Playing for Change is a multimedia music project, created by the American producer and sound engineer Mark Johnson with his Timeless Media Group, that seeks to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. With fellow producer Enzo Buono, Mark traveled around the world to places including New Orleans, Barcelona, South Africa, India, Nepal, the Middle East and Ireland. Using mobile recording equipment, the duo recorded local musicians performing the same song, interpreted in their … Read more
Bharatanatyam Indian Classical Dance
Bharatanatyam is a classical dance style from the South of India. It is called the 'fifth veda', and is considered to be one of the oldest dance practices in India. Known as Sadir until the early 1900s, it is recorded as far back as the 9th century. The name Bharatanatyam is explained two different ways. The first is that it is composed of related words: BHAva (expression) RAga (melodic mode) TAla (rhythm) NATYAM (dance) The second is that the name comes from a combination of the name of the … Read more
Ayahuasca Tea
Ayahuasca hails from the great forests of the Amazon. Ayahuasca is a medicinal tea prepared from Banisteriopsis Caapi, a jungle vine, combined with Chacruna/Rainha (Queen); Psychotria Viridis. Ayahuasca has a rich legacy of associated traditions, myths, therapies, rituals and aesthetics, spanning from the primordial roots of the indigenous tribes of South America, to diverse syncretic spiritual movements emerging across the planet. Also a deep spiritual medicine opening access to different ways … Read more
Arati / Aarti Ritual
Arati is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when lamps are being offered. In doing so, the plate or lamp of Arati is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead – the … Read more
Swap Markets! A community exchange market to share our abundance
A Swap Market, or Swap Party is a community event, where people can freely exchange stuff that they no longer need, and receive stuff that others don't need. Instead of throwing things to the garbage, we give them away to others. Instead of buying something new, we can receive from others. Whereas consumerist culture pushes us to buy more and more things because we 'don't have enough', the Swap Market poses a joyful, sustainable alternative - there IS enough. There is abundance to share and … Read more
Grief Tending Ritual ( Sobonfu Somé )
The Grief Ritual is one of the most important of the Dagara people of West Africa. Sobonfu Somé, part of the Dagara people, brought this practice into the West. In Western society, the act of grieving isn't very common. Or doing 'emotional' work in a group setting is even less so. Increasingly people feel a lack of community or family feeling living such individualistic and disconnected day to day lives. However when we grieve together, not only does it help the individual to heal, it also … Read more
The Man Who Planted Trees A Story to Inspire
The Man Who Planted Trees, is a short story first published in 1953 and tells the story of one shepherd's long and successful single handed effort to re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps in Provence throughout the first half of the 20th century. As the forest grows so the ecosystem is restored and people return. This classic and popular ecological tale has been interpreted in the theatre and made into an animated film. Clearly and simply it encourages a love of place and of … Read more
1 minute of silence cultivating silence and peace festival in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
'One minute of silence a day is enough for us to start the greatest revolution of consciousness in history.' ~ Sri Prem Baba This year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, global humanitarian leader Sri Prem Baba led a festival called 'Just One Minute' - silence for world peace. He brings a simple solution to the rush in our lives, and makes it accessible for everyone. Hundreds of people came for this festival, music was played, life was celebrated, spreading the word all round of the importance of … Read more
Upcycling for beauty and function! Reusing waste in beautiful and useful ways
Consumerism is reaching everyone, even traditional societies are becoming increasingly burdened with an overload of waste and little appreciation for traditional crafts and goods. By upcycling we can demonstrate that old materials can be reused into new functions, adding value and beauty. It can become an art form, and be a source of income and of gathering community, in workshops and exchanging knowledge. … Read more
Building with Natural Materials Inspirational Ideas for Building with Natural Materials
Modern building has become a sophisticated process using highly processed materials and fittings that are part of a huge global industry. Reclaiming power on a local sustainable level and respecting what our local environments can give encourages us to use natural materials from our surroundings. Built to express the local landscape and local traditions such building generally harmonises with the environment and feels a part of it. It should be noted that natural insulation materials are less … Read more
