Financial Concern

Are you worried about "keeping afloat"?  About how on Earth you're going to pay all those bills?
In this blog, I want to share with you my road to financial freedom. It may not be what you think.
In fact,  I invite you to allow for the possibility that you have been defeating your very desire of providing wealth and goods in abundant measure.

Review Your Definition  Of Prosperity

I want to start with what I think exemplifies this: the accumulation of stuff. Have you heard the quote "Possession is nine tenths of the law"? This is an expression from a system that I suggest, more often than not, gives more rights to those who "own" stuff, than those who don't. I suggest it's time we question our assumptions regarding possession/ownership.

When you are sad, bored, depressed, do you go shopping?  It may be the "American way". But is it yours?
When I'm sad or depressed, rather than looking at what I can acquire to give me a temporary lift, I look to see what I can get rid of. Inevitably, I find something that I'm ready to let go of. And when I do, "voila"! I feel more relaxed, peaceful, and inspired. When I let go of something, physical, mental, and emotional "space" are cleared. It's as though by letting go of a thing, I now have literally, more of me! "Less is more".
  Whenever you feel the desire to get something, I encourage you to slow this immediate reaction to run off and buy, buy, buy. Take time and inquire within as to whether you really want this. What is motivating your desire? Is it the fear that if you don't get that thing, (even food and clothes) that you'll suffer?

Deafened by the voice of desire
You are unaware The Beloved
Lives in the core of your heart.
Stop the noise and you will hear
His Voice in the silence. ~ Rumi

If you resonate with this at all, why not try a shopping "fast". Stop this process in it's tracks and only move when inspiration moves you. Only then. And when you are inspired, listen and follow the inspiration precisely as it moves you, kinda like Gepetto pulling Pinnochio's strings. Don't run off to the store. Let the inspiration take shape in you. Let it fill you with the joy of anticipation of newness, fun, and the knowing that this Inspiration (or Intuition) is guiding you, and in It's Time and while this is happening, you will discover that this thing will come into your life in perfect time.

We don't have to do a thing based on survival fears, or the resignation of "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go".  Allowing Inspiration to guide us is very FUN. We align with the "Infinite Knower", that consciousness that "knows" us way better than we know ourselves and that has in store for us a life that is more joyous than we can imagine in our wildest fantasies.
To have this, we need patience and trust. We don't need to run around collecting our nuts and saving them for those rainy days. When there is a need, no matter how big or small, Life provides the perfect solution. PERFECT.

Experiencing Real Wealth

Some years ago, I awoke one morning with an inspiration for recumbent bikes. I let this inspiration fuel me and guide me. One "door" after another magically opened. Synchronicity was afoot! As I "walked through these doors", an entire body of knowledge opened to me. I learned about a vehicle that is superior to any form of transportation on the planet!
As I proceeded along this road, everyone I spoke to who owned a recumbent LOVED IT!  I finally found the design that most fit my life style. Although, 80% of the recumbents in the world are in Europe, this one was designed and manufactured in Santa Rosa Ca.!  The means to have this bike came easily. This awesome bike is now my main source of transportation. In fact, I sold my truck 6 years ago! This has been a joyous "ride" ever since. I believe this has also made huge, positive impact on the environment. Just riding this awesome vehicle, people always smile. I smile, knowing that they are being exposed to a significant contribution to living in greater harmony, joy, and peace.

This story is just a snapshot of life. This Inspiration is always available to us and in every aspect of our lives, and in every moment. I invite you to switch your thinking from "how can I get___(fill in the blank: anything, money, sex, lodging, you name it)" to "how am I inspired right now?" The more you ask this question, the more inspiration you'll feel and the more you'll find yourself on a Magical Mystery Tour, filled with every experience you want, but better than you can possibly imagine.

