Shortly after completing a peaceful, heart-warming interview with Bhakti Fest creator, Sridhar Silberfein, I logged onto Facebook and read the horrific news of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Bad news travels fast on the internet: I’m here to spread some good news.

During our conversation, Sridhar and I discussed how our planet would benefit from more kindness, understanding and trust. What a contrast; the appalling acts of terror in Boston and the Bhakti/Shakti Fest, where thousand of enlightened people will gather for a weekend in Joshua Tree, California in May.

Can peace and safety be found at a Bhakti Fest, where unconditional love and forgiveness prevails?

Is it possible to band with spiritual masters and avoid contact with the stark reality of senseless violence?

Who are these villains? Do they actually believe that they are in service to a higher calling in the same manner as the mat-carrying crowds at the Bhakti/Shakti Fest? Can we sing loud enough, pray with enough fervor and release the love light from within?

I believe that we can.

From my perspective the answer is not to remove our right to bear arms. We must turn off the fear, gather in large groups and hold a powerful vision. Tragedy and misfortune have always been aspects of human drama, but today anger, threats, suspicion and fear spread far and wide at an alarming speed.

The Bhakti/Shakti Fest is a vessel of comfort and relief; a place to express your divinity, and share it with others.

Meals are prepared with love and served with gentle hands of healing light; everyone will be nourished from the inside out.

Children and elders are welcome at the Fest because they teach us how to laugh and pray. Ancient Hindu traditions recognize all humans as divine beings, and this spiritual outlook permeates this wonderful celebration. The energy that is created is capable of pouring forth and sending help wherever it is needed all over the globe.

When asked why she dedicated her life to helping abandoned children, Mother Teresa replied, “One day I discovered that I had a Hitler inside me.”

Everyone’s blood was shed at the Boston Marathon. We can’t separate ourselves from that experience, but we can share our love, and do our part, just like Sridhar, who creates events that unite thousands of people in a common bond.

There will always be bombs, guns and violence.

Events like the Bhakti Fest bring solace and hope to our troubled world.

Shridar awoke to his calling in during the 60’s when people began to search for meaning. He prays and practices yoga every day. His Seva is to help men and woman find their divine feminine, so that power, balance and kindness can be restored to our world.

Some of the profits earned from the festival are spread generously around the world. He’s not a Saint, but he has learned through his studies with masters such as Ram Dass and Muktananda, that true service is given from the heart without expectations.

I extend genuine compassion and condolences to all the families and relatives of the tragedy in Boston.

I invite you and your friends to sit with us this May 17-19 in a celebration of love. Listen to my 20 minute in-depth conversation with Shridar Silberfein about vulnerability, service and love here.

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Ed: Bryonie Wise