Friday, July 13th, 2018

Scarborough, Ontario

Today

Today was special.  Some international kirtanchanters came to Toronto to converge for a 12 hour marathon of mantras.  The venue at 243 Avenue Road was decorated like the Milky Way.  It was awesome.  As per usual, during these events, when in Toronto, I have the privilege to start the chanting immediately after Sanskritist Dravida utters invocational mantras.

The main occupation for me today, however, was to stage “The Shakti Show” with a group of performing artists called Vedic Mace.  Our audience has roots in Bangladesh and we performed kirtan, a magic show, a satire on yoga, and classical Odissi dance.  It was much loved by the audience.  Held in Scarborough in their community hall, we opened up the program with food.  Yes, it was Friday night.  People came directly from work.  The show was to start at 7:30 p.m.  Not everyone turned up right then, naturally.  The management decided, with some input from my side, to serve the nice veg preps and kichari early, instead of at the end—10:30 p.m.  Can you imagine eating that late?

Five hundred plus folks came to see and hear of the Krishna culture in action. It is what our guru, Srila Prabhupada, encouraged us to do—present culturally.  He implied that the world would be won by this approach.  There is so much to share philosophically, and morally, in story format.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, July 12th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

A Reprint

I was running out of mantra cards, or, rather, what some call business cards. “Can monks have business cards?” someone asked me once in a humorous way.

“Why not?” I challenged.  “The card is promoting walking—better than that, pilgrimage,” I explained.  I have an image of myself walking a trail in Mauritius where bats are ravaging the mango trees.  The image on the card doesn’t show any bat attacks.  It’s just something I remembered about the trail when I was walking at Bon Accueil.

I had to go for a reprint of the image with the maha mantraon the reverse side.  To get to the printers it is 1.0 kilometres, exactly, from the ashramwhere I live.  So what do you suppose a walking monk will do with such a distance?  Yes, walk it, there and back.

Unfortunately, I cannot boast any more measured mileage today.  It came to exactly two kilometres.  I rather invested more time into mopping the halls in the temple ashram.  It’s a different motion than a walk—more of a dance actually.

I mopped because it was needed.  Traffic is thick these days.  Foot traffic. People are coming from the far reaches of North America in preparation for the Chariot Fest in Toronto, perhaps the continent’s largest.

The Chariot Fest, traditionally known as Ratha Yatra, is now a fifty-one year custom since beginning in San Francisco, but enjoys a much older history dating back 5,000 years.  It also involves a ‘walk’ but not to the printers, perhaps a ‘cleaners’.

The act of walking along with the Chariot of Krishna is supposed to do some purging—a lifting of karma.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018

Russell, Ontario

At the Heart of Renunciation

From the book Spirit Matters, a compilation of articles written by Mukunda Goswami.  

Here’s one, an excerpt from, “Love Lies at the Heart of Renunciation,” about two monks:

“One summer I was stuck for an hour on a train at a station between Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata.  With little to do besides gaze out my window I saw two bearded holy men facing each other, each sitting on a torn gumchaand dressed only in a loincloth.  They were engaged in a hearty exchange, but I couldn’t hear a word. They looked so happy and content that I grew a little envious.

Each carried over his shoulder a stick with a cloth bound to it.  Facing one another, they soon opened their cloths, ate some dried chapattis, and then tied their cloths back up.  They smiled broadly, shook hands, and then each walked his separate way.

Now, that’s real happiness, I thought, and real renunciation.  But what about the rest of us?  Who’s prepared, let alone able, to live the life of a mendicant, no matter how happy it may appear?

Well, I’ve read there are two kinds of renouncers, those who detest and avoid the material world and those who live within it but are quite detached from it. Those men I watched certainly looked like the real thing.

But I know that great philanthropists and many great spiritual leaders often live in the world with apparently affluent lifestyles.  Yet they are renounced… Maybe the sadhus on that train platform weren’t the real thing after all.

Renunciation dwells in the heart, and if there is a greater loving dimension elsewhere, I’ll spend my life searching for it.”

