Taro's Travels

Have you ever noticed that when you’re very busy you can get much more done than when you have free time? Just when I think I’m as busy as I can be, my schedule become fuller… and yet mysteriously I accomplish more. It’s awesome. I’ve realized that if I focus on the now, whatever’s right in front of me, I can glide through loads of tasks and my creativity and energy grow.

A key to reaping the greatest benefit from each moment has been to play with my sense of time, actually to pay little attention to time – create a feeling that I have all the time in the world, appreciate the time I’m spending on something right now, and still look to finish whatever I’m doing as soon as possible.

Taro on a clifftop photo shoot, Kauai

When time dictates your day, your life, it can mess with your sense of accomplishment and joy. I find when I practice “timelessness” and give myself all the time I could ever need (at least in my heart and mind), then somehow that translates into reality, and I can accomplish even more than I would expect to achieve in a minute, an hour, a day.

Especially since I travel so much, freeing myself from limitations of time awareness has been greatly helpful. Since my last post I enjoyed two busy trips through Japan (finished 14 songs for my album and am mastering them in NYC now), I visited Mexico, more photo shoots in Hawaii, and flew across the US from LA to Miami to NYC and back again. No wonder I started believing in “timelessness” – I can barely remember what time zone I’m in anymore!

Stayed next to Grand Central Station, NYC

Enjoyed a beautiful summer day in Central Park

More than ever, something I wrote in my first book Open Your Mind, Open Your Life rings true to me: “Enjoy the here and now, for there is only here and now.” May you always enjoy your here and now, savor a sense of timelessness, and appreciate yourself and the path that life unfolds before you.

Taro at a Spanish Harlem tunnel, by Central Park

There’s something special about Paris in the Spring. It’s not really cold but it’s not really warm. The green lawns and trees are back from their slumber, and flowers are starting to bloom again. The sky is a certain kind of deep, clear black with a little purple at night and in day it’s a pale, bright blue with a little grey. Magical!

After working hard to finish all the final songs on my album project, I jaunted off to Paris, Geneva and Montreux again for a little break. If you have never seen the Eiffel Tower, or haven’t seen it in a while, it now lights up at night every hour on the hour with a thousand bright sparkling white lights. I took a shot when it was all lit up as you can see here, looking across the River Seine near the Alexander III Bridge. Enjoyed a great French meal at an organic restaurant next to the Seine that night with some dear Parisian friends. Merci Marie et Jonathan!

My favorite hotel in Paris is near the Arc de Triumph, and everyone knows what the arc looks like from a distance, but who ever shows you the view when you’re standing right under it and look up? So here you go.

And finally, a shot from inside my hotel room. Just kidding. This is part of Napoleon’s apartment in Paris.

After Paris I went to my favorite place in the world for vegan cuisine, Montreux, Switzerland. The folks at the La Prairie sure know how to do it up right! Whenever I’m there I never want to leave. Their master chefs prepare 2 gourmet meals plus 2 snacks per day, all made specially to fit each guest’s exact dietary wishes and needs, in my case pure vegan. Every single dish they create is so good, I always find myself eating more than I’ve ever eaten before and I gain about 4 pounds by the end of the week, which for anyone who knows me is a very good thing for me. I can’t wait to go back again. But next I’m off to Mexico, then to Japan for more fun with my music. We’ll get some music samples online here or on my Japanese website soon for you to enjoy. Ciao!

In case you couldn’t tell from my last post date (way back in December) I’ve been extremely busy! During the past few months I have seen some of the most rewarding, full and productive days of my life. First, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to earn my pilot’s license. The plane I’ve had on order from Cirrus Aviation was finally born at the beginning of the year. Here’s a snowy photo of it from the factory on the day it was delivered.

I’ll get some better photos of me flying it eventually, but now I have to finish earning my pilot’s license. Until then, I must have a professional co-pilot fly for me. (Thank you to my pilot Jason!)

From the snow of the Midwest to the snow of Park City, Utah - I also enjoyed 10 fantastic days at the Sundance Film Festival where, as usual, I had the delight to watch some of the greatest films I’ve ever seen. Enjoyed some of great skiing there, too. (Sorry about crashing into you sweet Beth! Glad Orlando was there to make your day.)

I spent a few weeks in the studio working on my CD, which we’ll finish next month after a few more weeks in the studio. I can’t wait. My personal publishing company has also gained the rights to my entire book collection for Japan and Asia, so as my music CD is released we’ll be able to publish my books in conjunction with my music. I have an idea to package one of my love song single CDs in the back of my book “What Is Love?” for starters, and create some other new gift ideas for the market in Japan.

For a few Artist’s conferences and book-related events I also visited both coasts of the US. My book “Living Wabi Sabi” was featured in a few national magazines this month, which unexpectedly sent it back into the limelight. I’m also proud to report that my first book “Open Your Mind, Open Your Life” is being re-released in Israel next month (in Hebrew). I hope it will become a best-seller once again there.

From snow to tropical beaches, one of my dreams to have a vacation home in Mexico has come true. Here is a photo from the living room and from one of the balconies.

I plan to spend many days songwriting and philosophizing here. One of my literary and spiritual guides, Deepak Chopra, has a vacation home in the same neighborhood as mine, so perhaps I can soak up his enlightened energy by osmosis.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has written to me lately. I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please keep the love coming. Especially since the new wave of interest in “Living Wabi Sabi” – and also to all my friends and fans in India who are enjoying “Open Your Mind, Open Your Life” there.

In the next two months I’ll be happily working away in the studio again, then on to my beloved Paris and Geneva with my family for some well-earned relaxation and rejuvenation. If you don’t hear from me sooner, Happy Spring!

Love and Light to you,

Taro

Jumping in (the dark spots are stingrays)

Fortunately I was able to take 2 whole weeks out of my full schedule to share a family vacation with 16 members of my extended family in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands. Sitting on the peaceful, sun-drenched beaches listening to the ocean waves, some profound feelings of appreciation welled up within me. The people with whom we share our lives, I thought, greatly influence the direction, quality and value of our journey.

My journey has been adorned with the greatest treasures of all – treasures of the heart. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me grow, learn and become joyful. Throughout the world, past and present, thank you from the core of my being. The list of those whom I’d especially like to shower praise upon is simply too difficult to compile. # 1 on the list, however, is easy. “The Best” is my mom. She’s always been there for me as unshakable and steadfast as a mountain, under any circumstance. She’s been my best teacher, my best fan, my best influence, my best confidante. She continues to shine as a great example, a great inspiration, and a great lighthouse for my life.

View from my room in Grand Cayman

During our vacation, my cousin Alex captured a candid photo of me in which my mom appears in the background. I particularly enjoy this image because I did not realize she was standing so close behind me when he took the photo. It reflects the reality that throughout my life my mother has always been there, proudly sustaining and watching out for me even when I don’t realize it. Thanks mom! Two other favorite photos are from my room in the Caymans, and from a magical experience I had swimming with wild stingrays in the Caribbean Sea – a life-changing experience. After playing with the stingrays, I kissed one good-bye, and my sense of appreciation and wonder for this life became heightened evermore.

Taro and Mom at the Bahamian Club