Woodstock Turns 43

Sri Swami Satchidananda opened the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival  in Bethel, New York  on August 15, 1969 addressing a crowd of approximately 500,000. In this time of great social and political change, it is said that Swami Satchidananda “…shaped the destiny of an entire generation.”

“My beloved Brothers and Sisters, I am overwhelmed with joy to see the entire youth of America gathered here in the name of the fine art, music. In fact, through music we can work wonders. Music is the celestial sound, and it is sound that controls the whole universe, not atomic vibrations. Sound energy, sound power is much, much greater than any other power in this world…..I am honored for having been given the opportunity of opening this great, great music festival.

America leads the world in several ways. Very recently when I was in the east, the grandson of Mahatma Ghandi asked me, “What’s happening in America?” I said, “America is becoming a whole. America is helping everybody in the material field, but the time has come for America to help the whole world with spirituality also.”

That’s why across the length and breadth, we see people, thousands and thousands of people, yoga minded, spiritual minded. So let all our actions and all our arts express yoga. Through the sacred art of music let us find peace that that will pervade all over the globe. Often people shout, “We are going to fight for peace!” I still do not understand how they are going to fight  and then find peace. Therefore let us not fight for peace, but let us find peace within ourselves first.

The future of the world is in your hands…..I, with all my heart, wish a great, great success to this music festival. Let it pave the way for many more festivals in other parts of the country….The entire world is going to know what the America youth can do for humanity….”

~ Sri Swami Satchidananda

4 Comments

  1. YQHsR4 Major thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Awesome.

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  2. A round of applause for your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.

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  3. I really like and appreciate your post.Really thank you! Really Great.

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    • Glad you enjoyed it! Woodstock and all it represents is very near and dear to my heart.

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