Tanabata: The Festival Of Star Lovers

Every year on July 7th through out Japan people celebrate Tanabata, the festival of stars. On ‘the night of 7’s’ parks are adorned with giant lanterns and decorations, people eat together, enjoy music and dance, play games, and write their wishes on paper then tie them to bamboo trees in hopes that their wishes will come true.

Legend has it that there once was a princess that was a great textiles weaver. She worked very hard, spinning her cloth, she was a star that we know of as Vega. She fell in love with the Shepard who lived across the river we know as the Milky Way, he was a star that we know as Altair. Both of the hard working star lovers stopped working and spent all of their time together, much to the disdain of the princess’ father. He cursed the young lovers and forbid them from seeing each other. Well, separating lovers is not in the best interest of the universe, so naturally, the hard working princess was so heart broken that she couldn’t spin anymore. Her strict father realized that the punishment was too harsh, as parents sometimes go overboard for the best interest of their children, and granted the lovers one day a year to come together, if the conditions were ripe. That day would be 07.07. So on this day, the underlying theme is lovers being able to come together, cause for celebration indeed.

Some Japanese also use Tanabata as a day to wish for more skill. Wishing for more skill appeals to me, we don’t need a larger flat screen, a newer car, more clothes, we could all use a little more skill. Learning what our ancestors did as we evolved as a society then applying that to our modern lifestyle really appeals to me. So today I am focusing on what skills I want to develop, and celebrating my son that was born on 07.07. To me Tanabata celebrates his birth which has certainly brightened my life.

I am wishing that all obstacles, inner and outer, be dissolved, so that lovers everywhere can have the opportunity to cross the river and be together, to join the strongest force in the Universe. What are you wishing for?

 

Summer Satya

I was recently asked at a family function if I had created a summer solstice video, like the video I made at winter solstice. I didn’t though it did cross my mind as honoring cyclic natural phenomenon is a part of my ritucharya. My schedule has not been conducive to that, I didn’t create a video but had many sweet visuals flowing through my mind. Summer Solstice was celebrated with my family and a wonderful dinner honoring my father as father’s day was on summer solstice, as was a new moon. My father is quite a magical person, though don’t tell him I said that. After lots of laughs we then went to the beach with other family friends and danced with the children to the drummers as the sun set beyond the mountains and the ocean. The bright setting sun felt so good on my skin, I truly felt immersed in light.

summer solstice

The seasons have morphed from spring to summer with hiccups back into spring, the weather seems to be more unstable, the realities of climate change settling in. I have been busy, working on many inspiring projects, including two documentaries that I will write more about later. I am so honored to be working with such conscious people who are creating work that elevates our awareness of our responsibilities to the planet that hosts us all. I have also been creating video media for some inspiring friends, musicians, and groovy small businesses as well as for SierraSil. Luckily I love what I do, and I don’t mind that weeks pass by without me coming up for air it seems. But there are moments of magic that keep me intact. With all of this activity I am scheduling in time to enjoy the sun with my young apprentices, aka Sarina and Solen, my sun and moon that perpetually orbit me.

What has been on my mind a lot lately is TRUTH. Listening to what my subconscious brings to light, speaking what has come to sight. What is making my heart happy? What does it desire, what does it want to say? What is creating tension in my heart? Reflecting my truth makes me feel more capable to do meaningful and relevant work, ready to support you to tune into your truth too. I have unloaded so many physical possessions, so many old thought patterns, so many obligations that held me back from dancing on the inside, dancing so freely.

sparks

With all of the tragic unrest in Iran and in other parts of the world, with the passing of Michael Jackson, and all of the other dark news I observe I feel the need to speak my truth more than ever. We all have the ability to feel in our body what is right and wrong, and we may not all agree, but to speak from our soul what we know to be true, with compassion for all that we are speaking to, we can transform a tense situation with a neighbor and live in harmony, support a family member through a sticky situation and have a tighter family to surround ourselves with, challenge a friend to be honest to us and have more deeper connections with our tribe, disarm a foe and expand our alliance, let go of those who have a controlling grip on us preventing us from achieving our purpose and be able to let in those who will make our souls dance. We can do all of this with grace for the highest good of all. This world can shine. Thank you for shinning with me.

