Nov 26
Getting Married
icon1 Epicurean | icon2 Epicurean, Your Stories | icon4 11 26th, 2007| icon33 Comments »

This is what happens when Epicurean is in the midst of planning her nuptuals.

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...

Oct 1

My heart is sensitive and romantic and I believe that everyone in this world has that one special soul who they connect with. However recently, life has illuminated the reality of love, and essentially compartmentalised it into a ‘black and white’ order. I have been granted a brief look into the eyes of others around me, who see love as the manifestation of hormones, lust and desire. Where love has nothing to do with your heart or higher self’s purpose, but more of an indication of what other parts of the body are pulling you to do. The stark realisation of this fact aggrieves me; even though I have known it for years and am no stranger to its concept, I never the less find it a difficult and painful awareness to accept.

Have we as humans become so disconnected that even love has lost its mysterious potency? It has been handed over to our bodies and we are but slaves to its satisfaction.

The more I cling onto the thought that love is a beautiful, transformative, uplifting journey for your soul, the more I am forced to witness its corrupt expression.

However being a firm believer in the teachings of Abraham, I know that my thoughts are the powerful engines which shape my reality, therefore I understand that this moment in time serves me well to uphold my firm beliefs in love and what I REALLY want from the love of another.

Why should I bow down to an unnatural concept when my heart craves to experience the power of my creator through the love of another soul. Do I compromise my hearts calling for the sake of conforming to a lifestyle that is accepted by everyone else around me?

As I transmit my intention of love to others I am consistently made to feel guilty for asking for a love that is innocent and sweet, looked upon as though I have a warped, archaic perception of love. Have I always been the human dreaming of being the butterfly, who is now lost in the psychosis?

As you can see, my internal battle and quest to eliminate this loneliness brings pain, doubt and fear. However even though the world around me adopts such a view, I wish to live in my fantasy and hold on to my concept that this person who I fall in love with, will also have the view that love is a soul connection, and not just the result of chemicals and hormones surging around the body.

If this view is indeed a result of years of misconstrued understanding where the barrier between the dream world and real world has been breached, then I wish to allow this to grow within me. It gives me ‘hope’ and paints a picture of a world I ‘choose’ to live in, albeit a reverie.

So with this in mind, I allow the tears in my heart to dry and hold firm my views in the face of harsh truth and with god’s grace breathe in life and wait for the day when my fairy tale romance becomes my reality. I wish to be saturated in its magic, to bathe in its sweet aroma and to taste its intoxicating essence upon my lips!

Follow your dreams in the face of adversity – no matter what the cost!

Peace and Blessings – From a slightly broken heart, but i know i will heal! Kavi xxx

Also read...

Aug 15

StuHis passion is music (although he would argue it is chocolate!). His voice, so deliberate yet strategically subtle, gentle teasing you into submission for the message he brings. A winning combination to the lyrics, which are layered like a rich tapestry of life experience, higher learning, faith, goals and love. It’s like the poetic murmurings of a beautifully sung prayer – it touch’s your heart and leaves light in your soul!

Read the following in depth interview to uncover why this inspiring new artist is promoting the one thought “the human solution is a divine evolution” and why he has decided to donate his profits to a charity close to his heart.

So Stu, when and why did you start playing guitar, and when did you discover you had the talent to sing?

I asked for a guitar on my 16th birthday, as soon as I knew a few chords I started writing my own songs. A few months later I made my own studio by lashing together my ghetto blaster to my girlfriend’s dad’s stereo.
I knew I could sing as a child because I could imitate all the songs I liked, but I was v shy.

What are your fondest musical memories?

Playing my old Walt Disney record, yes vinyl! My favourite “I wanna be like you” over & over. Still know it word for word & every monkey noise.
Then my next favourite memory is when I was 17 & went to Dingwalls Jazz club on a Sunday afternoon. Giles Peterson was playing frenetic but musical 60’s bebop & two guys (I think maybe “brothers in Jazz”) were dancing, the floor just cleared for them. I can’t describe in words how I felt, the sound & the sight just moved me to tears as I stared, it was a v deep experience. They had such style, grace & physicality, the rhythm, joy & energy was shinning from them, the sound … it was a high that no drugs could come close too.
That experience got me into dancing, so I went every week to these Sunday afternoon jazz clubs, even on my own, it was so cool. Never packed & always full of interesting souls struttin n stepping, expressing their thing. You can see a person s soul through the eyes & how they move to rhythm.

So who are your influences?

The person who is the single biggest influence on me musically is my music teacher, Professor TV Gopalakrishnan, a master of Classical Indian music.

Who are your favorite musicians? Groups?

