Imagine What The World Would Look Like ...

…if we used our entertainment to empower ourselves and our children.

Music has been a major part of my life as far back as I remember.

From being the seed of a musician (my father I never met was a musician) to the John Denver Records my mom would spin, to my first album purchase, MC Hammer’s “Too Legit to Quit,” to my heavy metal days, Dave Matthews Band Fanatical days, Jam Band days to the Mantra’s and Global mood music, it seems to run through everything I do.

Finally, at one point, I wanted to create my own. And I did.

I wrote songs of struggle and sorrow, broken relationships and about my perspective on the world.

I created opportunities to play on some of the best stages, I traveled the US and parts of the world performing.

For most of my “career” in music, it was more about my need for approval and acknowledgement then it was about the music I was playing and the things that I was saying.

When I came out of suicidal depression, which was triggered by my deep identification with the “artist” side of myself, I began to learn and research about the deeper aspects of music, why it is so powerful and the implications of what it can create in the world.

I then traveled to India on a one way ticket. The music that came through began to take a different turn. Songs began to come that healed aspects of my broken mind and heart. Songs that empowered me to be the best I could be and to be of service to the world.

When I finished recording “Brave New World - The Time is Now,” which was a collection of these songs set to the background of the cultures and experiences I was having traveling through India and the Middle East, I realized that I wanted to do something different with music.

I wanted to use it as a transformational tool.

I wanted to go back to the focus and sacred nature of it that moved me so deeply as a child.

I wanted to offer it to the world in a way that could help my fellow brothers and sisters as much as it helped me through my internal struggles.

I (well We) did. We created a Self Development program, "The Brave New World ToolBox," that uses the music as an anchor to take actions to empower your life.

In 2015, I wrote a speech about my story, my learning and the implications of music.

It was denied by TEDx, as it wasn’t PC enough, so I got creative with TEDx and delivered this.

But I knew that I had to deliver this message with or without Tedx.

So in 2016, in partnership with my beloved wife and in collaboration with local community and fellow mission driven musicians and artist, we created a Theater Show that used music and entertainment to empower the lives of everyone whom participated.

From the feedback we received, it opened hearts, expanded perspective. It landed. It spoke. It transformed.

It was the beginning.

We look around at our entertainment options these days and it is full of negativity, self-indulgence and violence.

We deserve better. We are better. We deeply need better.

I have made it my mission to bring entertainment experiences to the world that serve, support, empower and uplift.

Today, I wanted to share with you that speech (Click the image below) and ask you a question.

Who do you know that wants to use music or entertainment as a way to empower and heal humanity? Is it you, lets connect. If it is someone you know, please share this email and put us in touch.

We have an industry to transform!

With Love and Gratitude,

Daniel

Are we Insane?

Today in the morning, I decided to put on Spotify to enjoy some of my old playlists. I opted out of the paid version of Spotify a few months ago for MANY reasons, mostly because they screwed up my account repeatedly and then wouldn’t do anything to make up for it. When the same experience happened with Headspace, the comped me 6 months free. I would think a multi-billion dollar organization such as Spotify would do the same, but then I remembered that they have made ALL their money creating a platform that makes them A LOT of money, and all the Musicians that are on their platform next to nothing. Lets not digress.

So, now I have commercials, as many know from the free version. 

During my Deep Focus playlist the following two commercials came up ...

1st Ad. Burger King promoting a Hot Dog - There was a catchy song, it was dirt cheap and they promoted with both Chili and Regular. Now, aside from EVERYTHING BEING WRONG with Burger King promoting a Hot Dog, I went a step further and, truly, I am amazed that with ALL the health research that has gone on in the world about the implications of eating crap like this, Burger King still has the AD dollars to grab a spot in my ears through Spotify. I am quite certain there is not a person on this planet that doesn’t know fast food is empty calories and filled with harmful toxins for the body. So, either people are insanely stupid, or the additives they put in the food are so addicting, people keep coming back. I am truly looking forward to the day when I hear a prime time ad promoting the latest juicer or better yet, a device that would cure people from taking stupid actions. I guess the world will be a very different place when that is reality #bravenewworld.

2nd Ad. Solar City selling me Solar by means of my wallet. Ok, nice approach, but, what if we went a layer deeper and they actually touched on the point that there is NO POSSIBLE way we can continue as a species if we keep using non-renewable resources to power our planet. What if they hit us where it really hurts the most, the part where your LIFE and your FAMILIES LIFE is at stake if you do not make this shift AND MANY OTHERS. I mean I am sure most of the companies head officers know this but I guess we are so caught up as a culture with glazing over the deeper truths with menial material claims, we would rather be half comfortable then to face the uncomfortable but rewarding feeling that comes when we STEP UP and take action at these deeper aspects! And, the time to step up was YESTERDAY :-)!  

Yes, I know, I am YELLING a bit, sounding judgmental and slightly negative, yes, I know, but honestly, I just cannot sit and watch the world crumble in front of my eyes, because everyone is too afraid to do the things THEY KNOW THEY NEED TO DO, and would rather slowly die in the comfort of instant gratification then sustain the species by doing what is inherently sustainable for the long term. 

I know we all afraid of change, but certain things HAVE TO CHANGE in order for 1. Us to be deeply happy and 2. perpetuate the species in a thriving world.

Like A great friend of mine said, “the power is in the work.” 

Please start doing what YOU KNOW needs to be done now, stop waiting, its too important. 

BE     THE     CHANGE and ...

I LOVE YOU!

Discovering My Dad #2: Show me who you married, and I'll tell you who you are :)

Las Vegas was the first stop planned on the #HolidayGratitudeTour. As it happens, it is also the home of the fabulous Heidi Thompson, whom just happens to be my dad's ex-wife... 

And although I have never met my dad, just talking to her on the phone got me thinking, anyone who married such an awesome, dynamic and talented woman has to be a pretty cool guy :)

Heidi invited us into her (Coolest Christmas Decorated) home for some food and conversation. I learned that my dad was a spiritual seeker. He studied Holistic Living, Kinesiology, Acupuncture and dabbled in Scientology amongst other things! Super duper cool!!! heheeh! Never been there myself, but awesome. I also learned that he was a great salesman and was a very charming, likable and playful guy.

