Friday, 28 April 2017

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

Blue Bay, Mauritius 

Mauritian Wrap Up 

Highlights of Mauritian stay:

1)    A mongoose crosses in front of us as we walk.
2)    A swim to the coral reef at Belle Mare.
3)    A trail of sand and snails became our walking zone.
4)    A swim at 11 p.m. amidst flying fish.
5)    Making friends with a 150 year old tortoise.
6)    Drama practices under a grass-roof veranda.
7)    Knowing the enemy is not the huge cockroach, but the mind.
8)    Presenting the drama “Mr. Puri” to a full house (750).
9)    A magician pulling a rabbit out of the box at my request.
10) The walk through the botanical gardens with friends.
11) A chat with godbrothers, Sri Nekatan and Arjuna.
12) The meals of a low purine nature at Amar’s.
13) The meeting with the youth, discussing their issues.
14) Giving classes from the book Bhagavatam.
15) Playing charades using chapters from the book, Krishna.
16) Having the company of Kala, Balarama and Bishma.
17) Honouring first and second initiations to followers.
18) Hearing a good, professionally played-out, tabla recital.
19) Ball tossing in the water with community members.
20) Writing these blogs on a daily basis, thanks to Dhruva and Abhidheya Prabhus—bless you honey childs!
21) Receiving successful reports from our travelling monks.
22) Bonding with the local Krishna devotees.
23) Meeting and making new friends.
24) Viewing the Bon Accueil and Phoenix deities of Krishna.
25) Enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of Mauritius.
26) Keeping busy writing, and reading, but with some recreation.
27) Sweating, which is good for the health, cause it’s humid.
28) The visit to Le Morne and the cliffs of suicide.
29) Feeling the love of the people—lots of Hindus!

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, 27 April 2017

Monday, April 24th, 2017

Le Morne, Mauritius

What Brahmanas Can Do!

I had recommended, the afternoon before, to some new second initiates that what our mission needs is some brahmanas who will take up the role of counsellors and mentors.  Congratulations to Mahesvaree, who took the name of Maha Laksmi.  In addition to her, three formerly initiated devotees became brahminical priests.

“Consider certain scenarios that happen in our communities, such as a man who is abusive to his wife, a daughter is young, unmarried and pregnant, or a young teenage son is getting into drugs.  These are the realities of today.  Both pre-marital and post-marital issues need some help and brahmanas can assist in these areas of social need.”

In brief, my message came like that to the Sunday crowd and it appears some of those sitting at the havan fire, including recent 2nd initiates of Bhakti Brngha Govinda Swami, felt some new opportunities of service were up for their consideration, over and above the rituals they are now proviledged to get involved in.

Today, however, was a significant day with an outing to the ocean and viewing the monument of human tragedy at Le Morne.  My evening was well spent at the Phoenix temple, when I spoke from Chapter 2 of the Gita. “The soul cannot be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor drowned in water, nor dried by the wind.  It is indestructible.”

This is powerfully expressed by Sri Krishna.

May the Source be with you!


3 km

Sunday, April 23rd, 2017

Bon Accueil, Mauritius 

Bliss Business
  
Feedback on the performances of the “Shakti Show,” was all positive.  Last night the audience of vaishnavas and newcomers was delighted by a magic show, tabla drum performers, a kirtan group and our drama of “Mr. Puri.”  It seems that events like this—events of a more social and cultural nature—haven’t been very much encouraged on this remote island of Mauritius.  There are many devotional activities in motion and with 40% of the population being Hindu you can expect a lot of poojas and such.  Now, kirtan is more emphasized, but entertainment…?

At least one person expressed this concern and offered his opinion on it.

Besides going through a day of contentment with appreciation being expressed all around, our group of four—Balaram, Kala, Bishma and myself—the members of cast and crew for “Mr Puri,” were busy.  It was a marathon of sweetness for me delivering four lessons on bhakti.  One of these lessons was a more casual talk with members of Pandava Sen and Young Warriors of Krishna Balarama.  The topic was to do with the interaction of the generation before them, and how to forge ahead with projects of a devotional nature and not get discouraged.

It was also natural for me to pose the scenario that this group of young talent would indeed succeed in administrative responsibilities for the ISKCON movement for the future.

Indeed our team of four were busy, but we decided to dip in the ocean’s calm waters at 11:00 p.m. after a much needed walk along a sandy trail.

May the Source be with you!

6 km