Ellen Weissbuch

A message from Jean Shinoda Bolan about the importance of Women's Circles

2011-10-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Jean Shinoda Bolen's books were my main in inspiration for starting the Women's Healing Circle here in Sitges a year and a half ago. In the article below she wonderfully articulates the importance of such circles. Enjoy.

Creative Acts of Expression—Catalyzed in Circles
by Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.

I know, as so many of us who are fortunate to be in one, know how supportive a sacred circle can be--as an incubator-womb space in which the courage to be authentically ourselves leads to creative acts of expression. This may include what is usually meant by expressive arts—writing, painting, sculpture, dance, theater, films—or political and personal activism, transforming relationships to others, or changing institutions. Inevitably, perhaps because experiences of the sacred are so deep and deeply personal, creative acts of expression are expressions of awakening that begin with trusting our own feelings and perceptions, of realizing it is up to us to be real and act on the premise that what matters to us, really matters. This is soul knowledge that becomes soul work when we take steps to bring what we know into our personal world and into the world. At times of crisis, what we do — or not, can tilt a situation in either direction.

In the silence of undirected inner reflection, prayer, or meditation, which is an element in this kind of a circle, we tap into a center in ourselves that is also at the center of the circle. In Jung’s psychology, this is the archetype of meaning, the Self. By meeting as a circle of women, we invite the sacred feminine to come into our midst. This form is archetypal. It connects us to suppressed sources of women’s spiritual power, much as an aquifer lies below the surface until it is tapped into, bubbles up and flows. We tap into an awareness that goes back in time to when divinity was worshipped in many forms, as female, as the Great Mother, Gaia. In the last third of the twentieth century, Merlin Stone’s When God was a Woman got archeological support from Marija Gimbutas and other archeologists who literally dug up evidence. Scrolls that had been hidden and preserved by the dryness in Egyptian caves near Nag Hammadi, were found in this same period. These became known as the Gnostic Gospels through Elaine Pagels. These early Christian writings were rich in metaphor and included Sophia, the Sacred Feminine. Gnostic churches were egalitarian rather than hierarchal in form, leadership was shared: who did what—the sermon, communion, greeting newcomers, could be chosen by lot. Everyone was welcome. Women served in all roles. Once the Church at Rome had the power to condemn heresy, the Gnostic Christians were persecuted, its gospels destroyed. Our only knowledge of them came from the church fathers, which systematically had destroyed all previous copies of these gospels. This time, it was different. Circumstances had changed. Through the influence of feminism and the women’s movement, there now were women scholars in all fields including theology.

In the United States before the women’s movement, women did not define themselves; men did--using religion as authority. “Women’s spirituality” emerged after women spoke for themselves and about themselves. Only then, did we speak of what we experienced as sacred and what we knew to be spiritual information. This is gnosis, intuitively felt soul knowledge, it is what we recognize in the marrow of our bones, what our heart recognizes as true for us—and from this insight, true for other humans and for the planet. Sacred circles support trust in our own perceptions of divinity which can be felt as transcendent spirit or felt in embodied holy moments. This is empowering, especially for women who have been told that God is male, demands obedience, and that women since Eve are the source of evil, when her choice was knowledge of the difference between good and evil. Re-imaging God as other than and more than a male authority, will shake the foundation of patriarchy, which is historically based upon theology and hierarchy to justify having and using power over others. Monotheism has brought us fratricidal wars of religion in Europe during the Middle Ages as well as the current conflicts in the Middle East. Jew, Muslim, Christian — all descend from Abraham, and thus are brothers. Women’s spirituality is in conflict with monotheistic, Abrahamic beliefs based on words attributed to what prophetic men in ages past said God said.

Five women friends sitting around a round table began the women’s suffrage movement in 1848, an effort that took seven decades for women to achieve, until women got the right to vote in 1920. Once accomplished, it became a non-issue. Of course women vote! This is what success looks like. This same pattern is seen in the economic and social gains for women by women in the late 1960s and 70s. In consciousness-raising groups, women learned about being stereotyped and stifled. Speaking truth to power emerged as a ringing intention, done through demonstrations, conferences, marches, legal suits, and personal confrontations. The idea of equal rights spread. Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique was a starting point. Others wrote articles and essays, many were published in Ms. Magazine or in anthologies of women’s writings. Women challenged the invisible assumptions of women’s inferiority and the right of men and male institutions to limit access to education, professions and occupations. The consequences of sexism and the idea of equality brought about a huge cultural change in the United States and influenced the world. That gains are taken for granted is a measure of success. Young women now assume that they have opportunities and rights that women never have had as a gender before, and still do not in many parts of the world. Just like the right to vote, once the perceptions and voices of a critical number of empowered women are heard, what was radical and opposed becomes the new normal.

When I wrote The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and The World as a guide to women’s circles in 1999, the mechanism through which women’s circles with a spiritual center could bring about an end to patriarchy was based upon theoretical biologist Rupert Sheldrake’s work on morphic fields and morphogenesis. The millionth circle like the allegorical hundredth monkey that inspired my title, was a metaphoric number. It was the final one to tip the scales, the one that added to all the rest formed a critical mass, after which a new idea or attitude or behavior becomes accepted. A recent example would be Global Warming, an idea that was resisted and even ridiculed, until almost overnight, a critical number of people accepted it. I was aware that it happened between the hardcover publication of Urgent Message From Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World in 2005 and the paperback edition in 2008. Also pivotal for me, was Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point based on geometrical progression, another way of explaining how evolutionary ideas spread. It’s how a virus spreads or a YouTube video goes viral. It’s like how a snowball starts as the size of a baseball, gathers snow and momentum and as it rolls downhill could become an avalanche. It is what I sense is happening: there is momentum, circles form easier and easier, and the more there are, the easier it is and the less time it takes for more to form.

A circle with a spiritual center provides support for authentic acts of expression, to discern and commit to what I call your “assignment.” Mine is about writing and speaking and spreading the word about circles and assignments. The current vehicle for my message is Like a Tree: How Women, Trees, and Tree People Can Save the Planet. I call upon mystical activists and Sacred Feminine feminists, the men and women I call “tree people” who feel deep connections to trees and the sacred world.

If you find yourself wanting to give back or make a difference and are drawn to the possibility, I suggest that you will recognize an assignment that is yours by three characteristics, by your answers to three questions that only you can answer: One: Is it meaningful — to you? Two: Will it be fun? If it draws upon your skills and experience, calls on your creativity and if you are in the company of people who share your values and commitment --it will be fun. And three: Is it motivated by love? In the first half of adult life, parenting can fit this description as can developing an innate talent that will require years of perseverance and discipline, or following a calling into a helping profession. Like Joseph Campbell’s “Follow your bliss.” it does not mean that this will be easy, or that you will be successful or that others will understand. It is however, living your personal myth, which we do through the choices we make. Heed the Goethe quote that begins, “Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it now!”

