Threads of Unity-A One Love Nugget

The ground of everything is unity.
No matter what the circumstances and details , a current of grace is always carrying us.

Each of us is a golden thread in a miraculous tapestry of love...
tender hearts woven together as one.
Can you feel it?
REJOICE!

How to Live Art Everyday

Welcome to my Art Everyday Series!










My dear friend, rad visionary/creative career guide, Britt Bravo always hooks me up with juicy, inspiring goods. Recently, she turned me on to ArtEveryday Month, (a genius creation of life artist, Leah Piken Kolidas). This is a wonderful month long invitation to create art everyday.

I felt totally inspired for many reasons. I love living life as art. I love the practice of focused intention to live creatively everyday.

Here are snapshots of the week in review.

• Day 1: "The Art of Lounging" I slept in till 9:15 am (a rarity in our household, which I have done less than 5 times since becoming a mama 4 years ago). Later I enjoyed a lounge on the Hammock, with my sweet hubs, Kenya and daughter Talia. Laughing, snuggling and swinging together was luxurious.
  

• Day 2:"The Art of Sharing" I posted 10 Pearls of Wisdom for Living Love. Being a true believer in our unity and shared dreaming, I shared highlights from a recent vision quest. Today I felt into my broad definition of Art. I feel so grateful for all the ways that art reflects the beauty, mystery and infinite possibilities of life. True art touches me on a heart/soul level. Later, I played around with watercolors, for the first time in years! Painted a "You Are Love" sign for Talia's room. She loved it!

• Day 3: "The Art of Gift Making"Talia and I played for 2 hours with a sprawl of art supplies, making holiday cards and bookmarks as gifts. We talked, laughed, listened to music, sang and enjoyed a quiet shared creative space.

• Day 4: "The Art of Haiku" I love this Japanese poetry practice, inspired by Zen/Buddhism (5-7-5 syllables). Ideally, it encapsulates deep feeling and gives a sense of the infinite- in a nutshell. Take a deep breath in between lines as you read.
  
  Renewal, Rebirth
  Gut, Release, Dissolve
  Steeping in the Love.
  

OK, by now, I am also in awareness and celebration of how much art expression there is in my life! Improvisational play, puppet shows and family dance parties, singing, chanting, drumming, strumming are a daily part of life. We host a chalk mural canvas patio, the length of our home, 3 cupboards loaded with art supplies and a wide ranging family of instruments. We bring love and creativity into cooking, parenting, relationships, professional work and to the chop wood carry water details of life. And while this lifestyle is the norm for us, I notice that the exception is not nearly as fun or life giving. Surrounding ourselves with art creation and creativity, in all forms, feels good! It is a way of being good to ourselves.

• Day 5: "The Art of Earthing" Yes, Earthing is actually a real word and a movement to stay connected to earth energy as a sustaining factor of vitality and health. We enjoyed an afternoon out in Bear Canyon, with 3 kids under the age of 4. With head to the big sky, sun kiss upon us and bare feet in the ground (literally), we dug in sand, splashed in the creek, played on rocks and communed with nature and friends. First thing that morning, I created a tiny 5"x3" bookmark of Sky/Starfish/Ocean with brush pens. Knowing it would be a full day out, I wanted to begin with the practice of "creating art everyday". Even small expressions of creativity can be so fulfilling.

• Day 6: "The Art of Blessing" I savored a full day in meditation on divine love, peace and unity. I was initiated by soul kin, Zelie and Lucia, beautifully tuned medicine women, as a Deeksha-Oneness Blessing Giver, This profound transmission of divine love, intended to inspire global peace, comes to us from the Oneness University . Check out their amazing vision. Also highlighted today was the "Art of Yoga and Napping in the Garden", on our midday break. I *LOVE* when these art forms blend together.

• Day 7: "The Art of Play" I played with Talia and two of her pals at our home. Hubs was giving their parents a djembe drum lesson, while we romped. We played karate/yoga class, zoomed on scooters, climbed the fort, drew with sidewalk chalk, went on the swings and hammock, shared snacks while coloring with Crayons, told knock knock jokes as we played with the sand and water table, read books (I read), pretended a birthday (complete with gift offerings and song), and had a bubble party, dancing to One Day and Give Love. Thoroughly playful. And they played ten times as much on their own. Children are masters of presence, play and wonder. They are natural life artists.

