The annual Movin' On festival kicked off on the Blue Band field as students were able to enjoy a night of music before the start of finals week.

The festival featured performances from Zach Wade & The Good Grief, Love and Theft, Clean Bandit, D.R.A.M., All Time Low and Two Door Cinema Club.

Jenna Stoklosa (Arts editor)

Update: 10:43 p.m.

Two Door Cinema Club caps off Movin' On with mix of old, new songs

As the stage lights began to flash at 9:30 p.m., "Two Door Cinema Club" did not start to play. Instead, proving they know how to fire up a State College crowd, the music for Penn States famous Seven Nation Army chant played for a moment instead, as concert-goers rushed from all over the lawn toward the stage.

The headliner began to play as the crowd cheered, hula hoops twirled and the music echoed through the Blue Band Field.

The band moved on to one of its more popular songs, Undercover Martyn, before briefly welcoming the crowd, saying, We're Two Door Cinema Club. Nice to see you.

They're great," Nicole Cramer (sophomore-hospitality) said of "Two Door Cinema Club." I think everyone is really excited, especially because theyre the main band playing.

"Two Door Cinema Club" is an indie rock band with a techno sound, which was reflected in the varying flashes of color that lit up the tall panels behind the band on stage, starting with a flashing neon blue and changing pace to match each song as they shone onto the dancing crowd.

Although "Two Door Cinema Club" was the last band to play Movin On, and a slight drizzle began in the middle of the set, the crowd remained especially enthusiastic as the band announced, We're going to play an old song for you now, proceeding to play, Something Good Can Work.

While the band was not as interactive with the audience as "All Time Low" had been, "Two Door Cinema Club" kept the crowd enraptured with a mix of old and new.

It's a really great time with a lot of great people," audience member Emma Christen (biology) said, "and a great way to end sophomore year."

Clean Bandit plays at Movin On at the Blue Band Fields on April 28th, 2017.

Update: 10:14 p.m.

All Time Low brings nostalgia to Movin' On

Just before 8 p.m., "All Time Low" fans patiently waited for their band to arrive on stage. Casually backstage, members hold red solo cups relaxing as the stage crew is setting up.

The crowd recently descends after the performance from "D.R.A.M" artist of the hit song "Broccoli." The people gathered are shoulder to shoulder basically breathing down each other's necks. Big groups of edger people trying to make their way to the front of the stage looks like a bunch of monkeys in a barrel connected by the arms.

Tiana Perez (Freshmen- Public Relations), never listened to "All Time Low" a day in her life but after the concert, she plans on exploring their music.

"All Time Low," started there set-list with the famous "Weightless" and the crowd is sang along to every word.

Their second song "Lost In Stereo" automatically made phone cameras sky rocket up in the air, as well as the rock sign.

The band spotted a person in a dinosaur concert and demanded that he was brought up on stage. Unfortunately, he didn't make it.

Their new album is coming out soon, so to honor that they performed their new song, a never before played in America, "Last Young Renegade." The crowd responded positively. Some already knew the lyrics.

Jack Barakat mentioned that he partied at Penn State before.

They ended the night with their also classic "Dear Maria Count Me In."

The band gave the same energy that the crowd did.

Amanda Thieu

Update: 7:29 p.m.

D.R.A.M takes center stage at Movin' On

Performing his top hits, including "Broccoli" and "Cash Machine," D.R.A.M. drew in the crowd, as everyone pushed to stage.

The crowd jumped and fist bumped to hits like "Molly Percocet," a song D.R.A.M. covered.

"I wasn't expecting a lot from him," RJ Rawa (sophomore-psychology) said. "But when he came on it was better than I though and I really enjoyed his set."

D.R.A.M. kept the audience waiting, keeping his top hits until the end of his set, where the entire crowd erupted into "Broccoli" kareoke and danced when "Cash Machine" was performed.

All Time Low and Two Door Cienma Club are set to take the stage next at the festival.

Shelby Kaplan

Update: 6:54 p.m.