Once you make a heart commitment to take up an assignment or sacred mission, a trustworthy circle provides spiritual and emotional support. In circle, what is meaningful is important. Prayers are requested. Gratitude expressed. Often a candle is placed in the center. With or without awareness, the sacred feminine is represented by it. For this is a symbol of Hestia the Greek Goddess of the Hearth and Temple, who was present in the fire at the center of a round hearth; her fire was the source of light, warmth and nourishment. In women’s circles such as these, we are catalysts, witnesses, and midwives for each other's growth and path of individuation.

Meanwhile, the world is now in crisis—danger and opportunity exist side by side. There are more than 6.7 billion of us on the planet, doubling since 1960, adding about 78 million every year. For all the concern about sustainability and global warming, left out of the solution is the need for reproductive rights for all women, and universal education that includes girls. Conflicts that could escalate into nuclear warfare continue, while political leaders posture and threaten each other. Conflict resolution knowledge and women are notably not brought to the table, at a time when growing numbers of us and weapons of mass destruction could make this beautiful planet uninhabitable. Demonstrations for democracy and social justice, a resurgence of feminism, research support that humans are born good and that meditation changes brain patterns, and at the quantum physics level, we are all one suggest the potential for evolutionary change. It depends upon what we do. It would be fair to say that whether matters will get better or much worse will be decided in our lifetime.

I take to heart, the Dalai Lama's words at the Vancouver Peace conference in 2009, when he said that it is up to Western women to save the world. I'd expand "western" to mean everywoman anywhere who has been liberated by the women's movement to define herself by the choices she makes. Western women are the beneficiaries of education, responsibilities, authority, opportunities, democracy, medical advances, and reproductive choice that women have never had in history. As members of the female gender, women respond to stress differently than men, and have empathic, collaborative and communication abilities that to contribute to decision making and conflict resolution. When women’s maternal concerns for their children extend to all children, when women have an equal say with men in making decisions at every level, when women’s ability to look after others and budget limited resources is valued, then peace and a sustainable world will be possible.

Never doubt that small groups of committed women can change the world:
we did before, we can do it again!

With love and hope,
Jean Shinoda Bolen
taken from her website

My dance with Michael Franti captured on video

2011-10-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the poor sound quality.
My dance starts at 3 minutes. I felt 15 instead of 50. I hadn't danced or smiled so much in ages. This was the 7th time I've experienced one of his concerts and he hadn't played in Barcelona for 7 years. I have more videos of Michael and Spearhead live that I've taken with better sound quality on my youtube channel.

Michael Franti is a master at creating community at his concerts. He's an amazing yogi, humanist, activist and lyricist. Aren't we blessed to have him in this world!!!!! If you want to know more about him visit his website .

You can learn about some of his "activist/humanitarian" through his film I Know I'm Not Alone.

News of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, the Women's Circle in Sitges and more.....

2011-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

This month at the women's circle I talked about my experience with the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers and the wisdom they share/d. The donations we collected at the circle went to help the Grandmothers get to Brazil. It was especially lovely to have a circle of 13 women. Many of the women came for the first time, young women, a pregnant woman and even a few grandmother's were part of the circle.

Someone asked if the Grandmothers had much to say about the future. All the Grandmothers (and many other spiritual leaders) from many different traditions are saying that the most important thing is the present--the now. We need to pray in whatever way we are comfortable with, stay grounded in ourselves and be at peace with the environment and others. We need to stay present and be aware of all that is going on around us to avoid getting lost in the chaos we see and experience.

Starting this Tuesday October 18th (until the following Monday the 24th) the 10th International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers is being held in Brasilia, Brazil in honor of Grandmothers Maria Alice Campos Freire (who I've "studied" with,) Clara Shinobu Iura and the peoples of Mapia and Brazil. By lighting a candle with them in heart and mind we can connect to this event.

From their website:

“Gratitude and joy are the words that come out to express what it is to be hosting the 10th Gathering of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, here in Brazil, in South America. When we look at what is unfolding in this preparation, we can see the prophecies becoming reality, and we feel so humbled." “We, as the people of the South, naturally were guided to dedicate our gathering to the Water. And we can witness the flow of this sacred element designing the event. The prophecy says about the encounter of the eagle and the condor as a sign of the New Time. This is the first of our gatherings that is going to happen in the condor's land and, as the time is approaching, we see the different expressions of native people from South America making signs, joining us, here in Brazil for this sacred moment, when we will host the people from the eagle's land." — Grandmother Maria Alice Campos Freire

Our next women's circles here in Sitges are:

*Saturday, November 12th, 4:30 until 7:30pm
at C/Escolas Pias, 17, 2º 1ª, Sitges

*Saturday, December 17th, 4:30 until 7:30pm
location to be arranged

* Special Circle for Winter Solstice ,Thursday December 22nd
time and location to be arranged

In the morning, before the next two circle meetings I will be participating in a crafts fair here in Sitges where I will have my ceramics, knitware by my mother and traditional Mayan/Mexican ritual incense (Copal sticks) for sale. Many local craftswomen will be offering lovely items. For more information visit Cinnamon Cafe.

Hope to see you at these events or at the Snatam Kaur concert in Barcelona on Saturday October 29th. Tickets can still be purchased at Shunia Yoga, Sicilia 236 bis. 08013 Barcelona, T. 93 265 89 26

Do you knit or crochet?

2011-10-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

A ceramicist friend that I was visiting with at a crafts fair yesterday was knitting squares for this marvelous project called "Knit a square ....and make an orphan warm."

Do you knit or crochet? All those little extra bits of yarn can be put to good use.
From their website...

It is estimated that there are 14.8 million orphans in sub-saharan Africa. 1.9 million live in South Africa.

The knit-a-square project was started as a family project in 2008 and although it is now a registered charity under the name of KasCare, the family is still 100 percent involved.

The project works hard to help warm and comfort these children and we would greatly value your contribution to this knitting project for the AIDS orphans of southern Africa.

If you know anyone that knits, please share this with them.

Strength and Wisdom for the Next 7 Generations: A weekend with 2 of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers

2011-09-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

I had the good fortune to attend a weekend entitled Strength and Wisdom for the Next 7 Generations with Grandmother Maria Alice Campos Frieres of Brazil and Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance of the South Dakota (United States) Lakota people. Both of these extraordinary woman are part of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.

About 40 people from all over the world attended the event which was held at Damanhur, a spiritual community in Northern Italy.

