was an attentive group. I was grateful to the Laxmi Narayan Mandir people for opening the doors to their facility. I was in a position to help people who found themselves in some philosophical head or arm lock.
By the way, Krishna enjoyed wrestling as a youth.
7 KM
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Rick Titan was a rather well established wrestler with WWF. That type of entertainment, however, just wasn’t fulfilling enough for him. Not long ago he had met our devotees while they were chanting next to the Bow River on a grass patch in Calgary. He enjoyed the kirtan to the extent that he asked to sit down on the grass along with them. Since that magical moment he’s been reading the Bhagavad Gita, “It’s the best book I’ve ever read,” he’s been saying.
I had the pleasure to meet Rick on the previous night’s program in Calgary where a packed room in a huge office suite became our venue. People wanted to hear about my pilgrim pastimes as it was a fresh new audience. Hence, I delivered the goods and mixing in some philosophy and leaving everyone with the consideration that we are all wrestlers. After all, who doesn’t try to wrestle the rascal mind?
Tonight I spoke at another function in another city and province – Saskatoon and Saskatchewan – and specifically on the topic of the Gita’s five subject matters. Yoga students and the Hindu faithful came to hear. One question a man was perhaps wrestling with was as follows:
“What is the distinction between karma, vikarama and akarma?”
Answer in brief:
“Karma means action, and its inherent reaction. Vikarma refers to action that is whimsical or casual, with no regulation and no long term vision. Akarma is action that involves submission to Isvara, God, producing no reaction and which awards freedom from birth and death.”
It was an attentive group. I was grateful to the Laxmi Narayan Mandir people for opening the doors to their facility. I was in a position to help people who found themselves in some philosophical head or arm lock.
By the way, Krishna enjoyed wrestling as a youth.
7 KM
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
How We Space Things
Calgary, Alberta
I have been staying at a suburb home in the north east of Calgary. I’ve been also doing a daily trek whatever the weather. And why did I today walk apart from duty? Well, the neighbourhood looks like a Courier and Ives Christmas card, “It’s downright pretty” with crystal like trees and white satin like snow thrown into beautiful mounds by Mother Nature. I like to be in that midst.
But I must admit, there’s something drab about burbs. I can comfortably say that the modern day layout of cities is very non-Vedic. They’re also not practical. Modern cities, which include suburbs are for cars, not for people. I’m going to quote from an article in The Globe and Mail”
“Throughout our whole history, people have walked for transportation. We deleted that,” says Dr. James Sallis, a behavioural psychologist. “We designed that feature out of the world for many many people and now we have the evidence that our planning community design decisions and our transportation decisions are reducing activity and contributing to chronic diseases. “
I like more of what he says, “Every older city is walkable. If they were built before cars they had to be.”
The question in the article asks, “How does this translate into healthier behaviour?” Answer, “The brain is not our friend when it comes to physical activities. We are kind of programmed slothful. As we age, some of the neurons that connect movement centers and reward centers die off, so we lose our ability to get pleasure from activity. That’s why we need spaces that invite people to be active. We need to feed the pleasure center of the brain through our design.”
Sallis also suggested that residential and commercial areas should not be separated. Everything should be walkable friendly.
My thoughts (and of course I agree with the above) are that community is important, and it must be infused with space that can also heighten your spiritual power. How about an acoustical kirtan hall, smack in the middle of a well planned community?
8 KM
Calgary, Alberta
I have been staying at a suburb home in the north east of Calgary. I’ve been also doing a daily trek whatever the weather. And why did I today walk apart from duty? Well, the neighbourhood looks like a Courier and Ives Christmas card, “It’s downright pretty” with crystal like trees and white satin like snow thrown into beautiful mounds by Mother Nature. I like to be in that midst.
But I must admit, there’s something drab about burbs. I can comfortably say that the modern day layout of cities is very non-Vedic. They’re also not practical. Modern cities, which include suburbs are for cars, not for people. I’m going to quote from an article in The Globe and Mail”
“Throughout our whole history, people have walked for transportation. We deleted that,” says Dr. James Sallis, a behavioural psychologist. “We designed that feature out of the world for many many people and now we have the evidence that our planning community design decisions and our transportation decisions are reducing activity and contributing to chronic diseases. “
I like more of what he says, “Every older city is walkable. If they were built before cars they had to be.”