Clean Bandit makes first trip to Penn State

Clean Bandit continued the Movin On lineup with a set of songs to get the crowd off its feet.

The band is made up of a British trio and formed in Cambridge in 2008. The group consists of brothers Jake and Luke Patterson, along with Grace Chatto. Clean Bandit also brought two other singers and a violinist with them at Movin On.

Clean Bandit is best known for its 2014 hit, Rather Be, but the group saved that hit for last and gradually warmed up the crowd with a few lesser-known gems and a new single.

The band started off the set with the empowering, Stronger, moving into a performance of their new single, Symphony, which features Swedish singer Zara Larsson on their 2017 album So Good.

Jessie Reynolds (freshman-education) said that she enjoys that Clean Bandits music offers her the opportunity to dance.

"Their music is really really fun and upbeat, I feel like its the kind of music thats fun for a concert when theres not really down time and youre always dancing.

A touring member of Clean Bandit sings at Movin On at the Blue Band Fields on April 28th, 2017.

Clean Bandits songs have a unique, mixed sound, due to the combination of modern electronic instruments and the more traditional, classical sound of the violin, as the Patterson brothers are gifted in the electronic pop style, while Chatto is a classically trained musician.

Jacklyn Kirchner (freshman-psychology) said that she the strong bass beat that reverberates throughout most of Clean Bandits repertoire.

Im a really big fan of house music, Kirchner said. And when the bass is really going, you can feel it in your chest.

Though Clean Bandit has previously performed in the States, Chatto said to the crowd that their set at Movin On marked their first visit to this area of the country. Judging from the roar of the crowd that erupted at the beginning of each of their songs this evening, they seem to have made a lasting impression on Pennsylvania.

Katie Mihelarakis

Update: 5:19 p.m.

Country band Love and Theft continues to energize Movin' On crowd

Capitalizing on the energy of Zach Wade & the Good Grief, country band Love and Theft took the stage just 15 minutes later.

Although initially trying to continue the more relaxed atmosphere the previous band left with songs like "Candyland," and its new album song "Love Wins," the band used songs like "Runaway" to inject energy into the crowd.

The band even covered Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" in which vocalists Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson introduced members of the band which had people even doing the Cotton-Eye Joe dance in the field in front of the stage at one point.

"I think it's pretty cool they brought country to Penn State," Lauren Ebel (sophomore-agriculture science) said. "They usually play hipster, rock and it's cool they brought some pop country."

After congratulating the seniors on reaching graduation, as both Liles and Gunderson admitted they were college dropouts and "did things they shouldn't have" while they attended school, the band transitioned appropriately into "Night That You'll Never Forget."

After the final songs in their 45-minute set, which also included a cover of "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty, their song dedicated to addiction called "Whiskey on My Breath," and their final song "Angel Eyes" that pulled people to their feet, Love and Theft left stage to thunderous applause.

"I haven't seen them live anywhere else, but I love their music," Julia Mauro (senior - nursing) said, adding Love and Theft was a good second act. "They sang a good set. They sang most of the songs I expected them to sing. I was happy to see more country artists here."

Stephanie Panny

Stephen Barker Liles, half of the country duo Love and Theft, plays at Movin' On on the Blue Band Fields on Friday, April 28th, 2017.

Update: 4:13 p.m.

Zach Wade and the Good Grief hypes up crowd in opening act

Zach Wade and the Good Grief, which beat out several other bands in the audition process, wrapped up their opening Movin' On set in 30 minutes on Friday afternoon.

The Altoona-based group opened up with "Halfway Man," which had a rock-vibe feel to it before transitioning into "The Bitter End."

With an energetic tempo and folk, pop and rock style, the band continued to hype up the crowd.

The group also performed styles reminiscent of bands like the Goo Goo Dolls and other early-2000s bands. The group also performed "Something Happened," which was dedicated to the musicians' friend, Brent Kling, who died in December.