She shared pictures, life stories and more and really we just connected, as she and her beloved are just an amazing people! A woman after my own heart :) We connected on love, relationships, music and life. One happy family really. It was super enjoyable. 

When I was looking at the pictures, I noticed that I have seen this man before. I truly felt like he had been in my life. Maybe he did. He lived in cali for a while..Hmmm... 

We left with music, laughter full bellies, full hearts and a few more pieces to the puzzle. I am very grateful for the opportunity to explore!

This is the Video of us first meeting:

And the journey continues...

Oh, and here's a funny video from one of their projects together: Tekno Penguins - Mandroid the Android

Discovering My Dad #1

Today I am very very grateful and thankful for my father, Rich Gardner. (Yes I did just say my father smile emoticon and today would have been his 65th birthday)

THE STORY

For many of you who know me, the first 38 years of my life when people would ask me about my father, I would tell them that my father was killed by a drunk driver in front of the Forum in Los Angeles a few months before I was born. He was a bassist and a lead singer for Hard Rock band called Buzz Bone and they released a single called "Magic."

The only person whom questioned the story was my beloved and super intuitive wife Mai Segev-Pohnke . So, over the years, she slowly begin to seek out and learn information about my father. I remained clueless and was not ready to go there as that was the story that I had told my whole entire life and that is what I believed.

Last May, with tears in her eyes, my beloved aunt sat me down and delivered the news that my father never passed away. Really, he never even knew I existed, as my mom, with the purest intentions, made the decision that it was better for him not be in our lives.

After a few long deep breaths, I let go, called everyone from my family and forgave them and opened up to the great possibility of having a relationship with this man!!

Two days after I found out, my aunt, my wife and I were sitting around a table and we decided to do a YouTube search for Buzz Bone "Magic." We had done hundreds in the past but today, A new video popped up!

In the description it stated that after 38 years, Shroom Records (Love the name) re-releases Buzz Bone "Magic."

With all the anticipation you could ever imagine, we watched the video of all the original members stream through in front of our eyes, pointing out player after player and wondering which one was my father. At the end of the video the names showed above the players, and with the picture below, you can see that the resemblance was uncanny!!

So we called the company and asked if they knew where Rich Garden was. They told us that he as the only member that they could not find.

So we continued to search for a while, uncovering many clues (special thanks to Si Thacker), but kept hitting roadblocks. Then, we decided to let go.

As we were beginning to prepare for the upcoming ‪#‎HolidayGratitudeTour‬, we realized that we would be going to Houston, Texas, which we discovered was his place of birth, and dig around a little bit and see if we could find some leads.

Then, three weeks ago, we are sitting and having dinner for my cousins birthday party and we find that one of our family members is a private investigator. She immediately latches onto the story and is excited to uncover the mystery. She took the information (may I add, very well research information, I think my wife could be a private investigator herself smile emoticon), and did her magic.

A few days later, we received phone calls, messages and texts uncovering pieces of this story. I have a sister in Dallas. I think I have a brother in California. I have an aunt in Houston and tomorrow, the first day of our two-month tour, our first stop will be at one of my dad's ex-wife's house, who, from our brief conversation already, said my Dad was an incredible musician!

Tomorrow morning, we will begin to uncover another story of this fun and wonder filled life!

I Truly am Looking forward to all the possibilities and very grateful to be alive and to share this with you, my dear friends and loved ones, many whom have shared this story of the first 38 years with me, and many new friends who share the new story.

Supposedly, he died two years ago, but I won't know for sure until I uncover each and every piece of the story. Stay Tuned at #HolidayGratitudeTour smile emoticon

Let the journey begin...

She Lives in You

This is my Mom, Janet Lee Pohnke.  She was a single mom raising two children. She began her journey into Motherhood on welfare without the presence of a Man, she harbored the responsibility of raising two boys on her own with the occasional help from family and friends.  To say that my relationship with her was special, would be an understatement, she was my world.  She was a woman whom always did her best to make sure that the people around her felt great, laughed a lot and that her children were safe and protected.  Through childhood I was allowed the freedom to be, whomever I wanted to be.  I was supported, nurtured, loved and as my moms success continued to blossom in her career, was showered with gifts and adoration to the point of spoiling.  Now, in my adult years, I have come to find out that this kind of enabling can be quite disabling for a child, as co-dependency can rise and the child can become needy and clingy and think that everything should be given to him (that was me :_), but, not a day goes by that I fail to appreciate the core of my mom’s intention, the intention to BE the best Mom that she could be. 

In my early 20’s, she passed away after a long bout with Cancer.  For me, a piece of my world instantly vanished and something even more profound then her physical presence was gained …. I was filled with the guidance of her soul, to explore a deeper part of our relationship that existed beyond the patterns of our social conditioning.  I gave my first speech about connection at her funeral, I wrote my first song, a re-make of the String Cheese Incident Song “Smile” for the same event.  I traveled and felt her spirit guiding me and would recognize her soul’s guiding presence in the form of feathers, which I would receive in places birds just do not travel, like INSIDE of airplanes.  Now, 15 years after her passing I still feel the presence of the part of her that was here to guide me, the part that her humanness could not express, and I hold that deep wisdom dear to my heart and allow it to be a light on my path of liberation.  The wisdom that only exists in the eyes of a Mother.

To all of my beloved Humans out there that are traveling today without the physical presence of their beloved mother, I invite you to look deep inside and feel her presence with you fully, she is there, guiding your every step, sending you strength and wisdom with each and every breath, offering her deepest love and nurturing so that you will spend the rest of your life smiling, for that is all she every really wanted. 

If sadness arises over the loss, feel it, dive into it, share it, but then again, look inside .... she IS .... Still Alive :-)

I Love you!

We CAN Create Weather

Written on September 10th, 2012

Have you ever heard these words from a loved one that you have visited, "You brought such amazing weather with you."  Well, maybe that is exactly what you have done. 

