Monday, October 12th, 2015
Mississauga, Ontario
Sorting Out The Trails
“Since the Supreme is the origin of all facets of life, including
ourselves, where does hate come into the picture?” asked Raj as we stepped
through the trees on a trail near his home.
Raj had been questioning this for years, wondering how hate or contempt
could be a component of God’s personality. As we were walking, he and I
discussed how Krishna, in His pastimes, eliminated demonic forces. Yet,
it appears that hate or malice was not necessarily found in the character
of Krishna during the time of His subduing such nasty forces. Raj
insisted, “He doesn’t show hate but where does this hate come from since
whatever is within us can be traced back to the Source?”
While I was looking deeply within for the best way to respond to Raj’s
wonder, we had to make choices as to which path to tread. All trails were
laden with autumn leaves but some were broad in width while some were less
defined, obscured, and less travelled. We chose to tackle them all. We
found other people from the same neighbourhood doing the same type of
exploration. Searching for answers through adventurous avenues might be a
very good thing.
Here is the gist of my contribution to Raj’s query. The Absolute (God,
the Divine, whatever is your preferred terminology) is definitely the root
or the seed behind all things good and bad. Yes, even when Krishna does
some of His dissolution work, He invokes some anger but with a charm that
moves the emotions. It is executed in the spirit of detachment. Now, why
is our hate so strong and so vindictive at times? In other words, why are
we so extreme? What comes to mind is something that our guru, Srila
Prabhupada, and his guru explained. It goes as such:
All things in the material world are perverted reflections of the
spiritual world. Here’s one example to illustrate our malicious
intentions. When a rod is placed in a pool of water, the image in the
water is refracted or distorted. Similarly, whatever we do in this world
tends to get twisted and our attitude becomes extreme and this happens by
choice. Choice is another trait we have inherited from the Supreme. Our
obligation is to just get clean, to go for a purging.
May the Source be with you!
1.9 miles / 3 km
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Woodward, Pennsylvania
Back Again
So many people have written upbeat songs about being on the road again.
What comes to mind is my dear friend, cross-country walker Michael Oesch,
who likes Willie Nelson’s rendition. Well here I am, once again, at one of
the places I like to be – the road, the trail.
After being picked up at the Pittsburgh Airport, where they were playing
classical music over the speaker, which I liked, Vivasvan and Tre’von came
to drive us to College State where we slept for the night. We then drove
to the spot where I left off from four days before at Buffalo Valley Trail,
a parallel route to Highway 45.
The trek started with a drizzle, though rain never became a big issue. At
one point the sun blazed through before overcast sky hit us again. Tre’von
stayed loyal to my every step for 18 miles. Then, I finished solo with an
extra four miles under the feet. It was at this point that a police
officer came to see what was up. It was another one of those things where
someone called in, being suspicious of a guy in orange, the colour that
prisoner’s wear in jumpsuits. This simply became an opportunity for me to
talk and make a friend with the officer. He resembled strongly the
features of fellow monk, Sridhar Swami.
A real milestone for our team today was to hear Tre’von master his memory
of mantras. I had been teaching him while trekking the two mantras in
honour of guru. He took the bold step to ask to learn the mantra for
Pancha Tattva. This he learned, with a breeze.
I observed that he likes to rap and at times breaks into a dance step while
we travel along. Traffic is not anything that hinders his spontaneous
mood and frankly, I don’t get embarrassed despite the conservative Amish
countryside we find ourselves in. At one point, he played from his phone
James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ which ended up being an ideal pacey piece of
music for walking.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
State College, Pennsylvania
Day Is Dung
I was raised on a farm, have visited India in her rural parts multiple
times, and so I’m used to dung. My morning walking partner, Tre’von, is a
city boy and is not used to the horse caca on the road’s shoulder. I told
him, “Just get used to it. Some of the stuff will get trapped in between
the treads under your shoes. You have to live with it so you might as well
love it.”
We started our trek at 5:45 AM, an hour when the sun has not yet woken.
We are somewhat moving through heaps of the stuff due to the Amish
horse-driven carts coming through on the sides of the road. Because it’s
dark, it’s hard to see when the heaps are coming forward. We just have to
accept it.
The area is all about land and animals. A team of mules was pulling a
machine for corn harvest. They are natural work animals. Some Holsteins
came to greet us until the electric fence opposed further forwardness from
both sides. White horses and beef cattle were also curious about us.
