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A Light Offering I was born with a love for singing and as a young adult manifested everything my heart desired. I was the leading lady on the opera stage and making a humble living as a singer. I didn’t plan for stage fright to begin to dominate my thoughts, nor for the stress of the career to ultimately steal my love for singing. But it did. And then the perfect storm hit. My divorce, my father’s mental illness and an emotional crisis that had me terrified to go back to the stage. My heart was shut down and my breath could hardly sustain a phrase. Synchronicity led me to retreat for a week to an ashram in the Catskills. I hoped that a yoga retreat would help me find hope during the devastating time of loss. During that week, I was introduced to meditation and chant. As I sat in a roomful of “non-singers” bellowing chants in Sanskrit, my mind raced to figure out what I was singing about and to whom I was singing. I rustled through the chant book, searching for a translation. But in reading the translation, it meant nothing. In that moment, however, something very special happened. My heart began to feel the love in the room, and my ears began to hear the sincerity in the singing. My mind quieted and I felt the translation. It was that of love. The love I had lost, and a love beyond what I had ever felt before. Ever since that moment, I have been exploring and sharing meditation and chant with others. This is why I left an orchestra to sit with a singing bowl. This is why I chose to share A Light Offering with NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. These challenging, noisy, and breathless times could use the balance of deeper breaths as well as music that offers a translation beyond what our minds can comprehend. That of love. Watch View Here Copyright 2024 Sound Awakenings LLC

Chloe’s Singing Bowl Some of you have met Chloe. She was a lab, a love, and my mother’s favorite “child.” Shockingly, both mom and Chloe were diagnosed with cancer the same week, just before Thanksgiving 2012. My mom, sadly, passed that New Year’s Eve. Sweet Chloe, however, stayed with me for another year. It was during this time that I attended my first singing bowl training and began to compile my first set of bowls. But the one bowl that was eluding me was the throat chakra bowl. I found this interesting because Chloe had a tumor near her throat and also because I’m a singer. The only good match was an expensive antique bowl that was beyond my budget. With hesitation, I purchased it, because I knew it was Chloe’s bowl. She loved the bowls. She’d get her toy and sit near me while I played them. After she’d fall asleep, I’d sweep her bowl around her throat chakra, as I was taught, and pray for healing. With the combination of chemo and sound treatments, Chloe went into remission for approximately 6 months. Chloe and I helped each other grieve. She stayed with me for that first raw year of loss and passed almost, to the day, one year after my mom. But, here’s the kicker. Shortly after her passing, a mallet flew out of my hand and into Chloe’s throat chakra bowl. The bowl broke. The expensive, one-of-a-kind antique treasure was truly Chloe’s bowl, and the sound brought us both moments of peace. Sending you love, light, and precious moments of peace, Denise Copyright 2024 Sound Awakenings LLC

"Today’s Day" “Wake up, it’s Christmas!” an unfamiliar, high-pitched voice chimed from the upstairs bedroom. I was puttering in the kitchen, excitedly setting out our traditional Christmas breakfast of homemade poppyseed bread and doughnut holes, when I heard the exclamation. Deciding the mysterious voice belonged to my mother, I let it go. She was probably egging on our two dogs, whose stockings boomed with treats, toys and, a surprise doughnut hole. With the downstairs shower flowing and my mom chattering upstairs, my parents were finally awake, and I couldn’t wait for the day to begin. This year was particularly special. My dad and I had agreed to save our pennies (and lots of dollars) to buy my mother a cherished Gorham porcelain doll named Chloe. Aside from her creepy and staring eyes, she was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen, and she stood poised in her box, dressed to the nines, ready to join my mother’s doll collection. At the ripe age of 14, I had never been so excited to give someone a gift as I was on this Christmas morning. To my surprise, however, my dad bounded down the stairs. “I thought you were in the shower!” I exclaimed. “Did you hear…” “Wake up, it’s Christmas?” he completed my sentence. “I thought that was you!” “It came from upstairs. It wasn’t mom talking to the dogs?” “No, she’s in the shower and the dogs are outside.” He paused. “But the voice came from down here. It really wasn’t you?” “Uh, no,” I replied. Our eyes met. My dad was a jokester, but I could tell that he was just as shocked as I was. “It’s got to be Chloe! She must be excited to meet your mom.” Only partially joking, he ran back upstairs to pull her out of her secret hiding place. I was a little freaked out. How could we both have heard the exact same thing? Was it the doll? An angel? Or our excited energy voicing itself? We never identified whom the mysterious voice belonged to, but, to be sure, Chloe was well-received, the dogs loved their stockings, and the appreciation of the day still resonates strongly in my heart. Just as excitement rose to create a mysterious voice one Christmas morning so long ago, I send that sincere message to each of you now but with a twist. “Wake up. It’s Today!” Through this unfolding human experience of “life,” we are walking in the miracle of life. Always dancing in the ether, miracles are waiting to be noticed, offering messages of encouragement, love and Divine blessings, especially during times of chaos, suffering, and devastation. “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings,”[1] writes Mary Baker Eddy. And Thich Nhat Hanh suggests, “We have holidays for so many special occasions…why not celebrate a day when we can live happily in the present moment all day long? I would like to declare today, ‘Today’s Day’, a day dedicated to touching the Earth, touching the sky, touching the trees, and touching the peace that is available in the present moment.”[2] Blessings may be deeply hidden by the murk of life’s challenges, but the subtle miracles are there for us to discover — hidden gifts voicing in the ether… “Wake up. ‘Today is big with blessings.’” Wishing you peace, love, and joy now and always, Denise P.S. I’ve been asked if Chloe was a talking doll. She was not. Except for that special Christmas day! [1] Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures [2] Thich Nhat Hanh, Essential Writings Copyright 2023 Sound Awakenings LLC

