Pilgrimage of Peace - Day One

The Pilgrims of Peace in this photo are so peaceful that even 20+ hours of travel from Los Angeles and New York to Tel Aviv could not dampen their spirits. The above photo was taken at Ben Gurion airport by our bus driver Ghazi, just after loading the baggage and safely bringing us to our first stop - Nazareth.

Shown in the picture (top row from top left to right) are:

Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, an Episcopalian reverend from Los Angeles who has been involved in multi-faith work for many years. Wilfredo provided us with a beautiful prayer just before our meal, which set the stage for our wonderful 1st eve together.

Cantor Steven Puzarne, Leader of this Pilgrimage of Peace, without whom the others could not have participated. Steve brings music back into the hearts and souls of Jewish congregations and has been involved in interfaith peace work for many years.

Paul Waller, a former aerospace executive, long time member of Beyond War, who retired early and dedicates his time to interfaith and dialogue work. His smile and gentle nature are clearly reflected in the photo.

Joan Waller, Paul's long time partner, a peace advocate who through her affiliation with humanistic Judaism met Libby and Len Traubman and started a Jewish - Palestinian and Multi-faith dialogue.

Vanessa Karam, a progressive Muslim from Los Angeles, who came on this tour to discover how she can better contribute to positive aspects of peace within a constructive interfaith setting.

(Bottom row from left to right):

Yona Wiseman - the wise woman of Tel Aviv, who is our fabulous tour guide. Yona has a wonderful sense of the multi-faceted, multi-layered realities which make up this incredible holy land. She shares with an open heart and spirit.

Rebecca Jupiter - a beautiful creative artist and singer from New York, member of the leading edge spiritual Jewish synagogue of Bnei Jershurun on the upper West Side (affectionately know as BJ for short.

Alima Sherman - a beautiful and sensitive woman from Southern California (who is holding the sign), member of Rev. Jerry Stinsons congregation in Long Beach and who as member of a progressive Sufi order, herself embodies the notion of "interfaith".

Rev. Jerry Stinson - Sr. Minister of the 1st Congregational Church of Long Beach, CA; first person to sign up for the tour. Jerry is a long time peace activist, who was waiting for an interfaith peace group program to visit Israel-Palestine.

Eliana Gilad - Me, co-creator of this fabulous group with Steve. I had fun making the welcome sign on the train ride from the Galilee to the airport. People watched with interest and asked about the program. It was so exciting to share with them.


In Nazareth we were met by logistics wizard & my partner at Sacred Peace Tours, Boaz Gershon with our dear friends and local interfaith Peace Leaders: Tareq Shihada, Director Tourist Office, Municipality of Nazareth and Kamel Barghouti, School Pricipal and Community Center Leader and head of the Nazareth English Camp. (They are sitting to the right and left of me.) Our welcoming ceremony and dinner couldn't have been in a better setting - that other than the Sudfeh restaurant situated just above Mary's Well Square in an ancient building.



Dinner was delicious. After our main course, before coffee and dessert, Steve suggested that each person in the group take a turn to share what had brought them to participate in this Pilgrimage of Peace, so that we could all get to know one another, and to help us create the best experience over the next week, such that everyone's intentions will be more than met - and all of us will contribute to the highest good.

I so enjoyed listening to everyone and learning about each one's different motivation for coming, as well as each one's unique way of seeing the world.

The group is about to arrive here to the Voices of Eden peace center for dinner and a healing music evening, so I've gotta go prepare. I am hoping to give the computer over to them during the evening (if they are not dying from jetlag)- to provide their impressions of their first twenty four hours.

They have spent the day in Nazareth and at Kibbutz Metzer, Maiser in Israel and Barta'a in Palestine to learn about the complex situation, a humanitarian vlounteer health clinic set up by the friends of Middleway peace organization and how Kibbutz Metzer turned a tragic and bloody terror killing as a challenge to connect with their Palestinian and Arab neighbors working together cooperatively in these very trying times.

United Nations & Healing Music with Israeli Jews & Arabs

Last week, Konstantin Pavlides and I presented the first round of the third research conducted upon Voices of Eden music, which began on April 4th in Galilee.

As part of the healing music program to address post trauma in Galilee in both the Jewish and Arab sectors, I looked for partners who could provide me with an opportunity to reach both populations in a joint venue.

I met with Tali Omer and Dalia Budinger of the Galilee Development office to see how we could maximize the use of the grant I was given to provide free music for the public health, by joint venture and cooperation for the highest good. In the aftermath of last summer's war in Northern Israel, both the Jewish and Arab populations were hit badly. My intent is to use the destruction as a spring board to create a phoenix of healing.

Dalia introduced me to Susan Niren's director of Knafayim, a non-profit group which takes physically handicapped and blind youth ages 18-21 from their homes to live together communally so that they can learn skills to live independent, productive lives and make a positive contribution to society. The group is comprised of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Ethiopian and Russian girls and boys.

Two days after I met with Susan to suggest the possibility of conducting a live research testing of volunteers from her group, she called to say that the date was set.

Konstantin Pavlides, the researcher who is based in London, decided to volunteer his services and fly to Israel to test this group before and after listening to Voices of Eden live music which I would be provided by me and my students, giving them a chance to expand their own healing music skills. We would then present these results during our presentation at the UNITED NATIONS on April 27. Joining us in the program was Amrita Cottrell, director of the Healing Music Organization who told her amazing story of healing herself of cancer through conscious use of voice. She also played the beautiful crystal bowls.

The research conducted was upon the effect of the conscious use of voice upon mind, body and spirit of the listener. The technology was developed by Dr. Konstantin Karatkov, with whom Konstantin Pavlides studied.


Here are pictures of Yossi's energy field, measured before listening to the music (notice the holes on the right side) and after (notice how the entire field has been strengthened):








I will post more later with a more detailed description of the process.

Pilgrimage of Peace arrives to Israel-Palestine

Can you say "Maklubeh"?

Maklubeh is a Bedouin delicacy that the peace activists and multifaith religious leaders from Los Angeles will be experiencing on their weeklong Pilgrimage of Peace Tour in Israel-Palestine. This pioneering social action tour is led by Cantor Steven Puzarne, a close friend of mine for more than 40 years. It has been an inspiring experience of living peace and growth to co-create this tour together.

Puzarne has gathered an intimate group of fabulous community and religious peace leaders who are courageously visiting Israel and Palestine to support the countless unsung individuals and group peace activists working at a grass roots level here in the Middle East. I will introduce you to them as we progress through their ten day visit.

You can follow them on their trip as they post to the Pilgrimage of Peace blog that Puzarne has set up especially for this tour.

Check back here as well, as I will be posting more of our experiences during their stay. You'll get to meet many wonderful peace makers here in Israel and in Palestine.

I am so excited about this tour as it is physical proof to me that peace is growing. It is the also a physical manifestation of the vision that brought me to Israel some fifteen years ago. A major part of the inner directive is to bring people from over the seas to the Galilee to share the healing which has already begun. This quiet peace, being lived by many already, is quiet and soft. It does not shout, nor "market itself" to "get ahead". You won't find it in the newspaper headlines or on the mass media screens. You'll only recognize it by experiencing it.

I am so proud of Steve and the tour group, plus my partner Boaz Gershon, and our Palestinian partners Mark Garbett and Mark Khano of Guiding Star, for helping me make this first project of the Sacred Peace Tours a reality. We are already a living example of peace in the middle east, and it is a joy to be able to share this with other open minded people.

Bast Hathor and Mippies

Bast or, the ancient Egyptian cat goddess and Hathor, the ancient Egyptian Cow goddess presided over healing and beauty and music. Through them, they helped people connect to their creative force and to bring new forms to the world.

My cat Mippies, who passed on while I was touring overseas, was a modern embodiment of these goddesses. How grateful I am to Mippies for the ten years of frienship we shared. Mippies followed on my heels to everywhere I would go. She would open the door on her own by jumping on her hind legs and push the door knob with her paw. The only frustrating thing about that, was that she never quite mastered shutting the door behind her!!!

Mippies was sent to earth from the Cat Embassy. Those who were formerly avowed cat haters, changed their minds when they encountered Mippies. She could sniff them out a mile away. She would ever so gracefully rub gently against them, and then shyly jump into their laps, purring ever so demurely. No one could refuse.

Whenever a special group of people would gather for healing music, especially during classes with my students, she would insist upon participating. Students found it cute, especially when she would speak. Now, that she is gone, I realize that she was guiding us all along.

After the first days of shocking loss and grief, I am now feeling her presence even more.

Thank you Mippies, from the bottom of my heart. For your support, your friendship, and your unconditional love. I feel it even more today.

Time Management for Inner Peace

Do you ever have so many important things to do that you don't even know where to start? Do your important goals get washed away through the incessant little disruptions that occur just as you are contemplating taking a step in the right direction?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, suffice to say that the disruptions also put a chink into your sense of inner peace. Would you agree?

What if it were the other way around, because of your lack of inner peace, time management becomes a battlefield of the wills.

Try this: Take a moment to contemplate that which is most important to you, meaning, that which would take you one step closer to that which is nearest and dearest to your heart. What is the next one little step you could take right now, to go move towards that goal? Feel the resistance already coming up?

Great!

Now is the PERFECT moment, to practice time management for Inner Peace. Instead of running into more DOING. Take this very moment, to take ONE LITTLE STEP, even if it is acknowledging yourself for stopping to take the moment for yourself. The amount of time is unimportant. The fact that you DO IT, IS.

