A Good Start

I visited my good friend Erich Schiffmann today. We hadn't seen each other in quite a long time -- we both seem to be traveling a lot this year. We talked about technology and yoga and family, and as I was leaving, he gave me a gift -- a large Himalayan Singing Bowl from the Tassajara Center in Carmel.

Every night before my son goes to bed, I take him through a little ritual to close out his day -- brush his teeth, wind the Russian Submarine Clock on the wall, wave goodnight to the TV, bicycle and the picture of the tractor and Super Porky on the wall; turn the thermostat up and then down. Tonight, I added the Singing Bowl to the repertoire. He banged it once with the mallet and listened for 2 whole minutes as the sound slowly resonated through the room. Then he said he was ready for sleep.

My wife and I move into our new house in 3 weeks. It's been a long year in a small apartment with a growing boy. Even though we have designed and crafted the new house, it does not seem like ours at the moment. But I know that when I put this bowl in the entryway and hear it ring through the rooms, the house will find it's soul.

Thanks Erich.