In order to get some walking in today, I decided to start with earlier morning sunrays instead of the forecast steam to come later. I enjoyed the track from 1626 Pie IX all the way to Jeanne Mance Park. It's a clear 8-kilometre hike. Sunday morning couldn't be quieter. Of course, on the more commercial streets, one can witness the aftermath of a Saturday night fever. It's rather disgusting what party animalism produces in the way of refuse. This is not a criticism on the city of Montreal per se
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It was tough for a second night in the bus, and not due to intense night heat in sharing space with thirty other people. An additional AC unit was installed. It was the irregular driving from the detours on Hwy. 90 in New York that caused many turns on secondary roads that made the ride somewhat uncomfortable. We were heading north to Quebec where it is a bit cooler. Hoping those notorious fires from Canada were subsiding.
I'm relatively happy despite inconveniences. I have all these younger fo
Our bus pulled in from Washington into the ISKCON Brooklyn centre on Schermerhorne at 6:30 AM. A jump into the shower and a second jump into the street level temple room for conducting a Bhagavatam class was like a sudden splash into the water off the dock. Kichari, a mix of rice, dahl, and veggies, is becoming a constant at breakfast time. From energy giving to energy expending with a drama practice, our bus crew took to the New York subway to the Bhakti Center for darshan – a view of the Radh
It is my love, like anyone else who likes to share higher consciousness in the bhakti tradition, to receive questions galore on the science of serving the Absolute. At a retreat on an inland lake, quite remote, was a group of thirty young leaders of the Bhakti Yoga Club, mostly from Alberta and Ontario. Some of them less familiar with the tradition sat down with friend Braja Bihari from D.C. With their great queries. One girl comes from a Muslim background. Another guy and girl have their exp
While much of Canada is consumed in forest fires (and there are videos out there of a hazy New York skyline to prove it), wherever I have been travelling within the land of the Maple Leaf, I see nothing but water, whether it be the West or east. You certainly don't hear of blazing flames in the far north.
As Nakula and I make that drive South towards the south, we encounter clouds and rain, and for a fraction of the day, that welcoming sun bursts through. Global warming? Well, I don't see avoca
I had the good fortune to have my ‘go bro’ (godbrother), Krishnadasa, at the temple/ashram today, so we were ‘shooting the breeze’, but not speaking empty words. Our sit down together is never devoid of concern for the world and a need for higher consciousness. We shifted from one corner of the cozy basement to another, and then to Govinda's, which is the dining room on the main floor. Then he had to depart, and I shifted once again to a place of comfort and coolness (yes, the head Has suddenly
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
You can feel spring in the air with the sun bright and any hints of snow now on a slow melt. When I step out the door, I know I have choices whether to turn left or right. Today’s choices turn right toward the Annex, the university (U of T), or just plain old Bloor Street, a favourite pedestrian-friendly avenue.
Once I got to the corner of Robert, a man by the name of Dan, 68, saw me and asked a common question, “Are you a monk?”
“Yes, I am. A Krishna monk.”
“I had a friend who worked with me i
Ruslan is my steady walking partner these days. He is from Ukraine. His English is practically nil, so when we go for our daily trek, we communicate through his phone by translation. It's fun. We mostly chant on our beads and resign ourselves to not talking much, but to sound meditation.
While descending along the iron switch back at Ramsden Park, just in front of us was a senior woman who carried with her a state-of-the-art camera. I noticed the yellow-toned snow, and pondered how it got that
