After pretty much going non-stop since Thursday at Bhakti-fest, I wasn’t quite prepared for Saul’s Monday morning workshop. I woke up with a frown “No! Not another thing to do!” at the thought of yet more interactions with the world…Fortunately, Vish and Kish were operating on their usual level of characteristic enthusiasm. As we walked from our lodge to the yoga hall, I noticed that there was a new stillness in the air, only a few people lingered, and the usually scorching rays of the sun were gentle.

We arrived not knowing what to expect, only that we would back-up Saul in whatever way he wanted. Saul had gathered quite an ensemble on the small stage: Momo from Morroco on guitar, Haribol Baba on djembe, Matthew on trap-set, Fantuzzi (the famous rocker), and a super talented cello-player.

Going with his intuition, or perhaps his experience with workshops directly after a major bash, Saul was gentle and meditative, speaking in a soothing voice. Through his words, Saul created a space where each person was encouraged to be free and do spontaneously whatever his or her body asked. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief; it wasn’t just me, many of the eighty or so people here were overwhelmed by the eventful weekend. Intermittently, one, two, or three of the attendees felt comfortable enough to let their tears flow freely.

I imagine that these tears burst forth from different sources; some were tears of anxiety, over-stimulation, or plain tiredness. Others were tears of purification, coming from a deep place in their heart, where the profound spiritual vibrations of kirtan had touched. There was a need to journey inwards and see what transformations may have happened during three and a half days of kirtan, and Saul provided the framework. All along the way, Vish facilitated the journey, singing soft Radhe-bhajans, reciting mantras, while Kish played flute or mridunga. The rest of our orchestra supported them beautifully. About half way through the three-hour workshop, Vis built his music up to a crescendo; Kish was a madman on the Mridunga, and everyone raised their hands to the sky calling out to Radhe, Radhe!

Then Saul turned to me and asked if I wanted to speak or channel some energy. I hesitated. Migosh, do I know how to channel energy? The day before in Shiva’s class, a lady came up to me and commented, “Amazing energy work, you channel lots of energies through your dance.” I was puzzled but intrigued by the comment because I haven’t thought of dance in those terms. Aside from that, I hadn’t expected to be on spot, so to say, the eyes of eighty people on me. But after a little deliberation, I felt something blossom. What I needed most at that moment was to be grounded, to really feel earth, the mother, beneath me. So I began to guide the class through an extended Bhoomi-pranam, Salute to the Earth.

This is the salute we use in Bharat Natyam, classical Indian dance, before we start dancing and also when we end. It’s really a prayer for permission or an act of gratitude directed to mother earth for all the dancing, stomping we do on her. Vish chanted mantras for peace on earth, and prosperity to all, improvising on the spot and modifying his music to fit in with the impromptu Bhoomi-pranam.

While I’m new to going with the flow this way, Vish, Kish, and Saul are seasoned warriors. This is what they do, show up for a workshop with little idea of its content, and then pull it off with so much charisma, creating just the right mood and space with the kirtan and the spoken word. At the very end, upon Saul’s requ est, Vish and Kish led the group out of the hall with a harinam, singing the lord’s names together.

I stayed inside talking to Tess Yong, my new friend, but couldn’t help but notice that by the looks of the crowd dancing and chanting with abandon, the people were completely invigorated, including myself. Gone with the wind were earlier feelings of being drained and overwhelmed. The sun was shining beautifully and all the faces around me as well.

That’s the power of a sacred space infused with the holy names.

Radhe-Shyam!

Vrinda