Toronto/Houston
Man With a Light Heart
“What’s this?” asked the tall service man in a most jovial tone. He was gesturing at my vestments as he was about to handle my luggage for the drop off at the airport terminal.
“I’m a monk,” I said.
“Buddhist?”
“No, Krishna.”
“Do you teach fighting?” he went on with keen interest.
“Our order gets more involved in teaching music, teaching, singing, chanting, like that.”
“Oh, you mean all that peaceful stuff. I go for those monks that fly in the air, come down crashing and then flattening someone.”
I joined in on his facetious way, appreciating that he loved his work and life. I let him know that I was truly sorry to disappoint him. I relayed that I do pilgrim work, occasionally fly (by United Airlines this time) and hopefully come down for a soft landing. I offered him a mantra card, which when recited, the chant can take you places.
The man gladly hoisted my two hefty pieces of luggage, one by one, onto the conveyor, gave a nod and outstretched his arm for the next person about to go through security. The brief encounter with the happy uniformed man showed me how you should treat life – lightheartedly.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
B L O G S P O T
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Wednesday, November 19th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Favorites
At the Tuesday sanga led in our ashram last evening, I was asked to prepare a message. I chose to speak on my favorite verses from the Bhagavad Gita. I would say that I have about 10 verses that I have picked that are most endearing to me personally. I also gave a brief explanation as to why they are my chosen ones.
I see no harm in embracing words that resonate the most. Here goes:
(BG 4:35) "Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into such illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living things are but a part of the Supreme, or, in other words that they are Mine."
My comment: Here, Krishna gives reassurance that after assimilating the wisdom He imparted, one will be protected. Secondly, the true perception of the world is that all creatures have a divine connection with Him.
Verse 2 (BG 5:18) "The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision, a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog eater."
My comment: This verse speaks of spiritual equality over physical difference.
Verse 3 (BG 7:8) "O son of Kunti, (Arjuna), I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable Om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.
Comment: Here, most profound, is the fact that Divine presence is identified in basic things, not excluding our outputs. We can take little credit for what we do.
May the Source be with You!
0 KM
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Sometimes
Sometimes when walking, and at the last time engrossed in conversation the time speeds by like a bullet. When the topic is particularly rich and holds your interests you can honestly say you are not taking steps at all. You almost forget where you are. Major attentiveness occurs only when crossing the street, otherwise you can find yourself quite aloof from your surroundings. This kind of preoccupation is rather sublime. You just hanker for more of this.
It was actually yesterday that my walking companion and I entered the world of "thinking out of the box." We explored the topic of becoming more relevant to the public in our efforts to sharing the science of Krishna devotionalism.
Generally I would wear my traditional robes, dhoti and kurta on such walks. Not today. Weather, not so much permitting. My partner is also a Krishna follower, wore his civilian clothing, all in black as he came directly from the office. In our dialogue my friend expressed that perhaps closing the gaps between East and West would be a favorable thing to do. And he also implied when in Rome, do as the Romans do. In terms of attire and also the way you do things. In other words, we don’t have to compromise our philosophy, life's goals, and culture; only a few adjustments need to be made. His overall concern was that perhaps the face of Krishna consciousness could be more approachable perhaps even a CEO presence for our world-wide organization would be somewhat advantageous. These were some suggestions.
It was all good what he said. I was listening intently. The time passed by like anything. Of course all we spoke about had a connection to the Divine. Walking and talking are perfect marriage partners.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Monday, November 17th, 2014
Toronto, Ontario
Coming Back
Coming back to my desk I was greeted by the latest sent package. Through the padded package I could feel it was books. Tearing it open with a kid's excitement, the easy-to-do surgical session revealed the latest devotional meditations by editor Krishna Ksetra Swami. Part three of the series is entitled Gaura Smarana. Contributors of monologues on these devotional reflections are many. My gift was a piece called, "Jagai's Recall." Here's the opening of a monologue by confessions of a former derelict:
"Some people call it fate, some people call it luck. Others say that karma brought me to my present state of relief, calm, and joy; that I am the recipient of some meritorious doings in the past, that I earned it, that my higher birth with brahminical brain, bones, and blood bore the fruit of good fortune. Most solemnly, I will say that these notions are no more than the hot fresh dung of a monkey. In fact, I will argue this point from the height of the heavens down to the big hole of hell, that none of the above fits the description of my personal destiny. I will declare it most emphatically that chance, effort, and birthright, play no part in the blessings that I currently enjoy. The only, and I say "only" truthful explanation behind my present good turn in life is that I happened to stand in the pool of His radiance..."