The question in the article asks, “How does this translate into healthier behaviour?” Answer, “The brain is not our friend when it comes to physical activities. We are kind of programmed slothful. As we age, some of the neurons that connect movement centers and reward centers die off, so we lose our ability to get pleasure from activity. That’s why we need spaces that invite people to be active. We need to feed the pleasure center of the brain through our design.”
Sallis also suggested that residential and commercial areas should not be separated. Everything should be walkable friendly.
My thoughts (and of course I agree with the above) are that community is important, and it must be infused with space that can also heighten your spiritual power. How about an acoustical kirtan hall, smack in the middle of a well planned community?
8 KM
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Burn No Incense
Calgary, Alberta
The title above is meant to be a bit of an attention grabber. “What?” you might say, “leave the incense alone? This is sacrilegious.” Maybe it is but if what I say has good reason behind it then maybe the message could mean the prolonging of your life. My doctor from Burlington, Ontario conveyed to me that one particular order of Buddhist monks in the orient all got cancer from having exposure to burning incense. And recently when speaking with a friend of mine in Texas, he expressed that an acquaintance of his was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was not a smoker nor anyone else around, and then it hit her that the incense she had been using for her pooja (daily religious rite) must be the source.
I’ve been visiting many temples over the years locally and you need not look up to the ceiling for all the accumulation of black soot, one of the sources being the burning of incense. The use of three one foot long sticks makes sense for a breezy outdoor type of shrine where fumes that are actually perfumes can easily escape into the atmosphere and leave no tarnish. Surely, the aroma is pleasing to the Krishna deity, but should a powerhouse of three smoking sense be always the standard in closed and sometimes small temple rooms? And when lit several times a day?
Frankly some brands of incense just stink. I don’t know about all of you meditators out there, but I’ve been gagging lately from the over induced stuff, and I prefer a pine scented mountain air scenario. I like my visits to Saranagati where I can see the winter green needles being offered to Krishna, and once offered, those aromatic needles make their way to your nostrils with a pleasurable explosion. It’s all natural and organic.
This leads to my question, have you checked the ingredients on the package of your incense lately? If there is no list, you have every reason to be a skeptic and denounce the product. You know as well as I that profit hungry manufacturers do anything to fill their coffer and that the expense is people’s health, and even in the name of using devotional paraphernalia.
Today I had met a number of families. Some of whom I visited and some who came to hear me speak. Practically all of them burned incense for their pooja. A good number of them took my card, The Walking Monk; I’m hoping they read this blog which encourages them to think twice about their package of smelly sticks.
You have to ask yourself, “Do I have something worship worthy? Or is it no better than a pack of cigarettes?” and you know what they do. Of course I’m suggesting that we should light incense and offer it to your deity, but be selective, be smart.
10 KN
Calgary, Alberta
The title above is meant to be a bit of an attention grabber. “What?” you might say, “leave the incense alone? This is sacrilegious.” Maybe it is but if what I say has good reason behind it then maybe the message could mean the prolonging of your life. My doctor from Burlington, Ontario conveyed to me that one particular order of Buddhist monks in the orient all got cancer from having exposure to burning incense. And recently when speaking with a friend of mine in Texas, he expressed that an acquaintance of his was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was not a smoker nor anyone else around, and then it hit her that the incense she had been using for her pooja (daily religious rite) must be the source.
I’ve been visiting many temples over the years locally and you need not look up to the ceiling for all the accumulation of black soot, one of the sources being the burning of incense. The use of three one foot long sticks makes sense for a breezy outdoor type of shrine where fumes that are actually perfumes can easily escape into the atmosphere and leave no tarnish. Surely, the aroma is pleasing to the Krishna deity, but should a powerhouse of three smoking sense be always the standard in closed and sometimes small temple rooms? And when lit several times a day?
