Buddy Comfort: News

The summer solstice is here and the days are long and glorious. Thank you!

Working on a new recording at Bear Studios near Santa Cruz. Have some basic tracks (guitar, piano and voice) laid down of “All Go Together”, “No Greater Gift”, “Illusion”, “Be in the Present”, a piano solo from 2005 on a Hamburg Steinway, and some great solo zither (angel harp).

I’ve been going through the archives of old tapes and discovered a concert at the Network Coffee House, “The Unicorn Concert” in San Francisco in 1978. With Shawkie Roth on alto sax and Steve Coughlin on soprano sax and clarinet, plus David Fromer on guitar and vocal harmonies. These are songs that have never been released. I’ve converted them to digital and will make them available on a compilation archive album and as free downloads (more later).

I’m inviting some fabtastic local musicians here in Santa Cruz to come into the studio with me. I’m excited about offering some new (and old) music for everyone. It’s the beginning stages and I know it will be great. Will keep you updated.

New features on the website: I've started a blog and am talking about sound and silence in the context of sound healing. You are invited to share your thoughts.

There is also a new "Lyrics" page to see and copy lyrics of the songs on "Brother Sun Sister Moon" and upcoming recordings.

Let me know what you think. Would love to hear from you.

Blessings,

Buddy

Spring with its glorious sunshine and warm days are intermingled with the last days of winter’s cold wind and showers. The air is sweet with acacia, wild lilac, broom and plum blossoms. All the hills are a lush green and the meadows are sprinkled and carpeted with golden, pink and blue and purple flowers. Trees are bursting forth with new leaf buds, and the doves and mockingbirds are building nests in the mimosa trees. I am grateful and happy to be alive. My heart is filled with joy and love. My body is healing with so much help and love from an amazing healer and Gi Gung Teacher, ShuLei Tong, in Santa Cruz, CA.

I had had constant pain in my shoulders for over a year. I went to the chiropractor who could only give me temporary relief with an adjustment. One night the pain was so excruciating that I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with tendonitis given pain pills and sent home. I had very little mobility in both shoulders and arms and my posture was becoming more and more hunched over and contracted. I was becoming depressed from the pain, lethargic, overweight and addicted to sugar. I was in too much pain to play my guitar and my singing voice was constricted.

On my first visit to ShuLei I experienced over 80% relief from the pain in my shoulders. and an increased mobility. She was able to locate the causes that other practitioners had not been able to assess. She is a master at finding the true root causes of maladies in the body and knowing what corrective restorative techniques to use from her vast experience and unique synthesis of ancient and advanced healing modalities. On subsequent visits she identified other areas relating to post surgical trauma in my neck and an old injury in the sacroiliac area. She also helped me release a congested area in my diaphragm and related spinal connections. She also recommended the appropriate nutritional supplements to compliment her treatments and the healing process.

I have had two follow-up sessions. And in only two months I am now pain free standing straight, losing weight, lost my craving for sugar and have an abundance of energy.

ShuLei Tong’s treatments enabled me to continue playing my instruments pain free and opened up my singing voice again.

I highly recommend ShuLei Healing Arts to any one.

www.ShuLeiHealingArts.com

We've had a good week or two of groundwater-aquafer replenishing and soaking rain for plant growth now and hopefully later through the dry summer. Still catching up from several years of drought and less than normal rainfall here on the Central Coast of California.
The waves have been high and the younger harbor seals have had to swim harder through the windy storms. You can see their snouts peeking up through the surface of the bay as they catch their breath and search for land upon which to rest for awhile. They are fun to watch as they scoot up to sleep with their families on the protected beach. They effort more on land than in their element of fluid with which they merge so easily.
Lots of herring gulls, western gulls, Herman's gulls, and Brandt's cormorants along the shore now. Brown pelicans in loose chevrons glide majestically just above the waves, great and snowy egrets stand on the lofty kelp canopy in their Zen stillness watching for a meal. Also observed the occasional sea otter rolling and floating while feasting. (saw a raft of around 30 of them at Elkhorn Slough last week).

Watched the 3-D version of AVATAR recently and was drawn into its beauty and harmonious flow. This film describes very well the inextricably connected web of Spirit and all life in the universe. This in juxtaposition to the greedy bully military- corporate machine that invades a planet to grab/steal the resources of others while destroying and dehumanizing noble life to rationalize what they do.
And then, when the life they are destroying fights back to defend itself and what they hold dear, they are labeled "insurgents" by the invader.
Then the invader sees itelf as the "victim" and postures that it doesn't understand why it should be "hated" so by the ones it invaded.
(Sounds familiar - who invaded the Native Americans to steal all, and most recently the Middle East to steal their oil?)

Sending prayers for peace, grace, healing and harmony among all life.

