I just got an email from Mama Donna with the below video!
For the past four years, Mama Donna, an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and "Urban Shaman," has been specially requested to lead the Halloween Parade, blessing the Parade, spectators, the route itself, and the grand and beautiful city it calls home.
I have joined her as both a member of her Blessing Band and as a member of PURE, who for three years has livened the celebration with dance and music.
So, here is a camera copy (apologies for the background noise) of the start of the parade, where you can see Mama Donna and her Band, along with PURE following. There is some nice footage of Kaeshi and me at 1:47, and me doing a bunch of hip drops and a zaghareet at 1:50.
Funny thing -- I had to go to work later that evening, and went to my building in costume.
As I was signing in, the guard said, "Did you just come from the Parade? I think I saw you on TV!"
But I had to give him ID anyway.... :-D
Showing posts with label Mama Donna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mama Donna. Show all posts
Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Time Flies: Be Here Now! (HuffPo Comment)
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -- Douglas Adams
Even as a 9-year-old kid, I felt time was subjective
Yet, waiting for a delayed train is a nearly unbearable agony to me; I'm drawn up from my book and need to stare down the dark tunnel until the moment a hint of light hits the track. (Then, of course, I can relax and enjoy the book.)
Last year, I read an NPR article called "How to Live Forever" which made a facetious case for trying new things to make time "last longer": Once you are expert at a thing, you can do it automatica
I addressed this in my own blog http://t.c
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
Even as a 9-year-old kid, I felt time was subjective
Yet, waiting for a delayed train is a nearly unbearable agony to me; I'm drawn up from my book and need to stare down the dark tunnel until the moment a hint of light hits the track. (Then, of course, I can relax and enjoy the book.)
Last year, I read an NPR article called "How to Live Forever" which made a facetious case for trying new things to make time "last longer": Once you are expert at a thing, you can do it automatica
I addressed this in my own blog http://t.c
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Take a Stand! (HuffPo Comment)
Beautiful post, Mama Donna.
I was moved to hear Naomi Klein on Brian Lehrer this morning. http://www
She said that the image that moved her to leave her home in Canada and hurry to Wall Street was that of a young woman holding a sign that read, simply, "I care about you."
The most important truth of this moment is that we're in this together: Greed got us into this mess; only compassion can get us out.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
I was moved to hear Naomi Klein on Brian Lehrer this morning. http://www
She said that the image that moved her to leave her home in Canada and hurry to Wall Street was that of a young woman holding a sign that read, simply, "I care about you."
The most important truth of this moment is that we're in this together: Greed got us into this mess; only compassion can get us out.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Worldwide Flooding: When It Rains It Pours (HuffPo Comment)
A few years ago, while my father was waiting in a hospital lobby for the rain to let up, he noticed a forlorn young man gazing dejectedly at the downpour.
"Man!" he pouted at no one in particular
My father looked at him for a long beat and responded, "So you can have water to wash your car."
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
"Man!" he pouted at no one in particular
My father looked at him for a long beat and responded, "So you can have water to wash your car."
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
Monday, January 4, 2010
A Blue New Year: Coping with Kitty Cancer
If, on the night of a cerulean moon, we close our eyes and sit very still, take in great draughts of air, sigh deeply and open our hearts, we will be able to hear Lady Luna sing the blues. Broken-hearted, She watches down on our out-of-whack world, and She weeps.
And Her pain is our pain.
I read those words in Mama Donna's Huffington Post blog only hours after that bluest of Blue Moons -- the New Year's Eve blue moon, which occurs only once every 19 years -- and shed a whole lot of tears.
Very shortly before, I learned that my dear cat Chloe may be fatally ill.
The breast cancer (yes, cats can get breast cancer!) which we had treated with radical surgery the year before...
...had returned and would likely be fatal.
OK. Yeah. She's just a cat.
But I can't help bristling at the cavalier words of those who think indifferently of animal lives, who see furry companions as little more than animated furniture -- delightful, but ultimately expendable, replaceable.
"C'est la vie," said a well-meaning friend with a shuddering hug.
And that's true -- I believe strongly in quality of life, and have respect for a dignified, comfortable death.
But I am still very sad.
I love all of my three cats, and would be devastated to lose any of them.
