That has been my experience since the early spring of 2011 regarding the idea of an online magazine. I was watching the success of my Ask Parvati blog rise and was pleased I was touching and communicating with people all over the world. Yet I was also aware that there are many people in the ecological and conscious community who support people’s growth in their own way. So why are we not working together to potentially better serve?

I reached out to friends and acquaintances who I knew were active in their field and who I thought might be interested in contributing to a volunteer-based, monthly on-line magazine that explored various themes. The response was very positive. Thanks to a group of wonderful writers and volunteers who share the vision, Parvati Magazine was born.

I am very pleased to bring to you this first issue on the topic of Activation. Each month there will be a section on living in the Positive Possibilities written by yours truly. The Yoga section will contain articles on yoga and meditation, written by myself or by guest contributors. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the fine group of people you will get to know through this monthly magazine:

The Wellness section will contain articles each month on Nutrition by Oprah Winfrey Network’s Julie Daniluk, who will be sharing her love and knowledge for healthy foods. The dynamic and inspiring Sandra O’Brien of Bootcamp Goddess will keep you holistically fit with her Fitness articles. Sunanda Jordon, as the magazine’s Wellness Manager, will bring to you different guests each month, to showcase a range of holistic healing modalities.

In the Arts and Culture section, the eternal optimist Motivator Man, featured in the New York Times, will provide you with tips on inspirational movies. Rishi Gerald, C.E.O. of Kupid’s Play Records, will review music that keeps you feeling good about life. Pranada Devi, manager of the Book section, will choose each month different guest authors to review books that support soulful evolution.

The Fashion section shines with two passionate entrepreneurs: Kelly Drennan, eco-fashionista and founder of Fashion Takes Action, an internationally recognized organization dedicated to sustainable fashion in Canada; and Kristin Ma, owner of the fabulous Toronto eco-spa Pure and Simple (a personal favorite of mine) and published author of “Beauty: Pure + Simple”.

In the News section, each month Pranada Devi, who also serves as the Managing Editor for the magazine as a whole, will keep you up on relevant political events and highlight the work of global activists that support life in the Positive Possibilities.

The Business section will offer conscious entrepreneurs insightful tools to support business growth. It is shared by two dedicated and skilled conscious business leaders: Mikael Meir, leadership coach empowering socially conscious entrepreneurs, executives and social change leaders; and Rishi Gerald, entrepreneurial coach, focused on building businesses within both the arts and corporate sectors.

What an amazing group of talented writers! I am very grateful to them all for offering their voice here.

It is with sincere joy that I present to you this first edition of Parvati Magazine. Enjoy!
Parvati

Parvati Devi is the editor-in-chief of Parvati Magazine. In addition to being an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, producer and performer, she is a yoga teacher and holistic educator, having studied yoga and meditation since 1987, and developed her own yoga teaching style called YEM™: Yoga as Energy Medicine. Her current show, “Yoga in the Nightclub”, brings forward a conscious energy into the pop mainstream.

Header image credit: Oliver Gruener

Living in the Positive Possibilities

Living in the Positive Possibilities is not about willfully conjuring up a state of mind to overcome adversity. (“I am feeling lousy but I must feel positive.”) Living in the Positive Possibilities is knowing that we are a loved, welcomed and an integral part of a much greater intelligent whole. Our very essence is experienced as love, which is the essential energy of life itself.

What is meant by “love” is neither sentimental romance nor being attached to things, but the expansive, ever present reality of wisdom-compassion. When we are in the Positive Possibilities, we know within each cell we are wisely interconnected to all things in a way that the limited mind and ego cannot grasp or comprehend. We understand that to love our self unconditionally is to love all things equally. To do that which is respectful and loving to oneself is ultimately good for all. The Positive Possibilities is a connected and interconnected state of being.

The Illusion of the Impossibilities

Living in the impossibilities is like living life in a box with walls built of fear and disconnect. We stay stuck in that box, wondering where all the love has gone, when the love is in fact all around and within. The ruler of that box is a distorted sense of self, based on struggle, suffering and the belief in separation. This distorted self is determined to control and manipulate reality to suit its belief that there is no love.