If you are really courageous, take ONE MORE LITTLE STEP NOW. Even if that step is saying YES, to yourself, you have already moved two steps further in the direction of your dreams.

How do you feel NOW? Once we take affirmative action, even, or especially when it comes from the inside out - even when it stays inside for awhile, provides us with a greater sense of Inner Peace.

How do you find this process for yourself? I am interested in your comments.

All the best,
Eliana

Ancient Biblical Music

Today has been a very cool day. I left the Galilee this morning at 6:00 am. Where I live is high in the mountains. As I went down the hill, billowy clouds of fog covered the valley as if God had decided to take a long drag of his cigarette and blew the smoke out across and between the olive trees in the biblical orchards.

I left early to avoid traffic coming into the center of the country. My destination: Bar Ilan University where I have been waiting to research material on ancient music for my upcoming book, Miriam's Secret.

For me, a music library in Israel is like a candy store to a wide eyed child. Five hours was just enough to touch the tip of the iceberg, leaving me just enough time to make copies of the salient topics of my interest... ancient percussion in Israel/Palestine... use of instruments by priestesses at the time... sacred dance in the temples. There was alot to choose from.

I will share with you in coming posts what I am discovering, both in the literature, and more importantly, what I am finding in the field not far from my Galilee home.

Holocaust, Humour & Abundant Life

Two weeks ago on a rainy Saturday afternoon, I joined two of my neighbors to go visit Shmuel Olstein in the hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer and would be going in for surgery the following day.

"Is it serious?", I asked my friend Leah, who has lived across the road from him for years. "Yes", she replied. I immediately cancelled my previous plans and decided to join them.

We arrived to Ziv Hospital in Safed to find Shmuel in a fine mood. He was sitting speaking to his son Yosi. A grouchy nurse came to measure his blood sugar. "Why the sour face dear", he asked the lady. When she saw that we were all looking at her, she changed her countenance. Mr. Olstein operated as doctor and nurse in this instant.

Mr. Shmuel Olstein has made a generous contribution to my life in a seemingly small, yet major way. One day we were speaking about his experiences as a prisoner in a German concentration camp during World War II. "How did you ever survive?", I asked him incredulously. He responded, "By the way of three small but significant things:
First of all, I would constantly repeat to myself, 'I am leaving here alive and well. This too shall pass'. Secondly, every night, there was about fifteen to twenty minutes break when the guards changed duty. I led a culture club. We would huddle together next to the bunk beds, each day someone would take a turn to give a lecture or share something valuable that they had experienced in life. This would keep our brains clear and functioning.

We were given very little to eat each day. Our meal would usually consist of a half a cup of light broth with a very small cube of potato or vegetable. The third thing that really kept me alive was that before I ate, I always took a piece of my portion of vegetable, no matter how small, and gave it to someone who was suffering more than I."

Three days ago, I attended Shmuel's funeral in the valley of our green garden of eden here in the Galilee.

You can tell alot about a person by who attends their funeral. It is a certain measurement of what kind of mark they have made upon this world.

At Shmuel Olstein's funeral there were many people in attendance; old friends from his past, and young people who would meet with him in the village or at the health spa where he liked to hang out and chat with the neighbors and holiday guests.

Alhtough his body may have parted, Shmuel lives eternally through those acts of kindness and humour which touched so many lives during his eighty some odd years on this earth.

This truly makes Shmuel Olstein a living master of peace.

Xmas Eve in the Galilee

I am sitting in Aroma cafe in Carmiel. It's Christmas eve. What's it like here?

Well, not at all like Xmas in the US or Europe. First of all, Christmas here, isn't neccessarily celebrated on the 25th of December. The Orthodox, Greek and Russian, the Catholics and the Coptics all celebrate on different days. Sylvester - which is December 31st - is celebrated by all. In the Christian villages surrounding me, you can both hear and see fireworks all night long.

I live in the mountains, and it provides a great view!

On Saturday, I spent the day in Nazareth at a Jewish-Arab peace meeting. The silent peace walk attracts people who want to make a difference in an immediate, grass roots way.

In Nazareth, people were busy getting ready for Christmas, which IS celebrated tonight and tomorrow. There were lights all over the place. I stopped for knafi at Mahroum the famous eastern sweets manufacturer. Knafi is an eastern sweet made of warm goats cheese, sugar syrup and threaded wheat made on huge trays and kept warm over steaming water. It was delicious and fun to watch people come in to purchase large trays of sweets for the holiday.

I spent a few hours sitting in traffic, inching my way through the city. I didn't mind though. It was a pleasure to people watch through the window windshield. Multi colored lights twinkled as they chaperoned my slow moving people watching adventure.

Happy holidays.

Nicosia Cyprus - North and South

Today, I finally phave a free day to visit the city. My hotel is very well located, only a fifteen minute walk to the border crossing from the Greek to the Turkish side of Cyprus.

It was a sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky, the cool breeze gently brushing my face, sun drenching my shoulders, causing me to remove my sweater and tie it around my waist.

First stop was the antiquities museum on the way towards the border. This last weekend, I taught the last workshop of my overseas tour. For two months, I have carried bottles and sacred stones from the Galilee gathered in anticipation of this workshop. My intention was to make shakers based upon the ancient findings in the Galilee. Cyprus and Galilee, sharing a common ancient culture, I expected to find rattles in the museum.

Lo and behold, I found one from the middle Bronze age. It is in the form of an owl, representing wisdom, and the Goddess Athena. On the other side of the large room housing ceramics from the Bronze age, were two round figures, similar in shape to the round rattles found in the Galilee. It was a spectacularly satisfying experience.

Looking for more information, I called the Antiquities Authority Director who agreed to meet with me. He verified that the owl is indeed, a shaker.

From the museum, I continued on towards the border. "I forgot my passport", I silently remembered to myself. "If God wishes me to pass without my passport", I will receive Divine guidance." the voice of faith instructed.

I walked through the UN Buffer Zone, the ancient stone walls of the old city of Nicosia, draped on top with barbed wire, and on the other side two Turkish flags, one white with a red crescent and star, the other red, with a white crescent and star flew in the breeze. A man with cigarette in one hand, a small cup of Turkish coffee in the other, spoke to his companion, a woman whose head was beautifully draped in a white scarf with beige and brown flowers surrounding the edges.

They looked at me as I walked along the street. It seemed strange to me that a cafe would be situated just at the perimeter of the wall, a watchtower for those on the Turkish side to see how the "other half" lives.

The border crossing consisted of two watch houses and a small gate - looking similar to those gates one finds in a municipal parking lot. On the side of the was an opening for pedestrians. I walked right through. No one stopped me. No one asked for my papers. Two steps ahead, and I was fully into Turkish Cyprus - the Turkish street signs and bill boards made it difficult to be confused.

As I reached the end of the block, my phone rang. It was a friend who lives in the Turkish side of the island. I asked her if it is ok to pass without papers. She answered, "I would never do that". As I remembered our detention at the crossing on my last trip to Cyprus, I decided to play it safe and walk back across. I have a meeting this evening, and did not want to take the chance of being late.

Thoughts of being stopped and asked for my papers came up. What if I don't have anything to give them? Will they suspect me as a spy? I decided to let the voices of fear take a back seat to the clear decision to stay safe. I walked straight through. No one stopped me. No one asked for my papers. Not one policeman, and there were many there, even looked at me. It was if I were invisible.

I thought to myself, "I have really connected to my spirit if they cannot see me. I literally flew right by". I felt light and free.

Diedrichs Coffee & San Juan Capistrano

Since coming down to visit with my friend Angela in Capo Beach, CA, meet with my teacher Nandu Menon and give presentations about the Healing Music Project in the Galilee, I've spent almost a few hours every day at Deitrichs Coffee in San Juan Capistrano across the street from the Mission at San Juan Capistrano.

It's such a cool place - most importantly, they offer free wi-fi service, so I can answer emails, send out my newsletter and keep in touch.

It's a musical trip down memory lane. Strains of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Carol King chaperone my typing. I blissfully sing out loud while oothers around me chat or do their own surfing.

I am actually indebted to these musicians for inspiring me during my youth. Their acoustic peace music is definately a part of what has become my own wordless vocal music.

Galilee and Hollywood

Ok, ok, I know I haven't posted in a while. It's not easy keeping up and keeping in touch while on the road.

I apologize.

It's almost one in the morning as I write from my mother's kitchen table in West LA. Born under the Hollywood sign at Ceders of Lebanon Hospital, what seems today, like many moons ago, it is awesome to be back in my hometown.

Today, my experience of tinsel town is one of acceptance. My inner experience is that of the city of angels who are kissing me with their wings of support.

Over the past seventeen years, since my depart from the US, first to France and then to Israel, I had difficulty making peace with my birthplace. The emphasis upon outer appearance, "star" mentality, and "getting ahead", was difficult for my sensitive inner voice that was trying to get me to leave the material world behind.

After living many years of a monkish existence, each subsequent tour to California would meet me up with my own prejudice against "appearances". Who am I to judge.

Today I am grateful for having voluntarily passed under the scalpel of my self inflcted ego surgery. It was not comfortable, but today I am at peace. It was definately worth the price. Today, I am able to appreciate where I began my life. I could not be who I am today, had I not grown up here in Los Angeles.

It truly is a city of angels.

