YULETIDE ENCOUNTERS

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Downtown Toronto

It is true that at this time of the year people are in good cheer, at least in this part of the world. My walking partner, Uddhava, and I experienced it for ourselves. My day was wonderfully occupied by leaders of our Yorkville drama and bhajan as well. An excellent rehearsal ensued, but it was after such gatherings and sets for a material perspective (within our mission) that Uddhava and I encountered real nice folks along Yonge and Bay Streets, somewhat unexpectedly.

As a matter of fact, we received a number of happy outbursts of “Hare Krishna!” from people I couldn’t recognize. It was dark and cold, but I guess we stood out. At Yonge and Dundas, a young Kurdish guy looking like he was on the town, or out-of-the-town, stood at the corner. I went up to him while he was having a smoke. He looked at my beads and said, “Oh, yeah, my beads broke. I’ll come to the temple to pick up a new set!” I’d never seen him before, but Uddhava seemed to recognize him. I felt bad for him. He looked like he’d seen better days, and was dressed in black and metallic.

Once Uddhava and I got to the Yorkville section of town, another fellow, looking quite Canadian with a toque on his head, just started talking about the glories of bhakti yoga, yet he never set foot in a temple. He was positive for sure. He stopped to greet us and spoke so much, hardly letting us have an inch of space to say anything. He introduced himself as Jeremy. Other than that, a rapper with mic in hand, upon seeing us, just came out with these haribol messages.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

? FOOTSTEPS