Vancouver Folkfest 2008 - From Outside the Fence
I heard say that the Folkfest took place on the outside of the fence. The dusty pathways bordering the festival looked like the crossroads of a major medieval trade route. The trails were lined with tents, cheek by jowl, with colourful vendors and artisans hawking wares from near and far . Our back yard was the headquarters for the nightly drum circle. As the cool of evening fell, pulsating rhythms rose, uniting dancers into a tight, frenetic communal ritual.
A center of sociability under a beautiful Moroccan tent popped up on the top of the mound. The carpeted floors, water pipes, brass coffee pots and low tables invited visitors to linger in conversation.
Tribes of youthful yoga practitioners practised their art on the expanse of grass, supporting each other in impressive paired maeouvers.
Judith and Susan went down the Wednesday before, in time to stake out a claim, on the eastern edge of the knoll along the pier, in the shade of the trees.
The whole effort was somewhat iffy at the start as it appeared the show was resting on only two aging pairs of sholders with a few willing hands in the background. So preparations and setting up was a lonely and tiring affair moving along on determination and hope alone. Fortunately premies began appearing by Saturday and saved the day with their love and support.
Three tents were set up, one to house the ongoing DVD presentation. Another set up with chairs for visiting, together with a display of giveaway matierials and T shirts for sale stating "Peace. Let your heart guide you." Bawn centered himself and hunkered down in one of those chairs for the next two days, keeping an eye on things and tending to visitors as they came and went. Leaving Judith and myself free to take care of business.
Our fundraising effort to cover costs, was to sell tasty homemade, roti made with loving care by Shanti. This also gave us the reason to enter the milieu, intereact with folks and invite them to the upcoming PeaceFlix Under the Stars happening at night fall on the mound ... "listen for the Conch Shell" we reminded.
Outside of our campsite along the pier, we set up a photo display. We used 5 gallon planters filled with wet sand to anchor the posters tied to gardening stakes. The five 18" x 24" posters of West Coast scenery beautifully laid out by Keiko displayed short paragraphs from a talk that Maharaji had given. As people walked along the path, some would pause to read the heartfelt words. Perhaps they also noticed the signs inviting them to PeaceFlix Under the Stars.
On Saturday evening as the sun slowly sank in the west and as the drumming warmed up we moved to the western side of the knoll. Keiko and Danny assembled another tent in case the screen should need anchoring. The rest of the team, Bruce and Dahlia, David and Toni arrived to set up the projector equipment and screen. A perfect natural ampitheatre.
As the light began to fall it was time to announce showtime with blasts from the conch shell. Our young neighbour, set up for the weekend behind Judith's tent had asked if he could help. He was privileged to blow the first blast, which reverberated deep and mellow, resounding over all other sounds. When his lips gave out, the conch shell was handed to a Dad left with the care of seven children who all had a go, many successfully. I continued along the path though the market and a herb seller in a beautiful knee lengh white kurta and full white beard stepped from his tent filled his chest and blew a long plaintive bellow. Across the way was a Native American from Mexico, wearing tribal symbols and a long thin plait of hair trailing down one shoulder, accepted the invitation to blow the conch with great reverence. He explained that the conch was very important to his people. It symbolized "The All". He gave an unwavering might blast turning each time to cover the four cardinal points, solemnly made the sign of the cross with the shell and handed it back. Something very powerful had just happened. People were being summoned to listen to a beautiful message of peace from a very special Messanger.
When I returned to the mound the DVD was in progress. Marta Robles was interviewing Maharaji. The sound was impecable, the screen shone out in the darkness. Small groups sat on the perifery, coming and going, listening through out the night. One couple sat for about half an hour, then rose to go and made it to the other side of the screen and stood captivated for another period of time. Occasionally we rose to invite listeners to take some materials with them. We sat transfixed listening to that wonderful message of hope from our beautiful teacher, out in the open, under the stars on a beautiful summer night feeling warm and tingly, grateful and united in service.
As we wrapped things up after midnight, a young man, who had been listening earlier, returned with a group buddies. We gave them materials and an invitation to visit the next day.
