I love the comments that I received from my first posting about our full moon fire ceremony that took place this past July. Since then I have had the opportunity to do several sessions on those who were present for that electric experience. It is amazing to me even after all these years how powerful and transformative the drum is.

Healing the Ohana

Toby rips it up on a full moon!

There were several people that night that laid under the drum for a few moments of healing. And as each of them came forth, it was clear that the intention of the full moon was to heal the family—or ohana as we say in Hawaii. The other drummers that were present did a great job in holding a container for the people who needed healing.

If you look to the right side of the picture there’s a gentleman with a pair of jeans on a grayish blue shirt. This is Chris Hayden. He is the anchor here on the island for 5 element drumming. Chris took an interest  in this work after seeing me at an expo here on Kauai a few years ago. Since then, every Friday night he and many of his friends gather to practice the 5 element rhythms. It is my intention this year to have them as my backup band for my appearance at the expo.

Joined by Sound Healing Students

Toby drumming with sound healers Tibo, Lisa, and Debbie.

One of the awesome aspects of this particular night is that in front of the fire with their drums resting on the blankets were 3 attendees of my sound healing workshop. Immediately to my left, in the gold colored shirt, is a wonderful man from France named Tibo. It was a pleasant surprise when I found out the amazing synchronicity that he and I shared. He is involved in a long-term study with my dear friend and brother Malidoma Somé. This event is hosted by a couple of my friends that I met at the 4 Winds Society. His wife is attending a graduate school that I worked with many years ago. And Tibo, in addition to being a very proficient drummer, is also a great  didgeridoo and flute player. In fact, his teacher is good friends with my friend John Dumas. It is a very small world!

In the middle of the three, wearing the purple top, is Lisa from Cincinnati. She came into profound power during the workshop that allowed her to step aggressively and confidently into the drumming we did the evening of the full moon ceremony. I met her some time ago during one of my journeys to Cincinnati, and look forward to seeing her again as I visit there more often.

On the far right, with a bunch of orbs coming out of her head, is Debbie. She is from the Chicago area, and with her husband, Marty, owns one of the premier labyrinth building companies in the world. Debbie is already an experienced healer with other disciplines, but after our time together in Tucson, Arizona for the Earth Walk event, she decided to take the sound healing course.

Rhythm & Unity

The sound healers putting their skills to work.

I was not sure how things would go at the full moon ceremony when almost everyone who showed up had a drum or an instrument of some sort. Although people come with good intentions, sometimes it can be challenging over the wind and the fire to hear each other and stay connected. That was certainly not the case that night. Once the rhythm started, the students got their groove on and the whole group unified and created an amazing place for healing transformation.

It was also interesting to watch the way the fire held the energy of the group. When the rhythm would increase in intensity, the fire would rage, pop, and expand. As the energy would cool down, the fire would be more subdued. It was an evening of connecting to the community, connecting to the planet, and experiencing the dance between the sound of the drum and the rhythms of nature.

Everybody did a great job. I’m very proud of you all! And thanks to the ohana for welcoming us mainlanders by helping us feel so welcome and included in your community.

As I look at the calendar I sadly realize I have fewer and fewer days left on the island. The last month has passed in the wink of an eye. Instead of wondering how I’m going to spend all my time here in paradise, I’m left wondering how I’m going to get everything done that I would like to do before I leave!

Connecting with Flutist John Dumas

John Dumas plays the flute at our sound healing event In Hawaii.

One of my greatest pleasures on this trip has been a connection to a man of tremendous integrity, inspiration, and enthusiasm: my friend John Dumas. Not only has John been an inspiration to me as I learn to play the flute more proficiently, but I am also in the process of learning how to play the didgeridoo thanks to his encouragement! Boy, that’s sure funny! I have been blessed to experience public performances with John as well as some spontaneous healing events that have occurred at social get-togethers here at the house in Kapaa.

I met John about 10 years ago in Sedona. We made a good connection at an evening event where I drummed and talked a bit about the shamanic work that I do. We didn’t connect again until last year at the Kauai Wellness Expo, even though we have traveled in the same circles and many of our friends know both of us. I am profoundly grateful to have met John! In addition to being an amazing flutist, John can drum like a madman!

Spontaneous Send-Off Ceremony

One event that John and I did together that was entirely spontaneous and on-the-fly was a ceremony to send off a friend back to her home in Japan. I received a call from John asking if we could connect and do some sound healing at a gathering that was forming spontaneouly. Those of you who know me know that I’m pretty good on the fly! So, of course, when it comes to having fun, drumming, and playing music, my answer is almost always, “Yes!”