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Tuesday, July 10th, 2018

Russell, Ontario

The Swami

The following is a poem I wrote today and then read to a crowd at our mini Festival of India last night.

MY DEAR FRIENDS      © BMSJuly 10, 2018

There was a wise old swami from India

Who very much wanted to be in America

He was warned that he was too old

On top of that—America is too cold

But he was determined to go

To the land of milk, honey and snow

With a firm grip on his cane

He took to a ship’s ramp and lane

And sailed across the great sea

With a plan in mind, you’ll see

But a storm made the waves so high

The kind that could cause you to die

The swami was dizzy; problems with the heart

His whole dream looked as if to fall apart

But then the ocean became most calm

The swami could now chant the name Ram

The ship docked at the city of fashion

Which never sleeps in its mode of passion

The swami came to the west with a gift

He was a visitor on a very different shift

Some people were giving him the looks

When he landed with a trunk full of books

India was a place that gave silks, spices, tea

No one knew anything about bhakti

The swami said we all have it within

It goes deeper beyond our very skin

It was lost but it can be found

A treasure not on the surface of the ground

The swami then had many a student

They learned to be sensitive and prudent

The swami then left the world behind

Hoping for a world that would be more kind.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, July 9th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

Good One

Today was a good one.  Brian Carevana brought his group of just under fifty people over to our temple. The members of the multi-religious group came from mostly the local area, but also included some from Vancouver, Boston, Virginia, plus Lincoln (Nebraska), and I may have missed one or two.  They were a mix of a mature group, with some of a younger batch, but all graduates in religious studies.

They came to see, listen and then feast.  Questions were philosophical, yet most were more introductory.

Q: “Why the saffron colour?”

A: This is reserved for monks, celibate students and teachers.”

Q: “What do you mean by family planning in addition to no meat, alcohol or gambling?”

A: “The most strict have ‘union’ for children.  It’s individual, though, and in general, members have varying degrees of commitment.  On the highway, people drive at different speeds.  The ones who benefit the most are the ones who obey the signage.”

The meal was a highlight and I applaud our group for a smooth operation of cooking and serving.  Chanting was also on the menu.  We also garlanded Brian with fresh flowers.  I think he was blown away.

After a day of cleaning before the group came, and the presentation, Karuna and I took to the ravine for a p.m. stroll.  At one point we sat at a pond to reflect on the good day, and how it was.  But our contemplation of the Thai boys stuck in a flooded cave—OMG!

May the Source be with them!

8 km

Sunday, July 8th, 2018

Montreal, Quebec

The Wolf, The People

“I think they need to reintroduce the wolf,” said Dave, as we both ambled along on Yonge toward Bloor.  The topic was about wildlife and what I see on my walks in the countryside.

Dave said he’s from Essex County, from Windsor, and every so often they have a cull of the deer who have over-run Pelee Island and the southwest part of the province of Ontario.

“Coyotes don’t take down deer.  Wolves do,” was his conviction.  I agreed with Dave, who’s a bartender; nice guy actually.

We can’t keep destroying nature’s ways,I thought, but we’re very good at that.

Dave and I parted.  My route was back to the ashram.  As I sauntered back, I contemplated the good day in Montreal, and also on addressing some challenges people have at a personal level.  I offered some counselling, as a service, promoting the themes of: don’t give up, be a warrior, communicate and look at the needs of each other in a relationship.

I had the pleasure of making new friends at the site of the Ratha Fest.  Best of all, I gave the first grains to the toddler of Pradyumna and Tina.  What a cooperative little fellow he is!

On our return journey down the 401 Highway, we veered over at the Thousand Islands, to the new owners of The Gananoque Inn.  Mukesh and Ashvina Patel run this historic facility, with its two restaurants, fifty-three rooms, and conference room.  The Patel clan is working on securing many hotels throughout the country, which would make it more accommodating for travelling Krishna monks like ourselves, since traditionally the Patels don’t eat or prepare cow, pig, chicken or deer.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Saturday, July 7th, 2018

Montreal, Quebec

Mantre-all

These days, Montreal puts on a good show of the Festival of India.  It starts off with a procession, very religious in spirit and also exotic to some, hip even.  To others, I imagine it may come off as appearing a bit strange.

