A PASSOVER / EASTER / LIBERATION / SPRINGTIME OFFERING FROM AND FOR THE CAMEL JOCKEYS AMONG US

A PASSOVER / EASTER / LIBERATION / SPRINGTIME OFFERING

 FROM AND FOR THE CAMEL JOCKEYS AMONG US

“BEHIND PAIN THERE IS LOVE”

For the last 3 decades or so, I’ve been blessed to host or attend Seders co-created at the table (sometimes the couch and/or floor!) by the participants gathered for the annual re-telling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt. In the spirit of acknowledging the shared role and value of teachings about liberation in probably every wisdom tradition, people attending these Seders are asked to bring or prepare readings, poetry, songs, stories, meditations, movement and other experiential activities from any tradition to share and to advance the Passover themes of moving from slavery/oppression to ‘freedom from” and ultimately “freedom to,” transitioning energetically from fear to love, bringing light to darkness, and celebrating springtime and renewal.

In preparing my offering for this year’s event, I found myself thinking about how we can hold onto the idea of and manifest happiness, the theme of my New Year’s 2018 focus, while at the same time being painfully aware that in the age of Trumpism we are, as a mid 20s young person trying to find his way starkly described it to me, living in a post dystopian world. How can we find and hold hope for liberation with all the madness, anger and disfunction spinning around us? And with our internal struggles, how do we walk the sometimes fine line between well-being and denial, between healthy optimism and despair. Plus, can we somehow cajole the internal with the external to conspire in ways that will make a difference in both the world and ourselves?

A most poignant teaching appeared out of the blue recently as I was contemplating how to move these issues forward for discussion at the upcoming Seder. I want to share it as my offering here, in advance of the Seder, both because it is electronic and also because it is longer than what I would otherwise contribute.

It is a modern slavery story that shocks the senses, from a surprising source, profoundly sad because it involves children (and boys in particular), but also beautiful in how it unlocks the type of courage, heart, energy, wisdom and love that we all have within us to use towards liberating others, and in so doing, freeing ourselves and being truly happy. Whether it is through this story or the other all too many harrowing slavery practices still existing on the planet, may we all find our way to some of that experience in the coming year.

The story comes from the world of sports. It is a chilling real tale about young boys terribly mistreated after being kidnapped or sold into slavery (and forced to become camel jockeys), and their eventual liberation, made possible by activism and reporting that made middle eastern Sheikhs (the modern day Pharaohs in this retelling) take unexpected corrective action. It is a reminder that we can all, each in our own way, identify and shed light on profound injustice.

At a chance meeting with the chief activist who later returned to view the profound changes, one of the liberated camel jockeys offered this poem of thanks about going from slavery to freedom:

Behind pain there is love

And every dark night has a beautiful morning

It comes morning now

We are happy

Thank you

If you would like to watch the video, you can find it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CSBo-QcefI. (Consistent with the camel jockey’s poem of thanks, it feels to me like a strangely wonderful companion piece to the much lighter playlist about happiness that I put together at the start of the year, so I’ll share that too. https://www.youtube.com/watch…)

So that is my offering, in advance of the Seder table. I’m hopeful that it spurs on your thinking as you prepare your contributions.

Love and blessings,

Mark

Jesus on the Mainline

The excerpt that follows is from a response sent to a Jewish friend who also loves Krishna Das, and was finding great joy and meaning in her entry into the world of kirtan, which she had hoped to be able to share with family and friends.  She had asked for input on how she might respond to her sister’s very negative reaction to KD’s playful and powerful chanting of “Jesus on the Mainline” at his kirtans, which promotes the notion that God is always present/available, you just have to "tell him what you want."  Many Jewish folks are very reactive to this experience, especially when encountering it for the first time.  They often confront KD with protestations along the lines of “How can you sing about Jesus?  You’re Jewish.”  His stock, well-honed response is often “Yes, but only on my parents’ side.” This response infuriated my friend's sister, and my friend wanted it not to be a barrier from opening up to the practice of "non Jewish" chant.

______

Sent 9-30-15

Now, as for “on my parents side.”  Like probably most Jews, I too was offended when I first heard that from KD...and that was at I time when I had been away from the tribe for a few years.  I gradually started thinking of it as his schtick...you can take the boy out of Long Island, etc.  Later I began thinking of it as a wonderful if jarring teaching tool, helping people into accepting that we are more than where we came from on this earth plane.  It dawned on me too that when he sings Jesus On The Main Line, he is probably offending many Christians as well.  As a frame for this, it reminds me of a time long ago when Rabbi Tirzah Firestone stayed at my place when on a book tour in Chicago.  We chatted, ate, and later went to sit...meditating face to face with a candle between us in my study.  I was awestruck and couldn’t settle in.  I peeked and she was deep in meditation.  All I could think about was the amazing, energizing exchange we had had about various mystical traditions...Hindu, Hebrew, Christian and more...and I was meditating with fucking Tirzah Firestone in my study.  Major chatter, monkey mind. Then suddenly the Light went big time ON.  I started (internally) repeating, again and again, the Shema...emphasizing over and over the last two words, Adonai Echod.  It poured through with joy and appreciation in every cell of my being.  So powerful, this gift of Oneness.  Different paths, but All One.  KD tells a beautiful story about how his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, taught his flock to meditate like Jesus.  You probably know the teaching:  He (Jesus) lost himself in love, that is how Jesus meditated.  Love makes the boundaries and the divides unnecessary, superfluous even.  We simply need to listen to the many reminders that thankfully, blessedly, come our way.  One that I love is Shyamdas’ blending of one of the great Jewish chants with an also great Hindu mantra.  As you know, Shyam was one of KD’s beloved peers, also originally (in this incarnation) a nice Jewish boy from the East Coast (CT), who spent much of his life in India.  Yet watch and listen to the interplay of the harmonium and clarinet here.  By midway through they are entirely intertwined, dancing together, with One mantra coursing through ecstatically.  Shyamdas loses himself to it in total.  He is vibrating with love.  We all have our roots, and their wealth takes to a higher and more connected place...to our Oneness with All That Is.  Whatever helps us open to that possibility/reality is good.  At least that’s my stream of consciousness interpretation of the teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MtTRRhPLkg