Wade and his band expertly blended rock, pop and country into their songs and created a vibe so relaxing it continued to draw smiles, head bobs and applause from the initial crowd.

Link:

Two Door Cinema Club caps off Movin' On annual Penn State music festival - The Daily Collegian Online

Hundreds of glamorous guests made the most of the hottest tickets in town lastnight for the VIP launch party for LIV Organic and Natural Food Market. Well-known faces mingled with business leaders and key invited guests at theglittering bash, held at the stunning new Bold Street site.

In keeping with LIVs healthy but tasty lifestyle offering, guests were treated todelicious mocktails and canapes, with a focus on fresh produce and the best localsuppliers.

A live pianist ensured that the party went with a swing, while suppliers were onhand to showcase some of their outstanding ranges of food, drink, beauty andlifestyle products on offer at the ethical department store.

Proving to be a huge hit in the heart of the citys booming food and drink quarteron Bold Street, LIV opened earlier this monthafter a 1 million investment and hasalready wowed customers, offering the expertise of specialist independentretailers with the convenience of a department store.

Inside the Art Deco grandeur of Radiant House, LIV boasts a spectacular 10,000 sqft market area, as well as a light and bright 50-seat eatery, and a large featurewall artwork, celebrating Liverpools world famous sights.

Friendly and welcoming, LIV is the new venture from Knowsley-based Healthy FoodSupplies. It puts customers at the heart of everything it offers, making sure thatproducts are high-end but not elitist, truly offering something for everyone.

LIVs Ashleigh Coleman says: The feedback we have had so far has been reallywonderful to hear, from delight in the design, to how friendly our staff are.Everyone has made us feel so welcome.I am delighted that so many people have been able to enjoy tonights launch partyand we look forward to welcoming them back in the weeks to come.

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WATCH: Hundreds check out Liverpool's brand new organic food store, LIV - The Guide Liverpool (press release) (blog)

Meditation has been shown to be an effective way to wind down and get to sleepsomething that's especially useful after a harried day of work. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to improve sleep quality, fatigue and insomnia in people who have trouble sleepingpossibly by helping them relax more and let go of stress.

A body- scan meditation, demonstrated at the link below, provides a way to help you tune in to the tiny tingles, throbs and thrums that you often don't even notice. It can last anywhere from one to 20 minutes, and it's easy to do while lying in beda perfect precursor to sleep. Here's how to do it: lie down or sit still in a chair with your eyes closed, and begin to take inventory of the sensations in each part of your body , starting at your toes and traveling up from there.

Jon Kabat-Zinn , a leader of modern mindfulness research and professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, says it's a good way for people to release tension they don't even realize they're experiencing.

Read the original here:

This Quick Meditation Helps You Let Go of Stress and Sleep - TIME

[Gong]

Silence. No movement. No stress. No worries. Just Silence.

My eyes are closed. I listen to the rain on the roof. A car passes by.

[Gong]

I hear the wind in the trees. Why are my shoulders shrugged? Relax them.

[Gong]

30 minutes of silence have passed, and the students of UNDs Qi Gong class is continuing their practice of mediation.

Every Monday at 4:45 p.m., this group of meditators gather at the Lotus Meditation Center just across the street from the Memorial Union. Some of those involved are university faculty, employees and students. Open to all; free from cost and stress.

Janet Rex normally leads the class and she says the almost two-hour session helps participants relax both physically and psychologically.

Its working with life-force energy, so youre working energy in your body, Rex said. The exercises are really good, because you really can feel the energy. It just improves the flow.

Physically, the exercises are meant to relax the muscles and regain and control the energy of the body. The first 45 minutes of the class consists of these physical exercises. The class follows along to a video specializing in Qi Gong meditation.

Qi Gong goes against the natural flow of society, according to the video played during the class. Try to find that balance in physical relaxation, mental vitality and emotional tranquility.

The instructors of the course try to reflect on these teachings and apply them to daily life.

The important thing with the mediation is that we are putting some focus on the body, Rex said. So often in life were not even noticing we have a body. So we want to be very present in our life; we want to notice our body present in the world.

