WHERE HE WALKED

Saturday, August 1st, 2026

Manhattan, New York

The ashes of the late peace activist and musician, John Lennon were strewn in the section of Central Park, where we were to meet for a guided tour by monk, Rama Raya. Virat Priya and I arrived a few minutes early for this venture. We certainly didn't want to be late for hearing about all the places where our dear guru, Srila Prabhupada spent time.

While waiting for more seekers to show up I could "shoot the breeze" with Sri Prahlad, who also came early, as well as godbrother Mahatma. Oh, and there was also Happy Jack, the yoga teacher from the Muskoka area in Canada. A good group of us gathered under the trees of Central Park and we were on our way. I had the privilege to lead a kirtan.

Rama Raya pointed to the building where Prabhupada first stayed in New York, the fall of 1965 at Dr. Misra's studio. It was one of the worst winters, the worst since records were taken. He showed us the Superette store where Prabhupada would pick up food supplies, also a building which he dreamed would be our first temple. In those days he trudged through the snow. There were few policies in place for scooping up dog pet stools in those days.

We stopped briefly at the building where music composer, George Gershwin, lived. If you don't know the composition "Rhapsody in Blue" you are missing something. We completed our Prabhupada walk at the park - in honour of Eleanor Roosevelt. We walked where Prabhupada walked, where he meditated and dreamed.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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