By Bhaktimarga Swami
Bloor Street, west of University Avenue, is what it always has been for decades, and coming back, after a month's stay in India, let's me see that it has persisted. For all but the iconic Honest Ed's economy market - which has been razed and will be replaced by a towering condo unit—the coffee shops, book stores, exotic artifact joints and Korean town and their two or three story buildings will be here to stay. I hope.
It's a charmer of a street to walk at any time of the day or night. With jet lag, I don't really mind what time. There are always people around. I was thrilled to see in the front window of the Doug Miller book store, Swami In A Strange Land by Joshua Green. If you haven't read this book yet, your life is not complete. It details the life, boldness and complications of Prabhupada. I'm partial as he is my guru.
The wind showed its might and gave me a toss at the corner of Spadina; well, at least a push. Remnants of light garbage swirled in the air, now that their winter anchor, snow, is practically gone. At one point, even a green compost bin was made to slide across the street.
I admit to having grey and brown apparel on, not my routine monk's attire, but I maintained an assertive tilak mark on that forehead which was slightly bent over to address Mr. Vayu, the wind. He, the wind, will relax in time, and take his rest, as I will attempt to do so for a few minutes before the mangal arati at 4:30 a.m. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvY9LLtASCF/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=d606dz36nq6i
It's good to be back in a regulated fashion, walking on my legs while rolling beads on my fingers through mantras.
May the Source be with you!
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