Monday, September 29, 2014

North York, Ontario

 

Back In

 

I am back in Canada, but still moving around. I was booked with Krishna Club at York University to speak on “A Day in the Life of a Monk.”  To reach the location on campus for sitting in the round, I decided to walk two thirds of the way there to Sheppard and Bathurst.

 

A young woman, Sonia, was waiting at the street corner near Holy Blossom Synagogue, when she saw me cross.  I heard her audible question over the traffic noise. “Are you a monk?”  I did a pedestrian u-turn and got to the spot of her standing point.

 

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”

 

We got to talking. I wish she could have attended the talk I was delivering.  All along my trek on Bathurst I could see there were responsive people, including Jewish private school students, and Catholic Filipino folks now off from work.

 

I was reminded of the multicultural world we live in, not much different from the town I was raised in.  We had people of varying backgrounds, a veritable potpourri of folks.  English, French, Belgian, Dutch, Czechs, Italians, etc.  Even a brown Trinidadian man came to move to town to teach mathematics at the high school.

 

Eventually I did get picked up by Yura and Aastha for the balance of the trip to York U.  Aastha does standup comedy.  On her request, she had asked for topics she might include in her act.

 

“Why not open the Bhagavad-gita and derive some ideas from there – topics such as karma , dharma, the three modes, yoga, liberation, and happiness to begin with?”  Happiness is a topic she’s already been toying with, hence the question, “What else?”

 

We met with students in the round and delineated on a day in the life to a degree.  I believe the young minds were transported.  But I think the kirtan at the end of the session allowed themselves to travel for a moment extra-terrestially.  

 

May the Source be with you!

 

10 KM

Sunday, September 29th, 2014

Philadelphia, Pensylvania

 

Germantown and Beyond

 

Nikhil, a chap from Virginia, and I took to trekking along Germantown Avenue.  Architecturally, it has a European flavor with its homey-looking shops, cobblestone roads, tight lanes, and just charm.  Going east, it starts to take on a more gloomy, almost ghetto-like feel.

 

Being Sunday morning, you see the odd person at 7am on their way to work. A coffee shop employee, perhaps.  There is always a very devout mama who’s dressed in her Baptist best, hat a la mode and all.  A young teenaged black dude was darting down the street in a stark white shirt, tie, and spiffy suit.  As I was told last year on my visit here, this area became the first integrated neighbourhood in America.  Blacks, whites, southerners, northerners, new immigrants and earlier established folks all got along.  Spirituality may have had something to do with that.  Nikhil and I can see plenty of churches, even seminaries in the districts. The Lutherans have a gorgeous ground for their seminary students, just minutes from our ISKCON centre.

 

Several theology students did visit our temple and in fact, watched our play, “Little Big Ramayaan.” The audience – students and congregants – were so responsive. It seems that the signature line to this play is the final one.  When narration tells, “Relationships have always been complicated. Even on the divine Absolute realm.”   And of course what resonates with the audience also is Ravana’s line “You disgust me,” amplifying the general disdain that a worldly person has for the world.  Ravana is the nemesis of ego, something we can all relate to.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Saturday, September 27th, 2014

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Franklin’s Lookalike Spoke

I had asked the fellow dressed like Benjamin Franklin what his favourite quote was.  It is my second visit to the Chariot Festival in Philly, and it being such an historical city, and one of their proud father of the nation, in fact, was Mr. Franklin, whom had an incredible brain.  So I asked him for some wisdom.  The local man in period costume answered my question, “I have many sayings, but my chosen favourite is about talent that is hidden and not put to use is like a sundial in darkness.”

“I like that.  I thank you,” I said.  And then he went to Rome through the booths at the festival which is one block from the steps that the famous icon, Rocky Balboa, ran up and down at the art museum.

I had a chance to hear and see talent from the main stage.  Yadunatha from New York is a standup comedian, who pokes fun at ourselves, the Krishna monks.  He always cracks me up.  Talk about hidden talent.  I don’t happen to know his stage name, but he’s a great entertainer.  Just after his act came a local dance troupe presenting Odissi dance items.  The dancers were good, it just went on too long, leaving the audience with no break.  Then came our group performing “Little Big Ramayan”.  Now, I cannot speak objectively on the performance, but from my side I believe they executed their parts quite well despite challenges such as the slippery floor causing Ravana to fall off the stage.  All the performers had the chance to display their abilities – talent that’s not exhibited unless someone comes along to present the opportunity and discovers something wonderful. 