But Chloe, who is the eldest and the first I adopted, shares a connection with me that has transformed both of us.
Perhaps I sensed this in the beginning when I had offered to foster a pregnant cat for my friend Kathryn, who runs what is now the Anjellicle Cats Rescue at Spoiled Brats.
She told me she had already found a foster for prego-puss, but that there was another cat that she "wanted to get out of the cage."
I realized what that meant when I found myself drawn to a small spooky black cat in the center cage. As I put my hand to the mesh, a razor-sharp claw raked through a fingertip.
"Wow!" said Kathryn, shuttling the frantic fuzzball into a carrier, "I see you've already met!"
The poor creature had been found a few weeks before around Fordham University and was wild to the point of being unadoptable.
But Kathryn had faith in me .... more than I had in myself.
I created a short video describing the events that followed... how, basically, love and steadfast kindness reached Chloe's terrified, traumatized kitty heart, here:
But what I did not describe is how this occurred.
As I say in the video, she was indeed "two little eyes in the back of the closet that occasionally came out to eat, poop and scratch me."
Usually, socialized domestic cats scratch only as a warning, claws not fully extended; but when Chloe scratched -- she meant it.
And she would be unpredictable: Even as she was warming up to human contact, if you touched her the wrong way, came too close or stayed too long, she would let you have it in full feline fury.
She began to like sleeping near my pillow; I wore a face mask because I was afraid she'd lash out an eye in the night. (She has never scratched me during the night, by the way.)
I'd come to work with lacerated, battle-torn hands and arms. I bought New Skin in bulk.
"A cat did that to you??" gaped an astonished co-worker after the spaying episode (described in the video). "And you still have this cat???"
Yes. Though I came close to giving up.
But something about her inspired me to believe she was reachable, and once reached, she would be remarkable.
And that is how she transformed me.
Now.
You can't punish a cat in the knee-jerk ways people punish, say, children.
You can't yell, hit back or be aggressive in any way.
This just terrifies the animal more, and makes it more likely they will injure you when you least expect it.
But somehow I had to let her know that she couldn't do this anymore ... that, most importantly, she didn't have to.
So I did this:
At the moment she'd swat me, I'd grab her -- firmly but gently, taking the razor blows as she dealt them -- until I could sit and hold her between my knees, facing me and tilted back in the "surrender position."
I'd hold her paws folded into her chest and firmly, but calmly, tell her to look at me, directing her head forward with my thumbs.
And I'd say things like: "That hurts mommy when you do that. Your mommy loves you and will never hurt you or let anyone hurt you."
Then I'd feel her body relax just a little, and I'd let her go, pet her and give her some treats.
All was forgiven. Until the next time.
And within a month or two, there were no more "next times."
She stopped scratching altogether.
She became warm, affectionate, trusting and trustworthy. I brought her two siblings (Simon the big-eyed tabby and Julietta the grey-and-white flirt), whom she guards, grooms and sometimes bullies playfully.
She nuzzles my face, purring and affectionate, and sleeps on my head nearly every night -- no face mask necessary.
She is warm and loving to family and guests, but loyally cuddles with her mom, no matter what cushy pal is in the fold-out bed.
She is a unique creature, and my dear, beloved, beautiful friend.
And now I may be losing her.
And Her pain is our pain.
I read those words in Mama Donna's Huffington Post blog only hours after that bluest of Blue Moons -- the New Year's Eve blue moon, which occurs only once every 19 years -- and shed a whole lot of tears.
Very shortly before, I learned that my dear cat Chloe may be fatally ill.
The breast cancer (yes, cats can get breast cancer!) which we had treated with radical surgery the year before...
...had returned and would likely be fatal.
OK. Yeah. She's just a cat.
But I can't help bristling at the cavalier words of those who think indifferently of animal lives, who see furry companions as little more than animated furniture -- delightful, but ultimately expendable, replaceable.
"C'est la vie," said a well-meaning friend with a shuddering hug.
And that's true -- I believe strongly in quality of life, and have respect for a dignified, comfortable death.
But I am still very sad.
I love all of my three cats, and would be devastated to lose any of them.
But Chloe, who is the eldest and the first I adopted, shares a connection with me that has transformed both of us.
