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

Freedom is an Inner Game

While many people today celebrate a sold sense of freedom that very few actually experience on a deep level in our country, I reflect back to 17 years ago.

As I watched the first firework shoot into the fading daylight just outside the Las Vegas Strip on July 4th, 2000, I received a call from Hospice that my mother had passed on.

While my friends broke down in tears, I celebrated deeply knowing that my mother had found her freedom from the agony and detriment of 2 years fighting cancer.

To this day, I celebrate her life and I reflect on the journey of personal freedom that I have embarked on since her passing.

I grew up trapped by my own intellect. Trapped and caged by what I thought I was supposed to do or supposed to be.

I fought aimlessly to please.

I strived to fit in and "do the right thing."

The American Dream never made sense to me. It didn't feel free. It felt constrictive and controlled.

The only freedom I felt was when I did drugs, drank excessively or rebelled against society in one way or another. That ended up leading to even more agony.

Then I found mediation and breathing techniques, travelled the world, spent 10 days in Silent Meditation (4 Times), took on a 3 hour daily practice and began to uncover a visceral experience of deep personal freedom that existed inside of me.

Freedom is an inner game. There is truly no free person in our world when they have not found freedom inside of them.

Nelson Mandela only became free locked in a cage.

People all over the world under the most harsh conditions find freedom in prayer, meditation and gratitude.

As I reflect on my Mom, My Personal Journey of Freedom and the Freedom of so many that have found it in the most unlikely places, I pose the following questions ...

Are you truly free?

If not, what could you do to be free now, in this moment?

Then, what could you do in this moment?

How would you BE in the world if you knew that you were truly free?

America is so good as sales, at marketing. Everyone prances around in a state of conceptual freedom while they follow the conditioned laws and ways of a culture designed by control (remember, it started that way, when the first settlers arrived and controlled or killed off the natives. The "Forefathers only set the intention of freedom after that, but the very foundation was counter to the intention and then echoed through the generations with racism, sexism and other isms and still echoes to this day).

And, many people don't even know they are being controlled as the media and advertising agencies have become masters at subtle manipulation.

With that said, there is also the people that are finding their way to true freedom by looking inside. Then, when they start to go outside they relate to the world on their terms and Start businesses and systems that reflect what they truly want.

I celebrate the few that are truly making their American Dream, in their way!

We always have remember, freedom is an inner game.

To keep coming back home to the only place that you are truly free.

That place deep inside that is always at peace.

I wish you the foundational intention of America within you, everyday in every way!

P.S. In the upcoming months I will be releasing a free ebook with the working title "Be Free Now - Crucial Life Lessons for Finding Peace in Uncertain Times" - Stay tuned :-)

Having Fun in the Court Room! Is That Possible? YES IT IS :-)

OK, this is a major turning point in breaking through the fears of the past and bringing enjoyment to something that I had great deal of boredom and negative emotion tied to. Does anyone get excited to go to court? I know I never have, but after today, I am!!!

So, I got a moving violation for actually communicating with a fellow driver, that driver giving me the right of way, me taking it and then getting an “unsafe lane change” ticket. I decided immediately that I will plead “not guilty” and take this to court -:) But a bit of a back story.  

Now, while living in India, Drivers communicate with each other and make moves accordingly, here in Los Angeles, we just follow rules and pray for safety, hence the ludicrous amount of accidents on any given day in LA. When you take human communication out of operating a motor vehicle, what you get it system breakdown.

In my case, I pulled up next to a bus driver that had been stopped for a while. I needed to make a right turn, I looked at the bus driver, we smiled, he waved me on in front of him, I turned happily and then… sirens, and you know the rest.

Now, Yesterday, after dragging the ticket out to court for 8 months, was my court date. In the days leading up to it, I felt a sense of nervousness, as I remember going to court quite a few times when I was young, and it was ALWAYS an impotent and negative experience.  My stomach churned for moments throughout the day when I thought about it. What was it bringing up? Well the childhood sense of “I am bad” “I have done something wrong””I am an outcast””I am not good enough” and on and on and on. 

