Monday 7 September 2015

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Friday, August 28th, 2015
Plainfield, New Jersey

In Plainfield

It just so happened that not an inch did I walk but flying took place. That doesn’t count, however, even though miles were put in going from Toronto to Newark.

Viratrupa was there at Newark Airport to greet Balaram and myself. Our purpose in coming here was to attend the installation of the deities of Radha and Krishna in what I was told was a former Baptist church, now converted into a Krishna temple. To please the crowds, (devotees have come from all around) I was asked to present a drama of the organizer’s choice, Blue Mystic.

I was happy to see the actors I selected turn up. There were two from Montreal, one from Michigan, one from North Carolina, two from Toronto, and some local extras, all volunteers. So as far as travel is concerned, the practice we put in allowed for a beautiful fatigue to compensate for the lack of trekking.

“Blue Mystic” takes one to ancient times and to Northern India where Krishna’s life is described up to the point of conquering evil in the form of Emperor Kamsa. For many of the onlookers who came upon our rehearsal, it became a transporting of place and time.

By 9 PM our practice concluded with three yummy meals wedged in through the day (we are spoiled). Viratrupa drove me to his lovely home and showed me directions how I could walk the return journey on foot the next morning. We passed by Walgreen’s and then turned a corner by the old model train shop. That pokes at something nostalgic. Where do you find such a shop where they sell electric trains? Just like where do you find an old drive-in movie anymore? Or where do you find an old sundae shop with swivelling chairs and old time ice cream? They are few and far between but they do exist.

More relevant is where do you find bhakti, devotion? Answer, somewhere within the inner recesses of the heart.
 

May the Source be with you!

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