Enjoy!
_____
Addendum 2017: two more hidden gems I found very moving this year:
Nahko (in Israel); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kCWeMGOWA
Laura Berman:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvy8wRq4YnY

A PASSOVER PRESCRIPTION (2017)

A PASSOVER PRESCRIPTION (2017)

Courtesy of Donald Trump, Jude Law, Saint Juana Fernandez and Me

With Music By Charlie Chaplin

[To like or comment on this post, please go here:  https://www.facebook.com/marksrubin]

At last year’s Seder, I read from an article by David Duke — the white supremacist, Holocaust denying, former Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan — who was then running for Congress and invoking anti-semitic diatribe in support of Donald Trump’s candidacy.  Since the election, we have gone through a dark winter.  Fortunately, as the poet says in The Song of Songs, the rains are over and gone.  Passover this year seems like an especially good opportunity to turn to another source to help find a cure to what seems to ail us.

These are hard times.  Previously disguised, sinister and insidious ideologies have been normalized, mainstreamed and emboldened.  Fear and even hate of “the other” has become a dominant motivator in shaping horrific and hurtful policies.  Me, me, me has taken precedence over we.  Institutions that have sustained our core beliefs for hundreds of years seem to be crumbling around us.   There is the prospect of the real nuclear option, not just the one invoked to fill our highest court with extreme justices.

We are flooded with numerous calls to action each day.  We are told to resist.  We hope to rise to the challenge…to maybe co-create or participate in the next Women’s March…to contact our representatives each day.  But we are human.  We get weary.  And anxious.  And afraid.  We may go into fight or flight mode.  Our bodies may tighten.  Our breath may shorten.  Our adrenals may overload.

Passover is exactly the right and wrong holiday to teach us how to cope.  The story of liberation from slavery, yet also of a wrathful God who strikes down the oppressors.  What could be a better example of the horror of the abuse of power…by anyone, or by any “other” side?  Or of the madness that can ensue when fear freezes us and tries to Trump what connects us — the power of love?  Black lives matter.  So do the first borns of all traditions.  I take no pride or comfort that Egyptians drowned in the sea.  The holiday this year seems at best especially bittersweet.

This is a time when we must free our hearts, bodies, minds and spirits, so that we can remember what we know, who we are, and who at our best we can be.  So that we can stay grounded in a place of love, compassion and connection.  And so we can use the tools in the sacred toolbox that Hashem (God) has given to help us cope and thrive.  Simple though some of the tools may seem, they can be more powerful than we know…powerful enough to help steady us through the dark times.

I recently encountered the story of Saint Juana Fernandez, a miracle healer from Guatemala, who supposedly lived not very long ago, from 1962-1980.  Herself a child, Juana would tell the sick and dying children stories about the Madonna, and the children would heal by the next day.  The children were asked why they were cured and they said it was because the Madonna made them laugh.   

Consider these words, not mine, about Juana’s teachings,*** and how they uncover a hopeful foundation for getting to a better place.

When they asked her: "Who is God?”, "God is a line that opens” replied the Blessed Juana.  

"God is a line that opens.”   She was just fourteen years old, and no one understood what it was she was trying to say. 

And then, all the children asked the dying Blessed Juana dozens of questions: Are we dead or are we alive? Are we tired or are we vigorous? Are we healthy or are we sick? Are we good or are we bad? Do we still have time or has it run out? Are we young or are we old? Are we clean or are we dirty? Are we fools or are we smart? Are we true or are we false? Are we rich or are we poor? Are we kings or are we servants? Are we good or are we beautiful? Are we warm or are we cold? Are we happy or are we blind? Are we disappointed or are we joyful? Are we lost or are we found? Are we men or are we women?

"It doesn't matter", replied the Blessed Juana as she lay dying at the age of just eighteen. And she added, on the verge of death, with tears in her eyes: "God does not allow Himself to be seen. God does not shout. God does not whisper. God does not write. God does not hear. God does not chat. God does not comfort us." 

And all the children asked her (again): "Who is God?"   

And Juana replied: "God smiles".  “God smiles.”  

And only then did everyone understand.

Taking my cue from the source of this story,*** I’d like to ask all of you to smile. Smile. Smile. Find the happiness, hope, connection and love in this present moment — and smile.  Look at the person to your left and smile.  And to the person on your right and smile.  And across from you and smile.  And everyone in the room, one by one, and smile.  Yes, smile.  Not in and of itself a solution to the madness of the day.  But one of many important gifts we’ve been given, and can freely share, that can help us get across the sea and safely to the other side.

I’d like to close this piece by joining together in song, with a Passover Niggun (chant) by a great teacher, Reb Charlie Chaplin (Smile).  Here are the lyrics (below).  

Mark Rubin

April 10, 2017

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by.

If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you.

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying.
You'll find that life is still worthwhile-
If you just smile...

By:  Charlie Chaplin (yes, that Charlie Chaplin) et al

*** From the riveting television series The Young Pope, staring Jude Law.  As best I can tell, Juana is a fictional character based on Chile’s first saint, Juana Enriqueta Josefina Fernandez Solar, who lived from 1900 until dying of typhoid fever in 1920.  According to another source, ‘Teresa possessed an enormous capacity to love and to be loved, joined with extraordinary intelligence. God allowed her to experience his presence. Knowing him, she loved him; and loving him, she bound herself totally to him, even through many interior trials. The Church holds her up as a preeminent model for children and young adults: a real person to whom they can relate.”

Birthday Karaoke

Dear Ones

Just a quick update about my 60th Birthday Karaoke on Sunday, February 26 at 6:00 PM at Jaguar Karaoke 2516 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704. Here is the invitation just in case.  Please rsvp if you haven't already.

