I am so delighted that now we have a special place to gather our petals of wisdom together in this blog and share our memories of our youth, our spiritual journeys that led us to cross paths today, and welcoming in the true Dawn of the Age of Aquarius. Speaking of, can you believe we are upon the 45th Anniversary of Woodstock? Groovy! Far out!
The memories… (fade to daydreaming…sounds of legendary rock icons playing in the background, flower children dancing and spinning around like whirling dervishes for as far as the eye could see, overwhelming mystical scents of the 60′s and incense forming a humongous cloud overhead clashing against mother nature’s tempestuous force which I and many still believe was a man made attempt to disperse the crowd with thunderstorms of an intensity I’ve never seen before …or since.)
Woodstock Music & Art Fair – 3 Days of Peace & Love (August 15 – 17, 1969)
No one knew what to expect nor could anyone have ever imagined (on their wildest trip) what a life altering experience we were about to embark upon. We figured it was just another concert as we headed up to the Catskill Mountains “the country,” several hours north of New York City. I actually bought a ticket. I managed to hook up with a bunch of kids heading up there in a beat up van with no seats (crammed like sardines) on Thursday evening before the concert. We all spent that night crashing someone’s pad in Woodstock before heading out to Bethel, New York on Friday. So we were pretty early arriving…those getting a late start (or thinking they would just drive up after work) were out of luck… once the event started all the music acts and VIPS had to be helicoptered in and out as there was no way to get anywhere near the festival by vehicle. For some people (if they were lucky to get that close and not be turned back…the New York State Thruway was closed! ) and for many, it would be a 20 mile very muddy hike back to their car – if they ever found it again!
No one knew what to expect nor could anyone have ever imagined (on their wildest trip) what a life altering experience we were about to embark upon. We figured it was just another concert as we headed up to the Catskill Mountains “the country,” several hours north of New York City. I actually bought a ticket. I managed to hook up with a bunch of kids heading up there in a beat up van with no seats (crammed like sardines) on Thursday evening before the concert. We all spent that night crashing someone’s pad in Woodstock before heading out to Bethel, New York on Friday. So we were pretty early arriving…those getting a late start (or thinking they would just drive up after work) were out of luck… once the event started all the music acts and VIPS had to be helicoptered in and out as there was no way to get anywhere near the festival by vehicle. For some people (if they were lucky to get that close and not be turned back…the New York State Thruway was closed! ) and for many, it would be a 20 mile very muddy hike back to their car – if they ever found it again!
With only enough room to sit cross legged (the whole weekend) in our luxurious square foot of dirt (very soon to become hundreds of acres of mud) we started grooving to the music. I don’t know what my expectations were, but I actually brought a suitcase (duh!) thinking I would be changing outfits. Muddy jeans (if anything at all) were de rigeur. An acquaintance I came with actually “borrowed” a friend’s brand new kelly green suede jacket (ex-friend by the time she got home I’m sure). It was as if the kids were just cosmically programmed to show up – they just kept manifesting and multiplying. It was so surreal to feel part of this huge community of 500,000 like minded souls – a true tribal gathering. And the music – iconic! Some bands (having to wait it out between thunderstorms) would suddenly awaken the crowd at 3 and 4 am, getting them on their feet and rocking out from a dead sleep. I encourage you to check out the list of performers over those 3 days. Phenomenal influences of most people’s lives at the time…and today.
Imagine! 500,000 kids left on their own only to discover the words sharing, helping, consideration, and respect to be very powerful. Thousands left the Woodstock event with a totally different outlook on life. The festival began with Sri Swami Satchidananda addressing the crowd of 1/2 million. What a way to wake up (literally). It probably helped to plant the seed for me to very shortly thereafter embark upon my teacher training studies with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The energies we were introduced to would have a life long effect on most of us.
I do encourage as many of you to visit this blog, again and again. It is my hope that it will serve as a barometer of your growth and validation that the “long and winding road” will indeed “lead you to your door.”
Live with mindfulness, grace and compassion!
BhuDeviAscending 