When the physical exercises are complete, participants sit around a circle either on benches or on pillows and practice half an hour of mindful meditation in silence. Rex said she reminds the class to have a relaxed posture and to focus on the breath.

Youre not trying to control thoughts in a way thats harsh. Just say let those thoughts go by and return to the breath, Rex said. That helps to deepen concentration and it works within mindfulness and meditation.

The sound of the gong indicates the beginning and end of this section of the meditation.

The third and final segment of the night is a book circle where the class reflects on a book normally about mindfulness and mediation.

Qi Gong is more associated with Daoism where the silent mediation is more associated with Buddhism. With these two ideologies influencing the practice of the class, the books switch between the two.

The book the class is discussing now is called Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness, which is a Buddhist teaching.

The origins of the class go back to Tamar Reed, a former UND music professor. Rex said Reed was getting more into meditation for herself, but later realized the university could benefit from free sessions on mediation. She had been an instructor for the course, but has given the role to other members as of late.

So she put up the money to build the Lotus Meditation Center, so thats why we have it, Rex said.

While the class may seem small, the group does more than one may expect. The group has a regular following of participants who not only join for the Monday night session, but they also join the Wednesday noon classes that are only half an hour.

On top of the regular weekly classes, there are also weekend retreats that the class organizes. These retreats include speakers from the larger Midwest cities and Canada.

These classes are free and open to anyone who wishes to participate. While, for now, they meet in the Lotus Meditation Center, they are looking to move into the basement of Swanson Hall in the not too distant future.

[Gong]

Jacob Notermann is a staff writer for the Dakota Student. He can be reached atjacob.notermann@und.edu

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Necessary Meditation - UND The Dakota Student

Meditation is practiced by almost every religion in the world. Many people meditate in the mornings to clear their mind before going to work. Meditation only works if you truly believe in it without a doubt. There are different types of meditation and can be split into 3 categories. These categories are determined by the way you choose to meditate or the type of meditation you do, focused attention, open monitoring and effortless presence.

According to live and dare blog by Giovanni Diestmann, Im passionate about helping people develop greater self-awareness and mastery over their mind and life. This is the motivation behind this blog. I think its a great source if you are just beginning your spiritual journey. This site offers general knowledge of meditation in a variety of practices learned from masters and teachers alike overtime. This blog offers help if you need more guidance while experimenting with these practices. One of the practices that worked for me were Metta meditation, or the loving kindness meditation this comes from Buddhist traditions, more specifically Tibetan and Theravada lineages. Mett means benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, good will, and active interest in others. It is the first of the four sublime states, and one of the ten prams from the Theravda school of Buddhism. To practice this form of meditation you must relax preferably in a meditation position. Close your eyes and imagine whole hearted feelings of kindness and benevolence. First to ones self, then towards others, and finally to the universe.

By practicing this form of meditation Mathieu Richardss has reached the largest capacity for happiness ever recorded. According to the Daily mail Neuroscientist Richard Davidson wired up the monks skull with 256 sensors at the University of Wisconsin as part of research on hundreds of advanced practitioners of meditation. The scans showed that when meditating on compassion, Ricards brain produces a level of gamma waves, linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory. According to Davidson The scans also showed excessive activity in his brains left prefrontal cortex compared to its right counterpart, giving him an abnormally large capacity for happiness and a reduced propensity towards negativity, researchers believe.

Meditation is one way you can escape all your problems and be peaceful in that moment. Through these practices I have grown spiritually and mentally healthy. I also learned to take the time needed to focus on what is important in life rather than the petty little things that often consume your thoughts.

More:

Meditation and Preparing for Final Exams - The South Texan

Ryan Anderson played four seasons for the Alabama Crimson Tide, though his career did not take off until his junior and senior seasons. In those two years, Anderson combined for 14.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.

Looking back at his biggest games is a fun excercise to see the 6-foot-2, 253 lbs., linebacker at his best.

