Hi, my name is Bruce Manaka. I lived for 19 years in a monastery of East Indian tradition. In July of 2001, shortly before the horrors of 9-11, I left the “safety” of the monastic life, driving out into a world I had little understanding of. The ensuing years were a roller coaster ride of learning to survive in the world. Since then, I authored the book, “Flights of a Runaway Monk,” which describes the difficult process of leaving behind a lifestyle and belief system that I was a part of for almost two decades. It also describes how I learned to connect and dialog with the guidance (the Inner Shaman) that lovingly and powerfully made its presence known.
As I learned to trust what I was being shown, I came to understand the importance of the energy component in creativity as well as in my own health issues. When I gave myself permission to deeply feel and connect with the flow of energy within that seemed to want to express outwardly, I found myself creating artistically in ways I never dreamed possible. Click here to view some of my artwork.
Since leaving the monastery, I have married and relocated to Northern California, where my wife, Patty, and I have been putting on special sound healing events for groups. We use quartz crystal singing bowls combined with my overtone chanting to create dynamic vibratory environments that uplifts everyone present. I also meet individually with those who request private sessions.
For a sample of overtone singing combined with crystal singing bowl, click Om-Ah-Hum
Hello,
Your rhythm and sound foci currently feels very relevant in my very senior (i’m 81) buddhist philosophical experiences with my wife during the past decade. I came upon your website when i was google searching “senior celibacy” and came upon your reply to a younger person inquiry.
I am experiencing involuntary celibacy and hope that there is a better way to cope than physical masturbatory/fantasy methods. Are there literature resources?
Thank you for any response. Have a good March. RSH
Thanks for your response to my post. Hope you’re doing ok with “involuntary celibacy.” Not sure if I could point towards any literature resources that would be of help to you. I’ve read plenty of writings, from the yogic and tantric points of view, but I’m not familiar with anything that addresses the sexual issues of an aging population…I’m sure it’s out there… (if any other reader can be of help here, please chime in).
In the meantime, if you have anything to add or share from the perspective of your Buddhist philosophy, please feel free to share…I’m sure you have much wisdom that can be expressed from the storehouse of your own experiences. Thanks again!
Hi Bruce,
We seem to share much in common. I’d like to know more about your communities. I’m seeking communities of higher vibrational levels. I experience this at the monastery I go to for retreats and other events and with my Sangha, but not so much other places. I’m in the Boston area.
I’m very sensitive to the energy of others and my own energy isn’t strong enough to prevent me from being pulled back down to lower vibrational levels when I’m in groups. So, at this point, it’s still a good idea for me to be around people and environments that are mostly at higher levels. I appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks Peter,
The “communities” that I’ve been drawn to, for the most part, do not have strong organized components (I seem to be drawn to loose structure). Our interests and intentions seems to have brought us together in natural and organic ways.
Since leaving the monastery, my wife and I have not intentionally sought out communities, but have been quite surprised and delighted by the individuals and groups that we have come to know and love. We now see the power and beauty of intentional communities, ones built upon the simple tenets of love, compassion and not taking life so seriously.
As of now, I take part in a small music circle that uses sound, music, harmonics and movement as a way to connect with the heart’s natural love. One of our intentions is to use vibration as a way to move into non-ordinary consciousness.
I also take part in a Men’s group that focuses primarily on staying with and allowing for the expression of feelings. Very powerful!
I also take part in a weekly “5 Rhythms” dance. This has surprised me by the degree that I have come to love the way of dance as a doorway to access ecstatic states. Beyond fun!
Every month I also take part in a “healing lodge” (sweat lodge) run by a beautiful medicine man named Moon. At some point I would like to write in my regular blog about this experience. It has been life-transforming!
Thanks again Peter! Your question has been a wonderful reminder to me about the beauty and helpfulness of communities that maintain a heart focus.
Hope this helps!
Bruce
Hi Bruce,We seem to share much in common. I’d like to know more about your communities. I’m seeking communities of higher vibrational levels. I experience this at the monastery I go to for retreats and other events and with my Sangha, but not so much other places. I’m in the Boston area.I’m very sensitive to the energy of others and my own energy isn’t strong enough to prevent me from being pulled back down to lower vibrational levels when I’m in groups. So, at this point, it’s still a good idea for me to be around people and environments that are mostly at higher levels. I appreciate your suggestions.
+1
Thanks Guthry, yes it is helpful to be part of intentional (or conscious) communities, especially during these intense times. I answered a similar question in a previous comment and will post it here again:
“The “communities” that I’ve been drawn to, for the most part, do not have strong organized components (I seem to be drawn to loose structure). Our interests and intentions seems to have brought us together in natural and organic ways.
Since leaving the monastery, my wife and I have not intentionally sought out communities, but have been quite surprised and delighted by the individuals and groups that we have come to know and love. We now see the power and beauty of intentional communities, ones built upon the simple tenets of love, compassion and not taking life so seriously.
As of now, I take part in a small music circle that uses sound, music, harmonics and movement as a way to connect with the heart’s natural love. One of our intentions is to use vibration as a way to move into non-ordinary consciousness.
Once a week I take part in a Men’s group that focuses primarily on staying with and allowing for the expression of feelings. We provide a safe place for men to stay with and communicate their most painful feelings. Very powerful!
I also take part in a weekly “5 Rhythms” dance. This has surprised me by the degree that I have come to love the way of dance as a doorway to access ecstatic states. Beyond fun!”
Anyway, thanks again Guthry, good luck in your search!
Greetings
I want to tell you that your website is amazing. I am experiencing the movement in my body, my kundilini is very active and my body spins and contorts and lifts up to where I am standing on my toes. it makes the four elements, the triangles and figures eights. octagons and hexagons and squares. it slithers like a snake. I have to keep a tight reign on it in public. if I just relax then it starts. I do have some people around me that understand but, when I am in the store or restaurant. I have to control the motions. I don’t want to but, I don’t want to be hauled off in a padded cell either.
Thank you for confirming the information for me on this site.
Thanks Terry, for sharing your experiences with the Kundalini energies (see blog post, Kundalini Awakening – Connecting With Bliss Consciousness). Isn’t it interesting how the energy works, that it knows how to move through the body? It’s too bad, though, that these blissful pulsations are not well understood in modernized cultures. It’s a delicious predicament, for just like you, I find it difficult at times whilst in public to not twist and contort, dance and undulate in resonance with the flow of ecstatic energies. It’s as though the electrical circuits of the physical body at times are not large enough to house such tremendous voltage. But again, it’s a most delectable bind!