By Jambavan Dasa
The “Walk Across Detroit” was first conceived five years ago by myself, Jambavan Dasa, and my dear friend,Yugala Kishora Prabhu, as a pilgrimage meant to increase our dependence on the Lord. When we walked out that door on the first year, we didn’t bring any food, money, or even a cell phone with us. We simply left the house with the desire to remove all that was superfluous in life in order to better live in the moment with the world around us. Since that time, it has grown larger with each passing year, but that same spirit of faith, dependence, and humility is there. During the walk, we also strive to call out to Lord Gaurasundara to remove all that is superfluous within our heart so that we can be better prepared to serve him throughout the coming year. It is, in essence, a pilgrimage, and one which we are finding yields tremendous realizations if engaged in sincerely.
Concomitant with our pilgrimage for internal development, is also an opportunity to reach out to others in order to share with them the beauty of Krishna consciousness. As such, we engage in kirtana as we walk down the streets of Detroit and we speak with whoever comes out to talk with us. In fact, this year a few people even came up to us requesting literature, which we in turn gladly handed over to them. Each year we also have many appreciative people who come up and thank us for just walking through their neighborhood. Many times these people live in such distressed conditions filled with poverty that they are simply thankful that someone would take the time to walk down their street and bring them a message of hope and solace. Although we may not necessarily state that this is our intent as we make our way down their block, it is clearly felt within the hearts of these people.
The walk is also an opportunity to learn more about the City of Detroit itself. As we wind through the streets of the Motor City, I stop at certain historic locations in order to tell my fellow walkers more about the buildings, neighborhoods, etc. which we see along the way. For example, this year we visited the Del Ray neighborhood, including the historic Fort Wayne, as well as the magnificent Guardian Building, which is located downtown. In this way, those who preach in the City of Detroit are able to better understand the people and the place with whom they are trying to connect with.
