Sunday 12 April 2020

Friday, April 10, 2020


Toronto, Ontario

A Cyclist
 
Let’s call him Bill.  I met Bill now for two consecutive days in a row—yesterday and today—at nightfall actually.  It was just after our neighbors banged pots and banged whistles outside their doors, an indication that we are battling King Corona.

The weather the last two days has been brisk but Bill was out on his bicycle doing what I’m doing, a ritual of sorts.  I’m moving my legs a step at a time and he’s moving his, but off the ground and in a cyclical fashion.  I’m chanting while walking and he’s meditating in the process, I assume.

Yesterday he stopped operations near me and near his apartment in Rosedale keeping that respectful distance.  His question was, “Which Order?”

“Krishna Consciousness.”

And Bill said, “Oh yes, I’ve been to your Tuesday gathering at the Krishna Centre.”  We chatted.  It’s rare to meet someone, who’s not of Indian descent, and talk about Krishna‘s dialogue with Arjuna, about overcoming our weakness in the face of adversity.

Bill asked if we have gurus, and I said “yes,” because he has one.  He also mentioned that he does puja and also recognized the word bhakti when I mentioned that it is this love that we want to achieve.  His preference is the love for Shiva which is fine by me.  I offered Bill a mantra card.

Tonight I met him again at a bridge that arches over a railway route.  We continued from where we left off the day before.  The exchange of words was great, on topic, on this Easter Friday evening.  We both noted the North Star and parted.  I hope to see Bill again.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

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