The first evening Jyoti, who helped create the council, introduced the Grandmothers and a documentary about them, For the Next 7 Generations. I was moved to tears by their stories.

The next day we met next to Damanhur's open air temple. Again I was deeply moved--not only by the Grandmother's stories, but also by those of the others attending. These people, mostly women, are doing interesting healing work all over the world.

Both Grandmothers spoke of prophecy, current events and how to respond to the changes we are experiencing. After lunch we planned to do a ritual for healing water, but it started raining so hard we had to go inside. Once inside, I placed an eagle feather I'd been gifted and my Tewa rattle on the "altar" for the ritual led by Brazilian Grandmother Maria Alice.

Sunday was dedicated to discussion of "The Circle of Life" and we finished the weekend with a fire ritual. Part of the ritual involved a drum the Lakota Grandmother Rita's son had made to give to a Grandmother of the Arctic indigenous Sami people.

I had the honor of playing my frame drum for the ritual along with some of the others who also played percussion.

Grandmother Maria Alice has a clinic on the shore of the Amazon River. She shared with us that information about plants (when to harvest, dry or plant) passed down to her from generations of healers before her is no longer useful because of climate change having so affected the ecosystem where she lives.

Grandmother Rita shared her earthy wisdom with us mostly in her native Lakota tongue, so her son translated for us. He also help lead the fire ceremony.

This unforgettable event was my first experience with the Grandmothers in person. I had done an online course with Grandmother Flordemayo. I look forward to studying with her in person one day.

Please visit the Grandmother's website and share their work with others.

New Cycle of Women's Healing Circles

2011-08-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone, hearing what experiences this past summer has brought each of you. The circle is to support us all in our personal and professional lives as we endeavor to "become the change we want to see in the world".

We will be meeting the second Saturday of every month from 4:30 until 7:30pm until December when we will meet on the WInter solstice, which is a Wednesday. The solstice circle will be later in the evening.

Circle dates for the rest of the year are:

September 10th

October 8th

November 12th

December 21st

The circle will meet in Sitges, but I'm waiting to see which location we will be using--a situation that many of us are experiencing in our personal lives.

I look forward to sharing things I've learned this summer at the Kundalini Yoga festival in France (see previous blog entry); two days of lectures in London from my Sufi teacher, Llewellyn Vaughan Lee and the online course I took with Mayan elder Flordemayo.

At the October circle, I will share about my experience studying with 3 more of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. In mid-September I'll attending a workshop entitled "Wisdom and Strength for the Next 7 Generations" at the spiritual/sustainable community, Damanhur in Northern Italy.

My interest in the Mayan calendar and Mayan Astrology was sparked by studying with Flordemayo. According to one Mayan calendar specialist, from August 18th until Sept. 4th we are in a process called "destruction." But not to worry, from September 5th until Oct. 10th the process of "flowering" happens. Here you will find more information about this view of the Mayan calendar.

If you would like to offer a meditation or any activity for the circle please get in touch with me ahead of time. I know many of you are very talented and I hope you will find the circle the perfect place to share those talents.

I also recommend you visit The Shift Network site and listen to an amazing conversation with Marianne Williamson and Raine Eisler.

Blessed be!

2011-08-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

For the 9th year, I attended the Kundalini Yoga Festival in France. This international event takes place in the beautiful countryside. It was such a blessing to walk on earth (instead of paved roads) for the 8 days of the festival.

I furthered my studies of Sat Nam Rasayan with Guru Dev Singh, played percussion with Sada Sat Kaur (here is a small portion that was captured on video), in the bazaar I sold all the ceramics I brought, made new friends and saw old ones from all over the world.

There were 2,500 people in attendance this year, the biggest ever. Most of them use the camp-site. Since I'm not a camper, I usually stay in a small shared room and use the communal bathrooms. However, this year since I didn't register early enough, the first 3 nights I was in a dorm room with 49 other women. Since I was first on the waiting list for a smaller room, I ended up in the chateau where the VIPs stay. It had a private bathroom with only 3 other women, one from Brazil, a Swiss woman and another from New Mexico. I was very grateful for how that worked out.

It's a 10 to 12 hour drive from where I live to the festival, but the time passes quickly with good friends. The French countryside is so beautiful and the highways are much better than in Spain. This is a photo I took where we stopped for our picnic lunch on the way home.

The Olive Tree School

2011-08-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

I'm very honored to continue working at The Olive Tree School. This year I will be teaching part time in the Year One class, or as we say in the US, Kindergarten. That's the grade I have the most experience with. I just love turning kids on to reading and incorporating the arts and movement into all our studies. Something research into Multiple Intelligences has shown to be very important.

In the 30 years I have been working in the field of Education, I hadn't ever come across a school that aligns so well with my philosophy of education and teaching. Olive Tree is an exciting and inspiring place to be working.

Network Clear Day in Sitges, Sunday July 17th

2011-07-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve recently started working with Jennifer Beck a Chiropractor specializing in Network Spinal Analysis. I’m teaching a marvelous technique called Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI)™.

What is SRI?
Somato (Body) Respiratory (Breathing) Integration™ (SRI) is designed to offer you new options in your experience of your body and your personal healing. It educates you to your body’s rhythms and inner wisdom through focused attention, gentle breath, movement and touch. SRI provides you with a means of placing your attention on your body, the vessel of human spirit, and provides a tool for focusing your attention in a way that works for your healing and empowerment.

Somato Respiratory Integration™ exercises (based on Donald Epstein’s book (The 12 Stages of Healing) are designed to help the brain to reconnect with the body and its experience. The goal of Somato Respiratory Integration™ is to help an individual develop lifetime skills, safety, strength, wisdom and love in relationship to the experience of his/her body, its vibration, structure, and energy. Through reconnecting a person’s breath, touch, focused movement and attention, they are able to experience the body more fully and instantly shift their state of consciousness to one that supports trust for the body-mind and their life experience.

This work brings together my experience as a yoga and dance teacher, meditation group facilitator, Sat Nam Rasayan Practioner, my studies of psychology and years of practicing SRI for my own personal growth.

I have the honor of presenting a short talk on the first “season” of SRI, "Discovery" at the Clear Day event this Sunday, here in Sitges with with Dr. David Breitbach.

What is it? A very special opportunity with one of the best Network Chiropractors in the world! It is a day of healing, personal growth and transformation towards a deeper state of health and self-knowing. The day consists of 3 Network “Entrainments” and sessions of Somato-Respiratory Integration and is designed to develop and deepen specific strategies of NETWORK CARE (NSA and SRI) that you are already working on with your Network Practitioner.

Who? Dr. Breitbach was one of the first Chiropractors to work with Dr. Donald Epstein (developer of Network Spinal Analysis and Somato Respiratory Integration).

