Bio

Howie Silinski is a Photog, Musician, Information Technology professional, and certified Meditation teacher originally from the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie, NY. His photography work is inspired by Hugh Morton and Ansel Adams, and has been published in a variety of publications, and won awards in art shows. His Meditation practice has allowed him to provide guided instruction to many across the globe leveraging 3000 year old techniques brought to the west by Paramhansa Yogananda. His musical endeavors were sparked early by family members, fellow musicians, a Pete Seeger elementary school performance, and classical guitar lessons by Mike Mosley, which have since evolved into a passion for sonic experimentation. Listen to music samples on youtube, and soundcloud ,  streetjelly.com , and support his progress on the charts at Drooble. Photographs on this site can be obtained in a variety of media formats including prints, cups, buttons, etc. 

May your experience on this site bring you joy, peace, and love for the life you have around you.           

2023

April

It is the season of new and everlasting life! Plants, animals, spirits that were in a momentary slumber are now awakened to the calling of a bright, joyful new day. Happy Birthdays Tory, Tish, Joey, Buddha, da Vinci, Wright, Chaplin, Shakespeare what would the world have been without you? 

Recommended read - Jesus and the Jewish roots of the Eucharist

Recommended listen - 50th Anniversary - The Dark side of the moon

Recommended interview - Kerry Livgren

Recommended App - YUKA - Awesome app for assisting with healthy food choices

January

All things are bright and new, and the birthday celebrations in this month reverberate that... Holly, Mom, Dad, Yogananda, Tolkien, Isaac Newton, MLK, Benjamin Franklin, Joan of Arc,  Edgar Allen Poe, Mozart, FDR, Gretzky... wow, wow, and WOW!

Its a time of replacing negative habits with good habits. As we start on that journey leverage these pics and affirmations to focus and meditate upon. Baptize the New Year with Peace, Joy, Love, Calmness, Light, Sound, Calmness, Wisdom, and Power.

Recommended Music - Most beautiful classical music

Insight - Create lasting Happiness

2022

November - The month to celebrate Gratitude, the most powerful and healing attitude of human kind. 

Few, if any, attitudes awaken heart and brain energy as surely as gratitude. MRI brain scan studies have shown greater activation in the brains analytical region where the orchestration of thoughts and actions occur for subjects who practice / experience gratitude regularly. Regular practice of gratitude improves sleep, reduces blood pressure, improves happiness and overall mental, physical, and spiritual health. Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize / recount those things you are thankful for. When you open them again, share my gratitude for the beauty of nature, and the warm memories of family.

Recommended  music - Ancient chant for Healing and Peace
Suggested read - "Scientific Healing Affirmations" by Paramahansa Yogananda
Movie - "La Rafle"
Insights - Living with Gratitude

June - What is your North Star and do you live it?

Is it the Bible, the 10 commandments? The Gita, Sutras, or Vedas? Koran, Torah? Something else?
Whatever it may be, do you live it and not just preach it? Have  you intentionally or inadvertently "cancelled" others because they don't "think" or "live" like you do?
What do you see when you look in the mirror in the morning.. a white person, black, asian, hispanic? Male, female, fat, skinny, old, young, tall, short?
You have been deceived if you think you are any of these. Your true self is beyond flesh and blood, beyond this temprary physical vessel. It truely is an eternal life, and blissful consciousness. A spirit that can be unified with an elevated awareness, that once realized is free from pain, and suffering, and desires. 

Q2 music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd9DnvPlMsA&list=OLAK5uy_lVNE674pEq-fONvxES__ZIix3Vdym8lek 
Q2 read - "The Holy Science" Swami Sri Yukteswar
Q2 insights -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9IqLco8xPE
Q2 Movie - "Silence"

January

What was, what is
The end of 2021 was an out of control whirling dervish that spun right by, and tried to distract me  with the dust and noise of change, egos, politics, health battles... so lets reflect, leverage learnings, and activate the dynamic 2022 now upon us!
Our Holiday Tea performance was a success, 4 straight days of trying to balance between being "elevator music", and our usual clandestine approach to fusing prog, classical, pop, jazz, celtic in a digestible format seemed to work. This opens the door for more live music in 2022!
2021 was the year of finally finding our own retreat in the NC Mountains at Chetola, and then using that to springboard a deeper Meditation practice.

2022 was then thrust upon us with a Blizzard, reminding LunaBear, the Mrs, and I that Mother Nature is indeed in charge in the winter.
As I continue learning the teachings of Paramahansa, I'd like to refer to this discussion by Brother Anandamoy a student of Yogananda. In it he relates the meaning of life we all desperately seek: 1. Freedom from all aspects of suffering 2. To achieve a higher level of consciousness that includes the characteristics of joy, happiness, wisdom, love, Bliss. The path there is Yoga / Meditation.

