So the other day we played this charity football match against the local club.
I was coach of both men and women teams and I'm pleased to say that we scored seven goals total!
This raised quite some funds that will be used for making our vision a reality.
In fact, this was such a succes that we're thinking of setting up football matches all over Europe.
I was playing center midfield myself, man I was so tired after the game, running back and forth all the time for 45 minutes. But we had great supporters, everyone who wasn't playing was cheering us up at the sides. And just to imagine how epic this was, it was raining as if God wanted us to play water polo. We had no proper shoes, so it was very slippery and on top of that we had only 2 days of training before the match.
I'm really proud of both teams, it was an amazing performance! Even though it was a struggle, we had so much fun. I was so pumped up when we scored at the very last minute that I spontaniously threw off my shirt and started cheering like we just saved the world. Or at least, one of the first steps towards doing so!
Yes We Can, power is all in your mind. This football match isn't the only example. We've set up an amazing concert in 2 days, we made a video interview with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar fully edited in less than a week. And we've almost created an album with lots of awesome songs that everyone will dig. It should be done this week.
I already know how I'm gonna live the rest of my life. I'll create a big vision, find people who I can share it with and together work hard on it. This is the way, move together with total conviction of what you're doing. Drop the ego and go for the common wealth.
Today the silence course is starting, so I won't be posting for a few days. I'm looking forward to this new experience. Time for total silence, back into yourself, finding the core.
But we ain't alone, we're all in this together.
Friday, 27 March 2009
Monday, 23 March 2009
The Concert
Yesterday was a crazy day. We were setting up the last bits and pieces in Hamburg getting ready for the introduction evening with music food and dance. And then suddenly in the afternoon Krishi, our group leader, got a call from the ashram (the Center in Bad Antogast) telling him to send me back on a train ASAP because they wanted me to record some songs and perform at a concert.
So all of a sudden the plans change, come on Steve pack yo bags and let's leave.
After a long and tiresome train ride I finally got back in the ashram at around midnight. Everyone wanted to know about my adventures in Hamburg. After all I was the only person who had actually been out there in the big city setting things up. All the others were still there, or in Dresden, Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam.
Today I heard they'll be staying for another week. I don't think I'll get send back there. There's always a reason why things go the way they go. I heard there will be a silence course here in the ashram which will mean at least 48 hours of silence, but it could be more.
This means no talking, reading, mailing whatever. I can't even write songs!
That would definitely be a challenge! Also Sri Sri is coming back tomorrow.
Anyway, today we had this concert which was absolutely fabulous. I've had a great time and so did everyone else, quite a few people from town came to watch, the hall wasn't packed but it was good. I performed my song "Yes We Can" and it went just, perfect. As I was heading towards the mic I suddenly had this blank out, blinded by excitement, I had no clue what I song I was gonna do, I just grabbed the mic and when the music started everything fell in place.
It was an awesome performance, I think the best one I ever did! Yesterday I wrote a third verse for the recording tomorrow. We figured we're still gonna use the mission impossible theme. First Keerti (the producer) said that we would make a new sound cause mission impossible is copyrighted but then at the performance we figured if we change it a little bit then it's cool too.
But then later he said "you know what, let's just do it" and I full heartedly agree.
Let's just do it!
Most likely I will be staying here in the ashram for a little longer than planned, everyone will meet up here before we partways, so August won't have to chase me around Europe.
And this wednesday there will be a football match between us and the local team, I haven't trained yet, but it's gonna be lots of fun. I reminice the old days, having played football for 9 years. It's gonna be good!
So all of a sudden the plans change, come on Steve pack yo bags and let's leave.
After a long and tiresome train ride I finally got back in the ashram at around midnight. Everyone wanted to know about my adventures in Hamburg. After all I was the only person who had actually been out there in the big city setting things up. All the others were still there, or in Dresden, Paris, Berlin or Amsterdam.
Today I heard they'll be staying for another week. I don't think I'll get send back there. There's always a reason why things go the way they go. I heard there will be a silence course here in the ashram which will mean at least 48 hours of silence, but it could be more.
This means no talking, reading, mailing whatever. I can't even write songs!