Musicians & influence is such an enormous question for me; so here goes. My musical training came from listening, first to the radio, with whatever caught my ear. As a young teenager I loved rock n roll, especially Little Richard, but the radio is so diverse & so my taste has always been diverse, but generally its Black music in its many forms. Growing older I could afford records: I loved the songs Prince did, up until about 90’s, loved hip hop beats, conscious lyrics of KRS1 & Chuck D, but the best flow was Big Daddy Kane. At that time you were either an indie kid or hip hop, I was the odd ball, I did like both, though I could only dance to hip hop. Indie songs, bands I appreciated. The breaks in hip hop got me into funk, JB being the obvious, but then the breaks began to get more obscure, jazz influenced & soon my record collection was well over 10,000; gospel, jazz, funk, soul etc.
No one name really stands out, but sooo many songs & artists have influenced me.

So how do you handle mistakes during a performance and do you ever get nervous before a performance?

Mistakes, if u don’t make a big deal of it, other people won’t either. When buskin on the underground I would actually be trying things out, writing, working ideas. True performance art ! the energy & vibe of all those people would become part of the creation. Busker’s do 2 hour slots, its all v official, sometimes for those 2 hours I’d work on 1 song, but people only hear 10 seconds of it so it cool. Any way if I didn’t make “mistakes” I wouldn’t get ideas. Of course I got nervous. The mind is such a trickster. Some days u listen to its crap more than others.

Do you work with other artists, If so who? and why?

Yeah, I got into doing my own stuff by working with others. My first single “Money” by Coco & the Bean, I did the rap for it. These guys did hip hop in their bedroom so this inspired me to do likewise. Currently I’m working with Sali, a Carnatic (south Indian classical) singer on an innovative dance track, also an RnB singer called Kavita, she’s great but keeps burping like Barney (Simpson’s) after a great vocal take.

Ha ha, very funny – I’ll get you back for that!
So, tell us about the REAL Stu?

Big question eh? I’m special, there’s no one quite like me. Then we are all unique & special so I guess I’m ordinarily special. I’m very blessed, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a “western” & “eastern” family life. I’m v healthy. Funny, well I laugh at myself. V positive, love life, especially people, but I think our potential is nowhere near reached. I’m also blessed with many talents, musical creations being the primary. But the more I witness people struggling with themselves, religion, God etc the more I realize that my most treasured blessing is having a direct communication with the divine. I always feel truly at ease with my personal faith & this actually also makes me feel at ease with any religious faith. Religious texts are words but the wisdom is woven between the words, interpretation depends on the heart & mind of the reader. The essence of love is universal, humanity is corrupted by ego. Music transcends all this political egotistical crap because its feeling comes not from words but the movement of notes. Like love it has its universal law. I study Carnatic music because the “laws” that define this music have evolved over thousands of years & its focus is more internal, it has more culture, not to say its better, but it has a different emphasis. It will be many more years before I will master this art but its influence will permeate into my creations.

Why do you want to record and release your own music?

I make one big assumption in life: if I like something, other people will also like it, not everyone, but then not everyone likes Thai red curry, but I do.
“I admit, this rhyme is not mine, it’s inspired, divine….” That’s a quote from “Beats n Love” but it reflects my music. I feel that my music will inspire other people, whether it’s a social or political comment or whether its lust or love, my tunes are varied, but whatever the message & emotion that combination of notes conveys, other people will share & appreciate hearing it.
I feel I have a “product” which is not eclectic, cliquey but has a wide appeal. I want to get “mass” appeal, that will mean more influence, power & of course money. With those ingredients I stand a chance of creating a school for deprived kids.

How do you describe your music to people?

It depends who I’m talking to. Music is a science, its full of maths, symmetry, structure, its incredibly beautiful. Its nature & nature is not as crazy & abstract as many people think. If you are not aware of the fundamentals of it, then how can it be discussed? If u wanna chat like a critic then its all about your perspective, your interpretation & feeling. Many people may share that feeling but not everyone so its not really a discussion.
My music is natural, so without trying it has a structure, symmetry, flow etc. its natural because its inspired: by the millions of songs, rhythms & nature, by life, energy & love.

Out of the songs that you have written so far, which one is your favorite and why?

“On my way” seems to be a big favorite, I like it cos its catchy & has a great positive message. Its not my personal favorite. My favorites are some of my earlier tracks which wont be released till I’m in a position of having a great studio & engineer to do them justice. The sound scape of them is amazing, I would spend sometimes up to 4 months on one track. Now I spend about 4 weeks.
What challenges have you had to face in order to pursue music?
Time has been the biggest challenge. I’ve needed a lot of time to be ready for this release. Physically, spiritually, mentally as well as musically. I’ve practiced yoga for 15 years, studied martial arts, Sufiism, Carnatic music, ayervedic medicine, dance, all to get a balance in my life. I trained to become a school teacher, its all part of the BIG plan, its starting to come together. My drive has pushed me through some v tough times, fate has continually pulled me along. I’m ready now.