Sunday was another glorious BC summer day which would prove to be a memorable day for service. We received a visit from the son of a First Nations Chief who arrived in his capacity, carrying his three eagle feathers. He was seeking alliances for his people in their effort to reclaim their rights and dignity as a people. We sat in an attentive circle - Bawn, Judith, Navine and myself.
You know we were open and in our hearts as our visitor spoke of the anguish of his people and warned us to be vigilant or we might find ourselves eventually equally disempowered and disfranchised. As she felt her clarity Judith spoke of Maharaji's efforts. Our guest spoke defensively of the negative impact organized religion has had on his people. We continued to clarify how Maharaji was offering to help. We mentioned Maharaji's example of a small candle with its small source of light makes short work of a room full of darkness, which he reminds has no source. We mentioned that Maharaji says we have everything we need, he just holds up a mirror so we can se who we really are.
We put together a selection of music, DVDs, CDs and printed material for him. "Please accept this gift. If you find it to be useful, please contact us. We are willing to help." He was given a way to get in touch if he wished. We continued to sit together and share openly in the vibration of acceptance and love. When he finally rose to leave we had to pull him upright. He lamented with a wry smile, he did not like to sit for so long as his joints cooled off and became stiff. We were each embraced warmly in turn and our new friend left smiling.
There were many such, short but sweet encounters over the three days. All who participated were grateful they had been a part of the effort.
David said: "Very professionally done, the most effective effort there. Most were stuck in the seventies and in New Age thought. If even only one person connected with the message it was worth it."
Judith said: "The event was successful because we had access to people we would otherwise have no contact with.
Our free location and large banner with the simple, thought provoking message: "Peace is possible" http://www.wordsofpeace.ca/ " , providing a visual for thousands of people who passed by without stopping. The seed once planted in the mind can germinate in time.
The small information table was at a height that allowed people to reach out and browse the materials comfortably. Our volunteers could then approach to offer verbal communication and materials to take home or invite them to see/hear more in the nearby TV viewing area. We had many, many conversations with people genuinely interested, open to our sharing and took home dvds or cds to learn more.
The late night large screen DVD "Peace Flix show" provided an anonymous way to view the message from a very large area on a grassy mound and captivated people who expressed being very appreciative to hear the message."
Danny said: "They best idea you have had so far."
Keiko said: "You should do this on a beach, every weekend, during summer."
Good idea! We think we will .... Want to help?
by Susan
A center of sociability under a beautiful Moroccan tent popped up on the top of the mound. The carpeted floors, water pipes, brass coffee pots and low tables invited visitors to linger in conversation.
Tribes of youthful yoga practitioners practised their art on the expanse of grass, supporting each other in impressive paired maeouvers.
Judith and Susan went down the Wednesday before, in time to stake out a claim, on the eastern edge of the knoll along the pier, in the shade of the trees.
The whole effort was somewhat iffy at the start as it appeared the show was resting on only two aging pairs of sholders with a few willing hands in the background. So preparations and setting up was a lonely and tiring affair moving along on determination and hope alone. Fortunately premies began appearing by Saturday and saved the day with their love and support.
Three tents were set up, one to house the ongoing DVD presentation. Another set up with chairs for visiting, together with a display of giveaway matierials and T shirts for sale stating "Peace. Let your heart guide you." Bawn centered himself and hunkered down in one of those chairs for the next two days, keeping an eye on things and tending to visitors as they came and went. Leaving Judith and myself free to take care of business.Our fundraising effort to cover costs, was to sell tasty homemade, roti made with loving care by Shanti. This also gave us the reason to enter the milieu, intereact with folks and invite them to the upcoming PeaceFlix Under the Stars happening at night fall on the mound ... "listen for the Conch Shell" we reminded.
Outside of our campsite along the pier, we set up a photo display. We used 5 gallon planters filled with wet sand to anchor the posters tied to gardening stakes. The five 18" x 24" posters of West Coast scenery beautifully laid out by Keiko displayed short paragraphs from a talk that Maharaji had given. As people walked along the path, some would pause to read the heartfelt words. Perhaps they also noticed the signs inviting them to PeaceFlix Under the Stars.
