Bhaktimarga Svami Hindu Krishna religious figure Date of Birth: 05.10.1952 Country: Canada

Content:

1. Bhaktimarga Swami: A Life Dedicated to Spirituality and Walking
2. Role in ISKCON and Initiation as a Sannyasi
3. Trans-Canada Walks
4. Walks in Ireland and Fiji
5. Fourth Trans-Canada Walk (2011-2013)
6. Theatrical Productions and Television Work

Bhaktimarga Swami: A Life Dedicated to Spirituality and Walking

Early Life and Initiation into Krishna Consciousness

Bhaktimarga Swami, born John Wise on October 5, 1952, in Chatham, Ontario, was raised in a devout Catholic family. His early fascination with Eastern spirituality and the hippie movement led him to leave home after high school to study fine arts at Cambrian College in Sudbury.

In 1972, Bhaktimarga first encountered Krishna devotees in Toronto. Despite their "strange" appearance, he was drawn to their lifestyle, which embodied his desire to be "radical, adventurous, and different." In 1973, he embraced monasticism, moved into a Toronto ashram, and received initiation from Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Role in ISKCON and Initiation as a Sannyasi

Bhaktimarga's early contributions included training new devotees and leading groups of monks distributing spiritual literature. In 1984, he was initiated into the renounced order of sannyasa and received the title "swami."

As president of the Toronto temple from 1985 to 1995, Bhaktimarga played a key role in guiding ISKCON. In 2000, he joined the GBC (ISKCON's Governing Body Commission) and has since overseen ISKCON's activities in Canada. He also serves as an initiating guru within ISKCON, his base being the Toronto temple.

Trans-Canada Walks

Bhaktimarga Swami has undertaken several trans-Canada walks, spanning thousands of kilometers. Motivated by the centenary of Srila Prabhupada's birth in 1996, he walked across Canada from Vancouver to Cape Spear, Newfoundland, covering 8,568 kilometers (5,323 miles) in eight months.

The documentary "The Longest Road" chronicled Bhaktimarga's first walk, providing a narrative of the Trans-Canada Highway and its impact on people's lives. In 2003, he walked from east to west, and in 2006-2007, he completed a third walk from west to east.

Collectively, Bhaktimarga's three trans-Canada walks covered over 7,800 kilometers (4,847 miles). Each walk followed a different route, with Bhaktimarga averaging 45 kilometers (28 miles) per day. His motivation included promoting meditation, the "culture of walking," and his desire to connect with and inspire people.

Walks in Ireland and Fiji

In 2008, Bhaktimarga crossed Ireland on foot from north to south. In 2009, he walked across the largest island of Fiji, Viti Levu, expressing his wish to "reintroduce people to a pilgrimage lifestyle, free of the worries and machines."

Fourth Trans-Canada Walk (2011-2013)

In 2011, at the age of 59, Bhaktimarga embarked on his fourth trans-Canada walk, expected to last three years. He emphasized the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of introspective walking and encouraged people to rediscover themselves through this practice.

Theatrical Productions and Television Work

Bhaktimarga Swami is renowned within ISKCON for his theatrical productions based on Hindu scriptures. He has directed plays such as "The Story of Jagannatha," "The Demon," "Dhruva," and "The Three Lives of Bharata." His productions regularly tour North America, South Africa, and India.

In the 1990s, Bhaktimarga hosted and produced a television show called "On the Way to Krishna," which aired for six years on Canada's VisionTV.

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