Monday, August 31st, 2015

Monday, August 31st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Come To Terms

I had come to terms with one thing about our little chanting party that makes its merry way regularly through streets of pedestrians. The group, like today, consisting of three monks, one nun, and a layman by the name of Patrick, are not a particularly "loud-sounding" group of singers. I suppose I can belch it out to the accompaniment of a resounding mrdanga sound but everyone else....?

This is not to blow my own horn but the others are by nature more soft-toned as well as more soft-spoken. So, the resolve in my mind is that we agree to not be a boisterous group but to be what we are - a bunch of mellow fellows.

Since I'll be leaving soon for a historic walk I thought, "Let's see what it looks like when I'm not there. Can we assemble a meaningful procession to go up Bloor Street? No! Then let's settle for a milder approach, sit on the grass and let our song run like smooth molasses."

So, to Christie Pitts Park we went this evening and delivered, or rather, tested the waters. We plopped ourselves onto the grass next to a small oak and sang. Two drums played with light thumps and one kartal (hand cymbal). During this time, the whole hour, what appeared to be a lost, homeless character had been in a daze while seated on a park bench. He kept looking our way. From the ample distance away, approval or rejection from him was not easy to discern.

Our group did what our alotted time could and as we were about to leave the fellow came over, again a bit dazed and perhaps traumatized by a ruthless world, and handed me a roll of quarters. It was done so nonchalantly. He turned and went off. I asked one of the boys to run after him and hand him one of our books for his edification but, "no, not interested". The mantras we sing were enough for him to appreciate, I imagine.

Perhaps a point was proven. A small group can choose a spot to sit down, chant with all their heart, in mild format, and people will love it.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

 

Sunday, August 30th, 2015

Sunday, August 30^th, 2015
Plainfield, New Jersey

Rushed

I was rushed to the temple prior to the crack of dawn for the mangal arati, the first chanting session of the day. I was given the invite to lead the chant on this very first arati since the new Krishna deity was installed. It was an honour. Before arriving, I figured that it might be a meagre attendance, being that it was 4:30 AM and everyone was tired from the festivities of the day and night before.

Much to my surprise, we had a full capacity attendance. This goes to show the serious nature to which the community takes to soul activity. It’s a solid investment into life’s journey.

It was three hours later that my dear godbrother, Jayadwaita Swami, shared a message on the significance of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and his coming 50 years ago to western soil to bring a new way of looking at the world, through a spiritual lens of course, for people’s consideration. It was not that the western populace was spiritually bankrupt but maybe it was time to look at a different angle of spirituality.

There are different approaches, correct?

To my chagrin I once more found no time to go on a promenade of sorts. We have all been on a marathon. So instead of walking I found at one point it was necessary for me to catch up on a much missed rest by a quiet corner of one of the festival tents. I assembled a makeshift bed with 7 chairs. It worked wonders.

Finally it was time to fly back to Canada.

The passenger sitting next to me was a 30 year old Russell, a typical Canadian who’s into sports, has the occasional beer, and experiences his own form of adventure. Recently he and buddies rafted some of the wildest white waters the country offers near James Bay. He also told me he was thrilled about a book he read, “Dharma Bums”, and so we connected on various levels.

“Come by to our Govinda’s, it’s a great eating place.” I personally think he’ll take up the offer when we can share with each other more about travel dynamics in the wild.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Saturday, August 29^th, 2015

Plainfield, New Jersey

Showers on the Day

Danudhar Swami and I haven’t met in years but he heard about my anticipated walk retracing the steps of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, 50 years ago. He wished me well. He asked me what shoes I preferred to wear on my pilgrimages. I told him I like to wear air, meaning that I use footwear that allows you to breathe. In the midst of the crowd that came for the celebrations of the Krishna deity installation, I also met an elderly female devotee who walks with a cane. She does so very meticulously and slowly. She deliberately takes those regular strolls being inspired by the walking I’ve done. “I read about you doing those long walks and it always encourages me.”

Now that was great to hear.

It was early while I was bound for the temple complex where much chanting went on and multiple rituals were in progress, executed both by old friends and members of our second generation Hare Krishna community. I had trekked along North Randolphville to Williams Street, then New Market Road, and finally Vail Street which becomes West 7^th Street.

And then back.

After a full day of spiritual output, I traced back the steps from the early morning. It was only on my return trip that I spotted the toy train shop which looks like many of the other buildings but is obscured from the night darkness.

I also have to say something about the performance of our drama, Blue Mystic. Our actors pulled off a good show. Co-operative activity makes all things happen. It was hard labour piecing it together, therefore, it was a good reason for the wind down walk in the night time.

Blessings were showered on the day by the mercy of guru.

 

May the Source be with you!