The more and more I dive into a "more connected" life, the more I see the connection to the whole of existence and the more I see our power as human beings to actually work in harmony with nature to create various weather patterns.  It may seem a bit far-fetched huh.  But let me give you a few interesting examples that have happened in my own life.

I tend to be a bit of a tree hugger, not the over the top kind that regulates life down to the sole of the shoe for sustainability ( I may be there soon though), but, more so I like to commune with Nature, respect her and sing to her for healing and to create dynamic change in my world.  So I am constantly speaking to plants, thanking the sun for shining, playing with creatures from the smallest ants to the huge moo moo cows that cross my path daily and practicing sustainable living by using biodegradable products and services.  Each tiny little act I believe makes a difference and makes me feel holistically better.

My first witnessing of the power of the human soul to move nature was at the Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore, India during Navaratri.  During this 9 day festival, ceremony, or puja, is done daily as an offering to Mother Earth and the Gods.  By the 6th day of the events something strange began to unfold.  Every night that the ceremonies took place a trend came along with it, RAIN, and lots and lots of it!  As soon as the ceremony was finished, the rain would stop.  Interestingly enough, when you would ask someone in the city, only 15 to 20 KM from the Ashram, if they enjoyed the rain last night, they would retort with a befuddled reply of "what rain?" 

When I began to ponder the amount of heart - based, well intended thought energy that was going into the ceremonies, it was easy to come to the conclusion that we were collectively creating this abundant weather pattern.

The next instance I was not a part of, but was deeply moved by and inspired to write the song "Blue Water Rise" off of my latest album "Brave New World - The Time is NOW!"  In this instance, I was told that a giant drum inlayed with thousands of crystals was brought to Israel to perform ceremony for various reasons, one being to aid in bringing more water to the surface of the drying country.  In one of the various ceremonies, more then 200 people came together to bang the drum with the intention of springing water northern part of Israel.  The next day, it was told that a fissure sprang up from underneath the ground, bringing more life to the country!

Now for my own direct experience that happened just over the last few weeks.  We had the pleasure of working with a group of Young Leaders in Mumbai and we conducted a workshop on the multitude of powers in music.  Now, for the 3 month Monsoon season here in Mumbai this year it has been more like a Mo then a Monsoon, only bringing occasional drips and drizzles but no consistent rain.  These rains are the life blood of the country and necessary for the sustainability throughout the year.  A light monsoon season could be seriously detrimental to the livelihood of millions and millions of people.  So we decided to use the healing powers of the song "Blue Water Rise."  A song which was composed with the intention using our human powers to WORK WITH NATURE and transform our environments into favorable ones. 

We had the young leaders close their eyes and call into their hearts the importance of continued rain for the people of Mumbai and beyond.   We invited them to hold that intention throughout the song and to call more rain into Mumbai and its surrounding areas. 

We finished with a smile and a sing along and then we all parted and went our own ways.  By nightfall, the rains began, and, here I sit more then 10 days later, and we continue to get more then 6 hours of steady rain EVERYDAY.  Now we could probably call this coincidence or just the way that it is this year, which is probably true in some respect, but I also believe that we have enormous constructive and destructive powers as a human species and I was working with the youth, which has tons of power and youth leaders ….. well …. I think there is something to it!. 

I believe we have the powers to turn livable land into arid ones as well as dry desert into tropical paradise.  But we must travel into the depths of our hearts and collaborate with our deepest self, the one in which we feel connected to everything, most importantly to the Earth that we inhabit on.  Most of us are running around actually believing that we are ABOVE nature, killing species after species, chopping down the trees that assist us in breathing, and over consuming only to feed our own desires and needs and then we cry and shout and scream when our loved ones are displaced or even killed by natural disasters.  How else to we expect her to clean up the mess.  It is just like our human bodies, when it gets polluted by over consumption and waste, we have to clean it out using various means and this causes storms of output which include violent movements and foul smells.  Do we really think the Earth is any different?   Maybe, just maybe, if we start seeing our great big ball as one that we MUST respect and collaborate with, we will create a more harmonious existence with her, much like the ones that are going on with indigenous cultures all around the world.  Study up and read the power the leads us to create a reality in which we are in harmony with everything we see.  For me, I am devoted to this journey and am now seeing results clearly through my own experience.  For that I am extremely grateful!

OH, and One last note on this before I go with this one.  During this entire 3+ month stretch that has been the monsoon season, We have traveled outside almost every day.  We ride a motorcycle!  I have to tell you honestly that I can only count a handful of times in which we were poured down upon and usually when we were, we were free from my valuables and were happy to get wet.  It is as if the clouds temporarily part when we go shopping or have to travel with our computers and guitar.  Sometimes I get freaked out by the notion, but most of the time I just well up in gratitude and pray for the all important rain to come right back as soon as the journey culminates, and, lately, it has done just that.  Again, GRATEFUL!

In the Grey? Enlightened? Or is it Time to Grab A Bucket of Paint?

February 10th, 2013

Something eerie is happening on a global scale right now.  I first noticed it in Israel and now I am seeing the same manifestation out here in Thailand and it is a bit worrisome to say the least.  Almost all the cars on the road now are colored in some dull color.  Whether it is grey, faded blue, black, white.  I literally looked down a street in Modi'in Israel one day that had about 100 cars on it and did not find one car with an expressive color.  And now, here in Thailand I am seeing the same.  I remember the days when a persons car was a part of how they expressed themselves and many of those cars were enhanced in color modifications that occasionally got you to think that the person might be insane, like myself, with my bright canary yellow VW Corrado (in the photo). But, I loved those days.  There were bright reds, blues, purples, teal and so on.  It makes me wonder what could possibly be going on in the world.  Are bright cars simply not available anymore or has the human psyche been so dulled out by fear that one will not dare to step out of the norms of societal conditioning and show up in the world bright and alive, inside, outside and all sides.  Have we lost our ability to express ourselves?  