* He took over Donald’s practice in NY in 1991.
* He has been on Dr. Epstein’s Staff since 1990 and has worked over 80 Transformational Gates and numerous NSA and SRI Seminars.
* He has been on the Board of Directors of the Association for Network Care since its inception in the early 1990's.
* After 10 years in New York he moved to Wisconsin where he continues to practice.

Why an Intensive?

It has been observed that when Network Entrainments are performed they create a field of healing, whereby one person’s healing assists in another’s. With a Chiropractor of this caliber working on 4-5 people at a time, the potential is multiplied. Also, as Network Entrainments build one on the other, receiving them sequentially produces a summation effect that can make changes in a day that might take much longer in regular care. There are also benefits of being immersed in a loving, healing environment.

What can you expect from a Clear Day?

A Clear Day is designed to help you connect to your inner wisdom, to learn new strategies for adapting to the world, and to help you achieve a quantum leap in your Network strategies and your self-knowing.
11:00-20:00?? Avenida Sofia #28 (Villa Antonia) Sitges
To reserve a space: Call 93 811 0616 or 607 925 118

This month we dedicate the Women's Healing Circle to the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers

2011-04-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Until this month and continuing in May the Circle donates all the money it collects from participants to EQUIS-MGF , a Pan-African women's group based in Catalunya providing training to African women to help educate other women to prevent female circumcision and promote family planning and health awareness.

But this month, our circle meeting on the last Saturday in April, we dedicate the activities and funds to The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. They are preparing for their 9th International Council in Anchorage in May. Please visit their website and that of the documentary about their work For the Next 7 Generations.

I'm sorry I missed their visit to Spain and hope I can be in their physical presence someday. I've heard their talks online and am always inspired and moved to tears.

What a wonderful way to celebrate Earth day, all month, by learning more about the 13 Grandmother's work.

For The Next 7 Generations Trailer from Laughing Willow on Vimeo.

FOUR YEARS. GO. - A Campaign To Change The Course of History

2011-02-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

I just listened to a very inspiring on line talk given by Lynn Twist who is one of the founders of this "Organization" FourYears.Go. After watching this video, I hope you visit their site and join in acknowledging your conscious participation is the paradigm shift we are living now.

International "Imagine" from Playing for Change

2010-12-16T14:48:00.001-08:00

Imagine from PlayingForChangeFoundation on Vimeo.

The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

2010-11-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

Anyway

2010-10-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Someone sent this to me in an email. Inspiration....

The following is found on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, a children's home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India.

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
LOVE THEM ANYWAY
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
DO GOOD ANYWAY
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
SUCCEED ANYWAY
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.
DO GOOD ANYWAY
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY
What you spent years building may be destroyed.
BUILD ANYWAY
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY
Give the world the best you've got and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
GIVE THE WORLD YOUR BEST ANYWAY

October 16th is our next healing circle

2010-10-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Last month Mercé (sitting to the far right in the photo) shared a movement meditation for the heart chakra. It inspired mystical experiences in many of us. Mercé leads weekly movement meditations in the Barcelona area and is an avid blogger who shares loads of information on women's issues, meditation and green lifestyles. Visit her blog Este Instante and practice your spanish.

In our circle this Saturday, Lesya Starr is sharing a movment meditation based on a technique called Río Abierto. Lesya is a innovative dance teacher and founder of the Mujer Desconocido Dance Collective in Barcelona.

The Golden Sufi website has some new audio and video recordings that talk about the importance of working with feminine energy at this point in humanities evolution. There is a wealth of thought provoking and inspiring information there.

As always, there are more inspiring lectures in the Tedtalks series. Hans Rosling shares an astonishing and mostly unreported piece of news that humanity is winning the war against child mortality. The most effective way to do this, he says, is educating women. Not a surprise, but it's nice that the UN has put it in writing.

I'm in a movie....

2010-10-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

Well, not me exactly, but a goddess necklace I made.

I just found the link to a short film (11 minutes long) made last year by a Sitges cinema class. I mention it because the title character in the film, Irene, wears one of my Goddess necklaces throughout the film--which is important to the storyline. It is a well-crafted thriller in Catalan, but you can follow the plot without understanding the language. The script and original story were written by my friend Carmen Gallego and I know many of the other folks involved in making the movie.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9h68b_irene_shortfilms

Reborn in Spirit

2010-08-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

August 23 marks the 11th anniversary of the passing of my sufi teacher Irina Tweedie. Here is one of my favorite photos of her and one of my favorite portions from her book, Daughter of Fire, her diary from when she was with her teacher in India.

"The realization that every act, every word, every thought of ours not only influences out environment but for some mysterious reason forms an intergral and important part of the Universe, fits into it as if by necessity so to say, in the very moment that we do, or say, or think it-is an overwhelming and even shattering experience. The tremendous responsibility of it is terrifying. If all of us only knew that the smallest act of ours, or a tiny though, has such far reaching effects as to set in motion forces which perhaps could shatter a galaxy.... If we know it deeply and absolutely, if this realization becomes engraves permanently on our hearts, on our minds, how careful we would act and speak and think. How precious life would become in its integral oneness......."

For more information about Mrs. Tweedie you can visit The Golden Sufi Center Website.

Sitges outlet for my necklaces and earrings

2010-08-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

My friends at the local health food shop, Dharani, are now carrying my sacred symbol necklaces and earrings. Yolanda and Jordi have sold health food, other organic and fair trade products for over 15 years in the Sitges Municipal Market. Their hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:30 until 2pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 5:30 till 8:30.

The word "Dharani" is sanskrit and from the Buddhist tradition. The term literally means ‘retention’ and refers to keen insight and consciousness derived from spiritual practice. In practice it's very similar to the word "mantra" used by the Hindus and other traditions that engage in sacred chanting.

If you need a present and can't find me, now you can also buy my pieces at Dharani. I'm sure you'll find other things that would do you good, too.

My Youtube channel

2010-08-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

I spent today creating a youtube channel so I could share videos I've taken of friends and friends have taken of me. There's lots of mantra music and a bit of mantra in movement there. Have a look when you get the chance. The channel is named with my spiritual name, Gurubachan Kaur ,which, in gurmukhi, means the princess that brings the message of the teacher.

Krishna Das Concert

2010-07-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Chanting with Krishna Das was like polishing the mirror of my heart till it shined and laughed with tears of longing for the Beloved. KD is also an excellent storyteller. His sense of humor and humility are very moving.It was an honor to help my friends who organized the event. Here they are, Shawn and Kirana in the above photo singing an old gospel song translated into Spanish with KD. Hear some of it here.