Peace on the NYC streets

New York City is the first stop on my two month peace tour in the United States and Cyprus. Coming out from the fire of the Middle East, I flew with trepidation into the frying pan of bustling megalopolis city life.

Over this weekend I gave a two day ancient healing and transformational music workshop which culminated in a presentation in the all day peace vigil in Central Park Bandshell.

We covered the five elements of Voices of Eden healing music and implemented them not only in our conference space, but also on the city streets. Walking on the way to lunch, in unison, we walked in single file line - playing our bodies as instruments.... Doum, tak, doum tak.... raka taka doum tak... we tapped and sang, the bass sound Doum, on our chest, the higher pitched Tak, with the slap of one hand into the palm of the other. It was mesmerizing.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown street traffic a single line of repetitive rhythm and simple melody brought smiles of recognition to passersby and some who spontaneously joined in. It was a powerful and magical experience.

We continued the process with ancient designed rattles also made in the workshop. We used in them in procession on our way through Strawberry Fields at the West 72nd Street entrance to Central Park, continuing without break up to the Band Shell.

When it came time for our presentation on stage, I invited the audience to join in... the light pulse of Doum Tak, brought the public crowd into the focused unison.

Living peace sang through the instruments of each and everyone who joined in. The silence could be felt - even with the noise of the dance music blaring behind us.

It was a blessed moment which I will cherish forever.

Post War Reflections

The affects of post trauma from the explosions:
disorientation, exhaustion, momentary amnesia,
jitters, loss of hearing, sudden outburst of tears is
the most
difficult challenge. Life has continued on, in
certain places, as if the war never happened.

I have more patience and compassion; for myself and everyone who has suffered in Israel, Lebanon, all over the world.

Funny how the ravages of war have enabled me to finally commit - clearly commit to make a cease fire with myself. NO MORE WAR!!!! I remind myself daily.

Never have I felt life so meaningful, even in the midst of the physical exhaustion.

I have made a commitment to give healing music programs to those suffering most from the trauma - Jew and Arab alike, mostly focusing on women and children, for the women are caretakers, repsonsible for giving and to take steps to establish a permanent healing music center and peace gardens.

Who gives to the caregivers? They suffer greatly and are in danger of passing on secondary trauma to the children.

My focus has never been so clear. I feel grateful.

My prosperity and peace is definately growing. I have been playing the prosperity game that I discovered one day surfing the internet. The site is: www.choosingprosperity.com. I am also receiving more money and I have physically purchased two of my items that I listed on the game wish list!

One was having someone help me clean my house - So, it was a peace meeting as well - Jewish-Arab of the most beautiful kind.

After she finished her work at my home, I took the woman home to her village. She invited me in for coffee and i played with her children. It was a lovely experience of abundant peace.

On the way home, I stopped at the 2000 year old olive orchard and meditated as I chose stones to bring on my tour to the US next month. Each person who attends the Quiet in the Eye of the Storm workshop: will receive a personal stone to take home as a peace keepsake. I hope you will join us.

Moving on after the war

I just came back from Tel Aviv where I spent the last two days recording the audio version of my new book "Quiet in the Eye of the Storm: Living Peace in a War Zone" downloadable on the website

First of all, it was amazing to read out loud, the words that spilled out of my pen onto the paper over the last month of writing during the war.

Did I actually write that? I wondered to myself. My voice sounds so much more at peace. It's amazing, because physically, I am feeling very tired. The blasts and witnessing the explosion took a toll on my body and I am needing rest.

On the other hand, I am feeling very much at ease.

I spent three hours sitting in traffic to get back up north and arrived late to my dance class in Carmiel - site of major bombings. It was our first meeting back since the war has finished.

The energy is very different. People compare notes as to where they fled, what they did, how they managed and "what now"???

We'll see...

Last Saturday, as we were at the community pool, I watched a missile drop out of the sky, hissing as it landed and crashed onto the entry of our small village. The blast entered my skin and the inner tubes of my ears. As I write, I feel the shock once again. Fire spit out of the ground and big billows of smoke after it.


Quickly we gathered the children and headed for the underground bunkers for safety. I left late that night for the center of the country, where the missiles did not hit. What I describe below is the reason I was not able to continue writing the same day, nor for the next several.

The following morning, I found it hard to get up. My body felt like it had been run over by a truck. Three days before this explosion, I had been in the line of another attack while at the supermarket (see my previous post). Singing in the shelter, made the shock more easy to absorb.

This evening, I read on this site a very interesting post about audiologist reserach regarding treatment of soliders serving in Iraq. It makes total sense to me.

The way I have been treating myself effectively is by passing a finger from the extreme right to the extreme left of my vision. The eye movement utilizes both the right and left sides of the brain, helping to restore balance.

Inner balance - which also includes emotional balance are also connected to hearing. In Hebrew, the words hearing, ear and balance share the same etymologic roots.

Using myself as a guinea pig, I have been using the first step of the Voices of Eden Healing Music modality, which is silence and focus, along with what I have mentioned above.

The heavy dullness in my head is waning. My energy level is increasing. Consider trying the above exercises if you are paticularly tired.

They are easy to implement and show immediate results.

Peace Greetings in the War

I made it safely to the center of the country. I am staying with some friends.
My body feels like a truck ran over it, and I have been sleeping
the entire day. Just checked my emails now... this was among them.
A. (to keep his identity safe) also called this afternoon, to ask
how I am. He heard about the bombing in Amirim this morning:

Hello every body. I wish you are well. Eliana how are you doing?
I hope you are fine after the
bomb in Amereem...I wish things will get better soon.
...

I would like to invite people who are living under the
danger to come to my house to stay there until the war
ends ...
Pleasee dont be hesitate. My house is open for every body
and you are welcome to stay any time ...

Please Eliana put
this invitation onto your web site ...and tell other
people about it ..I really appreciate it.

My family welcomes you also ...
I wish you a better life and a nice time ...Please take good
care. I'm looking forward to hear from you soon

My heart is with you all.
God bless

Sincerely yours ,
A.A.R.
Palestinian Peace Activist
Ramallah, Palestine

Wonder What it's Like to Play Monopoly in a Bomb Shelter?

First of all, the money is in Israeli Shekels. Secondly, Park Ave., in it's Israeli version is Dizengoff Street, the main thoroughfare in Tel Aviv.

This morning, I received a telephone call from Tatiana, a Russian woman who lives in Jerusalem. Yesterday her granddaughter was born in Toronto. They named her Eliana.

Tatiana did a search on the internet for Eliana and discovered my website:
. She immediately called me to find out more about my music, as she too is a music teacher and manager in the Department of Education for Special Needs and Training. Next week Tatiana will travel to Toronto to meet her new granddaughter. She asked if I would be able to prepare and record a personal lullaby in time for her to take it with.

"I have to check it out", I replied. "I am running out the door. When I return, I'll check the postal service and see if we will be able to get something to you on time".

It was funny to receive her call, since from the beginning of the war, there has been absolutely no work. Not even a telephone call about it. Focus in the north is upon physical survival. WE are not allowed to gather in public spaces, and all businesses, including the banks are closed.

I went to the swimming pool to cool off. At exactly two p.m. we heard an intense crash. Looking up at the neighboring hill, I saw orange flames spark upon the green horizon, immediately followed by billows of smoke.

Looking at my friends children who were also at the pool, I quickly told them to gather their belongings. "I'll take care of you. Come with me." "We'll go to the shelter", they replied in unison.

"I've never been to a bomb shelter in my village", I thought to myself. This will be a good opportunity for a new experience.

We quickly arrived and entered into the underground space. I didn't have a moment to become acclimated before DOrit, the youngest asked if I would join them in a game of Monopoly. The board was already opened on the mattresses lining the floor.

(I gotta go now)... I'll continue the rest of the story tomorrow.

Tune in again.

War, Peace and Figs in the Garden of Eden

The shelling from yesterday and today has left my nerves shattered and brittle.

My body cannot easily tell the difference between a door banging shut from a sudden gust of wind, and the boom of a crashing katyusha missile. The wail of the siren is like nails on a chalkboard to my stomach.

Even so, I am convinced that the darkest hour comes just before the dawn. It's a law of nature. Today, in our deserted village, I roamed the country roads, and picked ripe figs off of the trees. This year because most people have fled to the south for safety, the fruit laden trees hold half pecked figs, eaten by the birds.

The plump ripe figs that I suceeded to pick seemed to cry out to me - "Thank you".
Mother nature whispered in my ear, "I give you all you need to live an abundant and delicious life. If only you humans would stop long enough to remember who it is that provides your every need. If you insist on destroying yourselves and one another, that is your choice of free will. I will silently wait until you are ready to see me and taste the fruit of another way".

Today I remembered the wise advice an acquaintance had given me when I had been laid off of my job in Los Angeles some twenty years ago. She said; "With the time you have left there, love it with all your heart. Be there with all your heart, so that when you leave, you will never have to go back to that situation again."

Thank God I put her advice into practice, for I have never had to go back to "the rat race" again. I realized this morning that I can put this same advice to practice in the war. YES.

I choose to love where I am WHOLE HEARTEDLY. I didn't say "like it", I said "love it"... as in accept, as in learning more compassion, faith and patience so that I can enjoy the morning dawn that will surely follow this dark night of man made hell.

Music Therapy in a Supermarket Bomb Shelter

For the last several hours, I have wanted to post to this blog, and for one reason or another, with all that is going on, I couldn't get to it. "Later", I reasoned.