The image of Jagannath—translated as ‘Lord of the Universe’—is mystical and captivating. The beat of the drums is what stirs up excitement.  The procession draws the very faithful.  At Jeanne Mance Park, we have a good crowd—second year in a row—of people culturally oriented to Eastern ways.  “The food is great,” said Ajamila, a popular Bengali singer.

The administration rented a large marquis to house hundreds in shade and provide protection from rain, should it come.  The key to good attendance is largely due to effective marketing. Nrsimha Chaitanya, a Russian-born devotee of Krishna, has got it down.  “I'm happy with this first of a two-day event,” he said.

I mingled with a few from the crowd.  The stage items were attractive.  Professional and devotional performers brought the stage to life.

I came up from Toronto with the group “Vedic More” to present Indian classical-style sound along with a bass guitar to add some spice.

The only major complaint I would have with the festival is a failure to provide a station for hand cleaning after using the portapotty.

I should not forget to let all know that we also presented a ten-minute skit of slap-stick called, “First Timers,” as a satire of yogamembership and routine.  Of course yogahails from India and that was our link to Indian exhibition today.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Friday, July 6th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

The Good News

The good news received this morning is that the government of India is putting some loving pressure on the famous temple of Jagannath in India, to make it open for all pilgrims to attend.  This would be a milestone, since the current policy has held onto a traditional ‘caste consciousness’ for centuries.  Opening up the doors so all could benefit would be quite the accomplishment. Relaxing the rigid approach may say something about witnessing some good omens within a dark age—Kali Yuga.

I was happy to see Sasvata, a godbrother who operates the “House of Healing” in Caledon. It’s been years.   http://houseofhealing.ca/Welcome.html Today was also a great day for seeing the arrival of a Florida couple who are set to conduct some magic shows on the upcoming tour we are part of.  From Montreal to Alberta, I’ll be with a travelling road show beginning this weekend.

Also, admirers of drama can now check out www.thewalkingmonk.netand click theatre.  There you can view the new entry “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” detailing the life of Chitraketu, a story from the book, Bhagavatam.  It was filmed in Mayapura, India, and we are quite proud of the piece.  Please enjoy.

In addition to all the good stuff mentioned above, I was able to boast today to some of the patrons at Govinda’s—our restaurant, in our complex—that we have a private washroom for them on the main floor of the building.  Done with first class material and wheel-chair equipped, it is a convenient facility.  It’s a little awkward to say but, “Come check it out!”

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, July 5th, 2018

Toronto, Ontario

Rains Came

The rains came and hard they came

Walkers were compelled to do the same

For any shelter that might keep them dry

Umbrellas were propped and kept up high

And after the shower the coast was clear

There was little to fret and not to fear

The chocolate cream was smudged for days

On the sidewalk where Sun used his rays

The rain did its job and made it go

At a rapid pace, no cream to show

I walked up Yonge where pretentious fun

Just about captures everyone

Then Bloor where you can’t afford anything

You go there and might just want to sing

I did my song of mantra maha

It’s auspicious like when you say “svaha”

I walked by Varsity to recall that once

John & Yoko were there, twas years and months

The rain purges bringing out the smells

Of fragrances from heavens, away from hells

I was in elation, and there were more

People who also got to score

Score we’ll do, we get old and die

But I won’t die, no need to cry.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Wednesday, July 4th, 2018

St. Catharines, Ontario

More on the Bruce

We took the time to get to the next leg of the Bruce Trail and to head north a bit farther, on foot.  The starting point was the ending point of one month ago—the Woodend Conservation Area. We were Vaishnava, Gaurachandra, Karuna, Dennis and myself for the initial steps.  Karuna and Dennis stayed on with me, later.

