Earthdance with the Shakti Tribe: We Are Committed! By Gary Mraz

Packed into several massive motor homes we caravan like modern day gypsies crossing a thousand miles and a thousand smiles. I am blessed to be traveling with this tribe, invited by Larisa Stow and her Shakti Tribe to perform at the 2007 Earthdance Music Festival in Laytonville California. Larisa is a true spiritual troubadour committed to spreading peace and harmony. Playing her unique message of eastern Kirtan chants (healing mantras) and modern pop music (winner of L.A. songwriter of the year award). Shakti Tribe has been invited to precede the internationally celebrated Prayer for Peace. My electronic synths and DJ vibe will add a little edge to her sacred sound. Although playing for inmates in prisons is her personal passion, uplifting hearts and minds her mission, setting spirits free.

We venture forth from Los Angeles, pass through San Francisco and enter the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately it's an automobile lane and were in a 40-foot bus during San Francisco rush hour. We just won't fit, it's a square peg in a round hole and the vast sea of cars behind us is formidable. I jump out to assess the situation and a voice blares over a loudspeaker, GET BACK IN THE VEHICILE YOU ARE COMMITTED YOU MUST CONTINUE THROUGH, GET BACK IN THE VEHICLE, YOU...ARE.. .COMMITTED! Walking to the rear of this whale I see an ocean of eyeballs glaring? Questioning? Whatcha ya gonna now son? The voice of god blares its ominous warnings again. I have no choice I am committed and look directly into the eyes of the driver in front of me and motion that we are moving backwards. With a sly smirk he veers away and we move in reverse. With gentle waves of my arms I am Moses parting the Red Sea of the Golden Gate and those glaring eyes fill with compassion and understanding. With nary a honk of a horn the beast backs up, moves into the appropriate truck lane and passes through unscathed. A collaborative dance of give and take.

I also have committed to moving forward into the next place and time called Earthdance. There will be another thousand pairs of eyes staring in compassion, understanding and love. Earthdance is a Global experience with the hub in Laytonville California. With over 6000 in attendance the highlight of Earthdance event is a simultaneous link-up when every event across the world plays the Prayer for Peace. It's a profound and powerful moment that unifies our intentions for world peace and healing. The Shakti Tribe performance Shepard's in the global OM, celebrated and in 100's of locations in 60 countries all at the same time.

Spiritually moving moments are usually very intimate and personal. Experienced on beaches as molten magenta sunsets melt the world away or in the splendor of spectacular mountain top vistas. Rarely do these experiences translate beyond our immediate tribe. Earthdance on the other hand is a rarefied collective experience that's supercharged with the global voltage of the Prayer for Peace. Truly moved by the Global OM and its implications we were brought to tears. We are still at war; we still have poverty injustice and a brewing global ecological disaster. But right now, right here we all believe that as one human race on this planet it is our individual personal responsibility to care for our mother earth and ALL her children. She bore us, she fed us, cared for us and the last thing you want to do is to get mother mad.

A celebratory gathering of music, art, creative expression and peace, we danced for three days. Returning home from such an overwhelming experience I'm compelled to embrace this inspiration and view my world through eyes of love. I know the Shakti Tribe does, they always do, it's their way. Sharing their special brand of chants and dance with festival revelers or federal prisoners. We each have our own level of commitment and code of ethics. Demonstrated daily by decisions that we make not for our selves but for our children. Try and look with eyes of love, remember they saw the happiest times of your life. Project positive energy and when the harsh glare of humanities criticisms focus on you, reflect back a peaceful serenity. Also remember peace is not passive, it takes place by intent, we make peace, we make love. We make it happen because we are committed.

Prayer for Peace:

"We are one global family
All colors, All races
One world united.
We dance for peace and the healing of our planet Earth
Peace for all nations.
Peace for our communities.
And peace within ourselves.
As we join all dance floors across the world,
let us connect heart to heart.
Through our diversity we recognize Unity.
Through our compassion we recognize Peace.
Our love is the power to transform our world
Let us send it out
NOW..."