After weeks of not leaving my house and village, this morning I ventured out to the post office in the neighboring Arab village. Afterwards, I drove quickly to Carmiel (where a few hundred bombs have hit during the war) to by groceries at the one remaining open supermarket (my two week stockpile ran out). In the middle of shopping, sirens wailed, warning of imminent bombing. Crash, boom, the bombs started to drop, very close to us. The mix of Hebrew, Arabic, and Russian speaking shoppers and clerks ran into the bomb shelter and stairwell for cover. The manager who burst into tears, was in shock. She worked next to the open door as the bomb exploded.

Tears filled my eyes as I held her tight.

I watched in silence, observing the human drama unfold. Commotion all about amongst a sea of nervously chattering waves in Hebrew, Arabic and Russian. The bombs do not differentiate between religion, creed, class or color. Everyone is getting hit here in the Galilee.

I noticed that those who wanted to be quiet, gravitated towards the stairwell where I was sitting quietly on the steps. At one point, I began to sing - softly. The acoustics of the stairwell was great. One woman turned around and remarked, "Yes! That is what we really need now", she smiled at me.

Funny, just then I remembered this blog, grateful for the opportunity to share a moving moment with others.

I have been asked to share how I work with patients. My practice is of a unique kind, not requiring a traditional "therapist-patient" role. This morning for example, in the supermarket, my role was that of therapist and patient. This morning's example taught me, that sometimes, the most important way we can help others is through our silence. I felt most helpful when I sat there silently observing with compassion for all of us.

I spoke to people as well. Afterwards, I felt that maybe it was too much. My silent compassion was the most powerful gift I could give.

http://www.peace-in-war.com is a new website just opened. On it, you will find "Quiet in the Eye of the Storm: Living Peace in a War Zone" a downloadable book with stories from daily life here, along with simple and practical exercises you may use yourself (and with clients) for staying calm even in the worst of circumstances.

Thank you for your comments. I have wanted to reply, but haven't yet figured out how to on this blog. Please keep them coming.

August 9 in Northern Israel - Daily News

Yesterday I ventured out for the first time in two weeks - to the Carmel Mountains. Why did I risk going? Because there was a special conference given free to small business people from the North, to help us prepare for the day after the war... It was a day to help us plan for rebuilding our business, so that we can earn our living, and keep the economy alive. 91% of the work force in Israel is made up of small businesses.

The government unfortunately does not have small business as a priority, so the fact that this event occured, originated by private business, was a true blessing.

It was also heartening to meet up with other people in similar situations, and to receive support and brainstorm.

I am going to follow through on an idea that I have been thinking about for a few months now. Yesterday, the positive feedback I received upon it, makes me intend to go for it.

The siren is ringing again, gotta go for cover... Will write again later...

Kisses.

Susan Jeffers endorses Quiet in the Eye of the Storm

"A beautiful and intimate voice of reason providing healing tools to apply in all the conflicts life hands us." Susan Jeffers, PhD, bestselling author, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" and "Life is Huge!"

Actually the entire endorsement she wrote is:
"Eliana Gilad's words are as inspiring as her music. Her book Quiet in the Eye of the Storm: Living Peace in a War Zone is a beautiful and intimate voice of reason providing healing tools to apply in all the conflicts life hands us."

Isn't that beautiful!? I am so grateful.

Please visit my new site and tell me what you think:

Open House in the Israel-Lebanon War August 4

Last night, I held open house (which occurs regularly on the first Friday of every month), dedicated to the Source of all Good. I had NO idea if anyone would show up. Yesterday was a hard day too. Sirens blasted in the morning and afternoon. I myself, felt raw and vulnerable.

Yet I felt it essential to keep my promise to God to keep the focus on GOOD. It's easy when things are as usual. The real test is when everything falls apart.

I thought to myself, if only I show up, that will be enough. I am enough. It was a big moment.

In the end, there were 12 people here, including a small girl of 7 years old. She hadn't slept the previous night for fear of the bombs. Her mom brought her to give her confidence.

At first we sit under the ancient carob tree in silence, contemplating upon the Source of All. Each person in his/her own personal way. I introduce the silence by singing a wordless melody composed on the spot, along with my frame drum.

Afterwards, we eat dinner together. Everyone brings something to share with the group. The food was scrumptious!

By the end of the evening, the little girl was performing magic tricks for us. It was inspiring.

Peace-in-War.com

That's the name of my new website announcing the release of my new downloadable book:
Quiet in the Eye of the Storm: Living Peace in a War Zone.

Please visit and tell your friends.

Tonight is open house. First Friday of every month, this center is open to the public to come and enjoy the source of GOOD in silence. Afterwards we share dinner together. Everyone brings something to share.

We will meet this evening. It is more important than ever.

I feel so vulnerable. The door slams in response to a gust of wind. I jump.
In response to the fear, I turn it over to the Divine.

No way, will I shut my heart now. Yes, I feel so fragile.

And in my fragility, I find my true power.

NO. I will not bow to my fear.
NO. I am not endangering myself.
NO. I will not feed into, nor react to your fears... if only to comfort them.
YES. I am discovering my true safety.

My safety lies in the Divine to whom I surrender.
"Not real", you may silently snicker to yourself.

Well, it won't be until we honestly quiet ourselves enough to allow
the still small voice to guide us.

I am standing up to be counted. Please join me in the Land of the United Hearts of the Divine.

Late Breaking News: August 4 - Israel-Lebanon War

Since waking up this morning, there have been two air raid sirens, calling us to find immediate safe shelter.

The first one came just as I was in the middle of my morning meditation.

I quickly gathered my two cats and brought them inside, which wasn't so easy. They were bewildered and kept jumping from my arms. The hardest part about that minute, was not knowing if and when a bomb would drop and wipe me out. It is a terrifying feeling.

I got the cats inside and immediately went to sit in the hallway. I burst out into tears... not just tears, sobbing. This hallway is turning into my new altar, where locked between the two bathroom stalls, I intimately turn to God.

"Please forgive us our ignorance. Please forgive Nasrallah for sending the bombs into Israel destroying innocent lives and homes. Please forgive the Israeli army for destroying innocent lives and homes. Please forgive all of our hatred and fear, for we know not any better. Forgive me of my ignorance and hatred, beginning with my own self hatred. Teach me to only love.

I did not ask to be born God. You brought me here. I turn everything over to you: my life, my work, my music, my path, EVERYTHING!!!! on the one condition, that you guide me in the Higher Good. This you must give to me as your daughter.

Let ME be the first to set down my weapons of war. Let ME be the first to live a shining example of the Highest Good. I am literally sick of pretending otherwise.
Please let me sound YOUR voice only!"

This is my prayer as it comes from gut and heart through my fingers onto this page.

AMEN.

Ten laps to one sprint

Living in the north of Israel in the middle of the war, almost three weeks later, it's getting old.

I am so proud of myself for using the time to write of my experiences to share with you, as I am convinced that if just one person will be inspired to feel at ease in the middle of their own private war, then all my efforts will have been worth it.

Yesterday I was up until 5 this morning - 19 hours straight in front of the computer, to get the book finished by the deadline I had set.

Today I am burnt out and resting. Once I finish writing the post, I will turn off the computer.

I feel like I am in a long hurdle in the Olympics of life. Ten slow laps for every one fast sprint. Thank God I am listening enough to my body to stop and slow down.

I wish you all a wonderful day. Maybe we can take a break together.... relax a little.

Quiet in the Eye of the Storm

It is past four thirty in the morning. I've been sitting at the computer since 10 am straight.

Yes, that's a long time, but I have been going through labor, giving birth to my new book: Quiet in the Eye of the Storm: Living in Peace in a War Zone.

I am sooooooooooo excited about it. I feel that my life is full of purpose... so grateful to be able to share hope and inspiration in these times.

Following is an excerpt from the intro:


