My Curre

We both know that Y2K was not as potent as predicted. From all signs though, we're not out of the woods by any means. Did you see the government report about the 40% thinning of the ice cap? Or of the heightened sunspot activity, even before the extraordinary planetary alignment in May?

Scientists predict that this will have significant impact on satellite communications. All the more reason to project positive thoughts and energies, for ourselves and our planet.

At the end of 1999, I was channel surfing and caught part of the Kennedy Center Honors. A highlight was the tribute to Stevie Wonder. If you saw it, did you hear the fantastic bass player? And how about watching Herbie Hancock, one of the world's greatest pianists, smiling as the band was smokin'.

I also monitored some of the festivities around the world. So many incredible productions, with great lighting effects, great sets, great music. But did you see Riley Lee, master shakuhachi player, high atop the Sydney Opera House? He was performing a meditative duet with a fine female saxophonist (I couldn't catch her name). Definitely a highlight -- and probably the only meditative music to make the world stage. Congratulations!

Riley Lee lived in Hawaii when I met him years ago. He's been Down Under for a while, and just released a deeply meditative album with Master Charles, a spiritual teacher who was Swami Muktananda's personal secretary for many years. Highly recommended.

In earlier editions, I predicted that we'd be seeing more of these interdisciplinary collaborations that combine voice chants and music with meditative and shamanic healing traditions. I'm delighted to announce that Master Charles and I have just completed an album for release later this spring. I'll have more details in a future installment.

Speaking of powerful collaborations, I've been delighted to receive the positive feedback to the album I recorded with Spiritual Healer Starr Fuentes. As I mentioned last year, Starr stood right behind me and radiated specific multi-dimensional frequencies as I played the piano. At times, my back got so hot it was hard to keep my fingers on the keys!

Many people have told me they can "feel" something "extra" when they listen to this recording. The healing frequencies definitely got recorded. For those of you who wondered, yes, they were able to survive the digitizing process; you can experience the "buzz" while listening to the CD or the analog tape.

What this means, from a scientific standpoint, is that a transmission is clearly operating at a higher vibrational level . . . something that carries that healing energy, and which is not chopped up when the "live" sound is digitized into bits.

I enter this as Exhibit A for those who claim that all digital recordings are unhealthy, as Dr. John Diamond does. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak.

Granted, there are a lot of bad-sounding CD's on the market, but most of these are a function of bad engineering--or engineers who have listened to too much rock music at too loud a volume and have hearing impairment.

Interactive e-Survey Opportunity

I'm conducting some research, and would like to know how many of you listen to samples from different artists at their websites, or at CD NOW, etc.

For that matter, what do you listen to when you work at your computer? (nothing, radio, specific soundtracks.) How do you deal with the whine of the screen or the whirring of the fan? Do you have any way to measure the effectiveness of your choice? I'd love to hear from you!

I have some suggestions. See my latest e-zine (www.stevenhalpern.com) or wait till next month for updates.

I'd also appreciate your feedback regarding the quietest computer you know of. I'm amazed at how different various models sound. Maybe we can share the information with each other.

Until next time, stay balanced, coherent and in tune.

Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, sound healer and recording artist of over 50 albums. For over 25 years, he has been an impassioned advocate of the healing powers of music for health, healing and spiritual growth. His debut release, SPECTRUM SUITE, was recently voted "the most influential New Age recording of all time" by New Age Voice magazine. He has just established the Steven Halpern Foundation to help bring SOUND HEALING to a much wider audience in hospices, hospitals and schools. He invites you to join the outreach at www.stevenhalpernfoundtn.com. For more information, visit him at his website at www.stevenhalpern.com or call 800 909 0707