WINNIPEG FEST - GOOD

Sunday, August 4th 2024

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Rain had come, and from a devotional or bhakti perspective that rain simply cleared the way for yet another Chariot Fest. This year the Rath or Chariot was towering (my guess 30-40 feet) and was pulled with love down St. Anne’s Road. The sun shone at the inauguration time.

I chatted with one of the dignitaries after the big pull, Richard Perchotte, the MLA for Selkirk, just north of Winnipeg. He expressed that he loved the event and specific about the joy and passive nature of the celebrations. Because of the sun shone, it’s a Sunday, on top of that a long weekend. People are happy and of course, there’s spiritual component. With all the mantra chanting and dancing on the street, all for the soul, why wouldn’t a participant feel light and bright.

Like the previous day, in Red Deer, with all that co-ordination from Satyaurata and family, the spirit of these events are so uplighting. Thanks to Visumbhara of Winnipeg and his team, they threw a big party.

With Daruka, his mum and Billy.

In a brief talk I gave before the procession, I mentioned that some of today’s social ills can be counteracted by spiritual insertion. Conscious action can make the difference. In any event I had a great time and even spend some late after-noon with Daruka and parrot partner Billy, the two companions who supported my walking efforts across Canada. It was a bit of a reunion. As usual this blue front Amazon parrot, Billy, is as adorable as ever, puffed up or proud as her personality portrays. God makes us all different and yet appealing.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU!

5 km