I’m hoping everyone will want to take on at least one song. Here are links to the promised links to songs:

-- Click here for Jaguar's English songbook and here for the February update.  Simply search any song you have in mind to see if it is available.  There will also be Spanish and Indian song options.

-- Click here for the lyrics to Krishna Funk (based on Uptown Funk), my ode to the inimitable Shyamdas.  I hope some of you take a crack at it! 

Food will be Indian.  Drinks will be mostly non-alcoholic.  Feel free to supplement if you wish, including with something deserty if so inclined.

And please remember, in lieu of gifts, for those able, I would instead encourage a donation of any kind to a progressive charity of your choice.

Love and cya soon, Mark

KRISHNA FUNK

KRISHNA FUNK

AN ODE TO SHYAMDAS

(To the tune of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” ft Bruno Mars)

Feel free to change “God” to any name/word that for you is the Divine

Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram

Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram

Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram

Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram

And what, is your wealth?  

And what, is your wealth?  

To remember, that the highest thing

the highest thing, 

that you have

Is the, awareness 

of who you really are

the awareness of 

who you, really are

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Find the Beloved, ram

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Remember the Beloved, ram

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Say my name, you know who i am

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Devakinandana (Gopala)

Break it down

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Krsna eva gatir mama

Krsna eva gatir mama

Krsna eva gatir mama

Any time and we’re in the Bhav

Every thing is God (come on)

(Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram...) 

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Hare, hare, hare, om!

Stop

Wait a minute

The world is non different than, the abode of liberation

This is! the abode of liberation!

That formless divine realm is just another mani-festation

of this, or this is another

mani-festation of that

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Find the Beloved, ram

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Remember the Beloved, ram

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Say my name, you know who i am

Gopala (Hari Bol)

Devakinandana (Gopala)

Break it down

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Radhe Radhe Shyam

Krsna eva gatir mama

Krsna eva gatir mama

Krsna eva gatir mama

Any time and we’re in the Bhav

Every thing is God (come on)

(Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram...) 

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Hare, hare, hare, om!

(Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Rama...)

Before we leave

Lemme tell y’all a lil’ something

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama

Krishna is my refuge and (my) destination

Krishna is my refuge and (my) destination

Life is Ananda, that’s the basic thing

Life is Ananda, that’s the basic thing

Life is Ananda, that’s the basic thing

Any time and we’re in the Bhav

Every thing is God

(Ram Ram, Sita Ram Ram, Sita Ram...) 

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Every thing is God

Hare, hare, hare, om!

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama (say whaa?)

Krishna is my refuge and (my) destination

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama (say whaa?)

Krishna is my refuge and (my) destination

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama (say whaa?)

Krishna is my refuge and (my) destination

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama (say whaa?)

Krsna eva, eva gatir mama 

1. 2015 Mark Rubin, with thanks, blessings and apologies to Shyamdas, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars

Thank you Shyam-ji for embodying the teachings so fully, deeply, joyously and exuberantly, and for your wisdom, leadership, passion and most of all love. Krsna eva gatir mama.

February 1, 2015

GREAT SPIRIT: A Tribute To The Beloved Ibrahim Baba

GREAT SPIRIT

A most precious gift, the constant reminders

to remember to remember, what is real…and important.

Some quiet, some vibrant, some warm to touch…others not.

But always available to us, 

to arouse one or more or our senses

and to remind us, to remind us, to remind us

in ways and at times that allow us to notice

and if lucky to embody, those blessed reminders

reminders that inform us again and again, and as often as necessary,

that we have perhaps strayed from our awareness of,

or are failing to fully embrace, 

the perfection, the divine, 

reminders that invite and welcome us to do so

and bring us in touch with our own divinity

and our connection with All That Is

Sometimes we are especially blessed,

Sometimes Spirit gifts us a beacon, 

a beacon so bright, constant and clear, Inshallah

that it not only reminds us, reminds us, reminds us,

it trains our sight on what we cannot often see in our daily lives, 

perhaps even on how we may be living in ways to divert 

from seeing what we are afraid to see…in ourselves and beyond.

A friend of a friend, this beacon, so pure

one who sees deeply, hears deeply, touches deeply

who seemingly by nature tries earnestly, lovingly, gracefully, playfully 

to look fully, and into, each and every unique one of us

and by giving us this attention, reminds us that we are worthy, 

perfect in our imperfections, because like him we too are human,

making us feel special, connected, loved 

for however long or short the moment or moments of connection

and if we are lucky opening us to a new but old and perhaps better way

A secret, Dear Ones…(shush)!  

Therein lies the magic of the beacon we call:  

  …Ibrahim, Khalvat, Elias…Sheikh, Teacher, Provost…Baba…and more.

By whatever names or incarnations we each know and love him

this wise, dear, full of life, passionate, involved, life changing soul activist,

whose larger than life presence,

from his tall powerful frame, to his comfortable and often colorful garb, 

this effervescent, brilliant and graceful spark that seems to scream out: I Am Unique, 

yet whose seeming uniqueness somehow resonates with each of us, one and all,

and whose world view and convictions, so clearly and genuinely revealed

in his practice, teaching, and big hearted life,

not only help us to challenge ourselves to better see our true natures

but also pour so much light that we could not, and never again, Inshallah

help but better perceive our sameness, and who we are together

and what we can accomplish together, honoring our sameness

That we are All One, All Love…Adonai Echod.

Look around mother, father…sister. brother.  

Experience the blessing.  Feel it.  Taste it.  Breath it.  

Pray it,  Dance it.  Sing it.  Be the blessing.

Even if I try to hide from me…I can no longer escape from you.

Well then, perhaps no longer from me, after all.

A special blessing indeed to know…by looking, sensing and experiencing You…

that we are All One, in this together.

How can I do anything but Love You from here?

Thank you, Maker of All and Giver of Blessings, 

for the blessing of this most wondrous beacon.

May his soul find abundant peace and love in its return to his friend.  