May the Source be with You!
7 KM
Sunday, November 16th, 2014
Brampton, Ontario
Thinking About Walking
Even when I’m not on one of those walking marathons, I find the opportunity to think about or talk about the next venture. While on flight back to Toronto, I spoke to the passenger next to me, a woman from Halifax, about my previous and anticipated treks. She took a fancy to what I was saying in regards to these adventures.
Yes, I do miss the road. I can’t wait to get back. We’ll just let the winter pass. Now, with the current snow seen and felt, when on a short jaunt in Brampton, I realized the limitations of walking. But it’s not full restrictions. The stuff was coming down like those perfect light crystal flakes, and even later in downtown Toronto for a second take on my mobile feet, a wetter version of snow descended on the nose, giving a tickling sensation. Still, I can walk.
As long as you have the out of doors, as long as you have a good runway so to speak, you can walk in almost any condition. I’m reminded of the ill fated, though heroic, Franklin expedition, sent from England in the mid 19th century, with the intent to explore a northwest passage to the east, a ship was jammed in ice and snow. Crew members were forced to venture through a forbidden wilderness in Canada’s far north on foot, taking refuge. They did a lot of trudging through thick snow. Unfortunately no one survived those walks. Sir John Franklin and his men were stricken with frostbite on top of the lead poisoning.
It’s tales like this, like the Franklin expedition, that tell of incredible bravery, and makes me think that in this life I can’t claim to have done anything heroic on that magnitude.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Thinking About Walking
Even when I’m not on one of those walking marathons, I find the opportunity to think about or talk about the next venture. While on flight back to Toronto, I spoke to the passenger next to me, a woman from Halifax, about my previous and anticipated treks. She took a fancy to what I was saying in regards to these adventures.
Yes, I do miss the road. I can’t wait to get back. We’ll just let the winter pass. Now, with the current snow seen and felt, when on a short jaunt in Brampton, I realized the limitations of walking. But it’s not full restrictions. The stuff was coming down like those perfect light crystal flakes, and even later in downtown Toronto for a second take on my mobile feet, a wetter version of snow descended on the nose, giving a tickling sensation. Still, I can walk.
As long as you have the out of doors, as long as you have a good runway so to speak, you can walk in almost any condition. I’m reminded of the ill fated, though heroic, Franklin expedition, sent from England in the mid 19th century, with the intent to explore a northwest passage to the east, a ship was jammed in ice and snow. Crew members were forced to venture through a forbidden wilderness in Canada’s far north on foot, taking refuge. They did a lot of trudging through thick snow. Unfortunately no one survived those walks. Sir John Franklin and his men were stricken with frostbite on top of the lead poisoning.
It’s tales like this, like the Franklin expedition, that tell of incredible bravery, and makes me think that in this life I can’t claim to have done anything heroic on that magnitude.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Saturday, November 15th, 2014
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
The Snow Stayed Hard
We drove into the land of whiteness, where snowmobilers conquer any cleared areas. Tracks of those passionate machines have clearly made their mark through the laden snow after a major storm yesterday. This is not how it was when I landed in Canada’s east coast a week ago. I wasn’t so much prepared, clothing wise, for the change. I usually live in denial at pronounced seasonal changes.
What a great wrap-up it was in these Maritimes, in a culture of traditional direction which goes towards the fruit of the sea. But, “the times they are a changin’,” Dylan wrote. Is it possible to see lobster dinners being replaced by kirtan on a Saturday night?
