Peace In The Mother Land Live Performance

On Saturday May 26, 2012 I had the opportunity to perform the Coltrane Liturgy with the Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church at the SF Yerba Buena Garden Festival. This clip shows my live performance of my poem Peace In The Mother Land done to John Coltrane’s Africa.

Attitude of Gratitude

I’m making gratitude my attitude

Because things could be so much worse

And it is for so many across the Earth

I have to be thankful for what I have

And wish for nothing more

Just an expansion of what I already possess

Knowing all that is within me is blessed

No stress

Open to grow and learn and progress

I’m making gratitude my attitude

Because we’ve come this far by faith

Been provided for by His grace

A roof over my head

Clothes on my back

Food to sustain me

Active limbs to assist me

Warmth and luxuries to comfort me

The hope of being the best me

Plus joy and love all around me

I’m making gratitude my attitude

I’m being renewed

He Will Remake Us

He Will Remake Us

Reflection By Marlee-I Mystic as published in the March edition of Expression

What does it mean to be remade? I mean for those of us who are already walking in faith, living the life of devotion, striving to be a force for good. What does it mean to be remade? To be brought into a new existence by shaping or changing materials or combining parts. To be put in the proper condition or state. How is this done but in the mind? God will remake our consciousness. “He always has”- meaning any raise in consciousness has been by God. Any sense of enlightenment we achieve is by God remaking us. God shaping us, changing the material we relate to as us. Combining the knowledge we have in our minds to gain a new perspective. Allowing us to be placed in our proper state, preparing us for the eternal remake of life everlasting. “He always has, He always will.” God will remake our minds and our consciousness to perfection.

This remake by God also manifest in the physical realm. Supreme Mother Marina and I were talking about the physical body working in cycles of 7 years. Science has concluded that the cells in the body are completely remade every 7 years. Can you believe that? Every 7 years, every cell in the body has been replaced, has entered into a new existence. As we grow our cells must be remade. There is evidence all around of God’s power to remake us: from the healing of wounds, to the growing of hair and nails, to the development of the mind. God will remake us.

This is truly encouraging, especially for me. This section of the Psalm speaks to me daily. For more than two years now, I have been suffering with health issues. My body physically has undergone wounds, aches and pains, fatigue and severe breakdowns. There was a point where I could not walk, could not lift my own child. But God has continually remade me. Restored my mobility, renewed my strength and continually renewed my faith. All from God. And I lean on these words of our Patron Saint to encourage me on my path. To give me comfort in those times when I am physically weak. Knowing that “He will remake us, He always has, and He always will. It is true. Blessed be His name. Thank You God.” Knowing these words to be true allows me to be focused on my healing and remain waiting on the Lord to do what I know He will…remake me.

Show Your Support

Come out this Sunday and hear your truly perform with the Coltrane Church. This is a worthy cause and in need of your support. Act today! Coltrane Lives

Raw Nourishment

“Man seeks to change the foods available in nature to suit his tastes, thereby putting an end to the very essence of life contained in them.”

-Sai Baba

 

 

As I continue on my journey this Lenten season I move into another phase of my commitment, 100% raw diet! This is a very exciting practice for me. Being vegetarian Since the Womb, going raw is helping me to gain a deeper appreciation for a plant based diet. I am able to see the complexities in flavor and texture and the many possibilites to conjure up familiar connections. Because connecting is so important in eating. I think that’s why this raw food is so interesting to me. It’s a new way of connecting with my nourishment. Going out to the farmer’s markets and health food stores, picking the freshest, most vibrant fruits and vegetables. Bringing them home and taking the time to wash and prepare them with love. Keeping the food alive and raw brings a different kind of energy into your body. It is a fresh and energizing vibration, and I am truly enjoying it.

The one challenge  I see myself facing is keeping up with the meal planning and preparation. I can see that proper planning is needed to maintain this type of regimen. The first 2 days of going raw I stuck with smoothies, salads, and whole fruits and vegetables. But as I moved into the busy week, I wanted to try and have similar meals as the rest of my family, so I have taken up the challenge of making raw meals and  not just whole raw plants. This proved to be a success on my first try! So I will share with you my first raw meal!