That would definitely be a challenge! Also Sri Sri is coming back tomorrow.
Anyway, today we had this concert which was absolutely fabulous. I've had a great time and so did everyone else, quite a few people from town came to watch, the hall wasn't packed but it was good. I performed my song "Yes We Can" and it went just, perfect. As I was heading towards the mic I suddenly had this blank out, blinded by excitement, I had no clue what I song I was gonna do, I just grabbed the mic and when the music started everything fell in place.
It was an awesome performance, I think the best one I ever did! Yesterday I wrote a third verse for the recording tomorrow. We figured we're still gonna use the mission impossible theme. First Keerti (the producer) said that we would make a new sound cause mission impossible is copyrighted but then at the performance we figured if we change it a little bit then it's cool too.
But then later he said "you know what, let's just do it" and I full heartedly agree.
Let's just do it!
Most likely I will be staying here in the ashram for a little longer than planned, everyone will meet up here before we partways, so August won't have to chase me around Europe.
And this wednesday there will be a football match between us and the local team, I haven't trained yet, but it's gonna be lots of fun. I reminice the old days, having played football for 9 years. It's gonna be good!
Friday, 20 March 2009
Hamburg
I've been spending the last few days in Hamburg.
We're a group of 9 people total with 1 teacher supporting us. This is the real deal, we have to do fieldwork. The ashram time is over, it's time to bring our skills to the test, set something up and get something out of it.
This means we have to make lots of phone calls to create awareness about our program and find donators. The question has been asked before: "how will they finance your trip?". One word, fundraising! This is actually really nice because it's all in our hands and this is a great opportunity to learn new things.
Today I went to the university of Hamburg to invite people to our little party tomorrow from 19:00-21:00 in the Art of Living centre of Hamburg. We're gonna cook food, make music and have lots of fun.
This was so much fun to do! Who was gonna think that I have to use game to enroll people into these workshops? It's so much fun cause I clearly have an advantage when it comes to this point.
I know alot about how to approach people and I've received so many positive reactions while I was out there, but more importantly: I was having so much fun while at it!
My friend August from Iceland is now in Iceland to do the same as what I'm doing in Hamburg.
When he's done he'll look me up and we'll travel together. We have alot in common, during dishwashing we found out our mutual interest for the game or social dynamics however you want to call it. Our discussions go quite deep, this is more than just flirting around, it's creating a state of mind that'll allow you to live your dreams.
Meditation definately helps with this, but we figured that in meditation you don't get pulled out of your comfort zone like during social interactions. That's why we want to travel together, to stretch out of our comfort zones, destroy our ego until all that is left is the core which will lead us to greatness.
He's also a music producer, so we'll also do a few songs together. Sounds like a most fun and valuable friendship!
I don't know yet how long I will stay here in Hamburg. I would like to go back to Bad Antogast before the training is over, so I can record a few songs with Keerti. I can learn alot from him, he's a professional music producer who produces alot for the Art of Living.
But other than that, I would be happy to stay here. It's a nice dynamic city with lots of opportunities to set things up. There's major media, a huge harbour and many people who could all profit from our workshops.
Monday the schools open up again, so then we'll be preparing for intro talks. In the mean time it's concentrating on tomorrow's introduction party and making plans to raise funds.
It's a nice group I'm in, a very joyful yet serious and focused atmosphere. At the same time I'm writing songs like there's no tomorrow, using pretty much all the spare time I have. I wanna live my dream, so I have to work hard for it. Practice, practice, practice. Keerti told me to rap all day long and just keep writing and writing so that's what I'm doing.
After the last performance I did I really felt like a rap star, such a magical feeling to stand in front of a crowd on a special night, putting all of your soul into your performance. Truly amazing, I'll admit that I missed some lines, I simply didn't have enough time to be able to memorize all of the lyrics well enough, but that really doesn't matter. Actually, most people didn't even notice they told me later when I told them as they complimented me, because they were also taken by the same magic and just feeling the vibe.
Anyway time to go to bed, I'm amazed that I haven't burned out yet when you think of the little hours of sleep I've been getting in the past 3 weeks. Everyday you feel like you just wanna keep sleeping for 5 more hours, but then you just get up, start sadhana and before you know it you're energized. Natural drugs. Who needs coffee?
