The Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow

This recent summer festival at Croydon Hall was a special one because it was the celebration of its 10th anniversary. And it had a spectacular beginning with the appearance of a huge double rainbow which ended in the bottom of the garden. Was that an omen...? Osho and meditation - a priceless pot of gold!

Welcome from Amitabh to Croydon Hall - Queuing up for the celebration cake - Sitting on the Zen wall - Night Fire (click on pictures to zoom in)

As well as the very special feeling of being and meditating together which we all love and find so precious, there were loads of fun-filled events in addition to our well-loved Osho meditations. (I did No-Dimensions again after a long time. Euphoric!) I especially loved the Bollywood dancing, choreographed by Rasmaya, in the talent show on Saturday evening.

I also felt our sannyas band, now renamed as Presence, was particularly good this time. Maybe poignant also as sadly this was the last time Vikas played with the band. He has decided he can no longer participate due to many other commitments and living in London. We thank him for the beautiful music he has played for us for so many years. Surabhi told me that the remaining members of Presence (Surabhi, Adarsha, Tarisha, Prabod and Manu) had been able to come together and practice in Devon for months before the festival. The music was beautifully played and sung and the Osho quotes during satsang were extra special. The quotes were taken from a CD sent to the band by some Australian sannyasins.

The festival also marked the end of Kanta and Shantidas’s time at Croydon Hall. They are both now in Germany looking forward to new beginnings. We wish them loads of happiness and good fortune in their new journey and thank them very much for all they did for Croydon Hall - Kanta as the director of five years, devotedly juggling the huge tasks of running of a business and an Osho commune together, and Shanti as a Chef par excellence for six years.

Text by Veena - Photos by Veena, Bharka and Shankara - July 2008

For more photos see Veena’s album.