What audiences are saying:
“(Rob) was great. His music was deep and heartfelt. I really appreciate that he took the time out of his day to come here because I’m in such a better mood now. Music is a positive outlet. It cleared my mind and restarted my day positively. Now I can use music as a coping skill when I leave.”
“This knocked me off my feet. It was very much relatable. Now I feel good. WOW! I want a CD. I was angry when I entered the session. Now I am not. Thank you. I want to search out this style of music; the music that sends a meaningful message. We were lucky to have such a talented man play for us. Giving of himself.”
“His music was very therapeutic and could definitely be something I use as a coping mechanism. Whether it’s his music or music in general, it was helpful to keep us relaxed. It was interesting how everyone relates to lyrics in different ways. I definitely related to his songs/lyrics.”
“I love music and everything (Rob) was playing hit me home hard. It was great to hear some music coming from a recovering addict. I can play some music and it might help me not want to use. I want to get back to things I used to love to do before I got into drugs.”
“A lot of things in these songs made me relate, and made me think that many of my thoughts are ok, I just need to deal with them the right way. Before addiction, I wrote a lot of music, and now I feel like I can use it as one of my tools in recovery.”
“His songs touched me. I related to all of them. Each one could have been for myself. His lyrics were so powerful and meaningful. Music can help me through my recovery, and bring me closer and more in tune with my spirituality.”
“His songs were very inspirational and spiritual. It really hit home for me. I feel blessed in a way to be an addict because we experience life in a much deeper way than most people who haven’t struggled as hard.”
“Amazing! I related to everything he sang about. All original music that I believe every addict/alcoholic can relate to. Music for me is cathartic to the soul, and can help my mood.”
“Recovered people have a lot to say or sing, and it’s not all boring or repetitious. I don’t know, maybe I can find this guy’s recordings and listen to them. I know I’d like that better than a meeting.”
“I related to a lot of his songs. They gave me chills. Very powerful. I can use music to help with my recovery. I want to learn how to play now. Higher power!”
“Music is so powerful, it can have the power to seemingly stop space and time and allow one to be present in the moment. I can redirect my thoughts when I am having a craving by focusing on music.”
“Listening or creating music can be a healthy outlet to expressing emotions or even cultivating any hobby that lets us lose ourselves. I could relate to the songs I heard today and I was able to identify with all of the musician’s emotions. Music can stimulate mind as much as the alcohol did. Music can help me escape just as the alcohol did. Music awakens feelings much like the alcohol did.”
“This was great music that relaxed the room and made me feel better. It helped bring positivity and relaxation.”
“Soothing music with a great healing message.”
“To me, this was serenity, tranquility, and a form of meditation. Music heals and I feel like this will help heal me.”
“This taught me how healing music can be in recovery and how you can relate to lyrics in what is going on in your life. I always say I’m not a writer, but there are no rules and it can be therapeutic to get your thoughts and feelings out.”
“I walked in and in the verse that came out of his mouth was that everything is going to be okay. I wound never let my Lord go. There were two sets of footprints. Then there were one. It was then he carried me.”
“Amazing lyrics! I got in touch with my emotions. I use music to escape and this helped me.”
“I learned that you can translate your feelings and thoughts out of music. I would like to learn to write lyrics to convey my story.”
“Peaceful and serene. This taught me to take the time to explore my own story through a personal pastime.”
“Rob sang all of the feelings that are part of life. This helped me draw from lyrics some important thoughts I will need in my life.”
“This session gave me the feeling that neither I, nor anyone here, are alone. And taught me to be able to enjoy music sober.”
“I’m learning to use music as a tool for recovery.”
“This group calmed me down and made me feel more at peace. I remember how important music, the beach, and all the earthy things are to me and my recovery.”
Participant Reflections Post Fire Ceremony:
"This was a spiritual healing. It felt so freeing, uplifting, like a weight lifted off of my shoulder of all the guilt, shame, resentments, that I’ve been carrying forever!"
"Released past issues and regrets that I was still holding onto. It felt like a huge release."
"I let go of all the horrible things that I have done. Now I can leave it behind and let myself become/do what I want to for real this time. Now that I have to let go of the things I never felt I could, I can be truly open to change."
"This gave me freedom, very intense liberating experience. Felt a lot of emotions. Made a list of 10 things, 5 of which I have been holding, 3 behaving on in my addiction, negative behavior and actions lead to negativity, resentments, and loss of contact with God. Felt God’s presence through my soul. I have choice to recover with energy from the universe to bring into my inner space. This was liberating."
"I had to relapse for the last time ever in order to experience the letting go of the negative thoughts and feelings I carry around. I want freedom. I was able to make positive intentions for those I know, those I love, and myself. And I thanked my higher power. What an amazing experience I will keep with me always and forever."
