“Meditation and concentration are the way to a life of serenity.”

“Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave.”

“When you calm your mind and your senses, you become conscious of your always-present inner Self.”

“Relax your body and mind and let your Spirit soar high.”

“Meditation is the gateway, through which you arrive to the world of freedom.”

“All techniques and methods of inner development have a common goal. They all aim towards freedom and enlightenment.”

“By constant meditation you rise above your mind and awaken into true spirituality.”

“Spirituality and materialism coexist. It is the mind and attitude which decide which attracts more, and to what extent.”

“A free and silent mind is always in meditation.”

“There is meditation with thoughts, and there is meditation without thoughts.”

“Successful meditation with the mind, ultimately leads to meditation without the mind.”

“Meditation on objects and events bestows power over them. This is the way to create and improve your life.”

“Meditating on an event that is going to happen, and visualizing it as you want it turn out, you have the power to mold it according to your thought.”

“When you have a problem, meditate on it and the answer will come, during the meditation or afterward.”

“Make meditation a daily practice, and it will soon turn into a habit.”

“When you meditate, a lot of thoughts raise their heads, trying to make you forget to think intently. Reject these thoughts and rise above them.”

“Body sensations, thoughts and noises will attract your attention. Be strong, and do not let them distract your attention.”

“The attention tends to wander. It tends to flow towards whatever attracts it. Tie your attention with resolve and intent, and do not let it drag you where it wants to.”

“No matter what technique you follow, do it right, and with one pointed mind, attention, interest and love.”

“A calm mind is not disturbed by the waves of thoughts.”

“Calm the winds of your thoughts, and there will be no waves on the ocean of your mind.”

“Meditate daily, and soon your inner strength and mind power will grow.”

“A beginner needs a quiet place to meditate. Someone with a lot of practice can meditate everywhere and under all circumstances.”

“Constant inner peace and serenity can be yours. Take the first step today.”

“Even masters had to take the first step, so can you.”

“Concentrate on your consciousness and find out what it is. You may be surprised at what you find.”

“When you manage to rise above your mind through deep meditation, you realize practically what all the seekers have always sought.”

“The body needs material food every day. The soul needs spiritual food.”

All above quotes by: Remez Sasson

I had heard of Fibromyalgia and thought that I may have this little understood condition.

When I mentioned this to one of my doctors he said;

“Let’s rule out everything else first because Fibromyalgia is not understood very well. It is very difficult to treat. There is no test for it and some physicians don’t even believe it exists.”

I went to all sorts of specialists in traditional medicine with very little good result. I had every test imaginable performed on me including a HIDA-scan, where they injected me with radiation, blood tests, arthritis tests, Lyme disease, Cancer tests and more…I don’t even remember all the others.

The end result was that the doctors basically said that I was healthy and that there was nothing wrong with me. Yet, still, I had pain throughout my body every single day.

In the mean time, my mother had been bugging me to get some acupuncture treatments.

I had had some experience with acupuncture in the past with mixed results; some good and some bad so I was hesitant at first. But when the pain got so bad, I figured I might as well give it a shot.

My mom has been studying at The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine here in New York City so I gave it a try. After one session, I had immediate relief from the pain that was coursing throughout my body.

Now that I had a course of action to deal with my pain, I decided that I needed to find an exercise program that would fit my lifestyle. I had really enjoyed going on speed-walks through Central Park (6 miles at a time) but this invariably led to more pain.

I needed something with low or no impact.

I decided that I would try yoga so I called my friend, Nilson, and asked for a recommendation as to where I should start.

He suggested doing the “Beginner Basics” classes at Jivamukti. This turned out to be an excellent suggestion because this course is very simple and teaches all the forms in a very relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

I have found that meditation is like an energy blast to recharge the spirit. There are some very good guided meditations on YouTube.

Chakra Meditation focuses the mind on specific energy centers throughout the body.

Kundalahni Meditation focuses the mind on your connection to the living force of the universe.

I also became a vegetarian and started being mindful of everything that I put into my body. I have not become an extremist; mind you, I still indulge in the material pleasures of life from time to time.

I have become a person who is practicing balance in his life.

Band leader (and master of the Vibraphone) Brian Lease, has put together a musical extravaganza of unparalleled skill. Together with Bass, Drums, Guitar and Saxophone, Brian shouts out monkey cries and bird calls (and plays the Log Drum) all the while hitting those Vibes with uncanny skill.

Many of the songs are instrumental versions of American standards. Their version of Light My Fire (Doors) was inspired and yes, Brian plays all those tasty Ray Manzarek keyboard licks on the Vibes! I also spotted She’s Not There (Zombies) and Sing Sing Sing (with a Swing) (Louie Prima). They also do a number of originals. The songs with lyrics are all double-entendre jungle themed, light-hearted and fun!

They also arranged to have a special guest bartender (Tricky Rick?) who made super strong killer Mai Tais in tiki cups; complete with umbrellas and little monkeys hanging off the side. Leis were strewn about the bar for the taking, a photo booth was set up for pictures with the dancers and there was even a limbo contest!

The Strip Tease:

The women are beautiful and quite expertly perform a dying art.

Elaborate costumes and tasty choreography are a joy to behold. Rosabelle Selavy, Miss Ekaterina and Bunny Love each brought their own unique take on the strip tease; from wild-jungle-girl to contortionist-mermaid. The strip-tease in full Gorilla suit was a site to behold!

Fisherman’s Burlesque successfully transported those lucky patrons (and this bartender) to a primal time; a primitive celebration of sexuality and community. There was nothing obscene here. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Most nights at singles bars in New York City, one can see scantily clad Chicks and overly masculine Guidos doing their own little vulgar dance. Thankfully, Bar Nine draws a classier, yet understated, artsy kind of crowd.

This burlesque show brought class and custom to the eternal dance!

Fisherman’s Tiki Party will perform next at Bar Nine on Friday, June 4 at 7pm. Don’t miss it!

Bar Nine’s home-made Veggie Burger ($7) is a wholesome, tasty treat. Served on a Thomas’ English Muffin with one single slice of romaine lettuce, a paper thin slice of Bermuda onion, a slice of ripe tomato and three sandwich-cut pickles on the side guarantees that you don’t have to consume deep fried junk food when you’re having drinks at a fun bar. But they have that stuff too!

The patty is hand-made to order by long-time cook, Jorges. His recipe deliveres a burger with the consistancy and texture almost like a latka, or potato pancake.

The ingredients?

Simple: Chick Peas, Eggs, Bread Crumbs, Onion, Cilantro, Red Pepper, Garlic.

Can’t get much better than that!

Julie won her third MAC award that night.

This time she shared the honor with the members of Marque Five in the category: Outstanding Vocal Group/Duo.

Marquee Five is: Adam West Hemming, Sierra Rein, Mick Bleyer, Vanessa Parvin and Julie Reyburn. They are preparing a new show to be debuted this September at Don’t Tell Mama. Check website for dates and details!

The food at B.B. Kings was pretty damn good. I expected much less from such a tourist-destination. Although there was only one vegetarian entree option, I had no problem concocting a meal from side orders. I had the red-pepper coleslaw-$7-a huge portion, the One Pound Baked Potato, butter and sour cream-$7-(yep, just like it says) and the Caesar salad-$10-pretty standard, and as the waitress pointed out, not technically a side order.

The highlight of the show was Chuck Sweeney’s hysterical rendition of Peggy Lee.

It doesn’t get much better for a night out with friends and hopefully these guys will be laying down the tracks real soon.

Posted by Bill Marshall