Why have you decided to donate your profits to charity and why have you chosen this charity?

The Parry Charitable foundation is a small independent charity that provides a loving home for handicapped children. It’s standard of care is high & there is a big waiting list. Every penny from donation goes into helping the kids NOT on administration. ALL the workers are volunteer, most charities 70% of your donation goes into paying their admin costs.
I know this charity & sometimes work there myself, for these reasons I donate to them.
In the long term I want to set up my own school for deprived children. I’m a qualified school teacher, yoga teacher & scientist as well as many other “life” skills. From a young age I would talk to God. When I was 12 years old I received instructions to help deprived children. This goal is my purpose, music is the vehicle to propel me there.

OK, finally what does “the human solution is a divine evolution” really mean?

It’s from the track ‘On my way’….
Ok this small phrase has a big meaning, & rather like a sutra in yoga text, a surah in the Holy Qur’an or verse from the Holy bible its open to interpretation. Unlike those wonderful books of wisdom the writer is fortunately for me still around. So here’s the intended meaning: evolution; this word is kicking up a big fuss lately, in America some schools are refuting the scientific evidence & claiming the “literal” bible version of evolution. Well books of ancient wisdom such as the Old Testament were written with hidden meaning & depth that belies a superficial surface. The true value of the words lie in studying those hidden meanings. The Darwin theory of evolution & the scientific evidence is compatible with religion in fact it’s magnitude & beauty reinforces a divinity & creation. However this is not the platform for this debate & as I said before, interpretation is dependant on perspective. What’s important is that evolution is not HISTORICAL its continuous. We are still evolving & compared to the history of the world we have just climbed down from the trees. If you look at how we behave we are still as ruthless as we ever were as beasts. Capitalism is the law of the jungle but applied to the City. “Only the strong survive. “ Fortunately this is not the whole story. All over the world people are silently working, giving unconditional love to those who are in need or weaker. I believe that right now, historically, we are at a cross roads of evolution. Technology is changing our lives & the global communication phenomena can & is spreading a message of love. It’s mixed up with violence & sex but Its harder to get any more violent than we are, its impossible to take off any more clothes, but the message of love is limitless & individuals & groups everywhere are able to contribute & unify in a way even the hippies never dreamed off. I read in a Sufi book once (can’t remember which one, sorry). “When we act like animals we are worse than the animals but when we act like angels we are better than the angels.”
Its just a case of time. When will we choose the path of love?

Thank you to Stu for sharing his work with us and giving us the time for this interview, and thank YOU for reading the article.

Peace and Love

If you would like to know more about this artist, then please check out his website WWW.STUSOUNDS.COM

Special thanks to the designer of the website: Pj (www.websitedesignz.net) and Phil (www.macpips.com)

Article written by: Kavita Sohanta - I DO NOT burp in between songs! :)

Also read...

May 27
This entry is part 25 of 32 in the series 100 Days of Wisdom

As a treat on this nice little landmark of a quarter of the way through my 100 days of wisdom posts, here is a clip of a very dear friend of mine and our resident poet, kavikim, live in person, singing one of the songs that she’s currently working on! (GO KAVIKIM!!!) :)

She truly has one of the most amazing singing voices!!

Related Posts

Jan 18
Dreaminder
icon1 Amit Sodha | icon2 Daily, Other Blogs, Your Stories | icon4 01 18th, 2007| icon35 Comments »

I was sent a lovely email by a young man named Peep who asked me to check out his site. I loved what I saw and I loved the idea and I thought why not do a post about it.

The site is called dreaminder and the idea is that you type in what your dreams are and it emails you in the future, to remind you of what your dreams were, so you can compare them to the place you’re in at that moment in time. Here is what Peeps says about dreaminder: -

What is Dreaminder?

A place for reflection.
Take a few moments to write down your dreams for yourself. Think about the life you want and the person you want to be.

A place for You
Your dream is for your eyes only. There is no one judging or telling you what’s possible.

A place for Inspiration
If you are not sure where to start, there is a Dream Wizard that will get you in touch with who you want to be.

Know your direction
On the date you specify, you will receive your dream in the email you entered (make sure it is one you will still be using then). At that point, you have the opportunity to compare the life you live with your dreams and see how far you’ve come.

Why should I write down my dream?
A clear sense of direction is the first step towards changing your world. It can be hard to figure out what you want to do with your life and even harder to keep yourself committed to the goal. Writing your dreams down will help you refine them and remember them. Receiving your dream in the future will help you remember your direction and experience the adventure of knowing yourself.

