All Sorts of Celebration!

This week we traveled to Philadelphia to visit Andy, Lysa and Caeli, and tomorrow we will go to Chicago to visit Jason and Leah. There is no substitute for actually being "with" children and grandchildren. We can talk on the phone and e-mail....but being with them...it's awesome!

In between both trips, I am shipping orders at the celebration of 20 years special price with FREE shipping to all customers. The ad has gone into Evolve Magazine for the holiday issue (imagine....thinking about Christmas when it is in the 80's outside!). There is a new newsletter that is different from the Musings blog that will have it's premier issue mailed next week....part of the celebration of 20 years also.

Everything that I am doing to celebrate the 20 years of Mayan Dream Production's existence is coming from a flow of energy from the spiritual core of myself, and of the spiritual core of Mayan Dream Productions. This flow gives me clarity of direction. There is a peacefulness with the action that comes from this flow of energy. I used to say that I didn't know what the future would bring. Now I say that I do know the future...it is me moving with the flow from my own spiritual core.

Love to all.

Walking the Pathway into the next Cycle

This summer I am very much open to each day as it presents itself. I have no idea when I wake up what the day will actually bring, except to know that I will "go with the flow".

A twenty year cycle of creating music and releasing it into the world has built a strong foundation for the next cycle that is emerging. For me....the best image of this process is of the Maya of ancient times. The wondrous pyramids that now exist were built through cycles. The first 20 years or so was of placing the "energetic" foundation. Only when that was in place did the actual stones start to rise. In our time, people spend years creating the "energetic" foundation of their lives as they get master's degrees and doctorates, and at the age of maybe 28 or 30, start the actual work of the outer career.

I remember being 30 and thinking that my life would be pretty much over at 60. (Remember how that was?!) Instead life seems to be expanding as I move through my 60s. A new cycle of excitement and possibilities is moving and carrying myself/Mayan Dream Productions Int'l out into the world in new ways.

It's been 20 days since I've written. Yikes! These have been busy days of redoing my website, of marketing a very special "celebration" price on all of my CDs with free shipping, of creating Soul music, and of course doing the day to day stuff that keeps a business running.

As I write to you at 4:30AM on a Wednesday, the first of July 2009, I am listening to Ancient/Future Symphony and feeling the depth of compassion in that music. The air is breezing in from outside and it is clear and lovely. My ever-present coffee cup is full of hot Starbucks. Tomorrow we plan to travel to Philadelphia to visit Andy, Lysa and Caeli and their as yet unborn new baby, and then to Chicago to visit Jason, Leah and their as yet unborn new baby. Two new lives are coming into the world to awesome parents in late November!

Much love to all.

The Beloved

This week I picked up another shipment of The Beloved CDs to bring my stock back up to a reasonable level. It's amazing that The Beloved continues, after almost 20 years, to be my best selling CD, and the "banner" music that carries all of my other music forward. In 1990, I was driving down Bass Road out in the Indiana farmland. The melody of The Beloved starting running through my head. This is unique for my experience, because I don't hear music as melody, but rather see it as shape and color, and feel it as vibration. So...from the beginning, The Beloved has been special. In 20 years it has traveled throughout much of the planet, carrying the vibration of being loved and of loving as the primary life-force that supports all of us.

NOW....It is early in the morning. I am listening to a podcast from a keyboard musician who is just brilliant in internet selling.....and who has a passion for his own music and for all of those who listen to and buy his music. We don't do the same kind of music (he creates medleys of Christian music) but his experience enriches my own professional life.

As I listen to the podcast, I have the early morning bird-song from outside my studio. Some crows are particularly vocal today.

I also subscribe to Derek Sivers (founder of CDBaby and a musician/composer) materials on marketing, and am listening to his 5 minutes videos on marketing which are really helpful and practical. Thank you Derek!!

Why is marketing so important? All of my music will stay in my studio unless I actually spend the time to let people hear it and let people know that it exists. My music has a purpose and that purpose is realized when my music is out in the world.

The CELEBRATION of 20 years is underway. The order part of my website is being reconfigured to bring all orders through Mayan Dream Productions, Int'l again. When you order you will no longer go to CDBaby. I missed the customer interaction of seeing your order, and shipping to you directly. The anniversary special will come on line within the next week....you will see a special price for all CDs, and shipping will be free. Why? Because I value our relationship and this is a tangible way to say "thank you".

Have a beautiful day.

June Explosion - 20 years!

2009 marks the 20 year anniversary of Mayan Dream Productions. How can it be 20 years since I first discovered that I would be creating original music?! Remember, I had NO idea that I would ever write and record original music, and then the music of Mayan Dream exploded into my life. Mayan Dream changed me in profound ways, and was followed by The Beloved, Watchers, Stille Pointe, Mayan Portal, Walking the Labyrinth, The Journey of Joy, Heart of Sky/Heart of Earth, Earth Essence, Atitlan Fire, Emergence, Living The Possible, Healing Music for the 21st Century, Mystical Rose: From the Heart of Everything, Ancient Future Symphony, 40+ Soul/Deepbody albums, ...and now VIDA! What an awesome journey! Thank you to the unseen world for this unimaginable gift and thank you to all of you for walking with me on this journey of love.

