“I love it when a plan comes together.”

Fans of the old TV series The A-Team will remember Hannibal’s trademark phrase. It’s relevance to my life, as I shared with you last month, has continued ... even though I was not aware that there was a plan that was in the process of coming together.

Over the last several years, I’ve been cutting way back on my touring schedule. The wear and tear on the physical body, as well as the added stresses of flying in the post-9/11 world, made it an easy decision. I’ve received many invitations, and have had to pass or postpone most of them.

All of a sudden, however, I find that I am booked into some very interesting events in cities I haven’t visited in ages. These may be of interest to you, too, and now’s the time to make plans.

Omega Institute has been one of the leading organizations offering weekend and weeklong workshops and retreats. Their main campus is outside of New York City. Several years ago they opened a second center in Austin, Texas. I’ll be presenting my first weekend workshop in ten years there, March 18–20.

I’ll be focusing on the healing powers of sound and music, as I always do. But we’ll be able to go a lot deeper than is possible in a two hour evening format. I’ll also be able to work one on one with each participant.

We’ll be learning to listen “deeply” and enhance our “musically meditative mindfulness”™. We’ll explore the ancient tradition of sound healing, with examples from around the world. We’ll work with drum circles and rhythmic music-making, and learn how to use the voice as an instrument of healing.

These programs are especially recommended for anyone in the healing arts, and for those who want to make more effective use of sound in their personal or professional life. No musical experience is necessary. Contact www.omegacrossings.com or call 877-944-3003 for more information and to register.

April 22–24, I’ll be headlining the Eleventh Annual Wesak Festival at Mt. Shasta, in California. Although I live in the San Francisco Bay area, it’s been almost fifteen years since I made the pilgrimage to this sacred mountain. In 1975, I attended a spiritual conference there that was truly life-changing, and I’ve been wanting to return more often. Amazing things always happen there.

The Wesak Festival is timed to coincide with the full moon closest to Buddha’s birthday. Many groups around the world gather to celebrate. For over ten years, Mt. Shasta has hosted one of the largest and most magical gatherings of spiritual teachers and musicians. This year promises to be one of the best ever.

As you probably know, Mt. Shasta is one of the major sacred power places on the planet. According to legend, it is the home of Lemurians. Some modern authors and public speakers say they are emissaries from cities deep within the mountain.

I can’t speak to that, but I did see with my own eyes one of their legendary UFO-shaped cloud formations. It lasted for four hours right next to the mountain, on a very windy day. There are meteorological explanations, of course, but these do not explain how come all the other clouds in the sky that day changed shape and dispersed within a few minutes. This cloud stayed perfectly stationary and perfectly shaped. I’ve never forgotten that image.

If you’ve never been there, you may want to extend your trip to allow for more time for meditation and exploration.

This year, the Wesak program is being organized by Mount Shasta Magazine, rather than by Dr. Joshua David Stone. Many other presenters will be on hand, including Barry Carter (Ormus), Ronna Herman, Philip Madley, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Mike Wright, Randy Masters, Barbara Bullard, Michael Langevin, Amora Quan Yin, Claire Hearsong, Joanna Cherry, Dr. Norma Milanovich, Michael Tamura, Kathy Zavada and Grace Sommers. Musicians include myself, Anton Mizerak, Manose, Erik Berglund, Paul Armitage, Gentle Thunder, Kathy Zavada and more.

Each presenter is asked to sell at least ten tickets to this event. Tickets are $300, but even with over 500 tickets available, they usually sell out well in advance of the April 22–24 date! To order your ticket through us, email us directly at info@innerpeacemusic.com or call Diana Ziegler at 415-453-9800. For each ticket ordered through us, we are including a free “Shasta Special” CD bonus collection! This collection will include Chakra Suite, Gifts of the Angels, and two other CDs of your choice, as my special thank you for your ticket purchase.

August 12–14, I’ll be making my first ever visit to the legendary Kripalu Institute in Massachusetts. I’ll be offering a weekend program similar to the one I’ll give at Omega. I look forward to seeing many of my East Coast friends, both old and new. Kripalu is a nationally recognized yoga training and retreat center, so I also look forward to doing yoga in these beautiful surroundings. For more information, visit www.kripalu.org.

There are so few places that one can commune with music and nature, and learn techniques and meditations that can nourish body, mind and spirit. Each of these organizations have been serving the planet for many years, and it’s an honor and pleasure to partner with them. I hope to see you there.

Until next time, stay tuned!

Steven Halpern

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© 2005 by Steven Halpern. Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, producer and recording artist who has touched the lives of millions around the world. “The maestro of sound healing” is currently celebrating his 30th anniversary of his first release! Visit him at www.stevenhalpern.com to hear samples of his latest and classic recordings, like Chakra Suite and Inner Peace.

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