The Millionth Circle, join together

2010-07-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have been very inspired by The Millionth Circle project started by Jean Shinoda Bolen with women from all over the world participating by registering their circle work to help move humanity to a truly humane world . As the website states, the vision of the project is "A proliferation of circles with a spiritual center becomes a worldwide healing force by bringing feminine values of relationship, nurturing, and interdependency into a global culture in which hierarchy, conflict and competition, power over others and exploitation of the earth's resources are dominant values." Another important aspect of the The Millionth Circle Project is to publicize the need to actively support and advocate for a United Nations sponsored 5th World Conference on Women. To sign the petition in support of creating this event, please visit http://5wcw.org/ .

Just last week the UN voted to create UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women , in short, UN Women. It is a merging of 4 UN agencies and offices.“By bringing together four parts of the UN system dedicated to women’s issues, Member States have created a much stronger voice for women and for gender equality at the global level,” said the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

We have been working on translating the Millionth Circle website into Spanish so even more women have access to the information and can participate. If anyone would like to helps us with the translation from English into Spanish, please get in touch with me.

I've also been extremely inspired by The Sacred Awakening series featuring 40 spiritual leaders from every major tradition presented by The Shift network. The nearly an hour long talks can be streamed or downloaded for free from the Sacred Awakening Series website.
So far I've listened to Andrew Harvey on Sacred activism, Sobonfu Somé who has brought her native Dagara wisdom/spirituality from Africa to the West,, Shiva Rea, an innovative yoga teacher, a sufi woman teacher and Sequoyah Trueblood: a Choctaw elder. I look forward to listening to the others over the summer.

Krishna Das in Barcelona

2010-07-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

Friends of mine have organized Krishna Das' workshop and concert in Barcelona. I'm honored to have the opportunity to help them out. Krishna Das is a great story teller as well as a mantra musician. The workshop Tuesday afternoon with be a heartfelt, amusing music and story-filled event. I hope to see you there. Tickets are still available for both events.

Kirtan

2010-06-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS KIRTAN?
Simply stated, kirtan is the chanting of mantras often accompanied by music.

The word Kirtan comes from Sanskrit. It means "to glorify." It comes from the Hindu practice of chanting the name of the divine in all its forms. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a text said to have been written in the 2nd century BC, Patanjali speaks of the importance of chanting "Om" and doing "japa"--repetition of the names of God. Many religions and spiritual traditions celebrate the divine through chanting, for example, Sufi orders chant as well as Sikhs and Buddhists.

"Mantra" is another sanskrit word that can be divided into two words: "mana," meaning the mind, and "tra" which means "to deliver." Mantra delivers the mind from mundane thoughts to a state of deeper more instinctive or spiritual consciousness. Chanting mantras is a powerful meditation technique not tied to one religious or spiritual belief.

Because chanting is a great way to clear the mind of thoughts, the practice of Kirtan continues to gain popularity in the West.

HOW I GOT INTERESTED IN KIRTAN

Before I knew what kirtan was, I learned to play middle eastern percussion to deepen my understanding of the rhythms for my belly dancing. I played dumbek, or "darbukah" as it is called outside of the USA, finger cymbals and later I became interested in the frame drum. A master of the frame drum, Layne Redmond , introduced me to Kirtan at a percussion retreat. She is also the author of When the Drummers were Women.
Layne was inspired to add rhythm to the mantras by her experience as a yoga teacher. Studying with her inspired me to learn more about kirtan and mantra music.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH KIRTAN

For years now, I've been playing percussion and chanting with friends at the Integral Yoga Center in St. Pere de Ribes during our Friday evening kirtan. I find playing the frame drum to be incredibly soothing because its vibration moves from outside in and chanting vibrates from inside back out.

I was drawn to Kundalini yoga because of its connection to mantra music and being a dancer, moving to music in a yoga class felt natural to me. When I eventually became a yoga instructor, two very accomplished Sikh kirtan musicians, Gurudass Singh and Gurudass Kaur administered my Kundalini yoga teacher training.

For the past 8 years I've had the honor of playing percussion with many of my favorite mantra artists at the annual 3HO Kundalini Yoga Festival in France. In these photos, I'm playing with Gurudass Kaur for the "whole camp mantra" and also with Sada Sat Kaur who was premiering mantras from her latest CD, Mantra Masala.

I've attended concerts arranged by people I know in the local yoga community of the most well known Western kirtan artists, Snatam Kaur and Krishna Das. I'm looking forward to a workshop and concert with Krishna Das here in Spain. His last concerts and workshop here were tremendously inspiring.

To watch some of these artists in action, visit my youtube channel.

In closing, I wanted to share a related quote I found on my friend Girish's website by Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji--a Hindu guru who left his body in 1973. Many contemporary Mantra musicians like Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Girish studied with or have been influenced by him:

"Constant repetition of God's name, with or without pious feelings, even in anger or lethargy, brings out his grace in the form of bliss all around."

Earth Day 2010

2010-06-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

I felt it was important to get my Inglés en Movimiento students thinking about how they take care of the Earth on the occasion of Earth Day which was April 22nd. I taught them a short dance that celebrates Earth. One of the movements involves imagining you are holding the Earth in your hand and another move is sending love from your heart into the world. We practiced English vocabulary for parts of the body, directions and the movements themselves. I asked each student to think of how they take care of the Earth, then passed around a little ball that had an Earth design on it. When they had the ball, they shared how they take care of the Earth in Catalan, then I'd repeat it in English.

The children I work with are 4 to 7 year olds. The "older" kids talked about recycling, using organic trash and manure for helping plants and trees grow, the importance of plants and trees, not wasting paper or pencils and taking good care of their toys so they last a long time. The strangest comment came from a 5 year old who mentioned "not breaking into other people's homes and stealing things"--I didn't have time to ask what inspired that answer.

Most of the 4 year olds were challenged by the concept of Earth being the planet where we live, but understood it as the ground under our feet. Also, in an effort to help them properly pronounce "Earth" in English we also practiced the "th" sound, because they don't use it much in Catalan. I had the children draw Earth on a piece of paper and on the other side they drew themselves taking care of it--a few of their drawings are shown here.

April 22 is Earth Day and here in Catalunya, where I live, St. Jordi, the patron saint of Catalunya is honored on April 23rd. It is "The Day of the Lovers" and later became "The Day of the Book and the Rose." A bookseller came up with the idea as the day also commemorates the day that both Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare died. The tradition is that women buy a book for men and men buy women a rose. In the legend of "St. George and the Dragon," St. George kills the dragon to save the princess. This legend can represent the patriarchal culture conquering the Earth (the dragon is a symbol of the natural world) and the matriarchal societies who worked with the Earth, moving civilization into a model where power is exerted over the Earth. Looked at in this light, it's almost the opposite of Earth Day.

