Voices of Sacred Earth Festival and Conference

Here I am sitting outside at Kawai Purapura in Albany. I am eating some lunch when in front of me, on the green lawn I see a beautiful blue pukeko wandering around. From around the corner comes a ginger cat. The puekeo looks at it sideways, its little head bobbing backwards and forwards to see what the cat is doing. The cat keeps walking along the concrete path so as to not get its tiny feet cold on the wet grass. The pukeko follows it behind, its gentle movements tell me its curious, even happy to see another creature, remaining close but at a distance. The cat sits down and starts grooming itself while the bird looks on. After a few minutes the cat walks away and the pukeko contines across the green lawn. It makes me realise that just because cats eat birds, it doesn't mean that it feels aggression towards 'every' bird or that there is any malevolence between them. They appear connected, kind of friendly even. It reminds me of the essence of benevolence that is within each of us, even if it one can't feel it or behave like it. Animals host no bad feelings towards even their natural enemies, so why do we? To be 'animal' like seems to me to be more beautiful than the way many of us behave in normal life. To attain divinity means to sacrifice our own fears, negativities and selfishness to behave in accordance with that benevolent spirit within us and act with love. The Voices of Sacred Earth festival and Conference is happening here on Feb. 9th till 10th, to recognise the sacredness of sound and of all beings on this earth and beyond, made from that essence. All are welcome. Many wonderful artists/performers are coming to perform from all over NZ, including my group, Madhu rasa. See you there. http://www.kawaipurapura.co.nz/voices-of-sacred-earth-2013-timetable