Monday, February 3rd, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

I Was Sitting

I was sitting at a desk in an office on the main floor of our ashram when I noticed a young woman slowly moving about in curiosity.  In the course of her browsing, our eyes met.  I asked her, “Can I help you with something?”

“No, thank you, I’m just looking around.”

“Well, let me know if I can help you.”

“I will.”

About a minute had passed and this young woman came closer to the office door as I was engaged in desk work.  She then said, “Actually, you can help.  I do have a question,” as she stood by the door.  As a monk I try to avoid being alone in a room with a woman, and I’ll also speak in a limited way.  So I said, “Sure.”

“I was just wondering how I can deal with anger?”  she asked. 

“Yes, anger.  We are all born with anger to a certain degree or another.  If we look to the wisdom of the ancient text, Bhagavad Gita, we find that anger arises from attachment – attachment to either an object, or a position, a concept or an opinion.  In general, when we are very obsessive about something, we can get angry.  The only other time I see people get angry is when people don’t get enough sleep, and they get cranky like a baby (she laughed).

“I would suggest the next time the lava starts to boil in the volcano, before you say or do something, take a deep breath, become very thoughtful before you respond or react.  Remain  composed and controlled.  Sometimes it helps to say nothing to avoid a confrontation.  That would go a long way.  Take refuge of the higher power (Krishna) and you can try this mantra:  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna…  and you ask for some strength.  Instead of exploding and turning red, imagine the cooling blue of God.   Believe it or not, looking at the sky will help.  Just remember that anger blocks our sense of reasoning, so allow yourself to use your rationale before letting off steam.  Try to recall the last time you got angry and how maybe you became violent, and then how it left hard feelings and maybe even destroyed a relationship.  You’ll be amazed at how much you can process in a short amount of time when you give yourself that time before reacting.”

The young woman accepted the mantra card I gave her.  She seemed very happy.  “Please come again.”

“I will,” she said. 

I did not tell her how walking can be of great service in handling anger.  I do believe that I left her with the essentials, “Reach out for the mantra.”

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Sunday, February 2nd, 2014

Montreal, Quebec

Ride to Quebec

The ride to Montreal is a six hour chakra like line, eastbound from Toronto.  With driver, Vrindavan, a loyal bhakti practitioner for many years from Toronto, I could only dream of walking.  When getting closer to Montreal, a mere approximate 100 KM away, I could see some of the parallel roads that I traversed on foot in 2012. 

My visit to Montreal was an encouraging one.  We took a peak, well, a little more than a peak, at the soon to open Bhakti Centre at 3485 Saint Laurent.  Presentations will be done in the French medium.  It will be a learning and cultural centre, but the highlight will be the art of bhakti (devotion).  The location is ideal being that Saint Laurent is a hip street.  The one room and one storey building with toilet attached is set slightly off the street which creates a kind of more private situation.  The place is cozy; it will be facilitated by a recently retired school teacher, Nara Narayan.  May he succeed. 

I just have to mention the pretzels that I met with the people behind them.  They are these colossal swirly pieces that really taste more like bagels.  I just can’t resist describing them, soft, tasty portions of rusty looking goodness.  The baker is Radha Krishna, who always comes up with something creative. 

At the ISKCON Centre, I met with individuals, which involves some counseling and hearing reports of progress made on devotional frontiers.  I had the honour to lead kirtan, then deliver a message based on the Gita, chapter 3, which reads, “Whatever a great person does, the world is inclined to follow.”  I asked the community up front, “Who’s a leader in this room?”  And the answer came back as, “We all are.” 

“Correct,” I said. “As soon as you’ve reached adulthood, you have reached the realm of responsibility, and the impressionable young ones under you will mirror what you do.  Be the example.”

It was a brief visit to Montreal, and I was destined to depart early the next day.  When you are a senior visiting monk, you are in hot demand.  I managed to slip away and go for a two kilometre walk, only to return for a much wanted all around massage, compliments of Jambhavan, an expert gripping therapist who realigned my machinery.  Thanks, Jambhavan.

May the Source be with you!

