Friday, September 24, 2021

Ramsden Park, Toronto

It’s That Time

 

It’s that time again – time for another production. This one is called “The Embassy,” based on the script from playwright “Bhasa.” The story is an intense display of emotional clashing between Duryodhana and Krishna. Peace and aggression come together.

 

To pull off this theatrical assembly of sorts in the form of a short film takes much planning and physical work. The pieces to the puzzle will slowly come together on this second film project.

 

To execute this particular one we arranged to fly Dhruva, playing the role of the antagonist, from Calgary. I met him at the Rosedale Subway after his flight was completed. What a devotional chap he is. Apart from being a good actor there is a certain amount of commitment and reliability in his lifestyle.

 

We were also thrilled to see Satya arrive after a pleasant train ride from Montreal. Speak about “pleasant,” that’s him. In fact, in the role of Krishna one of the lines he delivers, sarcastically, to Duryodhana goes like this – “so much then for our own pleasantries, come now to my errand.”

 

And with our first evening on the set (Govinda’s Restaurant) our crew went through a test-run of lighting, framing and blocking. It all looks very promising with this new production. We have an excellent team with Michaela, Kusha, and Krishna Candra on the technical side. We see it as a service to humanity.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

Thursday, September 23, 2021

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

Three Reps Mentioned

 

We had a nice discussion from The Gita, chapter 10, text 27, highlighting at least three representations of God. The chapter is entitled “Opulence of the Absolute.” Our Thursday Zoom group delved into the super horse Uccaisrava, the elephant, Airavata, and lastly the king.

 

The super horse was invoked from the event of the churning of the ocean of milk. The super elephant, Airavata, was also born from the churning. He became the chief among elephants and has Indra riding on his back. Indra is the god of rain.

 

The final mention of an opulence of God is the monarch, or the king, but not just any old kind could reflect the quality of the Absolute. In the purport Prabhupada qualifies the type of monarch referred to here. He references kings like Rama, Yudhisthira and Pariksit. These were outstanding leaders who promoted dharma, fair and righteous deeds. Where are such responsible lords of virtue to be found today? Are we to only see these as nostalgic figures? A meagre chunk of sweet history?

 

It has always been the contention of our guru, Prabhupada, to look to the future for pious monarchs. What makes good leaders, despite the dark world we live in is in the training, the early rising, the meditation and belief in the Superpower, the discipline, and the love for the earth and its residents, which include non-humans.

 

May the Source be with you!

 

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

The Annex, Toronto

The Gratitude in Rain

 

My walk to the shiatzu centre was a pleasant movement through the rain under an umbrella. It was a few minutes of contemplation. I find that rain often does that; heightens the pensive nature in us. As long as it’s not too long. I recall days on the marathon walks when a full eight hours was with rain and in the rain. Few motorists stop to talk. It’s just me and the rain, or rather Krishna.

That’s always the way to think of it. It’s Krishna.

Only today I contemplated on His devotee and his pureness. I’m speaking of none other than our guru, Prabhupada. What he had done for me and countless others is indescribable. Even to this day, years since he passed (Nov. 1977) he still impacts people through his publications, his temples and his devotees. He has and does change lives.

I came back from the shiatzu session feeling great, naturally. I felt even better that, when I arrived to the ashram, there was cooked asparagus waiting for me. That was done out of love by the donor, Sarthak, the cook, Dwarkanath and finally the stasher, Vallabha Hari, who knows I’m a sucker for this kind of green prasadam. Prabhupada, I thank you for prasadam.

Rain persisted throughout the day until about 7 p.m. when it was time for our evening stairway kirtan.

Miracles! That’s what we have to look for, sniff out for and seek out. We will find it.

May the Source be with you!