Thank you, dear friend of friend, Great Spirit.  May your memory continue to be a blessing, 

as it already has been, perhaps even moreso since you left us in body.  

May your transition free us, empower us, compel us

to more fully embrace and implement the teachings of sameness and oneness.

May we move forward together as best we can from a place of love,

helping us all to find our way home (no inner child left behind)

to who and where we already are and always have been, Inshallah

and from that blessed point, invite abundance 

as we do our best to raise the vibration on the planet, one spirit at a time.                               

Mark Rubin
February 2016

CHOCHMAT HALEV: A History and A Legacy

This was written to the Internationally Acclaimed Sufi Qawwali Band Fanna-Fi-Allah in Anticipation of Their 2016 Father's Day Concert at Chochmat Halev in Berkeley, California

May 30, 2016

Hi and blessings Tahir.  This is about Fanna Fi Allah’s upcoming performance at Chochmat Halev (Wisdom of the Heart) in Berkeley, which I’ve been trying to help Bhavani help you make a terrific success.  I’m hoping some of the background in this note will be useful to you, and facilitate the goal of moving forward the core message of Divine Love shared by mystics of many traditions. I apologize in advance if what I offer here is not news to you, but I felt a responsibility to convey why I am so excited about the evening.

My sense and prayer is that the event will not only be a success on its own, but also serve to open the door to opportunity for beautiful connection(s) both now and in the future for you not only with Chochmat, but also with a number of wonderful musicians/teachers who play, lead prayer and teach there, and also lead and perform in other bands — and share the universal themes and values found in Qawwali.

For starters, a bit of background.  As you may know, Chochmat began as a Center for Jewish Spirituality emphasizing Jewish meditation.  It has since grown into what its website describes as “a welcoming, progressive, Jewish Renewal synagogue and meditation center in Berkeley, CA, renowned for our music! We're a community of people focused on renewing Judaism as a relevant, meaningful and joyful spiritual path.”   Wikipedia describes Jewish Renewal as seeking to “reintroduce the ‘ancient Judaic traditions of mysticism and meditation, gender equality and ecstatic prayer’ to synagogue service.”  Chochmat has been at the forefront of this effort.

The principle founder of Jewish Renewal, Zalman Meshullam Schachter-Shalomi, commonly called "Reb Zalman” (per Wikipedia) was“an innovator in ecumenical dialogue.”  And indeed, Zalman himself embodied an interfaith life:  not only was he originally ordained as an orthodox Jewish Rabbi within the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic community, he was also a Sufi Sheykh. The internet has beautiful, heart warming photos of Zalman with leaders of many spiritual traditions — Ram Das and the Dalai Lama to name a few.  It is no accident that many Jews who identify as Renewal also have long term practices and affiliations with Hindu, Buddhist and other mystical traditions — for example, I share a passion for kirtan, as do many.  Nor is it surprising that Renewal services incorporate chant and other musical elements from those traditions — apropos of the upcoming event,  harmonium became an important part of Chochmat’s music years ago.

Chochmat is beloved by many for its powerful musical offerings, which range from contemplative to ecstatic, and often seamlessly weave world music influences into the mix.  A number of original shapers of that approach to music are at the forefront of Chochmat’s offerings now, decades later.  Among them is Maggid Jhos Singer, who contributed in many ways in the early days of Chochmat.  A self-described ‘rogue scholar” with the skill of being able “to translate experience (from the terrible to the sublime) into a fantastic story,” Jhos recently returned to serve as Congregational Leader with his spouse, Julie Batz, who has a unique ability to translate the spiritual essence of Jewish liturgy through her soulful musical interpretation.

The last many years, Chochmat’s high energy musical services have been largely conceived and developed by Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks, a young musician in the early days, who grew into being ordained by Reb Zalman as a Minister of Sacred Music.  Brian’s harmonium driven services are cutting edge, and as a lover of kirtan, my favorites.  The in-house Chochmat Band that Brian leads is amazing.  As you can see from the Chochmat website at https://chochmat.org/music/, musicians who have been part of the band are accomplished in their own rights.  Many are well known for their own bands or projects, including:  Eliyahu Sills of Bolo, who I saw open for you a few years ago at La Pena; Bon Singer, one of Chochmat’s original and most beautiful voices, also a founder of Ya Elah; cantorial soloist Jeannette Ferber, who sings with Bon in Ya Elah and also with rock legend Phil Lesh at his annual Grateful Dead Passover Seders; and Lior Tsarfaty, now working on his 2nd interfaith CD, whose Prayer Songs Project brings together prayers and sacred music from different cultures — including a version of “Oseh Shalom” credited to Jhos Singer and celebrating the connection of Salaam and Shalom.

Hopefully this description of Chochmat — a humble but musically blessed community — feels more than comfortable so far.  And now here’s an important piece of the puzzle, which helps explain why I feel this is a particularly good time to make the connection between Fanna and Chochmat.  Over the past many years, Chochmat was blessed by having Sufism imbued in the community through the love and teachings of the beautiful, recently passed soul Dr. Ibrahim Farajaje (aka Khalvat Dar Anjuman), past Provost of Starr King for the Ministry, and the sweet energy and profound vocals of his son, Nessim Isa Enver, among others.  A spiritual teacher and guide (Pir/Shaykh) in the Ajmeri Chishti tradition, Ibrahim developed Starr King’s Andalusia Project, whereby Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Muslim students and others study their interconnected histories and traditions together. 

Ibrahim’s presence was palpable, his sermons and teachings often magnificent, always thought provoking, invariably revealing the already pre-woven ties between Sufism and Judaism.  His son, Issa, beautifully brought those teachings to Chochmat musically.  Together they would regularly lead Zikrs as part of services.  They taught and led Sufi chants and conveyed how the teachings had counterparts in Jewish prayer.  Brian wove this approach into the essence of the band, a natural extension of what he had been developing all along.  All in all, a beautiful thing — All One.  Add to that an extraordinary array of teachers, a few in particular who led beautiful contemplative services with Ibrahim on major holidays, amazing interpretive dance and other exquisite practices…perhaps even a miracle.  I know for sure I am at Chochmat high holiday services each year when Gary Lapow sets the tone by leading the congregation in chanting “We Are The Love,” which sparks the ecstatic expression of the fire of divine love also central to Qawwali.