 

Maintaining a Clear Mind Through Meditation

It has been a full week, and I am currently enjoying watching the moon full up with light. It is just days away from reaching its monthly peak of lunar rays that permeate every living substance on this Earth…

I have been enjoying working with SierraSil, it has been an exciting week for the small but quickly expanding natural mineral supplement company based out of Vancouver, BC. They have helped thousands stay off of nasty anti-inflammatory drugs and have been so much fun to work with. Worth mentioning this week was the Midforms Festival, presented by the New Forms Media Society. Also, a Kirtan with Durga Das at Semperviva, fun bike rides in the winter sun, teaching my son to skateboard and a good girlfriend in town from Topanga, CA adding to a juicy and spicy week.

With all of the busyness, the balance of work and play, family and friends, personal practice and creative pursuits, how does one contain all of this and stay clear? Meditation! In keeping with last week’s theme, here is an article I wrote for My Yoga Online… Drink some tea and try it out. If you are an avid meditator (!) then a reminder of the foundations never hurts…

As we develop a greater self-awareness with our unfolding yoga practice, cultivating mindfulness through meditation techniques is a natural progression on our path. The benefits of meditation have been proven by modern science to significantly reduce stress and tension, greatly improving our health, a necessary component to a balanced lifestyle in today’s fast paced world. The Seven Points of Meditation Posture is a key foundation to a successful meditation practice.

Seven Points of Meditation Posture

The seven points of meditation posture have been used for thousands of years by great Masters and Yogis and have proven to be highly effective for creating successful meditation practices. These meditation cues are a necessary foundation to become successful in taming your mind through this ancient practice. Whenever preparing to meditate, check into your body and encourage that all 7 points are in position.

For a person not used to meditating, the sitting posture may be an uncomfortable position to achieve. The most difficult part can be sitting in a cross-legged position called Full Lotus Pose (Padmasana). If you cannot do the Full Lotus Position, then explore Half Lotus Pose (Ardha Padmasana). If you still cannot be relaxed or comfortable in Half Lotus, then just sit in a position that is comfortable and stable. Generally, people can sit in a loosely, cross-legged posture with the feet beneath the legs, but many people do not naturally have flexible joints or may have some injuries or damage. So please do not be shy if you need to use a chair or sit on props. Folded up blankets work nicely as well to elevate the hips and release discomfort or tension out of the legs, hips, and back.

The seven points of meditation posture are:

1. The sitting position, preferably the Lotus position.

2. The position of your back should be straight but not tense or tight.

3. The position of your shoulders should be back a little. Raise your shoulders up to your ears and then roll them back so that your shoulder blades move downwards. This motion helps to guide the upper body into position.

4. The position of our hands-there are three methods;
a) For general relaxation, your hands are in your lap, not too low, with the right hand in the left hand, palms up and the thumbs touching.
b) For determination, your hands are flat, palms down, resting one hand on each knee.
c) For stimulation, which activates and frees the energy systems of the body (especially the Body, Speech and Mind), each hand has the thumb touching the base of the ring finger, and the fingers closed firmly, not too tight, round the thumb, and the hand resting palm down on each knee.

5. The position of your neck is held tall while lightly tilting the skull down a few millimeters (by gently bringing in your chin). Ensure the balance of the skull is maintained over the neck.

6. The position of your eyes: there are three methods;
a) The eyes look down following the tip of your nose.
b) The eyes are gently closed.
c) The eyes look straight ahead, but very slightly lower than level or lower than the horizon.

7. The position of your mouth and tongue; your mouth can either be closed or just slightly open so air can escape (as if you were saying softly the letter AH). The tongue is relaxed in a natural position, or the tip of the tongue can lightly touch the roof of the mouth just behind the area where the gums meet the upper front teeth (this called Jalandhara Bandha).

Now that you have an idea of a comfortable meditation position, you simply breathe out, breathe in, relax, and watch the breath without interfering. The traffic of your thoughts in your mind is always there. Just let the thoughts move, do not interfere or try to change anything, do not try to diminish anything, or try to increase anything. As you rest and watch the breath, the thoughts will dissolve on their own. They will diminish and dissolve to the earth, dissolve to space, and dissolve to the air. The mind will relax on it’s own and become more peaceful and content.

For those who wish to pursue meditation, it is crucial to understand this Three-Point Instruction:

1. Meditation is not meditation unless you make it a habit. When meditation practice becomes habitual, this becomes meditation.

2. You have to spin the twisted yarn or string of the mind not too tight and not too loose. Too tight, it will be too hard and it will break. And too loose, it will be too soft and it also will break. When you find this balance of mental tension, this becomes meditation.

