My meditation practice began in 1993 with a trip to the Diamond Sangha Zen center in Honolulu. There I learned zazen, seated meditation in the Zen tradition. I still meditate in the Zen style, though my spiritual journey has taken me through countless zigzags and exposed me to the works of many wonderful teachers in various traditions. At first my practice was willy-nilly and sporadic. I could go many months or even years without actively practicing (although I now know that once one enters the path there is no exit--even when we are off deep in the bramble, we're still on the path). For many years I would wait until my life fell apart to take up meditation again. The experience of falling of the horse and getting back up again (repeatedly) taught me that challenging situations are often the best teachers. In difficult times, we learn that principles found in the ancient teachings actually work. Over time I learned to integrate meditation and other aspects of my spiritual practice into daily life.  

 

Today my spiritual practice is essentially Buddhist, but I draw heavily from Christianity (the faith I grew up in), as well as other traditions from around the globe. My practice is based on four foundational principles: presence, acceptance, kindness and gratitude. Each of the these principles is itself a practice and the four combine to create my personal spiritual practice, one that yields a deeply rich and fulfilling life.  

 

I started DJing in 1996. For many years meditation and DJing were separate, often competing, streams in my life. But as my spirituality matured, the two streams merged and now DJing and dancing are equally as nourishing and important to my spiritual development as meditation.  

 

Over the years friends would occasionally suggest that I teach meditation. I refused because I did not feel qualified (I still feel that way). When a friend was looking for something beyond basic meditation instruction, I would direct them to the teachers who inspired and guided me.  

 

However, when the pandemic hit I saw a vast and unprecedented need. I began to look deeper, asking myself how I could help others in desperate need of spiritual sustenance. I realized that one thing I do know and am qualified to offer is music. Years of DJing  taught me the emotive power of music. I learned to use music to create a vibe that everyone present experiences at once. During the lockdowns in 2020, I started making meditation-oriented mixes of music I listened to in my personal life but never played publicly. My friends and I would meet every Sunday on Zoom for a forty minute meditation session, listening deeply to the mix I made that week. I learned then that recorded music could provide useful structure and support for a fruitful meditation session.  

 

As the pandemic waned, we were able to meet in person here in Brooklyn. We decided to add psychedelic assistance to the sessions and Journey to the Interior was born. I want to be clear that I make no claim to be a a teacher or a shaman of any kind. I think of myself as a helper, providing a musical foundation for groups of individuals experienced in contemplative practices and psychedelics. The sessions are created with advanced practitioners in mind. Thus far, everyone who has participated in Journey to the Interior has had a deeply rewarding experience.  

 

My meditation mixes draw from disparate genres: ambient, jazz, electronic, classical, spiritual music from various traditions, and plenty of music that defies categorization. Using my own sensibility, I weave the music into a tapestry that provides the listener with a journey marked with rich variety flowing together in a unified experience. Most of my mixes are posted on Soundcloud and are frequently enjoyed by listeners around the world.

 

Thank you for reading. If this is of interest to you feel free to reach out. 

-Mark