2 KM

Saturday, February 1st, 2014

Kleinburg, Ontario

A Different Kleinburg

At age 18 I hitchhiked with a friend to this village/town from southwestern Ontario to see the McMichael collection of artwork from the Group of Seven.  Their rendition of impressionistic art defined the nature, and I mean nature, of the Canadian landscape experience.  There are some fine pieces.  My favourite artist, Lauren Harris, did these outstanding pieces illustrating “raw” nature.

 

Four decades plus and I find myself in Kleinburg again.  It’s not the quaint place of before although nestled in a rolling-hills and tree environment.  Through a snow storm (what else is new) myself and a few other lay members of our community entered into an abode of mansions and more particularly the home of an accountant by the name of Rakesh.

 

It was the second engagement with the Punjabi community which was all geared up for an electrifying evening of kirtan.  Dhira Grahi of the Gaura Shakti bhajan band led the chant shortly after Emcee, Lajput introduced your humble servant as “the Walking Monk”.  Before the chant I suggested to Dhira that the Punjabi folks like zippy kirtans.  With a smile he said, “I know!”  And so he let it rip!

 

We honoured the thirteenth birthday of Rakesh’s son, Vipul.  The massive eggless cake was done up well with an ornamented “Prince” in front of his name.  The surface of it was designed like a basketball court which I imagined is Vipul’s passion.  He and his older bro danced up a storm over the percussion of the mridungas. Everyone, family and friends, lept into action in the rhythm of movement.  I noticed some wall-flowers, stiff and shy, who actually wanted to be part of the action.  In time, even they broke out of their shell and got caught up in the spirit of the evening.

 

A good gauge for knowing that the program went devotionally well is when the participants go away with reading material.  Bhaktivedanta Book Trust material, like the Bhagavad-gita, went into eager hands as the finishing touches were put to an ecstatic night.

 

Into the slush storm we went back to the ashram.
 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Friday, January 31st, 2014

Scarborough, Ontario

Three Monks from Montreal

Three monks from Montreal came.  They did not trek all the way to Toronto, but embarked on the usual Mega Bus.  This is a double-decker conveyance that you can see from miles away with its loud volume yellow and blue colours.  But let’s not get carried away by the means of transport, it’s the cargo that’s important.

On board was Tirtha Pavana, a Siberian born tall, thin, intense looking monastic turned family, but still a brahmin all the same, despite the change of colour from saffron to white.  He explained to me that he decided to do less travel and to get situated in a more grounded way.  I didn’t ask him, for lack of time, about a chosen life partner, but what I can say about him is that he’s very effective with people and has this incredible bravado about meeting with pedestrians, stopping them with his intense stare and then convincing them that spiritual life is worth looking at.

The other two monks from Montreal are Hayagriva and Frederic.  Let’s begin with Hayagriva.  He was born in Quebec, has a social worker’s background, was once a monk with the Swami Narayan organization, and is now the bhakta program in-charge at ISKCON Montreal.  He is studious, he is outgoing, and has a bubbly personality.  He’s as warm as a fresh baked baguette and is a real people person. 

Frederic is a newcomer, also an enthusiastic Quebecois.  He’s here along with the other two to have a little break or change before the long stretch of commitment at ISKCON Montreal where they will be acting as priestly substitutes while regular pujaris (priests) make pilgrimage to India.  I don’t know Frederic so well, but it looks like he’s a good candidate for liberation. 

India is a great place for pilgrimage.  I dream that one day Canada will have a reputation as such.  Currently, the whole world sees Canada as a safe and fair land that offers opportunity.  The spiritual component is sorely missing, however. 

Anyway, let’s see if the three monks from Montreal can change that.

For an evening engagement I slipped away about 20 KM via car (as passenger) towards Montreal to our Scarborough ISKCON Centre.  I was the teacher this evening on the topic of God’s impartiality, with source 9.29 from the Bhagavad Gita.  God’s disposition is like this:  equal, open to everyone, and offers a fair opportunity, and He responds more to those who respond to Him.  An apparent contradiction?  I don’t think so. 

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Great Meal / Great Verses

After a great meal at the Patel residence, along with Uttamananda, our steadfast monk from the ashram, I decided to trek it back home.  This is a very smart move, if I don’t say so myself.  When the belly starts to shake like jelly, you know you have to walk it off.  Let agni, the fire within, do its thing.

