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| ATTITUDINAL HEALING |
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Just the name evokes a sense of mastery over the mystery of how we resolve our personal, social and global issues. If our “reality” is a mirror of our perceptions—and it is, the Attitudinal Healing Connection of Oakland is a place of “mirror”cles.
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I first met Kokomon Clottey and his wife, Aeeshah at the New Life Expo where they performed the opening and closing ceremonies. I already knew of them from a flyer I had seen some time before. Now, I’m blessed to help distribute material of his work and extol the virtues of his Service. During the opening ceremony, I danced in ways I’d never even seen before. Not in this incarnation but my spirit remembered. Then my body said, “oh yeah, this is true” and I flowed.
I came to the next drumming circle (which they hold the last Fri. evening of the month) and found myself in a dimension or altered state of consciousness where I was playing in the forest where the tree grew that the drum was fashioned from. Playing with me was the animal that donated its hide. After drumming for an hour (or minute or lifetime…there was no time) we shared our names and experiences. The sense of comm(unity) was so overwhelming, overwarming, I wished all world leaders would drum before tackling global issues!
I read Kokomon’s book, Mindful Drumming –Ancient Wisdom For Unleashing The Human Spirit And Building Community. I can tell you what I knew about the power of drumming but now I understand some things about drumming that I can’t adequately articulate. I discovered I can change my state of being by drumming. I am one who contends with bouts of clinical depression. Drumming re-connects me with the natural rhythm of my heart-drum, Mother Earth and Spirit. Since reading Mindful Drumming I’ve augmented my morning prayer & meditation ritual with “pouring libations” for my ancestors and invoking their favor. It’s nothing short of transformational Your results may very.. well exceed mine.
I’m listening to his CD, “Mystic Vision” as I type. It is a boiling cauldron of indigenous and universal ingredients, old and newtrition for the soul. There’s a point of power within all humanity that only certain types of music touch. A love song in any language is a love song. You feel its authenticity in your soul. This is music from the heart of Mother Africa, the womb of civilization. The book and CD served to introduce me to the power of rhythm, sound, Spirit and ancestral reverence. There is Spirit all around us, through us and here are ways I connect.
I have to mention the ArtEsteem project and its Goddess-Mother, Amana Harris. Children are taught to portray themselves as Super Heroes taking on the challenges in their communities, families, schools, their lives. I’ve been to the galleries and almost wept. I want to be around in the future to see these young ones jump out of the blue(print) into the roles they’ve created. This wasn’t available to me when I was a child but since I still am…, the ArtEsteem project compelled me to embrace Gandhi’s advice that we have to be the change we want to see in the world.
The winter Traveling Super Hero exhibit is to be experienced through the Arts First Oakland (bless you Eve Lindi & Rev. Ama) at the First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. There number is 510-444-8511 www.artsfirstoakland.org
Let me not forget The Attitudinal Healing Connection’s racial healing workshop on the last Wed. of the month. Nothing swept under the rug is ever gone away. Until the rug is lifted and the dirt swept away can we truly feel our houses are clean. I witnessed participants getting into their most uncomfortable issues. I witnessed painful, emotional labor and birth of new, more empowering attitudes. If you aren’t carrying emotional, racial baggage of your own, lend a hand and a hug to someone still laden with theirs.
The Attitudinal Healing Connection is like a child of a Global Village that is raised on donations and volunteers. I love helping A.H.C! One cannot help them and not be enriched themselves. Here’s where to start:
Kokomon Clottey
(executive director)
Attitudinal Healing Connection
3278 West Street
Oakland, CA 94608
kokomon@AHC-Oakland.org
510-652-5530
www.ahc-oakland.org
Can you hear the sound of distant drums? They’re your ancestors in your heart. They’re calling for you!
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Posted on Dec 01, 2004 12:42pm by dopom9
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