But the creatures of the wild, the undomesticated ones, had a hard time
with the road. We’re talking about raccoons, possums, deer, skunks, and
porcupines. Even the fast fox has no chance against the more rapid
formidable machines which we call trucks and cars.
At one person’s driveway, two huge black pigs were milling around. They
were held in check by three Doberman pinchers. The dogs appear to be the
fence for the pigs, otherwise, those oinky creatures would be venturing
into the traffic. The dogs became a bit distracted from their work when I
was walking by their property but then a stocky woman, I assume the owner,
called the dogs off from going after me. I guess she was their fence,
thank God. Cyclists drove by and there were also two motorists who stopped
to offer a ride on different occasions. In most cases, such persons are
more curious than anything because most people have this notion that
someone in robes is most likely on a mission, a walking mission, a
pilgrimage of sorts.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Thursday, October 15th, 2015
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania
On Top of the Hill
While walking down cool downtown State College, one café was playing the
local radio station broadcasting through the speakers. It just so happened
that the chorus of My Sweet Lord was playing as I passed the café. Yes
indeed, the sound of George Harrison’s voice came through on the chorus of
that beautiful musical piece at that moment. What are the chances of that
happening? I took it as a good omen. What else about State College?
It’s where you find Pennsylvania’s largest university. Two young female
students working on a film project spontaneously had me in a queue for
questions about pumpkin picking. The camera started rolling:
“Have you ever picked pumpkins?” was the first question.
“As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve harvested about everything, except
for pumpkins.”
The interview started off light but it became more grave as we moved along
and started to discuss about my purpose for walking. The notion of
pilgrimage was discussed. The interview was done and personally I believe
that the girls were charmed by having a guy answering questions in
pumpkin-coloured attire.
Our evening in Tyrone, a town of 5,000 plus, was something to remember. We
took a chance to stay at a bed and breakfast called ‘Stoney Point’, a sort
of old mansion on top of a hill. We found out later on that this place was
rated as the number one B&B in the state, number 3 in America, and number
14 in the world. It’s no wonder because Paul, the host, is a real human
with a big heart. This place had charm. The ambiance was great and it’s
not what the three of us in our team are usually used to although we’ve
been very lucky to stay at temples and people’s homes and on occasion, a
motel.
It was great to pull out our dolak drum and to chant in the living room
with Paul and other tenants in the house. It was as if the wood of the
fireplace got lit up by the stroke of a chant. The place became so cozy
and warm.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Friday, October 16th, 2015
Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Shooting Stars
Shooting stars we saw. We viewed with awe. Our walking route also called
for a section through the forest. The kicking of leaves, which created a
hissing sound, and moving shadows conjured up from our flashlights spooked
Tre’von in the darkness of the early morning. We could still see the stars
above but they were blinking because of the effect of passing through the
trees. Owls were making their sound. These were great sensations.
Paul had made a jovial deal with us the night before, “Come to Mass with me
in the morning and I’ll take you to the newspaper place for a story.”
Paul, our B&B host, placed this loving condition on us which, to us, was
irresistible. We sealed the deal. We like both of the venues and their
people. We sat in at the Christian service and then ventured off to the
Herald, the local paper, for an interview. This was followed by visiting a
new-age shop which was newly opened. We happened to be there just before
the ribbon cutting ceremony. There I met briefly with the local senator.
I told him of our guru’s benevolent work and how he came to the US fifty
years ago from India and launched the Hare Krishna Movement.
I asked him, “How are things?”
“Lots of problems,” he said with a smile.
“I can imagine,” was my response.
From that downtime in Tyrone’s downtown, I proceeded onto the highway going
up the mountain and entered into deer hunting country. 1600 acres are
allotted for the hunt in this area. At one point, a young fellow, plumber
by profession, pulled over and graced us with a donation. He liked what we
were doing and then happily received from us our favourite mantra, the Hare
Krishna mantra. He wanted to invite us to his home but he remarked, “My
wife would think I was crazy.”
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Saturday, October 17th, 2015
Westover, Pennsylvania
A Pull
“Maya, get back here!” shouted the owner of the pitbull. This young
female dog named Maya was definitely after me and her master was calling
her back. It was necessary for him to come right up to me in order to
stave off Maya. She was not listening too well to orders even when the
lady of the house yelled “Get over here!” with her raspy voice. I asked
the owner if he knew what Maya meant.
“No I don’t,” he said in a confession-like tone.