Consciousness stuck in the impossibilities is at the root of human suffering. In this state, we feel disconnected from love and therefore from life itself. We either consciously or unconsciously try to prove to ourselves and others that the disconnect is real and further the notion of disconnect. There is no evolution in the impossibilities, as we are stuck, out of flow and feeling separate from love. In the impossibilities, painful emotions such as judgment, loneliness, loss, guilt and shame, are born.

The Path of Possibility

The way out of impossibilities is to fully realize that it is an illusion perpetuated by our own attachments. When we notice we are feeling mired and stuck, we can challenge the impossibilities by asking our self: “Is it true that I am not loved?” When we are open, ready and willing to release the impossibilities, the answer becomes: “No! The very essence of life itself is love. I am of life. I am connected to everything, everywhere, always. I am love!”

When we begin to understand that the impossibilities are not real, that they are an illusion, we no longer cling to them. They have no power, because the only power they ever had was the power we gave them. In that release, there is space, an ability to witness that which is. In that space of witnessing, possibility arises and the Positive Possibilities are born. We can then see that the sun was always shining.

Parvati Devi is the editor-in-chief of Parvati Magazine. In addition to being an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, producer and performer, she is a yoga teacher and holistic educator, having studied yoga and meditation since 1987, and developed her own yoga teaching style called YEM™: Yoga as Energy Medicine. Her current show, “Yoga in the Nightclub”, brings forward a conscious energy into the pop mainstream.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old life science and art. It touches upon many topics and areas of inquiry, such as herbal medicine, meditative and contemplative practices, ritual, chanting, astrology and sound – just to name a few. The yoga most commonly known in the West is Hatha yoga, a practice that cultivates the experience of a balanced and unified state of being through physical exercises. The Sanskrit word “yoga” means to join, to yoke or to unify. All yoga practices have the development of a harmonious way of life and God-realization as their goal.

The balancing and purifying principles that are at the root of Hatha yoga have found broad appeal around the world, as the benefits of stretching, strengthening and relaxation are immediately evident, and the cultivation of inner peacefulness is available for those who are willing.

In the yogic tradition, there is a saying: “The paths are many, but the truth is one.” Whether you choose Iyengar, YEM, Ashtanga, Scaravelli, Sivananda, Kripalu, Bikram, Kundalini, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Anusara, Moksha, Jivamukti… you are ultimately doing a Hatha yoga practice, which is using the body as a tool to experience a harmonious relationship between spirit and matter.

There are many different types of Hatha yoga practices, because there are many types of people. It is not appropriate, for example, for someone who tends to run hot to do a heating yoga practice. Nor is it appropriate for one who tends to be heavy in body and mind to do a practice that is particularly slow.

Different Styles for Different Body Types

Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India is part of the greater body of yogic knowledge and is a sister to Hatha yoga. It breaks down our constitutions into different types. When you are looking for the right yoga class, it is useful to know your type. Ask yourself:

• Are you thin and nervy, find it hard to gain weight, have energy in sparks and flashes?
• Are you fiery, muscular, determined, competitive, potentially aggressive with a burning appetite for life?
• Are you slow, calm, stable, steady, sturdy, reluctant to change, with the potential to be stubborn or lazy?

People that tend to be wiry and nervy do best with slow, nurturing, grounding and comforting practices, such as Kripalu, Sivananda, Scaravelli, restorative, integral or Yin yoga. People who run hot and are competitive by nature are likely to be attracted to more physically intense yoga practices, which is okay as long as the primary directive of the practice is not to generate heat. Anusara, Iyengar, Sivananda, Scaravelli or viniyoga are good practices for this constitution. If you have a heavier build, tend to be slow and would benefit from a little more inner fire, then Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Power Yoga, Kundalini, Bikram and Moksha Yoga can be good practices.

For all types, when specific injuries need to be addressed, it is best to do Restorative Yoga. Pre- and post-natal classes are excellent support for the birthing process.