As we approach the shortest day and longest night of the year we again light candles to remind us of the light that is always inside and around us.
The patch of warm sunny days and cold nights has left the coast for now.
Looking for more rain in another dry year.

Walked in an old growth pine forest at about 1000 feet above the Monterey Bay with bird soaring vistas and sat with a grandfather/grandmother tree and was shown some sorrow in my heart that surfaced in tears and was released in gratitude.

Prayers for peace on earth this season and always.

Was the soloist Sunday morning, at the Center for Spiritual Living in Monterey, and Rev. Liz Mirante’s inspiring talk was "Kindness is my Religion" with an emphasis on the Golden Rule. I sang the Prayer of St. Francis and was reminded to live life in service to others, for therein lies the way to our own happiness and a world lifted from anger, resentment and injustice.

She introduced us to the Charter for Compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical, and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equality and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and emphatically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others – even our enemies – is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women - to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion – to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate – to insure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures – to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity – to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings, even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

Gave a concert for the 42nd Anniversary Party of Del Mesa retirement community in Carmel. Performed mostly original songs, including ‘Unicorn’, ‘Moon Over Hanalei’, "Galadriel’, ‘No Greater Gift, on guitar with Laurel Thomsen accompanying me on violin and viola. Sang and played guitar, piano, hurdy gurdy, and zither (angel harp). We also performed some Celtic fiddle tunes, 'King of the Fairies' and ‘Si Beg Si Mohr’, also 'The Bonnie Banks of Doon' and ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ (hurdy gurdy and violin). And some popular favorites “Wind Beneath My Wings”, and “The Rose”.

It was a very warm, appreciative and discerning audience. A pleasure.

Fall Has Made Itself Known. It appeared suddenly with a little rain at night and a drop in temperature on that foggy day. It left as suddenly leaving an echo as it left "I'll be back". And then it is the glorious sunny time of September here along the coast.

Irises, daisies, cosmos and golden dandelions bloom all around my little home.
The air is fresh with the ocean breezes as the sun burns off the morning fog.

I am working on funding proposals for the next three albums. I'm deeply immersed in listening to creative guidance about how to assemble the collections of songs already born and waiting to be recorded and shared with all of you. I have been blessed with supporting and inspirational angels and golden hearts who have heard the music and know it must be shared. As I balance the need for patience and the need to take action to allow these projects to come to fruition.
Blessings to all.

The acacias, narcissus and daffodils are blooming. Robins and doves have returned to the trees outside my window. Arctic winter air and tropical spring air share the same day with showers and sunlight. The days are getting longer and I'm feeling more life within me as I come out of hibernation. I look forward to sharing more music with you.

I'll be the guest soloist at Unity Temple of Santa Cruz. The service is at 10 AM .

Unity Temple is located on Broadway near the intersection of Ocean.

There will be a special opening celebration of the only sanctioned replica of the Porziuncola (small chapel that St. Francis rebuilt in Assisi Italy in the 13th century) at the National Shrine of St. Francis in San Francisco (North Beach) September 26th-28th, 2008.

I will be singing there on Saturday, Sept. 27th. More details later.

to find out more: www.shrinerenewal.org

On Sunday, October 28th, I'll be the guest soloist at Unity Temple of Santa Cruz. The service is at 10 AM with Rev. Kathy McCall.

Unity Temple is located on Broadway near the intersection of Ocean.

Listening to tapes of performances and rehearsals and studio takes of myself on solo piano, hurdy gurdy, zither, and guitar - new songs as well as old songs never released. Looks like about 6 CDs worth of material, needing more studio time. Looking to find funding for this project and incorporate some masters already started, as well as recordings of some live performances spanning 25 years or so (Zellerbach Auditorium, Masonic Auditorium, Palace of Fine Arts, Grace Cathedral, Berkeley Greek Theater, Mt. Tam Amphitheater). Also some great songs from my out-of- print first album that was on the Hearts of Space label. Will include some cosmic folk songs that would have been hits in the 1600's, as well as some more contemporary reflective personal songs and chants about connecting with Spirit that I've shared with many people over the years. I'm getting excited about the project. In preliminary stages now. Will keep you posted.

Blessings,

Buddy

I'm walking the sunset beaches and searching for answers. Saw a brilliant
sunset last night (Christmas eve) and dolphins jumping from the water near the shore. The crimson and lavender sky lit up the sweeping angel winged
clouds and a cluster of small cloud puffs that were in the shape of a
smiling whale. To the south of the smile was the faint silver curve of a
new moon.

Sending all greetings for a good solstice and prayers for a healthy, joyful, loving, peaceful, and
abundant Christmas and new year.

