GOING NORTH FOR JOY

Bhaktimarga Swami
May 31
2 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Saturday, May 31st, 2025

Sudbury, Ontario

People have different ideas of what is God's country. For me, it is a rugged but green environment that you find in the north. The shield is an area of Northeast Canada. That's where Pradeep, Amala, and I ventured to. A severe snow and I storm postponed a trip here a few weeks ago. It was to be a program of the gathering of devotees in the city of Sudbury where I went to college. We drove up this morning through ancient rock, swamp, and tree territory. We feel so at home here. Was I living in this harsh but beautiful wilderness in a previous life?

I met Dan, a local, in Ramsey Lake, Sudbury, who came over to see me once we arrived. I was writing in my journal when he came to me at the lakeside. He brought up the topic of reincarnation. Yes, he was interesting with a comedic side to him. Anyways, we made friends and exchanged contacts.

Back to connecting with nature. At the home of Damodara Charan, dinner was prepared. I suggested, hoping not to be rude, that we try picking some dandelions and use the flowers as pakoras (fritters), proposal accepted. His mom prepared the savouries, and they were delicious. The final episode for the day was at one of the younger members of the community’s homes. “I need your mercy, Maharaja. I'm engaged to be married,” said Jaya Jagadish, the homeowner.

I reciprocated with blessings and why shouldn't I, especially when he hosted such a great gathering of devotees? There was so much joy.