GuestbookThank you for visiting the RitualDrum web site! Dear Billy, just now a thought for you and your work. Here is a text in German: Wenn du ein Schiff bauen willst , dann trommle nicht MaÅNnner zusammen, das Holz zu beschaffen, Aufgaben zu vergeben und die Arbeit einzuteilen , sondern lehre die MaÅNnner die Sehnsucht nach dem weiten endlosen Meer . *****Translation: Wenn du ein Schiff bauen willst , ***** If you want to build a ship dann trommle nicht Manner zusammen, *****do not drum men together das Holz zu beschaffen, Aufgaben zu vergeben ******who procure woods, to allocate jobs und die Arbeit einzuteilen , ******and organize the work sondern lehre die Manner die Sehnsucht ******but teach the men the longing nach dem weiten endlosen Meer . ******after the endless, open ocean. ****** I hope you are well like me - and I'm looking forward to see and meet you this year. R. J. 6/11/2004 The work that you are doing has had a profound affect on my life.Ý I always have seen that life has it's ups and downs, but it never occured to me that this is a natural rhythm in the order of things.Ý I love the way you highlight the importance of being present in life and living fully in the moment.Ý It does bring a new sense of awareness and joy to life.Ý My understanding of the law of karma was heightened as you spoke of:Ý "... only when we stand in the Light and open our hearts to the Light of Life, can we see our shadows clearly.Ý It is in these moments that Love seeks to heal the darkness of our wounds and traumas."Ý Thank you so much for your words, they resonate with profound Truth.Ý Keep doing what you do, it penetrates the darkness that sometimes befalls our hearts with the Light of Love.Ý You said:Ý "We should test the power of Love, today.Ý We have tried everything else in the world; greed, anger and hate, war and selfishness.Ý Let us give Love and Compassion the equal chance.Ý It will change the world."Ý Thank You,Ý TGHÝ 6/6/2004 Hi Billy, I wanted to let you know that I received the CD. Thank you for sending it so quickly. I listened to it today and although I don't have a drum to practice with yet, I pretended I did. Fortunately, no one saw me or they might have thought it a bit odd that I was playing the drums w/o a visual drum present. I've contacted a couple of different places, including Berchtold & Weiss and hope to have one in the not too distant future. The CD sounds perfect for practicing. Thank you again. I had a great time at the class this past weekend. It was more than worth the distance I traveled. Take care. Best regards, J. 10/16/03 We did put out the info on today with a strong recommendation to attend to many friends, I hope some of them can find time in their busy Marin schedules to attend... We absolutely loved meeting and being with you, as well as doing the weekend workshop...... We both found you a very beautiful and special being, and look forward to staying in touch, and playing together, in the future. Thanks again for all the beautiful energy you put out, and for a truly wonderful and special workshop. Much Love, J. and I. 10/11/03 Hi Billy, Again, Thank you for the wonderful drum/ritual/life workshop. It was good to see you again. Be well, Love J. 10/6/03 Dear Billy, I'm glad to hear that there will be a next workshop in december - I'm looking forward to. The last workshop in Langenbruck was a ignation to became awake and for completly new steps into my life. My life is not easier - but became more colors and light. Love and light, R. 10/14/03 Hi Billy, This personal thank you is a few week's in coming. I want to express my gratitude to you for helping make my week at Esalen an amazing one. There were so many things I experienced both alone and with our group that have created beautiful memories for a lifetime. Thank you for sharing your gifts, your knowledge and your wisdom. I am blessed to have met you and participated in the work our group did together. ... I trust all is well with you, my friend. May the rest of your summer be a joyous one! Warmly, L. E. 8/27/03 www.playful-spirit.com Billy, Thank you, Thank you so much for the great music and the Tamalpa Conference. It came at the perfect time for me. I needed to move ... I needed a time to just go with the rhythm. Take care and keep drumming!!! J. W. 8/5/03 Hello Billy, I just had an opportunity to visit your web site, through a link from a percussion associate in Germany. I am very impressed with what you have to say and of course with what you are doing. I am especially impressed by your approach to the concept of, rhythmic inclusion, touching the hearts of people, especially those who are often considered, 'outcasts' of society. Thank you for all you do. I hope to