Turning "Possession" On It's Head

Reflecting upon the ideals and technologies I believe can make the greatest contribution  to the health and wealth of humanity (while realigning us with our role as stewards of life on Earth), I came up with the following:

Hemp; the most versatile plant known, that feeds the soil, requires no chemicals, and little water.
Organics; pure, chemical-free, healthy, sustainable food and environment.
Bikes: the most efficient transportation, both healthful and zero carbon emitting.
Localizing: recirculate wealth into your community,while potentially drastically cutting air pollution.
Sharing: ensuring all people have basic provisions for life, while giving people dignity and  reducing crime
Veganism: the greatest single producer of Co2 is the production of meat. Honor animals.
Simplifying: reduce impact on the Earth and your psyche. Value life as it is.

Of these, I believe "sharing" is the most important. All the rest are an outgrowth of an attitude of sharing.  When we share everything, even the richest 1% will have more wealth than they do now! Everything will be available to them. Check out this amazing organization, that has outlined in great detail, regarding just how we can make this shift.  The Venus Project:  http://www.thevenusproject.com/about/the-venus-project

Imagine

Imagine there is no Heaven, it's easy if you try.
No hell below us, above us only sky.
Imagine all the people living for today.
Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too.
Imagine all the people living life in peace.
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people sharing all the world.
You, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one.
 ~ John Lennon

What To Do

Each time a desire (for anything or anyone) arises, be aware of what you're experiencing. Are you anxious, bored, or desperate? If you are experiencing anything other than Inspiration, ask yourself  "Do I really want this?" Take a deep breath and listen internally for an answer. When you quiet your mind, you'll be aware of the answer to this question. It's always available. Until now, it has just been clouded with other thoughts that you have been trained to listen to first.  Eventually, you'll be able to discriminate between fear-based thoughts and inspiration-based thoughts by the joy and deep peace accompanying them.  Listen to those thoughts and enjoy the ever increasing Abundance Of Life.

My wish for you is not to "have a great/ awesome day",  or to acquire great wealth, or fame, or that your body be rock hard, with all the curves just so.
My wish for you is that you "have enough"...  that you "be enough".    Peace.


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Accessing The Eternal You


Since our birth, there has been a "watcher" sharing our journey. Like a movie screen, it's the pure canvas upon which the "movie" of our lives is projected.  Like a movie screen, it is not the "movie". It is clean, pure, and free, of the movie. Any number of movies can be projected onto it, yet it has no sense of loss or attachment to any person, belief, dogma. tradition, or family. It is the only part of our existence that is constant. We're referring to this "watcher", when we say "I am". From the moment we're born, there is an "us" that we know. This "us" is still awareness, witnessing the drama of our lives, it witnesses even our mind. It is the only part of our existence that has not changed. Everything added to the statement "I am" has (and does) change. Everything.

Whatever we add to that statement changes and is therefore, not us. For example,  "I am Sahar". I've changed my name many times, although no one name is more "me" than another. Or "I am a man". How real is gender? Or our bodies, for that matter? Biology is sooo changeable.There is a species of frog (the "common reed frog") that has been observed to change their sex organs from female to male.This occurs when the population does not have enough males to allow procreation and is accomplished when a chemical trigger activates the sex gene to disintegrate the female organs and develop the male ones. Now that's a handy little trick!

To live fully in the Truth of our Being lies in recognizing these temporary phenomena and detaching from our identification with them. Do any of these lines from Talking Heads "Once In A Lifetime" ring a bell?

 "You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
You may find yourself in another part of the world
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
You may find yourself in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?
You may ask yourself, how do I work this?
You may ask yourself, where is that large automobile?
You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful house
You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful wife

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was

You may ask yourself, what is that beautiful house?
You may ask yourself, where does that highway lead to?
You may ask yourself, am I right, am I wrong?
You may say to yourself, my god, what have I done? 

Into the blue again, into silent water
Under the rocks and stones, there is water underground
Letting the days go by, into silent water
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground

Same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was.

