All articles, tagged with “peace”

Do you have trouble getting to sleep?

We keep hearing from people that lack of rest is one of life’s major disruptions. So, we decided to create a guided meditation that can give sleep assistance to others.

The video process incorporates simple techniques to relax the body and mind. In addition, you’ll bring your waking hours to a close with appreciation for your life and the events of the day while releasing any racing thoughts.

You may close your eyes at any time during this guided meditation and just listen to the audio.

When you finish the video and get into bed, you may continue to use the technique in which you imagine writing down your thoughts and setting them into the river. Or, you may just follow your breathing in and out as you drift off to sleep.

Please remove all distractions from the area where you watch this video to experience the full benefit.

There is also an audio-only version of this video on the Creative Mentor page of our website.

Sweet dreams :)

I’ve always liked this timeless quote by Lao Tzu:

“Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.”

It’s a great gift to give peace to others. It’s become one of my dominant intentions. What about you?

I’m not sure about New Year’s resolutions, but if I have one for this year, I think that quote embodies the essence of how I wish to live life in 2012 and beyond.

As I write this post, I’m sitting in our travel trailer following a week long vacation to Florida’s west coast. The two of us had a wonderful time with our cats in the warm weather at the beach. We took photos, shot video, read books, watched sunrises and sunsets while enjoying moments of blissful leisure.

It’s easy to experience internal peace under such external circumstances.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

I’m happy (and somewhat surprised) to say that I still feel peaceful even though yesterday took an unusual turn for us. We were driving though Orlando, Florida on our way home when our “check engine” light came on. After consulting the manual, we decided to find a nearby dealership and get the code checked.

The diagnosis was surprisingly pessimistic. We were told that our transmission would fail and that we may or may not make it home to Ohio.

Guess what? it failed…20 minutes before we arrived at our destination in South Carolina on pitch black roads on New Year’s Eve. With an overheating van, erratic shifting and not much around, it was easy to feel stressed.

We hobbled to our destination and managed to hook up the trailer when it dawned on us that we weren’t sure how to get home or when we will be able to do so.

The odd thing is that we felt a certain sense of calm. We suddenly had no idea what we would do on New Year’s Day and there was a certain freedom to that realization. No car dealerships or repair places are open on a New Year’s Day that is a Sunday, so we were “carte blanche” (blank slate) for the first time in many years.

When is the last time you had a day in which you were totally unsure about how it would unfold? Does that make you nervous or does that seem appealing? How many of us would choose such a day?

We didn’t choose it, but it has really opened my eyes to a new perspective. I’m an improviser who began learning how to create spontaneous jazz piano solos around the age of 12. But, I’ve come to realize that improvisation in the creative practice does not always lead to improvisation in day to day living.

I think the peace I feel right now comes from the fact that there was no plan and total surrender today. This was a big lesson and I plan to employ that wisdom.

I felt compelled to share this story, perhaps to inspire others to consider ways to experience internal peace regardless of external circumstances.

Peace and joy to you in 2012!

Our latest multimedia innovation is designed to help people perform music with confidence. Most people who play or sing music wish to express themselves fully to others through this universal form of communication.

However, many people worry about being judged, compare themselves to others, and get anxious about making mistakes while delivering their musical message. Their focus turns away from the joy of expression to the fear of performing and being vulnerable.

A simple guided process, this brand new video was created to give both amateur and professional performers:

1. self-acceptance
2. self-confidence
3. freedom of expression
4. the idea that music is a universal language of connection
5. tools for mental preparation

For full instructions on how to use the video, go to the video’s page on YouTube and look at the description below the video.

As performers, Candice and I have used all of these techniques and experienced fantastic results. We also teach these concepts to our students. But, this is the first time we’ve organized the system in such a comprehensive, yet concise package.

If you know anyone who would like to be more peaceful and expressive while performing, feel free to share this video with them.

