OK, I’m all blissed out!
I’ve lived here for several years, now, and I continue to discover that southern Arizona is amazing! I came from a large metropolitan area, where EVERYTHING is available. I leave it to your imagination what “Everything” entails. Around here, though, Everything I WANT is accessible. It’s just not obvious. I keep discovering gems of artistic excellence ’round these parts I’d never have guessed were here.
On Wednesday evening (under a beautiful full moon) I attended the Wave1 gathering I spoke about in this post. It was a time for people of many different backgrounds to come together and spend some time focusing upon what unites us rather than what divides us. There were performers highlighting many spiritual traditions, including some I’d had no idea were represented in my part of the world.
Tony Redhouse is a local celebrity; I’d heard and seen him and members of his family before. He comes from the largest American indigenous tribe, the Navajo, or Dinè. He is an ambassador to all tribes and all people. His chants touch many souls. He sings, chants, plays flute and other instruments, and has a talent for setting sacred space. One of his videos contains not only his beautiful music (good for meditation), but features some of the most beautiful pictures of our desert I’ve seen anywhere. It can be found here.
Another local character is Allen Smith, virtuoso Didgeridoo player, who also participated. I’ll bet you didn’t know that Tucson, Arizona is the western American didgeridoo capital? Who would have thought that this native Australian instrument would have found such a home here? This article explains how & why. There is a huge didge festival each year, where people come from all over the world. A local part-Cherokee resident discovered that our local Agave plant makes splendid didgeridoos, as he discusses in this video. I attended a didgeridoo workshop a couple of years ago by yet another itinerant didge player and teacher. There were about 20 of us, and I was astounded that more than half had brought their own instruments. I managed to get some good tone out of my borrowed one towards the end (it’s hard!), but it would take a long time to master the circular breathing technique required. Mr. Smith, at the Wave1, produced sounds I’d never heard before from this instrument, fostering a deep sense of peace within the audience.
I didn’t know there was a Thai Buddhist temple in Tucson. Three of their monks shared an absolutely awesome chant with us. Their performance was polished, but beyond that, I could hear many, many years of tradition broadcasting through their voices. I have not been able to find out much about their monastery, or indeed why they are here. These are not American converts, as are most of the Zen Buddhists I know, but monks from Thailand that have established a monastery in Tucson.
These are just a few of the individuals and groups participating. The ceremony was held in a spectacular, beautiful Roman Catholic sanctuary, unusual in that it is a “church in the round” setting. The worldwide event was simulcast on two screens. This may become an annual event; if so, I’ll let you know! Om Peace.
MusEditions 
I have a didgeridoo. I love the sound of them and have a few CD’s that are good. My son-in-law has two or three of them and plays fairly well.
Great post. Lots of things for me to check out. I have lots of books on Buddhism.
joanharvest
June 19, 2008
glad to hear you had such a wonderful time at the wave1 gathering! 🙂 wish i can get some bliss too. 😛
sulz
June 19, 2008
You do, Joan? Wow. Maybe I should take it up again. It must be good for breath support. I have a couple of CDs, too, from the man whose workshop I went to. Thank you! I think you’d particularly like Mr. Redhouse’s videos and music.
Thanks, sulz. I really did. You could get some bliss! Do you ever meditate? I know it’s weird, but look how happy I am most of the time. 😀
museditions
June 19, 2008
Tony Redhouse certainly sounds talented. It must be great being surrounded by such amazing scenery where you live.
No, I didn’t know that Tucson, Arizona is the western American didgeridoo capital, but it was very interesting finding out, thank you!
I wonder why the monks from Thailand decided to establish a monastery there. I’ll bet there’s a fascinating story behind that, too!
B0bbyG
June 20, 2008
I’m so glad you enjoyed the Redhouse video, B0bby. I think it’s beautifully done. Yes, there are a lot of places other than Arizona I’d have pegged for a didge & desert confluence! I poked around a little about the monks; I’ll let you know if I find out anything definitive. As always, your presence here is appreciated. 🙂
museditions
June 20, 2008
That’s it, I’m moving to Arizona. 🙂
You do find the most interesting people, Muse.
Isn’t it great?
thebeadden
June 22, 2008
You’d be very welcome here, BD. Be sure to bring the beads! 😉 Yes it’s great; I am a most fortunate humanoid; thanks, my friend.
museditions
June 23, 2008
I have been recommending a book called “My Stroke of Insight – a Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey” by Jill Bolte Taylor and also a TEDTalk Dr. Taylor gave on the TED dot com site. And you don’t have to take my word for it – Dr. Taylor was named Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, the New York Times wrote about her and her book is a NYTimes Bestseller), and Oprah did 4 interviews with her.
Julie
June 23, 2008
Hi Julie, thanks for coming by and recommending Dr. Bolte-Taylor. I have seen the TED talk and the interviews with her on Oprah . com, and I heartily recommend them as well. It’s almost like seeing your own brain, and mystical life, from the inside out!
museditions
June 23, 2008