Positive News US is a free, not for profit newspaper published four times a year in Ithaca, NY. We report on successful projects around the world in the areas of sustainability, social equality, education and happiness, with a clear message that "another world is possible."
more...
| a part of Positive News International |
The Many Rivers of Anja of Touchstone |
Photo: © Shaker Joyful participants of a sacred circle dance.
"There are many many rivers
and they all are one
as they flow into the ocean
mingle and become
part of another one big sea
as they flow into the ocean
flowing over flowing free"
EAST HAMPTON, MA - As Anja Daniel sings the circle song, the dancers in many small lines weave and twine through the hall and, as the song comes to a close, they spiral into one entire circle, join their arms in a hug hold and join in singing the final phrases of the song.
Such is the way that Anja, minstrel of the circles, leader of sacred circle dance, and co-owner and director of Touchstone Farm Center, often opens an evening of dance. Through the evening Anja will guide the circle through dances, myths, mediations and songs in a weave that includes both the spiritual and the political. Both the brutality of human-unkinde and the beauty of all of us smudgy angels. Honoring both our darkest despairs and our most tender hopes.
This inclusion of both the surrender of the mystery of the spirit and the call to political and social action has become a hallmark of Anja's work and of Touchstone Center. There is a Palestinian dance Ali Mulla in which we remember and honor the struggle of the people of that land. There is the Israeli dance Erev Shel Shoshinim, in which the words say "Blessed are the feet of she who comes barefoot upon the mountain bring news of peace."
Touchstone is a center of sacred dance, a political action center, a working organic market garden, a recording studio and a small and successful community. Anja has published close to twenty CDs. One of these is called The Peace CD and half of the proceeds from the sale of this CD are sent to medical workers in Palestine. Most of the Touchstone political action work, however, is local - awareness of the danger of nuclear plants and safe alternatives, awareness of the hazards of depleted uranium, hosting salons to discuss the many social, cultural and
political innuendoes. And Anja brings her guitar along to whatever action is afoot.
Many people will come to Touchstone as guests during the warmer seasons. Some people pay to be guests. Some pay and barter with work in the gardens so that they may stay as guests. Still other people Touchstone will give money too so that they may stay as guests of the center. The heart, rather than the dollar, is the bottom line for Touchstone. One of the most common comments from guests to the farm is "there is not another place like this in the country!" "We are very lucky," said Bill Chidsey, a local businessperson, "to have a soul like Anja and a sanctuary like Touchstone in our community."
Contact: Touchstone
132 West Street
Easthampton, Ma 01027
Tel: 413-527-8723
Website: www.sacredcircles.com
Music CD's can be purchased from the website.
and they all are one
as they flow into the ocean
mingle and become
part of another one big sea
as they flow into the ocean
flowing over flowing free"
EAST HAMPTON, MA - As Anja Daniel sings the circle song, the dancers in many small lines weave and twine through the hall and, as the song comes to a close, they spiral into one entire circle, join their arms in a hug hold and join in singing the final phrases of the song.
Such is the way that Anja, minstrel of the circles, leader of sacred circle dance, and co-owner and director of Touchstone Farm Center, often opens an evening of dance. Through the evening Anja will guide the circle through dances, myths, mediations and songs in a weave that includes both the spiritual and the political. Both the brutality of human-unkinde and the beauty of all of us smudgy angels. Honoring both our darkest despairs and our most tender hopes.
This inclusion of both the surrender of the mystery of the spirit and the call to political and social action has become a hallmark of Anja's work and of Touchstone Center. There is a Palestinian dance Ali Mulla in which we remember and honor the struggle of the people of that land. There is the Israeli dance Erev Shel Shoshinim, in which the words say "Blessed are the feet of she who comes barefoot upon the mountain bring news of peace."
Touchstone is a center of sacred dance, a political action center, a working organic market garden, a recording studio and a small and successful community. Anja has published close to twenty CDs. One of these is called The Peace CD and half of the proceeds from the sale of this CD are sent to medical workers in Palestine. Most of the Touchstone political action work, however, is local - awareness of the danger of nuclear plants and safe alternatives, awareness of the hazards of depleted uranium, hosting salons to discuss the many social, cultural and
political innuendoes. And Anja brings her guitar along to whatever action is afoot.
Many people will come to Touchstone as guests during the warmer seasons. Some people pay to be guests. Some pay and barter with work in the gardens so that they may stay as guests. Still other people Touchstone will give money too so that they may stay as guests of the center. The heart, rather than the dollar, is the bottom line for Touchstone. One of the most common comments from guests to the farm is "there is not another place like this in the country!" "We are very lucky," said Bill Chidsey, a local businessperson, "to have a soul like Anja and a sanctuary like Touchstone in our community."
Contact: Touchstone
132 West Street
Easthampton, Ma 01027
Tel: 413-527-8723
Website: www.sacredcircles.com
Music CD's can be purchased from the website.
Announcements
What do You find hopeful in the world today? Please contribute a short paragraph and be published in Positive News. We are currently selecting...
more >
The California Edition of Positive News is well on the way! We are looking for volunteers to help make it happen. To join our team contact...
more >