Transcend The Temporary

This song elucidates our external search: longing for the right house or car or wife. In time, we may recognize that those ideas we had of happiness, being sourced by a thing or person, were misguided. When we recognize how we have placed our focus in absolutely the wrong direction, we start to listen within. We find that there is a "silent water", that this water is the "same as it ever was". It is experienced as a blissfully still awareness. This "Water" is the Force Of Life within, and to the extent that we let go of the reins of our lives and allow ourselves to be inspired by It, does our journey down this "river of life" become more beautiful.

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

—The Elders Oraibi
Arizona Hopi Nation




Join us in the ecstasy of song, today: January 29th, at The Center For 
Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. This free evening of chanting will be from 7-8:30



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Feeling Trapped Or Stuck? Ready For Freedom?

Ever feel trapped, like you have absolutely no choice? As though you're completely stuck in this addiction/ relationship/ job or life?  In this blog, I offer assistance in freeing yourself  from this "prison".
First, I invite you to consider that your present experience is a result of the way you think about yourself. Swami Muktananda said "The world is as you see it". Said another way: "You are the way you see yourself".

 How Did I Get Stuck?

As very young children we made significant decisions in relationship to the main authorities in our lives (generally, our parents).  These decisions were based upon the degree to which we felt loved and accepted as the unique and beautiful beings we were. Each decision was a "brush stroke" in the creation of a "picture" that we painted. This "picture"  became our own self image.

With parents who were in conflict, we may have made decisions about how to behave in order to feel safe. These decisions lead us away from our natural spontaneity, to believing that we had to determine our life's course based on perceived  circum-stances. Eventually these decisions made up our outlook on life. From this outlook,(or  self-written "manual" for our life) we have learned to strategize and prepare to defend/ hide/ oppress/ or seduce and manipulate people and  circumstances. The extent to which we identify with our "manual"  (disallowing other possibilities of perception)  is  the extent to which we are invested in or attached  to specific outcomes. This leads to a life of expectation and disappointment.

In our first few years of life, we shifted from our natural state of being internally based and pro-active (experienced as "Us as Life"), to being externally based and re-active (experienced as "Us separate from Life" or even "Us against Life"). Consequently we frequently become complacent, living out an existence of struggle.  

Until we recognize this "manual", it will dictate our every thought, word and action. It will remain subjective and we will never question it's validity or whether we could choose differently from it. Fortunately, the more aware of this "manual" we are, the more objective it becomes, and the less influence it has over our choices.

Gaining awareness of the "manual" is key. How do we do this?

In a previous blog, I referred to the Vedantic practice of  "Not this, not this". The practice is one of recognizing all that is temporary (including the "manual"). Whatever remains is of a permanent nature and therefore, the Truth of who we are. It's about identifying our attachments and investments. To do this become aware
of the areas in your life where you want results. . The area of relationships may be the easiest to recognize where we are invested in results. Take a moment to reflect:...
.
Think of a person in your life and ask yourself the following questions:

Are you in this relationship to get a certain kind of attention?
What needs are you attempting to get met in this relationship?
Are you in a power struggle with this person?
Are you making them your "project"?...meaning are you invested in them changing or "growing"?
If so, what do you tell yourself will be your reward when they change or grow into the person you want?
Do you feel yourself to be a better person when you're with them?
Are you are looking for a certain kind of permission from them (for instance, permission to engage in a certain behavior or activity)?

Now, think of an activity in your life and ask these relevant questions:

Are you engaged in this activity because of what others have told you you should do?
To what extent is this activity an escape?  From what or whom?
Do you experience joy, vitality, peace, or love when engaged in this?
Or is it a promise of some later reward?.
Are you engaged in this activity because you are wanting for something / someone to change?
Are you engaged in this because it's tradition?
Are you engaged in this activity out of a belief that by doing it you are more deserving?

This is a process of recognizing all "self-generated" thoughts. Thoughts born out of the belief that you are separate from life, alone in the world, misunderstood, and consequently, that life is struggle. When you recognize these thoughts and no longer give them your attention, you then hear "fresh" thoughts, not based on reaction, belief, or history.  There is a deep peace and joy that accompanies these "fresh" thoughts.