Sat Nam Rasayan Retreat with Guru Dev, Perugia, Italy

2010-05-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

The photo is of Guru Dev Singh Khalsa at the Sat Nam Rasayan retreat in Perugia, Italy 2009 with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa at his side.He's holding the mug I made for him in his hand. He has one of the best collections of my mugs on the planet.

In December of 2009, I had the privilege of attending the annual weeklong retreat with Guru Dev in Italy for the 5th year in a row. For years it was held in the spiritually charged town of Assisi, but for reasons outside of the organizers' hands, this year it was in Perugia.

About 350 practitioners and teachers from all over World get together to deepen their understanding of Sat Nam Rasayan. I think Guru Dev once lovingly referred to attendees as his "guinea pigs" because it is there that he works on perfecting the terminology for SNR and ways to teach it.

I followed two clients for a series of sessions over the course of 4 months for the the written part of the 2nd level exam. The second part of the test is a healing session given in front of Guru Dev. Like when I'm giving a SNR session or work in ceramics, I centered myself in the heart chakra before and during the test. Later I asked for a meditation practice to continue deepening my healing ability.

My ceramics booth there nearly sold out. My "Tierra" line was one of the most popular, along with my sacred symbol necklaces and essential oil burners I'd made.

Gurmukh, the teacher I study with whenever I'm in the Los Angeles area, made a surprise visit and taught a few dance-filled kriyas. I enjoyed the change from a very inward, contemplative and meditative state to an ecstatic and energetic one. Both types of energy are needing in healing and in life. Gurmkh had arrived to help Guru Dev celebrate his birthday.To read an interview with Guru Dev and for more information about Sat Nam Rasayan visit LA Yoga Magazine.

After the Healing Circle in Vilanova May 16, 2010

2010-05-18T15:45:00.001-07:00

Fatou Secka, President of EQUIS-MGF and I.

For more information on the Healing Circle see the previous entry.

Sat Nam Rasayan

2010-05-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

What is Sat Nam Rasayan?

Originally from India, Sat Nam Rasayan® is an ancient healing system that uses a heightened, meditative state of consciousness to heal. The energy of the universe helps you relax, heal physically and emotionally during a private session.

Sickness, in SNR, is described as a tendency of the body to react. The reaction can be a pain, emotional problem or a serious illness. Through SNR sessions the healer finds and dissolves blockages, allowing the self-healing powers of the body to activate so that one lives in a more balanced and clear state.

During a session of SNR the client lies down comfortably and the healer gently rests his or her hands on the person's arm or head while entering into a deep meditative state and remains silent in this state for 20 minutes. The healer and the patient share a state of deep peace from which the healing source is tapped into.

Each SNR practitioner has his or her own personal way of worki ng. I tend to work through the heart chakra and generally use either the elements (water, earth, fire, air) or colors to heal with.

My first healing session with Guru Dev Singh

Besides the two level tests and teacher training for SNR, there is no "initiation." I had an unusual experience that confirmed my connection to SNR the first time I had a private session with Guru Dev Singh. Guru Dev was given the title of Master in SNR by Yogi Bhajan.

The session was at the annual International Kundalini Yoga Festival in the French countryside, which I've attended nearly every year since I moved back to Spain in 2001. My session with Guru Dev was on the second floor of a beautiful building on the grounds there. He asked me a few questions, then I laid down on (a/some?) sheep skins face up with my eyes closed. He was sitting beside me with a few fingers gently resting on my arm in a meditative state. I tried to relax but I was nervous, being with the Master for the first time. Then I felt something on my ankle. Next, I felt it wiggling up my leg and I wondered if I was imagining it. When the feeling got to my thigh, I opened my eyes and lifted my head--staring at me was a little lizard. I thought "I'm on the second floor of a building and there's a lizard on my leg--that's different." Moving my head brought Guru Dev out of his meditative state. He looked at me and followed my gaze to the little creature on my leg. He said something like, "Ah, my little friend has been here with me all week, but it has never gotten so close to anyone, let alone rested on them."

The lizard has been one of my totem animals since childhood. I had lizards for pets before I was interested in cats or dogs and I always felt an affinity with lizards. I often decorate my ceramics with lizard motifs. In native American cultures, the lizard is the keeper of ancient secrets and lives in "the dream time," a state of being similar to the meditative state I am in when giving a SNR session. Just like lizards, who are very sensitive to vibrations of the earth, have amazing hearing and sharp eyesight, practicing SNR utilizes aspects of what can be called enhanced perception.

Women's Healing Circles

2010-05-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have come up with a way to allow others to partake of my experience and love for dance, healing, yoga, meditation, sharing good ideas and being in the company of like minded women. It is called "The Women's Healing Circle."

"The Women's Healing Circle" is inspired by the books of Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, the teachings of Yogi Bhajan/Kundalini Yoga, Llewellyn Vaughn Lee and numerous other visionaries emphasizing the need to actively work with feminine consciousness and the ancient feminine beauty of oriental dance.

In this circle, we will briefly talk about the role of the feminine in bringing about changes in our world, do breathing exercises and stretches based on yoga to help us connect to our center and then some movement meditations based on the form of the infinite "8" from middle-eastern dance to mantra music. We finish with a healing meditation. The circle is open to women of all ages and fitness levels.

As we get get in touch with our bodies and feel better about ourselves as women living in this exciting time, we can effect all sorts of change in the world. As an example, some of the proceeds from The Circle will go towards EQUIS-MGF , a Pan-African women's group based in Catalunya providing training to African women to help educate other women to prevent female circumcision and promote family planning and health awareness.

I will be facilitating the Circle on Sunday, May 16th in Espai Para Deesses (The Goddess Space) in Vilanova i la Geltru (Paseo Maritimo, 107, 8º, 3ª), just south of Sitges. I also facilitate The Circle on Saturday, May 22 in the Integral Yoga Center of Sant Pere de Ribes.

I've been deeply inspired by listening to some extraordinary women from a free online series of talks called Women on the Edge of Evolution. This series features Jean Shinoda Bolen, Marianne Williamson and Barbara Marx Hubbard talking about the business of co-creating a better world, starting with our selves.

Sharing with the big kids....

2010-04-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

I had the good fortune last winter to share yoga and mantra in movement at two very interesting events.

Here in Sitges I taught two yoga classes for "The Bridge of Transformation", which was attended by more than 70 people from all over the world. It was the 9th annual event of healing, personal growth. It was a weekend consisting of six Network Spinal Analysis® "entrainments."

I taught yoga classes during breaks in the sessions. Everyone there was very tuned-in with the energy in their bodies already because of the entrainments. It was a pleasure to work with such an focused group. It had been ages since I'd taught yoga to adults. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and that intensified the benefits I received during the weekend.

