Follow That Muse! The Magic of Midnight in Paris

If you’re a born romantic, or a traveler worth your Samsonite, you’ve got your Paris story in your repertoire. Most everyone who touches down in the City of Light for more than a day or two has been blasted by her mystique in a life-altering sense.

But one doesn’t even need to lay eyes on the Trocadero, La Tour Eiffel or the Louvre to have such a wallop of awakening: magical rabbit holes to our own heart and soul are here, there, and everywhere. We only need to look with a somewhat diffuse, open way of seeing. When the muse comes knocking, we have to take the leap and trust – and leave all cynicism and doubt aside. We are then duly rewarded with inspiration – real soul juice – beyond our wildest dreams.

Woody Allen’s new film, Midnight In Paris, reminds us of the portals in time and space, and in our own imaginations, that are there for us to walk through… if we just say yes.

Quelle coincidence I found myself watching Mr. Allen’s Midnight on Bastille Day itself, in my favorite old-fashioned theater in San Francisco, the legendary Balboa. It happened also to be the Full Moon in Capricorn, the Sea Goat being a great lover of all things traditional and lasting. Woody’s love letter to Paris relies less on sexual and relationship tension and neurosis, than his typical fare. This film is an uplifting homage to all that is beautiful and meaningful – that which LIVES ON – from the past’s Golden Ages, namely ART, MUSIC, AND LITERATURE – three muses that keep us going when the world becomes drab and dull, bleak and isolating.

Halfway through Midnight, I felt the spirit of La Bohème pulsing through my veins stronger than ever, an affirmation that I was on my way to my own enchanted island of creative inspiration – that intoxicating knowing that nothing could ever keep me from expressing my true self. As long as my body remains strong enough to move and groove, and the mind spry enough to quibble and scribble, I am pretty damned sure I’m going to remain fused with the muse: the art of writing, performance, music, film, and whatever else airs on my personal self-expression channel.

Perhaps it is true that artistes are born, not made. Yes, in one sense, we don’t get to choose the muse; the muse chooses us. However, we all have” inklings,” don’t we? We can all surf the waves of inspiration and make our very lives into art. Our approaches to this world can change in an instant, quick like a bunny. Opening oneself TOTALLY and completely to Life As Art is a risky business, indeed.

If you're an aspiring artist, a patron, or a casual admirer, keep in mind that it takes a highly sensitive soul to bring words, scores, images from the beyond – the superconscious – to planet earth - which is why having a muse is so comforting. It is a constant dance, a romance with that unseen – to be able to focus totally and listen to the muse and heed her coaxing. Without realizing it, we often make ourselves unavailable by shutting down or ignoring her prompts. Still, we must try, for it is our art that gives us real nourishment and feeds our souls completely. It is true alchemy to create exquisiteness. The care and feeding of a true artist-muse relationship is like the life of a hothouse orchid at times: it takes a delicate balance of food, light, water, temperature – and L O V E . . .

But oh, how grand it is when we’ve aligned ourselves with our muse! It could be the Winged Glory, the exterior of the Pompidou, or an accordion-playing busker near Montmartre that brings you to tears and drops you to your knees in humility. Even if you never leave your hometown, no matter: We all have a “Paris” in our souls. Whether an actual place, or an imagined scene in time and space, our portals to the fantastic are those truly unique circumstances that make you swoon and sends your heArt straight to the Moon.

Because when all is said and done, it is art that makes life worth living. We are born to create.

Our muses are not only friends on our paths; they are the very lifelines to our soul. I laud Mr. Allen for reminding us to trust, to hang on with all our might and never let go. Chapeaux!

In celebration of artists and their muses!

Erin

P.S. If you're headed to Paris, I recommend Rick Steve's Paris guidebook for lovely tips and suggestions. Be forewarned: you may never want to come home again...

Erin's Top India Film Picks: Part One

You can take a Bindi Girl out of Indyah, but you can never take India out of the Bindi Girl!

True love for the spicy subcontinent never dies - even if you're saturated after four years in the masala.

Today's post shares five of my favorite India-themed movies - with some real oddball picks! (This will be a multi-part post, since there are so many to share!)

In no particular order...