This video is the first installment in our brand new series entitled, GC Meditation Series. Upcoming videos will address topics like sleeplessness, goal attainment, public speaking, appreciation, exercise and health, abundance and forming an effective practice habit.

Recently, we got a private tour of a tranquil little spot in Northeast Ohio. “Stebbins Gulch” is part of Holden Arboretum.

This newest Water Film provides you with an experience of this amazingly peaceful slice of nature.

If you enjoy the soundtrack for this film you can download it here.

Press play and enjoy!

You can also watch it on YouTube in HD.

Our Water Films DVD, with over 2.5 hours of content, is also available on Amazon.

Kananaskis Country is just outside Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The peace, quiet and grandeur of the area inspire awe and a deep sense of calm.

This new Water Film also features music inspired by the lakes.

If you enjoy the soundtrack for this film you can download it here.

Press play and enjoy!

You can also watch it on YouTube in HD.

If you wish to purchase Water Films on DVD, they are available on Amazon.

We visited Mohican Wilderness and were pleasantly surprised to find such a peaceful spot in the middle of Ohio!

Also, if you’re as into mountain biking as me, this place is for you. There are 25 miles of trail, mostly singletrack with lots of technical challenge. All of it is located right next to some wonderful campgrounds for easy access. We sat around a campfire at the end of the day — a wonderful way to connect with the feel and sound of the outdoors while engaging in relaxed conversation.

As always, we stumbled upon some peaceful spots during our visit. Here are some images from the Mohican River and the Clear Fork of the Mohican. Seeing a covered bridge really takes one back in time.

We’re excited to announce that “Water FIlms” are now available on DVD! This two-DVD set contains over 2.5 hours of relaxing and inspiring content.

The first DVD, “Creative Inspiration,” provides a calm and focused atmosphere that’s conducive for creativity, performance or a calm, focused start to your day. “Peaceful Contemplation,” the second DVD, allows you to meditate with your eyes gently scanning tranquil yet spectacular images of nature from all over North America.

Whole Foods Cedar Center already has copies available, but you can also get the DVD at Amazon and CDBaby.

Here’s the promotional video for the DVD set . . .

You can also watch it directly on YouTube.

Peace.

So, last week I had no speaking voice for about three days. It happened quite suddenly as I went from baritone, to bass to whisper — within a matter of hours, actually.

For the last three months, I’ve been thinking about instituting an hour of silence into each day. Little did I realize that I would get the opportunity to try silence for 6-7 hours, two days in a row!

I must tell you, it was amazing. Have you ever tried it?

My thinking became so clear during the time that I wasn’t talking. I also had a ton of creative ideas that seemed to come from a totally new place within me.

Candice and I practice meditation every day, but this was different. Being quiet in the middle of the waking day presents new ways to look at your world. Most of us probably know this already, but to actually experience it is quite a different matter.

If you’re feeling stressed about world events, having a creativity block or needing to get a new perspective, try silence for just a few hours and see what comes to you.

I plan on putting silence into my daily routine because it’s so refreshing.

I leave you with two items today.

First of all, our friend, Dianne Little wrote a really nice tribute about us on her blog at HawaiianLife.com in honor of my birthday this week. We are very appreciative of her kind words!

In addition, here’s a photo from the incredible “Purple Reign” orchid show at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

More photos of the orchid show are on our Facebook page: GC Creative Studio

We just got back from a beautiful wintertime visit to the Canadian Rockies. The stunning natural beauty of that landscape is awe-inspiring in every season.

Check out this Water Film which was shot in the Bow Valley near Banff National Park. The solitude and beauty of the Bow River can give you peace whenever you desire.

The soundtrack for this film is called “Cold Valley,” which can be downloaded here.

Press play and enjoy!

You can also watch it on YouTube.

We’re just weeks away from the release of our Water Films DVD, so people can take these inspiring natural journeys wherever they like and watch the videos in full HD.

Right behind the place where we stay near Canmore, Alberta is a trail that leads to the Bow River. At any time of year this wonderful walk inspires a sense of awe and peace.