Today's DailyOM Offerings...
February 12, 2010
Le Spa Sonique
Jens Gad
2006
Best known for his work as guitarist and coproducer for Enigma, Jens Gad goes solo for his 2006 Le Spa Sonique, taking Enigma's atmospheric dance-floor grooves one step further into the realm of soothing New Age. Recorded and produced at Gad’s studio on the Spanish island of Ibiza, Le Spa Sonique is rich with acoustic and electronic instrumentation, as well as the hypnotic accompaniment of ephemeral female vocals. Preserving a natural flow, ocean waves connect the tracks and sometimes influence them, as in "The Orbiting Suns," where Gad beckons his listeners on a calming walk down the Ibiza coast to watch the wet sand glisten and the seagull’s song softly transform into a synthesized melody.
Gad explores an impressive array of emotions with a heavy emphasis on beats and bass levels. Piano, synth textures, and Gad’s soulful riffing on electric guitar all gradually fade in and out and back in again, forming a foundation over which they all take turns with equal importance. Le Spa Sonique straddles the line between meditative journey music and chill-out party music. These songs are as perfect for falling asleep as they are for getting your groove on, but that’s what Gad does best, creates the atmosphere in which to do both.
The use of voice effectively enhances the experience throughout Le Spa Sonique, adding a sense of temporal location, guidance, and deepening mystery, as in the case of "Navajo," where an old man talks of the blues, while in "El Momento" a woman speaks soothing Spanish. Voices flow above and beneath Gad's steady current of alternating synth tones, piano, and guitar, all set to slow and steady rainy-day beats that freshen the spirit and body like a spa massage where the masseuse is saying something to you, but you're so relaxed they sound very far away. Le Spa Sonique works precisely the way it’s named and makes a great background to yoga or meditation under a sunny window, or sun lamp, with a little coconut oil in your hair to create the full island sensory effect. Gad helps you open the doors on your inner cabin to let in some of that breezy morning island air; and after all, if your senses think you are there, there you are. And as for Gad, he proves he can qu! it his day job any time if he wants to spend the rest of his life making peaceful music in the Spanish sun.
February 12, 2010
Inspiration in Observation
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
The conversations you take part in today may seem more amusing and engaging than usual. You may be more aware of your surroundings, people’s feelings, and worldly matters, and thus able to deftly put your thoughts and feelings into words. Since you are likely feeling alert and energetic, you may derive great pleasure from simply observing the world around you. That which you see and hear can prompt you to seek out individuals you find interesting in order to tell them of your observations. You may find that your partners in dialogue are eager to hear what you have to say and equally driven to converse. As you study the people, places, and objects that play a part in your life today, you will likely experience a newfound clarity and nimbleness of thought.
Cultivating conscious awareness within yourself is the easiest way to exercise your mental agility and stimulate the formation of new ideas. Many people move through life without taking an interest in their surroundings, habitually moving from one task to the next. When you endeavor to actively observe your environment or devote the entirety of your attention to the duty at hand, you’ll notice the exquisiteness in seemingly inconsequential details. Sensory stimulus you might otherwise have ignored will delight your senses and arouse your innate creativity. Life itself will make you think, inspiring you to ask questions and express your curiosity openly. You’ll feel exceptionally thoughtful and expressive today when you make a conscious effort to explore the intricacies of your world.
February 12, 2010
Our Evolving Language
Healing Past Hurt
Choose to be more conscious of the words and phrases you use in everyday life as words have power.
There are many troubling phrases in our language that we use without considering their full meaning simply because they have been accepted into common knowledge. Even as our ideals progress, our language maintains some phrases from our past that no longer serve us, for example: Boys don’t cry; good child; boys will be boys; problem child; illegitimate child; and many more. While these phrases may be used without harmful intent, they are inherently negative. Children can be especially sensitive to such phrases, which may stay with them their whole lives, adversely affecting their self-image and wounding their self-esteem. We can create positive change by choosing not to use these words and phrases as we come across them in our vocabulary.
It is challenging to examine our habits in terms of the words we use to express ourselves, but it is also exciting. Language is an area where we can exercise our free will, creating positive change in the world around us by simply choosing carefully the words we use. It may seem like a small thing, but our words have a rippling effect, like a stone thrown in a pond. People naturally pick up on the way other people speak, consciously or unconsciously changing the way they speak in response. We don’t need to actively try to influence people; it happens without our even thinking about it. All we have to do is choose to be more conscious ourselves, putting to rest words and phrases that are outmoded, insensitive, or harmful. We can also exercise our creativity by creating new phrases that carry positive and loving energy to replace the old ones.
