sunday morning is a time for worship.
my temple is a ballroom in north portland.
a hundred bright beings gather to dance.
we dance for the upliftment of ourselves, each other and for humanity.

yesterday, our theme was to dance the "fool."
whimsical costume pieces were placed in the center of the room.
throughout the dance, people donned masks,
boas, wigs and silly props.

sunlight streamed in through the windows
as we danced
becoming increasingly more joyful
until the scene be... read more

I'm involved in a lot of things.

I've been telling my friends that I have a new motto, "So many pies, so few fingers!"

Last night, a group of musicians came to my house. We were preparing for a kirtan we are holding this Friday. We shared amazing music and a sweet meal together. The air was shimmering with their golden energy as I set about cleaning up.

Sometimes, as I'm rushing around preparing for or tidying up after various events, I start to feel overwhelmed and wonder if I've ... read more

there is more unseen than seen

no one really knows the way

when you want to quit most, that is the time to keep going

we are moved more by spirit than we think

balance is in your mind

walk toward fear, and it moves away like a rainbow

we are all endless

so why not dance?

Love is not a feeling
Love is a practice.
You can fall in
But to stay there

You must keep moving, dancing
Toward the place of light

You can gaze upon your love
And drink in her beauty
But your thirst will be insatiable
Until you drink from the well of the divine.
You can cry at the sound
Of her golden voice
But the cacophony of the world will remain
Until you listen to your own heart.

Love is not a feeling
Love is a prayer
Oh lord, let love be my natural ... read more

i finally made it to brietenbush and i've been meaning to share some of it here. this is my version of the weekend of ecstatic dance...a verbal slide show from my heart to yours....

breitenbush.

in the middle of the forest. primitive cabins natural trails.

the locals don't go there. only lunatic hippies and seekers.

little hot mineral pools made of rock overlook the river.

a big room to dance in with windows greeting trees on three sides.

walking to breakfast, the... read more

Sometimes I feel as if I'm living in a story I've written. Life is that good right now.

My kid's business, The Young Players is now Portland's largest drama outreach program, serving over 100 schools. www.theyoungplayers.com.

For a year, I've been developing another organization that offers corporate training using theatre techniques. We opened for business yesterday! www.ensembleinc.com

I'm surrounded by amazing artists every day, and my job is literally to "play" with people. Wha... read more

the invitation read....

through the drum, one can hear the heartbeat of the earth
and the heartbeat of all people
amidst the chaos of life, the noise of being,
a drumbeat can restore balance

at the fall equinox, all corners of the earth enjoy
twelve hours of daylight
in this space of equality, you are invited to find your center
in this sacred drumming circle.

***************************
twenty people came to the drumming circle at my house.
peter larkin, a quiet and thou... read more

right in the middle of a busy week, i got a call from my friend john.

"tomorrow is my birthday. why don't you come up and celebrate with me at my friend's cabin on the mountain?"

i've heard about this cabin, this little oasis many times before, but i hadn't seen it in person. and once again, i felt far too busy to just take off and go. but there was something so sweet in his voice...a true invitation to just let everything go and be with nature for a day.

he didn't even know i h... read more

my ex-husband got married not long ago.

in the weeks leading up to the event, i checked in with myself often to see how i felt, and the answer always came up, "just fine."

i had scheduled a chanting workshop for the same weekend. it was a marvelous coincidence that my favorite kirtan musician was giving a chant and a workshop in town. so i had something to look forward to.

then, on the morning of the event, the unexpected happened.

old feelings of loss, failure and sadness r... read more

two years ago, a psychic told me to take up dancing so that i had a place to channel all of my good energy. i already LOVE dancing, but really don't go very often. so, recently at a friend's birthday party, i met a whole tribe of "ecstatic" dancers. this is actually an art form, very free, expressive dancing. the party-goers were quite welcoming and sweet, so i decided to go last sunday. what an amazing experience! it was like a sunday morning disco without the drugs/alcohol or smoke!

i ... read more