An Evening with Krishna

I'm woefully ignorant on the Hindu faith--but last night, I did learn a little more. A local yoga studio was presenting an event featuring a Hindu swami, plus music and dancing. What else was I going to do? I wasn't all that interested in listening to the swami--until he began to speak. He only talked for maybe 20 minutes, but here was so much wisdom crammed into those minutes, my head was spinning. He talked about attachments here in this world, about ego and the identities we create and cling to, about sitting and simply being, and about how we each already have all we need. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, but he talked so simply, clearly and succinctly--it was a breath of fresh air that I've desperately needed. And it reminds me a little of what that Cherokee medicine man said to me last weekend--and I have yet to post on that--sorry!

The swami told us more about Krishna--in fact, the entire evening was centered around this god, whom the swami called "the expressive heart of Hinduism." The talk was then followed by some beautiful traditional Indian dance called bharata natyam. There was one performance called the "Dance of Peace and Light," featuring 2 women in a darkened studio holding votive candles in each hand. It truly did create an atmosphere of peace and light--and it would be great at a wedding. I looked for a sample video but couldn't find anything.The evening ended with a performance of the Mayapuris, a group of young men and women who chant and drum in the sacred kirtan tradition. It was quite mesmerizing at first, but--then the group wouldn't stop chanting: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare." They just kept going and going and going. Yeah, it got old fast--so I left. I'm all for religious devotion--and I know the mantra is supposed to induce a state of God-consciousness--but it was starting to get creepy and cultish!

Still, an interesting and inspiring evening. Which is great, considering today completely sucks! My motorcycle won't start, I'm all emotional over the break-up still, and my Internet is STILL not hooked up in the apartment (I'll spare you the long, tragic story--I'm sure I'll laugh at one day). I'm sure Krishna is looking down on all of this and laughing himself...

An Evening with Krishna

I'm woefully ignorant on the Hindu faith--but last night, I did learn a little more. A local yoga studio was presenting an event featuring a Hindu swami, plus music and dancing. What else was I going to do? I wasn't all that interested in listening to the swami--until he began to speak. He only talked for maybe 20 minutes, but here was so much wisdom crammed into those minutes, my head was spinning. He talked about attachments here in this world, about ego and the identities we create and cling to, about sitting and simply being, and about how we each already have all we need. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, but he talked so simply, clearly and succinctly--it was a breath of fresh air that I've desperately needed. And it reminds me a little of what that Cherokee medicine man said to me last weekend--and I have yet to post on that--sorry!

The swami told us more about Krishna--in fact, the entire evening was centered around this god, whom the swami called "the expressive heart of Hinduism." The talk was then followed by some beautiful traditional Indian dance called bharata natyam. There was one performance called the "Dance of Peace and Light," featuring 2 women in a darkened studio holding votive candles in each hand. It truly did create an atmosphere of peace and light--and it would be great at a wedding. I looked for a sample video but couldn't find anything.The evening ended with a performance of the Mayapuris, a group of young men and women who chant and drum in the sacred kirtan tradition. It was quite mesmerizing at first, but--then the group wouldn't stop chanting: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare." They just kept going and going and going. Yeah, it got old fast--so I left. I'm all for religious devotion--and I know the mantra is supposed to induce a state of God-consciousness--but it was starting to get creepy and cultish!

Still, an interesting and inspiring evening. Which is great, considering today completely sucks! My motorcycle won't start, I'm all emotional over the break-up still, and my Internet is STILL not hooked up in the apartment (I'll spare you the long, tragic story--I'm sure I'll laugh at one day). I'm sure Krishna is looking down on all of this and laughing himself...

Julie Andrews Takes Over Belgian Train Station with "Sound of Music"

A friend sent this and it totally melted my grinchy little heart and--give me a moment--I even shed a few tears! OMG--what is wrong with me? But who can resist Julie Andrews' crystal-clear voice and the joyful, kooky dancing?

This was actually a stunt held in Antwerp to help find cast members for a production of "Sound of Music," but I love it anyway. It touches on something beautiful, innocent and joyful that I think we need much more of in the world right now. At least I do.