3. If you do not stir water, it settles and remains clear. If you do not disturb the mind, it will settle and become peaceful and free. When you achieve this state, this is mediation.

A regular meditation practice will definitely allow your mind to organize and stabilize itself, and this will allow us to gain peace, happiness, clarity, and tranquility. Mastering the seven points of meditation posture as well as understanding the Three-point instructions on meditation are key elements in cultivating a solid foundation for your meditation practice. Enjoy your peace of mind. This planet needs you to.

 

thoughts of the day

Today was a beautiful day, like the one before, and the one before that. There is snow falling, which seems shocking and out of place, although it is winter in Canada and it was forecasted. The cold enveloping my outer world makes me dress warm and cozy and settle down with a cup of kava root tea and while I listen to my favorite songs on shuffle as I work on my computer.

Today I was driving to a video shoot I produced/directed with my friend Bryan who shot it, and as we were catching up in my car I was talking about my weekend that just passed. My children spent the weekend with their grandparents and I was OFF MY LEASH for two full days! I have a very busy schedule and when I am not working or studying I am with my children, picking them up from school on most days and hanging out with them until they go to bed, then I go back to work.

So, naturally on my two days off I locked my doors and stayed home and spent most of Saturday meditating/doing yoga/meditating/chanting, and whatever it is that people like me do. Saturday night I spent the eve with a dear friend Sundara who did some stellar body work on me. Sunday I did more yoga, went to my meditation centre, and picked up my children. I didn’t think twice about laying low and retreating deep within, it felt natural and long over due.

It was when I was talking about my weekend with Bryan and he commented that not many people take the time to do nothing and listen to what is deep inside, making the space to connect and release. I was reminded of all the people on this planet, living our fast paced lives, we constantly are plugging in, plugging in, going from one thing to the next, bombarded by media, seeking to be entertained, never feeling satiated. Desiring more, consuming more, creating more, more, more…

Take the time to stop and do nothing. Unplug. Take a break from thinking, listen to yourself and tell me how you feel. Travel deep within. Discover emptiness.

Happy Tibetan New Year [losar tashi delek]
Year of the Earth Ox

MAY PEACEFUL HEARTS,
PEACEFUL FEELINGS,
AND PEACEFUL INTELLIGENCE
GUIDE THIS WORLD
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.

H H the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

 

88 blocks: Art on Main

88 Blocks: Art on Main

There is another wacky fun art initiative happening in Vancouver. The Main Street corridor is hosting a public art program which has been kicked off with A BRIGHT FUTURE by Instant Coffee, Vancouver/Toronto based artist collective that has been keeping me in the know for a few years now. The fun installations will be comprised of temporary works on display until April 30th with some permanent displays. Blanket Bus: Imagine a random number 3 trolley bus covered in bright afghan blanket patterns. Instant Coffee 500: Walk inside another trolley and see artworks commissioned by Instant Coffee from artists in North, Central, and South America as well as Europe, in the place of paid advertisements. You can use your preferred choice of media (text 604.779.0008 or online www.instantcoffee.org) and vote on your favorite piece. The winner will be announced at the event launch this Saturday, January 17th from 7-10PM at the launch’s co-host VIVO 1965 Main Street, and will get to grace the full exterior of a third number 3 bus.

Other works you will see adding some spice to Main Street is a bus shelter on Main and 20th suited with S.A.D. lights! I could use a little light therapy right now… (Instant Coffee Light Bar Bus Shelter installation). Say Nothing in Bright Colours will permanently adorn sandwich boards bearing hand painted slogans installed on the sidewalk at my old stomping grounds; Main and 22nd as well as Main and 20th.

afghan wrapped buses!

May contemporary art swell up in this city and invade a street corner or public transit device on a more frequent basis.

On my stove top: a pot of water boiling fresh ginger and turmeric with a few cardamon pods.

 

creative weave

On the eve of yet another beautifully intense, round, life-provoking full moon I found myself unable to stay home after a long day of work and meetings, so I rounded up Sarina & Solen, my infamous young apprentices, and headed down to the cultural beacon here in Vancouver, the VAG. I make a point of going to galleries when I visit a city, and make a point of staying current with the major galleries of the city I live in and a few smaller favorites as well.

