Wednesday 16 July 2014

Sunday, July 13th, 2014

Toronto
 
Hypes
 
 
Certain hypes I don’t understand.  For instance, the world cup for the soccer tournament has captivated the globe, and this afternoon, Germany had won in the final game against Argentina.  A screen made its way to Centre Island on day two of our festival.  This was not part of the agenda, however, championship enthusiasts, who also have a heart with Krishna, went to the side to immerse themselves watching the game on the screen. 
 
Attendance at the Island was a little bit down, due in part to the spectacle causing many people to just stay at home.  Rain, I guess, was a second excuse. 
 
When hype of the magnitude of the soccer game takes place, usually there’s extra drinking that goes on. By that, I’m not referring to Kool-Aid.  We had incident, not on the Island, but back at home base at the temple ashram.  Two men and a woman, highly intoxicated, made their way inside our building and did some property damage.  I can’t blame stupid behaviour on soccer games, but I can say that there should be happier and cleaner ways to celebrate. 
 
Speaking of drinking hard, our very controversial mayor, Mr. Rob Ford, showed up at the Chariot Festival on Centre Island.  He actually had his time on the stage and congratulated our community for the ongoing success of the festival.  He ended up saying, “Hare Krishna”, which from our point of view is a more than pious thing to do. 
 
Thank you, Mayor Ford, for making it to the event.  You are a public figure known for your gutsiness.  As you saw yourself, people from our community were swarming around you after you made your speech.  In any event, it was very considerate of you to attend. 
 
I wanted to congratulate the three second-initiates – Aindra, Rupa and Sanatan, who took that next spiritual step. 
 
May the Source be with you!
 
6 KM

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