Hello, Ssalamu ‘lekum, Hi y'all, Goeie dag, Buenos dias, Kemitee choo!

It's been a long time since I sent out the last newsletter. But the good news is that I have been busy creating a sanctuary for YOU, a Soul Blazing (SB) Sanctuary! The SB Sanctuary is a creative and nurturing haven for artists, activists, and people yearning to grow spiritually and a place to collaborate and support each other on humanitarian, healing and art projects.

I will be hosting spiritual leaders from around the world and offering my space to the many local healers and teachers (if you are one of them, please contact me and pitch your workshop or class). Next year will be filled with exciting workshops and events that you don't want to miss out on. So, please forward this newsletter to all your like minded friends.


In the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo famously cries out for "Sanctuary!" as the vengeful mob tries to get to him with their pitchforks and torches. All of us feel the same way at some point or other in our daily lives, even if the pitchforks are bill collectors and the torches are news reports about more terrorist's attacks. We need a sanctuary, a place of refuge from the pressures and craziness of the world. A spiritual place (like Quasimodo's Notre Dame cathedral), where we can feel free from judgment and pray, chant, meditate, write, or do whatever it is that brings us back in touch with our souls. The method is not important, what matters is taking the time out to discover that avenue into our souls. To regroup and check in with ourselves every now and then to make sure we're on the right life paths.

A Sanctuary in medieval law was also a place to be safe from being arrested in the sanctuary of a church or temple, recognized by English law from the fourth to the seventeenth century.

Over the past decade I have had the privilege of visiting many wonderful sanctuaries around the world -- from Sedona, New Mexico to Buddhist onsens in Japan to the Dead Sea in Israel, to the mind-blowing urban creation of the Inca Empire in Machu Pichu, and, closer to home, the Optimal Health Institute (O.H.I., a detox sanctuary in San Diego). In each case, spending time in those magical places recharged my emotional batteries and let me return to L.A. and my work with renewed energy and a more positive attitude.

For the past few years I have yearned to find such a creative, peaceful space of my own in L.A. where I could help others heal their wounded psyches and nourish their spiritual sides. I had been using the outdoors and other people's work spaces, but neither of those options felt quite right. They were infused with other people's energy, not my own. But the universe works in mysterious ways, and when I least expected it, a sanctuary fell into my lap -- disguised as a home. The moment I saw the modest but beautifully remodeled house in the foothills of Sherman Oaks, with its courtyard fountain and a backyard full of beautiful flowers and trees and a lovely beach entry pool with a waterfall spilling into it, I knew I had found what I was seeking.

Now, ten months later, I have furnished it and decorated it with art and antiques from my travels around the world, and truly made it an expression of my personality and my spirit. The sanctuary offers a multi-cultural experience with influences mainly from the Middle East and Asia - lots of Indian and Moroccan pillows for lounging, hues of saffron, ochre and earth tones, lots of candles and ambient lighting. I believe I have created a sanctuary where other souls can commune, grow and express themselves.

I have already begun the process of turning my sanctuary into a place where spiritual leaders, healers and activists can come and inspire you, and a place where artists and musicians can express themselves and nurture their crafts.

Starting this October (the Grand Opening!), I will be holding workshops (spoken word expression, life management skills, creative writing, creating your legacy, etc.), one-on-one Soul Blazing sessions, and special events (open mic nights, healing nights, Therapy Thursdays, and hosting guest speakers and healers from around the world).

The Soul Blazing Sanctuary (which is what I will be calling it) offers a Soul Blazing and therapy room, a meditation room, a multi-purpose lounge for larger activities and an art creation space. This being LA, this sanctuary also comes with a fully equipped workout room for those who wish to exercise their bodies as well as their spirits. I have placed stereo speakers throughout the Sanctuary (both inside and out) in order to fill the space with soothing or inspiring music when appropriate.

I hope to see many of you here over the next months and years. And please, all you teachers, artists and healers please email us if you're interested in participating in leading a workshop or joining in one of our special events (which will be announced in this newsletter ahead of time). For class information visit HERE.

Please forward this information to anyone you feel could benefit as a student or teacher.

And until next time... Hold on to the center.

Your Soul Blazer,

Lisa Haisha
Composing a Life

Have you been Soul Blazed today? If not ... why not? Are you in denial? :) All the more proof you need some Soul Blazing!

What is Soul Blazing?

Burning through the barriers of denial, delusion, and self-doubt (in short, the personality). Searing through layers of armor that we've built up to "protect" ourselves. Shining a bright light on our forgotten soul, bringing it gloriously back to life. When the energy of the soul is acknowledged and embraced, it begins to infuse the personality. And when the personality comes to fully serve the energy of the soul, now that is empowerment. An empowerment I want to share with you.