Zalman and Ibrahim were close, teaching together on at least one occasion that I know of with Issa.  Both are now recently gone in body.  Their shoes can never be filled.  Others will continue and evolve the work in their own ways…including I am sure by Issa, who was recently installed as Shaykh in his father’s lineage, and also by Brian, who I know has been interested in possible uses of the Qawwali form in Jewish prayer…perhaps by others already involved in Chochmat…perhaps by other beautiful, innovative and/or non-dual oriented musicians from the Bay area — Jewish and non — who I hope will come to the event (Cantor Richard Kaplan comes to mind)…perhaps by other leaders doing powerful, things at the cutting edge of Jewish-Sufi community, such as Taya Ma, co-founder of The Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute, who chanted a profound and evocative chant of “Allah, Allah” at the overcrowded memorial service held for Ibrahim at Chochmat.  And many others, including folks in the Sufi tradition wanting to explore points of connection.

When Bhavani asked if Chochmat’s sacred space would be a good fit for a Fanna Fi Allah Qawwali concert, my thought was yes, if it met your technical requirements.  What excited me even more was the sense that beyond just a concert, this could be a wonderful opportunity to build and/or deepen connection(s) among a number of beautiful, positive and powerful devotional musical forces.  And the idea that you needed space on Fathers Day seemed to reinforce that this might be a perfect time to honor and build upon the efforts of a great spirit, known by many as Ibrahim Baba.  

I hope you agree this could be a win-win on many levels, and that the background in this note helps to uncover points of connection you may wish to explore.

See you soon!  And if I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Love and blessings

Mark Rubin

P.S.  These are my personal views after praying at Chochmat for more than a decade, becoming increasingly devotional via kirtan for an even longer time, and loving and learning more and more about Qawwali, thanks in large part to Fanna Fi Allah!

The Jewish Ashram project vision (draft grant proposal)

2012 grant proposal republished here to inspire Joshua on his upcoming Bar Mitzvah and motivate other seekers interested in an Inspirational, Abundant and Blissful Jewish path

**************

Title of Project *
 
The Virtual Jewish Ashram (Phase One of The Jewish Ashram) 

Project Description

We believe that Judaism has an image problem. Yes, it's true. There are too many unfavorable beliefs about the Jewish people, Jewish study and Jewish history -- even among Jews about being Jewish. Like the famous joke about the meaning of Jewish holidays: "they tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat." Although entertaining, we would like to challenge these assumptions and ideas by creating a space of Judaism that is (sit down, please) INSPIRATIONAL. (Take a breath) ABUNDANT. (Drink a glass of water) BLISSFUL. 

We are thankful to those who have have opened the gates to this sort of practice. The Jewish Ashram will provide a home for them to more readily and collectively build on what they have done, and bring in other important voices with important teachings about topics such as gratitude, abundance, love, possibility, and other subjects which concern spiritual seekers and fill the pages of spiritual, self help and psychology books. We would like to expose the world to this side of Judaism, the Gan Eden side. We believe that creating a new and dynamic incubator for a Judaism emphasizing these things can effect healing in the world, for Jews, non-Jews, and Judaism.

First, by creating a website where Jewish scholars and rabbis could offer inspirational messages, stories and ideals with our user base. The Jewish people need to meet all the Dalai Lamas from our scriptures. All the sages who taught us how to live fully and abundantly. Many rabbis have access to these learnings, but they are not taught or emphasized in traditional Jewish studies programs or shuls. We are taught about the holidays (yes, yes, we know they tried to kill us). We are taught the 613 commandments (really? 613? why do the Catholics only get 7? Oy, the suffering...). We are taught parables from the torah (stories about slaughter, debauchery, incest, deceit, etc). 

We are not taught the Judaism which will guide us to burst open our hearts and fill our souls with song. This is the Judaism that we aim to teach in our virtual (and in the future, physical) ashram. We envision our ashram as an incubator and reference for inspirational Jewish spiritual creation from simple topics pertaining to daily living to more esoteric explorations regarding lifetime purpose, infinity and the unknown universe, and every subject in between. What if rather than beating us down, Judaism raised us to our highest heights?

We want to expose seekers with the side of Judaism that is masked in the world. The Judaism which elevates our hearts in prayer, meditation, poetry dance, movement and song. The Judaism which whispers to us to live the most fulfilled, loving lives. The Judaism which loses itself in bliss. The Judaism which witnesses peace in every corner of the globe, including in Israel. The Judaism which embodies infinite oneness with the universe. The Judaism which embraces all humans as one. The Judaism which manifests miracles and blessings throughout the world. That is the Judaism we are devout to. That is the Judaism we believe spiritual seekers will devour with greater appetite than their bubby's gefilte fish. That is the Judaism we want to spread in the online and eventually, physical worlds. 

 

In the future, we foresee a center which holds this inspirational Jewish experience and study 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. We envision a place where Judaism is taught to guide seekers in their spiritual development, whatever that means to them. For some, their spiritual progression may be through the realm of creativity. What can Judaism teach us about Creativity? For others, their expression will be through Service. How could Judaism inspire these seekers through the tales and lessons from its texts? For others, spirituality may come in the form of community. And so forth. We envision teaching classes at this center where each student will embody the values of Judaism and will be inspired and transformed to live in their most fulfilled nature. 

The Jewish Ashram aims to be a place where Judaism guides people's lives on every dimension. We hope that in our center, Jewish people learn about dreaming and dancing, praying and praising, loving and losing, giving and gratifying. We hope that this retreat center opens our hearts to Judaism and that Judaism beams its golden light into the souls of its people. A Judaism that moves us from a place of abundance, and is mindful about sending fear based messages that paralyze us. 

