I've long considered George Harrison to be probably the most spiritually significant rocker. He introduced eastern religion in ways that influenced the rise of meditation, yoga and other practices in the United States.
A new cover story in the British magazine Uncut indicates that we have Harrison to thank for something else: the charity rock concert. His Concert for Bangladesh pulled togetther Bob dylan, Eric Clapton and other stars to raise money for the famine-stricken area.
Comedian Michale Palin:
"To have a concert for Bangladesh--who was interested in Bangladesh? Yes, it ws a terrible tragedy, a terrible mess, but pop stars didn't get invovled in things like that. George was a real pioneer."
Paul McCartney:
"He must be given credit for that. It was the first big disaster that rock 'n 'roll had responded to. Typical of George, he did it right."
The article described Harrison as on a lifelong spiritual quest. "He changed religions a whole bunch of times," one friend said. "He was trying to find God. He told me he wanted to to God."
I was glad to see that though McCartney and Harrison had become a bit estranged (McCartney describes telling Harrison to stop interjecting guitar riffs into Hey Jude), they spent beautiful time together about ten days before Harrison died. "We held hands," McCartney said. It's funny, even at the height of our friendship -- as guys -- you would never hold hands. It just wasn't a Liverpool thing. But it was lovely."
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The Beatles created new grounds upon which their music could influence and help others, something that the Rolling Stones didn't attain.
Out of the 'Fab Four', George Harrison was the first person EVER to organize a benefit concert for a poor nation after a natural disaster. "The Concert for Bangladesh" was not only an event, it is also a recoded album of songs that fill the spirit, such as 'My Sweet Lord' and 'All Things Must Pass', among others.
The song 'My Sweet Lord' was such a hit when it first came out that some evangelical churches were using it during their praise, until it was resolved that George was not only singing about the Lord Jesus Christ but also about Lord Krishna!
Personally, I think they are one in the same.
George is my quasi God Brother. Of all the teachers he met in his
spiritual quest, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
was the one that Goerge respected and followed the most. George
financed Srila (most beautiful) Prabhupada's first publication of the
incomparable "Krsna Book". George wrote an introduction for the first
edition called "Words from George Harrison", dated 3/31/70. Here are George's words for about the first third of the salient piece:
Everybody is looking for KRSNA.
Some don't realize that they are, but they are.
KRSNA is GOD, the Source of all that exists, the
Cause of all that is, was, or ever will be.
As GOD is unlimited, HE has many Names.
Allah-Buddah-Jehova-Rama: All are KRSNA, all are
ONE.
God is not abstract; He has both the impersonal
and personal aspects to His personality which is
SUPREME, ETERNAL, BLISSFUL and full of KNOWLEDGE.
As a single drop of water has the same qualities
as an ocean of water, so has our conscsciousness
the qualities of God's consciousness.....but
through our identification and attachmrent with
material energy (physical body, sense pleasures,
material possesions, ego, etc.) our true TRANS-
CENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS has been polluted, and like
a dirty mirror it is unable to relect a pure image.
I urge any reader to get the KRSNA BOOK and finish reading George's
merciful and nectarine message for us.
George also bought a very large mansion for Srila Prabhupada in the
UK, Heathrow Manor. It continues to be a center for the celebration
and teaching and practicing of Krsna consciousness, which Prabhupada
always points out, is dormant in the spiritual hearts of all living beings. As such Krsna (God) Consciouusness is described in the
Sanskrit Vedic literatures of India as sanatana dharma, or eternal
religion. My gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada, instructs, that sanatana
dharma cannot begin at any point in the history of the infinite
material universes, as all the created universes themselves are not
eternal. We are probably familiar with what we humans have done to
one another in the name of religion here on this planet earth, this
time around. Prabhupada shows us how the writings of the Vedic sages
call this kind of religion kaitava dharma, or cheating religion.
Kaitava dharma is a manifestation of the same sectarian consciousness
which has and continues to make eternally related living beings see
themselves as unrelated. But what I am saying here should not be misundestood to suggest that the varieties of religion extant on the
planet earth is evil, etc. No, it is the sectarian understanding of
the various genuine religious manifestations that is the enemy, that
is ignorance. George, obviously had deep realization of the difference
between sanatana dharma and kaitava dharma and it inspired him to make
the bold artistic/spiritual statements, songs, actions that he did in
the service of God and suffering humanity.
George's deep attachment to Srila Prabhupada is frequently overlooked
and not understood. As a disciple of Srila Prabhupada for over 30
years, as an early devotee of that world phenomena know as the Beatles,
as an admirer of the so called lonely Beatle and the soul of the band,
I hope this little offering will encourage you to explore more deeply
why George would be so devoted to Srila Prabhupada and the eternal
religion of Krsna consciousness. And as George concludes his "Words
from George Harrison" as mentioned and quoted above: ALL YOU NEED IS
LOVE (KRISHNA) Hari Bol.
Antariksa das / aka / Eric W. Crosley / aka by school kids of the
Lansing School District of Lansing, Michigan / Mr. C :>)
I love George!!!!!! He is one of the ones that brought me to faith in God and an open mind to all faiths, not just my own.!!!
I will never forget George. I am 67 years old, and a music fiend. I still get sick to my stomach at the realization that he is no more. I had hope Dhani would become a strong musician, but he still has time. I love all things about George, especially "while my guitar softly weeps, My sweet Lord and his guitar riffs.
Rest well George and don't forget we Love You.
Linn
hi george , fancy doing a set with me we could go live i have always wanted you to sing with me ! yer i will arrange it on monday call this number 07789067892 thanks
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