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June, 2009

Raising a New Generation of Spiritual Warriors

South Dakota Child - photo by Mahsume SipahiAn Interview with Kevin Locke, whose Lakota name is Tȟokéya Inážiŋ… "The First to Arise".

TW: “Kevin, you could live anywhere, but you have chosen to live on a reservation, please tell us why.”

Locke: “I live on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, where the life expectancy for the average male is 47 years. There is a very high mortality rate much the same as Haiti and it is due to alcoholism, drugs, auto accidents, and suicides. And more recently we have had an increased rate in suicides.”

Kevin Locke with the children on the Reservation - photo by Susan Jeffers“Taking care of the children of the Indian reservations is my number one goal. I want to teach them how to become strong, spiritual grownups – human beings – so they will know how to take care of themselves and learn to be a joyous people. To raise up a new generation of youth that will be able to resist the forces of disintegration that is all around drawing them like a magnet toward the forces of materialism.”

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Music is Universal Language

The Oneness Choir in Varadayapalem, India‘Playing For Change’ was born in March 2005 in California and ended in Ireland early 2009 to help break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. It has been a project in the making for a decade. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. Playing For Change: Peace Through Music is a film that explores our connections in a world overwhelmed with division as Music helps us to persevere through struggles and celebrate our differences which changes the world into a more peaceful place.

Watch Episode 3 - One Love - “Let’s get together and feel alright”. While recording and filming in Dharmsala India, where we planned to add some Tibetan singers to this track we passed by a small record shop on the side of the road.

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Treat Yourself to a Tune Up

Music is strong medicine and your voice is one of the most powerful tools for self-healing - Nancy WattersMusic is strong medicine and your voice is one of the most powerful tools for self-healing. Treat yourself to a “tune up”. In her workshop, “Sacred Song, Healing Song”, Therapist Nancy Watters leads you through proven strategies for healing and personal transformation and activate gratitude, forgiveness, joy, courage, contentment and 50 other virtues that are innate within you.

“Many people still believe that you are either a “born singer” or not. The truth is that singing is a natural ability we can all enjoy. This all sounds terrific but, you may ask “what if I just can’t sing? When someone has been told that their voice doesn’t measure up, it is a crushing blow to the sense of self-expression and they will usually stop singing altogether and feel and unexplained sense of loss. But, the great news is that we all can sing.

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Sitting on a Bench Between My Two Grandsons

Dr. Alex Rafi receiving his PhD in Anaheim, CA on Sunday June 21, 2009 (click on photo to enlarge)Dr. Alex Rafi is an unusual 74 year old Persian man who was born and raised in Iran. He believes that anything is possible. In 1982, he left his beloved country ruled by Mullahs and moved to Pakistan where he lived for eight months before moving to France (Lyon) to run a grocery store. Searching for a better life, he found his way to California in August of 1985 where he operated an Italian restaurant in Anaheim for the next seventeen years.

This last Sunday, June 21, 2009, Dr. Alex Rafi received his PhD and his entire family came to celebrate his dream come true including his son, Daryosh from Iran and his daughter, Mahin from Lyon, France. “I have five children and eleven grandchildren. I am still married to the same wonderful woman, and the mother of my children. When I first arrived in the United States of America in 1985, I did not know how to speak English but I studied and learned because I wanted to.”

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The Right To Believe, The Right To Freedom in Iran

Bahá'ís have successively been accused of spying for Israel and other countries. "The international headquarters of the Bahá'í Faith is based today within the borders of modern-day Israel purely as a result of the banishment of the Faith's founder, Baha'u'llah, by the Persian and Ottoman empires in the mid-19th century. In 1868, 80 years before the state of Israel was founded, Baha'u'llah was exiled to perpetual imprisonment in the city of Akka."

"If the Bahá'ís are accused of spying for Israel, then why do they not hide their identity? Why were hundreds previously executed for refusing to recant their faith and embrace Islam? Why have thousands been deprived of their jobs, pensions, businesses and educational opportunities? Why have holy places, shrines and cemeteries been confiscated and demolished? All of this demonstrates a concerted attempt to destroy a religious community," Ms. Ala'i, Bahá'í International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva said.

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I Can Hear Music and Heartbeats

Sabrina and FriendsSabrina, how do you feel about tolerance? “There is very little tolerance in this world, especially religious tolerance. My mother-in-law , Shahla Ghotbi-Nabilzadeh and I were so deeply upset upon hearing the story of the seven friends in Iran who are in Evin Prison. This is such a travesty of justice as there is no reason for them to be in prison except for the Islamic regime's hateful desire to quiet their voices.”

Sydney Opera House, AustraliaSabrina continued … “We decided to make a series of videos with Shahla’s beautiful poems and music, in order to create some awareness of this urgent matter, which touches the core of human rights in Iran (watch video below.) Despite their obvious innocence and the call by many for their immediate release, these seven friends are in prison only because of their religious beliefs and views of the world which are more in line with mine and yours, than the majority of people in their own country. These beautiful people were taken by force to Evin prison in Tehran and after spending a year there, without any formal charges brought against them and no access to their lawyers, and every couple of months or so there are new and extremely grave accusations brought against them.

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We Are Living In Exceptional Times

We all have the power to change. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate. The stakes are high for us and our children.

Combodorj ByambajargalEveryone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film. HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet. Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Watch the Film Trailer (Film Annonce) below. Watch the making of the music below.

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Flags Are a True Symbol of Peace

Flags True Symbol of Peace by Historical Group and the Flag Wavers of Castiglio

Luca, please tell us more about this wonderful Historical Group and the Flag Wavers of Castiglion Fiorentino (Gruppo Storico e Sbandieratori Città di Castiglion Fiorentino.) Luca Polvani: “Our group from Tuscany was formed in 1986, so we have a very long experience together. During the years, many people left the group, but then more people joined so now we are counting more than 100 members. The group has become famous all over the world and we have performed in many places throughout Europe and as far away as New York and Qatar.”

Esercizioin SquadraWe all admire your performances everywhere but what caused you to become involved like this? “Well, it is part of civilization’s history. The Castiglion Fiorentino Historical Group and its Flag-Wavers originate from the ancient custom of flag-waving dating back to the 12th century when, throughout Europe and particularly in Italy, after a special event like the end of a war, the standard bearers of the town's military companies would celebrate such an event by performing difficult exercises with their flags.” “We have a very important historical background, and for us it is like bringing history back to life so we enjoy entertaining and using it for amazing public events, medieval re-evocation, and a lot of other situations like parades.”