Another beautiful, perfect day in the desert. Sunday was Hanuman’s birthday, and there were so many magical, synchronistic moments. Here were the standouts for me: seeing Gwendolyn from Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band playing in a drum circle outside the cafeteria; soul kirtan mama C.C.White gettin’ down with her bad self singing “Kirtan Feels Good”; chanting “Baba Hanuman” with Shantala as the sun was setting in the desert; Wah!, a glowing figure in yellow with her red scarf blowing in the breeze, serenely chanting as bodies danced in the darkness, the full moon rising behind her — a moon symbolic of fruition.
I’m home, and it’s time to wash the desert dust from my clothes. But as I remember the soft eyes & smiling faces of the people who were there with me this weekend, the loving, open-hearted spirit of Bhakti Fest continues to live and grow. We are better for last weekend, and the world is better. Until September.
Hari Bol!
Ah yes. I am washing the desert dust from my clothing as I type. You describe the environment so well!
Sunday was THE day for me. I knew when I first heard Sridar announce the OMmersion on your podcast that I absolutely needed to be there. I didn’t question why, just booked my tickets and cottage housing the first day I could.
There were so many amazing experiences, but when Jaya Lakshmi came onstage, I felt the beginning of a shift inside. By the time she closed her set with This is the Day, I was streaming those blissful bhakti tears of surrender, my entire being permanently transformed. I knew that was my reason for being in the bhav. I cannot describe in words the feeling of absolute knowing that I was exactly where the Divine wanted me to be. There wasn’t even applause after that song. Everyone wanted to hold on to the sacred silence.
I was far from the only one in my area with tears coming down from love. Jaya is my favorite female wallah but I couldn’t have imagined the magic that was present in those 90 minutes. I am going to look for the lyrics to that song and post them here if I find them. Even just reading them will be powerful for your blog readers.
After Jaya’s set, I headed directly to Dave Stringer’s Kirtan Flight School. What bliss! I had been led to some cymbals the evening before and didn’t question why I was being asked by the Divine to buy them. At Flight School, it was clear. I know you were there for it as well to experience that magic. I didn’t have a clue when I walked into that sanctuary how to play them, but it took relatively little time for Dave to teach us. We had first timers on harmoniums, drums, bells, cymbals, and lots of clapping and voices. I simply adore Bolo Bolo Submila Bolo. Now I adore it even more after playing cymbals! I switched to bells that I ended up purchasing from OMporium, not wanting to leave them behind after Devakinandana Gopala.
There were so many of us given an immense gift in that workshop. Dave knew he had only 90 minutes, so after a bit of a talk and teaching, he just surrendered to the experience ~ “this is going to be a chaotic and beautiful moment!” And it was! I would love to read more of your experience there. Did you take up an instrument? I definitely want to do the full week long Kirtan Flight School.
For the record, Dave told us that he gets letters from people asking if it’s okay to use his music in their kirtans. His answer was absolutely yes. The mantras are ancient, and he loves when people want to use his arrangements.
Manoj Chalam gave a very enlightening workshop at 9 a.m. on the symbolism of the deities. We talked in depth about all the elements we see in a murti of Ganesh, and the exact symbolism in the image of Lord Siva as Nataraj. I missed the part on Lakshmi, as I wanted an excellent spot for Jaya Lakshmi’s kirtan, but what I saw was really great.
The All Star Jam ~ how do we even put into words what that was like? The Mahamantra being sung in turn by at least 30 musicians on stage, Bhakti Fest staff, and then the microphone being passed along the front to the crowd as the fire dancing started onstage. You know from meeting me that I am recovering from a spine injury and I walk with a cane. I was completely uplifted by Krishna during that half hour or so of the jam. I found myself with the group in front of the stage dancing and jumping and singing, and it was all good. I had a hesitant 20 seconds or so before I felt without a doubt that my body would be cared for and I completely surrendered to the bliss. It was a blast! I’m hoping some or all of it was recorded and will be shared, because it was just out of this world. I’m so glad you stayed for it!
You said it perfectly ~ the world is better for us coming together last weekend. I know our energy and prayer circled the globe.
~ OM Shanti ~
Right here ~ Jaya Lakshmi’s This is the Day from her My Space page ~
http://www.myspace.com/jlakshmi/music/songs/this-is-the-day-57887561
Anyone reading this ~ please hear it. The entire world should hear this song.
~ OM Shanti ~