Hey, that's my gong!

Hey! That's my gong... my Wild Lotus King Gong from Grotta Sonora

Oh how I love, love, love her. This beauty takes me to places I didn’t know were possible. She stirs, she sings, she unfolds and she is a pure joy to play.

I first came upon her in Calcata, Italy while enjoying the week long, Sound of Devotion retreat hosted by the increbible humans, musicians and artisan gong creators: Madhava & Margherita of Grotta Sonora.

At the first strike, I knew I loved her - it is often the case for me. I know when I know - I hear it but mostly I feel it in my body, specifically my heart. It leaps, it swoons, it expands. Her vibrant colors and lotus design were my first lure. And then that sound! Her center tone - a smooth deep boom that instantly carries me! Her depth and beauty of sound pulled me in.

I continued to return to be with her throughout my time there during each incredible day of our collective sound journey with fellow sound connoisseurs. I played her at the beginning of each day and at the closing of every session, and of course any other time I could sneak time in to commune with her.

My “devastation” came when it was apparent (and the most responsible adult thing to do…) that I needed to leave this gorgeous wild child behind in Italy, as she didn’t “fit” into the set had collected, during the Sound of Devotion, and gorgeous wild child was outside of what I wanted to invest - it wasn’t sensible! I blessed her, blew a kiss good-bye and felt a bit sad. I left Calcata both full and excited about my new Grotta Sonora set yet with a lingering feeling that something was missing. But alas, I needed to let go and move on!

Or did I? After returning home from this soul-filling experience, I dreamt about my time in Italy and that stunning wild child for weeks. I could hear her in my dreams. After 2 months, I sent out a smoke signal to Margherita asking if perhaps that gong just might be still available, knowing full well that the chance was minuscule. Holy smokes! She was still there!! And came to me shortly after that inquiry.

Her essence is wild and free, and yet rooted. I love her harmonies. I love… Her range. Her moodiness. Her invitation to play and play and play... to explore, to discover, to travel. She doesn’t fit and yet she is the purrrrrrfect fit for me. Listen to your heart above all other voices, Kristi Lee

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