Julie Andrews Takes Over Belgian Train Station with "Sound of Music"

A friend sent this and it totally melted my grinchy little heart and--give me a moment--I even shed a few tears! OMG--what is wrong with me? But who can resist Julie Andrews' crystal-clear voice and the joyful, kooky dancing?

This was actually a stunt held in Antwerp to help find cast members for a production of "Sound of Music," but I love it anyway. It touches on something beautiful, innocent and joyful that I think we need much more of in the world right now. At least I do.

Can You Zumba?

Have you heard about Zumba yet? It's like dance aerobics but with a Latin beat. A friend of mine is an instructor and she was giving a free class, so I thought I'd check it out. I need something more physical anyway, plus I love Latin music. That's right, I need to tap into my sexy inner ballroom dancer! It was lots of fun, I worked up a sweat and I didn't make too big a fool of myself, and I'll be back!

Can You Zumba?

Have you heard about Zumba yet? It's like dance aerobics but with a Latin beat. A friend of mine is an instructor and she was giving a free class, so I thought I'd check it out. I need something more physical anyway, plus I love Latin music. That's right, I need to tap into my sexy inner ballroom dancer! It was lots of fun, I worked up a sweat and I didn't make too big a fool of myself, and I'll be back!

My Muse: Lady GaGa!

Can't get enough of Lady GaGa's dance-club hits or her crazy outfits! I love that she shows up only wearing plastic bubbles!

Sure, some are haters, but what do they know? Is anyone going to remember THEM? I love GaGa's over-the-top sense of style and fun. We need more of that in this gloomy world of economic collapse and terrorist threats.

She's like some crazy, reincarnated artsy chick from the '80s!

If you haven't heard them yet, check out "Just Dance" and "Poker Face."

And GaGa is scheduled to perform on "American Idol" next week, April 1 (geez, I hope that isn't some April Fool's Day joke!).

My Muse: Lady GaGa!

Can't get enough of Lady GaGa's dance-club hits or her crazy outfits! I love that she shows up only wearing plastic bubbles!

Sure, some are haters, but what do they know? Is anyone going to remember THEM? I love GaGa's over-the-top sense of style and fun. We need more of that in this gloomy world of economic collapse and terrorist threats.

She's like some crazy, reincarnated artsy chick from the '80s!

If you haven't heard them yet, check out "Just Dance" and "Poker Face."

And GaGa is scheduled to perform on "American Idol" next week, April 1 (geez, I hope that isn't some April Fool's Day joke!).

Brazilian Guys Bust a Move With "Creu" Dance Craze

You'd never get American guys to dance like this! Leave it to Brazilian boys to be comfortable enough with their bodies and their sexuality to have some fun. Sure, the girls do it, too, but the guys seem to particularly enjoy it if the proliferation of YouTube videos is any indication. Here's one at what looks like an amateur dance competition with 2 hot guys named Rafael and Diogo.

This "Danca do Creu" was created by MC Creu and apparently swept Brazil by storm over the last year. Sort of like the "Macarena" and "The Electric Slide"--just a whole lot sexier. The song is a bit annoying, but it's fun to watch. And the lyrics? Basically, it's something like 5 ways to shake it faster and faster!

Ah, Brazil.....

Brazilian Guys Bust a Move With "Creu" Dance Craze

You'd never get American guys to dance like this! Leave it to Brazilian boys to be comfortable enough with their bodies and their sexuality to have some fun. Sure, the girls do it, too, but the guys seem to particularly enjoy it if the proliferation of YouTube videos is any indication. Here's one at what looks like an amateur dance competition with 2 hot guys named Rafael and Diogo.

This "Danca do Creu" was created by MC Creu and apparently swept Brazil by storm over the last year. Sort of like the "Macarena" and "The Electric Slide"--just a whole lot sexier. The song is a bit annoying, but it's fun to watch. And the lyrics? Basically, it's something like 5 ways to shake it faster and faster!

Ah, Brazil.....