G. Harrison's spiritual/musical career (from the Radio Rama cassette)

[Guest guest]

The spiritual evolution of Beatle George Harrison is much like his music -

mysterious and mystical. Most people were aware of George's enchantment with

Indian sounds when they heard him playing the sitar on the albums Help and

Rubber Soul. But even in the earlier years of his career, unknown to George

himself, destiny was spelling out his fate with subliminal prophecy.

 

[playing "Do you want to know a secret?"]

 

The first club that the Beatles performed at Hamburg, Germany, was called

the "Indra", the name of the demigod of heaven in Indian philosophy. The

first guitars and amplifiers used by the Beatles were manufactured by Vox.

Vak is the Sanskrit word for the name of the goddess of music in Indian

culture. Is it any wonder that George Harrison so fervently sang these

words?

 

["While my guitar gently weeps"]

 

When the Beatles finally did travel to the subcontinent of India, they sat

in meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, but later described him as bogus.

 

["Fool on the hill"]

 

Although rejecting the Maharishi, George did not give up the idea that

Indian culture possessed some secrets worth uncovering. Once while John

Lennon and George were sailing on a yacht, John, who was toying with the

piano, started to sing the Hare Krishna chant, and George joined in. The

chant struck accord and they continued for eight hours, nonstop.

 

Then one evening, when George was at a party, Greatful Dead manager, Rock

Scully, arrived with an old college friend of his - Sam Speerstra. Over the

years Sam had been practicing yoga and mysticism and especially chanting. He

had even adopted the shaven head and robes of an Indian monk. When George

spied him entering the party, George immediately ran after Sam and declared:

"I've been wanting to talk to one of you, fellows."

 

It wasn't long after this George was beside himself with joy. Here was the

ancient system of meditation he had longed for, complete and so simple.

 

["My sweet Lord"]

 

Unknown to many, George started a regular practice of chanting, adopted a

vegetarian diet and produced an album on the Apple label with previously

unheard-of group called the "Radha Krishna Temple". One of the songs,

consisting entirely of chanting, went to the #1 spot of the British chart

and stayed there for several weeks.

 

["Hare Krishna"]

 

In a display of humanitarian compassion George, along with Ravi Shankar,

staged the concert for Bangladesh and raised 0.5 million dollars for the

starving people of that country.

 

A spiritual metamorphosis had taken place. The Liverpool lad now adorned all

his albums with the sacred syllable Om. The record jacket of "Living in a

material world" depicted Lord Krishna and His friend Arjuna in battle.

George donated a mansion to Bhaktivedanta Swami, the scholar and saint who

had brought the message of Krishna to the West.

 

In his introduction to the book entitled "Krishna, the Supreme Personality

of Godhead" George Harrison writes: "By serving God with each thought, word

and deed by chanting His holy name, the devotee quickly develops God

consciousness. All you need is love."

 

["All you need is love"]

 

Twelve years have passed since the days when it appeared the East and West

had finally met to become good friends. And the "shy Beatle" continued his

inner meditations, song after song, reflecting his ever deepening

realizations, and millions the world over declared that they found joy and

tranquility in George Harrison's music. Thousands had credited him being a

spokesman and guide for secrets on the path of universal peace.

 

 

Glories to bhakta George!