John Dumas and I drumming in the jungle!

I headed off to John’s house, where we left and drove deep into the jungle to a beautiful little hideaway where the event was taking place. After driving through the jungle for a time, we ended up in a cavelike structure in the middle of a bamboo forest. These photos are a bit dark, but they show the feeling of the beautiful evening as we shifted between drums, didgeridoo, and flute.

It was kind of wild, because the room was very small and crowded. Many unexpected friends were there, so the vibe was very family-oriented. As we started to drum, people began to dance,  and as the dancing elevated in its intensity, the send-off party commenced.The energy of the group continued to build and it was clear that the young lady heading off to Japan was going to miss her island very much.

Energetic Community Celebration

John Dumas working his magic.

To keep the vibe of the party powerfully etched in her memory, John and I laid her on the floor. As I stood over her and started to drum, John took his didgeridoo and followed the lines of her body, infusing her energy system with the beautiful melodic and rhythmic drone of the didge.

It was definitely a night we will never forget, powerful with community, energy, friendship, and love. And as always, the drum jam continued until our hands were sore and no one could continue to play.

We ended the evening with hugs to the young lady heading back to Japan, trekked out of the jungle, and then made our way home. What a fantastic night!

Tori on the djembe

Some of the time here on the island spontaneous occurrences present themselves. One night, my friend Terry Kingen was visiting me with his daughter, Tori, and she spotted my drums lined up along the wall. Being very curious about this, she asked to hear what they sounded like. What came from that was about 3 hours of a wild drumming jam session!

Tori had never drummed before in her life, and it was so amazing as she began to play and the rhythm touched her heart. Her hands began to move and she picked up every single rhythm we played that night perfectly!

Terry was laying down the basic beat, holding the steady foundation, as I ripped it up a bit and helped Tori focus on the rhythms. Another friend of ours from the island was playing along as well. It was so fun to feel the vibration in the walls of the house, and see the joy on the faces of not only those of us who are playing, but Terry who was watching his daughter coming to such joy.

Magic Desserts Complement The Rhythm of the Drum

Drumming jam session at Toby's Hawaii house

Another joyful experience of this evening was the  unexpected visit by my friend Danny Hashimoto. Danny had been on an outing to the beach and stopped by the house on his way home . . . once again loaded with his magic desserts and sweet delights!

I will say it was also a bit distracting watching Danny pull these amazing treats from his cooler setting them beautifully on the counter awaiting our consumption. But we drummed on, laughing, smiling, getting into the rhythm of the drum, the rhythm of community, and the rhythm of the island. The drumming continued until everyone’s hands were so sore they couldn’t feel their fingers. There was so much laughter and fun.

Kauai: The Island that Creates Community

One of the things that the island does is creates community. People come together, and even if they have never met each other, they become instant friends. In the same way that the island welcomes everybody to its magic, that magic seems to draw everyone to each other. And the spontaneous merging of energy occurs. Family occurs, community occurs.

Danny Hashimoto and Toby Christensen

One of my dear friends, Malidoma Somé, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, talks often about how people in the village will spontaneously unite, just to enjoy each other and bring the rhythm of the drum or the song of the voice or the sound of the Balaphone to the people in the village. It is wonderful to experience these kinds of spontaneous events in a world where most things are planned and organized. I want to especially thank Danny for bringing his magic to our party and making a fun, spectacular time even more dynamic and spectacular!

I hope that next summer many of you are here on the island for the workshops that I will be offering so that you, too, can experience the magic of the island, the spontaneity of community, and the true feeling of aloha!

Stay tuned for more adventures throughout my visit to Kauai!

People say the kindest things…

I thought you might enjoy reading (or just scanning) a sampling of the warm words people send me. The comments are from private sessions, drumming workshops, performances, and from people listening to my music CDs.

“I closed my eyes and took a few deep, full breaths as the drumming began. As I listened to the sound of the drum, my perception began to change on its own. I began to feel the sound instead of just hearing it. The drumming beats became less individually distinguishable until they began to morph into a tribal-like, ceremonial pulse that I could feel in the marrow of my bones. I had a sense of continual change, somehow as if outside time. Gradually, or suddenly, I’m not sure which, my self-perception faded as I shifted. First, I could feel every cell vibrate, then, I became the vibration. The healing drum and I were one—our pulses, our rhythm, our heartbeats were the same. I found myself in a state in which I no longer identified with my physical body. Instead, I felt a state of peace unlike I had ever experienced, as if an inner rheostat had been turned up and I was an expression of the brightest light.

