Thursday, June 2nd,
2016
Toledo, Ohio
On Brint and Monroe
Streets
"Can yah teach
me how ta fat?" he asked. He meant
'fight'. There's an assumption that if
you're a monk, you're automatically a martial artist.
"I'll teach you
how to avoid fighting. I teach Bhakti Yoga, the lifestyle of
gentleness. When you need to defend
yourself, first apply wisdom. If that
fails, then weapons."
The popcorn that the
young man was munching on didn't all make it into his mouth as he listened to
me half attentively. I believe he was
happy to have met me, as I was with him.
Also, his friend, a muscular guy with a huge smile, was cool. He was the one that should be the fighter.
Soon after I met
these young chaps, I tackled Monroe Street, and then finally met up with Gopal
and Uttama. We took our first serious
break for the day, and parked our vehicle next to some welcoming and shady
greenery, and I left my door open on the passenger side in order to benefit
from the breeziness. I was sitting on
the seat when a robin was came flying.
He hit the window pane of the open door.
He must have thought it was regular space and air. The impact that he experienced by hitting the
window knocked him out unconscious. He
came landing with a thud and then fell one inch from my feet. He was struggling, you could see. Within one minute his eyelids closed. He was gone.
We chanted for him, wishing him a safe journey to his next destination. Bless his soul.
It was our first day using
the Toyota van, lent to us by Renee of the Cleveland area. Bless her soul. People are helping so much with lodging,
food, water, gas for the van, and encouragement. I also received an email from a senior
monastic godbrother, Jayadvaita Swami.
"Well, you're
doing the healthiest thing in the world and making a valuable spiritual contribution
by your example. Happy walking, and
happy chanting."
May the Source be
with you!
19 miles
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