Northwest satsangs at the Vashon Earthfair

Solar energy brightens the evening with music and lights!

The first weekend of August 2006, began for the Northwest Regional Satsang members from Seattle, Olympic Peninsula and Tacoma with a journey to The Vashon Islands. They were on their way to an Earth Fair that was celebrating its 10th anniversary of alternative power and sustainable living exhibits.

Dennis, a participant and an organizer of the Earth Fair, greeted the Northwest satsang members. He arranged for the satsang members to sing prayers and also setup a booth displaying various information about Amma and her humanitarian work. Br. Dayamrita Chaitanya was the Keynote speaker.

The gracious hospitality of the Vashon Island earth fair organizers was resplendent with the kindness that comes from a life dedicated to serving others.

Swami Dayamrita spoke of many of the environmental concerns the EarthfFair addresses, including using and developing alternative energy.

He mentioned that there is so much growing disrespect among people in the cities today. On the other hand, when there are people who gather together for events like the EarthFair there is a conscious effort to support the Earth and one another. In response to a question from a participant regarding the despair people often feel toward world events and environmental situations, Swamiji told the audience that it is important to pray not only for ourselves, but also for the well being of all people on the earth. To this aim, he suggested we all recite the prayer Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu on a regular basis.

The place was bursting with live music and pristine lights. The Northwest satsang members sang beautiful prayerful hymns all night in a tent called the “ Casbah” which had a Middle Eastern décor. There was a nice altar honoring Amma. All the stage lights, microphones, public address system, and house lights were softly lit with solar energy that was supplied by a man known as Solar Richard. The energy that was used was equal to only 59 watts! Swamiji spent time with Richard for the purpose of gathering information about using solar energy in the ashrams in the US and India. The music sung by the satsang group was a big hit, and people looked forward to this music even the next day inspite of many other music bands that were playing in the fair.

Some of the satsang members helped prepare an all-organic garden produce salad for the staff lunch on saturday. Although there were many other food choices for lunch, we were told that people kept coming back and asking for more of that salad!

There were stores selling various products including the M.A.Center Bookstore. The Green friends products like soaps and oils were very popular.

The remaining EarthFair grounds were devoted to a children’s area, drumming circles, healing arts, water for peace, economical ways to store and use solar energy, conscientious gardening, healthy food, and all kinds of Earth-friendly people. The Northwest satsang members expressed their delight to have participated.

The Vashon satsang members organized a small prayer meeting under the shade of a tree. The Northwest satsang members said, "We participated in it and we were glad that we did!

Devotee comments:

The bhajans were beautifully sung and the devotees are so full of love and light. Swamiji gave a wonderful talk…heart filled and palpable…very practical information for what we are faced with today.

I loved the mix of cultures…having bhajans billowing from one side of the grounds and reggae music from the other side.

So many people came to the bookstore and asked about Amma.

I loved hearing some of the things that Dayamrita said in his talk quoted by another speaker later in the day.

It was exciting to see people who had stopped by the bookstore come the next day for the satsang.