Frankly some brands of incense just stink. I don’t know about all of you meditators out there, but I’ve been gagging lately from the over induced stuff, and I prefer a pine scented mountain air scenario. I like my visits to Saranagati where I can see the winter green needles being offered to Krishna, and once offered, those aromatic needles make their way to your nostrils with a pleasurable explosion. It’s all natural and organic.
This leads to my question, have you checked the ingredients on the package of your incense lately? If there is no list, you have every reason to be a skeptic and denounce the product. You know as well as I that profit hungry manufacturers do anything to fill their coffer and that the expense is people’s health, and even in the name of using devotional paraphernalia.
Today I had met a number of families. Some of whom I visited and some who came to hear me speak. Practically all of them burned incense for their pooja. A good number of them took my card, The Walking Monk; I’m hoping they read this blog which encourages them to think twice about their package of smelly sticks.
You have to ask yourself, “Do I have something worship worthy? Or is it no better than a pack of cigarettes?” and you know what they do. Of course I’m suggesting that we should light incense and offer it to your deity, but be selective, be smart.
10 KN
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Monday, January 21st, 2013
Getting To Know Him and His Method
Calgary, Alberta
I hadn’t picked up a particular topic to speak from until I arrived at the home of Rakesh. “You need to know your audience” is my prescription in order to be effective in delivering a message. My hosts, Radha Madhav and Swasti, who drove me, are from Fiji, but I was aware that Rakesh and family are from the Punjab. When I entered Rakesh’s living room, the four walls were lined with people from, my guess, North India. They were seated in lotus position, were smiling and offering pranams. I introduced myself and then went around the room asking everyone’s name and where they came from. It was obvious origins were India, except for their lively kids who were born in Canada. The Punjab and Hariyana states were well represented. Few people from the north know of Chaitanya, or at least, may have faintly heard of Him, so I opened up my talk by now introducing Him.
Chaitanya is a Krishna incarnate, a revolutionary and an avatar for the age. I went on to explain His being contemporary to Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and Mirabai, a noted female saint – both known in North India. Chaitanya roamed by foot through the subcontinent of India and was prevalent just over 500 years ago. His approach to spirituality was so relevant then as it is now. His particular brand of bhakti (devotion), entails mainly the singing of mantras to the beat of drum, so that’s what we did in Rakesh’s living room apart from speaking of Chaitanya’s effectiveness, His miracles, His charm and purity.
I felt it was my job to give these nice and attentive people acquainted with Chaitanya, who’s also known as The Golden Avatar, and whose grace and method can touch all hearts.
6 KM
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Sunday, January 20th, 2013
A Harmony
Edmonton/Calgary
Where there is no clear sidewalk, the earth seems crispy and crusty. Thin brittle ice patches release a sweet sounding crackle under the feet. With wind-chill, the temperature is -22 C. The air is dry and clean. Thank God for all of this. It was at the end of the day that I had this opportunity to shake hands with the good side of nature.
I had been in these two perceivable competitive cities, Edmonton and Calgary, both barons of the oil industry. In fact, this whole province is laden with a beautiful snow whiteness. Underneath, it’s another world, a crude oil blackness.
I had delivered one message to the 2 communities. I spoke from the Gita explaining when the five basic subjects practically work in concert with each other, you’ve got a perfect scenario. When the jiva (soul) looks up to the ishvara (master soul) and executes actions (karma) in a timely (kala) way through the medium of prakrati (nature’s energy) then freedom can be achieved. This is the actual philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita. When you channel all your resources in service to Him, perfection is accomplished.
This message of harmony sat well with the two communities, in both Edmonton and Calgary, to the point where after sitting, literally, they were ready to leap up and they did, to dance for Krishna. In both centres there were requests for me to come again really soon. They say that not enough swamis come around. I expressed that I would do my part to change that and to welcome other teachers of bhakti yoga to their domain.
The day was full with the meeting and talking to people. As every day, I find the need for down time. As much as it is enlivening to mingle with people, there’s also a want to balance by contacting the elements with a walk and a chant.