If you are generally fit and in good health, there is no harm in trying any style of yoga to see how it feels, as long as it is done in moderation. Eventually, stick with a practice. The effects of yoga are deep and lasting, so they happen over time. A consistent practice with the correct method, a skilled teacher and a willing student will yield maximum results.

Parvati Devi is the editor-in-chief of Parvati Magazine. In addition to being an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, producer and performer, she is a yoga teacher and holistic educator, having studied yoga and meditation since 1987, and developed her own yoga teaching style called YEM™: Yoga as Energy Medicine. Her current show, “Yoga in the Nightclub”, brings forward a conscious energy into the pop mainstream.

I like to say that meditation is my medication: it’s my way of healing the neuroses of my mind. Our minds wander. They want. We can feel spontaneously happy then suddenly unhappy. Yet enlightened teachers tell us that these ups and downs are not ultimate reality. As we evolve, we learn to go beyond the flux of the mind and rest in the eternal.

Meditation helps us tap into what is essential and timeless. It treats and heals our perception that we are separate from all that is. It helps us develop a new consciousness muscle in which our awareness is focused on the vastness of possibility, rather than on the temporal.

Learning to concentrate is the first step to meditating. People say they cannot get their mind to stop, so they can’t meditate. Yet it is the nature of the mind to be busy. When we meditate, we learn to go beyond the mind, concentrating despite possible distractions from passing thoughts.

Meditation is the state of absorption upon which one concentrates. Eventually one moves through the busy mind and touches the quiet, open, field of pure potentiality, where someday we all will permanently reside.

CONCENTRATION EXERCISE

This is a classical Hatha yoga concentration practice called Trataka, which means “to look” or “to gaze”.

1. Find a quiet and relaxed environment away from the busyness of your life. It could be a separate room, or it could be a quiet corner of a room. Choose a spot where you feel safe and relaxed, that is not your bed.

2. Sit upright, either on the floor or on a chair, free from any back rest such as the wall or the back of a chair. You can sit on a cushion and/or prop your legs with cushions as needed so that your hips and spine feel relaxed and supported.

3. Light a tall candle or raise a shorter candle (not a tea light) so that the golden flame is at eye level.

4. Look at the flame with a relaxed, focused gaze, without blinking. Keep your eyes open, even if they begin to tear.

5. When you feel the need to close your eyes, do so and keep them closed. While your eyes are closed, you will still see the image of the flame. Focus now on this for as long as you can, until it is no longer visible. While you are focusing on that golden flame, feel that you are the flame, that you are internalizing the gold light.

6. Open your eyes again, and return your gaze to the flame as in Step 4. Repeat steps 4 through 6 for about ten minutes.

7. After ten minutes, conclude the practice by keeping your eyes closed, taking three long breaths, feeling the energy of that gold light in your spine and your whole being. Give thanks inwardly for this practice.

Parvati Devi is the editor-in-chief of Parvati Magazine. In addition to being an internationally acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter, producer and performer, she is a yoga teacher and holistic educator, having studied yoga and meditation since 1987, and developed her own yoga teaching style called YEM™: Yoga as Energy Medicine. Her current show, “Yoga in the Nightclub”, brings forward a conscious energy into the pop mainstream.

When something fails in the body, we go to a doctor and trust that he or she will tell us what is wrong with us and has the answers on how to make us better again. Once in the system, we become dependent on the experts, the ones who have studied in important universities and who, supposedly, know us inside out. But what happens when they don’t?

With the Internet at our fingertips, we can research the symptoms we experience as well as the diagnoses the doctors may have given us. We can take an active part in our own treatment by gathering information and gaining the knowledge we need to make the right decision. Yet all of this is coming from outside sources. What if we had a source inside of us, one that would know exactly what was wrong with us and had the correct treatment plan ready before we even notice the first symptom?
If we start with the premise that the body knows how to heal itself, then what should we do with that information? Just wait and do nothing and trust the healer within to do all the work? Well, yes and no. Depending on what the ailment is, we find a treatment plan that honors the intelligence within, in combination with the assistance of conventional medicine, when necessary.