During my week with Eckhart Tolle at Lake Louise in May, I experienced a most treasured, unplanned meal with five young strangers. On this particular evening, with a mix up in restaurant reservations, and only a short dinner break, we found ourselves sharing a table. Having sat for days in quiet contemplation, we were ready to use our words, and lively, animated conversation burst forth. We hardly noticed the food arriving. Upon seeing his meal, one of my new friends from Germany, through his laughter suggested, “This is so fun, but I wonder if we could explore eating in silent presence?” (A perfect Eckhart exercise.) Although I don’t remember what I actually ordered that evening, I vividly remember the eye contact I made with everyone as we communicated without words. Everything slowed down, and my senses kicked up like a zoom lens, focusing on taste, texture, and expression. We all delighted in each other’s delight and the presence of the moment was literally palpable. As I anticipate Thanksgiving, I giggle at the thought of asking my family to have a silent dinner. When not prepared for such an adventure, it’s more like stepping into hell than presence. But, I might suggest a silent offering for each of you. In your own space, in your own time, consider taking a bite or two from a state of inner awareness, respect and presence. Just for you. Secret inner nourishment. In addition, I’d like to share these 7 contemplations for mealtime from Planting Seeds by Thich Nhat Hahn. Which of these speaks to you? 1. This food is the gift of the whole universe: The earth, the sky, the rain, and the sun. 2. We thank the people who have made this food, especially the farmers, the people at the market and the cooks. 3. We only put on our plate as much food as we can eat. 4. We want to chew the food slowly so that we can enjoy it. 5. We want to eat in a way that nurtures our compassion, protects other species and the environment, and reverses global warming. 6. This food gives us energy to practice being more loving and understanding. 7. We eat this food in order to be healthy and happy and to love each other as a family. Offering you gratitude, love and peace now and always, Happy Thanksgiving, Denise Copyright 2023 Sound Awakenings LLC

One morning a few weeks ago, my bike and I ended up at the local surf shack, and somehow I found myself signed up for a surf lesson. I’ve always enjoyed observing the ease and grace of experienced surfers. Having developed their skills, they paddle fearlessly into the rough waters, knowing that, beyond the active waves is a place of stillness. With eyes on their goal, they paddle forward a few feet into the on-coming waves, only to be pushed several feet back. Persistent, they face the waves head on—going up and over; diving the board under and through; or in some cases, tumbling into the ocean washing machine. On the day of my lesson, I arrived oceanside, tucked tightly into my new wetsuit, hoping for “bunny slope” conditions, however, the incoming tide had other plans. As my surf instructor and I stepped into the “black diamond” ocean, he had me belly onto the board and pushed me confidently into the oncoming wave. “Hold on and push up!” Something like an upward-dog-plank-sphinx tried to form in my body, but, as the wave crashed over us, my hands slipped, my feet pushed into his chest, and we both went tumbling down. Forgetting the idea of clear waters ahead, my body fought hard to develop a new muscle set while also managing the challenging conditions. An hour and a hundred pushups later, my fatigued, waterlogged body amazingly found a different coordination, and I pushed up and stood on the board. I rode my first wave. For a millisecond, the wave and I were one. Ecstasy flooded me, and I was totally in the moment. Until I fell back into the ocean washing machine. What the lesson taught me: •Be in the moment or you’ll wipe out. •Even if you are in the moment, you might wipe out, but you’ll swallow less water. •Waves come in sets. When there is a lull, rest and catch your breath. •Be persistent. It will take time, but you will get there. •Once you’re there, you won’t be “there” for long. It takes ten minutes to get to the right spot, and one minute to ride the wave and fall off the board. •Try and try again. •Laugh often. To me, meditation is similar. It’s the process of developing the meditation muscle with the breath paddling us through the rough waters toward stillness. The clear waters are there. Always. Even if we are in the washing machine of life, we have all that we need to maneuver back to the divine connection that is already within us. Hold on, push up and enjoy the ride, dear friends. Love and Light, Denise Copyright 2023 Sound Awakenings LLC

