Krishna Fest July 25,2009

Johnny Gregory of Healthful Living Organic farm was kind enough to
loan us his flatbed trailer to be used as a stage. It was supposed to
be on site the day before. He had spent days putting a rubber deck on
it and was running late.
By noon , I was beginning to think of options for a stage , I got a
call , he was on his way. He showed up just two hours before the first
event .

The yoga session had about ten participants stretching away their
troubles.Nitya Tripta is a very competent teacher.I suggested we might
offer this activity every Sunday .All the yogis and yoginis present
agreed enthusiastically.

Meanwhile people started appearing , the gift shop tent was filling
with items and shoppers. Guests were milling around asking questions ,
looking at the scenery and the books, but where were the singers for
the first kirtan? The night before , while sitting around a small fire
with torches burning I heard Gopika sing a beautiful kirtan. I
assigned her to sing for the first arotik ceremony.
She magically appeared just in time for me to set up a microphone for
her. Gradually as more people filled the temple room , the enthusiasm
built. Soon we were all dancing. I was surprised to see how many were
dancing , I was surprised to see how I was dancing. It was effortless,
the drummers were so skilled that it would have been difficult to hold
still , and no one seemed in the mood to try.

I then announced Charu's presentation, "Who Is Krishna?" , then handed
him the microphone and ran off to see how things were going in the
kitchen.

Sanjay and his family along with his friend Manish were busy rolling
and cooking puris. Whenever Sanjay comes here to relax from his
routine in Charlotte, he usually ends up spending most of his time in
the kitchen. I wanted him to catch a bit of Charu's presentation and
had to forcefully pry him from his task to get him into the temple
room.
The talk was very informative and I got feedback from many of our
visitors that it was a high point of the festival for them.
You can hear a recording and see the slide presentatiion that went
along with it by visiting utahkrishnas.com

At 6:15 it was time for the next arotik and kirtan. By this time our
crowd had swelled even more. Nama Rasa , one of the boys in the youth
group, headed up this kirtan. This group has been here for four days.
I had seen and heard them singing kirtans long into the night. Their
enthusiasm is very contagious. This particular kirtan though excelled
anything I had witnessed so far.The floor may as well have been a
trampoline, or the effects of gravity temporarily suspended. Perhaps
the previous lecture had given more focus to the crowd, it was a very
special time and it showed on everyone's faces.

Partha Sarathi gave the next talk, again I had to run to the kitchen
as the dinner was the next event. Sanjay and family were still at work
there , enjoying themselves in their service to Krishna. The dancers
were also getting ready on the flat bed trailer stage. Things looked
alright . I did a sweep around the crowd outside informing, "The
soldier from Iraq is speaking now, I think you said you didn't want to
miss him." Appreciative of the notice, many more pushed themselves into the temple
to hear him.
I caught a little of his talk, a very little, something about an
armored personnel carrier blowing up and flying some distance , things
that easily held the audience's attention. The main message I got
from him during his visit here over the week is to be fearless in
helping others. Some may not appreciate what you do for them, but it's
your duty to try to help.If something is going to stop you from doing
good, don't let it be your own fear.

I interrupted to announce that dinner was ready and if anyone wants
they could stay and hear more, then ran off to make sure things were
actually ready.

The kid's area was looking fun, by this time they had dismantled the
cardboard box structures that Subal had erected for them to play in.
Kids were now sliding down the hill on large pieces of
cardboard.Thanks to Sauri mowing the hillside a few days ago, there
was a good supply of dry hay to slide on. Whole families slid together
on boxes that once held water heaters. That in itself was pretty good
entertainment . A crowd gathered to watch and laugh at the fun.
My most flattering comment came from 9 year old Jayananda,"I like
Mitrasena's ideas"
The boxes were my idea.Boxes had always been fun for me and for my kids.
"Most people just suggest coloring books for kids" , said Jayananda's
mom appreciatively.
Another participant ,5 year old Mr.Thathireddy commented , "Super awesome!"

The dinner was appreciated by all , thanks to Sarva Drik and his wife
Sudevi for organizing it all.There was a substantial line waiting , we
estimated the crowd to be about 300 people.

The dancers Gaurangi Priya and Parijata from Hillsboro began their
dance performance with puspanjali, an offering of flower petals. When
I stepped back into the crowd,they appeared to be floating above the
audience ,dancing on treetops like a scene from the "Crouching
Tigers.." movie .With a backdrop of space and the Blue Ridge Mountains
in the distance,it was spectacular. The weather , though a little hot
, wasn't extreme, the clouds scattered around the clear sky offered
shade and beauty to the event.
Then my next door neighbor Krishnaya took her turn. She performed to a
song sung by Jagjit and Chitra Singh , Madhava Madana Murari. She
brought cheers from the audience throughout her performance.

The three girls brought a lot of beauty , color and culture to the
event, but like many things that ladies work so hard on , it was over
too soon and time for the next event.

Jayadvaita Swami spoke on Sustainable Happiness
He spoke about how some pleasures are just not sustainable. .At 9 PM
I had to interrupt to announce that the CANDLE LIT KIRTAN would be
held outside.

9PM
As the crowd exited the temple I heard a few gasp and exclaim how
beautiful everything was.A crescent moon poked out from behind a few
scattered clouds in the darkened sky. The trailer stage now had a row
of candles and tiki torches dramatically illuminating a youthful
group sweetly singing an alluring melody of the Hare Krishna Mantra
while girls danced in the moonlight.The whole scene looked exotic and
mysterious.
I told Johnny , who had loaned us the trailer, this may well be your
trailer's "finest hour"

Everything was going fine and I thought this might be a good time to
try and eat lunch , something I had forgotten to do all day. Maharha
had saved me a generous sized plate , even though I had entirely
forgotten that it was her birthday that day.That was inexcusable and I
am atoning for my sin by presenting this to all of you so you now know
my wretched condition.

While eating , I had many conversations , One person said goodbye ,
she was going home now. An hour later she returned perspiring, " I was
dancing with the girls , it was so much fun"

The beautiful scene continued for hours as guests gradually pulled
themselves away. It was difficult for them to leave I could see , as I
said good bye several times to the same people.Talking, dancing or
just listening , watching the moon or the candles, I didn't want to be
anywhere else.You can't really plan things to work out this well. You
can only try. It will never be exactly the same festival. We can only
try to make them better.

I'll see you at the next festival if not sooner.

Your friend,
Mitra


Here is some feed back from one of our guests-

I really enjoyed the Krishna Festival. It was really great to have
spiritual community with all. It is always a joy to come to the
temple. The Kirtans at this festival was very uplifting and raised my
consciousness. They were the highlight of the experience. I enjoyed
all of the speakers who gave me food for thought on several levels.

Thanks for your efforts to raise the consciousness of the planet.

Eric