Regarding walking I believe that in this day of sophisticated mobilization, walking is a hidden talent, we have it in us.  If one gives it a chance, one will see how it benefits us in so many ways.

May the Source be with you!

10 klickaroos.

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Row The Boat

I made sure to trek a trail before the long 8 hour drive to Philly.  A group of 11 of us split between two rented vans made the pleasant journey through a  portion of upstate new York and Pennsylvania which is absolutely scenic.  The 11 of us were the invited drama troupe to the city’s Chariot Festival.  But one more person from California was to meet us in Philly to make the cast complete.  He was number 12.  I’m sorry to say that his cancelation at the last minute was disappointing.  He chose to be lazy.  He’s talented, this was a golden opportunity for him, he just didn’t make it to the airport in time.  Missed his flight and the ticket we paid for became dissolved.  He was just unable to get it together, although he had all the time.  This threw off our plans for a full cast.  Fortunately a capable actor/devotee was contacted and came to save the day.  My consideration is that everyone in life should endeavour to be that team player.  I am reminded of a phrase by Jean Paul Sartre, “Only the guy who is not rowing has time to rock the boat.”

Two elements checked what could have been an anger fit for me.  Number 1, the people I do have, 11 or so, are just a dream to be with.  They are cooperation personified.  Secondly, I was moved with some pity for the lost soul who lost our confidence, especially after not having apologized.  He must really be struggling in life.  He’s young, and it’s obvious he’s making some mistakes.  I will not give up on him should he choose to reach out for help.

Anyways, once reaching the city of brotherly love, we worked with our extra (Jon by name) and he was a fabulous replacement. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

 

About Grandma Gatewood

 

I trekked some of the streets today in Toronto (what else is new?) but I felt my mind to be miles away on a lonely but what's become a popular trail.  After an article about a trail-blazing walker was forwarded to me I felt to be backtracking and backtracking with this person.

 

The person referred to is Emma Rowena Gatewood.  An excellent book was recently published delineating her story and how she saved the well-known trail in America's east coast - the Appalachian Trail.

 

In 1955 Emma, known to many as Grandma Gatewood, became the first woman to hike the entire 2,168 mile (3,489 km) trail.  She did so in sneakers and carried an army blanket, a raincoat, shower curtain, and a change of clothes.  She took to harvesting wild plants and also carried cheese, nuts, and dried fruit along with dried (well you know we Hare Krishnas don't eat meat).

 

Now I was only 3 when this remarkable person accomplished this amazing feat, with her feet.  She is regarded as a pioneer for ultra-light hiking.  Awesome also is that she hiked the Appalachian Trail once again in 1960 and again at age 75 three years later.

 

This give me hope that age (I'm almost 62) is not a restriction for achieving long distance pilgrimage.  Her journey reminds me of the incredible hikes of yogis in the Himalayas who carried nothing, sometimes not even clothes on their back.  It is also reminiscent of what I've read about the Pandava princes of the Mahabharat when they made their final foot trek through the mountains.

Totally inspiring! 

 

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

The Grapes In Fall


I grabbed a grape while on the walk
Chewed in time to the stepping Croc
Felt the sun that reds the face
Walked along all o’er the place

Down Dupont, a road so plain
Stepped in stride and felt no pain
Moved those limbs in perfect swing
Like light flight on a feathered wing

I sang a song, a mantra low
Picked up speed and went not slow
I had my heart inside my shoes
There was no need to sing the blues

Chant and trek, trek and chant
I beat the mind which says, “I can’t”
I consumed a meal, mmm…  so good
Tummy’s fire liked the food

We monks ate with appetite
Eating veggies – a sense delight
“Enough’s enough,” we told the cook
Subuddhi had us on a hook

Then step by step I went on foot
The others cycled on the route
I spotted this grape, was so awesome
I imagine it was once a blossom

It hung from vine by a wall
A feature of the season we call “Fall”


May the Source be with you!

10 KM

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

North York, Ontario

Watch Where You Sit


Everyone was very careful where to plop their buttocks.  Those Canada geese do a fairly good job at leaving their droppings on the campus grass. 