1. Outsourced (2006)
Sweet, sweet, sweet with just the right amount of sugar in the chai. A Seattle guy gets shipped off to a village in Maharashtra, a few hours outside of Mumbai, to set up a call center. This heartwarming flick does a great job of portraying the cliches of typical India, without going over the top. It's mightily accurate and doesn't try to be anything than what it is: quirky and beautiful, just like India. The main character, Todd (whom the Indians call Mr. Toad) falls in love with bindis, too!

Josh Hamilton and Ayesha Dharker are sheer naturals without a trace of overacting.

2. Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Ooh, la-la. This visual fest by filmmaker Mira Nair captured my heart in a big way. It was Monsoon Wedding that put me over the top, watching it in an art-house cinema in Berlin, I fell deeply in love with the colors, the music, the madness of India. Mira Nair's films are known for incorporating controversial social topics in a way that keeps you in contact with the beauty and soul. The soundtrack is unbeatable and the best is "Aaj Mera Jee Karda" (Today My Heart Desires) by Mychael Danna, sung by Sukhwinder Singh. Listen and enjoy here.

3. The Namesake (2006)
Based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, here's another Mira Nair splendor. From the beginning train journey scene, in which the main character (Irrfan Khan - a intellectually-sexy favorite Indian actor who also stars in Slumdog Millionaire) loses everything save for the drive to start anew in New York City, we are glued to the screen with our very souls. The back and forth transition between traditional Bengali life in Calcutta (Kolkata) and adjusting to the ways of the modern world is poignant and heart-wrenching. I'm getting choked up just writing about it. Gulp.

4. Bride and Prejudice (2004)
For the sheer fun of a crossover between Bollywood and Hollywood - and the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai - former Miss World and the indisputed queen of Bollywood. Of course, other princesses have already come and gone, but nothing can take your eyes off of 'Ash' once you've fallen under her Bolly-Barbie spell. Part screwball comedy, part Grease musical ("No Life, Without Wife"), Bride and Prejudice is a good time all around.


5. Erin Reese's YouTube Channel (2002-2011)
*Just-for-fun Amateur Pick!*
The making of mini-movies around the globe has opened my heart and mind, and India gives me inspiration no end. From sunrise yoga to Varanasi rickshaws, the wild east Orissan seaside to the promenades of Mumbai, this novice filmmaker professes no technical expertise, just a whole lotta love, light, sound, and spice - it's travel and soul.

Coming Soon: Darjeeling Limited, Mississippi Masala, Slumdog, and much more!

Bindi's Top-Rated!

Erin Reese 'gets' the spirit of India.
In reading her adventures, I could almost hear the crowds and smell the curry.
But more than that, I felt blessed by the soulfulness of half-a-dozen millennia.
Erin was born to be in India - and to write this book.

~ Victoria Moran, author of Creating a Charmed Life

Hello travelers!

Thank you to everyone who has already purchased and read my new eBook, Bindi Girl: Diving Deep Into the Heart of India. I'm so excited to see Bindi climbing the ranks, rated #6 of all top-rated India books in Amazon's Kindle Store!

• #6 Top Rated in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Travel > Asia > India

If you haven't already added your own review, please do! Your reactions help publishers and booksellers to take notice. Thank you!

You may also enjoy listening to the podcast of my recent radio appearance on San Francisco's WholeBody Talk with interviewer Polina Smith, in which I discuss India, Bindi, and astrology - and a bit about how I came to be the eclectic character I am today. If you missed the podcast, click here for listening information.

Happy travels, happy reading!

Love,

Erin

p.s. Bindi is also available on Amazon UK and Amazon DE. If you're from the UK, be the first to leave a review! Seien Sie der Erste, der einen deutschen Bewertung abzugeben!

Listen to Erin's interview on WholeBody Talk Radio!

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1. Click (and click again to play) on the above icon to listen now.

2. Right click here and 'Save As' to download as mp3 and listen later.

3. For podcast, click here to play now or download to iTunes.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wholebody-talk/id429136453

In this episode of WholeBody Talk, host Polina Smith spoke with Erin Reese – Astrologer, Intuitive Consultant and Author of the new spiritual-adventure travel book Bindi Girl: Diving Deep into the Heart of India!