Here in New Glasgow, just off the Trans Canada Highway, a curious group of people met with Mukunda, Nirmana, Joseph, Ashley, and myself, at a yoga studio on the floor atop a Subway restaurant. The building owners showed up for our little session, so did yoga students, didgeridoo players, and Leslie.
Who is Leslie? Well, she’s a fantastic networker who got the word out that this ancient practice of this immersion into sacred sound was about to take place. Having full on experience from Vancouver, the country’s west coast, Leslie managed to summon the curious. I know that the attendees came out of inquisitiveness. They told me so. They were cool with something so experientially different. For them, it was learning new songs, moving to new dance steps and smacking the hands in unison claps – all wrapped in one. It was fun!
To put the evening to a grand finale, one of the guys, a forest preserver by profession, did a demo of fire dancing. Now, that was outside. His kerosene flames didn’t quite melt the snow around us, but with his performance and the kirtan, hearts did melt.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
The Snow Stayed Hard
We drove into the land of whiteness, where snowmobilers conquer any cleared areas. Tracks of those passionate machines have clearly made their mark through the laden snow after a major storm yesterday. This is not how it was when I landed in Canada’s east coast a week ago. I wasn’t so much prepared, clothing wise, for the change. I usually live in denial at pronounced seasonal changes.
What a great wrap-up it was in these Maritimes, in a culture of traditional direction which goes towards the fruit of the sea. But, “the times they are a changin’,” Dylan wrote. Is it possible to see lobster dinners being replaced by kirtan on a Saturday night?
Here in New Glasgow, just off the Trans Canada Highway, a curious group of people met with Mukunda, Nirmana, Joseph, Ashley, and myself, at a yoga studio on the floor atop a Subway restaurant. The building owners showed up for our little session, so did yoga students, didgeridoo players, and Leslie.
Who is Leslie? Well, she’s a fantastic networker who got the word out that this ancient practice of this immersion into sacred sound was about to take place. Having full on experience from Vancouver, the country’s west coast, Leslie managed to summon the curious. I know that the attendees came out of inquisitiveness. They told me so. They were cool with something so experientially different. For them, it was learning new songs, moving to new dance steps and smacking the hands in unison claps – all wrapped in one. It was fun!
To put the evening to a grand finale, one of the guys, a forest preserver by profession, did a demo of fire dancing. Now, that was outside. His kerosene flames didn’t quite melt the snow around us, but with his performance and the kirtan, hearts did melt.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Friday, 28 November 2014
Friday, November 14th, 2014
The Walking Monk Salad Dressing
Sackville, NB
I just have to share with you what I consider delicious; The Walking Monk Salad Dressing. Creator of the recipe: Radha Krishna Dasi from Montreal.
(Makes approximately 750ml \ 2.5 cups)
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes (flakes)
3 tablespoons tamari
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoon buckwheat honey
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon asefateda (hing)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Put all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until smooth.
I'm a sucker for salads only when not naked. The salad will have to have some dressing. Offer it to your deity or picture of Krishna with mantras and you'll find something divine.
Speaking of executing a ritual, I was graced with occasions to speak at two universities about rites of passage. Firstly, at St. Thomas University I demonstrated a puja (worship procedure) for a standard arati. It involves incense, flame, water, towel, flower, bell, and blowing conch. I think it was a treat for Professor Parkhill's students.
Then in Sackville, New Brunswick, the practice of kirtan was highlighted at Mount Allison University with students of Barb Clayton. This was delectable as was the first group and as is the salad dressing.
May the Source be with you.
5 KM
Thursday, November 13th, 2014
With and Without Zoro
Fredericton, NB
With all the talk in recent years about Global Village realities where cultural distinctions merge into a corporate-intended melting pot we may wonder if unique identities even stand a chance for a place in society. Some believe that you can never wipe out or merge distinctiveness completely; that the world will also appear to function on a unity in diversity basis in one way or another.
I found interesting that as a guest speaker to a class on Religious Studies at St. Thomas University on the path of Krishna Consciousness, Prof. Parkhill, our invitee, was embarking on a theme 'How We Other Others'. My assumption on this topic is how and why people build walls between each other, overall the dynamics behind seeing the guy on the other side of the fence as different and passing fast judgement on him.