I know in India, this is not the case.  People show up in every color and even make up colors to express themselves as loudly as possible and it is quite a beautiful and stunning experience to be a part of that high vibrational expression. 

The one last enlightened conclusion that I have to this scenario is that maybe, just maybe, the whole reason that the majority of people around the world are riding in blank forms of expression is because they have become so evolved and unattached that it does not matter how they express themselves on the outside because their inner life is so full of radiance and vibrancy that there is no need to care about that outer reflection.  I wish I could believe that, maybe in a few years I will, but right now, it does not seem to be the case.

So my plea to the world is, grab a bucket of paint and go to town on your automobile, shine it up in luster and appeal.  clean up the inside and decorate like they do in India.  If you are like many people in the world, you probably spend a considerable amount of time riding in this dulled out people mover, so why not brighten up your days by brightening up your means of travel.

Fair and Proper Exchange

I just read a post about a musicians struggle with charging for their music or not and this was my comment that I left.

The first thing I want to put out there is the fact that I see the music "coming through" me into the world.  It is constructed and edited (probably not always for the best :) by my conscious mind, but most the melodies appear like magic and as a witness I capture it and put it out into the world.

Now, being a conduit for that magic to come through takes awareness, discipline and courage to attach enough to get it out, but detach from the outcome knowing that it will reach exactly whom it is meant to reach. 

Which leads to the Materiality of the matter as we are still "living in a material world ...."





I believe in proper exchange so I offer my entire collection of music ONLINE on a "Pay as you wish" basis as I cannot even conceive of putting a specific value on the conception (which comes from places I could never dream of) to the multiple years of production, arranging, sweating, takes and everything else that goes into a record.  Sometimes I give the music away for free when I am inspired to do so.  I do charge for my performances, again, based on exchange, if I am playing for Cancer Patients, Underprivileged or the like, I will do if for free, If I am playing to low income, the rates will change across the board all the way up to the super fancy and pricey shows.  We all come from different financial backgrounds and we all have different amounts that we feel comfortable giving.  I truly believe my music can touch all walks of life so I choose to conduct my business in the way of "Proper Exchange" knowing that our hearts will lead us to the exchange that feels right with everyone involved.  As time goes on I am less and less co-operative with people attempting to take advantage of this and cheap me out of what I am worth when they have the material abundance to give.  First and foremost I show up to the world in service and I know the real value of what I offer is far beyond most peoples budget or any budget for that matter, art is priceless, so I work from the heart so that each and every person on this entire planet has the ability to experience the GIFT of this music.  There may come the time when I will have a HIGH TICKET show, but believe me, the next day I will be out there in a school, rehabilitation center or in someones living room offering MY deepest gift in Proper Exchange.

With Love and Gratitude

STAGE OR NO STAGE, OUR ART IS REACHING THE WORLD

This is an important download (I Feel :) for all my fellow artists out there in the world riding the train of belief over desire ....

STAGE OR NO STAGE - OUR ART IS REACHING THE WORLD.

The last eve of the Full Moon I had another one of those strong epiphanies.  The Full Moon always tunes me into the highest frequencies and when I listen clearly, I get the some of the greatest visions (i.e. The Full Moon Rising Collaborative music project and Brave New World Album Visions both came on Full Moons)  Anyways, back to the most recent one.  I decided to listen to Brave New World - The Time is NOW! while taking a moon lit stroll in the open field across from my flat.  When I listen to the record I usually get quite expressive and sing out loud, so best to go out into an open area where everyone can hear but nobody can actually see clearly who you are so I can really live out loud.  During the 4th song of the album it came …. 

The song "Searching" is a modern progressive rock track that touches on the subject of man's search for an absolute truth and has quite eye opening lyrics that lead us to see the infinite possibilities of every moment.  At the height of it I started pondering how I could get the world to really HEAR this track, how I could get on a big enough stage, how to promote, how to market and then how to get people to give up their separation and surrender into the collective ONE that is humanity.  And that was it!  The collective ONE …. AAAAHHHHAAAAA.  So, for the remaining 2 and a half minutes of this song and the last half hour of the album I felt deep into my heart connection with every single being on this planet -human and non- and in my mind, the whole world was a stage and we were all on it, transforming together.  It was more then the lyrics that I was sharing, it was an essence of love, compassion and gratitude for every single life form on the planet.  There was so much power, so much connection, IT WAS and IS REAL.  Everyday since that point, when I am practicing I get into that same space, sometimes it is focused on a particular group of friends and family, maybe the slums outside my window, or the war mongers or maybe just the forest and I exchange this energy and offer my art in reflection with the intention of EVOLUTION.  I cannot explain the energy that I feel, it is like I am performing a concert for millions everyday!

So I ask my fellow musicians and artists to reflect deep into the reason why we create art.  It MOVES US. and most of us spend our lives searching for opportunities to move others in the same way.  Well, here is what I say:  WE are moving people in every moment we create.  We are moving people when we sing in the shower and if you think big enough, we can move people all over the planet without actually being in front of them.  We can surround the world in our essence, sing out our messages in any capacity and they are having an impact.  If all the metaphysical stuff is true and a flap of a butterflies wings in Brazil causes an earthquake in Africa,  then with or without a stage, with or without a gallery, with our without a studio, every moment we create we are moving people all over the world.

Now, I am not saying this because I want us artists to give up the drive to share our dreams in a huge way in the physical world.  Dream big and I am SURE it will come.  But, with this notion, I feel we can focus clearly on being of service and be able to let go of a lot of the pressure and Ego that comes with that fight for recognition. With that state of mind, we can relax into the knowing that we artists are a great service to this world and we will always be taken care of in every moment, and with a little bit of vision and strong intention, we can move the mountains that we know we are capable of through the power of our hearts and the strength of our minds and at the end of our days, when we reflect back, whether we reached the physical success of Bono or stayed in the close confines of our bedrooms, we can rest assured that we truly made a difference.  Really, the only thing that we will not see when we practice giving in this way are the Ego inflating praises and deflating criticism of the masses that actually believe they are separate from us.   I pray that we all can see beyond this limitation!  THE TIME IS NOW!