On Saturday evening as the sun slowly sank in the west and as the drumming warmed up we moved to the western side of the knoll. Keiko and Danny assembled another tent in case the screen should need anchoring. The rest of the team, Bruce and Dahlia, David and Toni arrived to set up the projector equipment and screen. A perfect natural ampitheatre.
As the light began to fall it was time to announce showtime with blasts from the conch shell. Our young neighbour, set up for the weekend behind Judith's tent had asked if he could help. He was privileged to blow the first blast, which reverberated deep and mellow, resounding over all other sounds. When his lips gave out, the conch shell was handed to a Dad left with the care of seven children who all had a go, many successfully. I continued along the path though the market and a herb seller in a beautiful knee lengh white kurta and full white beard stepped from his tent filled his chest and blew a long plaintive bellow. Across the way was a Native American from Mexico, wearing tribal symbols and a long thin plait of hair trailing down one shoulder, accepted the invitation to blow the conch with great reverence. He explained that the conch was very important to his people. It symbolized "The All". He gave an unwavering might blast turning each time to cover the four cardinal points, solemnly made the sign of the cross with the shell and handed it back. Something very powerful had just happened. People were being summoned to listen to a beautiful message of peace from a very special Messanger.
When I returned to the mound the DVD was in progress. Marta Robles was interviewing Maharaji. The sound was impecable, the screen shone out in the darkness. Small groups sat on the perifery, coming and going, listening through out the night. One couple sat for about half an hour, then rose to go and made it to the other side of the screen and stood captivated for another period of time. Occasionally we rose to invite listeners to take some materials with them. We sat transfixed listening to that wonderful message of hope from our beautiful teacher, out in the open, under the stars on a beautiful summer night feeling warm and tingly, grateful and united in service.
As we wrapped things up after midnight, a young man, who had been listening earlier, returned with a group buddies. We gave them materials and an invitation to visit the next day.
Sunday was another glorious BC summer day which would prove to be a memorable day for service. We received a visit from the son of a First Nations Chief who arrived in his capacity, carrying his three eagle feathers. He was seeking alliances for his people in their effort to reclaim their rights and dignity as a people. We sat in an attentive circle - Bawn, Judith, Navine and myself.
You know we were open and in our hearts as our visitor spoke of the anguish of his people and warned us to be vigilant or we might find ourselves eventually equally disempowered and disfranchised. As she felt her clarity Judith spoke of Maharaji's efforts. Our guest spoke defensively of the negative impact organized religion has had on his people. We continued to clarify how Maharaji was offering to help. We mentioned Maharaji's example of a small candle with its small source of light makes short work of a room full of darkness, which he reminds has no source. We mentioned that Maharaji says we have everything we need, he just holds up a mirror so we can se who we really are.
We put together a selection of music, DVDs, CDs and printed material for him. "Please accept this gift. If you find it to be useful, please contact us. We are willing to help." He was given a way to get in touch if he wished. We continued to sit together and share openly in the vibration of acceptance and love. When he finally rose to leave we had to pull him upright. He lamented with a wry smile, he did not like to sit for so long as his joints cooled off and became stiff. We were each embraced warmly in turn and our new friend left smiling.
There were many such, short but sweet encounters over the three days. All who participated were grateful they had been a part of the effort.
David said: "Very professionally done, the most effective effort there. Most were stuck in the seventies and in New Age thought. If even only one person connected with the message it was worth it."
Judith said: "The event was successful because we had access to people we would otherwise have no contact with.
Our free location and large banner with the simple, thought provoking message: "Peace is possible" http://www.wordsofpeace.ca/ " , providing a visual for thousands of people who passed by without stopping. The seed once planted in the mind can germinate in time.
The small information table was at a height that allowed people to reach out and browse the materials comfortably. Our volunteers could then approach to offer verbal communication and materials to take home or invite them to see/hear more in the nearby TV viewing area. We had many, many conversations with people genuinely interested, open to our sharing and took home dvds or cds to learn more.
The late night large screen DVD "Peace Flix show" provided an anonymous way to view the message from a very large area on a grassy mound and captivated people who expressed being very appreciative to hear the message."
Danny said: "They best idea you have had so far."
Keiko said: "You should do this on a beach, every weekend, during summer."
Good idea! We think we will .... Want to help?
by Susan
posted by Susan at
11:32 AM