It wasn’t until about 10 minutes before walking into the courthouse, after a loving hug and smile from my wife, that I decided to let go and have fun, be present and enjoy the process and see what happens (as I am doing with most similar experiences in life now).

This is what happened. 

I arrived to the room to see my past, a large group of other people with the same, 'I have done something wrong complex' whom all hung their heads and failed to look in each others eyes. Not me though, I connected,. I connected with the security downstairs, the people in line, the various beautiful woman ( a must :-) all the way to the bailiff whom greeted us with one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. I told him that! He smiled even brighter. Come to find out, this guy was like a comedian, super funny, sharing about listening and what happens if we fail to listen. His ever expansive smile filled our hearts as we sat and waited for the judge. Then the judge comes out and the comedy of errors begins as he darts from one person to the next with quick comedic wit of a Jester. I am smiling from head to toe, this is amazing, the whole place falls into comedic uproar, and, I feel of sense of community in the room and a great deal of support for each and every character that walks up to the judge to give a plea. Violations from Arguments on Buses, to Storage in Parks, Speeding and tinted windows. Each and every story had a story behind it and I observed the magical play of life that was in this room and the beautiful humans that paused their life to clean the slate. We all had arrived there with a purpose to move forward with something. For most, it was to clear the ticket, but for me, it was to take the next step of the journey and give my simple plea of “Not Guilty” (with a smile). I LOVE LIFE!

Now, I got another 4 months before trial, and oh boy, I cannot wait to see what comes to life in the next court room chronicles.  Stay tuned ….

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.

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

Ganapati and Me - A Love Story

When I began my travels in India, I noticed that almost every car, rickshaw, bike, bus, home, shop ect. had a statue, sticker, cloth or some form of material that was printed with elaborate images of a shiny elephant. When I came to find out more about this image, I learned that many people in the Hindu tradition look to this particular god for protection, success and any form of safety in travel or new journeys, hence seeing many of them on the front of motorcycles and car dashboards. So when I began my motorcycle journey in India, I followed suit and got myself a sticker that I placed on the front of my bike.

For the next year, I was placed in situations on and off the road that most people from back home in the USA would feel life threatening. Swerving people crossing the road at top speed, coming centimeters away from being swept off the road by cars, buses and lori's (the indian 18 wheeler). I was stranded in secluded areas where my bike would break down, I even had a few accidents while traveling. But here I am, in one piece and the most that ever happened was a small cut or a bruise. For some reason, I always felt guided and protected on the journey and felt more safe then most of the roads back in the USA. Now this could be for many reasons, due to the fact that I always feel guided and protected, but, when I first passed a real live elephant crossing the road and captured the wisdom and depth in the beings eyes, the strength and grace in its movements, I felt there had to be some connection, physically and spiritually, and that is what a lot of the Hindu tradition is about.

Then I arrived in Mumbai, a few days before this Ganesh Chaturthi festival that I mentioned above. Something was pulsing when I arrived and when it started, people came in hoards and sang GANAPATI BAPA MORIYA on the streets, played loud music, drummed the night aways and sang songs to idols of many sizes all with the elephant god shape. Each one was unique with different dress, expression and style, almost tailored to the family, usually a family of 70 + members, that was hosting it. I could not help but get involved.

A dear friend invited me to his home for the celebrations and even let me carry the idol home (which is a great honor in the tradition) which immediately got me in the spirit of the whole festival. The next I tailored some hindi words and made my own mantra for the season and began sharing it will people from all walks of life and it was a huge hit!!

So now, almost 4 years later we are here in Mumbai celebrating the festival again. Later today I will go to the beaches where the immersions began and sing the night away with all the devotees, smiling and relishing in the gratitude that I feel for my connection to this Hindu God and India itself. To me, all of this is part of the joy of life, finding something you believe in, devoting time, words of prayer and love to it. So whether it is a hindu god, a book, a song, a relationship or a garden, our devotion keeps us alive, feeling high inside and I thank India, Hinduism and Mumbai for keeping that wonderful spirit alive!

