It happened that the day of the talk was November 2nd, otherwise recognized as "Day of the Dead" according to several spiritual and cultural traditions. The audience wore brightly coloured clothes representing core values of the West African tradition taught by Malidoma. I came from work so only had a red scarf, however was pleased to learn that this represents fire, strength, and celebration. Many people in the audience also wore traditional garments or intricately decorated masks. The vibrant visuals, warmth of the community gathering, and dynamic music of a string and percussion trio made for a particularly energetic and inspiring environment, even before the event had formally begun.
The host, Leslie Fell, gave a generous introduction and also invited the audience to share any personal ancestral tokens on a table at the front of the room. I had already placed my Grammy's handkerchief up there, along with many photographs, family jewelry, and other mementos representing the ancestors of the people gathered in the room. It was very powerful. By the time the event began the table was full of significant objects; it had become an alter.
To my surprise, before Malidoma went up to speak, Larry Nusbaum, the guitarist from the musical trio, came to the front and invited the group into a most amazing collective musical experience. He expressed his faith in all sounds that come from nature and in our potential to produce something beautiful together, then Larry handed out various instruments (these were dispersed among the 100 or so people in the room) and finally brought the group to silence. Then he invited us to begin, to follow our instincts. Something magical happened during the five minutes that everyone in the room was participating in this musical exercise - we all traveled through sound using what we had to contribute to some sort of rhythm, melody, etc. I had expected chaos but instead I was transported.
I think that may have been a "you had to be there" moment.
Afterwards, Malidoma took the stage and spoke, sharing his life learning and guiding the audience to connect with our ancestors and change the way we think about faith, love, and life purpose.
Who is Malidoma Some? According to the Ancestral Light ticketing/event website:
Malidoma Somé, PhD, is one of todays most eloquent champions of indigenous wisdom. His life and teaching form a bridge between the traditional ways of his people, the Dagara of West Africa, among whom he is an initiated elder, and the modern world. He is a gifted medicine man and diviner, as well as a compelling teacher and author. For more than twenty years, Malidoma has shared the ancient knowledge of his tribe with people in the West who are increasingly disconnected from their ancestors, spirit and the richness of life in community. His voice awakens in our hearts the recognition that we are all born with a life purpose to fulfill and that we can do so in a deep and abiding relationship with all beings. Dr. Somé is the author of several books, including Ritual: Power, Healing and Community, The Healing Wisdom of Africa, and his acclaimed autobiography, Of Water and the Spirit (These books will be on sale at the event).
I took notes throughout Malidoma's talk but I can definitely say that what I got most out of the whole event was that stopping to reflect on life, appreciating where we come from, and and imagining that we have been sent to this world by our ancestors for a particular reason, is a very powerful and energizing experience. We all get so caught up in our day-to-day details that it is easy to forget about having gratitude and love for being alive and for each being given the unique challenges and opportunities in our lives.
Here are a few quote from Malidoma:
"Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt."
"We need an ancestral GPS!"
"Mistakes can be healing tools, however human arrogance insists on staying on the mistakes, not the healing."
"We need to reinvent gratitude."
"The more indigenous the person, the closer you are to the technology that modernity cannot explain."
"We do not want to enter a fashion where cosmetic speaks louder than authenticity."
When I think about it, there was something about this entire event that modernity wouldn't be able to explain. I struggle to identify precisely what particular "point" was being made during the talk, or what the specific "point" of the whole event really was... Thankfully, the brightness, the light, the warmth, the music, the words, the listening and the community gathered left me satisfied and certain that actually identifying a unified reason why were were all there together was entirely beside the point.
Young or old, this event left everyone feeling more alive.
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