Our visiting monk from Florida, Brhat Mrdanga, showed me the notes he took from my class involving the theme of shifting gears in life, or altering one’s career and what people often call paradigm shifting. The focus in the class was based on a Canto Nine avatar, Parasurama, who was born a brahmin (priest), but took on the disposition of a ksatriya (warrior). He felt he did the needful due to oppressive force from unruly kings. In other words, he demonstrated how, in certain circumstances, one may have to break away from one’s caste and reset in one’s prioritizing. Ultimately, we must see what Bhagavan, God, wills us to do.
It was coincidental how, just before the class time, a group of us took to Ramsden Park across the street. One feature of the park is an alternative walking route in the form of a wrought iron switchback. Since the park is a lower lying ravine, one access is a switchback specifically built to accommodate pedestrians through a zigzag bridge mechanism. As the name indicates, you switch directions. To get to the higher ground level you take this back-and-forth process.
Nothing is really set in life but to surrender, and to the gradual process of changing directions as it is sometimes necessary; otherwise, the climb in life is just too rigid or steep. You just can’t be too stuck in the mud over issues. I may have my varna, career, or prescribed duties to execute, but I must also be ready to adjust in order to get the job done.
I had plans for the day, but I was swooped away by our enthusiastic Bhakti Academy who took me over to the Gerrard Street Indian clothes for their attire in the upcoming Chariot Parade.
Comments