I LOVE YOU!

With Peace and Gratitude.

In The Middle

Here we are, in the middle of it all. Some would say tomorrow, December 21st, is the biggest day of it all, some say it is just another day, some are waiting for Christmas to arrive, some are ready for a New Year. I say, "I'm grateful for these eyes to see and this heart to love and this air to breath" and I got a Holiday Gratitude Song for ya!! Watch and Listen now at …. http://www.fullmoonrisingmusic.com/holiday2012.html Life is interesting, time is speeding up it seems, there is so much to do, so much to be a part of, which way will we go, where do we fit in. I find these days, that it is only in a deep space of gratitude that I truly find my connection to all of it and then these incredibly demanding urges to "Be a Part" of something subside and I gently realize, right here, right now, in this space of gratefulness, I am a part of the entirety, just like the great book I just finished "Discipline" by Paco Ahlgren states in the end, "I am everything, I am nothing." That sums it up folks! I wish you the happiest of Holiday Seasons filled with Gratitude for all that You Are and all that Surrounds you, as it is … all …. YOU! Here is the link again to the song …. http://www.fullmoonrisingmusic.com/holiday2012.html Please feel free to share what you are grateful for on that page. Much love and blessings! Daniel P.S. If you are looking for an incredible gift Idea (for yourself and for others:) then follow this link and Download my Latest Musical Offering on a Pay From The Heart (Your Decide the Price) basis. http://www.fullmoonrisingmusic.com/bravenewworld.html __________________________________________________________________________ MY MUSIC PAGE - Check out and download my new album NOW! JOIN MY GRATITUDE 365 GROUP ON FACEBOOK MY BLOG

Love you MOM!

66 years ago today was the birth of Janet Lee Pohnke, my beloved mother :) Her open heart and mind gave me ability to explore the depths of my true nature and allowed me to explore what it is that I am here to do. She only suggested ways 

and never pushed me towards her own belief systems on how life should be or what I should do. She loved and nurtured me and those whom were around her. She was always the super cool mom that all my friends adored growing up. She made us laugh and she always made everyone around her loved, respected and just great. It has been 12 years since she left her body, but there has never been a day that I forget about the woman whom inspired me to BE all I can be, to live free and to SEE. Mom, I have taken all the residue of fear that lived in your system and transformed it into love, I have freed myself which i know also frees you. You did great Mom, the ABSOLUTE BEST you could have ever done and I am blessed to see how I can even make it better, you allowed for that higher guidance by not attempting to mold me in anyway. When I have a daughter, I hope you come back as her so I too can give you the gift you gave me and so that you can carry the learning of life beyond me, then I would be happy to come back as your son again (that is if I don't complete the cycles with this incarnation :) Mom, you live in my soul .... and .... one day .... I too .... will be coming home. I love you.

How Do We Know

How do we know it's 12-12-12. Well, it is 3am and I am about to meditate with people all over the globe via internet stream of my favorite Indian Love Facilitators, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Yesterday, I had a cell phone conversation (while driving home from the studio) from ISRAEL to CALIFORNIA with my aunt about LOVE, afterward I had European Blintzes with my Israeli Family. To make a long share short, the world has become this incredibly tiny ball of connectivity and whether we are doing it over the internet, doing over the phone or in person, WE ARE COMMUNICATING and SHARING CONSTANTLY, and with that communication comes information and awakening to what resonates in our hearts and with that awakening comes SELF LOVE and with that SELF LOVE comes UNIVERSAL LOVE, COMPASSION and CARING for all BEINGS. ahhhh exhale:) 12-12-12 along with 12-21-12 are only beginnings in my eyes, merely numbers, but, there is beauty in them and the beauty is the amount of positive energy that is flowing into the GATHERING around these numbers. Hundreds of thousands are meditating, playing music, talking and so on, and, that alone has the power to send huge waves. I feel that the candle has been lit in 2012 and now it is our responsibility to protect and nurture that light so that we can authentically GIVE it to the world. May I suggest that any apocalyptic thoughts be channeled into constructive action in cultivating your inner light. It just seems to easy to just call it quits. I say we find joy in the work of stripping away any conditioning that might make us feel separate from those around us. Find practices, books, workshops, relationships, ect that challenge you to LOOK IN THE MIRROR. May we find peace in our interactions and may we find LOVE at the root of our hearts. In the words of the song "BRAVE NEW WORLD", which was conceived exactly 4 YEARS AGO TODAY, "let's give our love, until the fear runs out …. the time is now! So come on angels, with open eyes, theres a Brave New World in the rising tide, so make up your mind, and we BETTER BELIEVE, we are the change." Really, it is only a decision to believe in humanities ability to LOVE, but that belief must begin inside of us first. I believe it is possible! If you need a daily booster then click the link below http://snd.sc/UyStSm And if you are interested in working with me personally, Send me a message by replying to this email and lets see how we can help each other become the people we deserve to be! I wish you a happy journey and a wonderful transition …. Love and Gratitude, Daniel Tyler Pohnke MY MUSIC PAGE - Check out and download my new album NOW! JOIN MY GRATITUDE 365 GROUP ON FACEBOOK MY BLOG

How Being Quoted Helps Release Ego - Driven Patterns

Are you being quoted?  Maybe it is time to start.

What do quotes do for us?  Most of the time, they inspire, intrigue or move us into action.  One quote resonating deep in the human heart can change the entire course of a life.  So, why aren't we all quoting ourselves.  I am sure each and everyday we say at least something worth sharing as a quote.  hmmmmmmm ……

So, Lately my wonderfully persistent partner has insisted on posting quotes of me on Facebook as she very logically puts it "The things you say inspire me and many others, so why not put them out?"  Now being the Mr. Cool guy I can sometimes be, attempting to be egotistically humble in many instances, I was completely resistant to the notion.  What will people think, "Who does he think he is?" "Guru Pohnke!"  I just say things that come to my heart and occasionally they come out inspiring and moving.  Everyone does this, so why do I need to be quoted? Then I started to dive deep into it and saw the potential to grow through this very process.  

