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An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

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Chapter 2<br />

THE KRISHNA MOVEMENT<br />

It was a warm, sunny January day in 1967. The Human<br />

Be-In was the culmination of the acid spiritual<br />

revival that swept the nation in the mid-sixties. It was<br />

hosted by poet Allen Ginsberg and acid-guru Timothy<br />

Leary, presiding priests of the hippie culture. It included<br />

bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson<br />

Airplane, poets Gary Snyder and Michael McClure,<br />

and the Hell's <strong>An</strong>geles who were supposed to provide<br />

security. Acid was handed out free at the gates of the<br />

soccer field, but Carolyn and I brought our own.<br />

This was presented as the great liberation by<br />

boat Buddha spoke of when a large group of people<br />

attain liberation together. Over two hundred thousand<br />

hippie pilgrims came to the holy city from all<br />

over the country <strong>for</strong> this happening.<br />

Ginsberg led the assembled congregation in<br />

chanting mantras and invocations. A sky diver parachuted<br />

in, and music that included chanting Hare<br />

Krishna carried the crowd to a drug enhanced spirituality<br />

of oneness, egolessness, and hope. However,<br />

when the Hell's <strong>An</strong>geles beat up a human being, the<br />

energy seemed to crumble and fall.<br />

As twilight approached, Ginsberg announced<br />

that we had not attained the desired liberation since<br />

we were coming down and were still where we<br />

28

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