bhaktimarga swami (538)

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I was westbound to Alberta in that northern city of oil and gas, Edmonton. The province of Alberta was a smoky place for about two weeks with forest fires. I was a little concerned about stepping into what could still be a smoke-filled place. Even though news informed us that thousands of people had to be evacuated, including horses and livestock, I was travelling like a missionary.

Fortunately, when I landed, I saw the sky to be clear, while there was still need for more rain. A small party ca

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Some walkers by Bhaktimarga Swami

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After getting some dental cleansing done in Brampton, I was kindly driven to my home at 243 Avenue Road, Toronto. Nanda Drove me to the dentist, and Rasaraja drove me for the return. I took my walk accompanied by my japa beads. It was evening darkness now, and a couple passed by. I got that remark from the woman which is quite common, “That outfit you're wearing is really cool.”

“Thanks, and it's really comfortable.”
“Take care,” she said.
“Goodnight!”

I returned back from Ramsden Park, which i

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On our Zoom “Gita Chat” call, our group discussed chapter 15, “The Yoga of the Supreme Person,” wherein There's a whole description of the banyan tree. Near the end, we dwelt on all kinds of trees. From that discussion time, i left for my walk connected with trees (especially the lilacs), and then people.

On my way I met four religious students from Tennessee who came with the group on Monday. They remarked how their visit to the temple was a highlight.
 

Further on, kiddy corner to the Christi

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My first visit to this sacred land of New Vrindavan was back in the summer of ’73 at Janmasthami time. It was a real treat because for some months after joining, I had been a bit claustrophobic from being in the city of Toronto. For twenty years of my life, I was accustomed to country living which included getting up at 5:30 am to milk our family cow. But when I arrived here in the Appalachian destination with Toronto pilgrims, I found it to be as country and rustic as could be.

All the visitor

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One person very respected in our community is a lady in her 80s who also happens to be one of the best cooks and lives near Fiesta Farms west of our ashram. I decided to take that pleasant walk through a fine residential middle-class family-friendly neighbourhood to pay a visit to Subuddhi’s. She is a student of Prabhupada.

While walking, I received on my phone a few dillies on the topic of walking and exercise. I took a few moments to relish my friend Tom from Windsor’s latest installment of j

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I have it down to a daily routine. After the morning arati (service) starting at 4:30 am, known to all practitioners as the mangal (auspicious) arati, I head off to those lacrosse playing fields. I dedicate an hour or more to walking the periphery while chanting the mantra of deliverance. I watch the mist rise with the sun’s pull and hope to maybe one day spot a deer, a cute woodchuck, or even a mama bear with her cubs (they have been sited here in the past).

After the liberating trek where spo

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It was just me walking and the robins bob, bob, bobbing along in an expansive soccer and Lacrosse playing fields at Montville. All was well. The field is flat. It’s quiet and early enough (5:30 am) that the kids aren’t out yet. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind them. But then, an unleashed dog came at me, barking up a storm. He kept jumping up at me while its owner made little effort to get it off me. Rather strange. Not much of an apology either once the canine let me be. I came here to pray and the fe

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Nature is doing some renovation on the city of Montreal. On April 6th, a major freeze hit the town and although the trees in particular looked magical, the weight of collective hard water (ice) caused devastation when sizeable branches just snapped off. In my walk today to the botanical garden off of Pie IX Boulevard, my companion, Emille, pointed out all the piles of tree debris. It’s all over the place. Spring buds are coming out and that is redeeming, while blossoms from certain les arbres a

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There once was a tiny anti-material particle
Not reported in any regular news article
Jiva was the name of this glowing entity
Who somewhat lost purpose and identity

In its wanderlust it really liked to move
Feeling as though life would then improve
Yes, Jiva was up for travel far and wide
A wish that absolutely could not be denied

The search was on with the gift to freely fly
It looked about for directions in the sky
The Moon, Sun, Saturn, and Mars
Heavenly bodies including the stars

Disconten

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I left for South Africa and Mauritius at the end of March with two large suitcases and one smaller carry-on, all containing a stack of The Saffron Path, my book covering my walking adventures around the world. After bidding farewell to the Mauritius community, I wheeled my carry-on in one of the big suitcases, and the second suitcase full of gold-coloured costumes to bring back home. The books were hotcakes – not enough of them!

