Backstage at Spring Festival, town of Oasu

Heart Dance with the locals in Oasu

I have just finished the most wonderful five-week tour of Japan. Starting far to the south in Hiroshima, winding my way up through the cities of Nagoya, Matsumoto, Tokyo, Maebashi, following the spring season as I went. Then flying to the northern island of Hokkaido, where in the capital city of Sapporo, a spontaneous sannyas celebration was held for eleven participants. Traveling back to the main island of Honshu and the city of Kobe; finally finishing up in the countryside outside Tokyo, in the small village of Karuizawa, famous for being the place where John Lennon disappeared with Yoko when The Beatles broke up.

At every event, celebration was the climate. The sincerity of the participants and organizers in the meditations was especially touching. We danced, sang, laughed and cried, rejoiced our inner silence, and love overflowed. At the end of the day, we enjoyed wonderful 'campai' together; not to mention the long soaks in one of Japan's many on-sens (hotsprings).

Each event had it's own highlights, too numerous to list in this short space. Perhaps some taste of the festivities will transpire as you enjoy the photos. Along the way, I met some old friends, and made many new ones. A magical day-trip to the Kuro Taki San Fudaji Zen temple, high in the mountains outside the city of Takasaki, faraway from the hustle-and-bustle of the modern world, reminded me of one of the things I love most about Japan: Meditation flowered here in the not-so-distant past. And a special visit to the Peace Park in Hiroshima, commemorating the victims of the nuclear bombing, only underscored the fact: We live in a dangerous world manipulated by polititians and vested interests. I have never felt so clearly: The only way out is in. Let's wake up. Together!

Arigato gosaimasu to all my friends and beloveds in Japan. And mata - neh?

My first Karaoke experience: Singing BeeGee's songs with Vimal and Mukti in Maebashi

Standing at the black waterfall with Vimal and the Fodu Myou On Buddha at the Kuro Taki San Fudaji Zen Temple	After Tea — Photo Session with head monk of the Kuro Taki San Fudaji Zen Temple