mannabliss Medicine for the Soul January/February 2017 | Page 37

4. MC Yogi, a US-American hip hop musician and yogi who I was unfamiliar with, was like a “musical whirlwind of cohesion.” With lyrics and a “music style which contains themes promoting Hindu philosophy,” his concert performance enthusiastically engaged every single person in the audience. Calling for us to place one arm around another as we jumped from side-to-side to the rhythmic combination of good music and good energy, it was simply outstanding.

5. Despite the fact that Chant4Change took place outside, amidst tourists of the National Mall, when the keynote speaker stepped onto the stage, you could have heard a pin drop. All were ready and eager to listen to the continued reverence, wisdom and humility that flows through one of today’s most beloved and respected spiritual teachers, Radhanath Swami:

“We are all children of the same all beautiful, all loving God. The true path of life, the essence of every religion, of all dharma is that which awakens that love for God, who has many names, from within our hearts. When we recognize our true spiritual potential then we can also appreciate, respect that potential within all beings. The true spiritual path is that which brings us to that inner connection when we see all living beings with equal vision. Whether one is white, or black, or red, or yellow, brown, male, or female, from one nation or another nation, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Agnostic or Atheist, wherever there is life, there is love.” - H. H. Radhanath Swami

With divisive election noise occurring in Washington, DC and beyond, there is a spiritual connection to be made between what we see in the outer world and how it is a reflection of our inner consciousness.

There is a lot of real work to be done in the outer world, just as there is also a lot of work to be done within our hearts.

Although we now find ourselves in the midst of societal change and on a path we are unclear of how to walk, the relevant question becomes “will you succumb to the pressures of the moment and join with those who are confused and lost, or will you take a breath and seek for the light and approach these dilemmas with clarity and integrity to take the higher path that leads to a life well lived?”

Yes, it is difficult to walk a spiritual path, but whether you find yourself sitting on steps such as those at the Lincoln Memorial for Chant4Change, or reading about it later, you know that you are on this path because your purpose is stronger than your fear.

“It starts with a dream. Add faith, and it becomes a belief. Add action, and it becomes a part of life. Add perseverance, and it becomes a goal in sight. Add patience and time, and it ends with a dream come true.”

The Chant4Change community has gathered to stand in creation from a clear and strengthened heart space.

May you also find your cause, see your vision, love your dream and hold onto your core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally make a difference in our lives, our communities and our (one) world.

May you find your spiritual home, stand firm and flourish there.

Chant4Change was organized and supported by a fully dedicated, grass roots volunteer base.

If you would like to make a donation, or support the event as a conscious business, you can log onto the Indiegogo campaign.

Photos from this year’s event can be seen on Facebook and Instagram (#Chant4Change, #ManySongsOneVoice #RaiseYourVoice) and the live stream archive is available on YouTube.

- Bridgitte Jackson-Buckley

Printed, with generous permission and light edits, from Bridgitte's article on https://medium.com/@bjacksonbuckley3

Photos with generous permission by Radhanatha Jakupko

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