Beautiful Ocean

The drumming and dancing continued during that wonderful evening! The sun began to set, but while there was still light we were going to continue to drum and dance and honor the ocean and sacredness of the beautiful island of Kuaui.

The colors begin to take their place in the clouds, and the rhythms shifted and changed. The dancing became more vigorous, and I think Tanis got a little tired because she switched from dancing to playing the drum. When I first met Tanis she could not play the drum to save her life. Over the years she has become a very proficient drummer. I think she can drum as well as she can dance! She does both very well.

We continued to send the rhythm to the ocean. We drummed for the healing of the planet, the unity of the people, and the joining together of all tribes! People were switching from drumming to dancing, and from dancing to drumming, and back again. As the color filled the sky and the ocean waves rhythmically connected with the lava rock on the shores, there became a sense of peace and well-being in the midst of this vital life force energy.

Unity in the Rhythm of the Drum

It’s amazing how the drum activates the energy around it. Our group went to the pavilion to drum and enjoy the rhythms and sounds that were being created. What ended up happening was an energetic expansion in each and every person that sent us into an ecstatic and joyful state of well-being. Most of these people had never met each other, yet we were able to unify in the rhythm, in a way that made it seem like we were all family, we were all of one tribe!

This kind of unity I find to be very unique to the drum. It is one of the reasons why I treasure this instrument so much. Each person carries their own rhythm, each person carries their own unique heartbeat. We are all the same, but in our own unique way.

Potent Energy Beneath the Stars

Penny and I Drumming Together

Another one of our crew who was a beautiful addition to this special evening is Penny. A veterinarian by trade and angel by energy, she was a beautiful soul to have in our group.

I’m not sure how much drumming experience Penny had had, but she did great! It was magical to drum with her and the others as the sun set. It was interesting to feel the difference in the energy between the sun time and the moon time.

The night energy that particular evening was very potent, carrying the power of the island and the cosmos simultaneously. The grounded energy of the water and the island combined mysteriously with the high vibration and expansion of the stars.

There’s something about the energy of the island, the dark night sky, the sound of the ocean, and the feeling of the land. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know that is something indigenous, something very old that resonates deeply with my soul. It is so awesome to see the power of people who come to the island, wake up and embrace that which has been lying dormant deep within them and owning their power!

Gratitude for Island Experiences

It is these experiences that keep me coming back. It is not only my own personal experiences which have been life-changing on the island, but watching those who come and join me blossom and expand in ways never expected and not always understood.

The embrace of this magnetic pull is beyond explanation to me. But I’m glad it’s here and I’m glad that I have experienced its wonder.

This earth ritual facilitates the release of not-yet-manifested energy and the birth of a new vision. Earth energy in this cosmology is about nurturing, abundance, welcoming, and home.

As you do this ritual, allow yourself to freely ask for the nurturing that you need in your life. Ask the great mother to provide the abundance needed, regardless of what that is: for some, the abundance is primarily financial, while for others abundance is love, community, friends, good health, or a sense of well-being.

Allow yourself to expand the definition of each of these intrinsic energies! Welcome yourself into your own life! Welcome your perceived successes and your perceived failures as wisdom-building, energizing, and fueling aspects of your life! Welcome yourself home to a place of welcoming, a place of nurturing, and a place of abundance!

Invite the Energy of the Earth

Begin the ritual by finding a place in your home where you feel safe, secure, and held. If this place does not exist where you live, it is a key that modifications need to be made in order to create this space. This would be ritual preparation. As you create this space, realize that the ritual has already begun.

Light a candle, preferably one golden or yellow in color. Call on the energy of earth—the energy of the great mother, the great nurturing one and provider of all things—to be present. Then, write in your journal or on a tablet the aspects of each of the intrinsic energies you would like to manifest. Really focus on the creation of what you desire as opposed to the things that are contrary to these intrinsic energies.

Each day this month sit with your list and meditate. Visualize each aspect materializing in your life. It is not your job to know how, it is only your job to focus on its completed state. As you tune your vibration to the manifestation of these things, you create the electromagnetic field that will begin to attract these things.