You may already have some ideas about phrases you’d like to transition out of your language, and now that you’re thinking about it you may come across many more. As you consciously decide not to use these phrases, you may feel lighter and more joyful, knowing that you have chosen to drop baggage that was handed down to you from a less conscious time. As you do so, you elevate the language for future generations who would no doubt thank you if they could.
February 12, 2010
Shaman's Healing, Botanical Sachets, and Healing Trauma
Gift Of The Week
Shaman's Healing (CD) - Shamanism is a worldwide practice, especially frequent in South America and parts of Asia, where a shaman acts as an intermediary between the physical and spirit world, promoting harmony and balance. Often shamans are sought out to cure ailments using a more otherworldly approach. Shamans’ Healing is a flute-based album created with the intent of aiding self-healing, though from an inner psychological perspective. The healing nature of this album makes it appropriate for any healing practice, from positive thinking to yoga.
Listen To Sound Clips
Wildcrafted Botanical Sachets - Reconnect with nature with our Wild-Crafted Botanical Sachets. Each organic cotton drawstring bag contains 4 ounces of botanicals. Suggested uses for your sachets: put sachet sack in your clothes drawer or closet, stuff into your pillowcase for sweet dreams, keep a sachet on your desk and squeeze to release the scent, or pour botanicals into a bowl to fill your room with the scent of nature.This is aromatherapy at its’ finest, pure nature in a bag.
View Wildcrafted Botanical Sachets
Healing Trauma (book) - Trauma is a fact of life, teaches Peter Levine, but it doesn't have to be a life sentence. Now, with one fully integrated self-healing tool, he shares his essential methods to address unexplained symptoms of trauma at their source the body to return us to the natural state we are meant to live in. His evocative ideas, so simple one wonders why they have never been grasped before, show how traumas should be addressed and healed.
Read Excerpt
For more information visit DailyOM Gift Shop
Le Spa Sonique
Jens Gad
2006
Best known for his work as guitarist and coproducer for Enigma, Jens Gad goes solo for his 2006 Le Spa Sonique, taking Enigma's atmospheric dance-floor grooves one step further into the realm of soothing New Age. Recorded and produced at Gad’s studio on the Spanish island of Ibiza, Le Spa Sonique is rich with acoustic and electronic instrumentation, as well as the hypnotic accompaniment of ephemeral female vocals. Preserving a natural flow, ocean waves connect the tracks and sometimes influence them, as in "The Orbiting Suns," where Gad beckons his listeners on a calming walk down the Ibiza coast to watch the wet sand glisten and the seagull’s song softly transform into a synthesized melody.
Gad explores an impressive array of emotions with a heavy emphasis on beats and bass levels. Piano, synth textures, and Gad’s soulful riffing on electric guitar all gradually fade in and out and back in again, forming a foundation over which they all take turns with equal importance. Le Spa Sonique straddles the line between meditative journey music and chill-out party music. These songs are as perfect for falling asleep as they are for getting your groove on, but that’s what Gad does best, creates the atmosphere in which to do both.
The use of voice effectively enhances the experience throughout Le Spa Sonique, adding a sense of temporal location, guidance, and deepening mystery, as in the case of "Navajo," where an old man talks of the blues, while in "El Momento" a woman speaks soothing Spanish. Voices flow above and beneath Gad's steady current of alternating synth tones, piano, and guitar, all set to slow and steady rainy-day beats that freshen the spirit and body like a spa massage where the masseuse is saying something to you, but you're so relaxed they sound very far away. Le Spa Sonique works precisely the way it’s named and makes a great background to yoga or meditation under a sunny window, or sun lamp, with a little coconut oil in your hair to create the full island sensory effect. Gad helps you open the doors on your inner cabin to let in some of that breezy morning island air; and after all, if your senses think you are there, there you are. And as for Gad, he proves he can qu! it his day job any time if he wants to spend the rest of his life making peaceful music in the Spanish sun.