Hafez Nazeri

At his recent sold out performance at the Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles, Iranian composer Hafez Nazeri received a standing ovation, and for good reason. This was the latest stop on what has been a vastly successful North American tour called "In the Path of Rumi," which has already earned Nazeri accolades and awards for his ground-breaking approach to traditional Persian music. Hafez's father was a Kurdish Iranian music legend, and the father and son are famous for celebrating the brilliance of their cultural icon, Rumi. "My father was the first Iranian singer to set Rumi's poetry to music, 35 years ago," Nazeri says. "And I grew up studying, learning so many things about Rumi's life."

With the Rumi Ensemble, Hafez aspired to create a world view of traditional Persian music, assembling artists from four different nationalities and pioneering a new style of music, which he calls "Post-Classical Persian Music."

UCLA and the Iranian Student Group have teamed up to honor Hafez with their "Distinguished Young Composer Award" for his creativity and innovation in music. The Kurdish American Education Society under the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO,) and A.I.P.A. have given Hafez awards of recognition for innovations in Persian traditional composition. Irvine City Hall has presented him with an honor in recognition of his efforts in introducing the music of Rumi abroad.

He has recently received a recognition award from the United States Congress for his musical achievements, has been invited for a lecture to Harvard University.

Hafez completed his studies in Composition and Conducting from New York's Mannes College of Music, and is interested in building a musical bridge between eastern and western cultures. He is currently focused on his Rumi Symphony Project for the 800th birthday of Rumi in 2007.

"We've tried to portray Rumi's philosophy of life, the message of love, the message of peace," Nazeri says. "And that's my challenge, especially when the media is full of war and fighting. Here I am, a 28-year-old Iranian guy, coming to Disney Hall with a music that tries to bridge West and East,that tries to be the sound of the billions of people who are calling for peace, not war. I like to think that's something Rumi would have understood."

You don't want to miss his show. I highly recommend this musical genius to everyone who is for peace and love (i.e. all my readers!).

In Hindu mythology an Avatar is a spirit guide and helper, and that's what we call our monthly selection of a person or organization whose mission is to assist individuals and companies on a higher level than most, and whose skills and talents we believe will make your life easier and happier. They will give you the room and support to grow into your life's work.

Adwin David Brown

Adwin David Brown is a Flow master and a teacher of Flow! For those of you who aren't familiar with his work, you are truly missing out. To have a flowlicious experience with Adwin will change your life. I called on his expertise about one year ago for a shot of creative guidance for some writing I was doing when I was felling less than inspired and I got way more than I bargained for.

His magnificent being and intuitive nature and talent come together and give you insight after insight in his safe hands. To work with the Flow master is a spiritual experience - it's art, therapy, creativity and it cracks open your heart and creative juices in a way that will surprise you, because most people go to his class to study the art of the spoken word. But, people, you are in for a big surprise.

Adwin says, "Remember when mistakes were masterpieces, a blank wall was your canvas and your crayon was a WMD: Wand of Magical Depiction? Remember when a song was always on the tip of your tongue, singing was not restricted to the shower, and you danced like no one was looking even if they were? You flowed.

Unfortunately, your flow can become shelved, closeted, confined in the cubicles of an office or the mind or trapped in neighborShoulds: I should be this, should've done that. Maybe your Flow's on hold: After the job or career is over. When the kids are grown. Like a blocked stream, your Flow becomes dammed, stagnant. Not all still water runs deep. Sometimes it reeks. When that happens, Life Stinks."

He has been called a catalyst for freedom, creativity, empowerment and self expression. For more information about Adwin, please visit his myspace page or email him directly at: www.myspace.com/adwindavidbrown or flowlicious@gmail.com

Dorian Paskowitz

Doctor Dorian Paskowitz a Jewish-Hawaiian surfing guru, recently donated a dozen surfboards to needy Gazan surfers. Yes, you read this correctly.

Paskowitz is an 86-year-old surfing guru from Hawaii and he donated the twelve new surfboards to Gaza's small surfing community, in a gesture he hoped would get Israelis and Palestinians catching the same peace wave.

"God will surf with the devil, if the waves are good," retired doctor Dorian Paskowitz said. "When a surfer sees another surfer with a board, he can't help but say something that brings them together."

Paskowitz emerged shirtless at the Israel-Gaza crossing after handing over the dozen boards to Gazan surfers waiting on the other side. He said he was spurred into action after reading a story about two Gaza surfers who couldn't enjoy the Mediterranean waves because they had only one board to share between them.

Arthur Rashkovan, a 28-year-old surfer from Tel Aviv, said Paskowitz's project was part of a larger effort called Surfing for Peace, aimed at bringing Middle East surfers closer together. He said eight-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, who is of Syrian descent, is expected to arrive in Israel in October to take part in the drive.

Paskowitz, whom Rashkovan called a 'guru' to Israeli surfers, has surfed in Israel several times over the past five decades.

Paskowitz, a father of nine, served in the Navy during World War II, practiced family medicine for more than half a century and has published books on surfing and health. He said he's surfed for 75 years in locations all over the world, and ranks the waves off the coasts of Israel and Gaza as among the world's best.

"It's really quite remarkable how good they are for modern surfing," he said.