Craniosacral therapy offers such a treatment plan. Craniosacral therapy is based on the premise that the body is a complete integrated whole, not merely the sum of different parts. The body – the physical, mental and spiritual – works and functions as a unit. How we feel and think has bearing on our physical body. We know that when we feel happy, our body feels light, vibrant and in optimal form. When we feel depressed, our body feels heavy, sluggish and ill at ease.

Craniosacral therapy is about taking responsibility for one’s own health. You, as client, are responsible for the physical, the mental and the spiritual aspect of your being. During a treatment, you and your therapist work actively with your own “inner physician” in releasing that, which restricts the body’s flow of pure healing energy. Craniosacral therapy is a light, non-invasive therapy that corrects and modifies restrictions in the craniosacral system (a semi-closed hydraulic system in the body, enveloping the brain and spinal cord, as well as pituitary and pineal glands) as well as the surrounding tissue. By using a combination of therapeutic approaches, the craniosacral therapist supports what your body-being is open, ready and willing to release to allow the central nervous system to perform optimally.

A craniosacral therapist doesn’t see him- or herself as a healer, but as a facilitator. Through their hands, the therapist listens deeply to the tissue, the cranial plates and the spine for signs of restriction and, when restriction is found, offers release. There is no force, no agenda and no judgment. There is just you, the therapist and the intention to heal, completely, organically and in balance with nature. Craniosacral therapy naturally eliminates pain and stress, strengthens your resistance to disease and balances your natural rhythm.

Give craniosacral therapy a try and get to know your “inner physician”. You may discover it is smarter than you think.

Sunanda Jordon is the Acquisitions Editor for the Wellness section of Parvati Magazine. She is a practitioner of craniosacral therapy in Vaughan, Canada, and has also studied Reiki.

This time, you will stick to your guns and make it happen. You must believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself to make the needed changes in your daily habits, you do not stand a chance on making them. Belief and desire to make changes in your body and energy levels are key. You must change what you have always done to create a different outcome.

It is not hard to make changes to your body and energy levels. It is a choice. It begins with your thought process. Listed below are a few ideas to aid your journey of change:

1. Know your why. It’s not to fit into a size 4 — really, who cares? There is always some deep-rooted, emotionally charged reason why now you desire to make a change. Figure it out and it will make your journey (almost) smooth sailing. When you think you have your answer on why you are now ready, ask again, “Why is that important?” Peel away the layers, until you arrive at the true answer. You will know in your soul when you have uncovered your true reason. It will anchor your journey. Knowing this reason will allow you to eat clean foods and stay committed to your workouts when life suggests you do otherwise.

2. Spend a minimum of 20 minutes each day visualizing your ideal body. What does it look like? How will you look naked? What will your energy levels be like? How will you carry yourself differently? How will you interact with others? FEEL what it will be like to strut your stuff in this awesome body you have created. The body you desire already exists underneath what now is. Focus on what you desire and make it so.

3. Ask yourself this – If I wear out my body, where will I live? You, and you alone, are responsible for what you ingest into your body. Eat foods that have come from a vine, a tree, the ground, have at one time walked, swum or flown. Eat single ingredient foods. Foods man has not mucked with. Free-range chicken and organic broccoli is a good example. Fast food, fried, frozen, boxed, nuked food, not so much. Eat organic whenever possible.

4. Drink a minimum of one litre of alkalized water for every 50 pounds (23kg) of body weight. Drink more when exercising or the weather is hot. Avoid pop, juice and energy drinks.

5. Move your body daily, doing something you love for a minimum of 20 minutes. Dance, swim, walk, yoga, tennis, running, whatever gets you off your butt and moving is great. To burn fat, keep the intensity level high. Having a workout buddy helps for accountability.

Until next month, live large, laugh loud and shine brightly!