Perhaps I sensed this in the beginning when I had offered to foster a pregnant cat for my friend Kathryn, who runs what is now the Anjellicle Cats Rescue at Spoiled Brats.
She told me she had already found a foster for prego-puss, but that there was another cat that she "wanted to get out of the cage."
I realized what that meant when I found myself drawn to a small spooky black cat in the center cage. As I put my hand to the mesh, a razor-sharp claw raked through a fingertip.
"Wow!" said Kathryn, shuttling the frantic fuzzball into a carrier, "I see you've already met!"
The poor creature had been found a few weeks before around Fordham University and was wild to the point of being unadoptable.
But Kathryn had faith in me .... more than I had in myself.
I created a short video describing the events that followed... how, basically, love and steadfast kindness reached Chloe's terrified, traumatized kitty heart, here:
But what I did not describe is how this occurred.
As I say in the video, she was indeed "two little eyes in the back of the closet that occasionally came out to eat, poop and scratch me."
Usually, socialized domestic cats scratch only as a warning, claws not fully extended; but when Chloe scratched -- she meant it.
And she would be unpredictable: Even as she was warming up to human contact, if you touched her the wrong way, came too close or stayed too long, she would let you have it in full feline fury.
She began to like sleeping near my pillow; I wore a face mask because I was afraid she'd lash out an eye in the night. (She has never scratched me during the night, by the way.)
I'd come to work with lacerated, battle-torn hands and arms. I bought New Skin in bulk.
"A cat did that to you??" gaped an astonished co-worker after the spaying episode (described in the video). "And you still have this cat???"
Yes. Though I came close to giving up.
But something about her inspired me to believe she was reachable, and once reached, she would be remarkable.
And that is how she transformed me.
Now.
You can't punish a cat in the knee-jerk ways people punish, say, children.
You can't yell, hit back or be aggressive in any way.
This just terrifies the animal more, and makes it more likely they will injure you when you least expect it.
But somehow I had to let her know that she couldn't do this anymore ... that, most importantly, she didn't have to.
So I did this:
At the moment she'd swat me, I'd grab her -- firmly but gently, taking the razor blows as she dealt them -- until I could sit and hold her between my knees, facing me and tilted back in the "surrender position."
I'd hold her paws folded into her chest and firmly, but calmly, tell her to look at me, directing her head forward with my thumbs.
And I'd say things like: "That hurts mommy when you do that. Your mommy loves you and will never hurt you or let anyone hurt you."
Then I'd feel her body relax just a little, and I'd let her go, pet her and give her some treats.
All was forgiven. Until the next time.
And within a month or two, there were no more "next times."
She stopped scratching altogether.
She became warm, affectionate, trusting and trustworthy. I brought her two siblings (Simon the big-eyed tabby and Julietta the grey-and-white flirt), whom she guards, grooms and sometimes bullies playfully.
She nuzzles my face, purring and affectionate, and sleeps on my head nearly every night -- no face mask necessary.
She is warm and loving to family and guests, but loyally cuddles with her mom, no matter what cushy pal is in the fold-out bed.
She is a unique creature, and my dear, beloved, beautiful friend.
And now I may be losing her.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
My Halloween Birthday -- from Blessing Band to Cupping Room to Spiegelworld (to a diner at 6am)
Truly a birthday to remember...
I'm usually too lazy to organize my own birthday events; fortunately Halloween is kind enough to provide me with a read-made party day, letting me hop from ball to bash, dancing, drinking and partying my butt off.
Which I did this year... BUT...
I wanted to do something special since a lot has happened for me this year, creatively, emotionally and spiritually.
Queen Mama Donna, who was kind enough to lead PURE's Tree Dedication in Prospect Park this past summer, invited me to join her Blessing Band which, for the second year, led the NYC Village Halloween Parade, blessing the route, the crowd and the city.
Clad in silver and white, sparkles and bells, she gathered us at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue.
(She is on the right in this photo.)
Some of us had wands... and some had red umbrellas??
I was the only one with a hipscarf and a veil.
She guided us to our starting point and we formed a circle around her.
And then led us north...
And I danced and zilled and trailed behind...