see you in a rhythm forum someday. K. T. 8/4/03 Hello again Billy, I just wanted to let you know that the drumming prayer we did was transformational for my life. I decided to focus my love and prayer on my daughter's father. He and I have been split up for almost ten years but things have been most difficult between us for the last two. I have had a lot of negative feelings towards him and I thought it would be good to make an effort to shift that. When you asked us to send our love out to someone I had a hard time sending directly to him so I focused on my daughter and him together at first and slowly was able to send love directly with him. Last Friday evening he and I had a phone conversation that started the same as all of out conversations but ended very differently. Somehow he was more open and was willing to hear what I was saying and we were able to come to a very caring space. When I finally told him that I had done a drumming prayer and chose to focus sending love to him he was very touched and cried. Since then our conversations have been different and it seems there has been a positive shift in our relationship. I wanted to thank you for creating the space for this to happen. I know that it was me who chose to focus on him and that I was willing to make the space for him, but I normally would not do such a thing. I really believe that you created that opening in me with your presence and awareness and I want to thank you for that. I wish you all the best with your work as a healing musician. I see that when you are tuned into who you are, there is a great depth that comes out in you and it is very powerful. I did not want to say this before but I will say it now; I prefer working with this part of you over the "rehearsed format" side of you that I experienced at the beginning of your workshop. You are beautifully deep and wise and when you trust your own organic spontaneity it is a tremendously valuable gift. 7/10/03 I wanted to thank you for your teaching and the profoundly alive space you created with the drums and ritual. I enjoyed the whole class, but especially the first group drumming we did. After we stopped I experienced so much juice and aliveness. Amazing! I'd love to do a workshop with you and was disappointed to see that none are scheduled in the Bay Area. Do you have plans to teach here in Marin at some point? I wish you all the best and send you love & light, T. 7/5/03 Billy, Thank you for enriching our home with your grace, passion, talent and humor. You inspired me beyond words. All I can say is, thank you, thank you, thank you! S. 7/2/03 just wanted to thank you for coming to work with us the other day. it was a great afternoon. i would have been stoked if we had a few more days with you. i loved your teaching and your stories and your perspective. and i had my hands on a drum yesterday at a capoiera class and it was great to bring my new technique and presence into action right away. i hope to get to work with you again or see you on stage some time. love, C. 7/2/03 You are welcome so much. And my heartfelt thanks to you too Billy. My group, myself included, enjoyed all that you brought very much. Everyone felt enriched by what you imparted in this short session. We could have easily devoted an entire day. I have conveyed your feelings to everyone. At the close of the day, I asked the group if they found your contribution valuable and helpful to them. There was a unified resounding, YES! I am sure you will hear from folks. Thank you again my friend. Blessings on your path. Joyously and with love, M. 6/30/03 Hello Billy boy. Tomorrow I have my first workshop, I wish you could come and play the drums for us. I miss you. diana 5/16/03 Dear Billy my life is on a wave of joy and excitements as never before. There is enough time for playing the piano, dancing and drumming. .... The thoughts should burning in your ears! I thank God to have a marvellous husband and a big, big spiritual family there you belongs to ) who find space in my heart and who helps me every day to develop my spiritual forces. I would like to experience the transformation and liberation - but for the moment I pray to God to let go this wish! ... May your work take place in many hearts and give you back the warm and flowering gift we receive on every occasion we meet. With love and best wishes also from A. and B. 5/15/03 Dear Billy, a lot of time has passed - you must have been around the world at least once since our meeting at the Aug. Anna Halprin workshop at Esalen. Anyway I think of you often, feel your energy and always remember, among other things, your shadow dance. "The brighter the light the clearer the shadow". It has a profound ramification for