In one single, elongated moment, I’ve returned from (the beginning of) my most transformational journey, completely released the shackles to my previous life situation, embraced the teachings handed to me along the way, acknowledged my blessings, and surrendered to my passions for life. All this allowing me to begin applying those teachings toward a be-coming into the eternal present. By the measure of clock time and celestial cycles nearly 5 moons have passed since I’ve taken the time to express the many transmutations occurring both within and without my will’s realm of control. My return to the states ended up being just another transition in this endless adventure..

It continued with a wonderful Earth Dance celebration back with my extended family in the mountains of Colorado in September. For nearly 10 months I went without sight nor scent of those beautiful Rockies and without sounding too impersonal, I think they were probably what my heart missed the most. After spending time with my immediate family back in Arkansas (just as important as the Rockies, of course) I was lucky enough to be stranded in nowhere-southern Kansas for, yes, 9 days with major car trouble. I can tell you first hand there’s no Dorothy, and there’s no Oz, but fortunately quite the abundance of timely synchronicity. Finally exceeding the pull of the black hole I made it back to Colorado and packed my things freeing me for what was next.

Since arriving back in the states and after many conversations with Sharon (my good friend from Philly with whom I traveled through Europe), we decided to commit to a business relationship offering both support and encouragement to endeavor on a path that will essentially redesign the way we live our lives and sustain ourselves. Realizing that saving up to live the dream for a few months is one thing, but the courage and effort to sustain that lifestyle is the real test. With no short supply of ideas and a willingness to embrace this one life, we decided to put the Law of Attraction into action and uproot with plans to spend 3 months in Goa , India working on the manifestation of this new “design.” After leaving Colorado I headed straight to Philly to help Sharon shed the skin of 15 years in the same apt. so that nothing would tie us down. A few long weeks and many clouds of dust later, she was free. While on the east coast I was able to finally connect with many of the Gaian Mind crew and reconnect with good friends of Omnitribe and old Russian family from the Rockies gone-east. I had the opportunity to spin at a Gaian-Mind monthly in Philly, tag team with Coral at an Alladin Project party in NYC, and play a most special event at Alex Grey’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors gallery—where he and his wife (whom I got to meet) were painting live throughout the night while people swung suspended from hooks through their skin. An interesting array of attendees and expressions needless to say. We spent a mellow NYE at an art gallery, and I was able to bring in the new year with an old school Goa-trance set (foreshadowing, perhaps?).

After shacking up in Onnomon’s house for a week we set off for India, passed through London for some cream tea with Debbie—whom I met in north India and Italy with Gina the previous year, and spent a few days reconnecting with Ishwar once finally landing in Mumbai (where I finally got my Africa photos back after all this time so I can finally post some pics to the blog). Speaking of Africa …I was finally able to look into a condition I had been suffering from for many months as swollen lymph nodes on my neck. Seeing how India ’s medical is about 1/10 the price of the states I decided to have it checked out. It seems malaria wasn’t all that mamma-Africa gifted me, as I was diagnosed with Tubercula Lymphoditis as well—non-specific, chronic, swelling of the lymph nodes most likely caused by the consumption of raw milk. 6 months worth of medication and I should be fine. Needless to say I won’t be an advocate of African tourism anytime soon. Otherwise it was quite satisfying making it back to India, the land of spicy chai and even spicier curries. We visited the greatly impressive Elephanta Caves , dedicated to Shiva, on an island off the coast then caught a train straight to Goa .

Palm trees, sunset beaches, fresh fruit juices, and an air of trance music everywhere. It’s mighty fine to be back. We’ve connected with good friends from Turkey , Italy , Hungary , and Portugal , and have finally settled into a quiet neighborhood where we still struggle to get internet installed in our house. The cows that come to our porch for food aren’t always left unsatisfied and the surrounding palm forest keeps things cool and breezy most of the time in south Anjuna.

We’ve now connected with George and Alana, good friends from Boston/Asheville who are spending a few weeks here as well on their way from Thailand to Nepal . Sunsets at Curley’s beach bar/restaurant (the long time hub for trancers in the evening) are common, but the authorities don’t let the beach parties, nor many others for that matter, happen in their attempts to “upscale-ify” Anjuna’s developing areas and worn beaches for high-paying tourists. The beautiful international markets are always colorful and overpriced, but enjoyable with psytrance pumping, smiles abound, and a nack for bargaining. Getting settled and productivity have taken a little time with internet delays, a hard drive crash, e-mail account down, and the usual expect-to-get-it-at-least-once 24 hour Indian what-was-it-that-I-ate illness. Daily routines have been loose as planned and include a healthy portion of yoga, meditation, and lots of reading. Some highlights have been cruising the palm-strewn countryside once again from behind the handlebars of a scooter, upscale French cuisine at low scale prices with Ans and Ruth whom I met in Hungary (organizers of the Glade Festival in England, and of Nano Records, South Africa), and some afternoon “frizza” (frisbee) on the beach with Tristan (the one and only).

Finally feeling a groove, adjusting to the pace of “India-time,” and slowly getting my computer re-outfitted, I look forward to hours of creative exploration and continuing the balance of physical and mental exercise. We continue to practice living by the Law of Attraction and focus on the good for all. The present is good and with help from books like "The Power of Now" it is where I am slowly learning to spend most of my time.