Although my physical eyes remained closed, I looked up and found myself lying in the center of a circle of unfamiliar faces…or were they? I knew that this was a circle, a community that was called by the drum on my behalf. I felt powerfully and lovingly held as I watched them dance, chant, rattle, and wave their arms in purposeful motions. I knew that these were my people, and that they had come together with me to celebrate my initiation back to my indigenous Self. This was the moment I learned that it is, in fact true: ‘The sound of the drum is the tuning of the Soul.’” – Jill in Calgary, Canada

“The personal drum healing session with you blew my socks off, opened nooks and crannies in my body and being, warming the cockles of my Scottish heart. As a Samhain birthday babe, I’ve always felt a connection with the other worlds…the fairies, earth spirits, angels…even the wisdom gleaned from playing with worms in the garden and stuff like that. After my session with you, all this is expanding with greater clarity and playfulness.” – Noreen in Cincinnati, Ohio

“This has been amazing. After our session on Tuesday night, I found myself lighter and more energized on Wednesday than I have felt in a long time. Someone at a class I taught on Wednesday asked if I had a new boyfriend since I was so up. Big thanks!” - – Lori in Portland, Oregon

“The experience that you opened for me on Wednesday morning was of such healing impact that I

Drumming in the change

have continued to take it all in…you are certainly an angel who provides a path to a heaven of perfect healing. I can appreciate the hard work that you maintain to create this path for others in need. It was such a privilege to receive your healing talents this week. The drumming has opened areas in my mid body, as I feel an energy there that I have not felt for six months. Much healing is taking place physically and mentally. I feel renewed and ready to focus on rest and nutrition in a way that I have not been able to respond recently.” – Debra in Los Angeles, California

“Thanks for another wonderful session! You’ve helped me help myself so much in the past year and I’m so grateful to have crossed your path in this lifetime. Each session has been an experience in releasing that years of ‘talk therapy’ can never touch.” – Kim in Washington, DC

“I will tell you, I have had a lot of therapy, treatments, and medical weirdness to get well; but nothing has changed me and my life-depression, outlook, mood…everything…more than my healing experience with you! As Paul McCartney said, “Baby, I’m amazed.” All I can say is wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please come back. Your talent and compassion is the best.” – Will in Columbus, Ohio

“It was the greatest pleasure to be touched by your magnificent healing drumming talents today. I shall never forget it! You have an energy and high vibration that is rarely experienced on this earth plane. Your new music is a perfect spiritual presentation.” – Dera in Portland, Oregon

“In my session with you the other day, I asked for emotional clarity as well as self-empowerment. It seems I was given what I asked for…I continue to be in awe of the amazing experiences that unfold. Even though I hold a very strong vision and knowing about you and the gifts you bring to the world, I am deeply moved by each occurrence. Your magic and the trail you leave move me beyond words. I’m so grateful for you and all you bring to my life.” – Barbara in Wyoming, Ohio

“I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical about the drum beats being able to change how I felt. However, after listening to the first song on one of the CDs you sent me I started to feel very energized. It was amazing! My mind is starting to open up to the possibilities.” – Bubba in San Marcos, Texas

Toby and Dave mix it up on stage

“Toby Christensen is a master drummer and highly trained Shaman who, as he claims, doesn’t do the healing but uses the drumming to facilitate it…I didn’t know what changes might come over time, but I did know that it was impossible for my body to process so much energy without tangible change. And for the rest of the evening every cell in my body hummed harmoniously with the joy that I believe is inherent in us all. Thank you, Toby, for your exuberant energy and love.” – Randy in Vancouver, Canada

“I’ve worked with some incredible healers in my life, but I would say this has to be one of the most powerful healing sessions I’ve ever experienced.” – David in New York, New York

“Thank you so much for the session yesterday. It was wonderful! I feel healthier, clearer, calmer and happier than ever. Another interesting and fabulous effect I’ve noticed since last evening is that I no longer enjoy smoking cigarettes. I’ve only smoked three and a half today (normally it would have been at least ten by now) and the last half of one I smoked tasted absolutely nasty. I couldn’t finish it!” – Pam in Leesburg, Virginia

