TOWN WITH A STRANGE NAME

Monday, May 1st, 2023

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Krishna Chandra and I took to the trail along the Huron River, a narrow but full and flowing stream of water that flows to Lake Erie. In this college town there is a lot going for it besides this kayak-friendly river and adjoining trail. There is a college, and then there’s Harmony Collective, which is where Krishna Chandra stays, and where I am guested. This facility is a Krishna temple and a meeting place for lovers of bhakti yoga.

THE HARMONY COLLECTIVE, YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN.

It is an admirable out-of-the-box initiative where people live, learn, and lean towards Vedic culture. I was lucky to deliver two classes in one day and also to reconnect with Vivasvan, who was my support person on the first leg of my US walk.

Ananda Rupa, his wife, is the author of the children’s book, The Walking Monk. She is from Ukraine, as is Vivasvan. We couldn’t help but talk about the war in their homeland. It is horrible. When will we learn about major conflicts such as this being counterproductive? Why do negotiations fail? This is the price one pays for being in the material world.

ON the very bright side, this thriving community in Ypsilanti boasts of running a gorgeous farm with cows and a hydroponic approach to growing. Krishna Chandra and I also spent some time in the soon-to-open Marigold Yoga Studio on the main street. It’s sad that the day ended around midnight with gunfire across the street from Harmony. I heard three gun shots which triggered police and an ambulance to come to the scene. Did anyone die? We don’t know.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

4 km