We're a group of 9 people total with 1 teacher supporting us. This is the real deal, we have to do fieldwork. The ashram time is over, it's time to bring our skills to the test, set something up and get something out of it.
This means we have to make lots of phone calls to create awareness about our program and find donators. The question has been asked before: "how will they finance your trip?". One word, fundraising! This is actually really nice because it's all in our hands and this is a great opportunity to learn new things.
Today I went to the university of Hamburg to invite people to our little party tomorrow from 19:00-21:00 in the Art of Living centre of Hamburg. We're gonna cook food, make music and have lots of fun.
This was so much fun to do! Who was gonna think that I have to use game to enroll people into these workshops? It's so much fun cause I clearly have an advantage when it comes to this point.
I know alot about how to approach people and I've received so many positive reactions while I was out there, but more importantly: I was having so much fun while at it!
My friend August from Iceland is now in Iceland to do the same as what I'm doing in Hamburg.
When he's done he'll look me up and we'll travel together. We have alot in common, during dishwashing we found out our mutual interest for the game or social dynamics however you want to call it. Our discussions go quite deep, this is more than just flirting around, it's creating a state of mind that'll allow you to live your dreams.
Meditation definately helps with this, but we figured that in meditation you don't get pulled out of your comfort zone like during social interactions. That's why we want to travel together, to stretch out of our comfort zones, destroy our ego until all that is left is the core which will lead us to greatness.
He's also a music producer, so we'll also do a few songs together. Sounds like a most fun and valuable friendship!
I don't know yet how long I will stay here in Hamburg. I would like to go back to Bad Antogast before the training is over, so I can record a few songs with Keerti. I can learn alot from him, he's a professional music producer who produces alot for the Art of Living.
But other than that, I would be happy to stay here. It's a nice dynamic city with lots of opportunities to set things up. There's major media, a huge harbour and many people who could all profit from our workshops.
Monday the schools open up again, so then we'll be preparing for intro talks. In the mean time it's concentrating on tomorrow's introduction party and making plans to raise funds.
It's a nice group I'm in, a very joyful yet serious and focused atmosphere. At the same time I'm writing songs like there's no tomorrow, using pretty much all the spare time I have. I wanna live my dream, so I have to work hard for it. Practice, practice, practice. Keerti told me to rap all day long and just keep writing and writing so that's what I'm doing.
After the last performance I did I really felt like a rap star, such a magical feeling to stand in front of a crowd on a special night, putting all of your soul into your performance. Truly amazing, I'll admit that I missed some lines, I simply didn't have enough time to be able to memorize all of the lyrics well enough, but that really doesn't matter. Actually, most people didn't even notice they told me later when I told them as they complimented me, because they were also taken by the same magic and just feeling the vibe.
Anyway time to go to bed, I'm amazed that I haven't burned out yet when you think of the little hours of sleep I've been getting in the past 3 weeks. Everyday you feel like you just wanna keep sleeping for 5 more hours, but then you just get up, start sadhana and before you know it you're energized. Natural drugs. Who needs coffee?
Friday, 13 March 2009
Art of Living ft. Socratez
Hey ho,
Today we made groups who all got assigned different tasks. I joined the music group who are gonna perform a concert next sunday and make a Yes We Can album!
So I've showed them some songs I wrote, and I'm busy writing more as it is. I'm so connected to myself here, so much inspiration. While they were discussing what they wanted to show in the concert I was writing and then gave them a small demonstration.
Everyone loved it, it's gonna be a Yes We Can theme song.
Also, tonight during satsang I'm gonna perform Shake the Earth. If things go well, we'll produce an album with many different songs including some of my own!
How cool would that be, Art of Living ft. Socratez? I'll have my part in an album after all then!
Time is moving so fast lately, my friend Adonai left unfortunately, but we'll meet again someday I'm sure. Isaac is getting more famous every day, he has already sat next to the chairman of the European Parliament! I'm NOT joking, I have a photo proving it!
Also last night we had another interesting guest, I forgot his name, but he's a famous nuclear physicist who told us about modern physics and how the real world has got nothing to do with the classical approach of science but is more similar to the spiritual approach of the world.