York University was the venue near what everyone calls, ‘The Fountain’.  Some students, some monks and I received full approval via the Krishna Club to help ourselves to the green grass for chanting, drumming and schmoozing.  One of our monks, Hayagriva, took his bag of bhakti books around trying to interest students in the sublime philosophical outlook of bhakti¸devotion.  There were takers.

There were also takers to our kirtan.  One young Ethiopian student sat with us, with care, on the grass, soaking in the sound.  Many other students very indifferently walked by and some even nonchalantly helped themselves to the grass, with prudence, to sit or lie down near us.  I believe that in their own way they were expressing interest in our sound. 

I particularly enjoyed when some students, two guys and a gal, came armed with djembes and one dundun.  This thumping lent itself to our musical efforts.  It’s always great to have back up to the sound of  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Our drive home was crazy.  There was so much traffic and construction, all in preparation for next year’s PanAm games.  You have to watch the traffic like you do the geese dung.  Frankly, I would rather come face to face with organic bird mush over oncoming metal monsters in the form of cars. 

May the Source be with you!  Watch where you drive, sit, stand, walk, run and lie down.

6 KM

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Loss Versus Gain


Officially for a day or so now, it’s fall.  The temperature dip proves it.  Nevertheless, Karuna, Wade and I, took to the ravine.  Colours are starting to show like only autumn can do.  You’ve got red sumac, blue chicory, orange touch-me-nots, black choke cherries, purple asters, goldenrod, and all kinds of greens.

Our First Nations people for thousands of years enjoyed this colour festival within nature’s pharmacy – the forest.  Medicinal properties were known to them, and also, to some degree, the European settlers.  Are we as enlightened today?  No.  We must be honest and claim ignorance.  Furthermore then, are we forest wise?  Are we able to survive?  No. 

Our indigenous people were gurus when it came to knowing how to survive in natural surroundings.

Wade hastened to say, “But it’s almost too late.  Some Native elders may have the wisdom, but once they go…”  Fortunately some of that wisdom is recorded.  I guess you could say that such classic concern regarding lessons on life, which get lost, are a reality.  In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna gives mention of the science of the self being buried in time.  It was then necessary to reestablish this ancient science.  This was then taught by Krishna, Himself, to Arjuna, in order that humankind would benefit. 

Lost wisdom is the greatest loss.  Wisdom revived is the greatest triumph. 

On the topic of the ultimate science we may ask, “Do I have a good grip on my own identity?  Who am I after all?  What is my real purpose in being in this world?  Do I just live to die?”  Explore the answers and gain some freedom.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Sunday, September 21st, 2014

Brampton/Toronto

No Stickler


My doctor friend and student, Vikas Pandit (AKA Jagannatha Mishra and I) had trekked the night before along Lake Ontario.  To me, it’s a haunting place with some currents of obnoxious smells from the local Stelco plant.  The wind blew warmly and strongly against our bodies.  Trees danced, but to the exclusion of their legs.  Waves of water lapped against the sandy edge of the beach.  It was eerie in a nice kind of way, and the sensation encouraged a long awaited 6 hour straight sleep to follow – a rarity. 

Jagannatha drove me to the ISKCON Brampton Centre this morning where kirtan, philosophy and food occupied mid day.  Then I was driven to Toronto for a second delivery of words.  This time, readings from “Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint”.  I had chosen passages that would illustrate in what I’d call ‘mind blowers’.  For those amongst the community who have become familiar with some of our rigid practices regarding eating habits, such as no chocolate, no onion stricture, I read about the loopholes, or flexibilities, that our guru implemented.  He was obviously teaching the lesson that while it is good to exercise self-discipline, one must bear in mind that time, place, and circumstance have their utility.  From the book, here’s what one person, Kaushalya, recalls in this regard:

“A lady had prepared a huge and delicious vegetarian feast for us, but there were onions throughout the vegetables.  One of the men leaned over to Prabhuapda and whispered, ‘Prabhupada, there are onions in the vegetables,’ Prabhupada looked over at him angrily and said, ‘Quiet, eat, it doesn’t matter, just eat.’  He didn’t want to offend her.  Being an appreciative guest was more of a concern to him than the fact that there were onions in the vegetables.  He ate it and complimented her on her cooking.
 
