the wake we make

where do I call home? 

it isn't there 

it isn't here

it's wherever we come together

under the same roof

Mahala and I

mantra prayer & graphics by bhaktiCD.org

together - as we have

so rarely been

all our lives

living our lives

in separate places

making our space work

however it is

wherever we are

whatever we do

you and me

here we are

fire & smoke

Back in the US after being abroad for months. Breathing air heavy with smoke from the burning primordial forests of Canada. Where the fires are too big and crazy they are left to burn wild. 

Too bad. So sad.

mantra & prayer

More than 100 times over the past three months, Canadian wildfires have grown sufficiently large and powerful to produce their own weather. 

interaction & involvement

In our mind's eye it is easy to imagine Benjamin Franklin - a founding father of the United States of America - as old, fat, balding or how he is often depicted in his official and public portraits.

It is easy to forget what an original human being and forward thinker he was - a true polymath and Rennaissance man. Long before his political career launched him into the stratosphere in history and politics - he lived a singularly unique life that called much attention to himself and his exploits. 

Among Americas best and brightest - Benjamin Franklin only had two years of formal education. Despite being almost entirely self taught he was a hit writer by his teen years and remained a successful author - much sought after for his original ideas and insights. 

He was one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America. He printed a new currency for New Jersey based on innovative anti-counterfeiting techniques he had devised. 

Benjamin Franklin was many things in his lifetime - a printer, a postmaster, an ambassador, an author, a scientist, a Founding Father. Above all, he was an inventor - creating solutions to common problems, innovating new technology, and even making life a little more musical. 

Benjamin Franklin’s legacy of lifelong learning lives on at The Franklin Institute with its mission to help people understand science and technology to empower through critical thinking and decision making.

The institute also participates in and advocates for the free exchange of evidence-based, peer-reviewed scientific research and ideas - just as its founding father dedicated his life to.

May we continue to build on this foundation and be active and generous contributors as well.

our sound quest

Bali beckons East West Women for a week of transformational exploration. The enchanting journey of voice and the powerful medicine of healing instruments opens us up to reconnect, discover, and develop our creative essence. 

Sounding The Sacred Feminine facilitated by mother and daughter, Michele Averard and Charli Kornblum, is a six day retreat - a women’s sound quest.

Ganesha at the entrance of Askara

Our venue - a beautiful sound dome aptly named Askara Sound Temple in Ubud, Bali - sits at the edge of a tropical rainforest where cascading trills of the river running below were our constant companion. A beautiful labor of love created by Chris Prawita of Bliss Wellness.