In any event, my presentation was done, students seemed satisfied with responses to questions and we finished with a happy kirtan.
Wade, a resident of Fredericton, was kind to take me to O'Dell Park with its windy trails through new and old growth. He's been employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and also with the provincial government as a speech writer for politicians. “I'd rather chop wood and stick it in a neat pile than write those speeches”, Wade admitted to me as we walked with his lanky grayhound dog Zorro. Wade, by the way, chants Hare Krishna on his wooden beads daily. Today trailed and talked and at intervals identified trees like the dense hardwood tree called ironwood, the hemlock and the balsam fir which is the popular Christmas tree.
Wade and I moved on, without Zorro, to the local Hindu temple along with Nitai Rama, Sahil, and Nirmana. All went super well. Prof. Parkhill came and a gathering of people, origins from all over India. We dwelt on 18:65 and 66 from the Gita, had our puja (worships) and then delighted in prasadam. That food was extremely hot. I wanted to get the fire hose.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
Blissed out in Moncton
Moncton, NB
Moncton appears to have a lively art community so far as I can see. Not cancelling out librarians who are open minded folks plus massage therapists, earth people and so this was the genre of people who came to Kimberly's place for our kirtan in the evening.
From the get-go , response to the maha mantra was phenomenal. It was not just about people moving their tongue and lips. It was about moving the whole body. That's why I say, from the start of the mrdanga drum beat, Sahil, with his crisp tapping was able to stir up and shake up the maya or illusion within us. Some people just didn't want to sit down on a cushion or chair. Their conviction was to stand and then get 'carried' (physically) by the sound of drum and mantra.
The last time I conducted kirtan in Moncton it occurred when I walked through the town in 2012 with my fourth cross-country trek in progress. The venue was someone's back yard . The space was filled with all these free spirited people, and like this evening, every single person took to moving every muscle. It was a deja-vu experience, for sure.
At the end of our final kirtan I asked participants how they felt in one word. Here's what they said, 'elated', 'joyful', 'open', 'carried', 'blissful', 'free'. And the last person Sahil, himself, who felt all the descriptive words possible were already used ended up with the word 'speechless'.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
On the Island
George knows the Krishnas from Centre Island in Toronto in the summertime. Here we are, Sahil and I, at Canada’s east coast, far far from Toronto, and he knows us for our colossal festival in mid-July.
George works for the immigration department. He’s interested in people. We got to meeting and chatting with him just as we were wrapping up our little kirtan at the Victoria Park Boardwalk. Our conversation was centred around the topic of “people” and the multicultural world in which we live, of a domain of many tribes, nations, races, and customs. George, being of oriental origin, knows all too well how accommodating has been to accepting multiple peoples from around the world.
The common factor is that we are not Canadian or Chinese or American, we are all humanity. The ultimate commonality, however, is that we are all spiritual beings. This topic, I felt, I need not address to George, he already knows. How he delighted in seeing the name Krishna on the mantra card I gave him. How he excitedly talked about Krishna’s food. He was embracing the whole spiritual concept merely on the basis of his own experience. What an awesome encounter it was to be with him.
Sahil and I moved on to the residence of Shoba, who is always the perfect host. At her home, we met with familiar faces that come to her place at least annually when I visit. They are practically all professionals, some retired from the South East Asian community. On every one of these occasions, I speak from a verse of the Gita. “This time,” I wondered, “what can I offer them that they do not have? Ah, yes, beads for mantra meditation.”
And so I demonstrated the use of beads. Practically everyone went away with a set anticipating to their use and to the great aid that a set of beads can offer in the spiritual regimentation and purification of things.
May the Source be with you!
9 KM
On the Island
George knows the Krishnas from Centre Island in Toronto in the summertime. Here we are, Sahil and I, at Canada’s east coast, far far from Toronto, and he knows us for our colossal festival in mid-July.