Erin Reese is a one-of-a-kind explorer. A self-described travel and soul writer, Erin is the author of the popular spiritual-travel blog, Bindi Girl, which appeared online from 2002-2010. Her work has appeared in the business travel magazine, Global Traveler, featuring articles on Varanasi, Kolkata, Malaysia, and Taipei. Erin is also a certified yoga instructor, astrologer, and intuitive consultant for clients around the world. Erin divides her time between India, Europe, and the U.S. She is working on the sequel to Bindi Girl.

Sign up for news, articles, and travel updates on Erin's website, TravelAndSoulMedia.com!

Work that Astro-Body! Erin Reese's Get-Fit Guide to the Zodiac

Now that summer is officially here, we may catch ourselves in the mirror asking how we can lose that extra ten to twenty pounds we stashed away over the winter.

We may be tempted to turn to fad diets promoted on every magazine cover at the grocery checkout counter. Problem is, these quick-fix weight loss methods only work for the short term. Inevitably, unless we remain in starvation mode (bad for the brain, mood, and health), those unwanted pounds creep right back up.

Of course, there's another way to drop the weight, and keep it off: good old-fashioned EXERCISE. Most of us balk at the thought of adding yet another item to our already-packed to-do lists. That's where astrology comes into play. By getting active in accordance with your Sun Sign's natural motivation, you'll be fit in no time. For best results, read your Moon Sign and Rising Sign, too!*

Check out the following just-for-fun (don't take it too seriously, folks!) "get-fit tips" by Travel and Soul astro-intuitive, Erin Reese:

Aries:

The get-fit-trick for you, headstrong Aries, is to choose exercise where you can assert your independence. Any activity that can be done solo - swimming, running, biking - suits you just fine. And with that signature Ram ambition, you'll be the first in your yoga class to master the perfect headstand. Did you know that Aries is ruled by the head?

Taurus:

Your challenge, Taurus, is to peel yourself off the La-Z-Boy and get out into nature, where you thrive and come alive. Get yourself some fresh air each week, and enjoy the splay and scent of summer flowers. Pick up a pair of sturdy walking shoes, a sunhat, and a local hiking guide. Make your romps regular, and you can reward yourself with an occasional weekend couch potato splurge of DVD's and fruity frozen yogurt.

Gemini:

Your get-fit-trick is to multitask, Gemini, while working out. Listen to your favorite Podcasts while you're on the elliptical trainer, and keep your cell phone attached to your gym shorts so you won't have to worry about missing that all-important sales call. There. You've fit in yet another activity into your packed iPhone calendar. No prob! You can run for the roses, write a bestseller, and bake a superfood cake simultaneously! C'mon - you know you already do five things at once! Slipping a workout in there just lets your other Twin do another fun thing at the same time!

Cancer:

There's no place like home when it comes to the ideal exercise zone for the domestic Crab. Get yourself a wide, flatscreen TV, move the coffee table, and pop in your favorite Tai Chi, Tae Bo, or hatha yoga DVD. Meanwhile, you can keep an ear out for any little ones napping in the next room, or for the timer on that home-cooked spelt veggie lasagna baking in the oven.

Leo:

We know it's all about you, Leo, and the fitness motivator for you is the simple fact that you're the one to watch in the Zodiac. You need all eyes upon you, so you'll want to look your best at all times. Take a West African or Butoh dance class and make sure the studio is decked out with lots of mirrors to admire yourself - and be admired - while you sweat. Yes, you do look hot. Shake your mane around for that extra leonine shine. You're ruled in part by the heart - and the back - so focus on those body parts for extra oomph this summer.

Virgo:

Lucky Virgo, you're the most health conscious sign, so you're probably ready for swimsuit season already! For productive you, working out in a gym is a waste of time, right? It's better to accomplish even more chores while keeping your heart rate up. Make your daily jogs into daily errands: run to the post office, the hardware store, or even the grocery store for a quart of milk - all before even starting your regular workday.All Virgo needs to do is put the workout in the calendar, and it's a done deal. I'm not worried about you, Virgo!