12 km

 

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Friday, August 28^th, 2015
Plainfield, New Jersey

In Plainfield

It just so happened that not an inch did I walk but flying took place. That doesn’t count, however, even though miles were put in going from Toronto to Newark.

Viratrupa was there at Newark Airport to greet Balaram and myself. Our purpose in coming here was to attend the installation of the deities of Radha and Krishna in what I was told was a former Baptist church, now converted into a Krishna temple. To please the crowds, (devotees have come from all around) I was asked to present a drama of the organizer’s choice, Blue Mystic.

I was happy to see the actors I selected turn up. There were two from Montreal, one from Michigan, one from North Carolina, two from Toronto, and some local extras, all volunteers. So as far as travel is concerned, the practice we put in allowed for a beautiful fatigue to compensate for the lack of trekking.

“Blue Mystic” takes one to ancient times and to Northern India where Krishna’s life is described up to the point of conquering evil in the form of Emperor Kamsa. For many of the onlookers who came upon our rehearsal, it became a transporting of place and time.

By 9 PM our practice concluded with three yummy meals wedged in through the day (we are spoiled). Viratrupa drove me to his lovely home and showed me directions how I could walk the return journey on foot the next morning. We passed by Walgreen’s and then turned a corner by the old model train shop. That pokes at something nostalgic. Where do you find such a shop where they sell electric trains? Just like where do you find an old drive-in movie anymore? Or where do you find an old sundae shop with swivelling chairs and old time ice cream? They are few and far between but they do exist.

More relevant is where do you find bhakti, devotion? Answer, somewhere within the inner recesses of the heart.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Thursday, August 27th, 2015

Thursday, August 27^th, 2015

Owen Sound, Ontario

 

Outing at Owen

 

Two families and I made the two hour trip to Owen Sound for yet another outing. There we met the three generational Hanna clan and two generational Kaliyavadiya clan. Just outside Owen Sound is a small hamlet called Springmount. On the way you pass by one of the last of Canada’s drive-in movies which were popular in the fifties and sixties and then arrive at a park at Jones Falls, one of numerous waterfalls found on the Niagara escarpment. The temperature just wasn’t strong enough to justify a swim today. We settled for a walk on the Bruce Trail which has offshoot trails indicated by the paint strip found on the bark of trees. One colour was red, the other was white. We were captivated by some twisty and windy cedar trees as well as some ancient maple growth.

 

I failed to mention our Nepalese companion, Suman, who heard that mushrooms were in abundance. He came prepared with his sizeable canvass bag meant for foraging for four different kinds of mushrooms.

 

“What are you going to do with this?” I asked as he made good with the harvest.

 

Cook it and eat it,” he said plainly. The man was in ecstasy and upon discovering a mushroom would make this unique form of a howl, something that kind of comes along with the territory when you’re trekking through the woods. Alex also had a knack for howling, which was okay because he was taking the lead and he would help us stay on track.

 

We capped off our day, much after the walk was finished, with a chant converging in one home. We handed our honourary flower garland to Samantha, a local yoga teacher from the area. She’s in love with kirtan and plays a role in networking with others in kirtan admitting that it is the ultimate yoga practice.

 

The meal that followed was prepared by Alka and it was to die for. Of course, it was animal free but also gluten free. We found the dishes scrumptious. Our program was dedicated to young Priyam who, in four days, will set off to university for his first year. Congratulations!

 

 

May the Source be with you!

 

9 km

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

Wednesday, August 26^th, 2015

Markham, Ontario

Accommodate the Mantra

I had been carrying with me a wedding invitation card for some days. I was in anticipation of being present at a fine Sri Lankan style event uniting one of the boys I’ve known and guided during his youth to a young woman from Madison, Wisconsin. Finally, fruition hit. The day had come and that was today. The temple on Finch Avenue played host to the marriage of Cowsigan and Apilasha. It took me a while to get his name down, Cowsigan. I would verbalize it and struggle with it for years. We had a shortened version for his name, Kausik. Now, seeing the actual name in black and white and on the invite card, it comes easier.

At the event, I was offered to speak to the crowd to give a message of blessings to the couple. I was introduced as the one who does marathon walks – pilgrimage. It was a golden opportunity to insert kirtan. The musicians present there were poised to play as I introduced the maha mantra to the crowd. When I say “introduced”, I’m rather serious about it. This crowd is accustomed to uttering mantras to Ganesh, Kartikeya, Sai Baba but the maha mantra, I’m sure it’s rarely touched in this mandir (temple).

