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EILEEN SCHULTEThe Yalaha Foundation is holding the Festival of Peace and Unity in an effort, it says, to offset the world's negative thoughts.
CLEARWATER - Have you felt it?
The world is moving into the shift of the ages.
There is war, hurricanes, nasty politics and a whole lot of greed going on.
"The system is collapsing," said Lee Hanks, co-founder of the Yalaha Foundation, an artistic, peace-seeking cooperative community outside Orlando.
Too many negative thoughts are shooting from the minds of angry Americans into the collective consciousness, he said.
But Hanks said residents of the world can change direction - literally counteract the negative with the positive - and bring harmony to Earth.
How?
One way is the Festival of Peace and Unity at Coachman Park tonight from 6:30 to 11 o'clock, timed to coincide with the lunar eclipse and hopefully, a meteor shower.
It will be an event reminiscent of the 1960s, with music, speeches and prayers. Tickets cost $8 in advance, $10 at the gate. Call (352) 324-0500.
"It's a gathering of souls for the purpose of peace," said jazz singer Fred Johnson, who will perform at the event. "There's nothing more important than for people to harmonize their own beings and spread that to the rest of humanity."
Johnson believes Americans are on edge, and rightly so because of the stress of 9/11 and the upcoming election, among other factors.
Tonight, the group will focus on the positive en masse, and send those thoughts out into the universe.
"The power of intention is a powerful thing," Johnson said. "The frequency of positive intention it's almost like it can be measured. If we create positive intent and create as many opportunities as possible to bring about joy, it's going to help bring about that outcome."
The speakers, Hanks among them, will talk about cleansing and healing.
The Yalaha Foundation was created five years ago in Yalaha, a tiny town 35 miles northwest of Orlando famous for its German bakery.
The group is planning to build an interdependent village where like-minded people can live in harmony governed by councils.
Hanks, a former developer, said it is not a cult, but also "not a typical community."
"We're not any religion," he said. "It's a beautiful artistic community."
He wants to bring his philosophy to those outside the village as well.
"We've gotten so out of balance," Hanks said. "There is a greed factor. People are in pain. We're talking about honoring humanity. We are all one. In order for us to survive, we are going to have to subscribe to seeing everyone being in this together."
Eileen Schulte can be reached at 727 445-4153 or schulte@sptimes.com