I'm currently living in the Carmel, CA area and marveling at the fine white sand of the beaches and the abundance of wildlife deeper in Carmel Valley. I've seen a wild boar, a badger, foxes, bobcats, coyote, rabbits, raccoons, deer, quail with their babies dashing across the road, wild turkey with their young ones, acorn woodpeckers, magpies, hawks, opossum, a peacock, pelicans both brown and white, many types of gulls, cormorants, sea lions, sea otters, Orcas and more. I've heard great horned owls and the past few nights a very melodic owl of unknown name outside my window. I found the owl's small feather on the path outside my door.
This is a vast marine and wildlife sanctuary, which is a legacy for future generations if it's protected.
I'm just starting to explore the beauty and subtle treasures here.

More later.

Buddy

On Sunday, August 6th, I'll again be the guest soloist at Unity Temple of Santa Cruz. The service is at 10 AM with Rev. Kathy McCall who will speak about imagination and creativity.

I'll also be performing in concert there at 7:15 pm. after the pot luck dinner which starts around 6 pm.
They have a great piano and I'll have my hurdy gurdy with me, to share some familiar and recently penned songs.

Unity Temple is located on Broadway near the intersection of Ocean.

Love to see you all there.

On Sunday, July 2nd,
I'll be returning as soloist to Unity Temple of Santa Cruz. The service is at 10 AM with guest speaker, Jeremy Taylor, who is an expert on dreams. The title of his talk is "Healing Dreams".

Unity Temple is located on Broadway near the intersection of Ocean.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

On Sunday, June 25th I'll be returning as guest soloist to Pacific Coast Church in Pacific Grove. The service is at 10 AM with Dr. Bill Little. I always enjoy his talks.

Location:
522 Central Ave.
Telephone:
(831) 372-1942
www.pacificcoastchurchpg.org
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Met some nice folks at Unity Temple last Sunday.

Rev. Kathy's message was centered on St. Francis' Prayer, known as the "Simple Prayer".

"Lord make me an instrument of they peace.
Where here is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Oh, Divine Master grant that I may not
So much seek to be consoled, as to console.
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved, as to love.
For it’s in giving that we receive.
It’s in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it’s in dying that we are born into eternal life."

Good concepts to be mindful of and to take to heart.

I’ve been invited to come back to sing on Sunday morning later in the summer and also do a concert.

Look for the date in the calendar.

On Sunday, May 21st I'll be the guest soloist at Unity Temple of Santa Cruz. The service is at 10 AM with Rev. Kathy McCall.

Unity Temple is located on Broadway near the intersection of Ocean.

Looking forward to singing songs from "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" and seeing you there.

I serendipitously was able to participate in Helen Jerene Malcom's amazing Vision Painting workshop during the month of March. I made some new friends and was able to explore another side of my creativity that had been relegated to drawing doodles since a few art classes as a child.
She guided us to become as a child and just explore colors and brush strokes without judgement.
The level and content of the paintings by the group was awe-inspiring. Each person brought their unique being to the visual expression. We displayed our work at a show at the end of the month for the staff and guests and got some great feed back. I hope to take pictures and post them here at a later date.
I had a great time and am grateful for the gift.

www.bigsurartist.com

I will be participating as a work scholar in a month long workshop with Charlie Bloom, "a journey into the province of the soul".
Looking forward to being in the beauty and nature of Esalen that holds the space for deep insights and growth.
May you all stay healthy and follow your truth and passion. www.Esalen.org.

Was in a New Year meditation retreat at the Assisi Centro Ritiri with a group of beautiful souls from Germany, Austria, Denmark and the US.
There was lots of time for quiet reflection and gathering insights.
I played songs and we visted many powerful sacred sites including the tombs of St. Francis and St. Claire. Also the large Cathedral (Santa Maria of the Angels) that contains the site of the little chapel and community St. Francis created and the place where he left his body from this life.(the Porziuncola and Chapel of the Transito).

From the retreat came this prayer:

Peace in my heart.
Peace in all hearts.
Peace in all Families.
Peace in all Communities.
Peace in all Countries.
Peace on the Earth.

Forgiveness in my heart...
Love in my heart...
Compassion in my heart...
Light in my heart...
Joy in my heart...
(you choose ...)

There is still snow on the top of Mt. Subasio and the sun is out today.

Preparing to return to California.

Blessings,
Buddy

Dear Friends,

Sending you Greetings of Peace from Assisi Italy, the home of St. Francis.

I’ve been here for several months playing music for deeply seeking and receptive folks at retreats and concerts.

Just had a great intimate house concert last Wednesday evening.

I’m enjoying the aesthetic sensibility and how the Italians embrace and live from the centering place of the family. I have met some very perceptive and openhearted people from all over the world. I am grateful for having the opportunity to share my music with such good souls.

i'm really excited about my new website. It’s still being refined. CD Baby is the best!

My CD, "Brother Sun Sister Moon", is quite popular here, and is available if you would like to give some as gifts. If you want to order just email me at buddy@buddycomfort.com or look at the products page.

Wishing you many blessings in your life.

Buddy Comfort