One teacher of mine said,  "become aware of this "manual", don't try to change it, don't even try to minimize it. Just let it be." When I asked his awareness of the influence of his "manual" in his life, he said "Its  influence is like a fart in a distant galaxy"! He lived a life of great inner freedom. He was fun too!

OSHO ON WAR

'A man of peace is not a pacifist, a man of peace is simply a pool of silence.
He pulsates a new kind of energy into the world, he sings a new song.
He lives in a totally new way his very way of live is that of grace, that of prayer, that of compassion.
Whomsoever he touches, he creates more love-energy.
The man of peace is creative.
He is not against war, because to be against anything is to be at war. He is not against war, he simply understands why war exists.
And out of that understanding he becomes peaceful.
Only when there are many people who are pools of peace, silence, understanding, will the war disappear.'

OSHO, from: 'Zen: The Path of Paradox, vol II'
- See more at: http://www.otoons.de/politics/hug.htm#sthash.L1h3DfiX.dpuf
OSHO ON WAR

'A man of peace is not a pacifist, a man of peace is simply a pool of silence.
He pulsates a new kind of energy into the world, he sings a new song.
He lives in a totally new way his very way of live is that of grace, that of prayer, that of compassion.
Whomsoever he touches, he creates more love-energy.
The man of peace is creative.
He is not against war, because to be against anything is to be at war. He is not against war, he simply understands why war exists.
And out of that understanding he becomes peaceful.
Only when there are many people who are pools of peace, silence, understanding, will the war disappear.'

OSHO, from: 'Zen: The Path of Paradox, vol II' - See more at: http://www.otoons.de/politics/hug.htm#sthash.aevFp3tf.dpu“A Man of Peace is Not a Pacifist” by Osh
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More Extraordiary Abilities

Last week, I opened the door to one of many areas of our existence that is shrouded in doubt and suspicion.
This "shroud" alone is one where those who have "out of the ordinary" abilities may well be afraid of a witch hunt if they were to reveal them.n Fortunately, people are now trickling out, revealing remarkable (some might define as) "miraculous" abilities. This week, I want to expose you to more remarkable people, that we may allow for the possibility that we have available within us, a Power of Infinite Possibility. I share this information that we may let go of our perceived notions of limitation and open to the World that has been heretofore labeled as "Magic".

 Change The Weather

As our governor is considering making a formal declaration that California is in a drought, many consider what can be done to bring the rains. I ran into (walked into really) a friend yesterday, who had just returned from a ritual, with the intention of bringing rain. Another friend had been to a ritual on Saturday, lead by a Tibetan Rimpoche, with the intention of bringing the rains. We've all heard of "rain dances", well here's a person who's job it is to change weather:   http://www.drgrotte.com/NgagpaYesheDorjeRinpoche.shtml
Cut and paste the link into your browser.

For 3 years, I hosted monthly drum circles at the coast. It's a cosmic combination, being on the beach, around a fire, with music, drumming, and dance. During many of these events have I experienced this weather changing phenomenon. I remember one evening, whilst drumming around the fire, it was raining all around us, but NOT ON US! In fact, there was a "hole" through the clouds directly overhead, where we could see the stars!!! Cosmic indeed!

 Animal Communication

What do St Francis & Dr. Doolittle have in common? Yup, they both communicated with animals. Well, this next woman is astounding in her ability to "talk with the animals". Take a look:
   
http://openhandweb.org/animal_communication_documentary 
You may wish to cut and paste this link into your browser. 
 
 
Cure Cancer
 
What if we could cure cancer NOW? What if the ability existed NOW? Are you 
skeptical? If so, why? Because it's "miraculous"? Something is only miraculous
when we don't know how to do it. Consider airplanes, telephone and the internet.  At one time  
these technologies might have been assigned to the realm of "magic" or even "witchcraft".
Well, I invite you to join me now in witnessing an end to cancer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMNlmn1DPc
You may wish to cut and paste this link into your browser.
 
