Sunday, August 8, 2021

243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

 

A Day of New Guys

 

I’ve really relished watching Indrayumna Swami talk about the transformation of one chap that was unkept, hygienically-alien and rather drugged/high on something in Paris. He lived in the bushes with some newspaper foundation. He was nicknamed “Pig Pen” and was practically untouchable. However, by some kind of merciful act of Prabhupada, who was with us at the time, Pig Pen became transformed. He credits the ISKCON founder for changing directions for him. With a madman’s tone, “Prabhupada saved me!” is what he kept saying.

 

In time, Pig Pen grew devotionally and became initiated, sticking by the path of bhakti for years, so Indrayumna Swami tells. So, every Sunday morning we listen to and watch “Memories” on film, compiled by Siddhanta.

 

Our guest, Ralph, who stayed overnight, also enjoyed the “memories,” which bring everyone close to the Founder-Acharya.

 

I delivered two classes today, by Zoom, for Cleveland and Toronto, on chapters 8 and 1, of The Bhagavad Gita, respectively.

 

Ralph had lots of questions as Krishna Consciousness is relatively new for him. Jason, from Barrie, Ontario, also had tons of queries, which arose from his studying The Gita and chanting on beads. Ryan also came by, from Newcastle, Ontario, and is most eager to absorb himself in bhakti as a result of hearing from Prabhupada’s lectures as well as reading and following some episodes of “Wisdom of the Sages.”

 

May the Source be with you!

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Saturday, August 7, 2021

High Park, Toronto

 

Three Questions

 

I was requested to attend a program I could not oblige myself to; still too much aggravation on the left knee. I cannot imagine myself being in a home with people or family all about, with a long trip there and back and committed to an extended time. The card deck was not stacked in my favour. I did compromise for a shorter stay and travel time to High Point for kirtan. Attendance was relatively small but just perfect for my condition.

 

A second kirtan took place in our backyard, or rather our front yard. As usual we set up our tiny kirtan band on an exterior staircase where pedestrians can hear and see us right at the corner of Avenue Road and Roxborough. Motorist with their windows rolled down also got a kick out of the site and sound.

 

One of our boys from the Toronto community came to visit. He popped in to introduce me to his girlfriend. “Finally,” I thought. You know I ask our young men this standard question, “So what’s happening?” Implying that they should honor their biological clock, get settled down and do the responsible thing, contributing kids to the world. I generally have three questions for young capable men of marriageable age:

 

1) “What’s happening?” Meaning did you find someone?

2) “When?” When is the day for tying the knot?

3) “How many?” Once the knot is tied, how many babies will you give to the cosmos?

 

May the Source be with you!

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Friday, August 6, 2021

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Cayenne In the Eyes

 

Good folks came to visit me today. Lobsang and family delivered some special prasadam — wholesome, tasty wraps.

 

Then Abhay arrived with his wife and two energetic kids. As he walked into the room, in what we call Prabhupada’s quarters, it brought him back to his childhood.

 

“I remember this room. I was really young and there was a cup of cayenne and I blew into it sending the powder especially into my eyes. One devotee, Dharmaprana, grabbed me, took me to the tub in the next room to try to clear the powder from my eyes with faucet water. That was painful.”

 

“I’ll bet,” said someone in the room, recounting the incident. There were laughs. His mom, Praharana, recalls the incident.

 

Now there’s a new generation and they’re in the room with us; touching everything, smelling items and, fortunately, not blowing out hot spicy things.

 

We all gawked at pictures of Prabhupada — the finest — from a collection of vintage pics of him, compiled by Nrtya Trpta, a godsister of incredible talent.

 

Oh, their two boys, of three and four-and-a-half years old (I believe), know Prabhupada. To them I’m “Uncle Swami.” Going back to their dad, Abhay, well he took some photos of us. I have this to say, that Abhay is one of the nicest people I know and, when he was five, I engaged him in a play, “Prahlad.” It was common for me to work with the parents of our community and get their kids immersed in Krishna’s past times. The kids never forget those good spiritual moments.

 

May the Source be with you!

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