me in the sense of understanding/accepting the difficult sides of some people who are close to me and 'in the light', public figures etc. as well as accepting myself, allowing my whole being, with consciousness, as I tip toe a bit in and out of 'the light'. C.P. 11/19/02 Hi Billy: I just wanted to thank you for a great healing ritual last Saturday. That theme you presented of getting in touch with the anger & the sending out the love (even though I sent it to "little" self} was really powerful & healing. I have been working with an image of a pit of pain for some time now, alot around my mother's death (long ago when I was a child) & that image came up Saturday during the love part & I was walking up these steps out of the pit after having spent quite some time there & looking around at every corner in it. I was walking up slowly and when you speeded up the pace I felt I was not able to walk up out of it any faster & so I lost the timing & I actually stopped drumming. What surprized me was afterwards when you said that rhythm was a war rhythm & I felt I was strengthened by it to walk out of that pit of old greif. I am always amazed in these healing experiences of the synchronicity of things like that. Well that is a long worded "thank you" but Iwasn't able to put those words to it on Saturday till I had a long walk by the water. Enjoy the sunshine. Peace, C. 10/8/02 Hello, i just surfed here just for having fun....... greetz from switzerland Cheryl <Shril_bs@hotmail.com> Basel, BL Switzerland - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 02:36:43 (PST) ..2,3 .. Riiing..ring hello billy - this was a tremendous practice and healing experience for me.. thanx for what U are 2 me.. i like to drum and i try to exercise for me every day cause i know its some huge power in this... it reconnect s me to the experience of my Body - hands....feet etcetera after quiet 5 years when i went away from my teacher - to get togheter with my dream women simone.. i just ran to her from belgium.. i did some sort of tai chi chuan and stuff.. my mother still lives there and works as librarist.. i played drumset as i was about 18 years..or before that for some years. I also draw a lot.. thats what I do most. you have anice looking website and thank you much !!! CONNECTED i love u ben benedikt klein <openeye@magnet.ch> reigoldswil, BL SWITZERLAND - Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 13:53:52 (PST) great site aquariophilie <aquadesign@wanadoo.fr> lille, USA - Friday, December 27, 2002 at 01:11:13 (PST) I would like more information of the drum circles. Thanks Genovia Morgan <Sweetsp9@aol.com> San Francisco, CA USA - Sunday, December 01, 2002 at 14:20:44 (PST) Dear Billy, Missing your Drums For Peace classes in Sausalito! Hope you're having a great summer and looking forward to more beautiful connective rhythms in the fall. Love, Candace Candace <cxh@well.com> Sausalito , Candace USA - Tuesday, August 06, 2002 at 20:44:48 (PDT) I saw your website and love what you are doing. Please, look at the other benefits of music. Love Always Music Healers of the World USA - Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 09:38:35 (PDT) Dearest Friends: It has been a great pleasure to join you this year in our efforts to come together as community and friends to send out our vibrations and rhythms this year at our drumming events DRUMS FOR PEACE. We had a rousing time and our moments were filled with fun, laughter and deep moments of focused drumming that transported all of us and had the tourists walking by, dancing in the streets! I am sincerely happy to have met all of you. Many thanks to Claire at RITUALS in Sausalito for hosting these fantastic events. In the short time we spent together, we all saw and experienced the almost magical cohesive HEALING POWER OF RITUAL DRUMMING. Many thanks for all your feedback. A 70-year-old woman, with Alzheimer?s disease that came with her son, to the DRUM FOR THE GODDESS event on Mother?s Day said; ?This has been a rare gift for me. You know, I don?t remember much these days, but during the drumming, the rhythms helped me to focus. And I enjoyed every minute of it! It helped me remember the happiest moment of my life in detail. This was a great gift. Thank You.? This comment, from such a tender hearted loving soul, touched me deeply. We are seeing much evidence in the medical field around the benefits of working with repetitive rhythms and seniors with Alzheimer?s disease. It is just one of many ways the arts can be used as a transformational and healing element in our lives, ? at any age. And at any age, we can dance, sing, shout, let all out, ? as a personal health practice. So, keep drumming those rhythms of self-expression, keep churning the ether with your vibrations of love and peace for yourselves and all of mankind. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ?.. May the rhythm of our hearts flow as One. Billy Cauley <Bcauleyjr@aol.com> Marin County, CA USA - Tuesday, July 16, 2002 at 11:30:31 (PDT) My Dear Beloved Friends Around the World: As we move on in our lives, let us realize we are not alone. Our connected thoughts of love and good will for each other will establish the emotional foundation that will alleviate us from the oppression of fear and hate in the world today. Every smile we give to another, every word of positive inspiration is helping us to come together as one people, in one world, living in the spirit of one humanity. Let us as individuals celebrate our true gifts of love, peace, compassion, goodwill and kindness. Let us give of these gifts freely. These are the treasures of the soul. Let us unite this world in peace, one heart at time, with the vibrations and rhythms of our Love pouring from our hearts. Let us do all we can to unite as one rhythm of Love that will spread throughout every land. May this Christmas bring the special blessings of faith, trust, love, assurance, and peace to each and every one of your hearts. With Loving Holiday Greetings, Billy Billy Cauley Marin County, CA USA - Wednesday, December 26, 2001 at 00:02:52 (PST) Dear Billy, Almost a month has passed since the ritual drumming night on May 16 and the cells in my body are still glowing from the experience. Thank you for holding an incredible space for us. The container you and your guides created was so powerful. You are such an open vessel with such a huge heart. Thank you! The sounds and rhythms that were created that night were truly healing. The drums brought me into such a state of grace. The higher harmonics were like a chorus of angels dancing on the heart of the earth. I have never experienced anything quite like it. Pure bliss. I look forward to drumming with you again in the future. Thank you for your work in this world and your beautiful presence. We are truly blessed. Namaste JoJo Doig <jdoig@igc.org> Albany, CA USA - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:37:20 (PDT) Dear Billy, I have really enjoyed participating in your drumming classes. You are such a wonderful & patient teacher who has the gift of instructing in an encouraging clear & non-judgemental way - it makes even the very beginner feel some sense of competence. I love the way you weave humor and your talent as a musician to encourage your students. You model letting the Healing Spirit flow through you in the drumming rituals and it is a joy to be a part of that. Thank you for sharing your gifts so generously. Christina Naughton S.F. , CA USA - Saturday, May 19, 2001 at 17:12:57 (PDT) Dear Billy, Thank you for your inspired & inspiring work, which is a beautiful gift to your students and to the world. Your open loving heart and gentle, modest approach (with so much talent) have the power to touch people deeply and to transform the world. I recommend your classes and rituals to everyone! Many blessings to you, Jeff Jeff Klein USA - Friday, May 18, 2001 at 08:53:26 (PDT) Hello and Greetings to All "You came on earth to accomplish a divine mission. Realize how important that is." Paramahansa Yogananda "Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." Chinese Proverb I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all that attended the Ritual Night event at the final class this winter/spring in California. The dedication, respect and courage that each of you displayed during the event was so deeply moving. I felt such a beautifully powerful and Holy Spirit present during our journey together. I know this was present because of the devotion and sacred honoring that sprang so uniquely from each individual heart and soul. Our ability to feel this Omnipresence is tangible proof and a blessing, that God is listening to our prayers and does indeed respond to Her children's heartfelt call and the sincere devotion of our souls to effect a change in our lives. And isn't it a blessing that we do change in this life. It is Divine Salvation that no matter what we have done in the past, we have been blessed with the will power and soul guidance to want to change ourselves. It is this Unconditional Divine Love, Divine Forgiveness and Divine Acceptance that God so wonderfully shows to us that allows us to progress as souls on this path we have chosen towards liberation. God loves us so much. That same seed is planted in our own souls. When we express and display Unconditional Love in our lives the beauty of Gods Presence flows through us. We feel it and those around us feel