February 12, 2010
Inspiration in Observation
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
The conversations you take part in today may seem more amusing and engaging than usual. You may be more aware of your surroundings, people’s feelings, and worldly matters, and thus able to deftly put your thoughts and feelings into words. Since you are likely feeling alert and energetic, you may derive great pleasure from simply observing the world around you. That which you see and hear can prompt you to seek out individuals you find interesting in order to tell them of your observations. You may find that your partners in dialogue are eager to hear what you have to say and equally driven to converse. As you study the people, places, and objects that play a part in your life today, you will likely experience a newfound clarity and nimbleness of thought.
Cultivating conscious awareness within yourself is the easiest way to exercise your mental agility and stimulate the formation of new ideas. Many people move through life without taking an interest in their surroundings, habitually moving from one task to the next. When you endeavor to actively observe your environment or devote the entirety of your attention to the duty at hand, you’ll notice the exquisiteness in seemingly inconsequential details. Sensory stimulus you might otherwise have ignored will delight your senses and arouse your innate creativity. Life itself will make you think, inspiring you to ask questions and express your curiosity openly. You’ll feel exceptionally thoughtful and expressive today when you make a conscious effort to explore the intricacies of your world.
February 12, 2010
Our Evolving Language
Healing Past Hurt
Choose to be more conscious of the words and phrases you use in everyday life as words have power.
There are many troubling phrases in our language that we use without considering their full meaning simply because they have been accepted into common knowledge. Even as our ideals progress, our language maintains some phrases from our past that no longer serve us, for example: Boys don’t cry; good child; boys will be boys; problem child; illegitimate child; and many more. While these phrases may be used without harmful intent, they are inherently negative. Children can be especially sensitive to such phrases, which may stay with them their whole lives, adversely affecting their self-image and wounding their self-esteem. We can create positive change by choosing not to use these words and phrases as we come across them in our vocabulary.
It is challenging to examine our habits in terms of the words we use to express ourselves, but it is also exciting. Language is an area where we can exercise our free will, creating positive change in the world around us by simply choosing carefully the words we use. It may seem like a small thing, but our words have a rippling effect, like a stone thrown in a pond. People naturally pick up on the way other people speak, consciously or unconsciously changing the way they speak in response. We don’t need to actively try to influence people; it happens without our even thinking about it. All we have to do is choose to be more conscious ourselves, putting to rest words and phrases that are outmoded, insensitive, or harmful. We can also exercise our creativity by creating new phrases that carry positive and loving energy to replace the old ones.
You may already have some ideas about phrases you’d like to transition out of your language, and now that you’re thinking about it you may come across many more. As you consciously decide not to use these phrases, you may feel lighter and more joyful, knowing that you have chosen to drop baggage that was handed down to you from a less conscious time. As you do so, you elevate the language for future generations who would no doubt thank you if they could.
February 12, 2010
Shaman's Healing, Botanical Sachets, and Healing Trauma
Gift Of The Week
Shaman's Healing (CD) - Shamanism is a worldwide practice, especially frequent in South America and parts of Asia, where a shaman acts as an intermediary between the physical and spirit world, promoting harmony and balance. Often shamans are sought out to cure ailments using a more otherworldly approach. Shamans’ Healing is a flute-based album created with the intent of aiding self-healing, though from an inner psychological perspective. The healing nature of this album makes it appropriate for any healing practice, from positive thinking to yoga.
Listen To Sound Clips
Wildcrafted Botanical Sachets - Reconnect with nature with our Wild-Crafted Botanical Sachets. Each organic cotton drawstring bag contains 4 ounces of botanicals. Suggested uses for your sachets: put sachet sack in your clothes drawer or closet, stuff into your pillowcase for sweet dreams, keep a sachet on your desk and squeeze to release the scent, or pour botanicals into a bowl to fill your room with the scent of nature.This is aromatherapy at its’ finest, pure nature in a bag.
View Wildcrafted Botanical Sachets
Healing Trauma (book) - Trauma is a fact of life, teaches Peter Levine, but it doesn't have to be a life sentence. Now, with one fully integrated self-healing tool, he shares his essential methods to address unexplained symptoms of trauma at their source the body to return us to the natural state we are meant to live in. His evocative ideas, so simple one wonders why they have never been grasped before, show how traumas should be addressed and healed.
Read Excerpt
For more information visit DailyOM Gift Shop