Sunday 23 July 2017

Friday, July 21st, 2017

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Good in the End

At these spiritual events, such as the “Feed Your Soul” fest in Saskatoon, there is always help needed.  Fortunately, people come forward volunteering their time, creativity, talent, intelligence and their hands.  From the local Hindu temple, a procession usually begins, like a mini Chariot Festival.  It was 5:00 p.m., and I realized from seeing the organizers running a little behind, that I should step in.

About three hundred people had already gathered in the parking lot, anticipating fun and some ritual.  I became the priest and executed a quick pooja or worship of the icons on the chariot.  Krishna in the form of a threesome—Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra.  People had come close after I summoned them.  The ritual began with the use of bell, incense, conch sound and attention.

Our visiting monk from New York, Ekalavya had begun the chanting.  Drums hadn’t arrived and then they did.  No police came this time to escort the crowd as the procession began.  I was informed that every last officer was needed at a local event.

Okay, I’ll become security along with the men who also saw the need.  “Stay on the right side of the road everyone.”  Then “Please stay off people’s grass.  Please!”  “Why has the chariot stopped?”  “Oh, the rope that pulls it got entangled in the wheel. Great!”  A little sarcasm there.

The crowd was happy—yogis, Hindus, Sikhs, Vaishnavas and free spirits.  We passed by a church sign that read, “God Wants Spiritual Fruits Not Spiritual Nuts.”  That was a clear message.

We arrived at our stage site.  I leapt onto the stage after Lorrel’s welcome address and introduced our play “The Gita.”  The boys performed over my narration.  They did well.  I gave them a scare at our practice time.  “Don’t goof off?”  They took it seriously.  The magic show, good.  Kirtan at the end was phenomenal.  A good day.  Good volunteers. https://instagram.com/p/BW3sM1cFFh0/

May the Source be with you!
3 km

  

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