Spirituality Matters by Steven Libowitz “Spirituality Matters” highlights two or three Santa Barbara area spiritual gatherings. Unusual themes and events with that something extra, especially newer ones looking for a boost in attendance, receive special attention. For consideration for inclusion in this column, email slibowitz@yahoo.com.
The Journey Kin-tinues with your Big Voice Isaac and Thorald Koren present “An Evening of Music & Transformation” at Unity of Santa Barbara on Friday, February 15 (photo by Steven Libowitz)
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rothers Isaac and Thorald Koren experienced the glitter and glory of the pop music world shortly after they left their Australian home for the promise of America. As The Kin, they signed with Interscope/Universal Records, had a Gold Record, toured arenas with Coldplay, Pink, and Rod Stewart, performed on Conan, and had their songs appear in major movie soundtracks. But they tired of not feeling fully expressed via chasing approval, listening to industry execs, and letting others define their values. So after 15 years they left for their own path of discovery, first forming a production-songwriting team, and more recently developing The Songwriter’s Journey, where they lend their talent to supporting others in finding and expressing their true voice and authentic nature in music. Their latest venture is called Your Big Voice, an in-depth online course for personal development. “Standing in front of people as our [performances] were adored got really old,” Thorald explained after reorganizing into a circle a roomful of people at the recent Santa Barbara Consciousness Network third anniversary party, and coaxing them to join in a call-and-response refrain. “What never gets old is being with people and their own distinct, amazing instruments of expression.” That’s the impetus behind the Brothers Koren’s SBCN-sponsored event next Friday, February 15, at Unity of Santa Barbara. Billed as “An Evening of Music and Transformation,” the event begins with a mini-workshop aimed to offer an experience of the Brothers Koren’s practical guide to reclaiming your unique story, fully embodying your distinct voice and having an embodied experience of how truly musical all of us are. “It’s a taste of what we do, an intro7 – 14 February 2019
duction into understanding how to quiet the small voices in our heads – the ones that say not to do things, like sing in public – in order to discover your big voice,” Isaac Koren explained. The mini-workshop will be followed by a 90-minute concert featuring songs from The Kin catalog and their more recent project The Brave. The “interactive musical experience” will find the Brothers Koren joined by special guests including Monique DeBose, a graduate of The Songwriter’s Journey who performs a solo jazz show in Los Angeles, and other alumni of the program. The workshop and concert are open to all. “We’ve worked with everyone from professional singers who are hoping to get a record deal to a 65-year-old woman who had always been told she can’t sing,” Thorald said. “We want to reach people with voices that feel unheard, and help you find the music that’s stuck inside, whether it’s about the music itself or integrating your voice in your life. But there’s no expectation other than the journey itself.” Tickets for the 6-8:30 pm event are $20. Visit tbk.eventbrite.com
Buddhism and Patriarchy
cidentally takes place on Valentine’s Day, next Thursday, February 14 – promises a thought-provoking evening to unpack how patriarchy has deeply shaped our expressions of masculinity and our experience of self. Participants are invited to take a dharmic lens to examine our relationship to violence and domination, power, femininity, love and sexuality along a path to unveiling and honoring non-patriarchal expressions of who we are as human beings, and discover how patriarchal expressions of self can yield to a much more sacred masculinity. Lama Rod Owens’ website homepage headlines “Conversations and contemplations on the stuff we’re scared to talk about… rooted in Buddhist wisdom and human experience.” He is an author, activist, and formally authorized Buddhist teacher in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism who is considered one of the emerging leaders of his generation of Buddhist teachers. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Owens is a co-founder of Bhumisparsha, a Buddhist tantric practice community, and a visiting teacher at several Buddhist centers including the Natural Dharma Fellowship and the Brooklyn Zen Center. He is also co-author of Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation and a forthcoming book exploring transformative anger
and rage due this fall. Daniel Sutton-Johanson is the founder and community dharma leader of Southsea Sangha, an urban dharma community on the island city of Portsmouth, U.K., and a practicing psychotherapist trained to teach mindfulness to young people through Mindful Schools. The 7:30 to 9 pm event takes place in the Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara, 123 East Canon Perdido Street, and costs $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds). Visit www.bodhipath.org/sb or www.eventbrite.com.
Lucky 13: Stringer at Yoga Soup
Celebrate Yoga Soup’s 13th birthday with international kirtan superstar Dave Stringer, the Grammynominated producer, singer-songwriter and innovative modern Kirtan artist whose unique musical approach connects the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the groove-oriented sensibility of American gospel and the traditional harmonies of Appalachia. Stringer was trained as a visual artist, filmmaker, and jazz musician before his focus shifted when he had a video project at an ashram in India in 1990.
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Buddhism is one of the world’s ancient spiritual practices, but modern masters are capable of contemplating the most current of issues. Case in point: a special event guest lecture series from Bodhi Path Santa Barbara that takes a look at what is happening at the emerging intersections of race, patriarchy, gender, and sexuality, and how the practice of presence, wisdom, and compassion can reveal paths forward. “Outgrowing Patriarchy & Unveiling the Sacred Masculine with Lama Rod Owens and Daniel SuttonJohanson” – which perhaps not coin-
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