Only Love

Last December I was joined by The Community Gardeners and The All Nations Dancers for a special “Welcome Winter” performance at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I hadn’t performed at the DIA in years and was happy and grateful to have the opportunity to return to the historic and mystical space that is the Rivera Court. Surrounded by the backdrop of Diego Rivera’s majestic murals that remind us of the dangers of unbridled capitalism and it’s connection to the military industrial complex, we sang and danced.

We welcomed all people into a sacred circle of connection through music. We celebrated our deep interconnection by joining hands in one large circle for a round dance led by The All Nations Dancers. In the circle with the Anishnaabe pow wow dancers were people of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions (including some joyful Catholic nuns), artists, activists, parents, grandparents, children and families from diverse backgrounds, all smiling and laughing and being free together.

That was a moment of remembrance for me of what I am here to do. To be some sort of vessel for a power greater than myself to help bring people together and recognize our sacred interdependence, not only with one another across lines of race, class, religion, gender, and nationality, but with all beings and with our Mother Earth. That moment is captured in my recently released video for my song Liminal Space.

I was reminded of Grace Lee Boggs encouraging us to create change “from the ground up” by building “multicultural, intergenerational community.” The moment brought me to tears when Anishinaabe elder Lucy Harrison, still recovering from her injury, joined us in her wheelchair along with several family members. 

These moments of connection are what we all need, especially right now when our country is being led by people who are acting out of their woundedness and the illusion that we are all separate and disconnected. The fragmentation caused by colonization harms us all and is being played out by this current administration both domestically and internationally; The idea that bombing another country could ever bring us safety; The delusion that harassing, detaining, and deporting people based on their race or nationality could make us safe; The fantasy that more material wealth for the richest will bring happiness and security. 

We need to wake up to the reality of our interbeing so that we are able to face these delusions with clarity and groundedness. How long will we try the same things and expect new results? As so many wise prophets have reminded us over generations, only love will save us. Not just a selective love, but an expansive, unconditional, welcoming love. The kind of love we create in sacred circles, in round dances, in songs of healing and compassion. 

We have this love within us. It is our greatest resource. Let us continue to cultivate and share this love for all humanity and for all beings, that we may one day truly know peace in our world.

I am going to keep singing, as long as I have a voice to share. I hope you will join me and help create sacred circles of healing and love.

With gratitude and love,
Joe

P.S. If you would like to support my musical spiritual aspiration with any financial contribution, I welcome that. Your presence and your practice of Love is the best gift!