Today also marks the one month anniversary of my journey through carpel tunnel. This has been a gift. As my music expands and deepens, my body needs to become more in tune with it's potential....more relaxed...stronger...more alive! In the midst of a very busy May schedule, I could not play any musical instrument for two weeks and had to get substitutes for any of my playing commitments. This gave me the time and space to rest, meditate, experience deep body energy work, rest some more, be outdoors in the warmth of late Spring.....focus on the change that wanted to happen. It's amazing how, when I "think" that I don't have time, time is given to me in a way that I cannot ignore!

Now I am back to playing and with an entirely different physical body in place. I pay attention to how my body wants to move....before I would just DO IT without really paying attention. It's an amazing journey and it continues.

On May 19th, I spent an hour with women and men who are experiencing cancer. My invitation was to talk about music and meditation, and to meditate with the group. It was an honor and a privilege to be with these individuals on their transformative journey. We talked about music as a vibration and the body as an energy system....atoms vibrating....water moving...and the power of music to be an assist in their own spiritual journey of healing. We also talked about how much it matters that I create music from the space of the heart, and that my own body has to carry this vibration. Otherwise my music will not bring the vibration of healing and transformation, but rather will encourage a smallness and victimization. SO....from my own mouth, more learning for me. These men and women have tremendous courage and a light that inspires.

The WISDOM WOMEN group is taking it's summer vacation...but will meet again monthly beginning in September. To all of you who have not experienced this group, you are welcome!
Dates and times will be released soon.

The new album, VIDA!, is in it's final stages of creation. I had to wait to record the final tracks until my body had changed to support the release of this music. I have learned that it is not JUST the recording, but the process of releasing the music into the world in a new way that is changing my body.

Watch for lots of celebrating throughout the summer for 20 years past...and 20 years + to come! Love to all. Beverly.

Publish Post

What happens when the unexpected hits?

Tom Tempel in creative mode....photo by me in his recording studio when he wasn't expecting it.

Hello to all on Tuesday morning. Taxes are mailed in time....and the usual Monday paperwork is complete. This week is busy with shipping. My arm and hand are still in healing mode, so recording music is not an option this week. Such an unexpected event..but an opportunity for reflection and for rest.

My body is so intricate and magnificent in it's design. It holds the capability of taking vibration from all that is around me, and turning it into sound. That is incredible!

We live in a wave that joins all of life. I know that I have parts of distant stars in my body, and that someday this particular body will also be a part of some other form of life. But meanwhile, in this time and space I have the opportunity to live in the wave in my own shape and my own particular purpose.

David Spangler described living on the planet Earth as a form of extreme sport. I agree with that!

We are in the midst of severe recession, and showing sign of coming out of it as a nation. It's interesting how perception works with all of this. Many businesses that you would not expect to be successful in the midst of a recession are booming. Here are some examples: Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne had 60,000 people from 48 states at its semi-annual coliseum sale this last week. What does Vera Bradley sell? Unique bags in various paisley patterns that are pretty pricey but are unique. Tempel Recording in Fort Wayne is also so busy that Tom cannot always schedule everyone who wants his time and creative energy. My sister Jean sells online cosmetics that are Earth and Animal friendly...very special...more expensive...yet her business has bloomed and is expanding also. Mayan Dream Productions grew this year in CD and digital sales, and in fact the Soul Music has also blossomed and grown in ways that I never expected.

Perception....an interesting thing...Where are we going to place our focus? I really believe that if we are bringing a product forward that is honoring and supporting the spiritual path of all of life on planet Earth we will live in the flow that supports us in our own creative work.

Love to all.

Transformation

What an incredible week this has been! On Monday when I wrote, I had no idea that by Thursday I would be watching my life transform through a reoccurance of an old arm and hand injury that has put my right arm in a brace. This is going to be a swift and profound transformation and WOW! For everyone who might think this is a bad thing for a keyboard player and a drummer....not so. It will effect a wonderful change in my music and my life. I am sure of this. This happens every so often and always means that a new person is emerging.

Meanwhile, the fourth track of the new "VIDA!" album was created on Wednesday. It still doesn't have a title, but I am in awe of what is happening with this new music.

My website has a new look on the home page and a new description of who I am and how my music is traveling. Musings also has a new look and focus. All of this has happening since Monday.

On Tuesday, I took the photographs that are included with this Musing writing. Let's soak up the beauty of the emergence of Spring into Summer.

Walking in Beauty

"Walking in Beauty" doesn't sound much like the daily life of a composer, but it reflects how I feel about my life right now. There is so much beauty around me. As I write this Musings, it is very early morning and the birds are just beginning to wake. They sing that early morning soft chirpy sound. The air feels clear and cool. We are expecting sunshine and 70 degrees. The new life that emerged in March when these flowers were photographed is delicate and soft. Now in May, we are being delighted with splashy red, yellow, orange tulips, and ten foot tall bushes loaded with lilacs.

I expect to be recording quite a bit this coming week and next week. I am tweaking the music of VIDA! and recording the next new tracks. This is such fun!!!

You'll notice (if you have been a regular visitor) that this Musings has a new, fresh look.

My business property tax forms have to be filed by May 15th, so finishing that is also on my agenda for the next couple of weeks. I really don't mind tax time, because it is such a good opportunity to look at Mayan Dream Productions and celebrate the growth of my business.
I also take the time to celebrate all of you!

So.....I continue to walk this journey in the beauty of Spring on Earth. Love to all!