A soulful summer re-TREAT in Upcountry Maui.Love is Awareness is Beauty is Truth!
It’s all the same trip.
It all leads to the same place.
– Ram Dass, Be Here Now
What do you get when you combine one of the most angelic voices on the planet with one of its most revered spiritual elders, then blend in the Hawaiian traditions and song of one of Maui’s best-known kumus and the brilliant yoga of one of its most popular teachers—and then, just for fun, spice it up with the exotic rhythms of a world-class tabla player? Why, you would get a “bhakti blast,” of course (bhakti means “devotion” in Sanscrit), a sumptuous holistic feast on a mid-summer weekend that promises to be memorable for its aloha spirit, world music, delicious healthy food, playful yoga and practical insights into the art of living. Expect the best of times: peaceful easy feelings and good vibes, Maui style. On Friday, Aug. 22 through Sunday, Aug. 24, there will be an Upcountry re-TREAT (with distinct emphasis on “TREAT”) and you are invited! A modest cover charge of $40 for a one-day pass, or $108 for the entire weekend, will get you ono vegetarian food plus an “all-you-can-eat” smorgasbord of intriguing sacred arts events. If you’ve ever doubted that you can feed your brain by basking contentedly in the spirit of love, or that real learning can take place in the context of belly-rockin’ fun, this unique event at The Studio Maui could be your ticket.
Welcome to the “School of Soft Knocks,” whose faculty includes septagenarian Ram Dass, a Maui resident since 2004. As Harvard Professor Richard Alpert, PhD, he (along with his legendary colleague Timothy Leary) rocked the youth culture of the 1960s. His insightful book, Be Here Now, helped to repattern the consciousness of an entire generation. To this day, the expression “Be Here Now!” is among the most familiar mantras of New Age spirituality.
Ram Dass (the name was selected by his spiritual master Neem Karoli Baba and means “servant of God”) advocates service to others as an ideal path for living a good and meaningful life. Now a white-haired kupuna with a knowing twinkle in his eye, Ram Dass speaks from his vast life experience about joyous aging and the conscious, compassionate caretaking of the dying.
Also on board is Lei‘ohu Ryder, a contemporary Hawaiian shaman who is deeply respected for “walking her talk.” In her role as spiritual leader, educator, composer and performer, Lei‘ohu helps transcend the boundaries of race, gender and culture and is a powerful advocate for honoring “the indigenous mind” in everyone. A Friday night concert will feature Lei‘ohu and her ‘Ohana Band, an eclectic group of musicians who invoke Mother Earth and Father Sky by playing music inspired by the stars, wind, rain and the ocean.
The re-TREAT also offers a unique style of yoga that sees each individual as a dynamic work of art-in-progress. Master teacher Marc St. Pierre, who currently teaches this anusara (“flow of grace”) yoga at several Maui locations, will offer all-level classes, with beginners most welcome. Music, too, can have remarkable healing powers. In his recent book, Tales of Music and the Brain, neurologist Oliver Sacks reveals that advanced cases of Alzheimers can be “reached” by rhythm and melody. Not wanting to miss a beat, apparently, the weekend will offer musical treats that promise to engage listeners to the depths of their souls.
This summer “weekend of love” offers a dynamic immersion into art and healing that will tickle your funny bone and polish your awakening soul. It will be a mind-body-spirit experience that aims to entertain and enlighten you: Tom Mulhern, a volunteer at the event, said that you’ll find a unique synergy there, a cultural blend-of-the-heart unlike anything else on Maui.
A Hawaiian expression, “Kulia I ka nu‘u,” reminds us that, gifted with precious human life, we’re not to waste time but rather to “go for it”—and offer our ‘ohana the fullest expression of our unique selves. Kind of like Nike, but with a new twist: Just do it… boldly and with unique flair, for the good of all!
For more information, contact The Studio Maui at 575-9390 or www.thestudiomaui.com.