Sound of Devotion Italy
We gathered together from all across the planet to spend a magical week in Calcata for the Sound of Devotion. I returned home, feeling inspired from my 2024 June sound pilgrimage to Italy. It was an immersion into sound that still bubbles vividly through my memory. Visiting Calcata again for the second time, was a sweet reunion with a tight knit community, in the tiny medieval village loaded with charm, history, passion, yummy provisions, a morning sweetness that caresses one's heart, and creative inhabitants that share their joy and conversion with ease and generosity.
Our time as guests in the artisan village was infused with powerful sound journeys and delicious home cooked meals from the beauties at Opera Calcata, who cared for us like family. Our days together were full yet leisurely, a blissful combination for life.
We spent hours communing with other sound connoisseurs and learning from innovators, who shared their creations and wisdom. We passed time experiencing Gong Caves and sound innovations, making music at the river, meandering on the trails and treading on the cobblestone pathways learning the history of the village. After sunrise, the group rolled out yoga mats each morning to begin the day, shook ourselves on the dance floor, sang kirtan, and consumed every nourishing meal in awe - toasting, listening to each other’s stories and dreams, playing and watching the sunsets dip into the valley below.
Our exquisite week, graciously hosted by Grotta Sonora was filled with inspired exploration, crazy good music, discovery, laughter, celebration, experimenting with instruments, receiving epically amazing sound baths, forging new bonds, bearing witness and rich conversation that have colored my heart.
Our humble hosts continued to share the pathways of the heart, their journey, their knowledge, their playfulness, love for what they do, love for their community and their ever growing vision for the power of sound and its applications. Madhava & Margherita of Grotta Sonora, put their wholeness, their devotion into their musical creations. They pour their artistic expression, passions, heart, authenticity, immense love, god-given and honed talents into their gongs, musical innovations and relationships. They did no less while hosting our eager and wily group.
The experience was potent, bountiful, delicious and is imprinted on my heart. I feel blessed to have spent several days with such heart centered, joyous and kind humans from around the world. And I continuously feel exceptionally grateful for this wild life that has led me on this unexpected journey into potent modalities for our hearts and minds. I bow to the teachers of the heart in all forms, Kristi Lee
Photo: Village seating, Calcata Italy
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