The purpose of this book is to help you prepare for the best even in the worst of all circumstances. A war zone could be in Bloomington, Indiana, the French countryside, or the South Pacific, as much as in the Middle East. I just happen to be in northern Israel at the present moment, where a conflict is occurring; however I learned the techniques I want to share with you now over the last 25 years in many different countries. Choosing right now to prepare for the best means choosing how to respond in the moment when things have gone awry. Although you cannot control what happens to you, you have every bit of control of how you respond, and this determines how you experience your present. The choices you make in the present have a direct influence on the shape of future events.
Make no mistake about it, your voice is important. Each voice contributes to the entire, wider world in which we live.
When people of good conscience, such as you, are confronted with images of war and conflict, it’s a difficult experience. You want to love and be peaceful, and you have a powerful need to make sense out of what you perceive. But it’s hard not to judge. After all, whatever you believe about who is “at fault,” you’re right. Resistance provokes resistance. There is some truth to every claim of injury and every side of a disagreement. To resolve conflicts, we all need to practice the solution. We need to begin to focus our attention in a new way.
This is not a book about “magical” or “positive” thinking. The bombs may not immediately stop just because you or I get peaceful inside. But when enough people join us, and there is little resistance to peaceful living, the bombs will stop.
If you think that your little part in our world doesn’t make a difference, it won’t. If you believe that you do make a difference, you will. Imagine what the world could be like if each person believed that their little parts made a difference and they chose to prepare for the best even in the worst of situations. What do you think the world would look like then? Everything could change for the better in the blink of an eye.
This book is not about writing to your Congressman or government representative. It’s about connecting with your own power and voice of peace. When we reach the limit where enough people are tired enough of the same-old same-old political and military conflicts and they’re finally so exhausted that they’re willing to open their hearts, I believe things will change. As a world we’ll be exhausted enough to let go and go to the place where we haven’t been before: to stop judging—first of all, ourselves.
I am one person amongst billions. I know the power of my voice. Through the intimate stories in this book I am sharing what I am going through during the current conflict because I am discovering a deeper experience of living peace. This is an opportunity to implement the tools I’ve been teaching for many years and practice them under extreme circumstances. In expecting the best outcome for peace, I am holding in mind and experiencing my connection with everyone.
Years ago, after a career in the high-tech industry and as a marketer, I left the United States and started over in France. I’d been a spiritual seeker for most of my life, and I finally made the decision to let go of my attachment to the people, places, and things that had defined me up to then. In France, I worked as a freelance broadcaster, and ultimately transitioned from that to a more unusual lifestyle singing on the inter-city trains.
An inner voice called me to move to Israel in 1994 and establish a healing music center in the Galilee in “a green place where one also sees blue.” It took me ten years to locate the site of this vision, and then I met someone who guided me to the village where I now live overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Throughout the years, I had continued my practice of “letting go” and trusting my spiritual guidance to show me what to do.
The five tools of peaceful living that are described in Quiet in the Eye of the Storm—silence, the heartbeat, a single long note, melody, and rhythm—come right out of the Voices of Eden musical approach I’ve developed and teach around the world. These blend ancient, sacred technology going back as far as the earliest Goddess-worshipping people with Eastern and Western musical elements continuously used from then until the present day. We’ve studied them in medical research settings and they’re proven to reduce stress, help you sleep better, and to improve focus. As you read through the book, I hope you experience these benefits firsthand and are more able to handle any confusion and pain that you face.

The book is available for immediate download at:

Third Saturday in the War Zone

Following is an email I received just now from a wonderful woman in New York who directs a beautiful healing center:

Hi Eliana,
Hope you're well.
I can only "imagine" what it must be like to live in a war zone. I'm sure it must be terrifying to live moment to moment in survival mode, forcing you to think your way through life rather than having the luxury of feeling.
Keep singing, & loving your way forward and let the doors open with new opportunities for peace.

Feel free to quote any of my messages if you think they're worth repeating..... Still sending prayers of Peace & Love, Jodi

This is the reply I sent:

Hi Jodi,
Thanks for your email.
Frankly, I am not terrified at all.
I am feeling more than I ever have.
NOT FEELING and THINKING, I am learning,
is what ends up causing war. When we disconnect
from our humanity, it is easy to objectify (whomever and whatever)
and "get rid" of the "enemy out there" - never mind what side.

Truth being though, the enemy is inside. That is where I am busy
making peace with myself - learning much compassion for my
ugliest parts. It's a real gift.

Eliana

Therapy Times and Healing Music

I am honored to have been chosen to write a healing music column for
The Therapy Times`

This will be a great opportunity to share all kinds of practical tools as well as to answer questions regarding conscious use of voice, rhythm and music as a natural healer.

During this war, there is ample opportunity to practice what I teach. You know, the teacher has much to learn from the students. I have become an avid student of peace amidst this war, seeing how I can find new applications for ancient use of music and percussion.

This photo is of cymbals recently unearthed during an archaeological dig in Megiddo, lower Galilee. It is said that Megiddo is the location of the end of the world. Is this so? Could be. I would say that the end of this world is the beginning of something new and very different than what we have known up until now.

It includes the rebirth and rememberance of the way of the ancients, bringing back what worked well and was in tune with nature.

In the two day special event that I will lead in New York, we will explore the ancient use of percussion as a means to herald in health and renewal, exactly at the point and in the places where it is needed most - in our cut off, wounded psyches.

Healing our own inner war wounds is the biggest contribution we can make to society.
Our personal example allows for others to be inspired. One by one, we chime the individual notes of the harmonic choir of humanity with the Divine as conductor.

Life goes on as usual

Here I am in the center of the country, and life goes on as usual.
I will return tonight to the north. My neighbor and friend Leah, is staying
here with me at my friends house in Even Yehuda... as there was no public transportation yesterday to take her back up north.

So what does one do, while in the center of the country.
We went this morning to the local branch meeting of BNI, an international
networking group. My local group from up north has not met for the last two weeks
since public places are required to stay closed - preventing danger of too many people being in one place at the same time.

It was funny attending the meeting, since usually I market my healing music center, where groups come to experience quiet and stress release. This morning, I could not market it, as my village is shut down for business.

I marketed my writing abilities in English - brochures, business proposals, advertisements, etc... My communication was very clear... I received good feedback as well as a few leads. I'm going to have to find an alternative way to bring in income for the next while.

At the right time, in the right way, income comes to me in the very best way...
That is what I am reminding myself.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Refugee from the North

I now know what it's like to be a refugee.

Please, don't feel sad, if anything, feel compassion.

I've been thinking, that either everyone loses or everyone wins.

People are displaced from their homes on both sides of the border.
It's a travesty. On the other hand, my heart goes out to all of us.

I am convinced that good will come from all of this, because it is what I
choose as my experience.

Already, I went to the bank, post office and pharmacy in the Sharon area (as in the Rose of Sharon, from the bible. It is the area where I lived for almost ten years.

All the people I ran into ask about my welfare. It warmed my heart.
On my way out of the town of Tel Mond, an elderly Yemenite woman stood waiting
at the intersection hitchhiking a ride to her community some eight kilometers away.

In response to the idea in my head at that instant - about where income is going to come from, I decided to take her to her destination. I laughed to myself at the instantaneous replies we receive from the heavens above. Two minutes before, I had had a worried thought about my work and income - cuz everything has been shut down in the north. I chose to reply to myself in the affirmative. I KNOW everything is ok. I KNOW that the Divine provides for all - if we will only allow it. I chose to open myself to this stream of abundance.

It was at that very moment that I saw the woman. With her in the car, I silently thanked the Divine for my abundance of free time, and four wheels, that would take this needy lady to her home. It filled me with a sense of abundance.

Going to the Well

I am going to the well, in more ways than one.

Right now I am packing to go to the center of the country for a few days.

Missiles fell a bit too close for comfort at the edge of my village. The inner and outer directives tell me to leave.

It is painful. I want nothing more than to stay in my home. My neighbors will feed the cats. Tuesday we have the Thank Water Ceremony, but in Tel Aviv and not the Galilee as was originally planned.

I am thankful to know that this really is my home. I am so thankful to have wonderful friends who receive me with open arms without question. They even said I can bring the cats if I want:-)...

I am sure that they will be in good care with the neighbors until I return.

Thank you so much for all your support. It would be FANTASTIC if you will hold in mind the highest good, and practice connecting with YOUR inner quiet...

THen, hold that in mind expanding beyond your self.... until everything becomes the same self.

I will do the same.

We can compare notes later. Hopefully will write later from my the Sharon, back to the area where I lived before I moved to the Galilee.

The Brides Wedding Party in Galilee, Israel

The wedding yesterday was the brides party. Only women.. plus Kamal and his best man. IT was beautiful and poignant. So good to leave Amirim for a short while and be amidst a celebration.


The music drowned out the fighter planes overhead. The children played and celebrated too. It was a just balance - new beginnings, birth, in the midst of much death and destruction.

Tomorrow night is the feast. The religious Druze leaders will attend, and so there will be no music... it is against the religion.


Tonight, five women from the surrounding area met here for a potluck dinner and meditation upon the above. I lit the entire house by candlelight.

So much pain and so much gratitude exist all at the same time.

To everything there is a season, and I pray that all this war and destruction shall lead to a huge rebirth.

Arab Wedding in the Israel War Zone

In ten minutes, I will leave for Maghrar, the village ten minutes down the hill to attend the women's party of my friend Mohammads son Kamal.

I debated whether to attend or not, until about an hour ago. It is so close, yet so far. I have been sequestered in my hill village for the entire week, and have not gone out once, if only to deliver Matthias, my German guest, to the bus station after last weekend.

The inner voice says: "Go. Being with the women will give you strength and it will inspire you".

My neighbors Hava and Aviva will join me.

I'll fill you in later on how it was.

I am so moved by the communication during this war. It moves me often to tears. On one hand, I feel cut off, from daily life, on the other hand, more connected than ever to the essence of life!

I received a beautiful email from Jane Abromowitz, a lovely lady who also writes an uplifting and inspiring blog from Israel (more evidence that I am not
the only one :-)!!!!! Visit her blog here:

I wrote this to her and I wish it for all of us:

I am sure that the river will clean out all the debris from the current stormy waters in your life, and holding in mind that each one of us will move in the direction that serves our highest good.

War and Sleep - or lack of it

Can you believe it? I have been up all night.

The rooster is crowing. It is almost five thirty in the morning.
This war is having it's way with my body clock. Learning to make peace with that too.

I guess I'll go take a shower, do my morning meditation and then go to sleep.

Between five and six in the morning is a powerful time to sit and focus upon intention.

Peace in the War Zone

I just came back to the computer after going to sleep.
Only I lay there with too much on my mind to allow me to doze off.

Also, I slept until one o clock this afternoon. My body clock is way off.

War'll do it to you every time :-)...
Forgetting that I had just sent out another message to my good news email list (you can subscribe at: , I reopened the computer to discover ten well wishing emails from the announcement. What a plesant suprise! Thanks!

