A couple from Saudi Arabia and their baby in a stroller sat down next to us in the park. One of our chanting party members handed them a card promoting the soon-to-arrive "Chariot Fest" which is also called "Festival of India" and this compelled them to join us. They have only been in Canada for nine months and are loving it. They were curious.
"But you're not from India?"
I looked around and noted all of us pale-faced persons. Except for Ananda on the djembe, our group was all white, including our visiting swami, Niranjan Maharaja.
"I was born in Chatham, Ontario, and most of us here are Canadian, American or European,” I said.
The couple were astounded, first that we had adopted the ancient spiritual ways of India, and second, with our sense of openness. I do hope we will see them again. I did explain the meaning of the mantrawe were singing.
"Krishna refers to the Creator. Rama implies ‘enjoyer’. Hare is a word that calls on our service to the Creator. And the execution of it is done in a joyful way."
These Arab folks were grateful and expressed it in the most courteous way. And just as they left, a couple of young lads sat by to join in our magical mystery mantras; one had stark yellow hair with dreads. They sat for a while and then a young woman took part in the chant.
In this way, interest by the public at Christie Pitts Park, was sustained as we sat under the shade of trees and upon the softest of grass. https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQA-ZuAjjA/?igshid=b3ljyaqsjq00
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Hare Krishna