Ganapati Bapa …. Moriya!!!!

Enjoy the song and journey and thank you always for your support and love.

You can thank Julie Isaacs for this incredible dipiction of the journey through her real life artistic style.

Here are a few more links about Ganesh and the holiday if you are interested ….

Ganesh

Ganesh Chaturthi

I Killed a Lizard and Transcended Today's Fast Paced Times

The other day I was happily troding along  on my Blue Bullet Love Machine, smiling bright, enjoying the breeze, swerving, swaying and then suddenly I saw right in front of me the most beautiful creature moving at a snails pace.  He was large, scaly and in his final moments, he looked up at me.  My body and mind did not react fast enough in the few milliseconds I had to swerve my monster of progress out of the way in order for the multi-colored amphibian to happily trot about his days, and then it was over.  The lizard left squashed on the road and me, left pondering this fast-paced world.  WHY. Why are we constantly moving faster and what we we rushing to do.  As if the notion of infinite time and space has done nothing for the collective consciousness.  Here we are, creating faster cars, faster trains, faster planes, we are building faster, talking faster, thinking faster, worrying faster, killing ourselves faster and we truly have no reason why, it is just what everyone is doing.  It is the status quo to feel like your life is moving as fast as possible toward the end.  Hmmm.  I cannot say that I don't enjoy the pleasures of a fast paced world, high speed internet, tons of connectivity, a fast bike, the ability to travel anywhere and create high quality products in the blink of an eye.  But from this experience I have had to take a look in and see where all of that desire and progression is getting ME, US, the WORLD.  well, I have to say NO PLACE FAST.  

About 2 years ago I spent almost 30 days walking through the himalayan mountains in Nepal.  During that time I have never felt so completely alive, ever.  my steps were harmonious to the rhythms of the earth, I was greeted by the trees, smiled at by the plants and from the insects to the animals there was a revery for one another.  We were all enjoying nature and all of creation together.  Yes, my food would be cooked for me in makeshift houses and served up on a plate and the animals and insects had to work a bit harder (I am not sure of that really as they do not have the mental aspect of lack so they are just naturally driven to seek out food) anyways, even in those make shift houses I was treated like family.  My days were full, complete and my connection deep.  And, it got me into a mindset of the Walking Man.  There is such complete joy in taking it slow, observing the little things and being able to stop OFTEN and smell the flowers.  I had lost a bit of that when I decided to actively pursue my music offering, but this simple interaction with the Lizard brought it all back.  So, here I am again, adopting a way of life into my mind to see how it works.  I am going to live in the paradigm of the walking man.  I harmony with the earth in all my steps gracefully lighting up the day.  Yeah, the probably does not mean that I am going to give up my fast-paced modes of transportation and the life of a man traveling all over the world, but it does mean that I will tread lightly and have the awareness, slow-down my breath to that of a walking man, take deep breaths and stopping often to smell the flowers and someday when I am ready, I will probably spend many of  my days walking.  I already have a plan actually. 

As for the lizard, well, I am sure his service to my mind has transcended him to altered states of reality.  His next incarnation might just so be an enlightened master, as he/she just enlightened me.  Grateful!

Notes about Wayne Dyer's Movie "The Shift"

Please, EVERYONE, take a few hours of your life for an extremely important film.

I have always loved Wayne Dyers work and appreciated the way wisdom moves through him but after viewing his 2009 Movie release "The Shift" I have reached a whole new level of respect and love.  

First of all I want to thank Hay House for sending me the DVD "FREE OF COST" to India.  It was a gesture above and beyond what I expected simply because my online stream of the movie was not working. 

I want to look at the exterior of the movie first and get that out of the way quickly.   The cinematography is WOW and the acting is great! compared to most movies of this caliber in which the acting could be compared to a b rated soft porn film.  I was blown away by it's tastefulness as a visual stunning and well acted film.