The trail is magical and offers a variegated array of features—the Welland Canal, a golf course, shady nooks of dream houses, a winding, posh neighbourhood, and a short stretch of retail strip; but our favourite was the woodsy, tall, deciduous forest.  Second to that was a lower bush where we found blackberries galore.  Cherry trees bearing the dark juicy fruits also came as a surprise.

At one point, Karuna brought me a small pear-shaped, and green-in-colour fruit. “Walnuts, not yet ripe,” I said, knowing a few things about the bush.  Of course, no one needs to identify the mosquitoes who accompanied us in the beginning until the sun burst forth to another day of inferno.  Trees saved us, really.

Our journey was a reasonable three hours of moving along which took us to Brock University in St. Catharines.  It’s a milestone—something achieved after 12 kilometres.

Karuna, Dennis and I had our grand reward, a meal with Vaishnava and Janaki.  Kofta, red and rich, and wraps and potato curry made tummy and senses blissful.  My legs held up quite well despite the up and down terrain in spots, which reminds me that stiffness in the knees does tell of age. At Vaishnava’s, we spoke of a serious home project for the future.

May the Source be with you!

12 km

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018

Brampton, Ontario

Dedications

The plan is to walk a length of the Bruce Trail tomorrow, but today I couldn’t find the time.  Good clear walking hours would have been in the night.  Instead our brahmachari monk team from Toronto drove over to the household of Rajarsi and Ragini who held a kirtanchanting session at their home in honour of Jayapataka Swami, a senior godbrother.  He is having all kinds of physical challenges and we thought it good to call on some help for healing from the Supreme.  The event was held in their private home in Brampton, and many people came.  Some very rich prasadamwas served at 8:00 p.m., a little late, and caused a little ache in the belly when so late, but we are grateful.  I was exceedingly happy to see such devotional acquaintances not seen since the seventies and eighties.

Honourable mention must go to a person who was a rock in the bhaktipublishing department.  Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, began a regular journal called, “Back to Godhead,” in 1944.  For a time, there was a lull in publication, but it was revived in the late ’60s.  Called “The backbone of the Hare Krishna movement,” this publication enjoyed a period of decades of dedication by senior photographer and advisor, Yamaraja, who recently passed away from cancer.

Yamaraj was always kind to me every time I met him at the temple in Alachua near Gainesville.  He was a gentle soul and a determined monk.  He is a kind of hero who fought two demons, cancer and the Kali-yuga, with his publication work.  https://iskconnews.org/back-to-godhead-magazines-quiet-hero-yamaraja-das-passes-away,6617

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Monday, July 2nd, 2018

Mississauga, Ontario

Victory to Dracon

I received an e-mail message from Dracon, the Chinese chap whom we met on the Bruce Trail back in Queenston Heights on June 3^rd. His message was he finished the Bruce from its southern start, to the northern-most point in Tobermory—a distance of 890 kilometres.  All victory to him in his solo effort.  We would factor in the paramatmapresence—God in the heart.  I know little of the details but I should ask him about challenges along the way, the ups and downs of the journey, both physical and psychological.  Where did he get food?  Etc.

I am encouraged also to get back on that trail.  Duties have me bound. Such as today, I held a seminar on guru/discipleship, or shall I say guru / sishyawhich are actually the more traditional terms.  It was important as some people are aspiring to take that next step—not in terms of walking but advancing spiritually.

With us still sunk in a sweltering summer, Karuna and I decided a walk was nevertheless necessary for the day, but we would only consider the task when a cooling had taken place.  By 8:30 p.m., we left for Christie Pitts Park.  It seems everyone had the same target in mind—evade the heat, bathe in the night.  Bloor Street became full with humans and all that’s good and bad which goes along with them.

It was really pleasant.  A sit-down at a picnic table at Christie Pitts for gayatrichanting was just a perfect ending.  The sun came down and so did the last of the relentless heat.  Meanwhile, sections of B.C. are receiving snow.

May the Source be with you!

7 km