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