WITH NORMA NAKAI BURTON M.DIV.

“We Don’t Care What the Big Chief Say!” – is a popular chant ringing in the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

“Laughter is carbonated holiness and our last defense against hopelessness.”

The Fool is an archetype, one of the universal patterns that arises out of our human collective unconscious. The Fool is arguably the most potent of the archetypes, and they appear in every culture under various names of clown, jester, dervish, sage, shaman, or trickster. They practice a way of being – and teaching — that is so extreme, so counter-cultural, so UN-reasonable, that one can’t help but notice and respond. The teachings of Holy Fools challenge convention, turning cherished beliefs and rules on their heads. Their motive is to cause us to doubt the truths we are so sure of. Prophets and Sidhi’s, Heoka’s and Jesus: All of these teachers embody the struggle between order and chaos, conformity and originality by teaching through contrasts.

So this week let’s explore the power of Mardi Gras, the role of the Wise Fool and ask ourselves “What Kind of Fool Am I?”

Musicians: Cyrise Beatty Schachter and Richard Williams

NEXT 4 WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT THE HAVURAH BEGINNING AT 7-8:30PM
Chanting with Kathy Zavada