Q1 video: Paramahansa Yogananda: A World Teacher

Q1 read: The complete Francis of Assisi: His life, The complete writings, and the Little Flower

Q1 audio: Liberation Time / John McLaughlin

2021
October
"Samadhi"

Memory distorts our perceptions of reality, and there is an absolute difference between learning from the past, and being imprisoned by the past.
Replaying negative memories over and over is not the path to happiness, and the more we replay those thoughts, memories, and feelings, the more harmful and distorted they become. It is cancer of the mind feeding off the memory proteins that make it grow bigger and bigger until the host is completely overcome with them.

We have the power to choose between drowning in misery indefinitely, or rise above that, and replace the mental cancer with elevated superconscious feelings of love, joy, calmness, peace, power. Every single human being has experienced mental and physical pain, but we each deal with it differently... internalize, externalize, wallow or break free!  If we have to visit the past, rediscover the positive feelings that are always there. Below is an inspiring mystical poem by Paramhansa Yogananda about the experience of the very highest level of consciousness “Samadhi”. “Samadhi” what a wonderful goal to strive for. Perfect union of the individualized soul with infinite spirit, a state of oneness; complete absorption, in which the soul realizes that it is much more than the conditioned body.
Perhaps, meditation is the most compelling action to take in our lives. If you are interested in learning more about practicing meditation please visit this page.

Fall colors in the NC Mountains is Heaven on Earth, here are some of the latest pics and videos.
Equally as exciting, we are now proud owners of (and rent out when we are not living there part time), a quaint little Condo at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC.

Recommended read / listen: "Samadhi"  by Paramhansa Yogananda

July

"Revolution"

From Middle English revolucion, borrowed from Old French revolucion, from Late Latin revolūtiōnem, accusative singular of revolūtiō (“the act of revolving; revolution”), from Latin revolvō (“roll back, revolve”).

It is the season of "Revolution" in a variety of ways, 1st as it relates to the birth of the USA, 1 of the freest societies in the history of mankind, 2nd a preparation for the inevitable retirement in my long work career via newly acquired real estate in the NC mountains, 3rd as a transformation of my thinking / living process in entering the Ananda Teacher Meditation training program. and ok, I confess there is a 4th, you guessed it, the purchase of another guitar pedal, my 1st EHX, the "Ravish" where I come 1 step closer to actually owning a sitar by being able to have my acoustic or electric "impersonate" a sitar. The good news for all of you? More nature pictures and videos ( Fire tower view and climb ), more new music !!!         

Recommended listen: Garden of OM

Recommended watch: Achieve your goal

April

Welcome spring, nature has new life, and so can all of us. Focus on the moment in time which is right now !!! Focus on the way you breath, slow it down to a nice long slow inhale and exhale, and the world around you will change... even if only for a moment. My fav pics from the gallery of spring here

Recommended listen: Yes "Turn of the century"

Recommended watch: Vangelis and "Rosetta" trailer

Jan

Congratulations you wonderful and beautiful person, if you are reading this, then you have made it thru turbulent and unusual times to a new year! Reward yourself with 15 minutes of quiet reflection, and a big smile :+)  My goal  for this year, make progress in determining what is true / what is real. For most of us, memory and imagination distort our conscious minds and hide reality from us. If I can transcend those traps thru a variety of means, including increased meditation, I will be more liberated, and closer to self-realization. Please continue to join me in the journey.

Recommended listen / cover: Isao Tomita's rendition of Claire de Lune
Recommended listen / original: The story of man
Recommended watch: Awake - The life of Paramahansa Yogananda
    

Nov - Dec
A Christmas Vow by Yogananda

“I will prepare for the coming of the Omnipresent baby Christ by cleaning the cradle of my consciousness, now rusty with selfishness, indifference, and sense attachments; and by polishing it with deep, daily, divine meditation, introspection, and discrimination. I will remodel the cradle with the dazzling soul-qualities of brotherly love, humbleness, faith, desire for God-realization, will power, self-control, renunciation, and unselfishness, that I may fittingly celebrate the birth of the Divine Child.”

August - October
So much around us.. on TV, Radio, Print, Speech is not truth or reality, but exaggerations excited by overactive minds. I am convinced with each day I live, and breath I take, that meditation is the gateway to peace, which  helps us translate the above distortions to reality and meaning, giving us a purpose and means to experience life in its fullest. Airshows, and live concerts may have been cancelled this year, but so far at least nature has not. Enjoy these affirmations and positive quotes , and do not let anyone keep you locked up inside or prevent you from enjoying the beauty of nature and freedom to think, to meditate, to live.
     
Recommended listen:  Jan Hammer, The First Seven Days 
Recommended watch: Ananda guided meditation

April - July
Humanity has moved into a tumultuous state since I last posted. The teachings of the wise sages (Buddha, Moses, Christ, etc) ring as true now as they have over past 3000 years of human history... refrain from taking life, stealing, and speaking falsely. Embrace wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity, and compassion. Having spent 10 days surrounded by the miracles of nature in the Grandfather Mountain this month, these truths were even more embraceable.
Recommended listen -  Silas and Saski
Recommended watch - "Lost on Everest"

Jan - Mar
Happy New Year friends, family, and those who I have yet to meet
How blessed are we to begin a new decade together! More video and music to come to this site this year, I promise the bar has been raised.
What better way to start the New Year than birthday wishes in January to my Mom Jane, my Daughter Holly, my Dad Howard J, and to guru Paramahansa Yogananda. Chinese NEw YEar this year was celebrated at the Peaceful Dragon, a  trip to AOL is eminent early spring.