This was an eye-opener. Ofcourse we already had this knowledge, but it was good to see it being backed up my modern science.
So everyone who thinks he can hide from spirituality by clinging to old science, times are changing! Quantum physics is showing us the real deal.
Anyway class is starting, see ya later!
Today we made groups who all got assigned different tasks. I joined the music group who are gonna perform a concert next sunday and make a Yes We Can album!
So I've showed them some songs I wrote, and I'm busy writing more as it is. I'm so connected to myself here, so much inspiration. While they were discussing what they wanted to show in the concert I was writing and then gave them a small demonstration.
Everyone loved it, it's gonna be a Yes We Can theme song.
Also, tonight during satsang I'm gonna perform Shake the Earth. If things go well, we'll produce an album with many different songs including some of my own!
How cool would that be, Art of Living ft. Socratez? I'll have my part in an album after all then!
Time is moving so fast lately, my friend Adonai left unfortunately, but we'll meet again someday I'm sure. Isaac is getting more famous every day, he has already sat next to the chairman of the European Parliament! I'm NOT joking, I have a photo proving it!
Also last night we had another interesting guest, I forgot his name, but he's a famous nuclear physicist who told us about modern physics and how the real world has got nothing to do with the classical approach of science but is more similar to the spiritual approach of the world.
This was an eye-opener. Ofcourse we already had this knowledge, but it was good to see it being backed up my modern science.
So everyone who thinks he can hide from spirituality by clinging to old science, times are changing! Quantum physics is showing us the real deal.
Anyway class is starting, see ya later!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
The First Week
Time flies.
Really it does. Especially when you have almost zero free time.
That's also the reason why I haven't been able to post here before.
Our days start at around 06:00 and end at around 22:00. We start with sadhana, it basically means cleaning your body and centering your mind which comes down to yoga, breathing exercises and meditation. At 08:00 we then have breakfast.
With such a tight schedule, you experience every day so much more intense than you normally would. I've only been here for a week yet it feels like a month.
I love it though, I've already made alot of friendships here and I sincerely love everyone in here.
Some may say that you can't talk like that about love, that it takes longer to develop or something, but that's a lie. Love is nothing more than a state of mind, and in this kind of enviroment, in which everyone is stress-free and we constantly work together, bonds grow in leaps and bounces.
This little society that we have in the Ashram here, that's what we want to give to the rest of the world. I've learned alot, thinking about it I'm not even gonna write about everything cause then I'd surely miss the yoga tomorrow cause it would take so long!
But I would like to share that I've started to learn how to play the guitar, and I've already given a few rap performances which were much appreciated.
I'm writing new songs in here aswell, I actually found a collegue rapper who wants to make a song with me. There's also talented singers, dancers, musicians, you name it, we can make it big. And we will make it big. I've learned that you should make your goals big, cause then obstacles are easier to overcome in the face of a big goal. And besides that, you wanna move mountains right? Not shift some sands. Live your dream, make it reality.
You can be a realist and an idealist at the same time, be your own authority and work in a steady pace towards your goal.
The founder of the Art of Living started with nothing and is now in charge of one of the biggest NGO's in the world who have people almost everywhere including the UN, IMF and NASA.
Make the impossible possible, if he can do that, then where are the limits? Limits excist only in the mind! When I'm done here, I'm gonna spread the word, become a big rapper and who knows what else. Yes I can, yes we can.
One world, one family.
PS. Bringing Isaac was a golden choice, all the girls dig him. Perfect wingman! Not that you're allowed to do much here in the Ashram, but flirting is like all the other things in life: just make sure you have fun, wether you win or lose. Life aint a winner's game, cause you got it all already. Once you're aware of that fact, nothing can touch your mood.
Really it does. Especially when you have almost zero free time.
That's also the reason why I haven't been able to post here before.
Our days start at around 06:00 and end at around 22:00. We start with sadhana, it basically means cleaning your body and centering your mind which comes down to yoga, breathing exercises and meditation. At 08:00 we then have breakfast.
With such a tight schedule, you experience every day so much more intense than you normally would. I've only been here for a week yet it feels like a month.