Now to the juicy stuff, the interior.  Dyer has an amazing way of delivering his message which has a profound way to instill peace of mind in your heart and soul.  I would say all and all, this movie is about FAITH and getting out of the way, as in recovery they say "Let Go and Let God."   Not in a way that is complacent or inactive, but a place that is full of inspiration and connection. The movie touches on various Religious Pathways by triggering our innate desire to stay in tune to that source that is guiding the ship of our lives.  The film is done in a way that serves to be relatable to people from all walks of life.  You have the rich asshole, the overworked housewife the stressed out up and comer, the wise servant janitor (surprise) and the calm awakened singer whom left his hustle and bustle to follow his heart.  The show goes on and we watch these people have their subtle "Shifts."  There is no over the top AH HA moments or major Unbelievable happenings of life changing circumstances, we just get to view various people interacting with Spiritual Leaders (outspoken and subtle) and with each other and how that effects their life, all while enjoying the stream of wisdom that naturally pours through Wayne Dyer.  I could go further into the reflections of consciousness that this film moves through but my intention with this writing is to ask everyone to give it attention and highly fascinating spiritual blabber could possibly negate that intention.  

I have to say this movie EXCITES me beyond belief.  To see something that is so accessible to all walks of life.  It moved me!  I truly have felt a SHIFT in my consciousness just from watching it, and I have been on the move with this type of work for a long time.  I cannot even begin to imagine what it will do for those on the brink of their own AWAKENING!  

Shine on DYER and everyone involved in this production!  1000s of thumbs up and may this reach the hearts of the masses. 

Some Viewing Pleasure

Here are some photos from a little while back .....

Click the link below to begin enjoying!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=276610&id=648155994&l=8471c8e458

Action over Emotion

Most of my life I have lived by my emotion, acted upon my emotion, self destructed upon emotion and manipulated to get my way because of emotion. This time in my life has dawned a new era. A time when, especially since being back in India, my emotions are running ramped, but my focus is clean and my action is positive. Even in times of dramatic separation and hateful thoughts, I am CHOOSING to show up. Definetely far from perfect, but more aligned with my intention of WALKING THE WALK then ever before. Love IS the answer. Peace First is my mantra. How can anything great be created from a space of NON-Peace? If you figure that out, I would love to hear all about. I CHOOSE to create from peace. And, wow the creation is pouring through! GRATEFUL!

12 Hours Through The Night

Whatever you decide to do, I will let you in on one thing that you must refrain from doing FOR THIS WHOLE LIFETIME. Ready?

REFRAIN FROM DRIVING FROM RISHIKESH TO DELHI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I honestly have a difficult time even putting together words to explain this horrific experience that I shared in 2 nights back.

With about 170 Kilos of weight on the bike, we left Rishikesh at around 11pm. Being that the bike had just been repaired and had new parts, we could only max out our speed at 45 KM an hour, about 25 MILES PER HOUR!! And, we had to stop every 40 KM and let the bike cool. WOW! Imagine, every single person in India drives with their HIGH BEAMS on and, there are more bugs and dust in certain areas then a pig farm. So, because of the lights, you have to keep your eyes uncovered because the glare is far too much to handle if you are wearing glasses or a helmet.

Now, much to my surprise, but not really, the roads from Rishikesh to Delhi been destroyed, so, for half of the journey, I was behind the wheels dodging half seen potholes while LORI trucks managed to direct me off the the main road.

After 5 hours of this, I felt we actually were getting somewhere, HALFWAY, of a 225 KM drive in 5 HOURS! That means we were driving, on average, 20 KM an hour or 12 MILES PER HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INDIA! you gotta love it.

So, on that 5th hour, the bouncing up and down of the numerous potholes had managed to bend and break the rack on the back of the bike. So, We had to pull over, in the most dusty part of the journey, NO LIGHTs, and take all of the baggage off of the bike. Luckily, my partner managed to flag down some passerby's and they, most sweetly, took all of our baggage in their cars and my partner in their car, and left me with the bike and another 6 hour journey, ALONE.

But, I kept on, insisting on arriving to a nice room, with a hot shower to wash off the 4 CM thick dust that had arranged itself all over my body and MORE SO, IN MY EYES!