I traversed westbound on Danforth, one of my more favourite streets.  It’s Little Greece with an arctic spin when you go through.  Very decent folks, you don’t see anyone talking or grumbling to themselves on this stretch. 

Then you take the bridge over Don Valley.  Here, the wind really picks up.  Hold on to your hat – in my case, hood.  Then you come to posh Rosedale, quiet.  Victorian homes and a short stroll through Craig Leight Gardens.  Snow is the only thing growing in this garden these days.

Finally, you come to traffic when crossing Yonge Street – never a major problem.  Rarely do you find road warriors at such junctures.  Then it’s a final trek through one more park with tennis courts galore.  Some damage has been done on the court fences created by fallen trees during the recent ice storm.   You evade the dogs unleashed zone and walk up the sloped incline.  Cross Roxborough Street, and you’re home at 243 Avenue Road, former Methodist Church turned Hare Krishna Temple.

I came in the door and received an invitation to attend the Scarborough ISKCON Centre tomorrow.  So it’s a done deal.  There, I will speak from a verse of the Gita.  “What verse do you want me to speak from?”  I asked the centre’s rep who goes by the name of Dhira. 

“Can you speak from one of two of my favourite verses, either 9.22 or 9.29?”

I said, “Sure.”  In verse 22 there is the appealing phrase by Krishna where He says, “I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.”  Also appealing from 29 are the words, “I  envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone.  I am equal to all.”

May the Source be with you!

5KM

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

You’re A Healer

“You are a healer,” said the man who came to visit.

“I am?”  I asked.

“Yes.  The last time I came here you made me feel so much better.”

“Perhaps I sent some vibrations out to you.”

He was adamant and said, “You did, but it’s the things you said that helped me.”

To my recollection, I had said very little to our visitor, a young 27 year old.  Perhaps if I had said to him on the previous visit, “Please chant,” or, “You are not this body,” something instructive or philosophical, although brief, then he’s justified in what he is saying in my being a healer.  Medicine in the form of words can cure life, especially if it’s a time tested prescription, and not your own concoction. 

“You really helped me,” he insisted, “but I need some more help from you.”

“And what would that be?” 

“I’m at that age where I need to settle down, do you arrange marriages?” he asked.  It was sincere.

“My friend, I’m a monk, so I don’t get involved in such matters.  Choosing a life partner is something that you, your family, friends or all combined can help with.  We can perform the marriage once you’re set.”

“I really appreciate it,” he said as he got up from his chair and proceeded to the ashram’s dining room at Govinda’s.

Regarding being a healer, I can attest to some self healing – a few yogic cobra poses and a good 8 KM walking on the heels with Nick and Patrick.  That seemed to help tonnes with a sciatic nerve issue.  It would appear that healing powers are in everyone.   A good piece of advice can indicate you’re a healer, even if you don’t possess the ability to cure through the physical touch.  Start healing!

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Two Years for TS

In the ashram/temple we cut a birthday cake.  It’s been a two year running of Tuesday’s sanga. 

What to many people is a most boring and dull time of the week, Tuesday afternoon/evening, is actually a real life - my spirit occasion, when the sanga rolls around.  Sanga means soul association.  When people come together for spiritual centric purposes, the topics are about higher consciousness.  The procedure is rather interactive.  There is also kirtan, a chanting done in unison.  The special feature is prasadam, blessed food, and tonight it was a cake to boot. 

Manaksi, a loyal attendee, baked the best cake in the universe, with the main ingredient being pecan flour.  It was nectar for the tummy and the tongue. 

For the ears, I was asked to speak about the importance of sanga, so I made reference to the Bhagavad Gita, 10.9:

“Devotees derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” – Sri Krishna.

During the session where I asked for comments one fellow said, “I come regularly on Tuesday and it’s such a relief for me.  It’s a nice break from the materialistic world.”

A woman spoke as well, admitting that she was reluctant to participate in the beginning, but when she got the encouragement from family, she attended and had a change of heart.  She likes the community/family feel. 

