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

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!

ANAPURNA WRAP UP

Down The West Side - Throng La Pass to Pokhara

Reaching the top of Throng La Pass is a wonderful little mirage of "I made it!!!!" Little does one know that the other side of the pass is a 1600 meter downward descent into the largest valley in the world. The descent takes a little over 4 hours, that is after a 4 hour climb on the other side, and is paved in little loose stones that give way under your feet frequentlly!!! Then you come upon Anapurna's greatest blessing and its greatest curse, a road!!!! The reason it is a blessing is that is helps to suit the well established guesthouses like The Bob Marley Guesthouse, that are equipped with any type of food, the sounds of music and warm bedding and showers. After the last two days coming over the pass, it is a Warm, pun, welcome to your body and mind!!

The rest of the journey takes you through more dynamic terrain, including, The WORLDS LARGEST CANYON, viewings of the backsides of the mountains that you just passed by, walking along with DAULGIRI, the worlds 4th largest mountain,MARPHA, which is the Apple Capital of Nepal, TATOPANI, a town named after Hot Spring, in which you can enjoy a dip a dinner all in the pool, another 2000 METER, ONE DAY CLIMB, then POON HILL, which has astounding views of the adjacent range, an ENCHANTED FOREST and finally ending with a touch down in the quant and absolutely georgeous town of POKHARA.

Click Here For Photos

Here is My Personal Wrap UP

Nature has become my savior!!! I cannot tell you how many times I was able to still the chaos in the mind with pure concentration on the playful dance of creation. I found my true self in the wings of a butterfly, the strut of an yak, the chomping of a buffalo, the scurrying of a lizard, the raging of a river, the flowing leaves; in the serenity of the village people, so simple and free, the strength of a tree trunk, the stars up high and the white mountains that pierced the sky. There was no chance for the obsessions of the mind. Anapurna and all of it's intricate glories writes the story of humanity. Up and down you go around in the circles of illusion, but this picture, a picture of truth, so close to absolute, I feel humanity could conclude in the arms of the mountains, in the blessings and care of our great Mother......NATURE!!!!

6 Songs Were Written on the Journey

Soul Mate
Walking Through
Into The Sun
Reprise
High
Still Searching

Cannot Wait to Share!!!!

To all the people I shared with, to all the creatures I embraced and to all the great sages that held the space....

I BOW DOWN IN GRATITUDE

Kathmandu - Nepal

AHHHHH, a deep breath from India, even though not one is needed. It is truly amazing how different a culture can be that shares a border and so many of the customs as their neighbors. Just from the flight in, I settled in amazement of this great city settled in the foothills of the Himalayas. The vibration caught hold of me even on the flight in. I was intrigued at the red brick that consumed the landscape of the Valley City.

As I got off the plane, I was instantly me by a man whom took me to the Yellow House, just outside of the main tourist drag Themal. The first blessing was the ability to connect with my great friends Clay and Neti from California, whom I will be traveling with into the circuit. Really, I actually came to Nepal just to renew my visa, but Anapurna was calling, and how Grateful I am that the power of the Himalayas Called!!!!

One thing I noticed first off about Kathmandu is that it is a completely unorganized city. Almost like there was no city plan and the place just sort of naturally grew into the chaotic mess that it is now. But, blessed be that inside all of that choas is the stillness and serenity of Tibetan Buddhism, whose monastaries and Temples are in abundance all over town.

Nepali people are a little edgier then the Indian people, a little more free with their speech and, my god, for the first time in a year, I was able to enjoy a live rock band!!! And, even though they only play cover songs, it was a treat just to see the vibe. The people still retain that heartfelt love and smile, but with a little bit of a Western Flavor of introspection and solitude combined.

It felt nice to be in Nepal, a different spin on Eastern Culture. It was really, nice to be with a few people that are from my hometown, thus opening up the sarcasm and quirky speech patterns that can only be understood by persons from Southern California. If felt surreal to know that the worlds highest peaks are only a few hundred Kilometers away, and even better, I a few days, I will be walking amongst them.

The Yellow Guesthouse is an incredibly amazing journey, just a tad bit outside the Tourist Beat, it is tucked just enough away to give you the peace and serenity you need to prepare for your journey into the mountains. Their chefs prepare some of the best Western and Nepali food that I have ever had, including Pesto Pasta!!!! The staff is Divine, the location is perfect and the rooms are sweet, clean and full of love.

The last blessing of Kathmandu was we were able to go and see an live Nepali Group called Katumba!!!(see video below) WOW. They took us on an dynamic journey through the heart and soul of Nepali Music. We sat in the front row and connected with the musicians as they blissfully and joyfully played through their songs. The setting was inside the oldest part of Kathmandu, Patan, in which we caught a glimpse of the distant Himalayas at sunset. Oh, what a blessing. A different vibration, a different culture, all with the same love for life. I feel blessed to have entered into Nepal.

For Pictures from Kathmandu click here.

Katumba Live Video