Namaste,
Sandra

Sandra O’Brien is a personal trainer and the owner and creator of the Bootcamp Goddess system for women. Sandra says, “It is my goal that you find within yourself the ability to look and feel your absolute best, inside and out. I want you to feel powerful, unstoppable, able to effortlessly handle every curve life may throw at you. I want you to look at yourself and feel sexy and desirable. At my heaviest I was 180lbs and 42% body fat. I am 5 feet 3 inches. I know first hand the challenges you face. The lack of willpower, the guilt felt eating what you know doesn’t serve your desire to feel lean and energetic, the lack of discipline to stick to a fitness plan. I know the dread of putting on your ’skinny jeans’ and having them not pass your knees. I know you can change your ways and create a body and lifestyle that will support you to live a healthier, happier and fuller life. There is nothing special about me. If I can do this so can you.”

The Basic “Live-it”

I believe in a “Live-it” style approach to the food we consume. Dieting suggests a temporary state that you can break off once you have obtained your weight loss goal. Feeding your body nutrient-dense vegetables and fruit while on a ‘diet’ only to go back to ‘living’ on refined carbohydrates and rancid oils is completely counter-productive.

I believe Michael Pollan’s quote, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants” summarizes how you should be eating. There is way too much food being consumed in most westernized countries, so the concept of calorie restriction does play a factor in a healthy Live-it. I do not believe in actively counting calories, but I do believe you should have an awareness of what is high in calories so you can tailor the amount you eat to the amount of activity you participate in. For example foods such as avocado, coconut, dates, raw nuts and seeds are all high in macronutrients such as sugars or fats. These foods are healthy and should not be avoided, but you wouldn’t want to eat them by the cupful unless you are planning on expending a lot of energy within the next 12 hours.

“Mostly Plants”

After all of the research I have read on subjects such as diabetes, arthritis, ADHD, heart disease, cancer, weight loss and a host of other diseases, I believe in consuming 10 servings of colourful, organic, fresh vegetables per day. (I do not include corn and white flesh potatoes in this category.) If you have ever tried to eat 10 servings of green, yellow, orange and/or red vegetables in a day, you will know that this does not leave a whole lot of room in your stomach for junk food.

Fruits give you a range of certain phytochemicals that cannot be obtained from other sources so I believe in eating 2-3 servings of them per day. Besides, they bring so much pleasure! Feeding your emotional self is just as important as feeding your body.

To Cook Or Not To Cook?

This is a controversial question in the health food industry. Fresh, organic, raw fruits and vegetables do have the largest amount of nutrient content. They also have the active enzymes that you require to help break down your food. But eating a lot of cold raw salad, vegetables and fruit is counter-intuitive during the long, cold, damp months of a Canadian winter. It is important to point out that there are certain nutrients that are more bioavailable when they have been cooked, so having a variety of cooked and raw foods might be the best balance.

Eating What Is Available

Not that long ago many of these diets would simply not be possible as they require the use of modern day petrochemical transport. I seriously question when someone proposes that we are to only subsist on foods that must be transported from halfway around the planet. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the benefits of organic coconut, olive oil, quinoa, spices and the variety of fresh fruits we have access to throughout the year but a time may come when we cannot use these products so freely. We need to focus on what we can grow locally to get the nutrients we need to be healthy. Either that or we need to migrate to a location were we can have access to the foods we desire. I strongly believe in supporting our local organic farmers, as they are the backbone to our homegrown health industry.

 
Julie Daniluk, RHN, hosts Healthy Gourmet, a reality cooking show that highlights the ongoing battle between taste and nutrition by using unique groups such as bikers, dragon boat racers and ballroom dancers to challenge their taste buds with nutritious foods. Julie is excited that her show was chosen to be part of OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network). Similar to Oprah’s book club, programs on OWN explore stories of strength and transformation. Television viewers also recognize Julie from her “busted” segments on The Right Fit (W Network) and The Marilyn Dennis Show (CTV) where she examines the foods people need to stay healthy, acting as a nutrition encyclopedia. Her fun and engaging style comes in handy when she creates a recipe a week that is packed with health tips for www.chatelaine.com.

