http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com en-gb thebookofpeaceandlove.com 2010-7-8T00:00:00Z thebookofpeaceandlove.com http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#69841 2010-7-8T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#69842 I have been away for sometime traveling down to Australia via Bangkok. Bangkok must be one of my favorite places in the world Krung Thep the city of Angels filled with contrasts. This time I went to Wat Traimit the temple of the Golden Buddha. The whole temple has changed beyond recognition a new building stands tall housing the Golden Buddha on the fourth and final floor. It all seems cleaner somehow streamlined. The old temple had a number of slot machines in the entrance with garish Buddhas inside that would read you your fortune for a few baht whilst lighting up with fairground lights. I remember feeling that it was a shame they were there as they made it all seem less magical and mythical but somehow I missed them in the new temple. The Buddha itself is perhaps not the most imposing you can see but it is a beautiful metaphor for us all. Some time ago the old temple was to be renovated and a crane was brought in to move the large cement buddha. When the crane lifted the Buddha to... 2010-7-8T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#64134 2010-4-29T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#58798 14th February 2010I have the great fortune of being in Nevada for a few days staying in the Hilton in Las Vegas. Before coming here I manage to convince myself that I will go in to a few casinos and place some bets just for the fun of it but as soon as I arrive I see that this is just a no go area for me. The energy inside the casinos is rank dirty and stilted. So much dashed hope and last chances so many people convinced that they will walk away rich walking away dejected and poor. The lobby lights and the noise of the countless onearmed bandits dazzles me and disorientates. I cannot stay in the city.The people with me seem surprised when i explain that I will be heading out into the desert. Nobody wants to come along so I rent a car and head off alone to the Valley of Fire national park. Its funny but I knew I had to go no matter how many obstacles are placed in my path. Im not comfortable driving alone but there is no question about going so I ask about car rentals in the hotel. Bei... 2010-2-20T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#57305 In Bangkok the city with so many names it is easy to get lost to slip in between worlds and discover something we did not even know we had lost. The scenic Bangkok Noi reveals hidden wonders at every turn of the canal spectacular temples replete with saffron garbed monks we revel in the sound of their chanting.My favourite name for Bangkok is Krung Thep city of Angels as it always feels to me as if the sense of divine is palpable in parts of it.My pilgrimage here takes me not to any of the major temples but to a street shrine of the Hindu God Ganesh that I have visited for years. It is curious how there are always so many offerings here as well as people praying. It is unlikely that they are Hindus as the Hindu population of Thailand is tiny but from conversations with fellow pilgrims it seems that they too realise that God may come in many shapes and sizes but is ultimately the same. We place an offering of flowers and chocolate at the shrine and light incense sticks as we chant to Ga... 2010-1-30T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#54450 Its been a while since Ive updated this mainly because I have been floored by the flu. Im much better now and am back on my travels around the world. This time I have had the wonderful opportunity to play guitar in the botanical gardens next to Sydney harbour in Australia. My audience comprised mainly of grey headed flying foxes giant furry bats that congregate in their hundreds in the trees where I stopped to play. I was in the Cadi Jam Ora part of the gardens the exhibit marking the first encounters between the aboriginal people of Australia and the colonizers. The Sydney harbour basin has always been a sacred site to the largely displaced aboriginals and it seemed fitting to sit and play in the small area dedicated to their history and culture. Other than the digeridoos for sale in the gift shops in all likelihood imported from Bali and sold as genuine articles for exhorbitant prices there was little sign of the aboriginal people anywhere else I went. Looking at the botanical gard... 2009-12-13T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#54449 2009-12-13T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#50729 I am writing this because on the 26th of October I am due to operate on BA 065 to Nairobi and will of course be visiting Nyumbani Orphanage. I already have 3 suitcases of clothes to take down with me as well as an envelope with some money but was hoping some of you might be willing to contribute to the Nyumbani fund. I guarantee any monies sent through me will go directly to Nyumbani orphanage and am more than willing to provide individual receipts as always should you require them.The latest news from Nyumbani isMore than 400 people currently live in our village over 350 children and 50 grandparents. Solar powered boreholes have been set up making the village self sustainable for water. Crop and animal farming is developing well but there are real challenges to be faced in making this community truly selfsustainable. An extensive building programme has started which not only helps to expand our sustainability project but has also provided 300 local jobs to the surrounding villages he... 2009-10-16T00:00:00Z http://www.thebookofpeaceandlove.com/page6.htm#50199 4th of October second public healing performance this time spontaneous. I visit the village of Romainm244tierEnvy Switzerland and its 11th century monastery. This time I am moved to sit and play my guitar. I play sing and find my voice is joined by a chorus of others the voices of my friends who are with me but also interestingly the voices of strangers who happen to come inside. People come up to us afterwards each thanking us for a moving experience. One lady tells us she was moved to tears at one point a man asks us to come to his wedding to provide healing voices of peace and love in the chapel as his marriage takes place. We are all moved by something bigger than us. It is at this point sitting outside the monastery in the sunshine that I realise I need to do this. If this feels like it might be the right thing for you then I would urge you to take up your instruments and be part of a music and healing revolution in your own sacred sites. I look forward to making hea... 2009-10-7T00:00:00Z