“It’s a Sanskrit word meaning ‘illusion’.”
“Well, she’s illusion alright,” he retorted, now gaining some control over
her barking and threatening.
It was a crazy road to be on. Vivasvan and I were scolded for being on
what GPS identified as a walking trail by a teenage boy in fatigues and
crossbow in hand who told us it was not. The boy I managed to shake hands
with and talk with but the oncoming overbearing dad was different. The
stern message was clear, that we were to turn around and get out of there
NOW!!!
It was so evident that deer are the actual target these days during
hunting season. At the front of one household, a deer’s carcass was hung
from a pole and an open bucket was set underneath. In the early hour of
the day, the first hour, as I was walking with my safety vest on, a vehicle
swerved away from me and wheeled over onto deer road kill. This sent the
contents in the air. An explosion of guts, you might say.
I trekked through trails and roads today that were clearly in State Game
Lands but like all the other hunters in the vicinity who wear luminescent
orange, I’ve got myself fully covered with the colour.
Even though a vegetarian pacifistic monk may feel some discomfort in all
of this, I will refrain from judging. I feel the power of the mantra that
I’ve been singing, the prana from the clean air, the prana from the crisp
organic apples I would chance upon, and just the anticipation that I’m
getting closer and closer to the city of Butler where our guru, Srila
Prabhupada, first launched the bhakti movement in the west, I feel choked
up at times and with tears in the eyes, a pull comes to the heart.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Sunday, October 18th, 2015
Earnest, Pennsylvania
Kirtan Inside Outside
Bandhur atmatmanas tasya.
I referenced this quote from Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad-Gita for a group of
soon to be yoga teachers at Penn State College. We are talking here about
the mind and how it can be your best friend or worst enemy. Another verse
describes how the mind can either degrade or elevate the consciousness.
Therefore, the message is to harness the wild mind and to direct it to a
progressive higher consciousness. This chapter has all to do with
meditational yoga. I explained “In order to benefit from yoga in full, the
Gita recommends an insertion of bhakti, devotion, into the practices.”
I was happy to see and hear everyone take to the process of kirtan,
chanting, and lest we forget – dancing.
Vivasvan, Tre’von, and I then rushed to the farm community of Gita Nagari
near Port Royal. Arriving in the nick of time, 4 PM, for the Sunday Open
House. We were warmly greeted and taken to the temple building where the
microphone was placed before me for leading another kirtan and then class.
I was keen to keep some continuity in my message. I spoke on Chapter 6,
again, entitled ‘Jnana Yoga’, wherein determination, patience, and
disregard for mundane things which arise from mental speculation, were
topics for discussion.
People at Gita Nagari are more familiar with kirtan than the first group.
Nevertheless, it was enjoyed at both sessions all the same.
Whether indoor or outdoor, kirtan, chanting, has its natural attraction.
When Tre’von and I took to trekking earlier on in the morning, we came near
a barn with a cow sticking her head out curiously to see us. We both broke
into another song beginning with the name Govinda, a name for Krishna
referring to Him as the tender of the cows. The cow came out of the barn
to listen and then a herd followed and remained still as if they were yogis
themselves, motionless and serene.
May the Source be with you!
12 miles / 19 km
Monday, October 19th, 2015
Rural Valley, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania People
Bill was right on the road to greet me. He shook my hand and I remarked
that he’s got farmer’s hands, big and callous-like. It was a compliment of
course and he took it that way. “Well, more like coal miners’ hands,” he
said in good fun. We talked and I could see he was a very God conscious
man. In fact, he asked for a blessing since he’s having kidney issues. He
removed his hat, I placed my right palm on his forehead and recited a
Sanskrit mantra for protection. He was grateful.
I also came upon two country folks at the side of their yard. Two
gentlemen. They had been looking with an eager eye as to what I was all
about. Handshakes again. “I’m Bhaktimarga Swami, Swami for short. I’m a
monk and I’m walking. I started from Boston.” Surprised, they were. They
offered iced tea. We chatted. One of the fellows said, “Only Catholics
have monks, right?”
“Actually, there’s a whole history of monastic life within Hinduism and
Buddhism, big time.”
I asked them if they were familiar with Hare Krishna and the response was
- I asked if they had heard of Broadway’s production, ‘Hair’.
“Yes!”
And so that was their reference point.
Further down the road I met some teenage Amish girls with dresses and
bonnets. They were gathering walnuts on the side of the road. I could see
they were shy.