I decided to write what I learned as I was sitting in meditation before getting into bed, and before trying to fall asleep. I am writing down my experiences (there are so many and will organize them into a book) that I will be able to share with others in a constructive way. Gonna go write some more now.

Thank god for the computer and for internet. It's a life saver in war. Makes me feel connected.

All the best....

Latest Breaking News from Israel: Northern Galilee

I have been up since five thirty. Not because the missiles kept me up... I kept the fan on last night to silence the military vehicles with white noise...

No, I have been up to start writing a book to share how I am staying peaceful in the midst of all this calamity.

I swear, I am finding such deep compassion and meaning in life, by showing up, moment by moment.

I'll keep you filled in .

My morning coffee was punctuated by the song of birds chirping in the trees (will write more later about this)... It was quite amazing to experience the duality of both the silence, the song and the hum of the fighter planes in the distance.

It all exists at the same time.

What do you want to focus upon? I am choosing the silence.

There's something bigger here, and I am going to find out what it is... and share my good with you.

Please remember to do something kind for yourself today... you deserve it!

A twisted back to straighten out my attitude

So today, has been spent mostly in front of the computer.

I already wrote about taking Matthias to the bus this morning.
He arrived to Caesaria safely and spent the day wandering around the ancient
Roman ruins, and site of the Hebrew spiritual Eli Eli (Oh Everlasting Divine), written by Hanah Senesh, the resistance fighter who was captured by the Nazis on her way into Germany to free Jews from the concentration camps.

Funny how yesterday we had a talk about the holocaust. In my youth I was incredibly sensitive around the subject. I refused to go to Germany. During my years living in France, I had a major healing with it, enabling me to enjoy a music peace tour there as well as host and share that delicious weekend in the Galilee with Matthias, in peace, while the military planes flew overhead and missiles flew around us.

Matthias just called to say good night. I told him about the connection. We had a good laugh over the irony of God's creativity in bringing about healing for us all.

Make no mistake about it... healing is happening... even in this war. I am one example of it, and there are many others.

This afternoon - after speaking to my mom on the phone (she lives in LA) and assuring her that I will take good care of myself (it's part of the Jewish gene pool :-)... I left the house to go swimming. At least a dip in the water will refresh me. Bombs can't explode in water... they will just melt. It was a comforting thougth.

I got to the pool and was suprised by the amount of activity going on. These last few days, the village (and everywhere else in the north has been like a ghost town).
The children were playing in the water. I was only able to swim two laps before my back rebelled. I am getting the message over and over again: "Stop, rest, look and listen. You will find everything you need".

Those minutes that I sat by the pool watching two children play hide and seek in the shallow end of the pool, taught me without a shadow of a doubt, that innocence is the way... especially in response to violence. They don't know what is going on. They continue to play.

I do not mean to say that we should be irresponsible... I suspect there may be those of you reading whose minds may criticize. This is ok. Only I ask you to consider another option - something that I am learning big time these days: compassion.

Compassion is born of innocence. If we truly allow ourselves to connect to that part of ourselves, we will find the solution to our basic problem... disconnection from the Source... that sense of being alone.

I am applying it right now. Half hour ago, bombs hit Carmiel, Rosh Pina and Tsfat... that is very close to me... I heard alot of commotion in the distance. It is leading me to prepare my bedding in a center room of the house, where there are no windows, just to be safe... This has brought up fear.

How do I respond.... I meet the fear - meaning I am not running from it, I am accepting it. I ask it what it is teaching me. I listen for the answer. I asked whether I need to leave. The still small voice answered, no, yet it might be a good idea to sleep in a secured space. I am being obedient to that voice. Better safe than sorry (I've gotta write the blog tomorrow, no :-)??!! I will take care of myself and do what is neccessary to protect my being.

Tonight I go to sleep confident in the Highest Good. I am sure of it. I surrender to it. I have NO IDEA what it looks like, or what it feels like now, but I am 100% committed to learn and experience it. THis war is teaching me true peace. Stay tuned, I will fill you in on what I learn.

Not knowing is a powerfully safe place to be. AMEN... and good night.

Weathering the Weather

This morning I awoke feeling so much better.
Allowing myself to feel the deep pain yesterday washed me clean.

Matthias and I left at 8:00 am to go to my yoga class in the village.
Only on the way up the hill Bea called to say the course is cancelled.
No one is coming... she said.

I decided to take Matthias to Carmiel - to the bus station... hoping there would be buses. Yesterday, there was no transporation and the roads were closed.

Last night, we had no water for about an hour. I wasn't sure what to expect this morning.

The road was silent and the stormy clouds reflected the dark mood. It was such bizarre weather for the middle of the summer.

I dropped Matthias at the bus station, fortunately there were limited buses running.
I continued to the supermarket, to the bank and to the gas station.

On the way from the supermarket, I picked up a hitchhiker from Sakhnin, on his way to the shopping center. Sakhnin is the Arab town, whose soccer team won the World Cup for Israel this last year.

I let the hitchiker out, and he thanked me graciously. It felt good to have something to give in this gloomy atmosphere.

With my trunk filled with food and water, I made my way back up the hill to Amirim, the village where I live. We are fortunate to be blocked by a large mountain "Mitzpeh HaYamim". The missiles (katyushas) would either hit before the mountain or after it.

Today I have been inside - mostly on the internet. My cat is sleeping on my lap, paws locked on top of my fingers as they type this entry.

I feel glad for the sunshine. Glad for the hour. Glad for the moment to be alive. People have been calling and emailing yesterday and today. It feels so good to know that others are thinking of me. It makes me want to give even more.

I really hope that people are reading these entries... I have NO idea.

IT would be great to hear from you.

My tears could water an entire garden

Renatia, a lovely woman from Rosh Pina, who spent the last two days sleeping in a bunker, decided to come out and sleep in her house.

She called this morning to share a song that she is in the process of preparing. During the conversation, she mentioned something about Germany, I asked if that is where she was originally from. When she answered, yes, I suggested that perhaps she would like to speak to my guest, Matthias. I was thinking that perhaps it would provide him support to speak to someone in his native language.

As Renatia and Mathias spoke, I lay on the couch, deep pain in my back, tears welling in my eyes and silent sobbing convulsions finishing the cycle.

I am crying because I feel pain. My inner voice says: "Yes, sweetheart, cry... it is so healthy to be human." I dont' know Matthias very well, so I wondered how he would respond to my tears. Habit made me want to stifle it.

"No. It is healthy. It is human. It is loving. Thank God you are a human being with feelings. Let the boy see your pain. Let the boy see who you really are, what you are honestly made of". Tears are coming to my eyes as I write.

I hurt. I hurt because of all the good that gets squished by the ignorance and fear of others who cannot see. And I do not intend to hate them back. That would only be continuing the cycle. It would be easy. I would have lots of support for it... but I would not feel satisfied.

So today, I cannot work. I am in pain. My back is tied in knots like those of the ancient olive trees in the biblical groves below my village.

I am grateful to the friend who asked me to consider what is even more powerful than love.... compassion. He suggested that I sit with this pain, and find my compassion within it.

So , I am doing this. It brings the ancient pain of generations of dissappointed failure and fear and isolation to the surface.

Thank God for my opportunity to heal. I promise to use every bit of this pain of war to resolutely end my inner war - compassionately.

Love is stronger than fear or hate, or my isolated aloneness. Thank God I have someone here to give to. Thank God for what I have to give. Thank God for the war that is teaching me peace. May I be able to share this with others.

Amen.

Morning amidst the missiles and marketing

With the roads closed here, and my lovely German guest here in our peace filled bubble, it is a support to receive your comment.

All of us are saddened by destruction - doesn't matter how it happens and by whom... everyone loses.

It causes me to practice compassion... That's all I have to say this morning.

The other thing is that I have to go to the market. I wonder if they are open? I think I'll go to the small store in the village, save myself the need to go out. Best to lie low today.

I thank God for the oasis of peace I am in.

Blast in Northern Israel - Watch It!!!

This is a blast of a DIFFERENT kind... if you get my drift.

It's a video filmed last week by Rani Barghouti, son of my peace activist friend, Kamel Barghouti of Nazareth. Every first Friday night of the month is Open House here in Amirim in the hills of Galilee.

Another peace friend came from Ramallah in the Palestine Authority... Daria and her daughter Kyra were here from the US. On Saturday Daria gave a great peace concert here for the families. Many others from all over came as well.

At the end of the evening, we filmed this short piece with the peace flag banner that Daria brought me as a gift to the Peace Center.

Go to the site to watch it:

Saturday, Eden and Missiles

In the background, I could hear the boom, boom of the missiles landing in the distance. Where I was not sure.

I sat on my porch table, coffee in hand, cat perched on the green tablecloth, purring her usual morning song.

Inside, Matthias lay quiet, drunk in the midst of his slumber.

"How can all this exist at the same time?" I wondered to myself.

Last night after posting my evening blog, I did a short search on google to get an update from the latest news. It didn't take more than one minute of perusing the front page of headlines before I made the decision to turn the computer off. Each headline expressed some jargon or particular political slant that the newspaper or wire service was trying to sell.

Here I am sitting in the middle of missiles going off, choosing to make peace with the contradiction and pain around me.

It's so easy to point fingers or to make simple conclusions about the situation. We do this every day with all kinds of situations in life. It's dangerous. It leads to more mayhem.

Each one of us is responsible for how we think and choose. I am so sorry at how few of us in humanity know to apply this. I am so sorry that we get so carried away by the drama of life, that we never get to reach underneath it's facade.