Jeff Wall’s work is being exhibited and I felt drawn to see his works again. I have seen his works and attended an artist talk a few years back in my days of involvement with the CAG, but was very excited to see him in the gallery this evening. He was giving a private tour to some of the subjects of his photographic works, a collection of homeless/street youth, it was a very special event. As there was a crowd around him it was easy to stand in the back with other gallery folk and listen to his engaging talk. I enjoyed serendipitously running into his little tour of the exhibition at the beginning and having the chance to hear him speak about his creative process as he brilliantly fuses the creative with the technical. I think what I enjoy about his works, aside from the brilliant light coming from behind the images, is that he treats his works as if they are a movie, there is a production involved. His images always have such a story to tell, and much to say about the world we live in. And the city I live in.

I also enjoyed Kai Althoff’s exhibition, especially the collaborative instillation: The Weaving Place showcasing the work of San Fran artist Travis Joseph Meinholf, inventor of the Laser-Loom! The room was filled with weaving projects that you can work on, a modified handloom, woven fabrics, spindles, quilts and more! I was in heaven. Art and hand made textiles all under one roof! The instillation examines alternative methods of producing goods and really showed the beauty of fabrics made by hand, there is no comparison for me.

Equally as impressive was Evelyn Roth’s Environment for Reading Recycled from 110 Sweaters, 1974, a part of the WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution exhibition. A tipi-like structure was knit from the yarn of old sweaters with a light hanging from the middle. It was a beautiful work in alternative/sustainable media transforming the environment within the gallery.

Sarina and Solen’s favorite was Martina Minujin & Richard Squires’ Soft Gallery, 1973. Imagine a room created out of many mattresses and you could bounce freely or chill and watch a movie playing on the suspended tv. Or take a nap as one patron did. Solen polished his great somersault in the air move.

youth appreciating the arts

I am off to drink some tea and have a good conversation with the moon that is full. Weaving my kaleidoscopic-like roles that I have back into my heart.

 

a new year

Holiday rush coming to an end, I find myself focusing on simplicity. This time of year, no matter how organized I think I am, I am left feeling full of bliss yet completely chaotic. As I settle back into a ‘normal’ routine I am finding that doing 15 minutes of yoga every morning is keeping me from crashing, allowing me to sustain my holiday high while I push forward into a new year with a new set of goals.

I first started doing yoga 17 years ago (ok, I started young!) and although I know what postures are more essential for my body, I still love being guided. My Yoga Online has hundreds of classes in DVD quality that stream on the internet. Classes range from 12 minutes to over an hour, from beginner to advanced, from yin to vinyasa flow. My Yoga Online is also a great health and wellness resource with a collection of articles on health, nutrition, ayurveda, and wellness.

I do work with the knowledgeable people at My Yoga Online, so I would like to offer you all a chance to check out the site for free. I know for me going to a class is always fun, but not always possible to fit into a busy schedule. For those who are wanting to practice from home or for teachers wanting to gain more tips, I can offer you two weeks for free to give it a try.

Enter this promo code: RY097381 here to receive two weeks on MYO.

There is a lot going on these days on this planet, do your part and keep your mind, body and soul intact. Do a little yoga. Do a lot. Drink a little tea. Drink a lot.

namaste

 

origins

I am asked, where does the name Sumitra come from for it is not the name I was born with…  sumitra.  It is a collection of syllables and sounds, a name, and for me it has a bit of a story to it.  Sumitra is Indian in origin, so why would I choose a Sanskrit name to identify my creative projects with?  SUMITRA, it has a nice ring to it.  media does also.  Without even considering the meaning of the word, you have to admit it is a pretty sound… media.  Aside from the name SUMITRAmedia having a good flow to it, the meaning is even sweeter.

A summer tradition of mine is to go to the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga’s annual family yoga retreat, a wholesome summer ritual for the family on the beautiful Salt Spring Island, one of BC’s Gulf Islands.  The spiritual head of the center is Baba Hari Dass, a  silent yogi from India who has not spoken a word since 1952, comes up from his home at the Mt. Madonna Center in Santa Cruz, CA to guide the retreat.  It was in a private meeting with babajii during a retreat several years ago that he gave me the name Sumitra scribed on a little piece of paper with the meaning ‘a friend of everyone… also a name of a goddess of creation’.  When I first read the name he scribed on the little piece of paper I felt it resonate within, a shift in my consciousness.