Elizabeth refers to the challenging times as the “Phoenix Process”, the transformational journey. It stems from the myth of a bird the Egyptians called the Phoenix. Understanding that the new can only be acquired by the death of the old, every 500 years the Phoenix  would renew his journey for his true self by burning himself to death. The Phoenix then rose from the ashes blending who he was and who he has become.

The process shows us that our old ways will always be a part of us and our journey. When we are confronted with challenges, we are reborn out of the darkness to a life of truth and inner happiness. It demonstrates that life-altering events are what wake us up to a clearer picture of the patterns that have not been serving us. Then it reflects the immense amount of courage needed when you are in the depths of despair (in the flames). We must acknowledge what must burn (illusions, fear, sense of separation, blame etc.). Then a more authentic self arises from the ashes, with greater inner knowing.

As I go through my own “Phoenix Journey” after a life-altering crisis, it is books like “Broken Open” that keep me going by allowing me to see that I am not alone, that change is possible, and that wisdom can come when one is in the depths of despair. Through the wisdom in the book and through my own discoveries on my journey, I realized that it was the fear in my life that had to die. Fear of others, fear of losing people, fear that there isn’t enough for me, and fear of my own power and what I am capable of doing. It was these shadows that were holding me back from all that I was capable of being.

Reading stories from “Broken Open” about people who rose from the ashes and made dramatic changes for themselves and the world around them, I was inspired to take action, knowing that I had the power to make a difference within me. I joined the Off the Mat, Into the World challenge to raise $20,000 for Haiti and go there next year to aid in humanitarian work. As I started to rise from the ashes, taking action made me face my fears and reach out for a greater good, to look beyond myself, but at the same time slowly let the shield of all my fears fade away. As I continue to take action, I am in awe of what I accomplish and the compassion and aid I get from others. In the past, I did not believe in either, nor did I have the will to try. Taking action has not only allowed me to rise from despair, it has also allowed me to scrape away the fears that were holding me back so that I could see all that was waiting to be seen in myself. A bright light was waiting to shine!

You can find out more about what I am doing by checking out www.yoginipath.com.

Ella Isakov is a yoga instructor, having completed teacher training at Downward Dog with Ron Reid and Diane Bruni, and another one with Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty. She went on to complete training through Yoga4Kids and Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater, and is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist. She is also a humanitarian. Her passion and purpose in life has always been to teach and inspire others along their path.  She believes we are always students along whatever road we choose, and continues to develop her practice (spiritual, physical, and mental) and grows as a teacher by attending workshops and retreats throughout the year.  It is an honour to be part of someone’s journey, and Ella’s goal is to provide a warm, safe and attentive environment, giving special attention to individual needs and educating students so they can grow in their understanding of the nature of the poses within their body and discover their own inner wisdom from within. Ella is so thankful for all the special gifts the path of yoga and meditation has brought her life and feels blessed to guide others along their journey.

I will always see the summer of 2011 as yet another test of maintaining my faith and indestructible optimism. The Einstein quote exemplifies how I am facing my latest financial challenges and how I’ve taken steps to approach my problems using different thinking. I’ve discovered that daily, consistent meditation has helped me unearth an inner voice revealing answers I’ve been seeking.

One of these answers came in remembering my first successful business as an illustrator. I was reminded of how abundant, full and flowing my work AND bank account was. I was given a vision of a time where I earned an extremely prosperous living because of the great business team I had AND how much fun my days were. Soon after this experience I was synchronistically led to watching a movie that mirrored that same bright excitement and energy of my past successes.

Morning Glory 2010

The comedy Morning Glory is about aspiring TV news producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) who, after getting laid off unexpectedly, gets a chance to help a struggling morning show called DayBreak. Though she exhibits many quirky personality traits, Fuller demonstrates great leadership qualities such as assertiveness, perseverance, creative thinking and indestructible optimism.

When faced with difficult personalities like Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), Fuller persevered with enthusiasm in helping him adapt and to create a team spirit among the morning show workers. She even showed a proactive, fighter mindset rather than a victim mentality when the network threatened to cancel her morning show. See: movie trailer

Remember Past Successes

This movie mirrored many aspects of myself that re-ignited my positive emotional energy. It had one character (Fuller) that mirrored the strengths and leadership mindset I know I already have inside me. And it had another character (Pomeroy) who reminded me that despite whatever age you are one can still make the changes necessary to adapt successfully with whatever life throws at you.

