Album Notes

Take some time for yourself…With this gentle reminder, Rich Marantz invites us on an inner journey of self healing in his recently released CD Connecting to Tao. In a series of three guided mediations Rich combines the basic principles of Tai-Chi and Qigong practices with soothing and evocative music to help us align ourselves with the energies of heaven and earth. In so doing we learn to live more in harmony with the universe and develop our innate capacities for self-healing and well being.

The three meditations use a rich blend of color, sound, basic Taoist concepts and energetic patterns. In Bagua, the first meditation, we connect with the eight energies of heaven and earth and focus on each one to promote inner healing. Next, in Meditation for Releasing and Opening, we are led through different areas of the body to release tension and negative energy and open space within. Finally we move through Standing Meditation for Developing Root for releasing, opening, and grounding. Throughout this process we are reminded to be aware of our dantian: the physiological and energetic center of the body, and to observe what we are feeling in our heart-mind so that we may bring our attention and awareness to our whole being.

In times of instability, we become tense, worried and often find ourselves pulled from our centers. Connecting to Tao offers a simple way home to our true natures, a method based on ancient practices that can be practiced at home by anyone who is willing to take some time for themselves.

Rich Marantz has been on a journey of healing since 1989 following serious, debilitating injury. His intention for "Connecting to Tao" is to help those who are in need find health and happiness. He currently lives in Vermont with his wife Lorrie, daughter Jade and is a teacher of T'ai-chi chuan, Qigong and meditation. He has also been trained as a Traditonal Taoist External Qi Healer.