I’m a happy camper returning home after a number of accomplishment

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Two groups by Bhaktimarga Swami

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I want to congratulate the initiates at the Krishna Balarama Temple in Bon Acceuil. Four people took their second initiation, namely, Akilananda, Yasoda Mayi, Saguna, and Sarsthi. Thank you, Jnandev; your initiated name is Jnana Shakti.

It is hard for me to say goodbye to all of you and to the many stalwart and devoted people of devotion in this beautiful country of Mauritius. In addition to the diksha (initiation ceremony) of yesterday, we also had a gathering of dozens of devotees at Amar an

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Mauritius is a place quite friendly to the cause of Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Fifty percent of its 1.25 million people identify themselves as Hindu. And so, when someone organizes a Chariot Fest for the Lord, you will get a lively participation. That’s what happened in this one of three or four such festivals a year in this country. A young cow who was put on a wagon and smartly decorated was also part of the procession conducted on the narrow streets of Petit Raffray.

When I arrive

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Hopping About by Bhaktimarga Swami

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I believe I’m not that good with goodbyes. Perhaps I’ll call departing notions and words ‘bad-byes.’ Certainly, I’ll return to unite, and that separation is short term, temporary, and therefore, putting forth strong emotions isn’t the biggest investment for me. Nevertheless, I’ll miss the community in Durban, Pretoria, and Joburg on some level.

South African Airlines took me to Joburg, and then from there to Mauritius on a three-hour layover. This rather busy airport in Johannesburg, to be exac

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Patita Pavana and I did several revolutions around the Radha Radhanath temple in Chatsworth before taking a few restful moments for our feet on a provided bench. As usual, the myna birds were extremely noisy perched in several trees on the grounds. The sun was just about to make its appearance, when suddenly there was a power outage. The sounds of the birds just very spontaneously ceased with not a beat missing. Gradually the serenading picked up again. When the power came back on, so did a bur

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Features of Today by Bhaktimarga Swami

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  • Like every day, I circumambulate the temple so many times, and that’s how I got my walking in today.

  • In the temple room, a very handicapped late teen fell with his walker, but got himself up like a hero.

  • Two schoolteachers came to see the temple and watched our rehearsal. “Are you professional?” asked one.

 

  • One person found a source of oat milk, which I humbly requested, and delivered cartons of it.

  • Bhakti Chaitanya Swami spoke about jealousy. Instead of envying one who is excellin

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Sadhana (spiritual exercise) is so vital for achieving the human obligation. For traditionalists, such daily practice begins before the sun peeks over the horizon. That time of the day is so conducive for meditation and prayer. One thing I’m so grateful to our guru, Prabhupada, for is this morning program which includes a one-hour hearing or speaking from the Bhagavatam. Today it was my turn to deliver and conduct a Q&A on the topic of the honey which comes from the focus on the divine feet of

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To Africa by Bhaktimarga Swami

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It was rush, rush in both Atlanta and Johannesburg airports. However, when I landed at Durban – no lo luggage. I left my filled out form to recover my three suitcases with the office at King Shaka Zulu Airport. The relief I felt from this minor anxiety (worse things could happen) was meeting the greeting team comprised of Rasasthali, Wesley, Sookie, and his brother Sudevi – all actors whom I worked with in the past. They bore happy faces and happy hearts.

I tucked myself to bed after the long f

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Reacting to fear by Bhaktimarga Swami

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Our theme for the morning class on bhakti was regarding fear. Fear is a very real emotion felt by all. This emotion is initiated by what’s to come, a sensation connected to the future, a dealing with the unknown, an apprehension trigged by a notion of danger.

The discussion on the topic was sparked by the story of Ajamil, a rather shady character in the Bhagavatam who was vile in his behaviour and was due to suffer karma. Whenever karma is of a negative nature, one can expect a form of what som

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On the Zoom Gita Chat this evening, I was pleasantly surprised to find one of the listeners/viewers was someone I hadn’t really seen in thirty years. He used to live in the ashram with the team of us monks. He was happy. He learned how to cook and do many things devotionally.

Well, he moved on, got married, got a job, the usual pattern with family. It was just so great having him on board for a penetrating hour where we probed into the Gita’s message about sacrifice and accepting some austerity

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Two cities by Bhaktimarga Swami

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Roman and I parked right outside of the high rise that Ajamil lives in. The only thing is that we parked right behind a police car that had just arrived – a police car that wheeled over the curb and partially onto the sidewalk. Our parking right behind them aroused some suspicion in the two occupants of the police car, and so they immediately came over to correct us about our irregular parking. They were nice about it, especially when they saw a monk (me) and Ajamil struggling to get his harmon

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