Isha Fest this year at iii marked a very special occasion – 30 years of Isha! Friends and families from across the country joined this weekend for this celebration of enlightenment, coinciding with the International Day of Peace.
Saturday’s events began with tours of the campus for first-time visitors, a delicious international-themed brunch, and a group hike to the bluffs. Outdoor games for young and old alike continued throughout the day.
One attendee shares, “It was really wonderful to see all the joyful faces at Isha Fest. Everyone was so alive. The adults were laughing like kids and the children were thoroughly enjoying themselves. It seems perfect to celebrate the peak of the human experience with so much joy and merriment.”
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In the evening, everyone gathered in Mahima for the cultural performances, including colorful traditional dances from Nashville Chinese Cultural club, Celtic music from The Border Collies, performances from students of the Kalaivani Dance Acadamy. Reneeta Basu performed Kuchipudi, a dance done standing on a brass plate, and a group ofl Atlanta volunteers gave a surprise exclusive performance – an original mime which simply and beautifully portrayed the dance of Life – thrown out of step by Money, Greed, Power, Belief, and other influences, but finally aided by Silence to overcome these influences and reunite with Peace and Clarity.
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In addition to performing onstage, Atlanta volunteers went above and beyond for every aspect of the celebration, from the organization, invitation, and coordination. Their enthusiasm was evident throughout the day and spread to every guest to make the day happen in a truly beautiful way.
A iii resident explains, "Living every day at iii it is easy to begin to feel as if the ashram is your own. It was so humbling to see the Atlanta volunteers come together here and so seamlessly coordinate every aspect of this fantastic celebration. It was a wonderful reminder that although we have a small little band of residents maintaining the ashram on a daily basis, there are many, many meditators spread all over the country whose love and support is making Isha happen in the U.S. I am truly touched and grateful for their loving contribution, which they have all somehow managed to offer in spite of busy work schedules and family needs."
The evening closed with a surprise fireworks show over the lake, fire-dancing, and drums and music from Sounds of Isha to accompany a moonlit dinner in the Mahima Gardens.
Sunday morning, residents and guests returned to Mahima to join the live-stream from India, with a live message from Sadhguru as well as performances from Isha Homeschool, Samskriti, Sounds of Isha, and a video reflection on 30 years of Isha as well as Sadhguru’s recent visit to Kashi. The archive of the event will be available for a short time here http://live.isha.co/, and you can also read an excerpt from Sadhguru's Sathsang on this week's Sadhguru Spot.
Did you attend Isha Fest? Let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments!
Isha Fest was great! Volunteers are the best! The performance of Atlanta meditators was remarkable!