Focus & Trust

If you would like to energize your meditation in a more profound way, you can drum the energy of your creation into the list, sing the energy of your creation into your life, play your guitar, your flute, your violin . . . whatever it is that you enjoy, whatever activity fills your soul! Dance around the list vigorously, calling in the energy! This is a potent way to amp up the energy of creation! Most of all, have fun doing it.

Remember: what we focus on, we feed! By writing down the things you desire to create, you actually take them from the dream world, or the world of thought, and bring them into physical form in this dimension. This is the first step of manifestation.

Trust the ancestors that they hear you and are responding to your plea. Trust the earth, the great mother, knowing that she hears your voice and is creating the synchronicities “effortlessly and delightfully” to occur in your life.

The more joyful energy that you put into this, the more attractive it is for these things to be around you. May good fortune and the fulfillment of your dreams manifest for you!

Linda drumming at the Oceanside Pavilion.

This last month we had a rocking Healing Drummer Advanced Shamanic Training Workshop in Hawaii. Part of the magic we created included a couple of good drum jams by the ocean. It’s amazing how inspiring it is to drum to the rhythm of the waves and watch the sun dip behind the beautiful mountains as the rhythm resonates through the hills.

One particular night when we were drumming Linda really stepped up to the plate with some amazing skill and veracious beats! As she ripped off a great solo the way a soul rider surfs a wave, Rebecca joined right in and added the voice of her new drum to the mix. That’s when things really took off. We also had a couple join us all the way from the United Kingdom. I was truly amazed, as one of them had never played the drum before, yet caught on to the rhythms almost immediately!

There was so much magic in the air that evening I don’t even know how long we drummed. I just remember that the faces of the people across from me, 10 feet away, began to disappear in the darkness. It was then that we decided it was time to go.

Making a House a Home

An amazing thing about drumming together is the sense of community that forms in the group. Three of the workshop attendees were living at the house with me for ten days. Now, I normally live alone and really appreciate my alone time . However, there was not one moment that I regretted having these people stay with me. Their kindness and willingness to help around the house made it so nice, comfortable, and easy for me. It was truly a blessing.

The Wild Kauai Guys!

In addition, there was a cohesion that occurred with the group that I don’t think would’ve happened if we hadn’t spent so much time together. The people that stayed at the hotel just a few blocks away spent a lot of time at the house as well. We had some amazing get togethers that were completely spontaneous! We would get done with class graphs and beach time, and then out of the blue people would show up at the house with food and drinks, and the group party would erupt!

Oftentimes my friends Danny Hashimoto and John Dumas would stop by to add additional inspiration to the get together. With John on his didgeridoo and flutes, me on the drums, and Danny cooking up a mean dessert, the energy that we created drumming at the ocean spilled right into the house. Everybody was dancing and eating the wonderful creations that Danny brought. And one by one, after consuming copious amounts of raw cacao, people would lay down and get drummed on while John played over them with his didgeridoo.

Thankful for Experience

Besides her awesome voice, Rebecca can really drum!

Good food, good music, and awesome healing experiences were abundant! Many times what started out to be a simple drumming evening went long into the night and expanded to be an experience of magic and transformation!

It is with profound gratitude I acknowledge the magic of these people. Not just the ones I discussed in this posting, but all of the people who were present. Thank you all for the goodness that you bring to the world on a daily basis and for the happiness and joy you have brought to my life !

Mahalo! (“Thank you” in Hawaiian)

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!

Earth represents the energy of nurturing, abundance, welcoming, and home. As we create a place of welcoming and home, we find our power. As we allow abundance to come into our lives, we attract all of the things we desire: community, support, financial prosperity, good health, and well-being!

A ritual I want to share with you is one that helps us find that sense of “home,” the place where we can openly welcome positive change to come into our lives.

Remember, no matter what the circumstances are in your life, there are some very real, very powerful, very transformative things you can do to change your life!