As you witness this remarkable phenomenon, what do you think and feel? Are you
suspicious? Why? Could your suspicion be getting in the way of recognizing 
abilities of your own? 
 
Have you ever experienced healing happen at an accelerated rate? I've had the
privilege of assisting people through accelerated healing, whether through
relieving the excruciating pain of kidney stones or being free of the addiction
to smoking cigarettes. Here's a statement from a woman with kidney stone pain.
 
"Sahar has tapped into something powerful - the ability to use rhythm, sound, and 
energy to get to the heart of the matter. I have experienced his gifts in an almost 
magical way. He helped me regain my health when I had been suffering with what
appeared to be kidney stones. I walked in weak and hurting, and walked out whole.
I can't explain it, but I sure can attest to it". ~ Venus Maher
 
I don't list this testimonial to "toot my own horn", but to acknowledge how 
accessible this Power Of Infinite Possibility is. 
If it happened through me, it's available through you as well. 

I gotta tell ya that when I suffered (and ooohweee did I suffer) from kidney stones,
I was also exposed to the use of rhythm and sound in my healing. My wife Rebecka
drove me down to the Oakland Kaiser, where exists a million dollar machine that
performs something called Lithotripsy. I was given a Valium a few minutes prior to
the procedure and asked to wear one of those silly gowns, that exposes your butt.
I laid down on this machine, while one person directed this long arm (that looked
like a dental x-ray machine) towards my kidney stone. They proceeded to pulse
sound waves into the stone and within 46 minutes, they had dissolved it! Now just 
how COOL is that?!?! The irony was not lost on me, that I, a rhythmicist, was being healed
using sound waves in a rhythmic pulse! After the Lithotripsy treatment, I put my clothes 
back on and my wife drove me home. Just 20 years ago, people would have scoffed if I had
told them this story. Twenty years ago, I would have been in the hospital for as much as
two weeks, during which time I would have had at least one invasive surgery.
 
As I share with you this technological means of dissolving kidney stones, be aware of your
level of acceptance to this as compared to any suspicion you may have upon witnessing
video of the group's dissolving of a cancerous tumor 
 
Some years ago, I read a few books purported to be channeled  from Pleidians. 
(During this time, I felt as though I was in the presence of unseen beings. But that's
another story.) I was fascinated by reading their observation that we invent tools to
remind us of what we are naturally capable of. They said that we created the microwave
oven to remind us that nothing is solid; that everything is made up of matter, which is made
of energy. We created the electric light, that we might go out into the dark and no longer 
fear it. We created the telephone and the internet to remind us that we are telepathic. 
                           What's next? 
 
Access the Wealth of Strength, Creativity, and Joy within you

It is my profound honor to assist you through whatever passage you are traversing, to a  deeper
 awareness of your innate worth, and the recognition and expression of your unique Gifts.

Through February, I offer new client sessions on a donation/ barter basis.
I'm available for sessions by phone, Skype, or in my Sebastopol office.

Testimonials: 
 
 "Much gratitude to Sahar for reminding me who I am and how I want to be in the world: 
an expression of Divine love. Sahar is an amazing counselor both emotionally and spiritually
(as well as so many other things!). Working with him has transformed me."  ~ Sue Deanne
 
 "You allowed me to look deeply into the intricacies of how I function, discovering truths 
which I hadn't realized. This is accelerated therapy that gets to the core of the truth. -N. Grace 
 
"... allowed me to learn about who I really am and what I want in life."  -P. LaDeau
 
 "You prepared the space for growth that set the stage for breakthrough experiences."
          -Dawson Church, co-author of Heart of The Healer with Norman Cousins
 

 
Join us in the ecstasy of song, Wednesday, January 29th, at The Center For 
Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa. This free evening of chanting will be from 7-8:30pm. 