All that in just week one! I am finding that living Life as Art and Art as Meditation are my ideal lifestyle. Art Everyday Month has already been such an inspiration, to deepen and grow this life long practice that gives so much-inside and out! What's more, this week I got that it is not just "Art Everyday", it is also "Art Everywhere" Thank Goodness.

There are still 3 whole weeks left. Join me, and comment on your experiences here! I'd love to hear about your journey. Stay tuned for week two.
Let's Live Art Everyday, Everywhere, Together!
LeHaim! To LIFE!, G

Artists Allied in Universal Love

Dear Allies in Love and Unity,
Today I want to shine the light of gratitude back on you and on all the artists, creators and community members that are The One Love Alliance.

This is best illustrated by Ubuntu ,"is a humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other." Loosely translated, it means, I Am because You Are. Introduced to me by teacher, Arnold Mindell, in his fabulous World Work, Ubuntu is at the heart of my vision for The One Love Alliance, and I am grateful to see so many of us living it every day. "A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others... for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole . Archbishop Desmond Tutu further explains "... Ubuntu speaks about our interconnectedness...You are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."

It is from this generous, fertile ground that I thank you with all of my heart. The One Love Alliance, is a cross pollination of all of us. Whether you are readers, activists, artists, clients, collaborators, event participants, friends, family or a combination of them all, thank you for being the living embodiment of unity and love in the world. Thank you for being part of this evolving, open system, this alliance of lovers of life.

Last weekend, The One Love Alliance spirit of Ubuntu manifested in the orchestration of community members that came together for the successful launch of ZaBoomBa. I am still overflowing with gratitude, grocking the amazing talent, skill, loving hearts, and creativity that co-created this project. After dozens of rehearsals, hours of sweat, millions of behind the scenes logistics and many moons in the making, ZaBoomBa was birthed, delivering two off the hook, standing ovation, premier interactive performances. The uncorked joy and unity consciousness sent a jolt of love into the world. The Tucson community was so generous and willing, and our team was in full synergy. I'd like to acknowledge some of these artists of life! I *LOVE* them all and I am honored to have partnered with them.

I cannot say enough about the irresistible, talented, humble, handsome, Kenya Masala (yes, I am biased). His buoyant charm, high energy and pure love commanded sacred space. He is the visionary, director, producer and facilitator behind this project, as well as a slammin percussionist! Hat's off to you, Kenya! You went BIG bro, and we went with you!

Cliff Berrien, Mike Zechinno and Alfie Villegas, all musicians with super groovin' Afro-Brazilian Group, Batucaxe, local musician, Jeff Simpson and percussionist, Swami Piezer, all rock beyond the beyond! Together they create a mastery of rhythm and an embodiment of love that is pure magic. Their smiles are etched on my heart forever.

Bold and beautiful dancers, Kimi Eisele (of New Articulations, and Movement Salon), Bete Pfister, Kenya Johnson, both dancers with Batucaxe, (Kenya also served as PR Pro that succeeded in getting the Buzz of ZaboomBa everywhere at once), Jade Beale (local African dance instructor and photographer for our super-cool bio website pix), and Yarrow King (Batucaxe dance director and instructor)...I bow to you! These courageous, amazing women showed up week after week with willing bodies, hearts and spirits! Their athleticism, energy, love and passion leapt to new levels of excellence. I was honored to direct and dance amongst them. They brought our vision to life, both as unique, authentic movers, and as a fine tuned ensemble that emanated wholeness and unity.

Nadia and Paul, of Flam Chen - These cutting edge visionaries create breath taking, stunning performances and public actions in their Pyrotechnic Theater/Circus Arts Company. They served on our production team, with stage and costume design as well as righteous development consultation. We fell in love with these two. They are wise, hilarious and infinitely creative souls. Special thanks to Athena, Nadia's daughter, our make up artist.

Michael Longstaff, MiLo- This prolific, ultra gifted artist and Yogi-(instructor and practitioner), helped design our logo, website and branding from inception. He also created and ran the film graphics for our stage show. His devotion to creativity and his out of the box vision, come through all he touches. All the while, his humble, centered, vibe permeates the space with unpretentious love.

