Kindred Spirits

rainbow chasing - 'Island of the Gods' off the coast of Okinawa

campai in Okinawa with Upanishad's 'Champloose' band and friends

It has been a busy time: traveling, on the road in Europe and Japan, enjoying events, the music, good vibes, meditating and celebrating with kindred spirits all along the way.

'The Festival - East' in Riccione, Italy was a success this year: an expansion of energy from previous years, supported by the aesthetic, new venue. Congratulations to Videha and his team.

Japan was full of mystery and many surprises as always. I enjoyed the advent of Spring everywhere, which in Japan means many flowers, endless shades of green, and the sweet songs of birds; not to mention the remarkable choruses of frogs in newly-planted rice fields.

with Taruna, Upanishad's sister and singer in Champloose, Okinawa

More highlights from my month in Japan included introduction of the new 'Chakraman Meditation'. Also my first visit to Okinawa, where I met and played with Upanishad and his wonderful band, Champloose. I enjoyed rainbow-viewing on 'God's Island' - one of the many spiritual islands off the coast of Okinawa. And stayed current with the gossip while enjoying many a good 'breakfast-set' with my friend and fellow musician, Pragyana, bass player of the juicy Banana Band from Tokyo.

At the end of my stay, I took time-out to polish my karaoke skills with friends, Mukti and Vimal. I even enrolled in a cooking class and learned to make soba noodles. After a dubious start, I was awarded a compliment by my teacher, who declared my noodles to be: "Good cut, neh?" I thought they tasted pretty good, too! Pictures from this fun-filled time will follow in next month's update.

End of May finds me again in Stockholm, Sweden, with my beloved: enjoying the long days and short nights Scandanavia is famous for this time of year; also preparing details for the upcoming Europe tour. In the current world climate, I can't imagine a better time to meditate and celebrate, with people who share a positive vision of life: one of love and creativity, not misery and destruction.