 


























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Extraordinary Abilities










When I was just a wee thing, my 7 year old sister lured my 6 year old brother up to the roof with the promise that he would be able to fly, just like Mary Poppins (whom they had just witnessed taking flight, with the aid of her way cool umbrella). My sibs proceeded up to the roof, with their "special" umbrellas in hand. With my sisters statement " I'm right behind you. You first", my brother took flight......for all of .5 seconds. Needless to say, his broken arm was all that he was able to show for it.

This fantasy is one of many, that as kids, we longed for (or perhaps remembered the freedom of living outside the learned  "box" of our perceived limitations. In this two-part article I'll share some stories of peeps living outside that "box".



Superheros Today



Fifty years ago, Stan Lee created a few super comic peeps. Remember the Fantastic Four? I loved those comic books. My favorite was The Flame. he could turn himself into flames and fly! Lee also created The Hulk, Spider Man, and Iron Man. Well, fortunately he has set his sites on searching out real super humans. In fact, he has found quite a few people with very impressive abilities. I invite you to take a look at these people, all of whom he has filmed and studied, who are truly extraordinary.



A man heats his hands with his mind to 200 degrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOu9Q0HiG5U

A blind man who sees better than those with sight:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiKZ9t1f6_I

A Samurai with amazing skill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr4j83Mf70

A man who makes any animal sleep with chi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYVBMLy920I

A man who computes faster than computers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbvpp2ntK40

A man who lasts in cold while others would die:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ur3YaV6RIM



Our Extraordinary Abilities



On a more personal note, I have a couple stories to share with you from my life. In my early 20's, I lived in an ashram. One morning, I left the ashram to pick up a friend at the airport. He was to arrive at 5:30 am. About 1/4 mile before the off ramp to the San Francisco Airport, I noticed an overturned tanker truck in the center divide. Immediately, I found myself on an "ice rink" of an oil slick. The car was spinning out of control in a clockwise direction. I saw another car spinning towards and then past me. As I was about to descend over the side of the road into a ditch, at about 45 miles an hour, I yelled "Om Namah Shivaya"! with all my being. These words were my mantra at the time and my way of proclaiming "Holy shit, God help me!!".

The car stopped spinning and gradually reversed direction. It gradually aimed itself at the off ramp and stopped. I drove off. I arrived at the airport only to learn that my friend's plane was due the next day!!!

When I returned to the same section of freeway, I found the traffic to be diverted away from it because the tanker had exploded into flames and was actually melting the freeway!

In that experience I realized the power of focused intention. I aligned my entire Being into one exclamation, with the effect of having a car stop its 45 mph turn on an oil slick! After this monumental moment, rather than feeling fear, I felt great Peace and Power; an inner Knowing of the Perfection of Life. I was given a Gift. One that revealed the Infinite Possibility that is human life.



One time, on a camping trip with my eldest son Julian and our friend Lionel, we had hiked up to a beautiful summit.Whilst enjoying the gorgeous view, I pulled out 5 dice and some Yahtzee cards. I told them it was my intention to summon all my focus on the dice turning up the very best hand possible for each turn. You guessed it, the first hand, the dice came up all sixs, the second time, they turned up all fives, then fours, then threes, then twos, then ones, then three of one and two of another! Each time we were (as you can imagine) flabbergasted!



Fire Walking 



Ever been to a fire walk? On three separate occasions have I experienced this extraordinary phenomenon. After two hours of instruction followed by guided meditation and discussion, we headed out to a ginormous fire. The coals were spread out into a swath about 12' wide and 30' long. Even spread out, the coals created tremendous heat. I could see waves of heat wafting from them. We were told that the key to firewalking was to walk when (and only 
when) you had a complete "yes" to going. The "yes" was not to impress 
another or to prove something to yourself. What a great lesson for life!

When I had the "yes" I walked across the 12' section. WOW WOW WOW! I walked on super hot coals! The feeling was so deeply empowering that it changed my life. I knew that if I could do that, then the rest of my life was a "cake walk"!



My wife Rebecka, relates a story about an extraordinary moment when playing cards with a friend.