Channel Positive Energy into an Earth Shrine

The first step is to create an Earth shrine. Find a place in your home where the energy feels good; a place where you like to hang out, a place that feels welcoming. Make a mound of dirt approximately 2 feet in diameter and about 10 inches high. As you work with the dirt, invite the spirit of the Earth to be present and occupy the shine and come to your assistance.

Next, place a flat stone on top of the shrine. Make a circle of ash on the stone, then take some water and pour it on the middle of the stone. As the water washes away the ash, ask for the obstacles to be removed that are preventing you from connecting to the energy of earth: nurturing, abundance, welcoming, and home.

If you cannot build a shrine outside, collect a bowl of dirt and place it on a yellow cloth. Ask the spirit of Earth to occupy the shrine as if it were outside. Without the stone or water, ask for the obstacles that prevent you from connecting to the energy of the Earth to be removed.

Then watch as your life begins to change. Every day for the rest of the month, go to your Earth shrine and express gratitude for three or more things in your life!

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!

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

OK so I am on my way to the airport this morning. It’s snowing so I left a half hour early in case the roads were bad. I drive a little sports car that sucks in the snow. Well I leave home the roads are good so I’m zipping along about 80 thinking about the double espresso I will be enjoying shortly.

Coming over Parley’s Canyon I begin my decent into the valley. Suddenly nothing but red taillights in all lanes the freeway is a parking lot and my great morning suddenly has a diminishing silver lining. I inch forward for a while and realize the chances of an espresso are slim and a short time later the chance of making my flight begins to dwindle. Suddenly my phone rings and it’s my friend Marilyn. “Hey you just passed me! I recognize that little red car and said, that must be Toby!” She informed me that there was an accident about a mile up the road and they were diverting traffic off the freeway.

I quickly realized that I was not going to make my flight. I was really bummed out. I had sessions scheduled and as always I LOVE to drum so while I was complaining to myself I reached the detour, which took us past the sight of the accident.

As I moved slowly past the mangled steel and glass scattering the freeway I became very grateful. To be late is one thing, to never get there is an entirely different thing. I said a prayer for those involved in the accident and their families. As I re-entered the freeway and continued to the airport I called my host and she graciously shifted my appointments and I continued in a state of gratitude.

I got to the airport, got on the next flight, got a first class upgrade, had a great breakfast, double espresso, talked to some friends on the phone and got my emails done. I am now flying to my destination. Healthy, happy and only a few hours late!

Sometimes I get a little ruffled by things that just need a perspective adjustment to change their importance. Today was a good lesson.

One of my goals for 2010 is to open 3 new major territories. A couple of months ago I made my first steps towards doing that with my first workshop in Denver Colorado. With the help of Dr. Peter Bonaker, Valerie Zampino, and Carolina Woodrich I had a very successful trip and am thrilled with the response from the Denver community. We started off with an evening of drumming sponsored by Dr. Peter at his newly refurbished and amazingly beautiful Institute For Spiritual Advancement /www.ifsadenver.com.

We had a great crowd, filling the building to capacity. After a night of drumming I spent as few days doing HealingDrummer private sessions and then a multifaceted shamanic workshop investigating the Dagara cosmology and how our elemental construct effects our daily lives, the shamanic journey and of course lots of drumming.

Here is a photo of yours truly as we discuss  the benefits of being a FIRE person in the Dagara construct! Not everyone agreed with me that it is beneficial to travel 300 days a year, drink gallons of coffee a day and eat junk food. But we had a fun discussion.

We later moved into the Shamanic Journey portion of the day as I dawned the hoop drum. The shamanic Journey is one of if not the most powerful tool on ecan have to connect to great wisdom, direction and personal power. I have begun teaching it almost everywhere I go with profound results.

Last but not least a group photo of the gang who were brave enough to wander into the “other world” and claim their power. We did power animal retrievals this day so you may see some creatures lurking in the background. In addition to the non-ordinary beings we also had Smokey the cat and Sophie the shaman dog holding space in ordinary reality.

I am planning to visit Denver again soon so stay tuned!!

