Sunday, August 18

This year the Indian Independence Day celebrations take place in Meripuisto, and we head there after lunch to play our part in organising the Spin the Wheel stall for the Finnish-Indian Society.

Meripuisto feels very long and thin and the performance area feels miles from the stalls, giving the whole event an oddly segmented feel. First the children’s area, then the stalls, then the restaurants with their tables, and finally the performance area.

The Finnish-Indian Society finds itself stuck between stalls dedicated to Amma, the Radha Krishna temple, and a “yoga and meditation” group who in fact do sahaja yoga, a technique “founded in 1970 by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, born as Nirmala Salve in Chindawara, India”. How did she do this?

Through closely observing humanity from an early age, she could see that all human beings are innately seeking something, but most do not know what. Determined to find a way for people to experience true peace within, and thus fulfill their seeking, she developed a unique method of meditation.

Of the three I much prefer Iskon, who have social outreach and excellent vegetarian restaurants, as well as no hidden agendas.

Turning away from the ostentatious meditaters I photograph a tiger crouching over a bouncy play area for children.