Beneath the dark beyonds of the scary depths - beneath the bowels of the earth, lie the answers to our deepest secrets. It is there that I am willing to go today.

Yes, today, I feel sad. And today I feel human. Today I feel compassion for the dark and the light.

Who am I to judge. I will not fall into that trap. It's a dead-end street. I am on a journey into the unknown. Yes, it's scary, and it's also exciting.

What if there is a larger picture to all this? What if there is something beyond, what seems evident.

I am choosing to go there. I'll keep you posted. Please ask me questions. I would love to answer.

Late Breaking News

I'm tired... gonna go to bed as soon as I post this message.

Matthias, my guest from Germany is sound asleep, after three days of hiking through the Galilee hills.

Funny huh?! He's been hiking while the bombs drop.

We are so drugged by the brain washing of commercial media, that the news of rockets, immediately conjure up images and war torn damage everywhere, in every place.

This is not so. Matthias was living in a different reality these last several days.
I live in another one as well.

Do you know how good it felt to be in the company of many people today, who consciously chose to meet to share in harmony.

One of my students said that she told no one where she was coming because she was afraid of their response... "How can you leave home?" "What am I going to do, sit at home and wither away?", she asked. "I know in my heart that I am safe."

I think it's sad that we, who are faithful and filled with courage, feel like we have to hide our light. I think that THIS is the big shame...

I'm no longer willing to hide my light under a bushel. I am so grateful to have playmates.

Sweet dreams.

My latest news from Northern Israel

I will be writing more regularly - as much as possible now, in order to provide you with my personal experience of living in peace, even while rockets are blaring around the area where I live.

Yesterday, when the missiles began to hit the Western Galilee, I wrote a quick newsletter that I mailed out to my mailing list and also to my family. It was preceeded by: "Before you read too much news and watch too much television, I write this message to provide you with my personal account... of living in the Galilee today. How does one respond with peace in the midst of mayhem? Consciously, answering my own question.

Last night, I drove to Nazareth to attend the concluding concert of Daria's English camp program. Award winning singing Daria
came for two weeks to Israel with her delightful daughter Kyra, to volunteer at an English summer camp directed by my dear friend Kamel Barghouti. Single handedly, Kamel arranged this innovative camp.

Daria and I met through the internet. She read an article that I wrote for Global Rhythm Magazine, about how Israeli and Palestinian musicians navigate the mid-east crises. I wrote the piece at the height of the Intifada (crises), a few years back.

Last year, Daria and her colleague Nalida Silva attended my performance in the Music of Peace concert at the United Nations, where we met in person. I performed at Daria's daughter's school. She mentioned wanting to come to Israel. I told her that I didn't know how I could help, but I will keep her wish in mind. I spoke to Kamel about Daria, and he was delighted with the idea. This trip, is the result of the introduction.

The roads were almost empty, most people sequestered in their homes.

I arrived to Nazareth to the performance. Almost two hundred children bustling with youthful energy and their parents filled the community center auditorium. I brought my drum with me... thinking that singing for the children would uplift my spirits, and keep me focused on healthy, constructive thoughts.

It wasn't easy. During the concert, I was feeling heavy and sad inside. I allowed room for it, not wanting to suppress my natural expression. It came time for Daria and my piece together - Shalom - Salaam. How appropriate. Jew and Arab - in Israel are in the same boat. I felt comforted by our song. We continued with another piece.

Later that evening, Kamel said, "I always liked you, but tonight, your coming here, given the situation, makes me understand you even more. Thank you."

His words encouraged me beyond my weariness, beyond my sadness, beyond anything that could even start to get in my way of silence.

THis morning, my students arrived for our last sacred healing music session together. Yosi, from Tel Aviv called last night to ask if class will be held. "Of course", I replied.

It was a sublime day. We used the katyushas (missiles) as an allegory for the ways we ambush ourselves in daily life. The measure of a person is not when things are going well, but rather when they arent'.

After they left, I took a nap. I was awoken by another woman from Rosh Pinah. "Hi, I want to sing for you", she said. From her, I learned about the activity there today. "Last night we slept in underground shelters, it was like sleeping in the womb of mother earth", she said. What a constructive way of looking at things...

Five minutes ago, a German boy arrived upon my doorstep to stay the weekend. We are meeting for the first time. Matthias started out in Migal (where Mary Magdalene was born), this morning, hiking his way through the valleys until he arrive here this evening.

Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted with my personal accounts of daily life here.

Hope it will inspire you. Please ask me questions!!!!!

True Independence is a State of Mind

Today, in the United States, it is Independence Day. Having been born and raised in the US, the date rings a bell, resonating with a certain chime.

I live in the Middle East. Although the fourth of July is just an average day, I take the time to celebrate the essence of true independence.

Underneath the icon of a country's day of Independence, what is the essence of it's meaning? As I see it, the freedom of an individual to determine his/her own course in life. It is our birthright as human beings to use our free will.

How often though, do we really use it freely? Conditioning, bad habits, fear, lack of inner confidence and worry undermine our true worth.

Today, I remind myself that I am free to choose, and as well am RESPONSIBLE FOR, my decisions.

The quality of my life and my experience is measured, not by the events which occur, but by the way in which I choose to respond to them.

Wishing every one of us the freedom to actively choose that which will bring our highest good.

Happy Independence!

Relaxing in the midst of chaos - simple, fun exercise

Here's a simple and easy exercise which, if you are willing to practice for only one minute, can turn your busy workday irritation into an inspirational and meaningful therapeutic activity.

Here's how it goes:

1) While walking down a busy street, stop for one minute and just listen. Count how many different sounds you hear - without judging. Notice how your body feels.

Next step...

2) Listen for another minute to these same or other sounds and listen for their rhythm. You may hear honking, trucks whooshing by, sirens, loud talking, drilling, any type of sound in the city scape. If you live in a rural or country setting, do the same steps with the natural sounds you hear around you.

After discover the rhythm of these seemingly dissonent sounds...

3)Listen in order to discover the harmony amongst all those sounds. Yes, if you listen for it, you WILL discover it. Notice how you feel. How is your body now?

Don't believe what I write... it's worth nothing. Try it out and experience for yourself... that is worth EVERYTHING.

Look forward to your feedback.

Reconnecting and Healing Detachment

I see it's been almost a week since I posted.

Yes, I have been busy - and lots has been going on. Most importantly, I have been connecting with lost parts of my soul, those jagged, rough and unseemly sides to myself, that at other times, I'd prefer to ignore and pretend they're not there.

Honestly, the reason for my delay in writing is connected to this.
In defering my posts, I could sit with myself more. Only, sitting with myself in this case, is a dose of isolation in order to "get it right with myself", before connecting with the outside world.

It's a case of being too concerned with myself, and not seeing others. Being too concerned with myself comes from fear of not being good enough. Deep inside, there is a dread that I am unworthy and "bad". I have been dancing with this side of myself, consciously inviting us to tango. My intent is to honesly accept all sides of me, expecting that by doing so, there will be less to hide from. It will enable me to meet others in the open.

One thing I noticed this morning is how easy it is for me to isolate, just as I am getting ready to succeed... waiting for others to agree to a collaboration, following through on a request from a client that would provide me with more income and enjoyable projects, calling a friend to ask "how are you?" to keep the connection alive... I notice that as I come close to merging with the "one", which in the above description, are expressed through different facets, I hedge, I haw, like a repelling magnet, I run in the other direction.

It's not pretty for me to admit this, let alone expose it to the world for all to read... yet it's my way of coming out of isolation.

It's my way of taking responsibility for my experience of life - to love and accept myself unconditionally. It provides me with an opening to learn something new and to receive the good that I and all of us so deserve.

Mary Magdalene's Well Part Two

In this audio post, Stephanie Gunning and I are at Mary Magdalene's well, across from the Sea of Galilee, just as a flock of sheep (maybe 200+), enter "stage right", and line up around the banks to drink from the clear pure waters. You might think this came just out of a movie, only it's real! Sometimes life is much better than fiction.

Listen to the sheep and goats "baaing" and drinking. We are there too, talking and laughing and adding our own notes.

At Mary Magdalene's Well Part One

My editor and friend Stephanie Gunning visited me in Galilee. I took her on a tour of the Holy Land sites mentioned in the bible and places that are actually much older.

One morning, after bathing in a secret well (actually we found soldiers who were camping under a nearby tree), we continued to visit Mary Magdalene's well, the place where she and Jesus had originally met.

Listen to our discovery and impressions here:

Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Listen to it!

Open House - Continuation

Peaceful Greetings - Open House June 2, 2006

The Da Vinci Code Itinerary - Israel Travel Tips

Next week my editor will arrive from New York, for a two week vacation. She will be coming to visit in the Galilee, and I will take her to visit the Well, where Mary Magdalene met up with Jesus, to the Hula Valley, to great, little know eateries and other ancient, biblical treasure sites.

I'll keep you guys abreast, by writing and audio logging in.

This Saturday I visited a natural olive oil soap factory in the Druze village of Bet Jan. Bet Jan is one of the highest villages in Israel, with gorgeous views overlooking the entire northern part of the country.

To learn more about this soap, visit www.ayanatural.com

Israel Museum - Jerusalem Tour

I was in Jerusalem for the filming of "Jerusalem of Ancient Days", a prime time extravaganza which will be aired this evening on the most popular tv channel.