No. 3

No. 2

No. 1

Bonus: Anderson scored one touchdown in his career. It came in the College Football Playoff game against Washington. He grabbed an interception and rumbled 26 yards for the TD. Notice a trend? In big games, Anderson delivers.

<<>>

Want more Redskins? Check out@JPFinlayCSNfor live updates orclick here for the #RedskinsTalk Podcast on iTunes, here for Google Play or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!

Alabama dominates college football in a way few teams ever have. In the last two seasons, the Crimson Tide has lost just twogames, winning one national title and narrowly missing a second.

The strength of 'Bama, year after year, is their defense. Nick Saban coaches it, Nick Saban knows it, and Nick Saban demands the best from his players.

Oddly, however, a few recent Alabama defenders drafted to the NFL have not produced. Or at least their production did not match their draft status.

It's not too hard to pick names that fit that perception. Rolando McClain. Terrance Cody. Dre Kirkpatrick. And at running back, Trent Richardson didn't help.

Still, the Redskins invested heavily in the Tide during the 2017 draft. Their top two picks played for Saban's defense last year, and Washington coach Jay Gruden does not buy any part of the perception that 'Bama products regress in the NFL.

"I dont see any negative whatsoever with them going to Alabama," Gruden said late Friday night.

The 'Skins selected Jonathan Allen in the first round and Ryan Anderson in the second. Both guys started on the Tide's front seven, and both players dominated.

"They come there and they are well coached. Anytime you watch college football, and you watch other defenses, no disrespect, and then you flip on an Alabama game, its different," Gruden said."The speed is different. They are well-coached, they are in their gaps, they play hard, they play physical, and thats from Week 1 until the end. That has to appeal to you as a coach. They are using their hands, they are physical, they are chasing the ball, they are running to the ball."

The perception, right or wrong, has two main positions. The first is that the Alabama defense looks so good because it is full of five-star recruits. When everyone is good, or great, on the college level, it's hard to truly judge any singular player's game tape. The second is that Saban is so exhausting, so demanding of his players, they arrive to the NFL with too many reps.

For those around the NFL, both theories are laughable. Pro scouts know game tape. How else can they judge a future first rounder when he matches up against a walk-on? And for every alleged 'Bama bust, think about Haha Clinton-Dox or Landon Collins or C.J. Mosley or Dont'a Hightower.

Might some Tide players get overdrafted because of their success and high profile? That's a different conversation. What's certain is the Redskins are quite confident in both of their Alabama draft picks.

"We know they are both highly intelligent guys. They understand football, understand Xs and Os and they both play very hard with a high motor and they are well-coached."

<<>>

Want more Redskins? Check out@JPFinlayCSNfor live updates orclick here for the #RedskinsTalk Podcast on iTunes, here for Google Play or press play below. Don't forget to subscribe!

Coming into the offseason, there was plenty of talk coming from the Redskins organization that the team needed to upgrade the defense. Those who have been following the team for a while have heard this for many years now. However, usually the talk is just that, with more draft capital and free agency money going to the offense year in and year out.

But this year things are different.

The lions share of free agent spending went to the defense. They added linemen Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee, linebacker Zach Brown, and safety D.J. Swearinger. Now they have started off their draft with a laser focus in the defensive side of the ball.

RELATED: Redskins add cornerback with first round talent, but injuries pushed him to the third round

In the first round, they were delighted to take Jonathan Allen, the top-rated defensive lineman on their board. In the second round they went with outside linebacker Ryan Anderson, a teammate of Allens at Alabama. Then in the third round the pick was cornerback Fabian Moreau out of UCLA.

Its been 20 years since the Redskins have gone so heavy with defensive picks at the top of the draft. Not since 1997 have they taken defensive players in the first three rounds of the draft. That year they took DE Kenard Lang, LB Greg Jones, and LB Derek Smith in rounds one, two, and three, respectively.

We will see how much impact the three draft picks have on the defense and, as Redskins fans have learned over the years, an influx of free agents on defense doesnt guarantee improvement on that side of the ball.

