Milarepa had spent a few summers supporting the ‘Love, Devotion, Surrender’ group with Premartha and Svarup at the Osho Afroz Centre in Lesvos, Greece. He enjoyed the atmosphere so much that he came up with an idea, together with the co-founders of the centre, Varidhi and Tameer, to create a festival with music, creativity, and meditation. He and his co-organizer Disha from Istanbul invited musicians and facilitators from all over the world to support the programme.
Disha writes: “For five days, August 16 to 20, more than 120 people attended to enjoy what Milarepa calls a ‘holiday with a difference’. The intensive program started from early morning with Dynamic Meditation followed by Morning Satsang with live music. Everyday felt full and abundant with a variety of meditations and workshops; also mini-sessions, dance parties, concerts – even a variety show! One of the daily highlights included the evening White Robe meditation where everyone enjoyed celebrating with the band and listening to Osho in the outdoor buddhahall. These evenings were very special indeed. And there were plenty of breaks in the schedule for participants to relax and enjoy the sea and beautiful Erresos Beach.”
Niskriya has just come back from Lesvos saying: “The festival was very alive and juicy. The more the days passed the more I felt we were all connected with each other. The combination of celebration and meditation works! To dance with live music and then to sit down creates a space where meditation happens spontaneously. I facilitated the group ‘Spontaneous Singing’ together with Ranjana. There were 35 participants and still it went so easy. Everybody was open and ready to sing, probably because of the many meditations and the strong Buddhafield. Ranjana, together with the other Greek musicians – Sundaram, Pan, Premdas, Geetprem and Kirad – gave that special Greek flavor. It was a joy to see how Milarepa, Teerth, and Chandira melted with the Greek musicians as if they had played together forever. I can’t wait to go again!”
Pictures can sometimes say more than words, so here are thirty for you to enjoy. Photos are by Advita (used with permission – thanks!). Next year’s festival dates will be August 16-20, 2011.