Sat Nam Fest Mexico!
By Hargobind Khalsa
As legend has it, the Guru Nanak sat under water for 3 days in deep meditation some 500 years ago. After finishing his meditation, he emerged from the water in divine realization and recited the Mul Mantra, which starts Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam.... There is one creation, True Name. It's hard to know if Guru Nanak knew, these actions would resonate this far ahead in time. Forty years ago my mother was given the name Sat Nam from her teacher Yogi Bhajan. It's hard to know if they knew, this change would resonate this far ahead. She was a good organizer, a musician, a painter and a great mom. She loved the ocean, singing, dancing and getting people together to celebrate healthy living. After her passing, we renamed Spirit Fest, Sat Nam Fest. The last event was held in Puerto Morelos Mexico where we practiced along the beach. Early morning sadhana was filled with chanting and yoga as the sun rose on the warm Caribbean sea. Surrounded by palm trees, with sand between our toes, we listened to music, drank coconuts and made life long friendships. People from 20 countries came. We celebrated being part of the one creation together. Ek Ong Kar.
Over the years, what I have seen is that if the practices are interesting, if they are made to be relevant and purposeful, then it is easy to keep up. If care is expressed in the details, then people feel loved. If the sound system is right. The stage is decorated well. If care and love is put into the food, then people can open for new and enlightening experiences. The struggle defeats us when the inspiration is lost. Painting a canvas or writing a song is hopeless without inspiration. Similarly yoga, meditation, sadhana, event planning, and volunteer work, is effortless, with energy and inspiration. How do you serve if the cup is empty? Participating at this festival filled my cup.
If this can be our contribution to future generations, then we too may have an impact on the next generations in unforseen and inspiring ways. The next words in Guru Nanak's Mul Mantra were Aad Such Jugaad Such Hai Bhee Such, Nanak hosee Bhee such. It was true in the beginning, it was true now and nanak says it will forever be true. That's the true name and it called. Sat Nam.
To learn more about Sat Nam Fest visit www.satnamfest.com.
