Thursday, June 25, 2021

Greektown, Toronto

 

In Greek Hood

 

A kind devotee by the name of Radha-Gopinath dropped me off to the home of a master wood carver to discuss with him a carving, out of basswood, of an eight-foot Radha and Krishna. The end product will be installed in one of our upcoming project facilities.

 

Here’s what I found interesting, my new-made artist friend spent eight years training to be a Christian priest. During that educational experience, he became acquainted with the sacred text Bhagavad-gita and to this day (he must be pushing 70 in age) he still holds the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna as a powerful message. My friend was born and raised in Southern Ontario, as I was. He started his vocation of woodcarving when he was 30.

 

In any event, he, I, and his wife, hit it off really well and after discussing the features of Krishna in a home-made 8-foot form (with a bit more masculine-looking elements than the usual female-like), I began walking back towards the ashram and found a good rest-spot at Logan and Danforth, within Greektown. It’s a neat little corner, a parkette of sorts, with a statue of Alexander the [Butcher]. A brass band was playing and a fine couple from Oakville came to deliver lunch. I thank Kasyapa and Panchami for the excellent veggie burgers; a change from the usual fare. Actually, avocado, asparagus and pineapple are good for the joints, which accompanied the burgers. There was more to my day, which included a car blessing.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Avondale, North York

 

On Yonge

 

It takes a mere 20 minutes to get to Avondale Park from the ashram where I live in Old Toronto or downtown Toronto. You are wise to go north on Yonge St., which I’ve done on foot, to arrive north of the busiest highway in Canada, the 401, from the downtown to the midtown, then uptown – all along on a pleasant retail strip. You cross the mid-Don River, which is hardly noticeable by vehicle, and the elevation gradually increases as you go north. Ascending is also practically inconspicuous, unless you’re walking it.

 

As I was in a car with Karuna Sindhu as a driver, I mentioned to him that Yonge St, which we were on, accommodates the summer’s Ratha Yatra parade festival in the downtown, perhaps the major Ratha Yatra in North America. I told him, when my knees get back in shape, I might entertain walking the whole of Yonge, the world’s longest street at 1896 kilometres / 1178 miles from Toronto to the Minnesota border.

 

He was somewhat doubting that I could do it. In any event, we arrived at Avondale, which is a green and friendly rendezvous place surrounded by modern high rises where many diverse newer immigrants reside. Lila Mayi had invited me to the kirtan chanting party, which was already underway when we arrived. She was leading the chant and it was a grave spirit that she carried throughout the mantra. Park guests responded really well.

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Excusing Myself

 

Where I sat was quite the juncture; where pathways from three directions come together. All over, benches were taken so when I was on a Zoom call, under a tree, people I knew (neighbours) came to me and began speaking. Unbeknownst to them, I was on my phone.

 

The first person, a woman, just started talking to me about the weather. Then, the man who has a joke-a-day for me came over from running and asked if I’m ready for a new joke. I politely bowed out for the day. “Sorry, but I’m on the phone.”

 

“Oh, okay!” and he went back to a slow sprint.

 

Next, our neighbour of at least 25 doors down came by, walking his dog. It’s been months since I’ve seen him. He stopped because he saw me. Actually, he’s quite a renowned artist and did a sketch of me about 5 years ago, a kind gesture.

 

I felt rather torn. I was on a phone call with dear devotees, but simultaneously lost opportunities to reconnect with friends of the neighbourhood. I will catch up. I’ve come to realize that bonding with the people around you can have a devotional effect. Between the visits our locals make to Govinda’s, the noise-making we all did together to support medical workers during COVID times, and the people I’ve met on the green in the park, on or off a Zoom call, it all adds up to build a bhakti bond.

 

May the source be with you.

2 km