The Sloppy Bhakti

I guess you could say that music festivals and live music are my comfort zone. They are where I was rebirthed, where I was freely allowed to safely explore new conventions and ways of being, swaddled in a temporary autonomous zone of warm sunshine, vibrant colors, otherworldly sounds, and totally uninhibited individuals. There you don’t have to be bogged down by work, or bills, or deal with bureaucrats. You don’t have to labor over the typical societal conventions and encu

Music for me has always been a vessel, something that has undoubtingly taken me somewhere very special. Sometimes it’s a rollercoaster, with twists and turns, dips and dives. Sometimes it’s a jet engine plane, blasting you somewhere so completely new and so ostensibly out there that upon flight arrival it takes a moment to fully flesh back into the surrounding moment. Other times it’s a gentle ride through known territory and a soft, warming comfort is induced. Music is o

My best friend just returned home this week from his first Ram Dass retreat in Maui, and I was beyond eager to ask questions and delve into his experiences there. Upon reconvening over some food, drinks, and kirtan at my humble mountain home, my wife and I picked his brain about overt themes, subtle nuances, the general vibe, and I definitely threw in some fanboy questions about teachers and idols of mine with whom he crossed paths. After chomping down comedically large por

Satsang, as it’s known in Hinduism, or sangha, as it’s known is Buddhism, is a group of spiritual seekers who come together to help each other along the path. It’s a collection of individuals who have uncovered the same innate truths through their practices, and due to this connection, can assist each other through their evolution, while spending time enjoying the presence of others who are of similar essence. This is a group of people who look out for each other, serve eac