Although the project we envision is a physical space, which may require[s] millions of dollars to build, we would like to begin the process of gathering these Jewish teachings and spreading the word through the virtual universe. 

Intended Need * 

We intend to build a Jewish Ashram in California. We envision a retreat center where all Jewish denominations will teach, study and commune. More than anything, we envision a center where new Jewish liturgy and practice are fostered and expressed. The Jewish community too often works in silos. Chabbadnikim do not mingle with Reform Jews who do not mingle with Renewal and humanist Jews. We strive to create a center which is grounded in embodied Jewish spiritual practice: meditation, heart opening, and compassionate wisdom. We aim to bring teachers from every denomination of Judaism to teach retreats at the center. We imagine that every group will form the center in its own way, be it through new prayers, art, wisdom, books, dance, chant, etc. Regardless of what retreat a participant will select, they will have access to all spiritual teachings of Judaism. Once the center is established, we will create cross-denominational retreats that incubate new liturgy, prayers, and Jewish practices. We will share these practices with the global Jewish community through our virtual ashram.

Today, Jewish seekers can be found kneeling before Hindi rishis, yogis and gurus or meditating in Buddhist monasteries on mountaintops across Asia or praying to a myriad of other spiritual Gods, who resonate with their hearts. Many seekers do not have access to the Jewish teachings of the heart and so, seek teachings outside Judaism to fulfill their basic human needs: the expansion of hearts and souls, the seeking of purpose, and communal creation. There are infinite spiritual teachings and revelations in the Jewish texts and we aim to encourage rabbis and Jewish educators to expose seekers to the heart and soul wisdom of Jewish spiritual practice. The teachings exist. The teachers are ready. The students are yearning. We aim to create a space where all facets of spiritual Judaism can be woven into a magical tapestry of shared and blissful spiritual experience.

The Jewish community collects many statistics about issues concerning the longevity of the Jewish people. Issues of intermarriage, conversion, loss of affiliation with Israel, etc. which concern these community leaders and scholars. There is one issue which may not be easily measured, but we believe is the most urgent to consider: the importance of the Jewish neshama (soul). We believe that by teaching the Judaism which fosters the expansion of the soul, our culture will rejoice in jubilant celebration of its traditions, increasing engagement with the culture and decreasing the issues that these concerning statistics present.

+++++++++++++++++ 

WORKING NOTES

Please identify which aspects of the criteria this project meets and why this project is uniquely suited to Reboot *
Have to ask about this....
 
Intended Audience *
Jewish (and non-Jewish) spiritual seekers of all ages Budget

Website development budget - $5000
Security based site because people will be sharing personal information Not sure how much detail they need. Will ask.

Outreach Plan
Social Media through Jewish organizations and the featured rabbis
Social media through non-Jewish spiritual communities (Buddhist, Hindu, Tao, Yoga, Meditation, Dance, Movement, Chant, etc....)
PR and media in Jewish and non-Jewish spiritual papers, journals and online sources Community games - 5 minutes of meditation, photo collage of an attribute or teaching, quotes / poems / songs, etc. new ritual corner

Evaluation Plan

Number of people who are active visitors on the site
Number of visitors who recommend the site to their communities
Feedback regarding impact of site from visitors
Development of preliminary funding plan [Funding raised] for physical ashram (not sure we should include this....) I'll ask.

FOR JOSHUA

FOR JOSHUA:

Hi favorite neph-dude.  I hope things are well and that you're feeling great about and increasingly ready for your big day.  By now you have hopefully navigated through the myriad of adult voices inputting into the substance of your drasch.  I am very much looking forward to hearing what YOU decide to say, and to benefit from whatever wisdom you uncover and share.  I hope my minor and intentionally non substantive input -- of one idea per paragraph, taking your time, remembering to breath, etc. -- proves to be of some help.  I trust you with the substance and remain happy and available if you'd like any help working through it.  But mostly i'm looking forward to what YOU have to say...from YOUR  heart, in YOUR voice!

I want to thank you for agreeing to read something I co-wrote with a friend a few years ago...she actually wrote the first draft after we decided what we wanted to say, which I then edited.  We used the attached version to apply for a grant.  We didn't get the grant and she got married and moved to Israel.  Which is great!  In fact its a great example of a key theme in the grant and something we've discussed from time to time, uncovering and renewing Jewish ways to manifest abundance.  I know that abundance is a teaching you have absorbed online from non-Jewish sources, which is terrific.  I'm hoping that the grant proposal will inspire you to let abundance cross your mind on your Bar Mitzvah day, and perhaps many a day in the future.  

You may recall seeing Reb Zalman a few years ago (shortly after the grant proposal was written) at a church where he received an honorary doctorate degree.  He capped his acceptance drasch that day with this teaching, not frequently voiced in Jewish circles, and sadly emphasized even less:  "Abundance is possible.  Abundance needs to be invited."  Zalman as you know had deep Jewish roots, was one of the founders of Jewish Renewal, a Sufi priest, a friend and spiritual brother of the Dalai Lama, and much more.  I hope your Bar Mitzvah opens you to experiencing and co-creating an expansive, hopeful, happy, alive, love based, blissful and big hearted Judaism, bearing in mind Zalman's gift of pointing us to embrace the joyful challenge of abundance.  To me, that is where spiritual life resides and Tikkun Olam begins.

I love you Joshua Lev Abrams Rubin.  Happy Bar Mitzvah very soon.  And an invitation to abundance, now and always.

Mark

11/16/2015


Josh, here's a link to the attachment.  http://marksrubin.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-jewish-ashram-project-vision-draft.html

UP WITH JOY

The Tyranny of The Chairs: A Passover Reflection on Furniture
Bondage... and Liberation? 

Do you need the table and the chairs? The table yes; I’ll let you know
about the chairs after I know who’s coming. Later...so what about the
chairs? Oh, you may not even need the table? Later still...sure, we
can do the table a bunch of chairs whenever you want... Even later
still: chairs/schmairs...sure you can come get them anytime before
Pesach, just let me know when... Finally, OK, OK. Tomorrow is fine,
just let me know what time... But are you sure? They’re heavy, I can’t
really help, and you’re still recovering from an injury... And beyond
all that, the background noise of the momentarily unspeakable (perhaps
a 5th question): and then we have to take them back? And so it goes. 