But at least the Redskins organization is putting its money, and its draft picks, where its mouth is and that has be considered a positive development.

MORE REDSKINS: Redskins make it two Alabama defenders in the 2017 draft class so far

Stay up to date on the Redskins! Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook pageFacebook.com/TandlerCSNand follow him on Twitter@Rich_TandlerCSN.

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3 biggest games of Ryan Anderson's Alabama career - CSN Mid-Atlantic (press release) (blog)

Electrek

Tesla Semi: Elon Musk releases first teaser image of Tesla's all-electric truck and it looks sick Electrek The only case I've seen there is in an analyst's note and that was a hypothetical excercise. It wasn't based on info from Tesla that battery swap was the approach. In fact, I'd suggest that Musk's comments about working on a 350+ kW supercharger is a ... and more »

Excerpt from:

Tesla Semi: Elon Musk releases first teaser image of Tesla's all-electric truck and it looks sick - Electrek

Dr. Yogendra Patel, Posted On : April 28, 2017 1:37 pm

Anuben Thakkar

Powered by the vision of his late co-founder Anuben Thakkar, Dr. Vikram Patel is visiting several cities across the United States and Canada to showcase the remarkable accomplishments of Muni Seva Ashram over the past 30 years, with a message about the great potential that lies ahead. The MSA has a longstanding reputation for its excellence in the areas of education, health care, alternative energy, social services, and agriculture, all with a keen eye towards social empowerment.

Dr. Vikram Patel

But it all started with one hut. And its journey was fueled by the desire to respond to need. When the village parents of Goraj needed a safe place to send their children while they worked, Anuben Thakkar set up a hut to watch those children. When those same children needed medical care, Anuben recruited medical students like Dr. Vikram Patel to volunteer their time to give free exams. And as those kids got older and looked towards their own future, Anuben created quality schools and provided education. The immense growth of Muni Seva Ashram snowballed from there, now becoming one of the best cancer treatment & research hospitals in India, a safe haven for the mentally disabled, a loving community for the elderly, and source of employment for many who otherwise would have no means, including the creation of a sustainable clothing factory.

Recovering patient 888 major surgeries each year

All this can be experienced by visiting MSA. It also offers unique volunteering and learning opportunities at a clean, tranquil and serene place in the heartland of rural India.

Vanprastha at Muni Seva Ashram

The goal of Dr. Patels visit to several cities across U.S. and Canada is not only to share the successes of MSA, but its vision. A number of projects are planned for the next 5 years:

(1) The current cancer research hospital has the capacity to hold roughly 150 beds. With increasing demand for services, the expansion of the hospital building to add 200 beds is underway. Also advanced treatments such as Bone marrow transplantation unit and neutropenia care will be added. This expansion will provide state of the art quality medical services to thousands of more people over time.

(2) With the growing population of India, the number of children in Goraj and the surrounding villages is growing rapidly. In its true responsive fashion, MSA has set out to build a new campus for the elementary and high school. The current English medium school has 250 students. The new English medium campus will be able to house 450 students, and have a fully equipped science laboratory, a state of the art sports complex, along with living quarters for teachers and staff.

(3) Over the last few years, MSA has seen an increasing demand for a vocational training facility. Once again, MSA set a plan in motion. MSA intends to build a new facility to house 500 vocational trainees. MSA will provide superior 4-6 month vocational training courses to approximately 1000 students each year at this campus.

From Houston, TX to Calgary, Canada and everywhere in many cities in-between, Chairman-Dr. Vikram Patel will share the inspirational story of how MSA continues to thrive & transform the lives of people through education, healthcare and vocational training.

CALL TO ACTION: BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS AMAZING STORY. MAKE THE NEW EXPANSION A REALITY. The combined funds needed to fulfill these 3 projects is roughly 110 crores rupees. There is 89 crores rupees still unfunded. Please donate now. Choose your passion and earmark funds for that project. Or donate generally, and support the entire initiative.