I love it though, I've already made alot of friendships here and I sincerely love everyone in here.
Some may say that you can't talk like that about love, that it takes longer to develop or something, but that's a lie. Love is nothing more than a state of mind, and in this kind of enviroment, in which everyone is stress-free and we constantly work together, bonds grow in leaps and bounces.
This little society that we have in the Ashram here, that's what we want to give to the rest of the world. I've learned alot, thinking about it I'm not even gonna write about everything cause then I'd surely miss the yoga tomorrow cause it would take so long!
But I would like to share that I've started to learn how to play the guitar, and I've already given a few rap performances which were much appreciated.
I'm writing new songs in here aswell, I actually found a collegue rapper who wants to make a song with me. There's also talented singers, dancers, musicians, you name it, we can make it big. And we will make it big. I've learned that you should make your goals big, cause then obstacles are easier to overcome in the face of a big goal. And besides that, you wanna move mountains right? Not shift some sands. Live your dream, make it reality.
You can be a realist and an idealist at the same time, be your own authority and work in a steady pace towards your goal.
The founder of the Art of Living started with nothing and is now in charge of one of the biggest NGO's in the world who have people almost everywhere including the UN, IMF and NASA.
Make the impossible possible, if he can do that, then where are the limits? Limits excist only in the mind! When I'm done here, I'm gonna spread the word, become a big rapper and who knows what else. Yes I can, yes we can.
One world, one family.
PS. Bringing Isaac was a golden choice, all the girls dig him. Perfect wingman! Not that you're allowed to do much here in the Ashram, but flirting is like all the other things in life: just make sure you have fun, wether you win or lose. Life aint a winner's game, cause you got it all already. Once you're aware of that fact, nothing can touch your mood.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Last day
The last few days felt like a week. I was constantly busy, recording new songs, clearing up my room cause I had to leave my appartment and meeting with my friends for the last time.
Yesterday I met my good friend and producer Tom again at Haarlem Central to give him back some stuff. We made some toasts with a bottle of vodka to change, development, world peace and love. It was quite a hilarious situation but after that I really felt ready to leave, it was a proper goodbye.
I still have alot of things to do today, so I'm gonna get to it right now. Tonight I'm meeting my friend Eric for the last time and then tomorrow I'm boarding the train at 8 in the morning.
Ofcourse Isaac is coming with me, he told me it's all part of The Big Plan, whatever that means.
New world order? I'll believe it when I see it!
Before I forget, here's a link to the Yes! - We Can program so you can read for yourself in detail what it's about -> http://www.yeswecan-clp.org/
Yesterday I met my good friend and producer Tom again at Haarlem Central to give him back some stuff. We made some toasts with a bottle of vodka to change, development, world peace and love. It was quite a hilarious situation but after that I really felt ready to leave, it was a proper goodbye.
I still have alot of things to do today, so I'm gonna get to it right now. Tonight I'm meeting my friend Eric for the last time and then tomorrow I'm boarding the train at 8 in the morning.
Ofcourse Isaac is coming with me, he told me it's all part of The Big Plan, whatever that means.
New world order? I'll believe it when I see it!
Before I forget, here's a link to the Yes! - We Can program so you can read for yourself in detail what it's about -> http://www.yeswecan-clp.org/
Sunday, 1 March 2009
All alone
I've never felt so alone.
I just said my friends goodbye and the moment I went back into my room I realized I wasn't gonna see anyone again for at least a year. Tears are rolling down my cheeks, it all just hit me. My world just turned completely upside down. It's not that I can't let go, but it does get me emotional. I know however, that by the time I'm in the train to Bad Antogast, I'll be feeling much better.
In fact, I'm already feeling better right now. After all, it's about to start!
Goodbye everyone, I love you all very dearly.
I just said my friends goodbye and the moment I went back into my room I realized I wasn't gonna see anyone again for at least a year. Tears are rolling down my cheeks, it all just hit me. My world just turned completely upside down. It's not that I can't let go, but it does get me emotional. I know however, that by the time I'm in the train to Bad Antogast, I'll be feeling much better.
In fact, I'm already feeling better right now. After all, it's about to start!
Goodbye everyone, I love you all very dearly.
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