“Hello, how are you? What do you do with them?”
“We make pies with the walnuts and cakes.”
“God bless,” I said.
Not but ten minutes later on in my walk, there was a team of horses, two in
number, that were yoked to a wagon standing stationary at the side of the
road. Right next to them, in a corn field, was an Amish farmer along with
two women who were manually breaking off corn and tossing it into the
wagon. I asked if he could toss me one for a souvenir, so he did and
suggested that they are good for corn bread.
“Thanks, God bless.”
In Pennsylvania country I see it’s much to do about family, food, work, and
God. That’s good.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
Butler, Pennsylvania
What’s so Special About Butler?
My very competent support person, Vivasvan, navigated a route that
would avoid busy traffic. A connected series of quiet gravel and
paved roads was the perfect lead into Butler, Pennsylvania – a true
milestone for this pilgrimage.
Karuna Sindhu joined Tre’von and I for a stretch. Yes, our party is
growing happily. It seems that some young men are attracted to the
program. Another one joins us on Saturday.
Now, back to Butler and the significance this tiny city has for our
spiritual order (known in theological terms as the Gaudiya Vaishnava
tradition) which has roots in India. The Vaishnava culture dates back
thousands of years. One of the major teachers in this lineage from
the medieval period in India is Sri Chaitanya, himself, a well-known
walker, who promoted adoration for the Divine in the form of Krishna.
The most recent exponent of this form of spiritualism is, in lengthy
honorific terms, known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – or
Prabhupada for short.
It was he, Prabhupada, who came to Butler in 1965 – 50 years ago. He
took accommodation at the then YMCA, now the Boys’ Cubs Hall on McKean
St. Prabhupada spoke at the Y as well as the Lions Club and St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. It was here in Butler, at the
mature age of 70, that he planted seeds of bhakti (a form of
devotional yoga) before he moved on to New York City where a following
finally took hold.
When I entered Butler today and made my way to the old YMCA, I met a
rep from the Butler County Eagle Paper and a local radio rep. The
news was later announced that the Walking Monk had come to honour his
teacher, Prabhupada. My emotions did arise.
I shall attempt to make a list of Prabhupada’s accomplishments after
my own humble deliberation:
1) Forerunner of kirtan culture, or introducing chanting to the West.
2) Introduced bhakti-yoga, an ancient devotional lifestyle to the West.
3) Wrote, presented, and published a scholarly line of Vedic
philosophical texts (including a translation of the Bhagavad-gita)
forming a veritable library on Eastern thought. Established the
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to print these books.
4) Introduced a new line of vegetarian cooking. Perhaps the first
teacher of Vedic cooking in the West. Taught how to consecrate that
food as prasadam (where, in Judaism, such food is known as Kosher and
in Islam as Halal).
5) Forerunner of animal rights, ie. Cow and bull protection
6) Introduced to the West the ancient technique of seva puja,
honouring the Divine as a sacred image.
7) Forerunner of the science of reincarnation. Spoke boldly of the
soul’s transmigration (sourced through his books).
8) Reinforced agrarian life, ‘Back-to-the-land’ living as an
ecologically-friendly alternative, ie. ‘Gita Nagari’ in Port Royal, PA
& ‘New Vrindavan’ in Wheeling, West Virginia.
9) Reinforced that God is a person, hence, he challenged atheism and
Darwinism.
10) Promoted anti-racism through provocative, profound statements like
‘We are not these bodies, we are spirits.’ All-inclusive policies
towards men, women, and people of all races.
11) Spoke strongly against drug intake, alcohol intake, and gambling –
hence saving lives.
12) Established a world-wide mission called ISKCON, commonly known as
‘Hare Krishna.’
These and other contributions can be considered as benevolent for
improving and adjusting life-styles in the West. We are grateful to
the founder of Iskcon, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Ford City, Pennsylvania
Credit Goes to the Media
The Leader Times and the Butler Eagle came through with good articles
about the walk celebrating and honouring 50 years since our guru,
Srila Prabhupada, came to the area. During that time, he spoke at St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. Now it is a school for boys. The
three of us walked by it before the sun peaked over the horizon. Once
the sun revealed who the three people were, especially the
saffron-robed one, the honking and stopping of motorists began.
Home-owners and restauranteers came out to greet us because of the
attention brought on by the media. A staff of a dozen or so people
from a popular Italian eating villa stood in line to offer
congratulations. I was touched. And of course, everyone wants to get
in on a photograph with a monk – that’s a rarity.
