Off the grid and into the new paradigm. Beloved Open-Air Sacred Art Music Festival enchanted the Oregon Coast this past weekend with its sacred art, music, and spiritual awareness unifying humans and nature all at one stage. In its ninth year, this four-day transformational festival brought all on a journey to open, connect, and embrace the “One Whom we yearn in countless ways,” The Beloved.
My inner journey began by venturing into the deep woods this Sunday to experience the healing vibes of this festival. Clear skies and sunshine welcomed us as we drove up the winding dirt roads of Tidewater Falls, OR. Surprisingly, getting to this intimate coastal venue was easy without cell phone service. Smiling greeters guided us into the jammed parking lot with ease. Having never been to this festival before I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. Parked and loaded we hiked into the woods with open minds and open hearts, ready to experience what Beloved was all about.
The New Paradigm:
The first stop of the festival is the Yoga Pavillion, a zen dome tent with a padded floor. Inhales and exhales are in rhythm with soft bells resonating in the open air.
James Kapicka and Krista Love guide yogis through an afternoon session of Restorative Yin Yoga. Classes and workshops taught by leading teachers around the country during the weekend, gave people the opportunity to stretch, breathe, and focus on intentions for the day. Some of the Pavillion activities included Tai Chi, Qigong, Bhakti, and sound healing.
Continuing down Sufi Path, the energy shifts as the sun peaks through the trees revealing the dust shimmering in the air. Bare feet slowly walk with awareness past the communities of tents scattered around the woods.
Over the weekend, campers bonded with their new neighbors at their temporary homes.
All walks of life were there and they were all smiling.
On the way to the main stage there was a gathering singing at the Temple of A.W.E. with Tahir Qawwal as he demonstrated Classical Raaga Singing of Sufi Pakistan. Masters of ancient traditions taught Ancient Wisdom Education classes here. There were three workshop areas dedicated to bringing people together and teaching us that we are not “separate.”
What sets Beloved apart from most festivals today is the single main stage. With one stage, they can concentrate the energy of the festival together in one area rather than dispersing it in too many directions, like a mandala. The intoxicating smell of sage cleared the mind as everyone let loose and danced.
Kids were swinging wildly through the trees sometimes crashing into innocent bystanders.
Live painters collaborated and harnessed the positive energy, then released it into their masterpieces.
The Bana Kuma Orchestra honored Mother Gaia through their tribal beats and spoken word. All of the “Sacred Music” at the festival focused its attention on healing and the Beloved.
The festival also focused on being environmentally friendly. Beloved demonstrated a strict code of eco-ethics to achieve sustainability. One of the most interesting ways they tried to eliminate waste was by working with food vendors to provide reusable plates. Everyone gathered around the fire at the main stage to share meals together. After eating my delicious falafel gyro I saw that the bottom of the plate had a saying about being mindful when you eat.
Everything has intention at Beloved. There was an equal balance of music, art, food, and sharing. My Sunday at Beloved was a healing and transformative experience. It’s the perfect festival for open-minded individuals that aren’t afraid to break through boundaries and make deep and authentic connections, because here, everyone is Beloved.