Tuesday 21 April 2020

Friday, April 17, 2020


Toronto, Ontario

Love Thy Neighbour


“Love thy neighbour as much as thyself,” is a biblical foundational statement which basically can be considered to have universal application.  It was our decision, the small group of monks in the ashram, to join our neighbours on Roxborough St. in the noise-making at 7:30 pm.  It has become routine for a dozen or more households to engage the pots and pans, whistles and shakers in making music in order to rattle the cage of the corona virus.  You can call it a war-cry machine.

At 7:25 our “motley crew,” as Corrado described us, was poised at the steps outside.  A second big decision had to be made on what noise-makers do we choose?  Dwarkanath has the pair of lungs and experience to blow a conch.  What else?

In my room I usually keep a small assortment of instruments—a dolak drum, a shaker, a djembe and a didgeridoo.  I swiftly grabbed the didgeri for David and dispersed whatever balance amongst four of us.  One door after another at the right moment revealing our next door amigos.  The fun had begun.  It was no big bang theory, only a small bang reality.  Lots of mini-bangs and blows.

The experience, which lasted a good 5-7 minutes, was a good one.  Through the sounds of triumph we bonded.  I don’t know about my comrades on the steps but I felt like Krishna and Arjuna blowing their conch shells claiming a victory over evil.

In any event we will continue to make this a ritual in regimen.  But now another decision—which pair of shoes will I use for my walk tonight?

May the Source be with you!
3km

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