Here is a fun video of the procession:
Afterwards, I met with my family and friends and we headed down to The Cupping Room where Rayhana and her students performed a special tribute to the immortal Serena Wilson.
Around 1am, my hardiest (and heartiest) friends, Kisha and Bill K, joined me to see Sarah Locke and Alchemy dance at Spiegelworld at the Seaport.
We thought we were way too late for their show, which was supposed to be before 1am -- but it turned out we arrived just in time for their first number.
By chance, we walked in the right direction and were ordering a drink when we heard a familiar Djinn song coming from the tent behind the bar. We dashed through the crowd and found the beautiful Sarah gliding forward with serpentine mayas.
And then we drank.
And danced.
And danced more.
And ended up in a diner at dawn somewhere near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, raining glitter and good vibes in our french toast and coffee. Mmmmmmm.
I'm usually too lazy to organize my own birthday events; fortunately Halloween is kind enough to provide me with a read-made party day, letting me hop from ball to bash, dancing, drinking and partying my butt off.
Which I did this year... BUT...
I wanted to do something special since a lot has happened for me this year, creatively, emotionally and spiritually.
Queen Mama Donna, who was kind enough to lead PURE's Tree Dedication in Prospect Park this past summer, invited me to join her Blessing Band which, for the second year, led the NYC Village Halloween Parade, blessing the route, the crowd and the city.
Clad in silver and white, sparkles and bells, she gathered us at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue.
(She is on the right in this photo.)
Some of us had wands... and some had red umbrellas??
I was the only one with a hipscarf and a veil.
She guided us to our starting point and we formed a circle around her.
And then led us north...
And I danced and zilled and trailed behind...
Here is a fun video of the procession:
Afterwards, I met with my family and friends and we headed down to The Cupping Room where Rayhana and her students performed a special tribute to the immortal Serena Wilson.
Around 1am, my hardiest (and heartiest) friends, Kisha and Bill K, joined me to see Sarah Locke and Alchemy dance at Spiegelworld at the Seaport.
We thought we were way too late for their show, which was supposed to be before 1am -- but it turned out we arrived just in time for their first number.
By chance, we walked in the right direction and were ordering a drink when we heard a familiar Djinn song coming from the tent behind the bar. We dashed through the crowd and found the beautiful Sarah gliding forward with serpentine mayas.
And then we drank.
And danced.
And danced more.
And ended up in a diner at dawn somewhere near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, raining glitter and good vibes in our french toast and coffee. Mmmmmmm.
Friday, July 25, 2008
PURE Joy in Prospect Park
On Saturday, July 19th -- in 96ยบ weather -- about 30 PURE dancers, musicians and volunteers marched into the blazing sun for our fourth annual procession.
How appropriate that this year's theme is global warming and the importance of trees in our overheated urban environment.
And what better way to support this theme than not only to hold our procession in Brooklyn's beautiful, historic Prospect Park -- but to tangibly help the park by adopting three struggling Birch trees?
Note: We began to raise funds a few days before the procession, but due to some technical problems on the donation site we were not able to receive funds.
I'm happy to report that the site is now fixed!! So please click here to make a tax-deductible donation -- even a small amount would be very welcome!
And please be sure to write "PURE Trees" in the Comments field to ensure that your kind donation will be directed toward our beloved Birches.
So... about the procession.
It was wonderful!
And guess what! We made the Sunday Daily News!!
Ironically, the photo was placed right next to the weather report of Sunday's steamy, globally-warmed temperatures.
Urban Shaman Mama Donna and her globally-cooling umbrella joined us, presiding at the beginning and end of the procession.
We began in front of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza.
We had planned to do our entire foundation choreography, which usually takes 6 minutes, but the scalding heat forced us to improvise for a minute or two...
...and drove us into the shade....
... where Mama Donna blessed us and the trees, reinforcing the purity of our intention....
And then it was on through the Long Meadow..
...with Mama Donna, volunteers and onlookers at our side.
To make sure onlookers could follow us, Sophia, one of our invaluable assistants scattered rose petals as she went.
We stopped at a crossroads towards the southern end of the Long Meadow and performed a portion of the Foundation choreography.
Our procession continued through the beautiful Ravine, where we let out a whopping zaghareet in the Center Drive tunnel...
... leading to the Music Pagoda, where we gave a quick performance.