Here is the immortal spiritual sound of the maha mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

I saw truly happy faces emerge from the execution of chanting this great mantra (our guru, Srila Prabhupada, considered that any ritual was complete when this mantra was included). I could see Cowsigan was joyous upon having that kirtan tossed into the colourful rites of his marriage. Oh, and I gave him a big hug after the chant. We have this word, purnam, in Sanskrit, it means ‘complete’. Whatever is your endeavour, simply accommodate the mantra and make everything complete.

 

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Tuesday, August 25th, 2015

 

Tuesday, August 25th, 2015

Richmond Hill, Ontario

 

Seeing

 

On the previous evening, our small chanting party made our way westbound on Danforth Avenue where we passed by a pub. Danforth is known for its outside cafe and pub culture. "It's forty years since I seen them," blurted out one of the guys, referring to Krishnas doing just that - chanting. I'm glad we gave him a thrill.

Signs are going up for a political federal race. That's in both Canada and the U.S. It's the time when terms are up. New and old faces with names will pop up in increasing numbers and I'm not sure that it excites a whole lot of folks. Apathy might be the word to describe the mood for North Americans. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would say of Indian politics that people are hopeful of Rama-raj in reminiscence of the years of Rama's reign.

That's hard to find. A dharmic ruler? Practically impossible! Can't get hopes up too high.

I spent my afternoon at a palace of a building. It's actually a home of a friend and godbrother, Subha Vilas. The mansion reminded me of how I would picture the abode of Prince Rama as outlined in the epic "Ramayana." We are talking about the location known as Ayodya in Uttar Pradesh in north India.

Anyways, what I appreciate about the structure with its marvelous and massive slab pieces of limestone from Indiana is that it is designed for not only a family to dwell in but also, it facilitates crowds for special function days. On the ground level is a temple of Radha and Krishna and there's ample cooking cuisine for the masses. That's big thinking. Yes, thinking out of that me-and-my-family shows benevolence.

One big attraction of the place is that there are walking trails in the area. Subha Vilas tells me of the wild turkeys they spot in the area. It just gets more intriguing.

May the Source be with you!

 

0 km

 

 

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Monday, August 24^th, 2015

Toronto, Ontario

Cannot Give Up

My trekking partner today has been mentally challenged for decades, perhaps since birth. Personally, he has found it difficult to make and keep friends largely due to the unpredictability in his behaviour. Having known him for some time, I felt I could offer him some service by allowing the chance for us to walk together. I thought it would be good for his condition.

We trekked up Bloor street to Christie, then to Dupont and back to the ashram. It got tiring for him at certain points. Overall, I think he did remarkably well in acting like a trouper. He was distracted at certain times, although the attempt to fix his ear to the mantra that he was chanting was sincere. In other words, we both were walking and chanting together. I admit to also being distracted while chanting with the aid of my japa mala (meditational beads). It is the natural course that the mind takes when attempting to harness it.

At one point he needed a break from walking. We spotted a park bench but the recent rainfall left the bench to be drenched. So I pulled out a newspaper from a newspaper stand and spread it out over the bench so that we could sit. We just wanted to keep our behinds dry.

My friend and I reached the ashram by 7 AM. We have a policy, however, that he is not permitted to be within the premises. Some of his impulsive behaviour in the past has complicated the situation for him. But I must hand it to him, it was honourable of him to take that hour to walk and chant with me. I cannot give up on people. After all, we are all struggling souls in this world. We need to provide support.

May the Source be with you!

10 km

Sunday, August 23rd, 2015

Sunday, August 23^rd, 2015

Point Pelee, Ontario

I Shared

Gaura, my godbrother, and I shared a message with our weekend beach crew on the birth of Krishna, how the stars and planets lined up in such a way as to challenge regular orbital movement. As we spoke to our listeners, the waves from the lake’s water were lapping next to us.

We had set a picture of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on a piece of driftwood and fixed it in such a way that it was held by spiralled broken branches. We were under good shade from a tree. But for a branch that hung over us with the silky webs of the tent caterpillar, all was perfect. It was our last hour of water and beach fun before rushing back for duty in the city.

Duty for me was connecting with the congregation in Toronto beginning with delivering a talk on how valuable it is to make a spiritual link through texts of Vedic origin. Before speaking, I spent a few minutes viewing, reviewing, and renewing my memory on chapter 7 of the Gita. Then I came upon verse 17. Therein, Krishna speaks of the importance of knowledge acquaintance. This includes knowing your true identity. After all, “Who am I?” is a question to be answered.

It is said that when you have endeavoured, even for lifetimes, to attempt to know the truth, eventually answers do come. Then the spiritual path becomes relatively easy. It also becomes so much more second nature to serve others devotionally when you have wisdom in your DNA or in your blood as a result of background endeavours.

After I spoke, several people came forward with their curiosities. One man asked, “Is Krishna real, or is He symbolic?” Fair question.