My first step would be to let go of caring at all what other people think!  For every person out there that judges the fact that there are quotes of me lingering on Facebook, there are possibly 10 or more that got inspired or even an AH HA moment from the quote, much like what quotes have been doing for me in my life.  

The next step is to KNOW and HONOR that some incredible sayings COME THROUGH ME!!!  I have moved many people through the things that I say, so why not take it a step further and move some more.

The next step is that Words Create Reality.  We just released a song and a webpage about this very topic which you can check it out here.

The Final and MOST crucial step is to step back, away from the ME that we all believe is saying anything.  Away from the label of Daniel Tyler Pohnke into that empty, receptive place in which inspiring words have a chance to come through.  In this place, the I that is Daniel Tyler Pohnke becomes that which is manifested in every single being on Earth and beyond and what needs to be expressed in the particular moment comes through with effortless grace and ease.  Sometimes that is a brilliant quote, sometimes it is poetry and other times it might be just mere words, but words have the power to move worlds, so collecting the best of the best and putting it out into the world might be just what the world needs as well as giving us the chance to KNOW each and everyone of us has that seed of consciousness sprouting inside at all moments.  What seems to have happened is that many of us just have it covered up by layers of conditioned responses to situations, which cause us to use words that disempower ourselves.  

I say let's change the paradigm!  From now on, when something incredibly brilliant comes through you that you know just moved you or someone around you, write it down.  This will double the power of what you said subconsciously and consciously.  Then, have a nonjudgmental loved one (trusting you have one) post it on their Facebook wall, or make a picture quote like we all love these days.  Then watch as the world of delusion (usually our own minds first) attempts to rip away that brilliance by making fun of you and tearing you down, and in that moment, you will have an opportunity to evolve and what will probably happen is you will have more people actually responding positively to what has been quoted because that is the type of energy that you have put out.  And then will be the test, Can you stand behind the words that pull you and others up, you will you succumb to the low energy forces that attempt to pull you down?  

It will be and interesting journey, but indeed one that will bear incredible fruit, and one day, possibly one day, we will have a whole wall full of incredibly uplifting and inspiring quotes from new names that you have yet to know, but want to, then we can look at the whole Messiah mentality society makes up by putting a select few on a pedestal and KNOW deep in our hearts that WE are that great, WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!  That is for a whole different post.  

Happy Quoting!

"I LOVE YOU" - Daniel Tyler Pohnke

LETTING GO WITH A CONFESSION - ADDICTED TO FEAR MONGERING AND DEATH THROUGH VARIOUS MEDIUMS

This was written on May 24th, 2012 and I have been in the light now for long enough to post it :)

Sometimes I go through some incredible waves of semi-depressive states in which I will commence to sink myself even deeper by indulging in media that furthers ingrains fear and negative thoughts.  Today I am taking a strong hold to eradicate those things from my life, but, as with many things, I had to enjoy one last final ride.  Just like the night before I quit drinking, I got completely obliterated, and when I have my crazy "I am quitting sugar" phases I will eat a whole box of sweets.  I guess it is just the way I deal with things and today I am accepting that and moving on from the spiral of negativity that was recently activated by two sources, the Showtime TV show "Dexter" and the novel "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry First let me talk about Dexter.

"Dexter" is the biggest mind F@*@ of a show that I have seen in a long time. A quick description goes like this; the show is about a man whom from childhood needed to express his dark passenger through killing, so his father taught him to kill people that he must kill people that are killing other people for no reason.  Dexter has a code of conduct and morality and is charming and intelligent.   The show is completely addictive, adventurous, entertaining, smart, surprising, sexy, seductive and extremely dangerous to the sub conscious.  It is not a show that you come out feeling good. It is a show that, well I can imagine, is making people think in the ways of a serial killer.  MMMMM, such a novel topic at this time in humanity.  I can share from my own experience that this show lingers into my mind quite often when I was watching it.  I also remember having dreams of killing and actually enjoying it.  But I had to keep going with it, honestly, it was just soo good, but I needed the drug of Dexter out of my life, so I marothoned through it as quickly as possible and have now completely gotten it out of my life with no chance of return.  I pray that the damage is short lived as I continue to reverse the effects by streaming inspiring and uplifting content in on a daily basis.  I wanted to actually let go of the program around season 2, but, like many out there in the world, I was just hooked.  Let that be the last!!

"A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry focuses on every single negative aspect of the Indian culture that you could possibly gather into the extremely long 600 pages.   His writing method has the ability to hook you into a brighter day, having hope for the evil, compassion for the lonely and love for all, but all this only too slam you down into his "so-called" realities of everything ends bad.  I wonder sometimes if art like this is actually doing anything for the world.  Maybe it sparks someone to make a change, do something better or live a better life, but how many people does it spark the preconceived and long time conditioned notion that everything is the world is F@#$$% UP!  Well, like I have said, I put it down, left it behind along with that deep seated part of my life that is constantly yearning to sink into depression. 

I just had a conversation with a friends son whom told me that every girl he comes into contact with becomes depressed!  WOW, what is happening out there in the world.  Come on, lets wake up into the light.  I have been on the ACTIVE side of the spiritual path for more then 5 years now, an may I say active because I have always had the knowledge but never taken wholesome action, and I am still yearning after the darkness.  Is it so deeply engrained!  

I NOW COMMIT TO THE UNIVERSE, TO THE MULTI-VERSE, TO HUMANITY, TO YOU AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ME THAT I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY DAYS STEERING INTO THE LIGHT.  I AM USING DISCIPLINE IN MY ACTIONS THAT WILL SOON ERADICATE THE URGES TO GO INTO THE DARKNESS.  I AM LIGHT AND I SHINE BRIGHT.

Can Hugging Yourself Empower You?

Recently I have been taking session know as "Master Angel" Peace Work which is facilitated by a dear friend and soul traveler, Andrea Zellermayer.  Her incredibly insightful sessions have taken me to the root of many of the patterns that do not serve me in my life.