“I am amazed and humbled by the awesome strength and power that is unfurling here…like a magnificent cloth billowing fully in a slow motion wind. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Toby! You have gifted me in an unforgettable way. I am indebted to you in a deep and sincere way.” – Cindy in Tacoma Park, Maryland

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel gratitude for the blessing you are to the world. It’s a beautiful thing to watch people recognize and honor you. You have a way of opening hearts, and if Spirit has its way, minds will follow. Over and over again, I watch the love and kindness you extend come back to you in expanded ways.” – Brenda in Los Angeles, California

“My life is easier and more fun by the day, and my experiences and feelings are becoming richer, deeper, and more powerful. I am more alive than I’ve ever been, and I thank you for all you’ve done in helping me get to this wonderful place…and this is just the beginning!” – Pam in Denver, Colorado

“I have been able to maintain a calm and positive outlook, despite some very difficult situations. I would not have imagined this possible otherwise. What a gift you have.” – Lana in Spokane, Washington

“Since our session, Toby, I definitely can feel the difference…what a wonderful thing that I came to see you. Thank you for your time drumming for me.” – Barbara in Stafford, Virginia

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me achieve even more magic and joy and fun in my life. Since my session with you last week, I have continued to shift and flow and I enjoy my life, and each breath that I take, even more deliciously than ever. One of the coolest things I’ve EVER done is to effortlessly and delightfully transform myself from a 30- year smoker into a woman who does not, and hasn’t ever, smoked. Thank you for helping me achieve something that is impossible! I will always be grateful for the wonderful energy of you and your drum, and the healing that it has brought to me and to so many people that I love. Thank you so much for your beautiful work.” – Pam in Frederick, Virginia

Drumming The Good Vibe

“The drumming session was amazing! I am still vibrating! – William in Cincinnati, OH

“Well, my session with Toby was wonderful…oh, my word…wonderful!” – James in MD, Canada

“My session with Toby was incredible! I feel like he really cleared the path and set the intention for where I am going now.” – Amanda in Calgary, Canada

“Thank you again so very much for the wonderful gifts which you made possible for me to receive earlier this afternoon during my session. You gave me such a safe space within which to reconnect with my power and heritage. I cannot adequately express in English how much appreciation I feel for what you have done in assisting me in this miracle. I feel such a strong sense that I am myself again after experiencing so much pain and difficulty throughout the earlier parts of my life…and now all of that has changed. I will carry the memory of all that I had endured, but I will not continue to relive it each day.” – J. in Lexington, Kentucky

“I am very grateful for what you have done for me…there are no human words to express my gratitude ” – Melissa in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

“I just wanted to send you a quick note to say THANK YOU for the beautiful energy you brought to Calgary this past weekend. What a blessing! I have definitely experienced a huge shift, both gentle and profound. The best way I can describe it is that I feel fully and completely in my body while feeling like I’m also somehow radiating beyond it. So lovely! I have to say, after a lifetime of struggling to embrace my body, yet never quite succeeding, I finally feel free of the self-judgment I have weighed myself down with.” – Tina in Alberta, BC, Canada

“Wow, Toby! Thank you so much for that truly amazing session! That was one of the most amazing healings I have ever experienced and I have walked in energy teachings for eleven years now. You held such a beautiful space and your music and energy has so much depth and healing…the whole session was so powerful, healing, and profound!” – Tara in Kapaa, Hawaii

Hot Group in Dayton, OH

“My session with you was truly a phenomenal experience and has touched my very soul so profoundly. Words do not do justice as to how the drums connect with every fiber of my being. For the very first time in a long time I feel like I’m alive again, waking up from a long slumber. Bless you for being the beautiful bright light that you are and spreading unconditional love and JOY into the lives of millions of people who need deep healing and happiness in their lives…uniting and bridging the different cultures and sowing the seeds of FUN through the beat of the drums.” – Fatima, Leesburg, Virginia

So if you want to feel like these people….give me a call or shoot me an email! I’ll hook you up!