George works for the immigration department. He’s interested in people. We got to meeting and chatting with him just as we were wrapping up our little kirtan at the Victoria Park Boardwalk. Our conversation was centred around the topic of “people” and the multicultural world in which we live, of a domain of many tribes, nations, races, and customs. George, being of oriental origin, knows all too well how accommodating has been to accepting multiple peoples from around the world.
The common factor is that we are not Canadian or Chinese or American, we are all humanity. The ultimate commonality, however, is that we are all spiritual beings. This topic, I felt, I need not address to George, he already knows. How he delighted in seeing the name Krishna on the mantra card I gave him. How he excitedly talked about Krishna’s food. He was embracing the whole spiritual concept merely on the basis of his own experience. What an awesome encounter it was to be with him.
Sahil and I moved on to the residence of Shoba, who is always the perfect host. At her home, we met with familiar faces that come to her place at least annually when I visit. They are practically all professionals, some retired from the South East Asian community. On every one of these occasions, I speak from a verse of the Gita. “This time,” I wondered, “what can I offer them that they do not have? Ah, yes, beads for mantra meditation.”
And so I demonstrated the use of beads. Practically everyone went away with a set anticipating to their use and to the great aid that a set of beads can offer in the spiritual regimentation and purification of things.
May the Source be with you!
9 KM
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Monday, November 10th, 2014
Halifax, NS
Spring Back
Nature has its way of springing back after it does itself in. A hurricaine whipped through the city of Halifax but a decade ago, flattening many of its trees.
Trees generally have the power to break the wind but sometimes the wind breaks the trees. There is new growth, however, coming up in the mixture of the coniferous and desiduous forest. This we clearly see as the four of us took our walk through Point Pleasant Park on a second consecutive day.
There is something to be learned from nature in this 'spring back' dynamic. Let's say some illness forces you to be bed-ridden for a few days. It is your strong will to be healthy again plus all the workings in your body that fight for restored health that leads you to being triumphantly cured (let's not forget the grace of God)
On the sports field one team loses the game but the team with its resilience of spirit will play the game again and not give up hope that they will score well in the future and win.
At two locations, Sahil, Nirmana, Omni and I, sat down for chanting sessions (I like Sahil's drum playing by the way). We sat on grass and moss along along the trail at one spot and then relocated where there was more of a flow of population by the ocean side. We were sharing, softly, our music and mantras, carefully delivering our timbre and tone of voice.
People appear to be in the park for personal calming. Everyone in this world appears to be "going through stuff" and their reason for a stroll in the park, for the most part, is to recharge, bring on optimism and hope.
They are consciously or subconsciously trying to "spring back". And that is why I chant everyday and walk everyday.
May the Source be with you!
12 KM
Spring Back
Nature has its way of springing back after it does itself in. A hurricaine whipped through the city of Halifax but a decade ago, flattening many of its trees.
Trees generally have the power to break the wind but sometimes the wind breaks the trees. There is new growth, however, coming up in the mixture of the coniferous and desiduous forest. This we clearly see as the four of us took our walk through Point Pleasant Park on a second consecutive day.
There is something to be learned from nature in this 'spring back' dynamic. Let's say some illness forces you to be bed-ridden for a few days. It is your strong will to be healthy again plus all the workings in your body that fight for restored health that leads you to being triumphantly cured (let's not forget the grace of God)
On the sports field one team loses the game but the team with its resilience of spirit will play the game again and not give up hope that they will score well in the future and win.
At two locations, Sahil, Nirmana, Omni and I, sat down for chanting sessions (I like Sahil's drum playing by the way). We sat on grass and moss along along the trail at one spot and then relocated where there was more of a flow of population by the ocean side. We were sharing, softly, our music and mantras, carefully delivering our timbre and tone of voice.
People appear to be in the park for personal calming. Everyone in this world appears to be "going through stuff" and their reason for a stroll in the park, for the most part, is to recharge, bring on optimism and hope.
They are consciously or subconsciously trying to "spring back". And that is why I chant everyday and walk everyday.
May the Source be with you!