it. It is the way we can change the world. And it is never to late to start expressing these qualities in our lives. This expression of Unconditional Love will change how we operate in the world. It will change politics, the devastation of the environment, the perpetuation of war, prejudice and hatred, feed the starving, nourish our souls and make this world in which we live a better place for our children, ....... and their children's children. It will allow us to open to inner levels we have never dreamed of. I commend you on your courage to address these situations in your life that there may be a change in the dynamic with which it operates at the present time, that there may be positive changes that will promote wholeness, healing and well-being. If these things were so easy to change, we probably would have changed how we have operated in these situations along time ago. Thank you for your sincere prayers and the calls to that which is so sacred and holy in your lives to be with us all during the Ritual Night. I sincerely wish you all the very best for the summer season. As we travel and life goes on, let us remember: ........ as we soak in the sun, ........ as we are moved by the beauty of Nature, ....... As we feel our joys and pains, ...... as we share time with family and friends, ...... as we work and play, ........ THAT IT IS THE DIVINE REFLECTED IN US ....... AND IN EVERYTHING ....... EVERYWHERE May your lives ever be blessed and enriched by every opportunity to change the rhythm of your lives to establish a new rhythm that is in harmony with all of Creation. Sincerely, with eternal Peace and Love to All Keep smiling .... and looking for the Divine reflected in the eyes of All "The words from my mouth are beating on the drum of your ear." Billy Cauley Jr. "The deepest bond is this mystery that brings us together to share the truth." Billy Cauley Jr. Billy Cauley <Bcauleyjr@aol.com> San Anselmo, CA USA - Friday, May 18, 2001 at 04:49:06 (PDT) I took my first ever drumming lesson last night in San Anselmo and thoroughly enjoyed it ~ I was energized the whole night! Thank you for sharing the light. Blessings, april April Angelene <april_angelene@yahoo.com> Pacifica, CA USA - Thursday, May 10, 2001 at 15:30:42 (PDT) If you are thinking about taking Billy's class -- do it! I learned skills that will last my lifetime. Sarah Hooper <sarah@yahoo.com> Fairfax, CA USA - Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 12:57:43 (EST) It is a great present to meet a such gifted teacher like Billy Cauley. With his big heart and great skill he teach not only drumming but also the way of heart.Thank You so much for coming to Switzerland, to made this long trip in every sense - we need You, your drum, your heart! Susanna Tolotto <stolotto@pop.agri.ch> Z?rich, CH USA - Monday, January 22, 2001 at 16:15:22 (EST) I want to thank you for opening my heart and mind to the world of ritual drummning. Even 8 month later I can feel the wonderful energy of the four-day workshop. Inside me something new started to grow after the workshop; now I know what it is: a deep passion and joy for life and ? for me even more important ? a deeper comprehension for me and everything that belongs to my person....Thank you. Love, Val?rie (from Z?rich, Switzerland) Valerie Jaquet <valerie.jaquet@boldern.ch> Switzerland - Thursday, January 04, 2001 at 07:59:37 (EST) Greetings and Warm Hello to Everyone: I want to thank everyone for all of your letters and heartfelt responses to the classes and the work we have accomplished over the last seasons. I experienced so many of you take on the challenge of incorporating new areas of learning and development into your lives. We have taken journeys into the depths of our individual and collective myths, to find the truth of our valued existence. To accomplish our goals, we have explored our present rhythms and established new rhythms, visions and dreams. The positive rhythms of our lives ripple into ocean of all Creation. I have a great joy seeing so many of you take the skill of hand drumming into your lives and communities with such vigor and accomplishment. My wish is that you continue to drum your prayers of love, peace, forgiveness, compassion, faith and trust, joy, unity and service to all of mankind. Dare to dream! ...... Dare to live! Peace and Love to All Billy Billy Cauley <Bcauleyjr@aol.com> San Anselmo, CA USA - Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at 13:41:13 (EDT) Dear Billy, 8 month after the drumming workshop I'm still feeling the wonderful energy of this four days. Thanks so much for opening my heart and mind to the magnificent world of ritual drumming...Val?rie Val?rie Jaquet <vjaquet@datacomm.ch> Z?rich, CH Switzerland - Monday, July 24, 2000 at 03:34:01 (EDT) Dear Billy, Sunny regards from Basel. It is super to be in touch with the world, the drumming world. Helena Helena Gerber <helenagerber@yahoo.de> Basel, Switzerland - Tuesday, June 27, 2000 at 09:50:06 (EDT) Dear Billy. The 8 June ritual-session in Zurich was incredible! The experience to attend a meeting of 40 drummers who drummed for the sake of theit and others souls was just overwhelming. Five different rhythms at the same time resulted in an athmosphere of rotating resonance-sound-patterns that cannot be described. Go on like this, Billy. 