This Fall I have the pleasure of going deep with the soaring souls at One Thousand Birds. In brief, the Birds are an audio and creative tech studio with a team of talented, beautiful artists and engineers with offices in NYC and LA. They were recently featured in Forbes Magazine. Here’s an excerpt:
Laura and Andrew from One Thousand Birds
How Intention, Risk and Creativity Built This Couple’s Success
There’s living life with intention. Then, there’s Laura Dopp and Andrew Tracy, the co-founders of New York City-based creative sound and tech studio, One Thousand Birds.
Many people stumble into their careers after following a general direction and trusting that their ambition will guide them towards the right place. Exactly where that place is, however, often remains a mystery until they get there.
As for Laura and Andrew? In their earlier days of dating, the now-married couple literally drew out multi-page roadmap illustrating their ideal future in astonishing detail. It was filled with dreams like running their own company, prioritizing a work-life balance, starting a family, and living an unapologetically creative life.
Looking back, Andrew says, “Funny enough, I think 80 or 90% of it came true.”
Though he admits the map was mostly drawn out as a fun, quirky project, there was clearly more to it than sketching out random absurdities. “The two of us were so confident in each other,” he continues. “We really thought that we could do anything—and I think that's the best place to start from.
“If you really want to design a life you want to live, just go for it.”
Next Thursday I’ll be offering the first event of the season, Meditation, Hypnosis, & Past Life Regression. It’s free of charge and open to the public. Please join us.
Collage by @Phib
MEDITATION, HYPNOSIS, & PAST LIFE REGRESSION
One Thousand Birds
70 Wooster #4F
Thursday 10/3, 7-9pm
Free
One of the simplest, most relatable questions that occurred to me as a kid growing up around hypnosis and past life regression was - if we are essentially using the same few ingredients during these various forms of inner work (attention, intention, the breath, awareness, voice, sound) how and why are the results so different? During this experiential evening learning lab, we will explore and learn about those differences and similarities, what connects and separates them, best practices and a 101 on their respective benefits. Guided practice will be threaded together with brief talks, observations, and Q&A.
Beginning from a central metaphor - Meditation is like a glass of water; refreshing, simple, and in the moment. Hypnosis is like a swimming pool. We can go into the deep end, be submerged, or stay near the surface. And past life regression is like an ocean. It's seemingly infinite in scale and depth - filled with mystery and revelation. Each of these three experiences is vastly different, yet mechanically each one is strikingly similar. Often times they are compared and considered together, others they seem worlds apart. What are the similarities and differences between them? What impact does intention have on the experience?
Artwork by Cat Willett
INFUSED MEDITATION: AN EXPLORATION OF CANNABIS AND CONSCIOUSNESS
Produced and presented by Daniel Ryan, co-director at The Center For Integrative Hypnosis, and Devon Stein, The Happy Chef NYC. With The Bowery Cannabis Club. Hosted by One Thousand Birds.
6:30 - 9pm. Thursday, October 10, 2019
One Thousand Birds - 70 Wooster St. SoHo NYC
$75. $65 for Bowery Cannabis Club members
Email Danielryancrt@gmail.com to reserve your spot
Space is limited
You are invited to an evening of conversation, practice, and exploration. We will begin and end with time to enjoy each other’s company, hang out, and experience the wonderful treats provided for us by Devon Stein, The Happy Chef NYC. Our programming will then start with a brief talk introducing the pillars of this exciting new event series, a little of our philosophy, and an examination of set and setting through the lens of Timothy Leary’s classic guide, The Psychedelic Experience, based on The Tibetan Book of The Dead. This will be followed by a guided meditation led by Daniel Ryan, expert in guided trance, meditation, and regression therapy. We’ll conclude with 20 or 30 minutes of observations, testimonials, take-aways, and sharing.
Infused Meditations will be offered monthly. Attendance is limited to under 20 guests so please reserve early if you would like to attend. Ticket price includes shared edibles and pre-rolls.
This event is part of a series called Sound, Set & Setting devoted to exploring the interaction of primal forces within us as we alter states intentionally and unconsciously through music, sounds, and substances. At our foundations, the power of music to change our physiology is undeniable. Consider how many feelings you might experience during a great four-minute pop song. Threads within physics describe all of reality being vibrated into existence. As an example, the tuning fork emits the perfect C major to our ears and we feel it’s wholeness. Even the bible suggests first there was the word. During the events we’ll experience voices, ambient music, live facilitation of instruments, and other sources as ways to elevate further.
Research shows that New York loves Cannabis. We consume more than most other cities and the majority of our citizenry supports legalization. And while we wait for that long overdue step in legislation, there are families and communities in need and ready to engage in a new future that already recognizes the innate medicinal qualities within the plant.