One of my favorite things that we have done has been to go back into the past and call in a specific incident in childhood in which I felt the particular pattern that we are working on.  Then, I go into that time and space as the man I am now and give the child guidance on what to do so that he will feel supported and empowered in his self,  a guidance in which I never received at that time and has shaped fear-based patterns in the present.

Well, as empowering as this very act is, today I went a step further at the end of the session and was asked to give myself and my childhood self a great big HUG!  Now I have never before in my life received a hug from myself, so the very notion was confusing and surreal all at the same time.  When I was finally able to focus in enough and do the deed, I, well, In all honesty and from the humblest place I could possibly say this, I was met with the most incredible hug I have ever received in my life!!!  So full of LOVE and COMPASSION, so devoted to the moment.  So, of course, a dose of instant doubt came in I immediately asked myself; Is that really what it feels like to hug me?  YES!!!!!!  YES!!!!  YES!!!! I SAY YYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS! 

Fully empowered by this incredible sensation and healing that I felt being hugged by me, I felt the child complete and the Man composed and centered.   I know from this day forth, that feeling will always stay with me.  And now when I am with friends and loved ones, working with underprivileged persons or just meeting someone new and the moment arises to hug, I know very well what kind of love and kindness I am expressing in the gesture and can be fully confident that it can brighten up even the darkest of days!

I am committed to hugging myself on a daily basis now.  I think you should try it too.

Thank you so much Andrea Zellermayer, this session has changed the course of this lifetime!  WOW!

A Happiness Generating Tool Box

Lately I have been getting many responses to the "High" video labeling me as the Happiness Guy.  As I am honored and blessed to receive such a label and know the video points towards that conclusion, I can tell you that this inner joy expressed is backed by extreme effort, awareness and incredible discipline.  

Look around the world as a whole, most of us are fighting for something, whether it is a cause or just plainly our survival, there seems to be some form of struggle and I know, at least from my experience, that any form of struggle, resistance or fight is not usually backed by a smiling face and the lightness of joy in the heart.  

I look around at the revolution uprising and wonder how many people out there marching for change have found the peace in their own heart that is required to make a lasting change, internally and ultimately externally.  Now I am not one to say that this is right and that is wrong, this is a very dynamic world we live in and we all are here starting our own revolution in every moment that we step out into the world.  The revolution that I like to stand for is the inner revolution, the one in which we find the depth of our inner happiness and we go out into the world and "Give Our Love Until The Fear Runs Out."  

Now, I am not saying that we should ONLY experience happiness in our lives, no no no, that would be extremely boring.  My deep rooted emotions are what make me a dynamic person and I would never give them up for the world.  I just feel there is a lack of true joy and an overabundance of stress and resistance, so, time to tip the scales and do a little balancing act. 

So how to create lasting happiness in life?  Well, funny enough, it is a moment to moment choice.  Every morning when we wake up we get a knock at our minds door that says, "Hello, I am happiness, I here to hang hang out if you will only let me into your life."  And usually, within the first few hours or even moments in my case, the demands of our life, our mission, our OUTER stresses close that door and we somehow think we have found our home in stress.  So we talk about it, release it in healthy and unhealthy ways, and have a few fleeting moments of joy that come and go based on some outer world circumstance that triggers some connection that we have made to a joyful experience of the past or some projected joy we foresee in the future.  

Well, what if, just what if, we could simply be present in this moment and be completely submerged in HAPPiness.  Well, to start, we are going to need a Happiness Generating Toolbox, so in those times of stress and resistance, which come quite often, we can look in our box and pull out the most suitable tool (action or Nonaction) to bring us complete happiness so that we can go back into the PLAYGROUND we call life and be JOYfull about the experience.  So, if you want to experience more joy in your life, then here is my offering of tools to achieve just that.  

This is what makes up MY Happiness Generating Toolbox:

Become Aware of the sensations in the body (my favorite - can use anytime, anywhere and will bring a deep sense of joy - you might want to do a Vipassana Course or some other course like it to establish this sensitivity, but once it is there, it never leaves)

Become Grateful (I have started a group on Facebook entitled Gratitude 365 where you can visit, post and read about gratitude, it may be a nice place to start)

Jump up and Down While Looking to the sky and smiling  - If you don't feel joy doing this then might as well call it quits!  This brings up so many happy emotions from childhood, concerts from youth and moments of dance, sure fire bliss!)

Meditate - when I simply follow my breath in and out for a few minutes, it brings joy back to the present moment in which our nature of joy and happiness already exist.

Go For a Walk In Nature - Connecting with nature always has a lasting effect on our state of mind.

Music - Give in. My Latest Favs include Matt Kearny, Of Monsters and Men and yes, Full Moon Rising :)

Watch a Comedian - Give in.  Actually Comedians saved my life from Depression in 2006 and there have been countless stories of people whom have saved themselves from various diseases by simply putting on some comedy and laughing.  And FUNNY enough, I think most comedians comedy is what saves their life.

LIsten to  Favorite Spiritual Speaker - Something always triggers inspiration and joy in me.  My favorites are Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, Eckart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, David Deida, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Osho and the list goes on and on - these people are quite the comedians as well.

Get Lost in a Book - Taking our mind off the stress for a few moments gives some perspective and allows the mind to get creative again which always brings happiness.

Take a Deep Breath and Hold it as Long as I Can - be careful, you might burst into laughter filled with tears when the light headedness begins to creep! :)

Laugh - :)

Go Vert - A headstand or some way of getting fresh new blood rising to the head always brings a sense of freshness and joy.

Sun Salutations -  Surya Namaskar - if you don't know what that is, just ask a anyone on the street, most people nowadays know it, google it, take a yoga class, this 12 step Yogic Posturing brings blood soaring through the veins and leaves you filled up with Love, peace and yes, happiness!

This Too Shall Pass - Remembering these words occasionally works, not active enough for me, but sparks good thoughts, but mostly that is the memory of a great friend whom used to say this too me all the time.

