Rumi Celebration

By davidschmit | Published: January 10, 2016

Thanks to the nearly 70 people who packed the Center for Performing Arts Chapel who helped make our seventeenth annual Rumi Night another success. Many thanks to the individuals who strode to the microphone and shared their illuminating, heart-breaking, and hysterical Rumi poems. Thanks also to Jack Norton for videotaping the event and shooting this photo. And of course, kudos to Hakim Bushnell, Karima Bushnell, Ted and Kristen Eide Tollefson and all who made it happen. Thanks also to Coleman Barks whose English versions of Rumi from the original Persian has aided in this renaissance of a 13th century mystic’s astonishing poems. Next year, we will need to find a bigger room. A good sign!
RumiNite2015JackNortonphoto

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Seventeenth Annual Rumi Celebration

By davidschmit | Published: January 10, 2016

Sunday, December 13 at the Center for Performing Arts in Minneapolis, 7:30-9:30. Our seventeenth annual evening of music, chanting, Sufi poetry and sacred dance in honor of Sufism’s greatest poet, Rumi.
RumiNiteDec13-2015006

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wild Moon Bhaktas at Spirit United Church

By davidschmit | Published: January 10, 2016

Sunday, November 8, 2015
WMB@SpiritUnitedChurchNov8-2015
Spirit United Church is a welcoming and open-minded congregation in Minneapolis who invited the Wild Moon Bhaktas to lead their service We led a couple of chants and then told the story of Tibet’s great yogi, Milarepa, a moving tale about the power of perseverance and practice on the spiritual path. Here we are at the church, with our good friend, Will Kemperman sitting for Gary Waryan who was away. Thanks to Ron, Karen, Ellen and Joan for helping make it happen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A poem by Rumi: The Clear Bead at the Center

By davidschmit | Published: October 16, 2015

The Wild Moon Bhaktas at First Unitarian Society, July, 2015

The Wild Moon Bhaktas at First Unitarian Society, July, 2015

“The Clear Bead at the Center
changes everything
There are no edges to my loving now.

I’ve heard it said, there’s a window
that opens from one mind to another.
But if there is no wall
there is no window,
And if there is no window,
there is no need for a latch

There are no edges to my loving now.
The clear bead at the center
changes everything. – Rumi, translation by Bly & Coleman

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wild Moon Bhaktas at River Garden Yoga Center, St. Paul

By davidschmit | Published: August 30, 2015

We are happy to be bringing our music to River Garden Yoga. Lots of friends, yogis, various seekers and new faces were there. Our guest percussionist Will Kemperman joined us, and he took these two photos, of the band and Christine. Here is a photo of him, too. River Garden is located in an old, historic building on West 7th in St. Paul and has good vibes!

Here are a couple lines from the great Bhakti poet, Kabir (15th century, India; version by R. Bly): “If you don’t break your ropes while you are still alive, Do you think ghosts will do it for you after? If you make love with the Divine now, In the next life, you will have the face of satisfied desire.”

Wild Moon Bhaktas at River Garden Yoga, July 2015

Wild Moon Bhaktas at River Garden Yoga, July 2015

Christine Larson

Christine Larson

Will Kemperman

Will Kemperman

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

St. Valentine’s with the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: February 12, 2015

An evening of chanting, Sufi love poetry and music. The poetry of Rumi, Hafiz, and Kabir reveal cosmic expressions of love that both expand the heart and boggle the rational mind. Check out the flyerBigRiverValentinesFLyerFeb2015PDF

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Year’s Kirtan 2014

By davidschmit | Published: January 22, 2015

10404463_10153481543358242_4548831547862148798_n

1979240_867155929971756_1598862630907385931_o
A spirited night – New Year’s Kirtan with the Wild Moon Bhaktas – pictured here, and Blue Spirit Wheel from Atlanta and the Twin Cities’ own Kirtan Path, with the Sons of Shiva providing some late night chanting. A wonderfully attended event. Outside, it was cold. Inside, dancing, and singing to the Great Spirit! Thanks to our good friend Pascale LaPointe and her team for putting on another memorable evening.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Christine Larson on violin performs with the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: November 10, 2014

w violin
We have been fortunate to be playing with Christine Larson, violinist. Music has been in Christine’s life since early childhood. By age 10 she was pursuing classical training on violin, eventually playing with symphony orchestras and classical ensembles. She also branched out – with her instrument and her voice – to folk music and beyond. Christine brings her two decades of practice in meditation, yoga, and earth-based spirituality to her music – you can hear it!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Flyer Art of the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: November 10, 2014

We work to get the word out about our chanting and kirtan programs. Here is some of our flyer art. Click to open the PDF. WMBFirstUnitaJune-July2014FlyerPDFWMBFlyerBigRiverYogaMay2014 PDF

WMBFLyerFirstU Fall2014PDF

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

October 2014 Events with the Wild Moon Bhaktas and Friends

By davidschmit | Published: November 10, 2014

The Wild Moon Bhaktas continue their music, chanting and kirtan. New material, new talent, new and older locations where we hold our programs. Here are a couple of images from Living Waters Café / Center for Harmonious Living. Special guests included Christine Larson, violin and Will Kemperman, percussion. 100_0843100_0847

100_0848

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

  • Join Our Mailing List

  • Upcoming Appearances

    • Saturday, September 20, 2025
      Wild Moon Bhaktas - an evening of communal chanting, kirtan & spiritual music
      7:30-9:15 pm
      Tula Yoga, 99 Snelling Ave. North
      St. Paul, MN 55104
      $15 cash please, at door
    • Saturday, October 18, 2025
      Wild Moon Bhaktas - an evening of communal chanting, kirtan, spiritual music & joy
      Starting time: either 7:00 or 7:30 pm. Check back!
      Tula Yoga, 99 Snelling Ave. North
      St. Paul, MN 55104
      $15 cash please, at door