Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 5, 1994 TAG: 9412050075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The celebration, attended by hundreds Saturday at Charlottesville High School, was linked to the swami's 80th birthday later this month.
Satchidananda is the founder of Yogaville in Buckingham County. He believes the path to global harmony can be found by focusing on the common threads among the world's 12 major religions.
The Integral Yoga movement spreads his beliefs and has at its heart the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine in Yogaville, built on 750 acres on the James River in 1986. The shrine houses altars for the different religions.
Invited guests praised Satchidananda as being an awakened person and a truly holy man. But the swami, whose flowing white hair and beard are reminiscent of Michelangelo's God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, said he is merely a humble servant.
``I'm not a literate man, a man of many university degrees,'' he said. ``I don't dream much. I don't write. I don't even think. Right now, I don't even know what I am going to say. ... But I know somebody will make me talk.''
He compared himself to a ``hollow, holy flute that has no music in it. But that's why it enjoys the kiss of the Lord,'' he said. ``He puts his lip to it and plays music.''
Sitting in lotus position on a chair set on center stage, Satchidananda told a parable of a man trying to cash a check. But the amount payable was only a string of zeros. The man couldn't collect his money until a ``1'' was placed before the zeros.
``That's how life is,'' the swami said. ``You can have any amount of zeros, but if you don't have that One, that Spirit, you are nothing.''
Incense wafted through the air as a procession of Yogaville children, waving flags of different nations, and seven religious figures, carrying candles, approached the stage. Representing Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Native American beliefs and other religions, the seven spiritual leaders took the stage and together lit a single candle with their many tapers.
Artist Peter Max, who was largely responsible for bringing Satchidananda to the United States from southern India, attended the program, as did actors Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern.
Goldblum said he has done yoga since 1971, starting in a drama class in Pittsburgh and continuing at a center Satchidananda ran in New York City. Dern, who starred with Goldblum in ``Jurassic Park,'' also studied yoga with the swami. They visited Yogaville a few months ago and wanted to participate in his birthday celebration.
``We love him,'' Goldblum said.
by CNB