NEVER STOP TRYING
- Bhaktimarga Swami
- May 1
- 4 min read
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
Yorkville, Toronto
With my slow fragility rising from aging and having the occasional vertigo spells (small or short spurts), I was advised by my medical pundits to get a more serious test done. Overall, I feel good health-wise, at times strong as a bull, but as I see my peers who share similar years in age and a slowing down, I thought it smart to go for the recommendation.
Right across the street from our temple/ashram is a clinic that takes care of cardio and stress tests of different kinds. I was prompt at 7:15 AM to go for reading and filling out a form that reveals a piece of my medical history. Now, if I can remember the 3–4-hour procedure, it something like this (I’m only taking note as a testimony as to how strong a tapasvi or vairagi or an ascetic that I am):
First of all, getting an injection with a prickly point was never a great issue for me. I simply set my eyes on the wall when that’s done. When stickers ripped off with some chest hairs stripping off, it also is not to fret or feel over. Walking on the treadmill at progressive speed levels, I pulled off excellently according to my assistant.
When it came to the scanner which takes shots of the heart and captures the breath pulse, well, we took 3 takes at that. One has to remain absolutely still. I confess to having my right foot, while reclining, twitch each time and my eyelids slowly close. I tried really hard. I asked the assistant if I was the only patient poor at the game and she said, “It’s quite common.” So, as far as being tested for yogic strength, I’m not passing the test completely. But you never stop trying at anything that builds up dexterity.
Additionally, as mentioned in yesterday's blog regarding the Youth Bus Tour, let's get it back on the road again! This is such an important program for establishing a Krishna consciousness foundation for our youth, particularly in North America including Mexico. I personally travelled with the group for 10 consecutive summers, especially helping with the drama portions.
A new bus is badly needed. Manorama, ISKCON's Youth Minister, wrote to me asking for help, and so may the contents of the letter appeal to you:
A new bus would cost $550K, more than we could ever hope to fundraise. We are aiming for a 3-5 year old bus with reasonable miles, for around $300K. Our grass-roots efforts from alumni and friends on social media have raised $7,900 so far. This morning we received a pledge from HH Niranjana Swami for $5K, and earlier this week, another pledge from an anonymous donor for $15K. That brings us closer to 10% of our goal, at $28K.
The next tour is just two months away. It's time to take this to the next level, which is why I'm reaching out to you. The proverbial little sparrow needs Garuda's help. Could you please spread the word among some of the people you know who may be willing to contribute a donation?
Here is a link to our GoFundMe page:
We also accept checks, wire transfers, Zelle, PayPal...
Some background history:
Since 1995, for the past 30 years, ISKCON Youth Ministry bus tours have been inspiring hundreds of next generation youth and young adults in spreading Krishna consciousness throughout North America, and other parts of the world. We offer transformational, immersive "mission trip" experiences in spiritual life, taking youth on extended road trips during their summer and winter school breaks, to help put on Ratha-yatra festivals across the USA and Canada, visit temples, and present Krishna culture festivals across Mexico. At last count, we've done some 57 tours in the past 30 years. Alumni include Gauravani, Jahnavi, Amala Harinama and many others who serve ISKCON in important ways.
Our current bus is now 18 years old, becoming less reliable for long distance travel on a tight schedule -- we had three breakdowns last summer. Installing a new engine would cost between $80-100K, so we made the decision to start raising funds towards a newer bus. So here we are, at another junction in the road, requiring your help. Please give a donation towards our newer bus, and help us spread the word among your friends and anyone who could help.
Thank you for your support in inspiring the next generation youth of ISKCON.
“Please also take care of the children. They are our future hopes, and the adolescent age is the most dangerous age. It is the turning point of one’s life. In this age, if you take care of the children, surely they will come out first class Krishna conscious devotees.” –Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Hayagriva, London, 7 November 1969
“It is the most important preaching work, to train our children in Krishna consciousness education of life. ... I was also at Dallas school last summer and I was very much impressed with these children, how nicely they are becoming preachers and kirtana men and girls. If we can develop properly, one day they will turn the world by their preaching. ... This is the most important post in pushing on this movement, practically, because you shall create our preachers of the future, many, many of them.” - Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Mohanananda, Ahmedabad, 11 December 1972
We remain your servants,
Manorama dasa & Jaya Sri Radhe devi dasi
volunteers at ISKCON Youth Ministry
(alongside the many dedicated volunteers who help to put on these tours)
MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!
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