SUMMER SOLSTICE 2009 -- PEACE PRAYER DAY

Each year, around the time of the Summer Solstice, there is an interfaith gathering held in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. Organized by Sikh Americans, it is open to all faiths and beliefs. Its focus, as designed by the late Sikh leader, Yogi Bhajan, is to encourage prayers for peace. Part entertainment, part celebration, part ceremony, it combines to form an illustration of how differing people and faiths can work together towards a common goal, in this case, peace. The 24^th Annual International Peace Prayer Day was held on June 20, 2009. It's stated purpose was:

  A Peaceful Heart—Recognizing Sacred Prayer in Every Action.

This year's program got off to a rousing start with Bhangara --a Sikh/Punjabi folk dancing form by a group of young American Sikhs – Izzat da Punjab (sic). (Pictures 1 & 2) The dance is active, stylized and aerobic and has gained popularity among young people of all ages in places like London dance clubs.

In contrast were the Tewa Dancers of the North Ohkay Owingeh. Their Eagle Dance was stately, graceful and informative of traditions and beliefs. We were blessed to be blessed by one of two medicine men or shamans. (Picture #3) (Pictures #4 & #5 show the Eagle Dancers.)

 

The Zevk Ensemble led the gathering in a series of sacred Sufi devotional chants. Their heart centered rhythms and words and our own participation conferred an aura of peace over the 7,000 foot high mountain meeting. (Pictures 6, 7, & 8)

 

The efforts of the assembly were made sacred in a number of ways. Native American shamans came to bless the crowd. The second shaman was from the Chumash

 Nation.  (Picture #10) A sacred flame was brought by runners from the Sanctuario de Chimayo, a a 300 year old Catholic chapel in the hills behind the Espanola, NM valley.  (Picture #11). With the flame he ignited (Picture #12) a sage bundle which he then used to purify the place and the people and their intentions (Picture #13). The ceremony ended when all the participants were invited on a Sacred Healing Walk around a concentric path that aided them in meditating, chanting and just being with the earth, the universe, each other and themselves.