Also, I went from COLD to HOT, HOT to COLD, and, last thing, let me tell you something about Delhi, when you arrive in DELHI, usually you have about 2 more hours till you reach your destination. I arrived in the Delhi Area at 8:45 AM. I arrived at my hotel at 10:30 AM and I was far from Spiritual. I WAS PISSED OFF!!!

I wonder why I choose to do things when I KNOW the outcome.

I KNOW driving at night is the most dangerous thing to do in India!

I KNOW the road from Rishikesh to Delhi is my LEAST favorite in all of INdia!

I KNOW that the journey will take at least 12 hours due to the bike situation!

But, I still chose to do it. hmmmmmmmmm….I will ponder this a bit more……

4dalove (having a bit of trouble staying there…but….what do do!)

PUNCTURED!!!

Over the past 3 years while traveling abroad, I have had the great opportunity to let go of a few long time fears, including fear of spiders, heights and getting run off of a mountain road. But there is one fear that decided to tag along for the longer ride. Well on August 11th, after years, including deep into childhood, one of my biggest came to fruition….I was finally stung by a SCORPION!! Yes, it hurt like hell, actually stepped right on it, something I thought was never possible. Earlier in the day my partner actually told me that she saw one, a statement that I told her could have been left from my consciousness, but, even with that said, that same night, a scorpion stuck its little prick into the bottom of my foot, now, i must say, the Fear has lessened a great deal, so, I am grateful for that….but, they still creep me out!!! What to do…..

Monsoon Monsoon!

Awe the blessings of my favorite time of year in India. Daily downpour of rains penetrate the landscape and uproot a greenery that is indescribable. I guess all I can paint the picture with is the fact that all of the plants are EXTREMELY HAPPY!!! Waterfalls flow from every hill, it is literally like an ENCHANTED FOREST of BLISS! Nature speaks so loud during this time and you can feel the strength. The air is fresh, the water is clean and the people are....WET and Smiling as always. I think it will always be my favorite season here, and now, I am going to go out and get wet....Thank you Mother Nature for always replenishing your worth to quench the hunger and the thirst in me!

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Back to India

This first few days, I am completely upside down and confused. I just came from a solid working environment in where I was watching growth daily, and now, we are back in murky water, treading the dirty water, doing our best to stay afloat. Really, all I want to do is GO BACK to Israel, finish my work, which I feel was left undone, and settle back into India in a Western Way. But, the power of the Goddess insisted on us leaving. I always flow with intuition, and, yes, it was time to go.

Our earning potential is much greater in India and now, we must Earn! So, here we are...and....when I lay out what has happened in the first 5 days that we are here, it actually looks like things are moving in an incredible direction. Immediately we have our phones turned back on with low rate plans (something that took us almost 6 months to do before). Our internet card was swiftly re-activated! And, drumroll please....WE HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT! Yes, we are now official in India!! Yeah!!

So, we set the intention to take a few days in Silence and re-group our hears back into the great mother India and that is where I am writing right now. On top of a hill in which we had to take a cable car to get to the top. We are now spending 2 days in Silence in Raigad, a place in which we were guided to by Zorin, another home in which we were guided to because of the torrential rainfall that made us pull off of the road into their lovely estate and, in the proper Indian way....THEY TOOK US IN! I love INDIA!

The Connection Proof Box of Modern Technology

After being in the States for a month and witnessing the constant usage of Google Maps on the iPhone, 3G, ect…I found out that there is actually Google maps in INDIA!!! So, yearning for that isolation and control that having your own navigation system provides, I set out to follow directions from the computer. The most classic thing about it is that Google maps actually gives you directions just like an Local person would, giving odd landmarks and way off Kilometer calculation. I think it was only about 10 minutes before I was completely lost and having to go back to my favorite way of getting around…ASKING PEOPLE!! So, it just so happened that a young English Speaking man pulled up next to me and guided me on the whole entire journey to where I needed to go, almost 50KM away, and, I got to make a new friend, connect and share in countless smiles and warm embraces. At the very end of my journey I had told him that I attempted to go to my destination using google maps…he kindly laughed and told me, "Don't follow these internet Googles and things out here in India, you must ad THE PEOPLE, they will always guide you safe!" And, as for the last 2 years of traveling on the "LOVE MACHINE", they always have and I know they always will when I open my heart…

Part of me reflected back to the short time I spent in the US and observing that each and every person has a navigation system in there automobile now, which, works in 2 ways…

1. Efficient Travel…

but sadly….