"I received a spiritual feeling of relief. I am going to remember releasing my demons into the fire and planting a new seed."
"I got hope and my demons were released. I need to get more info on firepit."
"I got solace, closure. Maybe I should start attending meditation regularly."
"New outlooks on spirituality and nature’s transitions. Any form of spirituality is open to me in my recovery."
"It was a positive spiritual outlet and an alternative way to open up and let go."
"Release of all my inner demons, resentments, future problems. Another step towards sobriety and recovery. Feeling pretty calm and reborn I think. Weird feelings, but really awesome ones right now."
"It felt good to put pen to paper and get everything I need to let go out. I hope this releases me of all the self hate and resentment I hold deep inside of me."
"Letting go and starting new. This was a great way to spiritually get on the right track and visualize a better way to be and a happier future self. I think it’s a good way to ground yourself and keep things in perspective. In my recovery it will be very helpful to let go of bad behaviors and constantly have a spiritual connection to help shape a more ideal way of living."
"I got a very strong positive vibe through burning away negative things in my life. The rhythm that has kept me throughout the circles of the “seed” that was planted. I actually live near an Indian reservation, where there is a shaman and I have been involved in things like this before. I will continue to participate."
"Letting go! I let go of a few major things that affect both me and my family, and planted a healthy new life. I absolutely thought this was great and I was here for this. Thank you!"
"I understood the concept of letting go of characteristics I do not want anymore and intending the things I want to change. It helped me find a more spiritual side of myself."
"It was a great sense of cleansing and letting go. Being able to let go of things in my life that have held me hostage."
"Got rid of things I don’t want in my life anymore. I feel relieved those bad things are gone (into the fire)."
"I like the healing power. It felt good. I believe that everything comes to the light."
"Releasing things we want to go into the universe. Asking to receive things. I was amazed. Relaxing, peace of mind, hope. Something I can think about when I’m stressed. Remember the ceremony. Have faith."
"I got to let go of a lot of negative things I was holding onto. I will do my best to let things go and put one foot in front of the other."
"Released past issues and regrets that I was still holding onto. It felt like a huge release."
"I let go of all the horrible things that I have done. Now I can leave it behind and let myself become/do what I want to for real this time. Now that I have to let go of the things I never felt I could, I can be truly open to change."
"This gave me freedom, very intense liberating experience. Felt a lot of emotions. Made a list of 10 things, 5 of which I have been holding, 3 behaving on in my addiction, negative behavior and actions lead to negativity, resentments, and loss of contact with God. Felt God’s presence through my soul. I have choice to recover with energy from the universe to bring into my inner space. This was liberating."
"I had to relapse for the last time ever in order to experience the letting go of the negative thoughts and feelings I carry around. I want freedom. I was able to make positive intentions for those I know, those I love, and myself. And I thanked my higher power. What an amazing experience I will keep with me always and forever."
"I received a spiritual feeling of relief. I am going to remember releasing my demons into the fire and planting a new seed."
"I got hope and my demons were released. I need to get more info on firepit."
"I got solace, closure. Maybe I should start attending meditation regularly."
"New outlooks on spirituality and nature’s transitions. Any form of spirituality is open to me in my recovery."
"It was a positive spiritual outlet and an alternative way to open up and let go."
"Release of all my inner demons, resentments, future problems. Another step towards sobriety and recovery. Feeling pretty calm and reborn I think. Weird feelings, but really awesome ones right now."
"It felt good to put pen to paper and get everything I need to let go out. I hope this releases me of all the self hate and resentment I hold deep inside of me."
"Letting go and starting new. This was a great way to spiritually get on the right track and visualize a better way to be and a happier future self. I think it’s a good way to ground yourself and keep things in perspective. In my recovery it will be very helpful to let go of bad behaviors and constantly have a spiritual connection to help shape a more ideal way of living."
"I got a very strong positive vibe through burning away negative things in my life. The rhythm that has kept me throughout the circles of the “seed” that was planted. I actually live near an Indian reservation, where there is a shaman and I have been involved in things like this before. I will continue to participate."
"Letting go! I let go of a few major things that affect both me and my family, and planted a healthy new life. I absolutely thought this was great and I was here for this. Thank you!"
"I understood the concept of letting go of characteristics I do not want anymore and intending the things I want to change. It helped me find a more spiritual side of myself."
"It was a great sense of cleansing and letting go. Being able to let go of things in my life that have held me hostage."
"Got rid of things I don’t want in my life anymore. I feel relieved those bad things are gone (into the fire)."
"I like the healing power. It felt good. I believe that everything comes to the light."
"Releasing things we want to go into the universe. Asking to receive things. I was amazed. Relaxing, peace of mind, hope. Something I can think about when I’m stressed. Remember the ceremony. Have faith."
"I got to let go of a lot of negative things I was holding onto. I will do my best to let things go and put one foot in front of the other."