Dear Friends, This year has been full of immense blessings, gigantic challenges and sweet miracles. Thank you for being one of those miracles as we journey together through this mash called life. You inspire me and truly make my heart sing. I recently came across this live recording from a Benefit Concert that I sang several years ago and thought to share it with you. This song always brings me joy. It's not the best quality, but perhaps the message will sound. Ding Dong Merrily on High Wishing you and your loved ones abundant blessings during this season and always. From my heart to yours, Denise Copyright 2023 Sound Awakenings LLC

“God is good, God is great, thank you for this food, amen,” I said joyfully, almost singing the prayer that I had recently learned in church. It was brief and to the point. And heartfelt. Now, I was ready to eat! “That’s a prayer?” gramps Mihalik burst out. I thought it was. He bowed his head and began to recite aloud his blessing, slowly and with purpose. The longer (much longer) and more formal Catholic blessing was beyond what my kid-self preferred, and I was fidgety and impatient as I peeked at the fruit salad appetizer. I don’t remember the words of the prayer, but I do remember his intent and tone. (I also remember his tone when he suggested I join the marines instead of going to music school, but that’s for another day.) Now, almost five decades later, blessing the food is one of my most treasured rituals, and, wouldn’t you know it, “That’s a prayer?,” still pops up from time to time. But I can now confidently smile and say, “Yes, gramps, it’s a prayer. Glad you heard it because it’s from my heart.” No matter the words, no matter the tradition, a heartfelt moment of gratitude is a precious offering. From my heart to yours, Denise Copyright 2023 Sound Awakenings LLC

My mother dreamed of having an animal shelter that housed a few goats to keep the grass at bay, a pig, just because she always wanted a pet pig, and a few abandoned or injured animals. Although she did not get to realize that dream, I always think of her when I visit the tiny animal shelter at the Govardhan Eco Village in Maharashtra, India. One of the monks shared this sweet, simple story about how the shelter came to be. It began with one rescued race horse. Although the monks were well versed in the care of cows, they had no idea how to properly care for a horse. First, they applied their skills as trained engineers to design and build the perfect shelter to protect the horse. But, after a few weeks, the horse appeared to be ill. “The horse is sad and lonely,” the local veterinarian told the monks after a detailed examination. A simple solution! The monks rescued two more horses, and the three new companions shared the shelter and were fed well. But after a few days, they all appeared to be ill. They called back the vet. He examined them and exclaimed, “Now all three are unhappy! “But why? We gave them shelter and nourishing food.” “They need exercise.” Another simple solution! The caring monks ran the horses daily on the unpaved, bumpy road all the way from the front of the village to the back, and still, nothing changed. The vet returned and looked at their hooves. “The roads are not good for them. They need a field.” Not a simple solution! But the caring monks began to clear a field and create a pasture. When they released the horses into the pasture for the first time, they ran, played, and kicked up their heels. When the vet returned, he smiled and clapped his hands, “Yes, now they are happy!” This simple, true story warms my heart. The effort involved to comfort one horse, grew to include three horses and, at last check, three donkeys, two debilitated sheep and two goats. This small shelter complements larger established programs that include feeding thousands of children and empowering women and farmers. It starts with one act of kindness. It’s a funny coincidence that just yesterday, I found a perfect half day retreat location in Howell, NJ. The rescued horse, donkey, pig and black lab greeted me as I walked the grounds. Please join me on Jan. 14th, 2023 for an in-person half-day winter retreat. Copyright 2022 Sound Awakenings LLC