12 KM
Sunday, November 9th, 2014
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Finally, Beyond Dullness
I like to be early enough for catching a flight to wherever my destination might be. Two of our travelling monks, Brhat and Hayagriva, dropped me off at Toronto’s airport to see that this becomes a reality.
There’s no customs. It’s a domestic flight. Screening and security checks went smooth and fast. All went fairly well, yet something hit me that didn’t go over so well for the eyes. The décor in the waiting areas was colourless – all drab and grey. The brief visit to the bladder room (Americans say ‘restroom’, Canadians say ‘washroom’, some Europeans tell it like it is ‘the toilette’), meant looking at off-white and grey tiles , it was unappealing. I suddenly had a mental vision of grim-ness over dawn when it would make an appearance for us to view the outdoors. Being the in between season of the vibrant colours of autumn and the pretty pure whiteness of snow, we are wedged in a period of, once again, greyness.
I came out from the bladder room only to be hit by more dinginess. Most passengers were wearing black, grey and muted browns. People were lined up and looking as if in a funeral procession. The only sign of life, ironically, was the red poppy on people’s lapels that honour the glorious dead, soldiers of war.
Oh, and yes, there was this guy whose presence contradicted everything else. This fellow sported a saffron-toned hoody that really stood out. At one moment I thought to strike up a conversation and ask, “Where the heck did you find that colour that would mistake you for a Hare Krishna?”
The flight was short, under two hours. Halifax, here I am.
A quiet couple, Sahil and Nirmana, greeted me. We had a full day of catching up on things, food and devotion which included a chanting session at a venue on Hollis St. True brilliance came our way when we strolled the trails at Point Pleasant Park. It was when dusk was approaching. The cloudy day itself became clouded by the sun’s absence. And as it, the sun, was about to do its disappointing act, the coastal sky flaunted patches of pink. Set as a backdrop beyond the silhouetted trees, was this spread of gorgeousness, of wondrous sky above and the glistening water of the harbor below.
I reflected on all the pictures of Krishna that my eyes have ever met. So much colour in there.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Finally, Beyond Dullness
I like to be early enough for catching a flight to wherever my destination might be. Two of our travelling monks, Brhat and Hayagriva, dropped me off at Toronto’s airport to see that this becomes a reality.
There’s no customs. It’s a domestic flight. Screening and security checks went smooth and fast. All went fairly well, yet something hit me that didn’t go over so well for the eyes. The décor in the waiting areas was colourless – all drab and grey. The brief visit to the bladder room (Americans say ‘restroom’, Canadians say ‘washroom’, some Europeans tell it like it is ‘the toilette’), meant looking at off-white and grey tiles , it was unappealing. I suddenly had a mental vision of grim-ness over dawn when it would make an appearance for us to view the outdoors. Being the in between season of the vibrant colours of autumn and the pretty pure whiteness of snow, we are wedged in a period of, once again, greyness.
I came out from the bladder room only to be hit by more dinginess. Most passengers were wearing black, grey and muted browns. People were lined up and looking as if in a funeral procession. The only sign of life, ironically, was the red poppy on people’s lapels that honour the glorious dead, soldiers of war.
Oh, and yes, there was this guy whose presence contradicted everything else. This fellow sported a saffron-toned hoody that really stood out. At one moment I thought to strike up a conversation and ask, “Where the heck did you find that colour that would mistake you for a Hare Krishna?”
The flight was short, under two hours. Halifax, here I am.
A quiet couple, Sahil and Nirmana, greeted me. We had a full day of catching up on things, food and devotion which included a chanting session at a venue on Hollis St. True brilliance came our way when we strolled the trails at Point Pleasant Park. It was when dusk was approaching. The cloudy day itself became clouded by the sun’s absence. And as it, the sun, was about to do its disappointing act, the coastal sky flaunted patches of pink. Set as a backdrop beyond the silhouetted trees, was this spread of gorgeousness, of wondrous sky above and the glistening water of the harbor below.
I reflected on all the pictures of Krishna that my eyes have ever met. So much colour in there.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)