At the Spanish National Kundalini Yoga Teacher's Association Conference titled "Healing Addictive Behavior," I helped open the event with one of my favorite Celestial Communications, which I also share in my Mantra in Movement workshops, Ra Ma Da Sa--a mantra for healing. Using our entire being we started the weekend of workshops and meetings with a healing meditation.

I premiered my "Mar" and "Tierra" lines of bowls and mugs and sold my other lines of ceramics in addition to the teaching I did at both events.

A percentage of my sales from"The Bridge of Transformation (where my Mar line of pieces nearly sold out) went to support Casa Mantay . Casa Mantay in Peru is a non-profit organization that shelters and teaches useful skills to teenage mothers from 12 to 18 years old. It is estimated that around 25% of Peruvian mothers are under the age of 18. Many of these mothers might have otherwise abandoned their babies due to lack of support, or simply being overwhelmed and under-prepared for the experience. The purpose of the home is to give the mothers another option and to assist the development of the mothers and children.

Ceramics and Healing

2010-04-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

Working with clay is a centering, mystical and transformative experience for me. All my pieces are made with loving reverence and they transform a part of Mother Earth into a vessel of love, nourishing each user's body and soul.
Hand-crafted ceramics bring me back to the Earth. When I touch, form and hold her, I feel her love nurturing us.
I recently created two lines of utilitarian and decorative stoneware, "Tierra" and "Mar" (Earth and Sea.) Included were plates, bowls, center pieces, mugs and cups--a physical manifestation of love transmitted through me. The "Mar" line is a painted wave design using slips and oxides with brush strokes from the Japanese painting technique, Sum-i. With the "Tierra" line, I textured the outside of wheel-thrown and slab-built pieces with a piece of coral I found in Maui, Hawaii. Some of the textured pieces feature my signature lizard design. As I texture each piece I infuse it with healing energy from my heart. My Sufi teacher first explained this idea to me many years ago and my work in Sat Nam Rasayan ® has made me more effective at it.

My largest commission so far.

2010-04-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

This photo shows part of my first complete dinnerware set incorporating my lizard, "Mar and "Tierra" designs.

Yoga for Children/English in Movement

2009-10-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to be teaching "English in Movement" for my sixth year at a public elementary school here in Sitges. This year I have four sessions and thirty-eight students from the ages of four to seven years old.
"English in Movement" is a program I designed while working as a bilingual kindergarten teacher for five years while living in California. I teach English through yoga, songs, dance and games. For more details about the program, please visit my website.

I find teaching yoga especially fulfilling. Here is an article that I've written on the subject:

Play, eat, go to school--a child’s life seems simple, yet, it can be greatly improved with yoga. Why is that? Because children now more than ever are showing many symptoms of stress--could anything be better for this than a class of yoga? A yoga class for children is very different than one for adults. Although children don't need raise their Kundalini or get rid of the stress of the work week, children have their own sources of stress and need to be taught awareness and relaxation techniques. At first kids may say "I do gymnastics" or "I play football," but if they knew how much yoga could help with everything they do (including sports) they might show more initiative to "study" yoga.

So how is children's yoga different from adult yoga? We play more, we dance. We work on co-ordination through special games and exercises. We use both sides of our brain, creating and activating the synapses that allow us to learn, grow wiser and more physically co-ordinated. When I teach adults, I incorporate what I've learned from working with kids because regardless of age, we all learn and remember better when we are having fun. Yoga gives children the tools to become more self aware and healthier in their physical and psychological selves. In class, we imitate animals, make up stories, go on adventures with the animal postures we practice, sing and play movement games with mantras. We also learn how to use mudras (hand/finger positions) to help us in situations outside of class. Along the way, we learn how to breathe in a way that uses our lungs' full capacity, to reflect before we act, how to calm ourselves down and relax if we can't get to sleep. We learn about the patterns we carry in our bodies, how they affect our behavior and how to change the ones that hold us back. We learn that discipline can be fun and also learn tricks to entertain us on long journeys without needing our parents' attention.

My first experiences teaching yoga to children was as a Kindergarten teacher (P5) in California . We started everyday with exercises to help us wake up and "get our brains working." At that same school I invented a 15 minute workshop, "Yoga for Testing," for all the students from Kindergarten to 6th grade at the school as their preparation for hours of grueling standardized tests. Teaching students to become aware of their posture, breathing and the tension in their body when they write (most commonly in the fingers and jaw) helps them to relax and become more efficient in their thinking process. Next I designed a yoga course for children with learning difficulties. What I discovered, with the help of classroom teachers, was that for many of these students the main issue that prevented improved learning habits was self esteem. Yoga gives children many opportunities for success. With the help of their teacher, the children can monitor progress in the postures, their ability to balance and concentrate as well as their flexibility. As I’ve shown, an early grounding in yoga gives children a foundation to build upon, a framework for moving with confidence, security and success in this changing world.

Our first Earthdance Barcelona event

2009-10-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Our Earthdance event was lovely. About 40 people attended. Everyone brought good, healthy, home-cooked dishes and desserts.

From the moment we sat in a circle, while Semin chanted a peace prayer from the B'hai faith, all the stress of organizing the event disappeared into a warm-hearted feeling of "inner peace". We chatted, made friends, ate and danced. Dj T-Bird spun global fusion music and later Satguru Kaur gave us a quick Bhangra lesson. Following that, Jasbir shared a beautiful celestial communication (mudras expressing a mantra) she created to Mul Mantra and everyone joined in. After moving together, we joined in kirtan (singing of mantras.) Shawn lead us on vocals and harmonium, Charles alternated between playing guitar and tabla, Lluisa played tambura and percussion as well as her amazing singing. I helped out on percussion.
After kirtan finished we stood in a circle, hand in hand and Jordi read the Earthdance™ peace prayer in Spanish before listening to the recorded version played in over 300 cities all over the world that day. In that circle, I felt my heart chakra spinning with the love and connection of the entire event.

If you would like to see a short slideshow of the event, you can see visit my Earthdance community page here....

This is the Earthdance™ peace prayer....

We are one global family
All colors, all races
We dance for peace the healing of our planet earth
Peace for all nations.
Peace for our communities.
And peace within ourselves.
As we join together across the world
Let us connect heart to heart
though our diversity
we recognize unity.
Through our compassion
we recognize peace.
Our love is the power to transform our world.
Let us send it out NOW....

Snatam Kaur in concert in Barcelona

2009-09-27T15:39:00.001-07:00

Snatam Kaur in concert in Barcelona

I'm excited to be attending Snatam Kaur Khalsa's third concert in Barcelona, Friday October 2nd at 8pm.The first two, held in old churches and lasted over 2 hours, were such meditative, mystical experiences. I look forward to this latest one. This visit, she is performing in the Auditori del Forum, Rambla Prim 1-17, 08019 Barcelona.