'Keep your lane' in the search for and the finding of God! And encourage many co-searchers to follow the same trace. Thank you, Billy. Annemarie and Kurt Kurt & Annemarie Gschwind <k.a.gschwind@smile.ch> CH - 4419Lupsingen, Switzerland - Wednesday, June 14, 2000 at 14:03:22 (EDT) David Lewis My Drumming Experience with Billy Cauley And the Miramonte Dance Class I had the extraordinary opportunity to play side by side with professional percussionist, Billy Cauley. His approach and attitude towards the drums inspires me to play the same way, and to play the drums with as much intensity and feeling every time. I feel I have learned a tremendous amount from this experience. I am very glad to have met Billy, and I will use his knowledge every time I sit down to play. Billy and I watched each step of this student choreographed dance. We looked at the process of each step, as well as the next series of moves. We would drum according to what we suspected would be suitable for that particular move. Despite rehearsing it once as a whole group, I picked up on the different moods, and steps of the piece. While the girls were coming out on the stage, Billy and I agreed that all that was needed was a medium-slow pulse. As the girls sped up, I would make the pulse more rapid, and eventually turn it in to a groove where the girls could apply it to whatever their next step was. As the groove became louder and faster, I hit five hard strokes. On the fifth one, every body fell down. As the girls slowly got up, I also played slow, soft pulses until there was almost chaos on the stage. Quickly the fast-paced dancing came to a halt when there was one dancer left on stage. She was "pulled" slowly off stage. Billy and I played according to what was happening on stage. After the dancer was "pulled" off stage, the dance was over. I especially liked how Billy incorporated his gongs, shakers and vocal effects into my drumming. It really completed the piece. It was quite a surprise when Billy started chanting. However, I still had to keep my composure, which was sometimes hard to do. Playing with Billy was really a special treat for me this year, and I will cherish that forever. Overall I had a great year, and I enjoyed playing drums, and being a part of Miramonte's first dance class of the millennium. David Lewis Bay Area, CA USA - Monday, June 12, 2000 at 19:53:58 (EDT) Dear Billy: Great drumming class. Thank you for treating us like musicians. During the last class, I had moments of not just drumming, but a feeling of being so on the beat that I touched the center of the earth. SandyM, SF USA - Thursday, June 08, 2000 at 12:47:52 (EDT) Great additions to the site. Have fun on this trip. Look forward to drumming with you again! Eddie Oberste <eddie@EffectiveOptions.com> San francisco, CA USA - Tuesday, June 06, 2000 at 23:45:03 (EDT) Blessed journey... May all that cross your path walk in the rhythms of peace, love and healing... looking forward to your return! Hello to all! cindy Davis <cidaart@aol.com> Santa Cruz, CA USA - Tuesday, June 06, 2000 at 22:47:40 (EDT) This is great! Take care while you are in Europe. MC MC <MAISE7> USA - Tuesday, June 06, 2000 at 18:11:48 (EDT) GREETINGS TO EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD! WELCOME! It give me a great joy to open up this section of the website to offer all of you, my dear friends a chance to communicate and share your experiences in the world of drumming. I look forward drumming with all of again as our rhythms join in the rhythm of the Universe. Peace and Love, always.... In divine friendship Billy Cauley ;-) Billy <Bcauleyjr@aol.com> San Anselmo, CA USA - Tuesday, June 06, 2000 at 16:17:35 (EDT) your drumming Billy! Keep up the great work and please come back to Texas!! Peace, Cheryl Cheryl Rogers <cheryl@hazelnut.com> Dallas, TX USA - Wednesday, May 31, 2000 Welcome to the new guestbook at www.ritualdrum.com A big hello to all those viewing this from around the world! -- Andre RitualDrum Webmaster <info@marigold.com> Bay Area, CA USA - Wednesday, May 31, 2000
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