Tuesday 4 August 2009

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

A new Place

Scarborough, Ontario

Today was a day of great victory. A new centre for spirituality was born. On 3500 McNicol Avenue near Markham Rd. we held our first gathering securing an 1170 sq foot unit in this suburb of Toronto. It’s modest but it is a victory because in this dark age of self-centeredness a small band of people have put a dent into maya, the illusory world.

It will be a learning center for self-realization within the bhakti yoga standards as set by our guru, Srila Prabhupada. As guest of honor I had the opportunity to speak and so my topic had something to do with standards. Although the main core of the Scarborough founders had good intent the mantras chosen for chanting needed reviewing. Presedence had been set by our teacher. The focus must be on the great chant for deliverance. The Hare Krishna mantra on it’s own has enough body and frill that it doesn’t require much additional attempt at embellishment. All yogis accept this mantra as their favorite.

I think the group got the point. Many of them are of Sri Lankan decent . Coming to Canada in an effort to flee their warring nation. The more introspective folks took refuge of spiritual life under the pressure of need. The group here was full of smiles and they spiced up the event in pot-luck fashion. Everything was so tasty.

Another group from the downtown base, our youth, are shopping for yet another centre to open with the aim to reach out to students. I wish their endevour well. I firmly believe that it is God’s intent to expand consciousness in all directions- to put more spice into life, whether it be parsely, sage, rosemary, thyme. Well here we have it, at Scarborough. It’s only fair.

4 KM

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