GETTING AROUND IN GATOR LAND

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

Alachua, Florida

The dawn had not yet come, so it was still dark out, but the sandy back road I’m walking on allowed me to see where I’m stepping. In Florida, there’s always a concern about alligators. It is supremely quiet. Since yesterday, a trace of gout was felt on my left toe, something of a sensation I didn’t have since 2017, nine years ago. In the past, blackberry juice became my cure, and so I was on that diet since yesterday. My God, it helps. The swelling is down.

By 7 AM, I made it to the temple. Darshan commenced and so did Guru Puja, followed by the class I was asked to deliver. Sage Kardama and Manu at this phase in the Bhagavatam are having a meaningful conversation as is expected of otherworldly men. During the Q and A, it came up about the MAN-TRA retreats I organize with a committee headed by Raj from Canada. I’m glad it is being appreciated by our women. Two of them brought it up, expressed kudos.

I made several visits today — at Yugala’s home, at a men’s home led by co-ordinator Prana Govinda and a Latino household and friends, during a time when the atmosphere was warming up to 24° Celsius. I also found opportunities to fit in more tiny walks here and there since I’m determined to compensate for low numbers in the stepping department the last few days. It is all to do with a level of time management, really. I have my back-up team, Vaishnavi and Ananta Sesa, who are organizing a schedule that somehow is possible to keep. I’m happy.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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