2. Complete Disconnect from the essential human NEED, the need to contribute.

There is such an amazing feeling that comes when we do something nice for someone…LIKE…GIVING THEM DIRECTIONS…how about next time, you give someone that gift by turning off the computer and trusting humanity!!

With Love and Laughter!

One in the Rain

Most days I find more water coming out of me then going in, even with an 4 Litre Intake! My guitar strings are dead almost instantly after the time that I change them. Food dies on the way to my mouth. It is hot, sticky and in the Masala filled air, there is a sense of suffocation that persists in your day to day in Mumbai. But, then, like a angelic lover's kiss, the soft caress of Rain gently nudges the temperature to perfection of human condition and we continue on our day, wet and soggy but grateful that the great grandmother nature is still sweet enough to bless Great Mother India with her sweet nectar of cool Rain. I could just spend days walking in it...Wouldn't that be amazing if we could spend our lives naked in the cool rains of change, only lusting after a kiss of the sky, walking by and by catching eyes but focusing our energy on the healing up high, watching peacefully as we ascend farther and farther away from the great lie of "I" ....

What I Love About India - #350

Well, do not tell anyone, but I have been driving my motorcycle around illegally for the last two years out here in India, and, now that I am in Mumbai, people are telling me that I must be VERY CAREFUL so that I do not get in trouble with the law while doing so. India is all about Freedom really, It is the most amazing thing to know that with a smile and an open heart India will allow you the freedom to continue on with that smile, as long as you are sharing that will others. So, back to the story....The other day I was in town and I had parked my bike in a tow away place and actually got towed to the yard. So, my initial thought was that my bike is not gone, for sure. No License, No Registration, No Insurance. In America, well, In America, you will pay your life away and loose your license for this kind of action. What to do! So, when I showed up at the Towing Yard I just had to smile, knowing that there was nothing that I can do in this situation. I literally came up to the man shaking my head gently in the INdian Nod, asking, WHAT TO DO! He met my smile with an equal and compassionate embrace, half laughing as he is getting to the bottom of my lack of Credentials and essentials for the Bearaucracy. Our conversation went on with him mentioning to me that I would have to pay a big fine and he did not want to charge me all that money. He knew that I did not have the proper papers but he was on my side, and this is not the only time this has happened in this country. He worked with me to find a way to release my bike for the lowest possible amount and although I paid more then most, probably, an equivalent of about $18 for all of my illegal ways, I was still send off with a huge heart and a smile....and...to top it off, he even chased me down on my way out and gave me another 100 RS back!! Amazing!!! We hugged each other in a smile and I went on happily down the road, free, knowing that In this country, You can live without all the the government nonsense, you just may have to pay a little bit from time to time to keep the dogs off your back. Like a true Sicilian!! Love it!!

One more side note. IN India, the best way to make sure a policeman does not find you suspicious, SMILE AT HIM SO DEEPLY THAT HIS FEAR TURNS TO LOVE. SMILE BEFORE HE CAN EVEN CONJURE UP THE THOUGHT!! WORKS EVERY TIME!!

Just Felt Like Writing Something

Through the business of these days, the constant day to day meandering through this material existence, playing the game of life in a fluid and highly charged manner, I can only share words of complete gratitude! I know I spend a lot of time in positive portrayal of life and I know that there are possibly many people out there that would just like to slap the shit out of me and say, STOP BEING SO F***KING POSITIVE. OK, but why. Yeah my mind goes through the turmoil of existence on a daily basis, pondering insane thoughts of unrest and doubt, but, why I SAY, why speak on them. Words are as powerful as worlds and are the creators of our reality, so, I speak what I wish to see in my life, I share when my heart is open and I like to speak out from that place. There isn't space for self-loathing anymore, although it will always be somewhere tucked in our consciousness, but, again, I ask why, why speak on it. Because it help you to say hmmmmmm, possibly, but I will spit some lyrics at you from the song "HIGH" - Now watch what you say because the plants they play in the words echoing in the breeze - with a healthy mind and a healthy speech WE CAN POWER THE WORLD TO PEACE!! -