To be given a name by a spiritual master is a blessing in itself.  In the case of Baba Hara Dass, or Babajii as we call him, it is a glimpse into our own spiritual evolution, a gift we may have and something we must work on.  I feel both.  Ultimately, I just like the sound of the name: sumitra.  Being a person that believes that peace on this planet is possible (with a hellova lot of work by each and everyone of us), I like the concept of being a friend to everyone. EVERYONE.  Somehow, someway…

As I explore and develop my practice with media it feels good to bring that blessing forward with my work.  Be open to all, bring out the best in everyone.  And just put words together that flow.  And video images as well…  To communicate directly to the soul, to raise the vibration of the collective subconsciousness… The greatest blessing is to be surrounded by such bright, creative, and skilled souls to work and collaborate with.

As an independent media producer I have so much gratitude to have been surrounded by skilled and talented people who I have learned so much from as well as such inspiring people, events, and organizations to film and develop materials for this past year.  I enjoy learning and expanding my capabilities to enhance the work, art, and ideas that the beautiful people or groups that I have the great fortune to cross paths with.

As a media artist I am so grateful to have found this medium.  The first project that I edited brought so much joy because I was working in the visual realm, like in painting which I love working in.  But when I started to discover and explore the dynamics of my compositions moving and having sound I was completely ecstatic!  A dynamic medium for a dynamic person.  Love at first experience.  I enjoy capturing footage that expresses the beauty inherent in every moment, in every situation.  I like to create a visual flow that inspires, uplifts, and communicates to that place deep within.  I also like to laugh, hysterically if lucky, so I integrate humor when possible.  I prefer not to cater to the current high paced and flashy protocols of modern media.  I am curious about learning the technology but if I had my way media would be long and slow and insist that we all hold a decent attention span.

My experience during the past 10 years includes working for Midwives & Naturopaths, administration & corporate training, giving birth and raising two children, exploring Asia as well as NYC, yogic and meditative explorations, research, fine art studies, embracing the contemporary art world, learning, interning, dance dance dancing, overcoming, and downright living.  Dynamic capabilities and experiences give me the edge to communicate heart and soul through video.  Some future goals include travelling to India again, the wonderful country where the name Sumitra originates from, to film a documentary on textiles, natural woven fibers are another passion of mine.  At one point I was developing a business designing fabric and as I started to work with video and fall in love with this medium, I turned that business idea into a documentary, I married two passions

I wish every person on this planet to experience peace and love and connection in this upcoming new year.  May you achieve all of your dreams… dream BIG!

Saltspring Centre of Yoga makes great chai!

Baba Hari Dass at the Family Yoga Retreat

 

tea and conversation

Fueled by tea and inspired by good conversation, I throw my thoughts into the vast element of world wide web.  The man made creation that binds us together, that aids the acceleration that we all experience, that recently has me feeling amazed as I bow down no longer thinking of it as a modern annoyance.  I am embracing social media.  I am also drinking tea each and every day… lately during the cold dark days of winter I have been making one or two matcha lattes with rice milk with several cups of home made lemon ginger or other herbal concoctions daily.  I can’t remember a day when I didn’t drink tea in the past several years.  Tea fortifies the body and soul.

I am exploring my inner and outer conversations and inspirations through starting this blog.  I have been working with such amazing people and projects that it is only natural to want to bring everyone together. My intention here is to embrace current forms of media and communication to support and inspire all in living a fulfilling life on our sacred planet that contributes to the healing of the human collective.  To live a life centered in the heart, where the divine can be felt in every moment.  Where holding a mug and drinking tea can be an ecstatic moment.  The beauty in the craftsmanship of the mug, the appreciation and connection to the herbs steeped in hot water, the appreciation for the ritual all point you towards finding that inner light that spreads to all that cross your path. Tea and conversation.

Having just passed the darkest day of the year and living in the northern latitude of Vancouver, I am surrounded by an abundance of darkness.  I am seeing people become unstable and irritable, unable to cope with daily stress, reacting to disaster after disaster.  I see many caught up in the busyness of the holidays, struggling to find the balance between finding the joy of the holiday and the pressure to please.  I find myself cultivating inner light by seeing the beauty that surrounds us all, it fortifies an inner sense of peace of love.  light.  It makes me capable of lifting up my beloveds with support,  fueling me.  I have not lived a sheltered life, I am fully qualified to comment on suffering and overcoming suffering.  It is natural in these conditions to want to connect to your roots, make contact with the moist dark earth that sustains us, and find that force that makes us feel safe and supported.  Learning to dance on the sticky web…

check out Vancouver covered in snow on winter solstice

find inner light during phases of darkness

sarva mangalaam!