"We were playing a card game, I dealt the cards face down and he picked his up. For a fraction of a second I saw through the cards, as though the paper wasn't there. I saw an Ace of Spades. I said "That's the Ace of Spades". Not liking that she knew his card, he told her to "Deal them again". 



I have always been fascinated with superheros. In part, my fascination is my desire to recognize my own abilities, beyond my accepted norm. Although, when asked if I could choose one super power, I must admit it's the ability to make others feel love. Maybe it's not as "cool" as seeing through walls, but that has 
been the one that has lit my way.



I invite dialogue 
around this topic. What extraordinary ability have you experienced 
yourself and/or witnessed expressed by another? All you super humans, 
come on out of the closet. 























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Follow Your Bliss; It's Who You Are












We
 recently saw "YesMan" with Jim Carey. In it, he makes a "covenant" to say
 "yes" to every request made of him; to every opportunity presented to 
him. Though initially saying "yes" to eveything, he realizes that he has 
not said "yes" to himself. His discrimination develops to the point where 
he learns to say "no" to his decisions based on what others wanted for him and from him, when it wasn't what he wanted for himself. This allowed him 
to hear more acutely his intuition (or his "yes") and his wishes for himself.



For me, intuition manifests as a joyous inspiration for a specific action. This joyous excitement (or "yes") is free of any suffering, yet filled with great anticipation.  A very life affirming feeling. If I die today, I want "Follow Your Bliss" as my tombstone epitaph (although, I have no "plans" to leave this mortal coil any time soon). I would place this phrase on my tombstone because these 
words are a reminder of my vision for my life. and I would call them the "secret of real happiness" for all beings. The more I follow my Bliss, the more Blissful opportunities show up in my life. 



I love that bumper sticker that says "If it's not fun, don't do it." Amen to that!!!



We Are Bliss 



At age 15, I met an enlightened Being, Swami Muktananda. Three days into my visit with him I had the direct experience of my truest Self. I was joyfully chanting away, my arms swaying, my whole being uplifted. In an instant, the "borders" of my being dissolved; no body to confine me or separate me; no three-dimensional reality whatsoever.  Distance disappeared; no here, no there. Time dissolved; no sense of before or after. This experience was of an eternal Now and an Infinity without measure. This was accompanied by a Boundless Joy. Free of thought; completely still, I was not separate or alone. Only our minds conjure up the thought that we're alone.



Thought free, infinitely blissful, transcendent of everything, at one point I had the thought "this is great!" At that very moment this experience began to "shrink". Over the next few hours I became more identified with my thoughts and body. Although, I remember being in the lunch line and still being so blissed out that I hugged a pillar next to me! Even the pillar was a part of the Oneness.



I learned that this experience is called "Satchitananda".  "Sat" means Existence Absolute. "Chit" means awareness of this Existence. "Ananda" is Infinite Bliss. I now had a name for my truest Self. Ever since, I have identified that experience as a "pointer" back to the real me.





As you explore every aspect of your life, I invite you to ask yourself: Do I experience joy, vitality, peace, or love when engaged in this?

Or is it a promise of some later reward?

Promises of later rewards are offered by insurance companies, religions (ie Heaven), the promise that making your body look a certain way will get you a relationship. Making enough money will provide future security. 



Don't ask the world what it needs

Ask yourself what makes you come Alive

And go and do that.

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. 

~ Harold Whitman Thurman



What inspires you?





Have FUN with these links: http://www.jibjab.com/view/Z5ogqmzZxcBvfi7YGkfz

http://www.jibjab.com/view/Mfb3yUrDSjOS5WAgORdz














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The Most Versatile & Melodic Drums On Earth










Celestial Instruments 



My teacher Swami Muktananda, tells a wonderful story about 
tablas; it is said that a long long time ago, seers, deep in meditation,
 heard beautiful, celestial music. They wanted to create instruments 
replicating this divine music, so that mortal peeps (like myself) could 
be inspired into a state of bliss, similar to what they felt, when hearing celestial music.  Muktananda stated that there are 7 instruments in Indian 
music created out of this inspiration. You may be familiar with the sitar, Ravi Shankar's instrument. This along with the tamboura, veena, 
sarod, saranghi, tablas, and the ektar. Give yourself the gift of hearing tablas played live. It's a visual treat as well. Hypnotic!



