Sri Swami Satchidananda - The Woodstock Years with Sri Swami Satchidananda
Special Edition Two CD Set

He shaped the destiny of an entire generation...

Yoga Master Sri Swami Satchidananda is world renowned for the inimitable way he so clearly and accessibly illuminates the profound truths of life. This Special Edition two-CD set features His talks from 1969, chanting and a bonus track of his Woodstock Festival address.

"He became known as the 'Woodstock guru' after he opened that epochal music festival in 1969 declaring music 'the celestial sound that controls the whole universe.'" --Los Angeles Times

Disk One
• How can we find peace?
• What is a perfect act?
• Loving and giving
• The benefits of detachment
• What is the root cause of all suffering?
• "He'll Set You Free" - Written and sung by Maheshwara and Parvathi
• What is God?
• Good and bad
• What is a Guru?
• Facing difficulties
• Freedom and discipline
• Expansion of consciousness
• "The Sweater Song" - Written and sung by Maheswara and Parvathi

Disk Two
• Woodstock Address
• Integral Yoga Kirtan (Yoga Chants)
• What is Integral Yoga?

Two CD set, Total running time: 1 hour 50 minutes

In the 1960s . . .

It was a heady time with love-ins, be-ins, psychedelic drugs, war protests, incense wafting and barefoot hippies dancing to the beat of their own drums . . .

Sri Swami Satchidananda, a Yoga master from India, arrived in New York City in 1966 for what was to be a three-day visit sponsored by film director Conrad Rooks (Siddhartha and Chappaqua).

Upon His arrival in New York, Sri Gurudev was hosted by pop artist Peter Max. With His long flowing orange robes, hair and beard, His sparkling humor, profound wisdom, and loving message of true peace, Sri Gurudev was quickly embraced by the "flower children." At the request of these young people, He began teaching Yoga classes and giving informal satsangs (spiritual discourses). Soon, He was surrounded by eager students searching for "the truth." In 1967, a public lecture was organized, and poet Allen Ginsberg introduced Sri Gurudev. Berkeley psychology professor Timothy Leary asked to meet with Sri Gurudev, and soon the Village Voice and other publications were seeking interviews.

In early 1969 a sold out "concert" in Carnegie Hall featured Sri Gurudev's students demonstrating Yoga poses and Sri Gurudev speaking about the Yoga philosophy. The Integral yoga Institute in New York grew rapidly. As his teachings spread, other centers were opened in cities throughout the United States, Europe, and around the globe.

A festival held at an obscure location in upstate New York in August of 1969 was about no change history. It was called the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, and Sri Gurudev was invited to give the opening address. This led Him to become affectionately and famously referred to as "The Woodstock Guru."

Great numbers of young people headed to the festival, unexpectedly causing massive traffic jams on highways throughout the region. Festival organizers arranged for a helicopter to fly Sri Gurudev right to the festival stage. They felt His presence would have a calming influence on the swelling crowd.

He was ushered onto the stage and, in front of the thousands upon thousands gathered, He delivered a message of peace, hope and encouragement. He ended His talk with peace chants. The sea of people chanting "Om Shanthi" was something to behold. The film "Woodstock" showed highlights of this moment.

Soon after the Woodstock Festival, some students asked Sri Gurudev if they could record an album with Him speaking on topics key to His teachings about Yoga. He agreed and asked them to submit questions for His review. Together they discussed various topics and decided upon some key questions such as, "How can we find peace?," "What is God?," and "What is the cause of suffering?" Sri Gurudev was also asked to include a short discourse on the different aspects of Yoga that comprise Integral Yoga.

It was also suggested that listeners would enjoy hearing some of the chanting that Sri Gurudev led at the Woodstock Festival. This idea inspired the inclusion of the Integral Yoga Kirtan (a series of Sanskrit chants) that Sri Gurudev had taught His students. Sri Gurudev agreed to lead the opening and closing prayers and asked those of His students who were musicians to play instruments and lead the chants. Sri Gurudev would chant with them and the responsive chanting would be done by other Yoga students.

- Excerpt from the 16-panel CD insert