Recommended watch:Awake - The life of Paramahansa Yogananda

Recommended read: Autobiography of a Yogi 
Recommended listen music:  The Shankar Project   
Recommended listen Speech: Paramahansa Yogananda

I hope these gems inspire you to be the change for ushering in this new decade of enlightenment

Apr-Jun
Life is full of miracles, and risks... reality is always distorted by the veil of our egocentric  perceptions. Good vibes to all of you. Stay healthy. Take care of your own minds and bodies.

2019
Sep - Dec

You live how you breath, you breath how you live. Words to learn from and live by as we move into the heart of fall. I hope you enjoy the mountains photos as we celebrate my favorite part of the year which happens to include Halloween, All Saints / Souls days, and Diwali. Renaissance Festival and Warriors and Warbirds airshow are also yearly favorites. Some new audio bits up on Soundcloud to enjoy as well. 

Recommended listen - The Harris Brothers

Recommended read / watch - Q&A in Australia with Sadhguru

Jul - Aug

"The day is OK, and the sun can be fun but I live to see those rays slip away" If you know the lyrics, the song, and the band you may be a metalhead! If you know me, the quick move into the fall, is greatly anticipated. Been working with a very talented new musical partner, will be posting some sonic goodies soon in addition to the new covers posted on soundcloud , lets hope beautiful Wilmington will avoid any bad weather this year.

Recommended listen -  Snarky Puppy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqY3FaZmh-Y 

Recommended read / watch - State of mind: The Psychology of control

Apr-Jun
Great mental and physical detox in the NC mountains. Live music performances continue at Saucemans BBQ, and the Trailhouse restaurant to well received crowds. Proud of youngest daughter Tory who recently graduated from UNCW, and has started a freelence career in the visual arts, perhaps Dad will inherit her Canon as she looks to upgrade ;+)
Finally found a MusicMan footswitch on Ebay to replace my long lost one, now i get use both channels out of this lovely vintage amp head!

Recommended read - The Yoga Sutras of PatanjaliThe book of the spiritual man
I am re-reading, and though this is written in an easily digestible format, there is a wealth of knowledge here about the theory behind Yoga practice and Buddhism concepts. As a practicing Christian, I found the themes and perspective rejuvenating.        

Recommended listen for Spring - Shpongle - Are you Shpongled?
Psychedelic, hypnotic, psybient electronica is not the music I grew up on, but over the last few years Simon Posford and Raja Ram (the ambitious duo that is Sphongle) have grown on me. They performed their last live performance at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in May to 2 back to back sold out shows, the perfect venue for their music. If you are looking for something to listen to while sitting outside gazing at the stars or in to a campfire, give this a good listen, no drugs required !!!

Jan-Mar
In  numerology, 2019 is a "3" year,  a deeply creative number in numerology. It is the number for singers, actors, musicians, and dreamers. Perhaps that's why the governor has declared 2019 the year of music for NC. I'm all in, so we start with a trip to the studio to rerecord a few Aidan Nolan songs over the next few weeks, and I've narrowed down the "Silinski" originals to be re-recorded and published. Let the wild ride begin! In the meantime....

2018
Sep - Nov
The cool air is finally upon us, and so are the fall colors of reflection, retreat, and harvest. There is one time each year that I am in complete harmony with life, and that is when I commune with nature in the NC Mountains. Office politics, family drama, etc all dissolve here. I hope my yearly NC Mountain pics bring a piece of that serenity to you, and Monroe Airshow pics help remember our veterans. Adding to our now yearly pilgrimage at the Art of Living center was my  read of the month "The fundamentals of Meditation Practice" by Ting Chen, and my song / prayer of the month "Give me Love" by George Harrison... namaste            

Jun - Aug
Have spent much less time on photography lately, perhaps its because I have submerged (and successfully recovered) my trusty "original" gopro camera from the bottom of a stream, while not protected by its waterproof case! The mic is fried, and battery life is next to nil. In the meantime, the trusty Nikon D80, has persevered my unintentional beatings long enough, one lens completely malfunctioning, and the viewer screen just to small for these aging eyes. Time for an equipment upgrade, looking for advice on what to get, feel free to provide suggestions on this page or via email. I was able to snap these beauties while at the beach, enjoy!

On the audio side of the house, have had a few performances on streejelly.com , live gigs at Sauceman's BBQ with Aidan Nolan and the Rhythm Theorem, and a few jams with prospective fellow music collaborators. Click on the following for one of my live solo performances. This has been a rebirth year for me musically, which means that is also where all of my creative endeavour funding has gone $$$.  Cables, and amps, and pedals oh my !!! Stay tuned for my review of the SY300, the pinnacle of my pedal fetish ;+)