“Yes, He is real, and He can be understood as one who lives in His own abode. He is also known as the witness in the heart, and is the essence of nature.”

The man seemed content. “Thank you”, he said.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Saturday, August 22^nd, 2015
Pelee Island, Ontario

Happiest

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…” I always liked this musical piece and lyrics by George Gershwin. When I discovered kirtan this piece couldn’t match up to it, although Gershwin’s genius is something to very much respect.

“The livin’” came easy to us today. It was a summer outing once again with a gathering of Krishna devotees from Cleveland, Michigan, Windsor, Toronto, and Brampton. A trip to Pelee Island took the shape of a ferry ride. Once reaching this peaceful piece of land out in Lake Erie we picnicked veggie style. We then swam, hiked, held kirtan, and danced to the point of hearts jumping. It was a meeting of sweet, sweet persons coming together. As the song goes, “One of these mornin’s, you’re gonna rise up singin’”. That spirit of upliftment was amongst us.

It would not be an error to say that the highlight of all our affairs today, including consumption of the pasta and bean prep, was the chanting on the return ferry. We chose up on the deck as our spot to chant, where passengers could browse and watch, tap toes, and move the torso to the sound of Sahil’s beats on mridanga and Gaura’s voice with harmonium. People were glued for that hour long redefinition of party-time.

Yes, indeed, when we reached the mainland, docked, and made our way to the parking lot, nearby, at a patio bar, people were also listening to music. But frankly, the sound fell on my ears as mundane. It was the live rendition of “Hey Goodlookin’ What You Got Cookin’” by Hank Williams. I took a moment of glad relief, feeling spared by kirtan. I could have been one of those people sitting at the bar, lonely, hankering for a sense of belonging had I not been captured by mantra. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

 

Friday, August 21st, 2015

Friday, August 21^st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

A Spark

Narayani had arrived. She hails from the Chicago area but joined the Krishna Consciousness Movement in Boston in 1970. Those were the early days of the Hare Krishna Movement. She could tell of events that happened then, who the people were, who came around, and she could tell it like it was yesterday. She is with us for a few days staying at the ashram. As usual, when guests come to town I like to treat them to one of my walking trails. It takes the semblance of some kind of initiation or orientation.

Yura, one of our Russian attendees, came to our mangal arati at 4:30 AM, part of our sadhana, and with him came 3 friends. He specifically mentioned to me that he wanted his friends to have an experience. We then made an outing of it. Narayani, Yura, the guests who came, and some of our ashram residents took to the Brickworks to see and walk an area that was totally neglected for decades. What was once a massive quarry, big, wide, and dry, was transformed into marvelous green space. Switchbacks have been created to allow for an easy ascension to the peak of the highest elevation point which, in Toronto, is not very high really. From there you do get a great view of the downtown cityscape. In addition, the sky with clouds and sun on the uprise was panoramic.

I believe that it really makes your day when, at its start, you appreciate what it reveals. It can even take on a nasty aspect, as in the form of a storm. But, if acknowledged as some manifestation from the Great One above, then that can spark a moment of humility and that is not a bad thing.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

Thursday, August 20^th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Beauty and Gone

It is to be highly appreciated when you go to a place, either inside or out, that improvements are made. It’s been weeks since I ventured off on foot to the Brickworks, an old brick factory. Adjoined to this facility are wetlands and vegetation growth with trails running in a meandering fashion. Trails are now widened to accommodate bikes. Another thing that’s new is that we have a statue of a fox that’s been erected on a pole reminding us of one of the common inhabitants in the area.

I came at evening time and hit those trails and then moved over to the cavernous old factory itself. I had been here once before when ukuleles had been played to the song, “Can the Circle Be Unbroken”, a popular spiritualist song by the Carter family. The crowd at the time was immersed in the song. It was like kirtan.

Tonight however, at dusk in the outdoors, a jazz band had made centre stage right near one of the factory’s facilities. Wining and dining went on and people were clad in their finest. I must say that the group of men playing the music were stellar performers. I was almost in tears to hear their beautiful music. It got to my heart and then it reminded me of something else that was beautiful. It was today that a very good spirit, Jatayu by name, passed on under peaceful circumstances. He was exceptional. He was not a soul from Cleveland but a soul from God. Here’s my poem in his honour:

Another soul fought hard the fight

 

Before he made the glorious flight

A gentle soul, Jatayu had been

Scarce are such of his calibre seen

Sensitive, warm, and for all others

Seeing all as sisters and brothers

There, for service at the feet of Prabhupada

For family, friends, community, and God

An inspiration that is now in our mind

A Vaishnava of a very special kind

 

(Jatayu passed away at around noon-time today and he was a walking partner whenever I went to Cleveland.)

May the Source be with you!

8 km