Monday, August 22, 2022

Bracebridge, Ontario

Moving Through a Green Heaven

I do not know all my trees but I can pretty well identify the white pine on my walks and here in the near north, there are plenty of them. In Bracebridge you have awesome trees and in the greater Muskoka area in general, people love their trees. If you’re caught cutting down trees on your property or even what seems like an attempt at deforesting, the town authorities get on your case. I think that’s good.

In walking along Manitoba Rd, Vyasacharya, Jaya Gopal as well as Nimai and I noticed the trees edging the road are pine, maple, oak and more. It’s a diverse growth of green giants. And that’s natural; the way it should be.

This area is also blessed with lakes and rivers and waterfalls and some of the oldest rock in the world. After a fresh rainfall the fragrant emissions from the trees were so effervescent. It was really like Vaikuntha.

Most of my friends in Muskoka are actually my students (or disciples). They are business people in the hotel/motel industry so they are used to accommodating and caring for people. Devotionally they work together so well, like a team. That’s what I see with the trees. They are sharing space and are, in some way, accommodating each other. They appear to be so connected to their surroundings – the water, sky and rocks also appear to play a harmonious existence together.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

 

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Barrie, Ontario

Barrie and Bracebridge

My flight back to Toronto was a blessed one because of some good fortune. I met someone special. His name is Nitai Ram, who was enroute to Toronto on Air Canada flight 126. Before boarding the redeye flight we had a good chat. He was on his way to see his parents in St. John, New Brunswick.

With about three minutes of rest on this overnight flight, I deplaned and got picked up by Chris and Amy from Hamilton. Ryan joined us as I needed his company and his good djembe planying. The venue for tonight’s program was the old train station (now renovated) on Lake Simcoe, in Barrie. Dignitaries came, including the deputy mayor, along with a host of loyal Krishna followers; many young families immigrated from India.

The chanting was led by Vrikodhara, from the Ukraine, and the receive-and-respond technique worked quite well. The Barrie group is a vibrant one and today’s program demonstrated that devotion. To a large extent it was a lively program for the kids. After all, many Krishna followers love to meditate on Him in His childhood. I have a preference to adoring Him in His adult stage, as the speaker of The Gita.

By evening I was driven to Bracebridge and there I was lucky enough to trek with a bunch of bhakti guys along the tame but windy Muskoka River. The Patel clan, mostly motel owners, came together for Mexican prasadam. We closed the day with a kirtan.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Burnaby, British Columbia

The Way It Is

Every year on two consecutive days there is this praise in memory of two individuals. Gaudiya Vaishnavas of the ISKCON world celebrate the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, and on the following day do the same for His pure devotee, Prabhupada. He is the person we focused on today.

Born in 1869, in the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata), he was raised in a Vaishnava family committed to serving Krishna. He credited his parents and extended family, in addition to the mercy of his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta, with his devotion to Krishna. Of course, something can also be said about his past life, or lives, and such commitment in this direction. This is often the case for those born in auspicious circumstances. What was done in the past, karmically, impacts the present situation.

The devotees here in the Vancouver area celebrate Prabhupada’s coming every year with devotion and sincerity. I had the good fortune to give an initial speech in his honour. A point I made is that, although I was formally initiated by His Divine Grace, I never had the chance to personally speak to him. I was at six locations where he delivered class and led kirtan chanting, but I did not see an opportunity to ask for personal guidance or blessings for that matter. I understood from my studies in the tradition that if personal exchange doesn’t occur then some merciful energy can be captured through the chain of representatives, his other students. That is the way it is.

May the Source be with you!

3 km