A family from Florida drove all the way up to join us for a three-day
experience on an American pilgrimage. The only thing was that our one
mile venture at the end of my day’s trek turned out to be a happy but
dragged-out stretch due to the minute or two of ‘connecting’ that
people wanted.
Off the feet and into the vehicle, we zipped for an evening happening
at an art gallery in Pittsburgh. In this former
steeltown-now-gone-soft-hardware-city, we participated in a lively
kirtan and I talked from 5.18 of the Gita. It was day number 2 for
evening chanting in Pittsburgh. These were perfect endings to perfect
days.
I recall one gentleman who, during the day, had taken his Great Dane
Rotweiller for a walk down a quiet trail, saw me, and stopped to talk.
Later, he was well-informed on what I was doing through the media. He
mentioned that next to his home there once was a monastery. It
appears the monastic order may be on the decline in America, being
that it was the second time for this kind of story in one day.
The man’s dog demanded attention so he received my petting under the
snout. After the chat, the man admitted that we both had to part from
each other, so he turned to his dog and said, “Okay, the man has to go
to work now.” When I heard that, it struck me that this is my job.
At the same time I realized I enjoy very much my work (pilgrimage). I
would rather consider it play.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Friday, October 23rd, 2015
Elderton, Pennsylvania
The Sun Drew Mist
As the sun drew mist into the air, Karuna, Tre’von, and I could hear
regular gun shots in the not-so-far distance. It’s deer-hunting season
and one couple, while driving down en route to their hunting destination,
came upon us. The woman pulled out of the van requesting a photo. I
guess you could say, “A funny thing happened to me in the forest. I met a
monk.”
En route towards the college town of Indiana, Tre’von and I met a biker
who deliberately went to the store after seeing us. With a big heart, he
picked up two well-intended sandwiches – cheese and ham – along with lemon
water. As vegetarians, we just couldn’t surrender to the meat but I
believe in my heart and soul that the man gave with all his heart. We
accepted his package with its contents and carried them for some good
distance before we had to renounce. I will not forget the joy of the
donor’s face when he offered his gift. Will he be blessed? God will see
to it.
At a crossroads in the town of Elderton, I was moving on the green light
when a stopped motorist yelled for attention. I looked and he asked, “Do
yah take donations? I read the article about you.” I went up to the
driver. He gave a bill and asked, “This will help you with your travels?”
“Why, thank you! Thank you, so much!”
The response from the public has been phenomenal.
Our evening was spent at the West Virginia farm community, New Vrindavan,
where I spoke about ‘Tales from Trails’ and how I hold my guru, Srila
Prabhupada, totally responsible for the mercy that comes our way.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
Butler, Pennsylvania
One Mile
I always consider it a sign of good fortune to see a creature of unique
features. As our crew left on Limestone Rd. for Butler, 3 deer crossed
the road. But that is not unusual to have happen in this part of the
world. What was astonishing was, the one to lead the others was a total
albino, meaning no pigment, a rather gorgeous white-furred beauty. Wow!
More fortunate for today was, while in Butler, Don & Tony (2 current
managers of the Cubs Hall, the former YMCA where our guru was staying in
1965) gave a group of close to 200 attendees for today’s event a guided
tour of the place. To show their generosity, Don and Tony donated the
metal desk they figured our guru used in his room when he stayed at the Y.
The attendees came from Philly, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Cleveland, Florida,
Toronto, and of course Butler. A queue of speakers briefly shared
reflections after a chanting procession down Main St. in the rain. The
procession took us on foot to the former Agarwal residence (the Agarwal’s
sponsored our guru, Prabhupada, when he came to America) and then to Grand
Hall for the speeches, more kirtan, and the food we call prasadam (blessed
food). Prabhupada used to walk almost a mile twice a day from his room at
the Y to the Agarwal residence to cook for them, do his laundry, and meet
people. When he would do his laundry, he would use their sink or bath tub
and spread the cloth outside on the grass to dry.
It really was a day to relax, take a break from walking, and meet
friends. Oh, and how everyone danced. It was a joy to behold.
Our full appreciation goes to Jai Krsna and Vrindavan, two top-notch
devotees from the New Vrindavan farm, who organized and financed the
magnificent event.
May the Source be with you!