 The wise child asks: can you envision for a moment a world of
abundance where everything is possible, a promised land where there
are every number of tables and chairs to meet the requirements of any
gathering with ease. With aging bodies resting rather than being
taxed? And stress replaced with the possibility of enjoyment?

 The wicked, mischievous child says: you can’t do that. What makes
you think it possible to not stay in your slave mentality forever?
Isn’t it part of who you are...this bringing of tables and chairs back
and forth, there and back, again and again? How dare you? But go ahead
and try. Amuse me.

 The simple child asks: don’t we just need one chair for each person?
That should be easy. I can bring my own chair as an example.

 As for the child who asks no questions, seemingly unable to
understand and meaningfully contribute to such deliberations -- or
perhaps wise enough to avoid jumping into the fray... To that child
you can say, we have a chair for you should you wish to join us at the
table, but as always you are welcome to sit in peace on the floor,
which we know brings you much happiness. (Are we jealous?) 

The tyranny of the chairs. One of dozens of tyrannies we subject
ourselves to in planning for a gathering celebrating liberation. (How
ironic.) One of hundreds of tyrannies, even thousands, that we may
subject ourselves to daily, knowingly or not. 

May we listen to the voices of our inner children, and let go of
burdens -- big and small -- that do not serve us and that we need not
carry. 

To expand upon the words of the author Paulo Coelho, may we be mindful
that in every moment we can step into fantasy, the abyss, or somewhere
in between. And in choosing where to step, may we be grateful that, as
taught by zen master Charlotte Joko Beck, we cannot avoid paradise, we
can only avoid seeing it. 

May we embrace the Passover teaching of being grateful for hard earned
“freedom from” and engaging fully in what that opens for us, “freedom
to.” 

As we open to and embody this newly discovered or rediscovered
“freedom to” -- freedom to visualize and create our own reality, our
own paradise -- may we find ourselves moving in grace away from fear
and gravitating increasingly towards love as our touchstone and guide 

And may this season’s blessings of liberation, transformation and
renewal ease our process of being in that knowing, connected and
joyful promised place, as often and a much as we can stand to be free.

KARAOKE PLAYLIST

MARK’S VERY KARAOKE AND

  SING-A-LONG BIRTHDAY

2-3-2012

INTRO

Cry Baby, Janis Joplin == go all in!!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjD4eWEUgMM&feature=related

SHOW TUNES

Singing in The Rain  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WttNlbaECDY

Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7kzsZreG0o

Favorite Things, Sound of Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3ByBaeV1FM&feature=related  

Do Re  Me, SOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQLCZOG202k

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Mary Poppins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ2uT34rgmo&feature=related

music of the night – phantom of the opera  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPXPwRgV-NM&feature=related

Phantom of the Opera  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq0QnsQf41s

Le Jazz Hot, Victor/Victoria, Julie Andrews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHVLaNsCSg or Glee version http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004722YWY

Bring Him Home, Les Miserables, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-0MS72uHSQ&feature=related

I Dreamed a Dream, Les Miserables: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeo86iOS0QU

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FBKa-bCasY

“CLASSICS”

What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yCcXgbKrE 

Man’s World -- James Brown, Josh Stone  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTYqEPAX70

RESPECT, Areetha Franklin  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPEHeRa39k&feature=fvsr

At Last, Etta James  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q2rZb7E0EY

Young At Heart, Frank Sinatra  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4TbdTyriN4&feature=fvsr

Love Me Tender, Elvis Presley  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y-bd3aDMGA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL3591ADCB17E3055F

Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, Elvis Presley  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAWalYmC170

Sounds of Silence, Simon and Garfunkel  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsX03LOMhI&feature=fvst (or Ground Zero version  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3np0DMxXKzM)

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, S&G, Whitney Houston and Cece Winans version  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGL099t8i2s&feature=related

You’ve Got A Friend, Carol King and James Taylor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIMJBDj_JkE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL65FC9F32BAB40D2D (or Carol, Celine, Gloria and Shania version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUw8zQQ-Auw)

Hallelujah, Kurt Nilsen et. al. with lyrics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu3Gg2K_n0g&feature=related (or a Leonard Cohen version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVP52dC3jks&feature=fvst)

Knockin on Heaven’s Door, Bob Dylan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM28M0i11SU

One love – Bob Marley  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g

Don’t worry be happy – Bobby Mcferrin  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNa_YiAXguU

Imagine -- Lennon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIFY9h8DImg&feature=related  (or Or Glee version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayVO5Wp6pp0) 

“VINTAGE POP”

Proud Mary, Tina Turner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCCS5fixC70 (start at 2:00)

Unchained Melody, Bobby Hayfield http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3YKtOBGMTM

time of my life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMoMBFhMdDw

a change is gonna come, sam cooke  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-X9JkM9Bgo

What’s Goin On, Marvin Gaye  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jKE6YIxmc&feature=related

I heard it thru The grapevine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1n7xv8BD7o

for all we know, donny hathaway  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVUeNHG1IFs

baby baby – supremes, Julia Noones (jaaaaaaa) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kBQ8DgkyFk&feature=related 

(Build me up) buttercup – Foundations, Julia noones (jaaaaaaa) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeP1Klmk0ng

sunshine of my life – Stevie wonder  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2xWAciTORg&feature=related

lately – Stevie Wonder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT3NN2IUc8Q

Lean on Me, Bill Withers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPoTGyWT0Cg

piano man  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYNR1-I4MtU&feature=related

your song – Elton john  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKQh1G5ZQMg&feature=related

tears in heaven – eric Clapton - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCx3M9L439k 

Landslide, stevie nicks and javier colon  http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/video/the-finals-javier-colon-and-stevie-nicks-sing-landslide/1338270