http://www.healingdrummer.com/contact/

Orbs?, You Must be Kidding

Okay, this is an ongoing joke with many of my friends. Every time they take picture somewhere and there’s a spot on the lens they start freaking out that there are orbs floating in the atmosphere that the cameras picking up. They view this as an indication of some spiritual presence. I of course give them a hard time and say listen, “Don’t put your finger on the lens, and you won’t get those spots on your pictures.” They insist that they are some sort of spirits, aliens, or some sort of intervening energy that is making its presence known through photography.  Well, on this last trip to Burkina Faso we were out in the village of Dano. One of the girls in our group said, “let’s go out and see the Baobab trees.  I thought that would be a great idea since I have a beautiful photo that was taken on my last trip of these very trees. We went out at dusk and had a group of people, many of the village children included posing around these great trees. These trees are an amazing source of food for the native people. They are absolutely  Enormous! And the bark is like the skin of an elephant. They also have a fruit that hangs from their large limbs that is very good and holds a tremendous amount of water. In many cases the Baobab trees  have saved village people during drought by providing large quantities of water stored in the fruit. So needless to say, these trees are very important, and very sacred.

The Story Continues

Okay so I’m back on track. We go out to the Baobab trees posing around the trunks as the sun goes down. In the dusk light someone says, “Hey, take a picture of the Baobab tree against the beautiful sky.”  So we began to take some photographs of the trees against the night sky. I will show you the order of pictures and what was happening and you can see for yourself the change in the energy that was around us. If i was not there to see it for myself I would never believe what appeared on the camera.

120 Seconds of Transformation

The photo to the left is the first in the series of three photos that were taken within 120 seconds of each other. This is a photo of the night sky the moon center top, and the branches of the baobab tree reaching into the night sky. Second picture was taken immediately after as I began to call on the ancestors to be present for us as we head to an evening of community from the trees. The third  photo was taken a few seconds later, it is clear, that the ancestors were gathering on our behalf. As we continued to take pictures you could look into the night and see the flash physically reflecting off of the spirits that were coming through! This is how thin the veil is between ordinary reality in the spirit world is in this remote village. It was like walking into a Harry Potter movie. Things that could be seen in the night would have been considered profoundly unusual in the West but it was everyday normal “everything as usual” for this village in Dano.

Proof Is In The Pictures

I will never give anyone a hard time about saying there are orbs in a photograph. I have become a believer. There is no denying that in 120 seconds there was a rally of spirits who answered the call to join us in celebration of community and joy. The evening that followed these pictures being taken was full of dancing and play with the children of the village!

More to come!

Filled with gratitude

Writing from Denver this morning. It is so amazing to me the beauty of nature. As I look out the window and see the fresh snow that has just fallen and the sun shining on it I get a strong sense of peacefulness. I stood out on the deck in the cold and listen to the silence of the snow and was so blessed. I realize that often the pace of life is so fast I forget to stop, look, listen, and feel. It is today that I am reminded of the blessings that surround me. In this picture you can see nature is certainly one of those blessings, but it is also the communities that I work with. The people, the institutions, all those who desire to bring healing to the world.   I am so grateful I get to do what I love to do, and that it is such a full part of my life.

Different environment same healing energy

It seems that no matter where I go, there is a strong energy that is building. The energy of community and healing. Whether I’m in the cold wintry hills of Boulder Colorado, or in the tropical sun of Fort Lauderdale, the healing energy, and the desire of people to come together for a greater good seems to be growing. I spoke at a Naropa University yesterday. It was a wonderful experience. To see the  therapists of the future with their inquiring minds and sharp wit was such a  wonderful experience. It is awesome to see people transcending the difficulties of their life and stepping in to doing the healing work. It was an honor to be part of the work at Naropa yesterday. Tomorrow I head to Fort Lauderdale to do healing work and teach drumming. Different environment same wonderful healing energy!

Different strokes for different folks

The other thing that is in my consciousness lately is how different each of our paths are. I was working with fitness trainers, aestheticians, real estate agents and alternative healers this last week in Denver. It’s fascinating how our gifts come in so many different ways. It is also interesting to me to see how  Spirit uses each of our talents and gifts in such brilliant ways to bring the energy of healing to each and every person on the planet. As I reflect on my client base,  I have IT people, Internet specialists, website building masters, energy healers, real estate developers, business consultants… No matter what you do there is a way to bring powerful spiritual energy and healing to the forefront

Challenge for the day

I would like to challenge you today to see how you can bring good energy into what you do. Whether a hairdresser, musician, factory worker, garbageman, or Dr. regardless of our perceived place in society we all have the ability to change the world by bringing our goodness to it and letting our light shine everywhere we go. So just for fun see how many different ways you can positively influence your situations in the next week. Then please feel free to come back to this blog and tell us about it in the comment section!