“Another time we were served chocolate, and we all thought, ‘Oh, we’re not supposed to eat chocolate because it’s got caffeine in it.’  Prabhupada said, ‘Eat it.’  He was casual in some ways and strict in other ways.  I think his principle was he didn’t want to offend our hosts by being a stickler for the rules and regulations.  It was a great example.”
 
May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Saturday, September 20th, 2014

Hamilton, Ontario

Happiness in Hamilton


I like the crowd at Shanti Yoga Studio on Main Street in Hamilton.  The hosts, Alex and Jay, are so accommodating.  The people that come to partake in our kirtan and talk are eager, receptive and responsive. 

I teamed up with the Gaura Shakti Bhajan Band, and with Keshava, who does so well with being emcee to our bhakti presentation.  Our experience is that it doesn’t take much to take this group from the lotus sitting position, to elevate up to standing and jumping for chants and dance. 

The mantras used:  “Om namo Bhaghavate vasudevaya”, a Ram mantra, and finally, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”.
 
Each successive sound got better, more inclusive (participation wise) and became indicative of surrender. 

We are looking at 60 people who have the heart and fervour of the Kelowna, BC response this last summer.

How was the food at the end?  Marvelous!  Our chef, Sachi, put out her best.  Her best love and creativity.  It was prasadam (blessed by God).  I also had the floor to present Tales From Trails, highlighting the practice of an ancient past – walking with purposeful intent.  I relayed to the group how a motorist stopped to offer a ride one day this summer.  I apologized, “I can’t take rides, I’m walking the nation.”

“Is this for personal growth?”  he asked.

And I said, “Absolutely, I’m being totally selfish.”

This in many ways was the message of the night, “Be selfish!  Get strong in order to help others.”  If the chanting doesn’t do it (get you in shape) then I don’t know what will.  Ultimately it’s an individual and collective effort. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

Prove Improve Disprove

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would always make the point to prove that you are human.  On the basis of behaviour and belief, it can be ascertained whether one has actually achieved this honoured status.  It has much to do with the ability to go beyond eating, sleeping, mating, defending, and the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong and between matter and spirit.  A human cannot claim superiority, more so it’s responsibility that makes the human. 

To prove the point, you should always improve.  We know that ‘to err is human’, we make mistakes, but we always endeavour to correct them, prove and improve. 

I went on foot on this fine day of sun and temperate degrees to the ‘Brickworks’.  An abandoned quarry which had provided mud for bricks had turned into a haven for people who enjoy urban greenness.  Every time I make my way here, my feet up to my head, reach a happier state.  I see that the grounds are improved each time. 

Recently a switchback path had been introduced which takes you to an elevation point where you can view the valley from above, and the rather stunning cityscape from the distance.  The pathway is lain with tiny stones and not asphalt, thank God.  I congratulate the workers on this and the city that supports them.  They are maintaining, proving, and improving, while disproving that neglect works. 

Few cyclists come to this little nook, few runners.  It’s primarily walkers who escape the city madness while being in the city in this location.  Here’s my challenge, I dare you, you are a human being, prove it!  WALK. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Toronto, Ontario

In my stroll through a quiet residential area of homes and trees, both glorious in stature, I contemplated verses from the Bhagavad Gita which describes the Absolute in the manifestation of the witness of everything.  They are powerful statements. 

13.13

Brahman, the spirit, beginningless and subordinate to Me, lies beyond the cause and effect of this material world. 
 
13.14
 
Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes, heads and faces, and He has ears everywhere.  In this way the Supersoul exists, pervading everything. 
 
13.15
 
The Supersoul is the original source of all senses, yet He is without senses.  He is unattached, although He’s the maintainer of all living beings.  He transcends the modes of nature and at the same time He is the master of all the modes of material nature. 
 
13.16
 
The Supreme Truth exists outside and inside of all living beings, the moving and the non moving.  Because He is subtle, He is beyond the power of the material senses to see or to know.  Although far, far away, He is also near to all.
 
13.17
 
Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, He is never divided, situated as one.  Although the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that he devours and develops all.
 
13.18
 
He is the source of light in all luminous objects.  He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested.  He is the object of knowledge, the goal of knowledge.  He is situated in everyone’s heart.
 
May the Source be with you!

7 KM