Libra:

Libra wants to make a social event out of every workout, so why not join a yoga or dance class at the gym, where you can see your favorite people each week? Since you love to shop, head to your favorite department store and invest in some fabulous new sports clothes. You'll feel so fine in your sexy spandex halters, you'll just have to be seen at the gym. Socialite that you are, creating a weekly workout meet-up at the park, followed by a healthy brunch/lunch could be just the smiling Libra ticket!

Scorpio:

Endurance sports are key for the intense Scorpion. Train to run a marathon or a tri, or bike a century! Fundraising groups like Team in Training or the AIDS Marathon are fabulous ways to help you reach the goal. Plus, the good cause you assist appeals to your sentimental streak. You of all signs, Scorpio, will make it across the finish line, one mile at a time, because you'd never quit. Set a goal, put it in your calendar, and see how the survivor in you THRIVES. Put "Eye of the Tiger" in your iPod to pump it up!

Sagittarius:

Sag, you're a natural equestrian, and if you're lucky enough to live in an area where you can go horseback riding on a regular basis, take advantage of it. You'll feel like you're in a dream as you guide your steed along paths and trails. Otherwise, take up exercise that requires you to travel, such as diving. And, while you're at it, sign up for that cycling tour through the south of France, or yoga vacation in Costa Rica. Climbing to the top of Everest - okay, well, Mt. Whitney, Shasta, or Tam - is a great way to get your adventuring fix!

Capricorn:

You love the earth, Capricorn, and have a vast appreciation for Mother Nature. Problem is, how to peel yourself away from your job and responsibilities long enough to enjoy outdoor sports? The get-fit-trick for you, Goat, is to involve your coworkers in a team fitness effort, such as a bowling or softball league. This way, you'll also be moving toward health goals while increasing team spirit - and, therefore, the company's bottom line. That makes you just as happy as losing twenty pounds, doesn't it?

Aquarius:

Aquarius, you live in your head most of the time, and only occasionally remember that you actually dwell in a physical body. Therefore, you're one of the signs that benefits most from vigorous exercise, which gets your blood pumping and nourishes your brain. Try to participate in sports that involve your friends, such as Ultimate Frisbee, bowling, and soccer. Take special care of those calves and ankles - Water Bearer body parts - by giving them some extra stretching. If an Aquarius gets depressed it's a 90% chance they've not landed on Mother Earth yet - in the body.

Pisces:

When it comes to exercise, Pisces, it's water, water everywhere that makes you one fit Fish! Whether it's surfing, lap swimming, or water ballet, you'll be oh-so-happy in any activity in which you are surrounded by your native element. Even if you prefer land roving, join a yoga class in a peaceful environment, with soft lights and music, to soothe your highly sensitive soul. Meditation afterward is a great way to balance your emotions. Pisces are ruled by their feet, so sneak a self-foot-massager under the desk to give yourself free acupressure all the working day!

* Want to know more about your personal natal chart, Moon Sign and Rising Sign?

Email Erin directly for a personal astrology consultation! Click here for astro-intuitive details.

Need a little inspiration? Check out Erin's Yoga information page here.

Erin Reese LIVE on Whole Body Talk Radio

Listen to a live interview with Erin Reese
on FCC Free Radio, June 21 at 12 Noon!

Catch this live interview with author, astro-intuitive and spiritual counselor Erin Reese on FCC Free Radio this Tuesday!

Whole Body Talk: A weekly radio show in which Polina Smith interviews different Holistic Health Practitioners, Nutritionists, Fitness Experts, Psychologists, Spiritualists, Activists and Self-Help Gurus, about their work and what it means to heal our bodies on physical, nutritional, psychological, emotional and spiritual levels.

LIVE On the Air
Date: Tuesday, June 21
When: 12 - 1 p.m.
Where: Whole Body Talk with Polina Smith
on FCC Free Radio (Radio for the People, By the People)
How: Streaming on your PC/Mac with the following link:
http://www.fccfreeradio.com/?page_id=630

Can't make the live show?
Download the FREE Podcast available by Thursday, June 23 right here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wholebody-talk/id429136453

Erin's Story (from Bindi Girl)

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Check out Erin's new Author Page on Amazon - with book trailers, upcoming events, and more!

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0056ENXVS

Get your own copy of the new eBook TODAY!
Bindi Girl: Diving Deep Into the Heart of India