KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Monday, June 16th, 2025

Red Deer, Alberta

I know some of the trees.  I asked Sugosh, my host, to take us to a new trail, that is, new for me.  Within 7 minutes of his home, we parked at a trail and with trees on both sides.  It was obvious what giant green was growing or rather, shedding.  The cottonwood tree was sharing its white fluff all over the forest floor.  You can tell the type of trees in your vicinity merely by what is on the ground.  There isn’t always a need for looking at eye level or even up high.  The soil under you reveals so much like the scat of an animal.  The excrements are good enough evidence to tell what wildlife lurks about.

That also holds true for sound.  I recognized the white-throated sparrow based on its sweet sound.  And the very aggressive magpies are ever present.  It’s nice to know about the neighbours around you.

In that same vein of forest where creeks reach the Red Deer River in the afternoon, Sughosh’s son, Satyavrata, and Juhi took Nityananda and I to the Barrows where a pond is equipped with these paddle boats.  From that fun glide over the water, Nityananda began to film me promoting the upcoming Chariot Fests for Red Deer and a special one for kids in Niagara Falls.

A major task for today, however, was the rite of diksha, actually, a second initiation for the couple, Sugosh and Subhadra.  We incorporated a message from the Gita, 3.21, regarding leadership.  I am encouraging the family here to work on the qualities of leading.  Great behaviour is already there but there is always room for more cultivation.

After the small fire ceremony, an evening walk capped the day off, and oh my God, the cotton puffs in the air.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

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