Wild Moon Bhaktas | Beat Lively Kirtans and Heart Chants

Rehearsal February 2014

By davidschmit | Published: May 22, 2014

It is February, and it is cold outside. We are drinking tea and rehearsing for an upcoming chanting and kirtan event at First Unitarian Society.

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New players

By davidschmit | Published: May 21, 2014

We are fortunate to be playing with some talented new musicians and vocalists. Barbara Meyer, songstress, roots-music woman and band-leader has been performing with us regularly for a couple of years now. You can hear her vocals on our ‘From the Ganges to the Mississippi’ CD. Yea, Barbara! We look forward to continuing this creative relationship! We have also played with flautist Leila Vera Om, who brings her talents and great sense of fun to the group. We look forward to playing with her again, too! Finally, Christine Larson, violin has also shared her talents with us, most recently at our May 10th event at Big River Yoga in Minneapolis, and again, May 31st, at the First Unitarian Society. We hope to see you there!

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Wild Moon Bhaktas at Spirit United Church

By davidschmit | Published: May 21, 2014

On March 2, 2014, the Wild Moon Bhaktas were honored to be the guests of Spirit United Church in Minneapolis for their Sunday morning service. With our good friend, the talented Barbara Meyer performing with us, we led the congregation in some chants, and then told the story of “Fatima, the Spinner and the Tent” in the Wild Moon Bhaktas style – with musical accompaniment. It is a moving Sufi story about a young woman who loses everything – over and over again – only to find that her eventual happiness comes by synthesizing the learning of her disparate ‘lost’ lives’ into a whole.

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Rumi Celebration Images

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

Here are some images from our annual Rumi Celebration, featuring the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell of Light Upon Light Sufi Center and the Rev. Ted Tollefson. We begin the program with an invocation, chanting with the Wild Moon Bhaktas, and then the band provides back-up music for the poetry recitation. Audience members share their often deeply moving, sometimes humorous and always rich, favorite Rumi poems. Pictured is our friend, Tom Esch, reciting Rumi’s highly regarded “Chick Pea” poem, which magically turns our common suffering into something inspiring and meaningful. In the second portion of the program, Hakim Bushnell leads us in sacred dance inspired by the Sufi Zikr. It is a marvel that Rumi’s astonishing poetry – now some 800 years old – still speaks to us so strongly. Thanks to poet-translator Coleman Barks and Robert Bly for giving us these lively English versions of the Sufi mystic’s work.

photos: stevepetersonphotography.net

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Testimonial: B. Garland, Minneapolis, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

Thank you so much for reaching out to me at the kirtan last night. I was in a very altered state and could hardly talk to you! I was simply thinking that I needed to drive my friends home safely. HA! I also had a mystical experience the month before at your kirtan. Words are not a very good container for explaining any details. You have terms and understanding of what I am talking about that I don’t have in my conscious knowledge. I want to thank the Bhaktas and other kirtaners for their part in creating a Divine Sacred Space for all of us. It is a safe space for me to let go into the Infinite. Many, many blessings to you. -B.Garland, Minneapolis

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Testimonial: Theresa Z. of Bloomington, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

“This is my favorite CD! I find it very spiritually uplifting, moving, exciting and enriching. I have always gotten that from your [Wild Moon Bhaktas’] Kirtans but wasn’t sure what to expect with the CD. I was looking forward to it but it even surpassed my expectations. While it is able to still transport me spiritually it also allows me to hear even more clearly the musical talents of the band members! The CD offers me the option to chant along but I often find myself just listening to the artistry with which you play and sing. Your music is very unique with its wonderful blend of traditions — all of which I love and appreciate. No one else does what you do — and do so well. Thank you. Namaste.” –Theresa Z. Bloomington, MN.

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Testimonial: Joy Illikainen of Duluth, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

“The Wild Moon Bhaktas CD is one of my favorites! Their folk style and love of ancient poetry and texts are so exciting! Their music is mesmerizing and celebratory!!
The obvious musical & vocal talent has the listener ecstatically clapping hands in one moment and then meditating on a devotional chant in the next. You will hear traditional poems by the great ones, including Rumi, Kabir, and Mirabai infused throughout the CD. Don’t miss the LAST song on the CD….it is a gift!……Hara Hare Mahadeva Shambo, paying homage to The Great Mother River Ganga. No matter what mood I am in, this CD makes me smile right away!

“And their live Kirtans! David Schmit oozes India when he shares. I am not certain how to describe the depth of how I feel about the drums and violin too. Also, I wanted to say something about David Ballman’s amazing singing. I can honestly say the Wild Moon Bhaktas are as much fun to watch, as they are to listen to!”

Peace~ Joy Illikainen (Duluth, Minnesota)

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Rumi Celebration

By davidschmit | Published: December 18, 2013

Let the Beauty We Love

If you wake up in the morning / Empty and scared / Don’t go to the study and read / Pick up a musical instrument and play. / Let the beauty we love, be what we do / There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

Our fourteenth annual Rumi Celebration, an evening of music, chanting, poetry and sacred dance is coming in just a few days – Sunday, December 22nd. This event grew out of love for Rumi’s mystical poetry and features the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell and friends, and Rev. Ted Tollefson. Many people bring their favorite Rumi poem and share it, while the Wild Moon Bhaktas provides background music for the recitation. Either way, join us! 7-9 pm. at the Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. South, Minneapolis. 55409. RumiNiteFlyer2013PDF

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November Event at Living Waters

By davidschmit | Published: December 18, 2013

The Wild Moon Bhaktas have been performing a regular chanting and kirtan event the second Saturday of the month at Living Waters Café / Center for Harmonious Living in Minnetonka, Minnesota for a couple of years now. It is a fine room, good for music; there is wholesome food and beverages right next door at the Café, and the owners are dedicated to promoting peace, harmony and spirituality in the world. In November of 2013, we were fortunate to have Barbara Meyer (pictured), local roots-music woman, vocalist and band leader join us. You might remember her at our CD Release party and she sings on our CD, From the Ganges to the Mississippi. Also playing with us was Mark Baker (pictured), who is well known as the drummer/percussionist with Kirtan Path. We thank these talented and spirited people for sharing their gifts with us!