Muni Seva Charitable Foundation USA (MSCF) is a non-profit registered under article 501(c) 3 of the US IRS code.

Muni Seva Ashram is located at Goraj Village, 35 kms from Vadodara in Gujarat. To find out more details about how to help the development of MSA please visit http://www.greenashram.org

For your tax-deductible donation, go to http://greenashram.org/donateusa For volunteering and learning opportunities for your young relative, go to http://greenashram.org/volunteers

More:

Holistic approach to social empowerment: the story of Muni Seva Ashram - newsindiatimes.com

By Reena Kumar

Travellers often arm themselves with a concoction of pills in a bid ease symptoms of the dreaded Delhi belly if it strikes, but it was baked beans for Ringo Star who took a tin with him on his sojourn in India back in 1968.

Accompanied by fellow Beatles, Star visited Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogis Rishikesh Ashram in a bid to seek spiritual enlightenment when the pop stars where at the height of their fame.

The trip was to significantly influence their music and open up Indian mysticism and music to the West.

Leading music historian Philip Norman spoke to Eastern Eye about the strong relationship the Beatles forged with the Maharishi and the effect the trip had on their lives.

For two or three years, theyd been the most adored band in the whole world, and with that theyd had every sort of success and received every sort of reward and they got bored and started wondering and feeling there should be something more to their lives, Norman said.

He will be speaking at the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival later this month in conversation with Indian journalist Ajoy Bose, and will reveal the story of the Beatles in India.

It all started when George Harrisons wife at the time, Pattie Boyd, saw an advertisement for a talk by the Maharishi about his transcendental meditationtechnique in London which John, Paul, Ringo and George attended.

The Maharishi, who often laughed in TV interviews and was sometimes referred to as the giggling guru, then invited them to a weekend retreat in north Wales.

While they were there, they discovered that their manger Brian Epstein had been found dead in London. He was supposed to go with them, they were suddenly without him and the Maharishi was very comforting. They felt that he really helped them, they were attracted by this idea that death was less terrible than they thought it was, explained Norman.

The close knit quartet were looking for another mentor and the spiritual leader filled that role at the time, explained Norman who has penned Shout!, a definitive biography of the Beatles, first published in 1981 and which has sold more than one million copies.

The allure of the spiritual world greatly appealed to the Liverpool lads who were made to work inhumanly hard in the fleeting industry. Little did they and those around them know that their music would last the test of time.

What the ashram did was give them a rest, they didnt have to rough it and they had a nice healthy diet and it did them good, but Ringo Star was so afraid of foreign food that he took a tin of baked beans with him. George really went for life on a spiritual level.

During their time there, their creativity flowed and they penned around 40 songs, including some featured on Abbey Road and The White Album.

Norman told Eastern Eye that the prestigious journey was a fantastic advertisement for India in the west.

It (Indian culture) went into the pop culture, it was all very chic suddenly, and influences were in the most commercial music suddenly, it was in the hip parade. Even Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones played the sitar in quite an early Stones track. People suddenly new Ravi Shankar and wanted to appreciate his music.

Shankar famously taught Harrison to play the sitar, and it was during this period that the English musician began to be noticed in the band.

George was the one who really took it on and he became a disciple of the transcendental meditation movement and was a donor to the cause, said Norman.

The Beatles in India: The Rishikesh Trip will take place on May 20 at 11:30.

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Home Entertainment Philip Norman: The Beatles' 1968 trip to Rishikesh ashram was fantastic advert... - Easterneye (press release) (subscription)

NyackNewsAndViews

Nyack Weekender: Hands-On Weekend NyackNewsAndViews Enjoy some relaxing music on a Sunday afternoon with Gene Bertoncini: Jazz on the Classical Guitar. This native New Yorker makes a special solo appearance playing jazz on the classical guitar with music from American Song Book, Brazilian works by AC ...

Link:

Nyack Weekender: Hands-On Weekend - NyackNewsAndViews