I look around a lot lately at this little game of life that 7 billion of us are playing on this planet, and, honestly, I cannot help but laugh when I come upon the realization that I play the game as a being whom acts as a guide to bring others to see this all as a game, and the game that I play has endless work for hundreds of years!! Oh, what a fun choice I have made....Such gratitude to walk hand and hand with the people that are making a difference in a time and space that really does not exist and even if it does, is such a small part of the infinite universe that is inside of each and every one of us. We are so powerful, yet we use our minds to disempower ourselves daily, WHY!!

Imagine a life where you are aware of the inevitable end, the "so-called" death, and each and every day you live in a reflection of the LIFE that is here now, and are completely expressive in each and every moment of it.

Imagine a life in which you whole-heartedly go after the things that are of your greatest imagination.
Imagine a life in which fear takes a back seat to love.
Imagine a life in which you manifest each and every little thing that you have ever wanted in your existence.
Imagine a life in which you are healthy and vibrant and feel like you are getting younger as the years pile on.
Imagine a life in which you are one with god, not God's servant or separate.
Imagine a life in which you are disciplined enough to love and respect YOURSELF and your integrity!
Imagine a life in which you wake up every day in complete gratitude and awe of EVERYTHING!
Start THIS MOMENT and make this your reality! It is a choice, believe me.

Lately I have been using various techniques that aid in my taking a conscious decision to completely alter the conditioning that has kept me down for so many years. After 30 years of waking up wanting to punch a small child, I now can wake with a sense of peace and calm, thinking thoughts of endless possibilities and gratitude for the many blessings I have in that moment. I see the people around me blossoming and creating their bliss daily!! oh boy, what a blessing it all is.......at this point, there is only one more thing I have to say, I AM IN LOVE WITH ME and MY LIFE and that makes my relationship with each and every entity on earth radiate from that space!! So, when I say I LOVE YOU, I can only say it because....I LOVE ME SO MUCH.

Our imagination is our reality when acted upon.....

The Much Ashamed Organic Food Exchange - A MUST READ!

OK, THIS IS A REAL EMAIL I GOT FROM A DEAR FRIEND IN MUMBAI THAT IS HELPING ME TO FIND ORGANICE FRUITS AND VEGGIES.....ENJOY!!!!

Pt I - Go to:

- Vile Parle East Station
- find Champion Store
- outside the store sits a man named "Vasaiwala" only in the evenings - he is the fresh veggies/produce seller & identified by the "banana leaves lining his baskets"


Pt II :

- around the Champion Store, find Parleshwar Temple
- Opposite and just ahead of the temple (around an open construction area), under some trees, sit: "Ashok Vasaiwala" & "Chandrakant Vasaiwala" during the mornings
- Vasai is an area north of the city apparently where these guys are growing pesticide free.

Such fabulous instructions, directions - I'm imagining this BladeRunner scenario of you in the rain soaked melee of the train station scoring these organic veggies... more valuable than spice or drugs in bombay...

AND THIS IS MY RESPONSE!!!!

I see the whole thing going down right now!! I show up in a black hoodie, posed as a muslim woman, sneaking silently into the shadows behind the trees whispering "Vasaiwala, Vasaiwala....." Slowly an indian man perches up from dimly lit corner market hiding a bag under his Doti.....looking the other way he gently glides within arms reach and as I kneel down to expose the fresh organic goodies tucked up into his wastebasket, three spotlights blare into myeyes, exposing the much ashamed ORGANIC PRODUCE EXCHANGE...I am then sentence to a LIfe in indian prison for such a vile attempt at eating clean, natural, UNCOOKED food in the Pond we call MUMBAI!!