This time life took me to different places, but luckily, I wasn't alone. I called the woman of medicine and musician Rila Koksal to accompany me on this journey. I met Rila in the first days of my arrival in Istanbul and we immediately connected with a deep admiration about our stories and trajectories, but mainly through our strong connection with music.
As we had already worked together and had success in my event The Love Ritual, I invited her to participate as a facilitator of music therapy experiences at the CO.IN Psychedelic Art Festival without imagining that this trip would become a small Odyssey with many learnings!
People who already know me, know that I don't frequent the psychedelic scene and to be honest I was surprised when I accepted this job in this type of festival, but as I don't usually say NO to challenges, I said YES to the unknown and that YES was revealed in a very rich experience!
We arrived at the festival – which was taking place inside a big “horse house” – full of things and instruments (welcome to the new life of a musician!). While things were under construction and people were still arriving, we placed ourselves behind the Healing Area. We spent the afternoon and evening walking and discovering the art and the different artistic surprises, getting to know the place, the people and, of course, the music!
For the next three days we had the mission to “hold” the Healing Area by giving music therapy sessions for two hours each day, using instruments and chants and to our great surprise this Area literally became a sanctuary for people who were tired of partying. , who were in need of relaxation and connection or were really looking to escape the festival music itself!
This area became a meeting place for people who were simply looking for more than a drug and trance experience. From Taro card readings and Power Animal card readings to collective improvisations with the Hang Drum instrument and Sacred Geometry painting workshops. From Yoga with instrumental music to music ceremonies that lasted until dawn. This Area was blessed with a magic that brought together diverse souls and gave us a feeling of an emerging tribe… The Music Medicine tribe!
One very important thing we pointed out was the quality and speed of the music that was playing all day and night and the effect it had on festival attendees (lack of sleep, stress, anxiety and even aggression). This made us very concerned and certainly with feelings of wanting to find out more about the conditions and care of other festivals and also bring other more beneficial musical experiences to people.
In my next articles I will share with you more about the importance and power of the quality of music medicine, but until then I let you feel a little of what it was, through the images and I invite you to share your experiences.
Big hugs and HAUX (blessings),
Dimitrios.