If unexpected change or crisis hits you, do your best to activate your leadership mindset to persevere. One way to re-energize your positivity is to remember any of your past successes and achievements. Another is to find cinematic role models to inspire you. When you do you will recognize proof of your capabilities and re-ignite your passion, drive AND indestructible optimism in whatever challenge you face right now!

Featured in The NEW YORK TIMES, The WASHINGTON POST and The TORONTO STAR. Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman is an Author, Motivational Speaker, Movie Blogger and an award-winning illustrator. THE WASHINGTON POST has featured his blog, Movies That Motivate for its motivational tips and inspiring movie examples. Emmanuel helps individuals increase PASSION and build optimistic mindsets through articles in ZOOMER MAGAZINE, EXAMINER.COM and empowering keynotes and seminars at organizations such as TD Canada Trust, Ontario Ministry of Finance, The Art Institute of Boston and Royal Ontario Museum. For info on booking keynotes and seminars see: www.motivatorman.com

When I moved to North America in the early 80’s, I was a bit ahead of the musical times there. Because of my UK advantage, I knew that Blondie, Gary Numan, The Clash and The Bugles were going to be hits. So I used my love for new music to gain the number one position in the schoolyard. I kept my finger on the European pulse and started making mixtapes of songs that had yet to be released in North America. My now-infamous classic mixtapes impressed the girls. My best friend Jeff and I went on to DJ parties. I spent all my allowance purchasing, singles, albums and concert tickets, and would daydream about becoming a radio DJ.

Around age eighteen, I learned about yoga and meditation. Through meditation, I started to see a much bigger picture. At that point I knew I wanted to be of service to the arts and to artists. But it wasn’t until I met Parvati and experienced her music several years later, that I discovered the subtle energy in sound.

Parvati and I sat in her studio to listen to music together. The artists varied from Bach to the Sex Pistols. She encouraged me to listen with my body. With some songs I would find that my energy system opened up; while with others I found my body constricting. We saw patterns that had nothing to do with musical style and everything to do with the soul expression of the artist, the energy of the composition, and even things as subtle as the mood of the record producer.

My musical appreciation underwent a quantum shift. Today, I no longer approach music just in terms of hooks, melodies, rhythms, etc., but more with my body and soul. I believe music can have transformational effects on us. Parvati calls this capacity the Positive Possibilities. I learned that she consciously connects to it when she creates music. As Parvati and I listened together to her music, she explained how she feels that when she is in the creative process, she feels she is in service to something greater than her ego. It became clear to me that such music, music that supports evolution, is a rare and beautiful gift to humanity.

With the desire to be in service to the sound of evolution, we started the Kupid’s Play record label. As CEO, I am dedicated to spreading this special quality of music through the airwaves. We call it the I AM Revolution. I am excited about giving voice to great music that supports people living awakened lives.

Each month in this space, I will review a record, concert or single that “Sounds the I AM Revolution”. The music will vary. It could be about a breakup, a loss of a friend, a new beginning. It could be a ballad, hardcore or disco. The possibilities are as infinite as is our own true nature. I hope you will join me on this musical journey into the mystic.

Rishi Gerald is the CEO of Kupid’s Play Records. He describes Kupid’s Play like this: “Kupid’s Play is the Sound of the I Am Revolution. As an international record label devoted to raising global consciousness we bring awakened artists to the commercial mainstream. Our vision extends beyond a traditional record label. We know impossibilities are not real and build non-traditional revenue models by embracing new technologies in the current economic landscape. We know music is everywhere. Kupid’s Play actively seeks out creative opportunities to get its artists’ music to their fans in new ways ensuring that the Sound of the I Am Revolution is heard.” With two decades of experience in the music industry, Rishi has been nominated for numerous marketing awards and earned a Gold Record in the music industry for management.