The coordinator, Indresh, spoke about how attendance has fluctuated over the 100 weeks plus.  Tonight, at the session, there was 25 strong.  Not the largest turn out.  Sometimes due to weather conditions, five or six diehards show up.  Indresh seemed to indicate that Tuesday is special, and the program will go on despite the accordion dynamic of attendance. 

Personally, I enjoy the sanga, social company and a Krishna cake.  I couldn’t enjoy the walk today, some spasm hit my left side, so I spent a portion of the day using my own recipe on physiotherapy, trying to take care. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Nick and Choices

 Nick was my ravine companion today.

“What an awesome serenity it is!”  I said to him trying to stir a response.

“Absolutely, you forget what it’s like because we’re always in the city.”

Before we embarked on this evening trek, Nick was a little apprehensive, “It’s going to be quite dark, isn’t it, Maharaja?”

“Not really, the snow lights up the way.”

During the entire trek, we saw not a soul in the ravine, until what appeared to be an apparition, a dark and hazy image of a human who then separated into three.  There it was, heavily clothed, and out of the form manifest two dogs on either side of this woman, leashed by her hands.  Funny thing was, when we got about two arms lengths close to her as we stuck to the tight trail, she, the dog owner, appeared more spooked of us than we were of her.

I swear to God, they were our only encounterees on the trail.  It contributed to the shanty (peaceful) nature of the place.  It was such a far cry from the quick encounter Durjoy and I had on Yonge Street the night before, right outside a strip joint.  Two young men were just initiating a brawl.  There were foul words, shouting began, then the breaking of a beer bottle as a lethal weapon.  It was Kali Yuga in full swing.  This is not what you are likely to see in a natural ambience which is so passive.  We kept walking on hoping to report to the police.  No luck. 

If we have a choice towards a passive or passionate life, and we do, why not act smart?  Make the right decision.  Don’t let anger block the intelligence.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Sunday, January 26th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Acceptance of the Storms

Nature can be very punishable, so it seems at times, with such severe weather being what it is.  Have we done anything wrong? 

An emphatic “yes” would be the appropriate answer.  Let’s be honest.

Someone or something is a witness to our actions, making a subliminal registry.  Karma is then released in time, good or bad, positive or negative.  It can come charging like some lanced gladiator, or softly land like a gentle angel floating in.

During the freeze dynamic of the outdoors, the morning at the ashram had begun.  Two of our monks were comfortably nestled next to the old timed radiator.  They were in the lotus position.  A third one was on a chair nearby, being that he suffered from a stroke years ago.  His mantra chanting doesn’t sound so articulate while he fingers through his meditative beads.  For the other two, their sound is clear in the delivery of the mantra meditation.  I can see that out of respect for the more senior and disabled monk, that they accept his awkward but sincere verbal output. 

Sitting cross the cozy meditative zone we’ve created for ourselves was me, and like the other three, we are all dealing with our stormy minds.  In this regard the outdoor winter madness, and the mental barrage within, are one.  Only the mantra, once concentrated upon, will permit a sense of aloofness from any mental blizzard. 

Snowflakes galore descended for the bulk of the day in winters persistence.  Fortunately, it did not deter people from coming to our Sunday Open House.  Then I personally enjoyed the slide presentation by my spiritual sister, Praharana, it was most enlivening seeing from the presentation that some of our monks in Burma are receiving as donations, neglected temples.  These older structures are now being adopted.

The feast was amazing at the Open House, and we had a rousing kirtan to follow, which lasted until 9 PM. 

New laden snow made a walk attractive, and so Durjoy, a young Bangladesh devotee who comes around, joined me in this last activity of the day.  We both vowed that it would be a japa (chanting) walk.  With our winter parka pockets as beadbags, we clutched our right hands tightly onto our beads while addressing the stormy minds within.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Saturday, January 25th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Cars and Danger

Our morning group read an excerpt from the book Bhagavatam, 8.2.32, on the theme of the dangerous world we live in.  The subject is a boost for the walking culture, at least that’s the way I read into it. 

“At every step, at every moment, there is danger.  In modern civilization, one thinks that if he has a nice home and a nice car, his life is perfect.  In the western countries, especially in America, it is very nice to possess a good car, but as soon as one is on the road, there is danger, because at any moment, an accident will take place, and one will be killed.  The record actually shows that so many people die in such accidents.  Therefore, if we actually think this material world is a very happy place, this is our ignorance.  Real knowledge is that this material world is full of danger.”

