Gitam & Shunyo: Love Cooking in Cleveland

Nataraj Meditation in Cleveland

Cleveland Dervishes: (l to r) Swagato, Bharti, Atmo, Veetam, Milarepa

If you are living in America, chances are you suffer from a syndrome called: paranoia. For you see, Americans think everyone is out to get them. They are mostly fearful of anyone a little bit different; or anything outside of their immediate, known world. Just witness the ads running on TV these days: The faces of serious politicians exhorting the public to "be prepared" for the terrorists. I even heard this morning on the news that assault rifles, the same ones used by the US troops in Iraq, can be purchased over-the-counter at any gun shop. To make this insane idea more acceptable, they are given the name "homeland security weapons". It is suggested, if you are a true American and value your freedom, you had better get one. And fast!

So no wonder when, before our Cleveland event, one anxious college student approached me and said: "Can you tell me what this evening is going to be about? I'm so scared." Scared of what, I thought. Laughter, joy, silence, dance, song, love, genuine communion with others and yourself? Scared of what? What is the fear? Such is the atmosphere in America these days.

The September USA events had many highlights, which included a dance party in Casa Rincon, a Mexican restaurant in the heart of Sedona, where any differences that might have existed between each other, were simply dissolved by joyous movement to the beat.

In Portland, we sang and danced on Saturday night - un-plugged - in the beautiful meditation hall of Still Meadows Retreat. The magic of the evening was enhanced and lighted by the stain-glass candle holders of Ken. My dear friend and fellow musician, Sudhananda, surprised us with his visit and songs.

And in Cleveland, we played one of the best Nataraj meditation's I have ever experienced.

Between events, I watched Bowling For Columbine with the band. It is an intriguing documentary about gun culture in America. I especially like how the director doesn't give any ready answers. He simply asks soul-searching questions and presents the facts, leaving it to the audience to draw their own conclusions. It reminded me of one of the most profound things I ever heard Osho say: "Violence is the religion of America." After the film, one of my organizers, who teaches yoga, said to me, "You know, Mila? There's a lot of pain in America. But this pain, this mud, can be the seed for transformation. It can grow beautiful lotuses." How true.

Special thanks to this year's band - Veetam, Bharti, Swagato. And to all my organizers? Bravo America!