1 mile / 1.6 km
Sunday, October 25th, 201
Indiana, Pennsylvania
James Stewart Showing Us
There was a pleasantly long interview with Brittany of Renda radio today.
In the course of her questions, she came up with a classic one, “Of all
your experiences in this walk, what stands out?” And so, I had to think
swiftly of what was dominant. I thought in terms of today. Since Indiana
is the hometown of superstar actor James Stewart, with a sizeable museum
dedicated to him and a local airport also in his name, what came to mind
was what I read today. Here was a leading man for a number of decades, and
yet, as a silver screen hero, he was also a hero off-screen. He was
married to one woman for his entire life-time and didn’t flirt with other
glamour queens. In other words he held a high calibre of morals and so I
thought that that would be inspirational for people.
I went on to explain to Brittany that my walk is to promote a higher
state of consciousness and if such moral values can be achieved by our
deeds, whether past or present, then as a human race we can boast that
perhaps we are advancing on some level.
The interview flowed smoothly. So did today’s walk. The moderate
temperature in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s as well as greetings from
motorists and home-owners who happened to see me and Tre’von ambling along
made it so. At one point a couple of women pulled over and mistook me for
being one of the Tibetan monks who are visiting town to demonstrate a
mandala.
“What’s that? Other monks are in town? Oh well, the more the merrier!”
In the evening, our crew drove to a group meeting in Pittsburgh for a
summary presentation of the Bhagavad-gita. The simple and brief
explanation behind the wisdom of the Gita is to know the Divine and hence
find out more about yourself.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Monday, October 26th, 201
Carrolltown, Pennsylvania
Nice Officer
Officer Smith ended up walking with Vivasvan and I for a few yards. At
that time, I mentioned to him how team work is required. “In our
tradition, with roots from India, people like me try to give guidance and
direction. We are pro-active. In your role as a ksatriya, a member of the
warrior class, you are re-active, assisting those who can’t follow the
directives.”
The officer, who was really nice, remarked, “A warrior – I’ve never heard
it put that way.”
There was more response from the public, a residual effect of the
pilgrimage story being covered in the ‘Indiana Gazette.’ One woman we met
told us she was on her way to pick up her sons, 17 & 4, to go out
harvesting hickory nuts. Another woman stopped her car right on the road
while the traffic was lulled. With tears in her eyes she asked if I was
the one walking. I said, “Yes!” In the passenger’s seat was her son who
was suffering from an anxiety attack and so she was bringing him to a
gospel place of prayer. I shook hands with him and encouraged him towards
upbeatness.
“The sun is shining. Just look up. There’s God.”
Naturally I prayed for him.
Our gracious host for the evening was a family from Gujarat who manage a
‘Quality Inn.’ For the evening stay, there was no problem. For an
evening meal, no problem. Then I proceeded to say something from Chapter
Nine of the Bhagavad-gita.
“Currently we are all duratma which means we are a bit crooked. We must
strive towards greatness – mahatma.”
May the Source be with you!
23 miles / 37 km
Tuesday, October 27th, 2015
Altoona, Pennsylvania
Exit & Entrance
Today, Karuna left for his trip back to India. We will miss him. He’s a
great man for any travelling expedition. Last year he also accompanied me
as we trekked on highways and trails through the Rockies in Canada. Until
next year.
A new recruit is joining us. Mandala, a young chap, also from Canada,
will be joining us, giving some assistance and going for an experience of
a life-time. As mentioned before, “Walking is like breathing. It is
super and natural. It conjures up simplicity, helps to clear the cob-webs
in the mind, and brings you closer to the Divine.”
Now, with frost hitting us for a few consecutive mornings, our cherished
organic and neglected apple trees we come across along the way are
challenged. The fruit has turned slightly mushed in some cases, closer to
an apple-sauce texture. Also, there is less craving for juices until the
sun becomes present and there’s more of an interest for warming-type
food. I prefer sandwiches with fresh veggies and vegenaise over smoothies.
As it is for all days on the road, there is a need to push yourself. As
much as you love it, it requires endeavour. The legs feel some strain.
Regardless, you have to ‘put pep in your step’ as Tre’von put it. I don’t
know if I can go so far as to say that this daily project is a labour of
love for guru. At the same time, I’m basically ‘lovin’ it’ despite the
occasional impulse at the knee or stiffness in the thigh. And I would
also not go so far as to say that a yogic stretch can cure all. The body
slowly gives way and the soul persists.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km