Don't Take Myself so DAMN SERIOUSLY - This usually bubbles me up with a smile

Be Around a Child -  I dare you to attempt not to smile in this scenario! :)

Call a Good Friend and LISTEN -  Sometimes a simple act of kindness, service or being there for someone you love will give such a deep sense of joy that all the world becomes like a happy pot of bliss for hours after the interaction.  This can be coupled with helping someone in the market, a person in need on the side of the road or any number of kind acts that we have opportunities to do at many moments of the day.  Get out of yourself and get into happiness.

Sing - Even if you think you cannot sing, it will make you laugh and if you think you can, then it will just make you peaceful and full of bliss.

Cold Showers - Here in the East, where I currently live, this is a major tool for lasting joy.  It has the ability to raise every happy cell in the body!

Exercise - If you have ever done it, well, you know!

Watch a TED Talk - Inspiration = JOY

Yell - This one could have reverse effects, but has worked at times in the past.

Do Something Crazy - Again, could have opposite effect depending, but most of the time worth the risk, one of my favorites to break a stressful pattern is to just spontaneously dance wherever you are. You could even do the "High" dance if you like!

Get a Message - Well, Yeah!!

Send a Positive Email Thanking Someone Daily - mmmmm, always works.

So, there you go, my list of favorites, some are obvious, others are more obvious and others are duh, but life is about repetition, and just by reading this I trust that something may have sparked to take a bit of action and cultivate a little more HAPPY HAPPY in the days, we all need it, need to share it, and need to feel it, it is our nature, just check out some childhood picts. :)

Please take a moment and share what makes you happy.  This Toolbox is not even partially full, I intend to fill it with more and more goodness as the days go on, because, truly, I love being Happy, in a happy state and sharing that TRUE happiness with others, if lifts me up, fulfills me and makes me HAPPY to be alive.  

We also did a PODCAST today on this very subject, Click here to enjoy. Click here to DOWNLOAD it.

I wish you all the happiness you could ever dream of enjoying and am HAPPY if this post served you in any way.

With love and gratitude

PLEASE SHARE

My Recent Mission Statement Using Songs I Recently Wrote

Hello Creator - I - YOU - WE - ONE!

I am "Ready to Love".  From this moment forth I am here to show up for the greatest good of what I am here to "Give - LOVE".  I say YES and break through the pain of "I Don't Know", KNOWing that the perfection I seek on the outside is reflected only when I am in great LOVE with "I" which is "YOU" and everything that exists in the perfect harmonious flow we call life. I experience the "Cries of Life", but I am "Walking Through the Changes" with the mindset of "Why the Worry" as I see time is only in the mind so I  breath through the challenges that my patterns create, KNOWing that with no patterns there are no obstacles but only opportunities.  I am "Transforming This Rage" and getting "High" off of the inner journey, no longer "Searching" for the truth, it is already here as is the abundance I seek.  My life is a "Wonderful Invention" in which I have already "Sold My Soul" to the greatest good of all, in Service I KNOW  I am here to facilitate, in my own special way, a "Brave New World - The Time is NOW!" 

For more music and love visit www.fullmoonrising.co

The Story of "High"

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

It was in one of the weakest moments in my life that the melody of this "High" vibrational offering came through me.  Here is the album insert text…..

"3 years, 10,000 miles and 5,400 meters above the substance based life I lived in the not-so distant past, I found myself sluggishly pulling myself over the final pass on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.  It was in these moments that the melody of “High” came to me like a welcomed friend, there to aid in my completion of the circuit. The lyrics came as a reminder of all the blissful experiences of deep meditation that lifted me to great heights since I had given up drugs and alcohol on my 30^th birthday."

But there is much more then that to tell in this story.  This song lifted me up!  Brought me back to LIFE in many ways, musically and actually.  It was a gift. This song was a pivotal moment in my life.  

Musically, I knew it was a hit immediately.  It was the first real CATCHY melody that I had ever wrote and there was just something about it even before I wrote the lyrics.  So when the lyrics began to come, I found them reflecting the inner peace that comes from meditation and I was lifted to great heights, emotional, physically, spiritually, mentally and actually.  This song shed light on a LIFE PATH and on a deep knowing that NO MATTER WHAT, I always have the ability to go inside and feel blissful and alive.   

I began to share it and found it having a similar effect on those around me.  It was the highlight of concerts and gatherings and then when we went into the studio, which summed up went something like this …..

"Young and upcoming producer Joseph E-Shine came into the production of high shortly after finding his path in yoga and meditation.  Much to our surprise, the confident 21 year-old came into the studio and, with determination and focus, knocked out our first single in just under 8 hours. Much to his surprise, I nailed the lead vocals in 1 take, Twice. "

I knew this song, this message, this energy, this joy, this vibration was meant to be NOW!

So what to do for the video? OK, let's create a dance out of it we thought, lets get some flashmob action going.  Lets put as much fun and light behind this message as possible, because that is what the world NEEDS!  LIGHT!!!  There is so much heaviness around reflected in our daily lives.  This LIGHT, that we all have access to INSIDE is what I see to be the thread of of our lives, and if this video can trigger ANYONE to take that look, even for a moment …. well …. SUCCESS!!!  And I also believe that a SMILE is our greatest currency.

Why are we going for 1 Million here in such a short time?  Why?  Because!  Life is a game and I am here to PLAY it!  Yeah, this isn't a video of a talking cat or a stoned rainbow man, but it is one that will put a smile on your face, a bounce in your step and maybe, just maybe, make you look inside and sing ba-pa-dap-ba-dap yourself, bringing the seriousness of everyday life to that light inner joy that is accessible in every moment, INSIDE!  Let's bring that love to the forefront of the online video charade.

And speaking of INSIDE, This Love has been actualized in collaboration with many people, most importantly, the devotion, encouragement and steady stream of love and commitment from my dear partner Mai Segev.  She made the final decision on the production direction in the studio, produced the music video and has believed in "High" from the very first moment it touched her heart!

THANK YOU for sharing and for daring to look inside.

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE