advice to the drunk at heart

[audio:http://idiotplayers.org/blog/audio/advice-to-the-drunk-at-heart.mp3|titles=advice to the drunk at heart]
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The attached song is by the idiotplayers. The lyric is a version of a poem by Jallaluddin Rumi. It is a renegade poem, at a tangent to the very large corpus of poetry translated into English by Nevit Ergin.

What it might be to be “drunk” in Sufism is a deep topic. The advice, in part, that Rumi offers is that the Heart is a mighty big wave. You will need a craft of some kind to surf it. The craft is made of your own energy of awareness. Watch over and observe yourself, watch over the faculty of fantasy that idles away precious energy. Find the core of sobriety in the swell of drunkenness. Also, get out of the way of fearing what is actual. Also, find some other drunkards who have been at it a while, who have experience. Find them and hang out.

Advice to the Drunk at Heart
words: an adaptation from the translation by Nevit O. ErginĀ of a Rumi Divan

Just as the feet find their shoes in the dark,
The Heart must have pleasure.
In that flood, get aboard Noah’s Ark,
Though there may be fear in large measure.

Watch, ever carefully over your fantasy
Never be afraid, my friend, of actuality.

Consider others as you would yourself.
Don’t listen to every stray word.
You may have something clean in your soul,
But against rust you can’t be insured.

Watch, ever carefully over your fantasy.
Never be afraid, my friend, of actuality.

Just as the feet find their shoes in the dark,
The Heart must have pleasure.
In that flood, find Noah’s Ark,
Though there may be fear in large measure.

Watch, ever carefully over your fantasy.
Never be afraid, my friend, of actuality.

If you want pleasure in your heart,
Hang around those who have found it.
Drink in the presence, find the start
From those who have travelled the ending.

Live among the drunks
Even if there is not much wine.
Just the smell of it in the air
Will be enough to give you a shine.

the players
gregory dominato: voice, udo, daf, mouth trumpet
eunji kim: organ
brian feore: piano
produced by the idiotplayers

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3 Responses to advice to the drunk at heart

  1. brian feore says:

    Hi Gregory and Eunji.

    I just heard this today, March 2. I really like the vocal styling. Almost like a carnaval barker. And Eunji, the organ sounds great. You really rock on that thing. Can you tell me when we recorded the piano. I had forgotten about it. I really like the sound of your piano. And if I remember correctly, it was recorded using your hand-held device.

    I hope to see you both soon.

    Brian

  2. mom dominato says:

    Greg andEunji God gave you both a wonderful gift. To be able to entertain others and share your talents, BRAVO

  3. idio says:

    Mama D, thanks for listening. Rumi has a way of bringing out the best in us.

    Love,

    G & E.

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