Long Island, NY and Sewell, NJ

Hello friends and chanters

It's been a couple of days since we've had internet access so the blog is a little behind, but we just found our way to a oasis of free Wi-Fi at a Dunkin' Donuts in New Jersey so we're back online!

Wednesday night was yet another presidential candidate debate and Kirtan competition. Once again, I think the dueling senators may have carried the majority of the attention, but the folks who gathered with us at the GrohWell office in Merrick, NY on Long Island were the perfect way for us to spend enjoying chanting and bliss. The most wonderful treat was also the Hicks family who hosted us for the night. Their daughter, Tara, was our Junior Production Assistant and helped us get set up. After Kirtan, we sat up with Linda and talked about music until the wee hours. The next day, Randy woke us up with a homemade breakfast for more good conversation while I got the delight of holding baby Zachary. They were such a lovely family and so generous.

Last night, Thursday, we had the extra-special treat of an evening with the sangha at Natural Path Wellness Center in Sewell, NJ. The owner, Christine, gathered an amazing group of yogis together for chanting and even loaned us her beautiful Ganesha to join us on the "magic carpet." Everyone was so generous -- I think nearly everyone left a small donation and took a CD home with them. Christian and I have a gentle disagreement about what was the highlight moment of last night, he says it was the very powerful "OM Namah Shivaya" and I was thinking the very fun time we spent with "Devi Ma." Still, I would have to take a 3rd position and say it was the "Svaha" with the many heartfelt prayers and thanksgivings. Afterward, the energy in the room was so prayerful and charged. The fire built with all of the voices in the studio felt like it was still burning in the hearts and minds of us all. WOW!

This morning, after the car was (yet again) packed and ready to go, Christian turned to me and said, "I can't believe we've just done 9 events." It seems like it's been just an eyeblink since we've started and now we're getting closer to the end of the first tour. Two more to go, as we head back north just a tad for an evening at our final Integral Yoga center stop this time, Princeton.

Much love,

Dharmashakti