Thriller, Michael Jackson:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlOkhuNVp3M, or thriller wedding dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6InvLJUzA&feature=related 

Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bNVOLba5A

  

Father Figure, George Michael,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82KP_jTXfIU

YMCA, Village People  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS9OO0S5w2k or 

Time Warp, Rocky Horror: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr4LI27yGl4

its raining men http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=649zZmpCAXE

Beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX7XMwBVZ6c

Lady Marmalade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO3D8WmBtSM&feature=related

Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-io-kZKl_BI

Take Me to the River, Talking Heads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anjT71N4PGM

Shower the People, James Taylor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWnjEMbFFME

more than words, Extreme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R-FGchhwLw&feature=related  (see Eastern Influenced version below from Love Guru)

Addicted To Love, Robert Palmer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcATvu5f9vE&feature=related

Nothing Compares To You, Sinead O’Connor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTOpQS982aM

Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWDaHj2NdSE

Bohemian Rhapsody / Radio Gaga, Queen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDckgX3oU_w

Crazy Little Thing Called Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6D_BAuYCI

somebody to love – Queen, glee version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vQj4i4awhY&feature=related

Love Of My Life, Queen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsgP6VTnXUU

NEWER KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Single Ladies (Put a ring on it), Beyonce  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaTvQnqKT0I

Someone like You, Adele  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUaQzZ0DQvQ&feature=related

Forget You- Cee Lo Green Clean Version  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mTw7t8ndaw  (see Comedy/Commentary section below for "Bar'chu!" parody remix).

where is the love black eyed peas  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FotCW5OIFZc&feature=fvsr (or official video without lyrics) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc&ob=av2e

Black Eyed Peas The Time (Dirty Bit): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GLXxRsRins&feature=fvwrel

Ready For Love, India.Arie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOXLgd519I&feature=related

Beautiful Flower, India.Arie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0O771vmpYQ&feature=related

Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpIMzsnWcZQ

Lady Gaga Paparazzi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WuG33uxkMo&feature=related

Greyson Chance Paparazzi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rhy8IxqlE

Waiting Outside The Lines, Greyson Chance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTHcKVeK-M0

Please Don’t Go, Mike Posner  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiCozgbXJyg

Cooler than Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k606Hzszhk&feature=related

Nella Fantasia, Sung-Bong Choi,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo&feature=related (English translation at bottom of list.)

BEATLES

hey jude – beatles  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKk-3wb9Djg

blackbird – beatles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNOBY4rCsM&feature=relmfu

Let It Be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0714IbwC3HA&feature=related

All You Need Is Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydfH7iuLR0I&feature=related

all my loving – beatles, jaaaaaaa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REL5R-Ls3oU

Here Comes The Son: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxzEeKfpyIg&feature=related

I Want To Hold Your Hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhcb_ybtDsQ&feature=related (or glee version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGWC4yq_Yg&feature=related

Yellow Submarine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6dAmMlcxKI&feature=related

Eight Days A Week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadngOGKlP0&feature=related

ob-la-di ob-la-da: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4v818JNh4&feature=related

When I’m 64: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldIfhc1pJpk&feature=related

With A Little Help From My Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWs1-NEV9O0&feature=related

ALSO “EASTERN (or) INFLUENCED”

Hey ma durga – KD, Virtal Kirtan  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqyKkxds8eU&feature=g-all-f&context=G291f218FAAAAAAAAAAA

Gayatri Mantra -- Deva Premal  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPI6KUn4_FI

Deva Premal and Miten -There is so Much Magnificence  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr7Vm72lU8E&feature=related

In These Arms, A Song for All Beings-Jennifer Berezan  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzPTHstpJ2I  (start 2:00_

chori chori gori se – the guru http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyJc_lKULos

9 to 5 -- dolly parton, love guru http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3RhbdTbDN8&feature=related

more than words, love guru  http://youtu.be/DQ8QcJZawLY

the joker – Steve Miller Band, love guru http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZFOO28MhF8&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL35734A990A47A6FB

jai ho – slumdog millionaire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nssa0ZGfb1E&feature=related

(MORE) COMEDY/COMMENTARY -- ADULTS ONLY 

I Hold Your Hand In Mine, Tom Lehrer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6npVZoke66s

Lobachevsky, Tom Lehrer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXlfXirQF3A

Be Prepared, Tom Lehrer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkrheaWuShU&feature=related

Everyday Normal Guy, Jon Lojoie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-RQwdiaGDA or (lyrics) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbeLW4d_1j

Everyday Normal Guy 2, Jon Lajoie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmG4X9PGOXs or (lyrics) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jexe6ziduzg

High As F**k, Jon Lajoie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsNRpaHnj

Art Is Dead, Bo Burnham  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo9pU1q8sy8  or (lyrics) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nee0Kg1LGCc

Love Is, Bo Burnham  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fg-dQxQOEs or (lyrics) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjYE98Co9wM&feature=related

Ironic, Bo Burnham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiK4I4M6eyM or (lyric) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VoscbQA3lM

Words Words Words, Bo Burnham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuF6CpML3IQ or (lyric) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1xK0JfAQ1w

I'm Jewish And You Know It - Official Parody to Sexy and I know it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjbLYXnQmE

Black and Jewish (Black and Yellow Parody) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TXNU1nh4E4

"Bar'chu!" (I'm A Jew) -- Remix of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMIrDDGZmuI

TWO FOR THE ROAD

Jeopardy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E10S7lbAPw&feature=related

The Places You’ll Go, Suess – burning man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahv_1IS7SiE

_____________

Nella Fantasia 

In my fantasy I see a fair world,

Where everyone lives in peace and honesty.

I dream of a place to live that is always free,

Like a cloud that floats,

Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

In my fantasy I see a bright world

Where each night there is less darkness.

I dream of spirits that are always free,

Like the cloud that floats.

In my fantasy exists a warm wind,

That breathes into the city, like a friend.

I dream of souls that are always free,

Like the cloud that floats,

Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.