I choreographed one of her mantras, Hari Har, and performed it at the Kundalini yoga festival in France. I also use her music for celestial communications which I share in my yoga classes.

Snatam is angelic sounding and looking. Having taken one of her workshops, I have also experienced her very grounded and centered strength.

As her website states:"Through her deep devotion to the Divine, Snatam Kaur delivers a heart opening performance that combines musical traditions of East and West. Her enchanting voice will bring you an experience of peace to cherish."
For more information about her and to hear her, visit her website....

http://www.snatamkaur.com/web8.html

The above photo of Snatam and I was taken two years ago, at her last concert in Barcelona.

AMOCA à la Mode Fundraiser

2009-09-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to support The American Museum of Ceramic Art, AMOCA. Their interesting exhibits do so much promote the art and craft of pottery. The lizard mug I donated for their upcoming fundraiser is in the upper left of the flyer advertising the event.

The benefit sale of mugs and bowls will be held in AMOCA's Paseo (just behind the museum) to help support AMOCA's educational programs. Every mug will be sold at $20, filled with a hot mocha, or $15 for a brownie à la mode filled bowl.

The AMOCA à la Mode Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October 10th from 12-9 p.m. AMOCA is located at 340 S. Garey Ave. ,Pomona, CA 91766

Earthdance Barcelona

2009-09-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

T-Bird and I are busy organizing the Barcelona Earthdance International ™event Sat. Sept. 26. It will take place at the Integral Yoga Center in St. Pere de Ribes. We've planned an afternoon of dancing, sharing vegetarian food and non-alcoholic drink with friends, there will be performances of dance and music. Finally, we will join our voices with the kirtan group from the yoga center finish the day with the Earthdance International Peace Prayer, joining people around the world in a collective wish for a peace-filled planet.

For the children there will be face painting and coloring in the garden and for grown-ups there will be a table to leave business cards or other information so we can support each other in as many ways as possible.

The entrance fee of 5 euros goes to cover costs of the event and any money over that amount goes to a registered charity, Save the Gambian Orphans. Everyone is asked to bring a vegetarian dish or alcohol-free drink to share (4-6 people) and their own plate, cup and silverware to reduce trash from the event.

The Mission
Our mission is to promote peace by joining participants worldwide in a synchronized PRAYER FOR PEACE and to support humanitarian causes through the global language of music and dance.

The Goal
Our goal is to inspire participation from artists, musicians and peace-lovers worldwide to dedicate one day to support humanitarian efforts and help unite people from all nations in a day of peaceful celebration and harmony.

The Scheduele of Events:

15h* Opening Peace Prayer in Farsi by Simin - http://www.floristeriabrisa.com/
*Potluck Meal (don't forget to bring your own plate, cup and utensils),
*Face Painting and Coloring for Children

15:30 *World Fusion music spun by Dj T-Bird - http://www.djtbird.com/

19h *Bhangra Dance performance by Sat Guru Kaur - http://www.satgurukaur.blogspot.com/

*Dance Prayer for Peace by SheilaKaur - http://www.danzasheila.com/

*Musical Offering on Tibetan Bowls by Tania Preuss - http://altivolantis.blogspot.com/

*Kirtan led by Shawn McSweeney and The Integral Yoga Center Kirtan group - http://www.integralyogabarcelona.com/

* The Earthdance International™ Peace prayer - http://www.earthdance.org/

New Outlet for my Ceramics in Barcelona

2009-09-09T18:05:00.001-07:00

Starting today, I have a new outlet for my ceramics in Barcelona. A beautiful shop, L'Ombeliqo, is carrying my sacred symbol necklaces and earrings. The shop is oriented around pregnancy, natural childbirth and post-natal care. They've asked me to make little bowls to put massage oils in for their infant massage classes. They also teach a variety of other courses, including yoga. The shop is full of handcrafted wares for pregnant women, new mothers and their babies. You can visit their website here:
http://www.lombeliqo.es/

My Sacred Symbol earrings are now on sale at AMOCA

2009-08-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that the American Museum of Ceramic Art , AMOCA, is carrying my new line of Sacred Symbol earrings.
I've taken three of my most popular Sacred Symbol necklace designs; the goddess, Ganesh and Hamsa or the Hand of Fatima symbols and made smaller versions to create lightweight earrings. I sometimes add semiprecious stones, shell, glass or ceramic beads to the ceramic pieces.
It is an honor to have my Sacred Symbol jewelery in AMOCA's shop, connected to their beautiful gallery space. Whenever I visit my family in Southern California, I make numerous visits to the museum. It always has inspiring exhibitions.
Until I have photos of the earrings on their own, here is a photo of my niece modeling a pair of Goddess earrings.

My work in ceramics...

2009-02-15T16:06:00.000-08:00

I began studying ceramics in 1983 while living in England. Being a native Californian, I found the colorful multicultural influences, yet constant gray skies of London inspiration to move inward and create in clay. I was able to deepen my understanding of the ceramic process while studying at Raku Studios in Barcelona with Teresa Marta Batalla. I now do my work in her studio, El Raval de l'Art in the Catalan countryside using high fired stoneware in gas burning kilns. I believe that the creatures that adorn my pieces are channeled from the very earth they are made from. They are archetypal symbols, coming from the magic of the Mother Earth and the forces of the unconscious. They are made with love, giving new life to the clay that they are created from. They speak in a language that we humans, are beginning to remember and understand. All pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Each of my ceramic works is hand made and unique, infused with the healing energies of love and mantra and each piece transmits this loving and protective energy.

My ceramics have appeared in exhibitions in London, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Barcelona and have been sold in Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, England and throughout the United States.

Some of my mug designs

Sacred Symbol Necklaces

Each necklace is strung with 100% cotton cord, made with love and mantra. One can feel the necklace’s protective loving energy.

Om is an ancient Hindu symbol for the sacred sound that represents the oneness of everything, the vibration that resonates in all that exists,from which all other sounds are formed.

Adi Shakti, the symbol of the divine feminine energy of the Earth (and icon for the Sikhs) was the first mantra I heard chanted by my future teachers, the Gurudass’ and became first sacred symbol used for her necklaces.

After the popularity of the Adi’s, I added the Gurmuki symbol Ek Ong Kar (“all is one,”) a Hopi Shaman, the Eye of Horus--the pharonic symbol for protection and the Hand of Fatima.

Ganesh is the Hindu Elephant-headed God who was the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is one of the Gods of wisdom and is called upon for overcoming obstacles.

This ancient Goddess symbol is to help us remember your own divine nature.