It was an honor to participate in this production. My role is to play ancient percussion - frame drums and "mitziltayim" (biblical finger cymbals).

I had a free morning on Monday before stage call. I went to the Israel museum in search of archaeological finds of frame drums and finger cymbals. I was sooooooooooooo excited to discover five or six different statues of clay and bronze - of women playing frame drums (Layne - you'd love it!) and one of a man playing frame drum. I was particularly excited to discover a statuette of Sekhmet (to whom I am forever indebted) found in the northern Negev desert, dated 1000 BC.

In addition, there were many goddess figurines, some of which I had the priveledge of learning about during an in service training last month in the Galilee.

Cymbals and Silence

It's quite amazing to see silence at work in the midst of prime time television production.

There we are, the "special" ancient instruments, on one side, and on the other, the big boys house band (ala David Letterman)... with the egos to match. Doesn't leave much quiet for the ancient stuff to be heard.

One day I was playing the sagat (finger cymbals) and one of the keyboardists says to me: "You should play the tambourine. It'll be much better than the finger cymbals", he wanted it his way. He went to the music director and told him his idea. I pretended I didn't hear. The music director replied, "They're great, they're visual... the cymbals are the right thing". Score a point for the Goddess of wisdom and peace :-)....

Then there was the band "Shuti Hanevua" (Fools of Wisdom) who came with their song of Jerusalem with a very strong intent of minimalism and meditation. I play the finger cymbals as small cymbals or bells.... one ding every eight bars. It is the classic case of small being grand. As we were rehearsing and then recording, I fell into trance. At one point, I noticed the television camera recording the dance of my hands playing the "ding". I hope it gets broadcast so that I can record it and put it up on the site... providing a visual experience of the audial meditation.

I am really enjoying this project.

Gratitude

I am writing from my friend and colleague Sunita's house. It is almost midnight, after a very long day of rehearsals.

I was in Tel Aviv and didn't feel like leaving yet. None of my friends were available to meet, so I decided to take myself to the movies. The only one available at the hour I arrived was a documentary called "The Funeral Group", surrounding the lives of a group of senior citizens who meet every week at Theodore Herzls grave in the national cememtary in Jerusalem. The film follows their lives, and their concerns and their loves - coming to terms with their gains and their losses... many of them holocaust survivors. It was quite a beautiful story... made me think alot about the value of life.

Leaving the center out onto King George Street, I stopped for a quick bite to eat at the noodles place. Eating my vegetable pad thai outside, I watched humanity pass me by on the street. There was a guy close by lying on two pieces of cardboard... hand stretched out, asking for alms. At one point, a man tapped him on the shoulder. The guy got up and they spoke. It was amazing to watch the shift in his demeanor. He had a real presence about him. I was moved to write him a note.. On the paper cover of my chopsticks I wrote... "My gift to you today is to invite you to dare discover what your unique gifts are and begin to give them away. This will bring you happiness health and wealth." I finished my food, got up, placed it in his hand and moved on. I felt myself being used as an instrument. I crossed the street looked back. The man had sat up and was reading the note. It looked like he was contemplating.

It brought me to contemplation on relationship. I was feeling very moved by the film. Wondering about my own life. Feeling disconnected from my brother whom I love very much but with whom I hear very seldom. It saddens me. I would like to know him more... always have. My earlier life was spent running after him, until I discovered that this only pushed him away even more.

"Why don't I call him?" I thought to myself... instead of staying away. Immediately a pang of pain arose... I don't like being the one to always initiate our communication. Isn't he interested in me? Does he not care? I stopped myself in mid thought... changing the peptides in my brain.

Suddenly a wave of calm washed through my innards... I accept life on life's terms, I heard myself say in silence, without expressing it in words. I began to think about all the things I am grateful for. I thought about how grateful I am to have a brother who is happy with what he does. Accepting what IS instead of what I expect, makes things so much more comfortable.

I thought about this entire week. How grateful I am to have so many friends upon who I can count, and stay with upon a moment's notice. "Express your gratitude immediately", the inner voice said. "I'll start with Sunita". The cell phone rang. It was Sunita calling to see if I am staying with them this evening.

"I have just turned onto your street. I was just thinking about you..." I thanked her for her hospitality and expressed my appreciation for having her in my life.

What a blessing to have this computer at my disposal so that I can write this message before signing, taking a shower a going off to a grateful, slumbered sleep.

Amen.

Israel Travel Tip - Jerusalem

Yesterday I had the great fortune of spending the afternoon and early evening in Jerusalem for the recording of ancient music and describing it's use in biblical times. The recording occured in the City of David, site of excavations of part of King David's palace.

The site overlooks the most dramatic and picturesque valley... stone buildings of the East Jerusalem village. Goats meandering, children playing, caves hidden behind open crevices in the old stone walls.

The City of David lies just outside of the Old City walls, and adjacent to the Western Wall.

There is a cool water duct where you can go... it's great in the summer... you actually walk in 2-4 inches of water - along with flashlights. I remember going when I was a teenager. The memory stays with me until today.

If you want a special adventure in Jerusalem with an incredible view, this is it.

Keeping at it

I keep trying to find a way to blog through the telephone so that I can post from the music rehearsals this week.

No go. I haven't been successful and it's frustrating. How am I posting frustration on an inspirational blog? The answer is that I am posting to say that I am going to take it one step at a time, keeping at it until I get my answer and solve this problem.

Keeping at it, one step at a time, eventually brings results.

I'll let you know what happens.

Wandering Jew

I just came upon Wandering Scribes blog and was really inspired by it. It occured to me that I am about to be the Wandering Jew for the next week and a half to two weeks. I will be participating in a television production about Jerusalem... they have an orchestra with ancient instruments... I am one of the musicians. Also thrilled that they invited me to participate... especially after so many years of trekking this untravelled path of healing music, voice and rhythm, starting with singing on the inner city trains of Paris (a daily meditation of mine which lasted one year).

I thought it would be cool to phone in from the rehearsals and from Jerusalem so that you can hear all these cool instruments. Now I am going to go learn how to use the mobile blogger.

On the other side of the fence

Today is one of those sweet days when the world has come knocking at my door.

It follows a few weeks of exhaustion and dancing with the dragons of my past. Work has been slow and income along with it.

ButI decided to change my steps. Instead of entering into a tight tango with my fear and discomfort, I chose to waltz right by them instead. Not that I didn't feel the pain mind you... I did. It's just that in the face of it, I chose to love myself and to find a soft response - trusting the universe to act in its own time, instead of according to my stopwatch.

So, today people are calling to offer me really fun and nice paying projects. People who really want me and appreciate the unique value I have to offer. My "difference" is beginning to pay off and I am so grateful.

Sacred Dance Meditation

Here is the unedited version (with a slightly higher pitch than was orginally recorded due to technical challenges)...

At any rate, it's really cool to hear people in the background at times, and also hearing the instructions, and towards the end, just women singing, and then the men, and then we end together. It was quite a beautiful experience.

Click to listen

If the link does not work, paste this into your browser to listen:

http://www.voicesofeden.com/music/Sacred_Dance_Meditation.m3u

Mourning and Spiritual Healing

The last two days - Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) and Yom HaAtzmaut I spent with 100+ Jews and Arabs and Germans at a healing conference giving voice to the happiness and the pain of what brought about the state of Israel, plus disaster for the Palestinian community... providing a container and a compassionate ear for all.

This is the fourth year that I have participated. Yesterday morning, we had a multi-faith prayer service: Jewish, Moslem (Sufi), Christian lead by religious leaders, a Sufi Zikr with me playing the drum in the center of the circle followed by me leading a closing prayer - highlighting the Divine feminine - allowing the fundamental sound to flow through our own body instruments... chanting AUM-N - AMEN - five times in honor of the Divine Mother. We focused upon the essence of the sound rather than the "sounding of it"

The change in energy was palpable.... lighter, less angst, more softness, more silence. This year, the two day conference was held at Nes Amim, a Kibbutz in the north populated by German and Dutch Christians who come to work and volunteer towards the healing of Jewish-Christian relations... it is part of their own healing from the wounds of the Holocaust.

And of course, the wounds of the Holocaust gave way to the formation of this state... which caused the Palestinians their own displacement. Victims, on the way to healing, often become unwitting vicitimizers.

What an opportunity having the three populations together - meeting pain and forging a new road to a better future. I left so inspired and uplifted. In past years perhaps 20-30 people participated. There were three times the number of pariticpants and three times the number of Arabs who participated.

To learn more, visit: http://www.middleway.org and hamakom.org.il the two organizing groups who do such a fabulous job of organizing and leading. It is special that the organizing spirit behind the event are three women: Michal TalYa, Ibtisam Mahamid and Shiri Tal.

I recorded our evening prayer dance and song and will send it as soon as I get it into the computer.

Israel Palestine Meet for Spiritual Healing

In about two hours, I will leave to participate in a powerful two day event:
Independence - Naqba... a Jewish - Arab meeting giving voice to both Jewish Israeli and Palestinian (within and without Israeli borders)sentiments regarding loss, conflict and eventual healing.

More than 100 people are due to attend. There are workshops, meditations, prayer ceremonies reflecting all of the faiths involved.

I will be giving a music meditation tomorrow morning as part of the prayer ceremony.

My experience over the past three years has been - heat... that when given a place to openly express - contained by authentic and empathetic listening.. transforms alchemically into warmth and healing bonds of friendship.

If I can get the telephone number right for mobile blogging, I'll call from there to post.