Daniel Akiva, guitar and lute artist, is an accomplished composer who has written music for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, choir, and orchestra. His compositions have been performed and recorded by many musicians in his native Israel and abroad. Much of Akiva’s music has been inspired by the music of the Sephardic (Spanish) Jews which he has researched for many years. In later years, his compositions have been inspired by the texts of kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Daniel Akiva has been a practitioner of holistic medicine for a number of years, specializing in naturopathic medicine and bio-energy therapy. He also studies kabbalah and kabbalistic medicine. The use of music in healing is part of his world view. 10 Spheres – Ten meditations which were inspired by the 10 spheres of the world of kabbalah described in "Sefer HaYetsira." Each sphere exists as a different layer of the universe and the human soul, and all are used in the spiritual journey of every person who seeks spiritual development. Shirat Hayam (The Song of the Sea) expresses the inner spiritual concept of the parting of the Red Sea, from which spring 72 names of the Creator, each one expressing a different spiritual strength. To Where? – a prelude which was inspired by the poem of Amnon Shamosh. Hakafot – a prelude inspired by the songs of the dancing with the torahs on the holiday of Simchat Torah (the Rejoicing of the Law). 3 Preludes after Messiaen – Three short preludes based on modes used by the French composer Olivier Messiaen in some of his works.