WHAT IS ITSO?

Saturday, April 5th, 2025

Huntsville, Ontario

Briskly I made it one kilometre to the Econo Lodge where Vallabha and Paul stayed overnight.  The three of us planned to take a stroll along the lake that edges the downtown. Our good sense told us to forget that. Being two hours north of the more southern city of Toronto means not all snow and ice is melted. We changed directions, deciding that some meandering through Huntsville's downtown would be smart. Our wanderings then took us from one mural to the next. These murals are enlargements of the fine artworks of the Group of Seven, impressionists who have captured the natural landscape of the north.

They are beautiful!

Out of the three of us at the very edge of the water, Paul decided to go for a dip in the freezing waters. He didn't stay there long. It was a brief encounter, a morning thrill.

Our whole reason for coming to cottage country was to attend ITSO, ISKCON Temples of Southern Ontario. Fifty registered leaders came to the ISKCON Muskoka Centre for presentations and discussions relevant to expansion and legal protection. When I looked over the room of attendees, I viewed a group of talent and dedication. I felt very safe being in such mindful association. Kalakantha did a presentation on going beyond the Hindu diaspora and becoming more appealing to locals. Attendees realized that it is a challenge. If we go by tradition, the. Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the tradition of the Hare Krishna, was always open to the embracing of an international family.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

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