Then we took a quick break at the Boathouse (they make very good Thai iced tea there!).
And then went on to the Oriental Pavillion at the Composers' Grove where we performed the full Foundation choreography -- much to the delight of blue-and-white clad partiers in the Pavillion!
Then it was on to the lake where our adoptive trees awaited!
And here are our Baby Birches. You can see why we want to help them....
But before we began our Adoption Ceremony, we put on disposable gloves and cleaned the area. Even the littlest onlookers helped!
We saluted the trees in a grand cascade.
And then each of us danced a solo blessing for our trees.
Mama Donna began the ceremony by invoking the elements: incense for fire, oil on our hands for earth, and mercifully sprayed all of us with water culled from blessed springs from all over the world (mixed with that most blessed spring of all -- Brooklyn tap!)
And then we danced!! (Notice my father looking on.... :-> )
The whole group posed in front of our beloved trees.
[Note: You can view the full galleries of all the above photographers by clicking any given photo, or visit these links:
http://flickr.com/photos/drfardook/tags/pure/
http://flickr.com/photos/amasam/sets/72157606297858695/
http://flickr.com/photos/rickgiordano/sets/72157606268951875/
http://flickr.com/photos/tandavadance/sets/72157606446676220/
Many thanks to our wonderful photographers!!!]
How appropriate that this year's theme is global warming and the importance of trees in our overheated urban environment.
And what better way to support this theme than not only to hold our procession in Brooklyn's beautiful, historic Prospect Park -- but to tangibly help the park by adopting three struggling Birch trees?
Note: We began to raise funds a few days before the procession, but due to some technical problems on the donation site we were not able to receive funds.
I'm happy to report that the site is now fixed!! So please click here to make a tax-deductible donation -- even a small amount would be very welcome!
And please be sure to write "PURE Trees" in the Comments field to ensure that your kind donation will be directed toward our beloved Birches.
So... about the procession.
It was wonderful!
And guess what! We made the Sunday Daily News!!
Ironically, the photo was placed right next to the weather report of Sunday's steamy, globally-warmed temperatures.
Urban Shaman Mama Donna and her globally-cooling umbrella joined us, presiding at the beginning and end of the procession.
We began in front of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza.
We had planned to do our entire foundation choreography, which usually takes 6 minutes, but the scalding heat forced us to improvise for a minute or two...
...and drove us into the shade....
... where Mama Donna blessed us and the trees, reinforcing the purity of our intention....
And then it was on through the Long Meadow..
...with Mama Donna, volunteers and onlookers at our side.
To make sure onlookers could follow us, Sophia, one of our invaluable assistants scattered rose petals as she went.
We stopped at a crossroads towards the southern end of the Long Meadow and performed a portion of the Foundation choreography.
Our procession continued through the beautiful Ravine, where we let out a whopping zaghareet in the Center Drive tunnel...
... leading to the Music Pagoda, where we gave a quick performance.
Then we took a quick break at the Boathouse (they make very good Thai iced tea there!).
And then went on to the Oriental Pavillion at the Composers' Grove where we performed the full Foundation choreography -- much to the delight of blue-and-white clad partiers in the Pavillion!
Then it was on to the lake where our adoptive trees awaited!
And here are our Baby Birches. You can see why we want to help them....
But before we began our Adoption Ceremony, we put on disposable gloves and cleaned the area. Even the littlest onlookers helped!
We saluted the trees in a grand cascade.
And then each of us danced a solo blessing for our trees.
Mama Donna began the ceremony by invoking the elements: incense for fire, oil on our hands for earth, and mercifully sprayed all of us with water culled from blessed springs from all over the world (mixed with that most blessed spring of all -- Brooklyn tap!)
And then we danced!! (Notice my father looking on.... :-> )
The whole group posed in front of our beloved trees.
[Note: You can view the full galleries of all the above photographers by clicking any given photo, or visit these links:
http://flickr.com/photos/drfardook/tags/pure/
http://flickr.com/photos/amasam/sets/72157606297858695/
http://flickr.com/photos/rickgiordano/sets/72157606268951875/
http://flickr.com/photos/tandavadance/sets/72157606446676220/
Many thanks to our wonderful photographers!!!]
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