—

So there we have it, make some time to check it out and keep your dreams alive! :)

Also read...

Sep 6

We have a new edition to the POC team, his name is Antarananda and here is his intro. Welcome and we look forward to your amazing wisdom and powerful posts!!

Physician by training, and passionate practitioner of the inner science of meditation and silent awareness. An ecstatic existence is our very nature, and it is my life’s goal to uncover this potential which lies hidden within you and I! Through my words and life, I hope to reach out and awaken those I touch to this existential joy and bliss.

Also read...

Sep 4

Back to SchoolBack to School – But Wait! You Can’t Go

Summer has officially ended, the leaves are beginning to change colours as the seasons shifts to autumn and university is about to start. However, students all over Canada are facing the decision of whether or not to go back – students who are relatively good students. One must question why this is the case, well it’s simple really: the government isn’t allowing us the opportunity to further our education.

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...

Aug 30

Candy LoveIt’s been a while, I haven’t written anything worthwhile and now…now I’m not sure anymore, but I’m trying - every day is hard, it’s hard not to give in to the temptation of ending things and giving up. I keep telling myself that if I keep faith, if I’m good to others, if I’m patient - things will be okay… but am I fooling myself? I’m happy though - happy with who I am, even if I’m not a perfect size 8, my breasts are symetrical, and I miss my Mum - I miss Steven and I realised I’m in love. But it’s different because even the things I don’t like about him are fine with me now.. although that doesn’t stop me from telling him he should cut back on smoking - if not quit all together…

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...

May 20

Dr Why?I’m a social scientist. That doesn’t mean I see the world as one big laboratory, but just that I think people are generally rats - just kidding!!! Ok seriously though, I’m a sociologist and as anyone with a PhD can tell you, you become programmed to analyse everything, not just society, but yourself, your relationships and your life. People often tell me I think too much and I guess it’s an occupational hazard.

For years I’d way up the pros and cons of so many situations I should have known better to avoid, without all the deliberation. Until one day it was pointed out to me that I could justify almost anything to myself for a particular moment in time. It made me take a step back and wonder why I was often so hell bent on being so destructive to myself and why I would wrap potentially damaging situations up with a nice bow, arguing on its behalf, even though I was aware of both sides to the argument, including the negative!

I think it was at that point that I made a choice, and that choice was iman (faith). So my blogs may not be the most inspirational, and often I’m sure it’s just about me muddling through, but I hope you find my tangents of some interest!

Also read...

Apr 23

How do you deal with death?

A friend passed away two days ago. He died of kidney cancer which spread to his lymph nodes, after which left him with a total of a month left. He had so much in life – uni, friends, family, work…people who loved him and things he loved. At age 24, Mike passed away at Toronto General in pain and high on drugs to ease that pain.

I keep writing in the present tense and then changing it to the past. It’s hard for me to believe he’s gone. How does someone like him just die a slow and painful death? What justice is there in that?

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...

Apr 9

FriendsIt’s funny, the older I get, the more I see my Mum in me (not a bad thing) but I see myself doing things that she does, saying things that she would.. And it’s odd because those are the things that I think she needs to change about herself and now here I am - following in some of her footsteps.

I feel old and washed up, people tell me when they talk to me and they don’t see my face, I sound like I’m mid twenties to early thirties…I need to start acting my age rather than trying to attain/act like something I’m not. I sometimes forget that I am only twenty years old and this is the only life that I have, this is the only chance I have at so many things. The same opportunities may not present themselves again and I’m letting things pass me by so quickly without even thinking about the consequences. I’m too complacent.

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...

Mar 20

SadnessIt really annoys me that when Cory dumped me, I had to go and tell my Mum. Not only was she smug about it – she decided to go into detail about my life plan she has for me. Honestly, I don’t care. You’ve given me cancer, my newspaper column is gone as is my editorial position, and I’ve lost my best friend.

I had a conversation with God yesterday while I was in the shower at the YMCA. I just finished up with my work out because some fool didn’t get off the treadmill when he was supposed to and cut into my time – so I decided to cool off and just go downstairs and hit the showers. Anyhow, I’m mad at him at the moment.

You’re probably wondering why a selfish, ungrateful bitch, such as myself would be mad at God. Well here is why:

My boyfriend dumped me this past week and I’ve had some time to think. I’m beginning to realise that not once has he let things be semi easy for me. Not that I’m saying life should be all about me – I know this world is bigger than me and my problems may seem big to me, but they’re minute when you think about all the problems humanity faces as a whole.

Read the rest of this entry »

Also read...