FULL DAY

Sunday, September 8th, 2024

Calgary, Alberta

At 3.05 am I wasn't exactly alone on the Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway. I was beneath millions of stars, beautifully set in the sky, some twinkling. On the surface of the ground, there were plentiful holes burrowed by their inhabitants - gophers or prairie dogs now fast asleep. The sun enthuses them. The moon and stars seem to put them to a slumber.

Just as I was leaving the Greenway I came upon one of the cutest of rodents - a skunk. It was quick to hoist up it's tail, a black and white bushy one. This friend of mine was close one metre apart we were. I stepped back and the fellow started to run. I followed. He stopped. Up went the tail. On it's feet it moved again with quick baby steps. Hearing my steps coming, it became a game. Up goes the tail with a readiness to spray one of the most toxic foul-smelling fluids you could imagine. The skunk went for an escape under a wooden fence. We were now separated. Finally with its territorial defense, it released his powerful scent but I was clearly out of it's aim by now.

I wonder if those stars were watching the fun.

At 8 am Radha Madhava drove me to the grassy venue at downtown's Bow River. With 20 younger members of our community we were chanting japa meditation together while hundred, if not thousands of running marathoners, passed by us. Following the meditation was a Q and A. The classic question came up, "Maharaj how did you get involved in Krishna Consciousness?" A second classic one - "How can we attract more westerners to this lifestyle?" A home visit, a temple visit (with class, chant and dance) and finally a hospital visit to see Sadhana, a senior who was just taken off of life support - all made my day.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

8 km