Third day is happening just under the wire! A late night last night because the kiddoos didn’t really want to sleep so much, and so a late morning, and things got crammed… So I filmed in the afternoon instead of the morning, and even as I write this iMovie is processing and uploading.
Then, the video ended up being 12 minutes and youtube only allows ten! Oy! If I had another day I would edit and cut, but there was no easy 2 minutes and 37 seconds to cut out. So I took the easy way out and made part one and part two.
Thankfully I have room to be messy here, because do you really want to watch 12 minutes of video from me?
Today’s video ended up being a Sufi chanting instructional video, how to clean the four layers of your heart with specific chants from my lineage. I got to practice more with lighting, with titles and text, and with cropping. Learned a lot. Here it is.
Part one, the how-to:
Part two, the actual chanting practice:
How’d this one land?
23 Responses
Mark, that was beautiful. Thank you for letting me share such a deeply personal and meaningful experience with you.
About 8 years ago, following the death of my father, I said the Rosary daily for a year in his memory… that’s my own Catholic tradition. It awakened so much in me in so many ways, helping me get in touch with my spiritual self.
I’m struck by the vast differences in the rhythms of the chants, and by the ways you are able to vary the syllables that are stressed. And, your whole self changes at the end. It’s beautiful to watch and listen to.
Thank you again.
I’m so glad! I was a little shy with this one, and it’s wonderful to hear that you relate to it through your own practice of the rosary. Same song, different tune, eh?
Mark,
I’m enjoying your videos.
Actually the YouTube limit is now up to 15 minutes. See here – http://mashable.com/2010/07/29/youtube-15-minutes/
Francis
Yeah, I saw that. I have no idea why it wouldn’t let me upload this one. Ah well, maybe next time.
Markelah!
I appreciate so much your showing up for yourself in learning something uncomfortably new because of how it makes space for me to do the same – yet again, big brother.
I found the first two days’ footage of the challenge fun and amusing, the Star Wars storytelling for example…
This one is where I’m seeing you hit your stride as a healer, dude! The tone of your voice tips me off; even with the visual stimuli that could distract me from it. When you’re most in your heart your voice gets all warm and melty. And my heart opens wider, even though my exposure to Sufi practice comes from a totally different angle.
You do reflect love purely, my friend. And yes, I would watch/listen to a 12 minute video of you doing Sufi practice, prayer beads and all!
Blessings for a continued soulful Ramadan, and an Easy Fast to you and Holly.
Love you!
Thank you so much, Victoria. I love how long we’ve been friends and in community- and thank you so much for your kind words. It helps so much to have friends and support like this.
Hey Mark,
I am loving the videos. It’s really good to see your face and I really like the insight into your tradition. I personally love learning things of audio and video. I did a similar thing where instead of waiting to get a script or practice decided to do an off the cuff instructional video just to get it out there. In hindsight it could have done with some editing and some of my faces and pauses are scary. yours look pretty good I have to say. More please!
Rob
Now, that’s wonderful to hear. Thank you. And it’s inspiring that you jumped into doing one yourself. I could say the same back to you- more please! Although you, no doubt, have done more. But let’s all keep doing it.
I’m working my way through this wonderful series of videos and loving the combination of honesty and humour.
As soon as I’d finished watching these two, I did a search on your site for the word Enneagram.
Aha! As I thought, you’re familiar with it and recommend it. So when I say I’m a 3 with a strong 4 wing, you’ll understand why this heart-centred chant was so moving for me. Thank you.
Aha! I’m a 1 with a 9 wing, so there you go.
Hey Mark,
Watched your whole series and wanted to let you know this day really spoke to me. Your vulnerability in sharing an intimate part of your self – as well as your wisdom and insights.
Also loved your wrap-up day with David. And the background of your kitchen immediately brought back warm memories of new friendships and yummy Ethiopian food:) The power of video — keep ’em coming!
love to you & your biz,
Mollie
It’s absolutely the best that you and your whole family were in our house and can picture the whole room. Love that we’re connected, and thank you so much for your kind words and the support. There will definitely be more!
Mark, Thank you, Thank you for the lessons on the chants. Over the past 6 years I have been drawn more and more closely on this Sufi path. And in the last 10 months I have learned El Wird and practice it. Thanks for presenting so well more depth on the chants that I had yet to learn. My lineage is thru Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id (Sidi). What is yours?
Peace, Otha
Otha- You are so welcome, and I’m glad it was so helpful. Sidi is my sheikh as well, so we share that lineage. Alhamdulli’llah.
Loving the videos keep them coming 🙂
Hey Mark
I enjoyed the videos, Your doing well.
I think video is good on a blog or website, its nice to see your face and helps build trust and understanding.
Keep them coming
Dear Mark,
I’ve been following your for a few years. I am struck, encouraged and emboldened by your courage to share your heart, your spirituality, your life challenges and your practice. It gives me courage to bring my non-mainstream work more up front. Thank you so much for your authenticity. I am inspired.
Kitty! Go! Woo-hoo! Bring it on! So beautiful.
I love this. I can’t get part two to play, but that might be something wonky on my end. It did get me to find your you tube channel, so I’ve spent my morning watching and listening. Thank you Mark.
Strange- it seems to play okay… but I’m so glad the videos resonate with you!
works today. Perhaps I needed to wait for it.
Mark,
You give me courage. You put yourself out there in a vulnerable way but are so true to yourself. It’s like a slow death not to be authentic. So thank you so much for your spirit and courage (I for one do believe that fear and faith can coexist and I walk through the fear with faith). Thanks for raising the bar on a regular basis.
Kitty, thank you! That video challenge week was such a big turn-around for me with video. Fear and faith absolutely coexist- one is human, the other Divine. 🙂