This excerpt resonates very well with me because the safer mode of life – walking, is a sermon that I love to preach. 

After attending and being the guest speaker at “An Evening of Bhakti” held at the ashram (and I must say that the program was highly successful), I went for my daily downtime.  I trekked west on Bloor Street and beyond the iconic store, Honest Ed’s, which turns into Little Korea.  As usual, these stretches of sidewalks are vibrant with people.  The draw is the mom and pop shops, cafes, the odd theatre, book stores and vintage shops.

I was reminded of the old Petula Clark song, “Downtown”, and how lively and lovely a peopled street can be.  It’s very engaging watching everyone and peering at trinkets and window displays.  You feel safe, most definitely, until you come to a juncture where cars zip by from every which way.  Not safe!  Not safe! 

Mind you, the message from the Bhagavatam alludes to danger at any point, time and place, because ultimately, what security do you have?  Whether you are behind a wheel, or under a wheel, the material world is a dangerous place. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Friday, January 24th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

A Hardy Hearty Trail

Dan is a diabetic person who comes around our ashram.   We had a great meal together, and as we did honour the prasadam (blessed food), a group from a walkers club came in for the same.   You are looking at a dozen or so people who seem to be retired folks.  Even in the 20 below Celsius weather, they brave the trails of hardened snow and ice.  Once I was told of a trail, one I’m familiar with, I got inspired, and asked Dan if he would go for a trek before the coming blizzard.

“Let’s go, Dan, it’ll be fun,” I said.  So he went home to put on extra layers of clothes and we headed for the ravine.

Dan loves to talk in a lively optimistic way.  But I let him know that with us so bundled up with two sets of hoods over our ears, we wouldn’t be able to communicate much.  He quickly resigned to the procedure of a meditative watch where you step type of trek. 

He at times asked, “Where are we, I’ve lost my sense of direction?”  as we snaked along trails that were marked by the footprints of previous trekkers.  Otherwise, the whole snow laden area was up for grabs, including the frozen ponds.  Actually, you make your own path.  I’ve never experienced a more severe winter in my six decades on this planet. 

Once Dan and I came out of nature and more to the street level, he got his bearings together, “You know, I really like this.  It’s a little tough, but I know it’s good for my health.”

“Yes, Dan, do a bit of this every day.”

When we reached the ashram, the redness of our exposed faces lingered for a good hour or so, even after a good shower.  It was an accomplishment that Dan and I felt great about, like an Arctic Conquest.  I got a lot of chanting in and worked up an appetite.  “Shall we do it again, Dan?”

“Absolutely,” he said.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

From The Balcony

Whatever I trekked today was indoors for the second consecutive day.  It’s a rather ideal walkway that is located in our temple room.  Formerly a Methodist church, its high ceiling accommodates a balcony which I use as this walkway.  It is a horseshoe shaped area with different levels on which to walk.

From any angle on that height you can see all the pilgrims and meditators that come and go.  It’s a marvelous vantage point.  From the south standing position on the balcony you look north and angle low to see the sacred images of Krishna.  It’s a very special place.  And just behind you is a temperature controlled area which houses the auspicious plant, Tulasi.  It’s great being in the presence of this exotic basil species used in devotional rituals.  She stands in green glory – several dozens of her. 

On the western wall of the balcony, three fair sized arched windows open up to reveal the active outside street called Avenue Road.  Peering out I could see the chilly dynamic of weather this winter.  Exhaust from vehicles curl up into clouds and then dissolve eventually in its ascension.  It is such a consistently frigid winter in most of North America, with plummeting temperatures all around. 

From the balcony you have three worlds at your exposure – the tropical house of Tulasi, the ice world of the outside, and the spirit world of Krishna deities sheltered in shringasan domes, very ornately decorated. 

It’s a very high but tucked away place on that balcony.  I contemplated, “if ever there was truth to the global warming theory with ice caps melting, and Lake Ontario starting to rise with serious flood breakouts, this would be the obvious place to be. “

May the Source be with you!

5 KM