Home With The Family

I am writing you from Seattle Washington. I arrived here three days ago to find my father just out of intensive care and resting comfortably in his hospital room. The day before my mother had been unable to wake him from his sleep after a day of being sick. My father has emphysema, and in the last few days prior to his hospitalization had contracted pneumonia. For those of you know about respiratory illness, this is a very serious situation. My sister arrived a couple of days ahead of me, and has been doing a splendid job of caring for my father, and consoling my mother. I am often so busy ordinary world business sometimes doesn’t seem to exist. I feel that I am always feeling with critical situations for others until suddenly a critical situation drops into my own  lap. As my father’s illness has progressed I have become more and more grateful for my good health and each blessed day that we have dad around.

Community to the Rescue

As soon as I became aware of my father’s condition I knew where to find help. I went to Facebook, and Twitter, and alerted the many healers who stay in touch with me through these community network devices. It was only moments until I began to receive responses from people all over the world, the farthest of which, was New Zealand. People began to take time out of their busy lives to send my father healing energy. I am very grateful. It was shortly after I began receiving responses of people feeling that my father was responding favorably to the healing energy they were sending that I also received word from the hospital that there was an unusually favorable response to the medication and treatment he was receiving at the hospital. It is beautiful when Western allopathic medicine and ancient healing can dance together to bring about wellness. The results were so profound that my father ended up leaving the hospital three days earlier than we anticipated. When he arrived home she had energy, and appetite, and actually was very active until late that evening. Thank you to all who helped!

Coffee with Dad

This morning I had the pleasure of having coffee and pancakes with my dad. He has good color in skin, sparkle in his eyes, and plenty of energy! It’s funny how perspective can change so quickly. It seemed as though I was coming to Seattle initially to propagate some new work. Instead, my pace has slowed dramatically, my schedule has freed itself up, and I am able to be of service to my family. I have been sweeping  patios, hauling garbage, washing dishes, and changing lightbulbs. What a delight!

Thank You!

I want to thank all of you who took your time to say a prayer, send healing energy, or even tossed a thought into your mind for my father’s healing. It is wonderful to know in this busy world that we live in, that there are kind hearted people, who whether I know them, or they know me, or whether we don’t, that we will bring our gift to those who need our help any time. The response was overwhelming. My father expresses his tremendous gratitude to those who sent him this healing energy for this truly remarkable and miraculous recovery.  The community of healers who have rallied to create this miracle is a testimony of the goodness that resides in the world!

THANK YOU!

By the way, just so you know, there were over 130 responses to my Facebook and twitter over the last few days.

For the past couple of weeks I have been rising to the sound of fresh coffee brewing at the hour of 5:30 am. Now many of you who know me will be wondering. What the heck happened to Toby? Other than getting to the airport for an early flight I NEVER see that hour of the morning. But it is FIFA World Cup Soccer time. This is the reason I rise while it is still dark outside. This is the reason I drink 4 pots of coffee instead of three. I love soccer. My stepson Adam was an amazing soccer player and many of my favorite memories over the last 15 years are of the fun our family had around Adams soccer matches. Victor and Ruben were the coaches from Paraguay. Victor would be screaming in Spanish while Ruben yelled in the little english he knew “Shoot the ball! Shoot the ball” although it sounded more like “soot de boul!!” I appreciated his enthusiasm and the passion each of them had for the game and the kids they coached. So as I watched the games I spent time texting and emailing Ruben.

As I watch the people in the stands and talk to people as I travel there is a strong unifying factor that soccer has. People are allowed to be crazy, blow horns, beat drums and enter into a culture they may not otherwise experience. Families are brought together and children learn great athleticism and sportsmanship.

One thing that stood out on the Argentinian team is watching the coach kiss each player on the cheek as they come out of the game for a substitution or at halftime. Also the affection showed to teammates on the field. Soccer is a game that brings the passionate warrior out in each player and fan. Sure there have been situations where this passion has gotten carried away but for the most part I love the respect the players have for each other and the game. As I walked through the airport today there was a game on. Perfect strangers were being bound together as they watched the men play. Passers by would ask for the score. A real bonding around the games.

I wonder if there is a way to take this connection beyond a soccer tournament. How can we find common ground on a daily basis? How can we make that connection in all aspects of our lives and build authentic community? What is it that draws us together so powerfully around this event? These are the questions I am pondering, I’d love to hear what you think!

Please feel free to post a comment here, facebook or send me a tweet on twitter!

Peace,
Toby