Cyberspace Publicity

Unless she's already a prime time success, it is the author's responsibility to let people know about a newly published book. Therefore, much of my time is being spent this year on exactly that, letting the world know about my new book. (And, of course, about the Intimacy Retreats that my husband and I lead. )

What's exciting about doing book publicity is that I get to create or join ongoing conversations about love, sex, intimacy, relationships, Tantra and sacred awareness. Looking for appropriate conversations in cyberspace is like attending the HUGEST trade show or networking event one could ever imagine! It's up and running 24/7, and there are zillions of booths and visitors, each of which is a potential contact, someone new to meet.

Just as in face-to-face events, sometimes I meet and connect with people who are interested in my topic, and sometimes I don't. This week, I discovered Joan Price's blog about senior sexuality. She's the author of Better Than I Ever Expected, and she has now left a comment right here on MY blog, how cool is this!?


Each time I leave a comment somewhere, it's as if I've put a flyer on a bulletin board and people with similar interests may notice it and seek more information. Cyberspace publicity would seem to be the opposite of intimacy, but that's only if you choose to remain anonymous. Since I want people to get to know about me, I always use my real name and contact information. In a sense, I'm putting myself out there, saying "hey, here I am, take a look at me, maybe there's a conversation here, maybe our paths are meant to intersect for awhile." Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Life is like that, isn't it? We can't know in advance when or where intimacy will arise.

So many experiences...

So many experiences of intimacy, of joyous connection with life, with others, with the flow of love... and so little time to blog about it!

I've been on the road, with book signings and family events and, yes, even just relaxing and enjoying the marvelous world we live in. Writing has taken a back seat but I wanted to stop in and say hi.

Blessings,
Diana

Mother's Day Approaches

This Sunday is Mother's Day, of course. I've just sent out a newsletter to subscribers on my website, that includes a "message to men" for Mother's Day..

And Sunday is my birthday. I hope lots of people will celebrate with me at the Siesta Key Drum Circle!

Also this Sunday, at 1 pm, I will stand in silence for 5 minutes, in coordination with women (and men) everywhere, for a better world. What a wonderful way to create world-wide connection between people - StandingWomen.org. And it's a great way to create memories, too. In May 2007, I stood on a train from Milan to Florence. And instead of a bell, I played my flute to signify the beginning and the end of the five minute period. It's nice to have my memories of our month in Europe anchored with this one special moment of standing with women everywhere. Here's to a better world, and to more joy in the one we've got. In each single moment, we can choose to make it better and more joyful. Now.

It's been a busy week, lots of publicity for my book - magazine articles published, interviews on various blogs and radio shows, getting ready for our upcoming book signings and workshops. I'll be away from cyberspace for long stretches of time (hours, at least), won't that be a welcome change!

Off now to catch sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Join me for a beach walk?

Social Networking

As I spend time traveling around cyberspace, looking for places to post information about the Intimacy Retreats or my book signing schedule, I find that "social networking" leads me into actual connections with real people. Today I had a wonderful dialog with California writer and Tantra teacher Luminessa Enjara, whose passion is to empower women through their sexuality.

Another sex coach, Pam Babbitt of Colorado, wrote about my book today in her blog. I'm reminded that I am part of a larger community. Since I spend most days sitting in front of my computer, I tend to forget that I'm not really alone. How easy it is to get caught in that "optical delusion of separation" (Einstein quote in my last post). How heart-warming and uplifting to awaken to the reality of connection. Allowing myself to be seen, I am embraced by the universe.

I've decided to celebrate my birthday this Sunday (May 10) by inviting everyone to join me at the Siesta Key Drum Circle. Eleven years ago, it was my birthday event that brought the circle back to life after it had gotten rained out for many Sundays in a row. There's something about drumming that brings a group into harmony together, sharing a resonance of vibration. (Maybe it's similar to mob mentality, but with a higher purpose?)

May Day

As I muse on the historical and current meanings of May Day, what first comes to mind is the emergency signal sent out when trouble arises "May Day, May Day."

Hmm.. I wonder if Mother Earth is sending out a May Day signal, warning of us climate change. Are we listening?

May Day celebrations today are often labor-oriented, and socio/political.

In ancient times, and in many towns today too, May Day was and is a start-of-summer floral holiday, and quite festive, with May Poles and May Baskets and the like. Not that labor marches aren't festive, often with lots of music.

Holidays inspire gatherings of people. Such gatherings can generate an intimate group feeling which we humans need. We need to feel as if we belong. (If any non-humans happen to read this, please leave a note and let me know how you might differ.)

Of course, sometimes in a group setting, we can still feel quite alone. We are never really alone, of course; it just seems that way some times. We are all connected. Which reminds me of that wonderful Einstein quote...

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Yes!

Old Flames

Now that's an interesting phrase, "old flames." I didn't think of it until I just now entered the title of this post. What I WAS thinking about was... someone I had been in relationship with many years ago... and then another someone... and as I thought of these past loves, it made a change in my day. Here I was, kind of spent from being on the computer all day, seeking ways to contribute to the global conversation about love and intimacy (and, yes, seeking publicity for my book, that too).

I noticed an email announcing that my Focusing mentor, Ann Weiser Cornell, will lead a workshop at Esalen Insitute in Big Sur, California. Which led me online to the Esalen site, reminiscing about how I had taught massage there many years ago, reminiscing about living in Big Sur, which led to googling friends from those days... which led to musing about past loves. Which brought a smile to my face! I'm even sitting here, still at my computer, missing sunset on the beach, because thinking about these past loves is bringing back memories and feelings that are quite delicious.

So "flames" is maybe a good word - in the sense that they still have the ability to warm my heart and maybe even tickle my fancy, so to speak. One I haven't seen since 1985. The other, I unexpectedly ran into on an isolated beach in Yelapa, Mexico, in 1997. Perhaps they are thinking of me (after all, my birthday's coming up next month, surely they remember? ;-)

How lucky I am that thinking about past relationships brings joy and happiness to my heart. Since they're "past" relationships, there were obviously times of great stress but my body seems to remember the good times, the connection that I had with each of them. (On the periphery of my consciousness are others, too, but they're not clamoring for attention, so I need not remember them right now!)

I'm not wanting to end the post. I sit here basking in my own smile, even laughing aloud with delight. But now I'll go give Richard a big hug - and let him know that HE's the flame of my life!

The Beat Goes On

What a great drum circle on our fabulous Siesta Beach last night. Not only did I play sticks again, I also drummed, and even played flute - actually a small clay ocharina in the shape of an owl that I found during one of our Mexico workshops.

In a previous post, I explained playing sticks at the drum circle, but this time was even more intense - a three-some took place. A young boy joined in, and the three of us were dancing and weaving to the wonderful drum beat, while passing the twirling stick from one to the other. An intimate but non-sexual ménage à trois!

Richard showed up and we danced in each other's loving energy.