Here is your music clip for the month of January.

As many of you have read on the blog, I reunited with some old friends this past year who I used to play music with.

This clip is a remix of track 1 of my Four Doors Open CD. Terry Kingen has laid some beautiful guitar over the drums to balance the intensity of the drum with the melodic flow of the guitar.

This blog is the operations central for the HEALINGDRUMMER WORLD PEACE PARTY that will take place December 20th. For the past three years I have ended every event with a few minutes of DRUMMING FOR PEACE. What I mean by peace is summed up in the statement below. I’m not asking anyone to change their mind or agree with me in every way I only ask that we focus on our similarities so strongly that we have no time to fight about our differences! Check Back for details.

To honor this passionate cause I produced a CD called World Unity. The following are the words on the jacket. The song posted is Wake Up! It is my call for people WAKE UP to PEACE!!!

“This CD is dedicated to the Peacemakers of the world. It is for those who realize that we are held lovingly in the arms of the universe, and that since we are here not only to survive, but to THRIVE together, then we must begin to act with peace and harmony in all that we do. This is to act peace with the air, the water, the land, the animals, and with each and every one of our fellow humans. May we all find through this music the ability to focus on our similarities so strongly that we have no time to fight about our differences! WORLD UNITY is WORLD COMMUNITY”

Let’s make it happen!

It is with this intention I ask you all to join me in a wold wide campaign and join the HEALINGDRUMMER WORLD PEACE PARTY! Stay tuned and enjoy the music. I will post new tracks every 2 weeks!

Peace

I am so grateful for all the people who responded to me about great places to live. I just returned from Green Bay and I must say, the Friday Fish Fry, the Butter Burgers and the Cheese Curds almost made me a resident. Not to mention the amazing hospitality I experienced there.

Here is a photo of an historic moment in the life of Toby… my first Cheese Curd!

The update is that I will be staying in Park City for a while longer. Seems that the banks have changed the way they qualify folks so to get what I want I’ll have to wait a little while longer!! So if you ski Deer Valley, you’ll see me there for another season. I’m looking forward to the Holiday Season and the New Year!!

Blessings to all,

Toby

Ok I have the good fortune to be in a position to buy my next house. I am very excited and have been thinking…where should I move. I love Park City, but to be in town where I like to be the houses are way beyond my current financial situation. So What do you think? My trusted friend and assistant Suzanne said, “Why don’t you ask the people who know and support you where they think you should live?” GREAT IDEA!! So until I can afford my ski in ski out Deer Valley home what do you think?

So here is my criteria. I would like to be 30 min or less from a major airport, the house must have a basement for a recording studio, 1,000 square feet or more. Living space of 1,500 SQ.Ft or more and a house payment of $2,000 or less. I need room for workshops and drum circles. As well as music making!!

So Far, Cincinnati Ohio and Reunion Colorado are at the top of the list.

Let me know what you think!!

Thanks,

Toby

Well it’s been a while since I did an update. I feel sometimes like I am a super ball bouncing faster and faster between the walls of the world! Sorry of those who do not know what a super ball is. I am dating myself.

Just finished a great trip to the east coast and then on to Cincinnati. The Shamanic training courses are rocking and I am having a BLAST!

I have been hearing so much about the incident with James Arthur Ray I think it is an important issue to address. My heart goes out to those affected by it and the traditions that have become affected by it as well. Regardless of my destain for those who feel as though they know what is right for everybody and feel they have the answer for the world , I do not believe there was intent of harm in that sad incident. Only profound ignorance and irresponsibility. Having had the privilege of studying with many very powerful indigenous teachers I have learned one very important thing. NEVER GIVE YOUR POWER TO ANOTHER PERSON!! Some teachers, especially in the west feel as though they have the entitlement to be a guru. That they in some way know better than you what is your path. I have seen them come and go, I have seen them amass wealth and file for bankruptcy. Have great volumes of followers and then die alone a short time later. Please Please Please own your own power and keep yourself safe in any and all situations. The situation in Sedona was an unnecessary tragedy of overbearing power and egotistical manipulation. Please always trust your own heart and hold your own power!!

