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More babies, dear gents, dear ladies

The time has graciously arrived

For offspring to pop up like daisies

And keep the human race alive

Watching them grow touches the heart

They are honourable products of attraction

We simply have to do our beautiful part

At waving a wand called affectionate service

Their final magical 20 years end in good cheers

Because their babies serve wit

As you may have noticed more recently, I deliver my daily walking report in steps that I count from my cell phone pedometer.  It motivates me to just push it a little more.  I discovered that even some snow shovelling with the pedometer in pocket racks up the number.  So, Uddhava and I decided that like the other day, a layer of soft slushy snow must go, and at the same time I can put on a bit more of the kilometres/miles.

 But first, on our way out towards Yorkville, a slowed-down episode

The reality these days is that our centres for our communities are fully capacitated.  Since covid’s demise, we burst at the seams.  Yesterday’s report on the second meeting in Whitley, Ontario, after a grandiose opening in a rented space, the church management remarked, “You are attracting more people than we are.”

Two hundred people packed the facility.

In Brampton, where we own a building, the attendance is full.  Nanda Maharaja Das, one of the coordinators, gets on the mic to encour

Framed on the wall next to Govinda’s Dining Hall are two statements about the Hare Krishna Movement.  Here they are:

“The Hare Krishna movement is but the most recent phase of an ancient tradition of religious piety known in India as Vaishnavism.  The devotees in the Hare Krishna temple live a full and active life of study, prayer, singing, and day to day management of the temple’s activities.  Many are also active in a variety of more practical tasks such as the publishing and sale of book

My good friend from Montreal, Anubhava, who managed our ashram temple for 7 years in Montreal, came for a breath, a break, and a change for four days.  There was a problem with the train midway through, but eventually, all worked out.  Actually, it was myself who suggested he give himself a little vacation.  He took up the suggestion.

Since the time of his arrival, I dined with him and talked all about the marvellous things happening at the temple in Toronto with books being distributed, ce

I delivered the Bhagavatam class today, and we spoke about life in the material world with its nightmares and sweet dreams, the combination.  That sentence on its own sounded impactful to the group.  When I said the phrase “sweet dreams,” my mind raced to the time I met Annie Lennox when she visited our temple at 243 in the early 80s.   She’s the singer behind the song “Sweet Dreams” which is a classic pop piece.  I recall how she was so nice.  I made some samosas for her and her band, The Eury

I was really proud of the fact that I did a major cleanup with my filing cabinet of scripts.  People know me as a walker, dancer, teacher, but I’m also a director of plays who writes scripts for drama.  Well, it was time to clean up that one big drawer, put everything in order, and eliminate bulky bunches of too much paper.

 With the help of Nityananda, the assistance went a long way to clearing the anarthas (unwanted accumulations). The project grounded us somewhat.  So, that was one proje

The day was done as far as giving classes and cleanup on various levels at the temple.  Digging up an old script, which I still haven’t found, is giving some anxiety.  I’m not sure where that is going, but I’m getting ready for India, a trip coming up soon.

 It was 10 to 10 PM, and I had not yet met the outside air.  Let’s see what an hour stroll can do to make the day truly done.  I took to Yonge St.  The wind showed some might, and it had been playing with cardboard pieces that were strew

A farewell from a fine Bangladeshi family, my hosts in Tampa.  Arjuna from Dominican Republic bid me goodbye at the airport.  I flew off with perfect walking weather behind.  As I have written, swimming was another dream.

 At Air Canada Jazz flight 1245, I reached my seat.  I didn’t anticipate to use the screen in front of me, but I couldn’t resist watching a documentary, 500 Days In the Wild by filmmaker Dianne Whelan.  She embarked on a journey paddling, cycling, and walking the longest t

FLORIDA FREEZE

 I packed swimming trunks

Not a restriction for monks

Anticipating a dip in the springs

After tightening the drawstrings

 Once I arrived in Tampa

Felt a freeze known by Santa

There were the usual bearded trees

The Spanish moss, but strange breeze

 An Arctic vortex hit the land

My dreams for dipping totally canned

Even alligators do not prefer

For them cold waters – not secure

 It’s Canada’s attack on the US, this cold

Trump’

My annual visit to Gainesville is always rewarding.  This well-established college city draws young students.  At the heart of the town rests a true refuge for students at the U of F.  It is called Krishna House, and this is the location where you get this excellent training in bhakti yoga.  In fact, this is the model we follow in Toronto with the Bhakti Academy, designed for students who cultivate a devotional life while going to school or work.  It is such a miraculous program.

 We spoke

It’s not that the weather was incompatible for walking this morning with a cold, wet rain, I just wasn’t prepared, clothing-wise, to dare the elements.  I was indoors most of the time, yet happily busy.  The sadhana program in the Alachua temple was great, though low in attendance due to a cold floor.  The kitchen at the back end has no heat, so you could see everyone’s breath.  The solution for the cooks is to keep warm through action.

 I visited the men’s house where male devotees reside

Yes, Florida has gone cold.  But not on its own.  The whole continent is under the influence of an Arctic blast.  Sections of the state with “Sunshine Coast” written on the license plates, is now a snow haven.  The schools will be closed tomorrow due to rain and water predicted to turn into ice.  Florida is just not ready for this kind of stormy weather.

 This morning after the Bhagavatam class, I returned home to my hosts for a needed massage by an expert, Ram, who told me that the manatee

I delivered a mini Kirtan Standards course to the devotees of Deland.  Some helpful hints in the matter of conscious kirtan can’t go wrong in steering chanters in the right direction.  I saw the hard copy of Jayadwaita Swami’s book on the subject on the stand for sale.  I grabbed it and used the text as a reference for selling the content’s concepts to the attendees.  Afterall, the objective is to follow in the footsteps of the previous teachers.  It was appreciated.

Speaking of footsteps, I’

My baggage of books I authored, The Saffron Path and The Walking Monk – Poems.1, was dispatched successfully, destined for Tampa from the Toronto Airport.  In the line for security there was a long wait for the bins to arrive for our carry on.  Once my goods got through, the buzzer alarmed, addressing my new bionic knees.  I waited for quite some time for a male security to search me.  Next, I went in queue for the US customs.  It was a long lineup.  I covered at least three rounds on my japa m

I have never seen such a large pool of blood within the confines of our walls at 243 Avenue Road.  Our head priest (pujari), Brahma, entered the temple at 3:40 AM, and when he reached the bottom of the stairs, a blood vessel burst at the base of his leg.

Fortunately, our young men of the Bhakti Academy assisted him, cleaned him, and hurried him to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment and advice.  Brahma then returned when the Academy head, Visahka, and her husband, Punya, drove him back home. 

thanAryan gave me a packet of breadfruit chips to include in my luggage for the trip which touches three countries.  I love that breadfruit, prepared in almost any style.  I had my snack.  I’m set to go.