Director of Instrument Runners, Danielle Berrien, of Batucaxe (who also plays on the Maracatu percussion piece) and her team of 20 peeps, were alert, engaged, and wonderful. With their priceless support, we were able to bridge the worlds of stage and audience and break through the veil of performer and spectator, to create one village.

Sean Stuchen, served as our open hearted, smiling photographer. His presence was deeply relaxed and non invasive. He captured the love, power and beauty of ZaBoomBa with awe and professional artistry.

And last though not least, thanks to you, the beautiful Tucson community, including family and friends who traveled from afar and locals whose support was palpable. Playful folks of all ages, close to 1000 over the course of two shows, came together in an unforgettable expression of community joy! My cup runneth over!

Together our contributions to humanity create a more beautiful world. May we all continue to birth inspired projects of passion, universal love, and unity consciousness. May we show up for the intimate dance of merging our greatest gifts with the dreams of other visionaries, while channeling the dream of the Universe. This is the One Love Alliance. This is Ubuntu. This is the call to live on your leading edge, in service to all life. All are invited. All are welcome.
How do you experience living on your leading edge in service to life?

"Long life, honey in the heart"
Martin Pretchtel.

Avatar -Unity Consciousness 101-Let's Debrief!

I saw Avatar recently. What a packed film - giving voice to multiple memes, powerful implications and possibilities. Join me, let's debrief.

After the first 30 minutes, I wondered if this was simply a Pocohantas meets the imperialist Bush administration story. Indeed, it was much more, and I will only cover the core of it for me here.

"UNITY CONSCIOUSNESS 101"

• We are Multidimensional and we are One
  
• We are all Connected
  
• The Earth is our Mother
  
• Telepathy is real and practical
  
• We can "See" at essence level
  
• The Divine Feminine is the Spiritual Leader
  
• Respect and honor all life
  
• The energy of the Source of all life is always available/accessible
  
• Love your people, and really SEE them-Let love transform you

These “lessons,” are very practical and very real to life. From my perspective, much of the essence of this film is not science fiction, rather it's metaphysical and emotionally intelligent non fiction. Humanity, could really benefit from getting more connected to one another, the Earth and Cosmic energy. Further, the Shamanic perspectives and practices in the film offer an educational transmission for anyone who is open and willing to receive.

In an airport last week, I caught a CNN update, stating that Avatar viewers are suffering from depression. I can see why. Reemerging from the film into a mass reality that lacks connection and has lost it's sense of deeper "seeing" , and grocking the genocide and atrocities that are still happening in our world is depressing. I say lets feel the whole heart aching truth of what Avatar evokes. Let's feel all the way into what has not been working in the way we do life as humans, individually and collectively. And then let's use our awareness as fuel for reclamation, reeducation and reinvention.

I also hear that Avatar received negative press for being Anti-America. Right wing
conservatives even criticized Avatar for being Pagan and Goddess worshiping, (as if anything is wrong with being deeply earth connected and honoring the divine feminine aspect of the Godhead). Well, I am American, I am human and I am universal, just like many of you. And I actually felt my voice and views were portrayed in this film in a positive light.

Metaphorically speaking, I see Avatar as being pro-Earth, pro-Life, pro-Humanity and
pro-Awakening. If anything, Avatar seems anti-ignorance, anti-genocide and anti-demolition of life in the name of obtaining "unobtanium."

How obvious that the richest mine of “unobtainium” just happened to be under the tribe's "Mother Tree". Of course it would be. What is the metaphor of this precious resource? Is it oil? Is it power? Is it enlightenment? Or salvation? Perhaps a community's most valuable resource is the heart and home of its people. Perhaps it is life itself and a harmony with it that cannot be obtained but only cultivated and honored. What is it for you? For me, “unobtainium” is the mystery of life itself. It is a blessing and a birthright yet it cannot be possessed or controlled.

What would Jung say about Avatar? Maybe he'd say that our collective psyche dreamed this film so that every archetype voiced, as a part of our selves, can come back into wholeness and integration. I feel that Avatar offers a probe for shifting paradigms; for further realizing our potential. We can dream a new dream; one where we steward our planet, get connected and nurture the essence of life. After seeing Avatar, my willingness to be a compassionate reality artist of unity consciousness is stronger than ever. I hear a call to humanity to evolve ourselves into more conscious, reverent beings with love and unity as driving forces, Universal laws. Do you hear it too?

It is our dream. What shall we create next?

I see you. I love you.