History and Construction 



Tablas are part of an ancient music tradition dating back 5000 years. The tablas predecessor is called by many names; mrdangum, pakhawaj, and more. This two-headed drum, shaped much like a conga, is played laying on it's side. At one point this drum was divided into two halves, then placed upright, creating the first tablas, around 500 B.C.

The "r. & d." put into these tablas is obvious. Look closely and see that they actually have 2 skins each. All other hand drums have just one. There is one skin that completely covers the shell and another that is braided into the first, covering only the outer inch of the head. This creates more variety in the tones produced.  The black center is a paste made from a variety of ingredients, depending on whats locally available. This paste also adds another dimension, as it is like having another head on the drum, producing very snappy slaps. 



The Ultimate Rhythm Section



In western music (i.e. rock, jazz, blues, etc), the foundation of this music is what's called the"rhythm section", comprised of bass and drums, Together, they create a basis for the other musicians to play "over". The rhythm section provides the groove for the band and the more the bass player and drummer are connected empathically, technically, and spiritually, the better the groove. Well, there is no more solid a rhythm section than when you have one person playing both parts. This is some of the magic of tablas. Playing these together is quite evocative as the tabla player "dances" between melody and rhythm

The smaller (the "tabla") has 3 beautiful, distinct, bell-like tones, along with many other tones that make it the more rhythmical of the two drums. The larger drum (or "bayan") is a deeply resonant and melodic drum, akin to the talking drum from Africa. Over an octave of notes can be played on the bayan, making it the most melodic drum played today. 



Drum Language



You may have heard jazz scat sung before. You know, when the vocalist starts riffing with syllables like "adoobeedaabee adoobeedaa aboombamma whambamma adiddleeedee". Classical Jazz has lots of great "scat" moments. The origins of these spoken rhythms are in African and Indian music. To this day, African and Indian rhythms have spoken syllables. In fact each stroke on drums from Africa and India has a different "name" or spoken syllable. Here are a few: "na tun da din tet diri te re ke". Playing a stroke on the bayan while simultaneously playing a stroke on the tabla produces a different name. For instance, "na" played with "gi" is called "da". Tada!

This language is a great tool for learning rhythm. One doesn't have to be at the drums to be practicing rhythm. You can sing these rhythms while doing dishes, hiking in the woods, or walking on the moon!

And when you return to the drums you have embodied the rhythm and your playing is improved. Of course, it's also quite fun to know a spoken rhythmic language. You just never know when you might "need" it.



Played Like Piano



Most hand drums are played with the flat palm. Tablas quite different in that each finger can be played independently or together, making tablas more like piano than other hand drums. I took a few years of piano lessons in my early teens. So, I actually had a head start at the tablas. Remarkably, many of the strokes on the tablas are akin to the fingerings on the piano. There is even a parallel between piano and tablas in that the right hand plays both the tabla and the treble clef; both are higher pitched, providing much of the "lead" of the instrument, while the left hand plays the bayan and the bass clef; both providing the  rhythmic and melodic foundation.



 A Night of Sacred Song


 


Please join us for an evening of sacred song!
On the night of Saturday November 30 at 7:30 p.m,  we'll be extending the 


holiday of Thanksgiving with an evening of chanting and kirtan.
Through sacred healing mantras and prayers, we'll create a space
for love for ourselves and all Life.
For this evening it's my honor to host Jens Jarvie 


and Terri Ann Gillette. Two exquisite musicians who bring such delight to song.  
For information, call me at (707)824-1796.


 






 


In gratitude for the Gift of this blessed life.
Peace,
Sahar


 











Peace,
Sahar







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