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My recent adventures in Japan and Taiwan could fill a book. However, time is of the essence. I will leave this task to the photos. Perhaps photos are a better choice anyway, as words can be a little poor when it comes to giving expression to something great. And this trip was certainly a great one, so let’s enjoy the story these pictures have to tell. Many thanks to my organizers and all those who took care that my visit was a success. Every event was sheer delight. I learned so many new things along the way this time. And am also happy with the response to the new meditations: Chakra Healing and Circle of Love. I am in Virginia at the time of this writing, passing through briefly on my way to Europe for the summer tours.

Japan

Taiwan

On The Road – Again!

Spring is a special season anywhere in the world: a time when life awakes and starts to move again. After the long winter months, as the earth warms up and the last snow melts away (although there wasn’t much snow this year, at least in Europe), it is a great feeling to finally shed one’s winter wardrobe.

Rishi, Milarepa, Chandira, Palash, Harshil
Osho Miasto, Italy

March began for me and the musicians with a meditation weekend in Miasto.
It is always nice to be in Tuscany for any reason and the event was especially beautiful this year. I was joined by Rishi, Chandira, Harshil, and Palash. Great band!

After a long travel from Italy to Denmark by car, I flew to Japan via the States. I was in America just long enough to say hello to my mom and watch an espisode of her favorite TV show with her. Jeopardy!

I arrived to Tokyo in the late afternoon March 21 and rushed straight to the event: an Enlightenment Day Celebration in the heart of the city. How I managed with all my luggage to navigate the trains, subways, long walks, and those unforgiving granite steps in the underground stations is still a mystery, but I made it. A little late, yes, but I made it. When I arrived to the hall, it was totally silent outside the doors. In fact, I thought the event had already finished and the participants had gone home. To my surprise when I peeked in, everyone had just done an ‘osho!’ and had their arms raised in ecstatic silence. One person heard the door sqweek, looked around and spotted me, and the celebration was on. Wow – so beautiful to see all those lovely smiling faces, full of joy and welcome! Many thanks to Anupa for organizing and to my Banana Band friends for inviting me to play with them.

The very next morning I flew to Kyushu, one of the four main islands of Japan. Kyushu is the southern-most. Spring was just starting there and the cherry blossoms were everywhere. We had several beautiful events during the week – and a LOT of fun!

From Kyushu, I traveled to Shikoku, another of the four main islands of Japan. Shikoku is the eastern-most. Here in the city of Kochi, the event was a great mixing of young and old people, sannyasin and non- . It was such a delight to share meditation and celebration together. At some point during the event, something just seemed to click and love overflowed.

I write this update from the main island of Honshu, where I will be doing the rest of the events. I enjoy sharing the new meditations – ‘Chakra Healing’ and ‘Circle of Love’. I love the way they create a momentum of inner energy that easily flows into celebration, and the live-music simply makes it fun and joyous.

At the end of April, I move onto Taiwan to complete this current Far East tour. Then, in middle of May, I return to America to prepare for Europe as the summer tour comes into focus. You can check my web schedule for updates. When the band is on the road, our events are an opportunty to dance, sing, open and refresh the heart with meditation and celebration. Everyone is welcome to join our caravansarai wherever, whenever, possible. And don’t forget the Bahamas event in September. Aneesha will be co-facilitating with me this year. It is always a magical week in paradise, in the tropical ambience of Bimini Island, where we’ll enjoy the relaxing, warm, crystal-clear sea and swimming with the beautiful dolphins.

Some of the photos will have to wait for the May update, but this selection will give a taste of the recent travels and events.

I started a new year traveling from Denmark (Osho RISK) to Switzerland, Holland and Germany to finish production of the new meditation cds – ‘Chakra Healing’ and ‘Circle of Love’. Everything is in the factory this month and should be ready soon. The music and covers all turned out beautiful. At the end of January, I traveled back to Osho RISK in Denmark and participated in a three-day Vipassana Intensive. Many thanks to Nana and Devadas for making possible this ‘back-to-essentials’ group. I feel refreshed and energized for my touring season, which starts February 9 in Scandanavia and The Baltics.

This month’s update I would like to dedicate to the Osho RISK Center and its Buddhafield. RISK is one of those rare places in the world, a place where people go about their daily lives, but come together often for meditation, fellowship, love, and celebration. It is a garden where people grow and flower in a caring, supportive atmosphere. The soft, feminine countryside surrounding the center lends support to the silence and sense of mystery that abides here.

in gratitude

The New Year brings a strong momentum to keep moving forward creatively. I will focus on finishing the new Chakra Healing and Circle of Love meditation cds in January. The theme for this year’s tour reflects the multi-dimensionality of who we are: rainbow buddhas. One cannot help feeling concerned about events unfolding around the world. Meditation and love are essential in these times. However, I understand transformation must start with the individual. Walt Whitman’s timeless words “I celebrate myself” could never be more relevant.

Lotus Paradise Tour – Japan & Taiwan

My trips to the Far East are always a joy. This time was no exception. I learn something new every visit. It is part of the intrigue, I guess, that goes on attracting me to this part of the world year after year. I enjoy that there is a context for meditation in the Far East. It runs just under the surface and is something very tangible for me. At the same time, it is easily missed. One finds it hiding shyly like a woman, woven deep into the sophisticated fabric of their ultra-modern societies.

The events were all wonderful. I enjoyed making new friends, while also meeting old ones and re-connecting. Everywhere, the meditations created a ripe climate for transformation, manifesting dimensions of the inner world like a rainbow while, at the same time, opening space for the heart. Everything combined to create a powerful momentum for celebration.

I am briefly in the USA at the time of this writing, soon to be traveling to Europe for the winter months. I will spend a few weeks holiday at Osho RISK Center in Denmark. Then, in early January in Zurich, I will finish production of the new ‘Chakra Healing’ and ‘Circle of Love’ meditation cds.

Before saying goodbye to 2006, I pause briefly to look back and say ‘thank you’ to all the wonderful musicians who played so beautifully for this year ‘s events and projects, those who traveled in love and spirit with me throughout the many kilometers. I also want to thank my organizers and the many others who contributed their time and energy, love and enthusiasm, towards making the tours a success and the events possible. It has been a creative and nourishing year for me – inside and out. I feel my life enhanced, enriched, in so many ways. With all gratitude now, I turn to face the horizon and look forward to the adventures to come.

A final word about the pictures. I have arranged the Japan photos more or less in chronological order, reflecting the path of my travels: Tokyo, Matsumoto, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima. The Taiwan photos are all from one source, the place of my first event: Tai-chung(two hours south of Taipei). The fact I have only photos from here by no means diminishes what transpired at the other events: Hsin-chu and Osho Garden. Both were equally powerful and beautiful. This photo selection is a good representation of the joy and celebration that unfolded everywhere.

Japan

Taiwan

Lotus Paradise Tour – USA & The Bahamas

New York – The Abode of the Message

Chicago – Wellspring Retreat Center

Wildquest – Island of Bimini, The Bahamas

Lotus Paradise Tour – Europe and Russia

Travels with the band included Slovenia, Italy, Denmark, Greece (Corfu), Switzerland, Holland, and Germany finishing with a tour in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Band members from left to right: Isa, Jaldhara, Chandira, Swagato, and Milarepa.

Europe

Moscow & Saint Petersburg

Lotus Paradise Tour – Europe Part l

Production of the Lotus Paradise cd finished in May. The cds were delivered in June and the Europe tour immediately started. The bulk of the photos will appear in the next update. Enjoy!

Lotus Paradise

Mixing of the new album will commence this month in Zurich.The final title has been chosen, “Lotus Paradise”. It will feature the beautiful mandala artwork of Paul Heussenstamm (a.k.a. Vibodha) on its cover.

The summer tours are on the horizon. Please check the schedule page for details. You may also enjoy to view the band page for a glimpse of the many wonderful musicians who will be joining in along the way.

The theme of this year’s events is: laughter, joy, music, love, dancing, singing, and of course meditation. Come and join us for the celebration!

Lotus Paradise Recordings

Rehearsals and basic-track recordings in Denmark with Amlas, Neera, and Isa.
Additional tracks recorded in Zurich, Switzerland with Chandira (vocals), Atmo (trumpet), Vedam (flute), Sidhamo (piano and keyboards), and Harisharan (trombone) at Sound Development Studio.
Mixed by Gabriel in Zurich.