I have been to Hawaii many times and have come to love the island of Kauai most of all. It is a place where wild nature abounds AND you can still find a good burger! This trip was no exception. I was on Kauai a few weeks ago hanging with my friend Surf, making music and getting tan. While there I had the good fortune to visit my favorite beaches and spend time with my friends Danny Hashimoto. Naoka the Dolphin Diva, Sam the Ukulele man and many others.

Here is Danny preparing his famous Cocoanut Cream Ambrosia

and Naoka dancing to the Drum

Here I am with Sam the ukulele  man, owner of Larry’s Music one of the most famous places on the islands

As I talked to my friends everyone was talking about the dolphins and the rich and magical energy they experienced while swimming with them. Well I have to confess I was a bit cynical. I have been to the dolphin beach at least 10 times and I have never seen a dolphin close in. So one night Surf and I were at a party on the beach,

and he started talking about going to the dolphin beach. He kept saying, “I know they will be there, and they will be there for YOU Toby!” Well I was stuck in the old story of “I’ll never experience anything that magical, blah, blah”. And as the night went on Surf and I kept jamming!

So after much debate we decided to go to the dolphin beach first thing in the morning. We went home from the beach, had a nice swim in the pool and hit the hay. The next morning I was still not convinced I would encounter the allusive dolphins but was willing to give it a go. We drive to the beach, hiked down the hill and I set out on the mile long trek to the beach were the magical dolphins reside. Having never seen them I had no idea what to expect and boy did I get a surprise. I hauled down the beach so if I did not get to see the dolphins I would at least get a good workout. As you can see, I was still not convinced. Even though Surf insisted they would be there.

When I arrived at the beach I was shocked beyond all belief when not one, not two, but three pods of dolphins just off shore and when I turned to watch them they began slapping their fins on the water and jumping wildly. Surf and his partner arrive 15 minutes later to find me sitting on the beach watching the dolphins with a HUGE smile on my face. “I told you they would be here for you. Are you ready to meet them in the water” Surf said kindly. Well to make a long story short, we entered the water     and to my surprise, these beautiful and amazing beings  did not run off.

They got closer and closer and closer still. I could feel the most amazing energy as they came closer and closer. There was no fear only trust and oneness. on their final pass I could almost reach out and touch them

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I will never forget it.

I had a great time in Virginia this trip and thanks to my great friend and host Kathy Sampeck I was able to visit one of my favorite metaphysical bookstores in the country, Sacred Circle Book Store. the owners have been so supportive and they always bring in a great crowd.

This trip I facilitated an Elemental Healing Circle! Change your rhythm, change your life! This is a powerful community drumming experience that brings to the surface, the drummer that resides deep within each of us. Part of the process involves each person in the circle the opportunity to drum healing energy for each of the participants and to be drummed by the entire circle. It is a powerful life transforming experience. Here is a clip from that night. Enjoy!

I had two days at home between Hawaii and Jamaica! I had some amazing things happen in those two days. One was, I got to see my friend Jillian ski in the World Cup competition at Deer Valley my home ski area (see her picture below). The other is I got to see my peace advocate hero Michael Franti live in concert!!!! 

What a thrill. From 80 degrees in Hawaii to 4 degrees in Park City!!! I was freezing my butt off. Then the music started and Michael had about 10,000 of us dancing like crazy on Main Street! He was freezing up on stage and kept playing!! What an amazing man.

The thing that really impressed me about Michael Franti is the fact that after he attended a yoga class at my friend Lisa’s studio, he stayed and had tea with her and gave her and her husband and friends free passes to his show in Salt Lake City. 

I have admired Michael for some time and now finally got to see him. My goal is to meet him and play the HealingDrum with him and his band to further support the cause of peace in the world!!

Here is a couple of my Park City buddies I ran into at the concert! Keili and Jillian. 

Here I am with my friends left to right, Jamie, Rich, Marilyn and yours truly