Jul 12 2010
The link to this video was recently sent to me, and I immediately wanted to share it with you.
The poetry of Bullah Shah set to a sweet, sleepy groove. Na Raindee Hai… What’s on the Tongue Must be Said…
Enjoy!
Dec 25 2009
I haven’t seen the Claymation Christmas Special on TV for years, but it’s one of my favorites. The Claymation version of Joy to the World is a work of beauty, shifting colors and clay collages…
Merry Christmas!
Nov 20 2009
A wise, thought-provoking interview with Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi on Interfaith Dialog from a Jewish perspective. I love Reb Zalman’s gentle, embracing wisdom. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to listen to this interview.
In Exile Together: A Dialogue of Faith (Click the “Watch the Interview” link at the top of the biography notes.)
Nov 19 2009
Something about Pachelbel’s Canon is profoundly healing to the heart. It doesn’t matter if it’s performed in a classical style or in it’s most syrupy New Age version with dolphins in the background — it always works its soothing, healing magic.
Thought you might especially appreciate this unique one-man performance…
Sep 14 2009
I was introduced to this video by Johnny Mg Kwlmann, a delightful musical rendition of the recently featured poem by Bulleh Shah:
Sep 07 2009
Something to get your toes tapping today. Give a listen!
Aug 24 2009
The son of a Hong Kong gangster has to hide out in the mountains of Taiwan. This bored troublemaker from the city joins a Zen drumming troupe and slowly discovers rhythm and stillness. I just watched the DVD — a wonderful movie. Highly recommended!
Jul 31 2009
One love, one heart,
Let’s get together
and feel alright…
Jul 09 2009
This is an excerpt from an interview with the poet David Whyte on New Dimensions Radio. Short, but worth listening to. He reads his poem, “Everything is Waiting for You.”
The images in the video have no relationship with the interview, but taunt your brain to find a relationship where none exists.
The central work of my life is to get poetry to as many people as possible in whatever world they live in because it’s such a life saver… It gives you a language that makes you able for the world, large enough for it, and not to hide from it.
- David Whyte
Jun 26 2009
In the realm of the passing away
by Stephen Levine
This is the realm of the passing away. All that
exists does not for long.
Whatever comes into this world never stops sliding
toward the edge of eternity.
Form arises from formlessness and passes back,
arising and dissolving in a few dance steps between
creation and destruction.
We are born passing away.
Seedlings and deadfall all face forward.
Earthworms eat what remains.
We sing not for that which dies but for that which
never dies.
— from Breaking the Drought: Visions of Grace, by Stephen Levine
/ Photo by tipoyock /
Whatever comes into this world never stops sliding
toward the edge of eternity.
Yesterday was a strange day of famous deaths. I woke up and found out that Ed McMahon had died the day before. Then I heard about Farrah Fawcett’s passing. In the afternoon, checking out friends’ comments on Facebook, I started to see messages about “Michael” and “Thriller.” Were they saying that Michael Jackson had died too? A few searches on the Internet, and I found out that, yes, Michael Jackson had unexpectedly died. To add to that, I then was told that the actor Jeff Goldblum had died by falling off a cliff, only to find out later that he had been injured but did not die.
Now, I can’t say I felt a really strong personal connection to these famous figures, but by the end of the day I could feel the world’s shock, especially over Michael Jackson’s death. It would seem strange not to mention such a significant death in today’s email.
In his personal life, Michael Jackson seemed eccentric and haunted, and accusations raised troubling questions. But frankly I don’t know enough about the private man to comment or pass judgment. His genius as a singer and dancer can’t be denied, however. I remember his performance at the Motown awards, singing “Billie Jean” wearing a single sequined glove, and sliding a smooth moonwalk across the stage. A revolution exploded in music and dance at that very moment, the repercussions of which are still reverberating through pop culture today.
Michael Jackson is one of those rare figures, like Bob Marley, Elvis, John Lennon, a defining figure for the entire world. There is a reason that we call the ultra famous “stars.” They are like the planets in astrology; they embody for the world a certain archetypal energy. But that makes normal human relationships next to impossible for these people. We relate to the archetypal aura and not the person. Culture bearers are adored by millions and intimate with none.
This archetypal role they play is also why their deaths are so traumatic to the world. Archetypes are, by their nature, eternal energies of the soul. So when a person embodying a particular archetype dies, the world feels a rupture, the planetary psyche feels disoriented and fragmented. How can that which we instinctively know to be eternal disappear from our midst? But what really happens is that the archetypal energy is released, returned back to each of us. Having seen it enacted outside of ourselves, we are again reminded to look within ourselves for those same qualities.
So, today, sing! Hooo! And dance! Maybe try a moonwalk in socks across the kitchen floor…
Jun 22 2009
The great tabla player, Zakir Hussain, accompanied by Japanese taiko drums. Hope you enjoy.
May 27 2009
I haven’t yet seen this movie, but I’m fascinated by the imagery in the trailer…
You can find out more about this movie from Pakistan at www.kashfthemovie.com
A description of the story from the website:
Unlike the violent and extremist image of Pakistan in the media, KASHF – THE UNVELING takes us on a journey exploring the mystical side of Islam.
Armaghan is born out of an oath his mother makes to a Pir (Holy man) she meets at a Sufi Shrine when she is childless. She promises the Pir who blesses her to let her child “walk the path” when he grows up. Armaghan ‘the gift’ is born in Pakistan but sent off to the US to live with relatives after his father’s death. He returns to Pakistan after 25 years unaware of the family secret about to change his life…
May 05 2009
My friend Sandeep introduced me to this video: Central Station of Antwerp, more than 200 dancers, Do Re Mi… This’ll put a smile on your face!
May 01 2009
Sent to me by Eliana Gilad (who also created the lovely background music). A quiet video, and quietly inspiring. A meeting of Jewish and Arab peace activists commemorating the pain and loss on all sides of the Israeli / Palestinian conflict.
Apr 11 2009
Stand By Me from David Johnson on Vimeo.
I came across this video just this morning, and trust me, you’ll be moved by this patchwork performance of “Stand by Me” with singers and street musicians from all over the world.
A good reminder too to keep a little extra change in your pocket for the next time you pass by a musician busking on the street corner. They fill our world with music.
Apr 05 2009
I received the link to this beautiful video a few days ago, and just now got around to watching it. I found Don Taxo’s gentle energies and quiet wisdom to be deeply moving. I hope you do too.
Don Alverto Taxo, a Quichua elder and Iachak (community leader/healer) from Ecuador, speaks of the ancient prophecy of the eagle and the condor meeting to bring a new harmony into the world. Don Alverto invites us all to trust the universal human intuition to bring greater harmony into our lives, and to seek after life’s deeper meaning.