7 KM
Edmonton/Calgary
Where there is no clear sidewalk, the earth seems crispy and crusty. Thin brittle ice patches release a sweet sounding crackle under the feet. With wind-chill, the temperature is -22 C. The air is dry and clean. Thank God for all of this. It was at the end of the day that I had this opportunity to shake hands with the good side of nature.
I had been in these two perceivable competitive cities, Edmonton and Calgary, both barons of the oil industry. In fact, this whole province is laden with a beautiful snow whiteness. Underneath, it’s another world, a crude oil blackness.
I had delivered one message to the 2 communities. I spoke from the Gita explaining when the five basic subjects practically work in concert with each other, you’ve got a perfect scenario. When the jiva (soul) looks up to the ishvara (master soul) and executes actions (karma) in a timely (kala) way through the medium of prakrati (nature’s energy) then freedom can be achieved. This is the actual philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita. When you channel all your resources in service to Him, perfection is accomplished.
This message of harmony sat well with the two communities, in both Edmonton and Calgary, to the point where after sitting, literally, they were ready to leap up and they did, to dance for Krishna. In both centres there were requests for me to come again really soon. They say that not enough swamis come around. I expressed that I would do my part to change that and to welcome other teachers of bhakti yoga to their domain.
The day was full with the meeting and talking to people. As every day, I find the need for down time. As much as it is enlivening to mingle with people, there’s also a want to balance by contacting the elements with a walk and a chant.
7 KM
Saturday, January 19th, 2013
On a Christian Radio Show
Edmonton, Alberta
Fred has been dealing with schitzophrenia since he was young. He is regulated in taking his medication and has also prescribed himself to chanting Krishna’s mantra since the 70’s, although, he’s admitted to me, “It’s been on and off.” He is liked by the community here for being a good helper.
After a radio interview with Drew Marshall today, Fred and I went to walk through a quiet industrial park. Why quiet? Because it’s Saturday. Few businesses are open. Fred did great with chanting as we walked.
I had waited for this walk anticipating the interview for Drew’s Christian based show. While indoors it had made sense to read one of Steven Rosen’s latest books, “Christ and Krishna: Where the Jordan Meets the Ganges”. In a spiritual cultural atmosphere, you would never call anything or any incident a coincidence. Everything is divinely arranged. I thought it was interesting that I recently acquired this excellent read, and at the same time had been slotted on my first time Christian radio show.
The interview was at 1:30 Mountain Time, live, and opened up with the song, “My Sweet Lord”. I couldn’t make out the vocalist, it sounded like James Taylor. I could be wrong. Then Drew introduced myself along with a Reverend Lillian and Tim, who I believe is a regular on the show. Drew had mentioned about his visit to our Toronto temple at Christmas time. He asked me amicably the same question on the show as he did when he visited us. It went something like this:
“So, Hare Krishna. It conjures up images of bald heads, robes, tambourines, airports, selling flowers and so on.” I explained about our historical background and how our guru, Srila Prabhupada, came from India to teach a higher consciousness.
A question came, “Do you believe in God?” Answer, “Yes.”
“In one God or many?”
“It’s monotheism. One God, but many manifestations of the one God.”
“What about Jesus?” I answered that we have acceptance of Jesus and that Krishna devotees see him as their guru. We say he’s an avatar. To that, Drew mentioned about James Cameron, the film director who named his latest blockbuster after this Sanskrit word. The interview went pretty smooth.
I must admit that I was ready to be thrown a curve ball. Something to the sound of, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one cometh unto the Father but through me.” It is that exclusivistic statement that so often a Christian follower poses.
Well, in Steven Rosen’s book, he explores the quote from John, 14.6 of the Bible, translated from the original Greek as meaning, “I am the way, the truth and the light and no one presently comes to the Father except through me.” The critical word appears to be erkatai. Rosen explains that this is an extremely present tense form of the verb.
Anyways, such a curve ball never came on the interview. No such challenge. I wouldn’t have minded, frankly.
11 KM
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