My family’s vegetarian dinner: Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Kale, and a Quorn Cheese Burger

My raw version: Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Kale Salad, and a Pesto Portobello

 

The internet had been most helpful is guiding me in techniques and recipes to try for this raw regimen. I searched through several recipes for raw mashed potatoes and all of them used cashews, cauliflower, and olive oil. So I went for it. Here’s the recipe I ended up with:

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews

celtic salt (to taste)

black pepper (to taste)

1 small head of cauliflower (chopped)

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 tbsp miso

1 clove garlic (crushed)

2-3 tbsp nutritional yeast

1/4 cup water

1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

 

1. Grind cashes, salt and pepper in food processor until powdery 

2. Add cauliflower, lemon, miso, garlic and nutritional yeast and blend. Slowly add in water as needed to assist with blending. 

3. Scrape side of bowl often to ensure all ingredients are combining. 

4. Slowly drizzle in EVOO to give the mixture a creamy texture

5. Stop blending when mixture is smooth, light and fluffy. 

 

These garlic “mashed potatoes” are great! You can eat it like this and it’s marvelous or you can use it like a hummus and dip your favorite vegetable or cracker in it for a powerful flavor and and thick and creamy texture!

 

Kale salad is something I have heard of but never tried. I am usually a fan of my kale sauteed  or used as a wrap. But this kale salad was amazing and it stands up really well to dressing. I didn’t do any special shopping for this salad I just used what i had around:

Ingredients:

5 kale leaves (chopped)

1/4 red onion (sliced)

1/4 red bell pepper (sliced)

10 cherry tomatos 

3 springs parsley (chopped)

1 small avocado (chopped) 

1 stalk celery

pinch of celtic salt

black pepper (to taste)

pinch of cayenne pepper

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

 

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well, massaging the kale to tenderize. 

 

This salad was fresh and hearty. I can’t wait to try different variations!

 

 

 

The Pesto Portobello recipe I derived from the Food Matters Detox and Rejuvenation Guide. I changed it up a bit because I am still getting used to using nuts in my meals.

Ingredients:

4 portobello mushrooms

1/2 cup pine nuts

2 bunches of basil (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup olive oil

2 cloves fo garlic (chopped)

1 tsp celtic salt

juice of 1 lemon

 

1. Wash and remove the stem from the mushrooms and lay out on a serving dish

2. Place all remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

3. Fill the mushrooms with pesto and serve fresh. 

 

These were soooo good! And they flavors went great with the garlic mashed cauliflower. It felt like a fresh version of my family’s meal. 

 

 

 

Now, I know this is a lot of prep and blending and ingredients to use just for one meal, but I suggest replacing one of your cooked items with a raw version or substitute at each meal. This way you can get more LIVE food with all the vital nutrients.

Dancing Flame of Fire

Dancing flame of fire

Moving to the rhythm of my soul

The beat of my heart

And the wave of my breath

Dancing flame of fire

Willing provider

Of heat and light

A star within our midst

Dancing flame of fire

Like our own Sun on Earth

Able to consume and renew

Or completely destroy

Dancing flame of fire

Enchanting and hypnotizing

Assisting in my concentration

Guiding me into deep meditation

Dancing flame of fire

Mysterious and complex

Age old wisdom spoken by your side

Ancient greats depended you to survive

Dancing flame of fire

The key to mans evolution

The energy source

The flame

Lighting our paths

Heating our being

Dancing flame of fire

Celestial element

A heaven-sent

Gift from God

An Evening of Coltrane Consciousness

Greetings fellow Mystic Mountain journeymen. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my subscribers for their continued support. It fills my heart with joy to read the comments and see that you have “liked” one of my post. Much appreciation. 

 

This post is to inform you all of an event I will be performing at on April 1, 2012 in San Francisco. As many of you know I am a lifelong member of the St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church (aka Coltrane Church), and as a member and follower of Coltrane Consciousness I have had the awesome experience of understanding the magnificent power of Coltrane’s music as well as study the intention of the man John Coltrane. It has truly shaped my life and my mission on this planet. As you can tell by my poetry Coltrane runs deep.

 

So I invite you to attend this benefit concert on April 1st and hear me sing to Coltrane compositions and recite Coltrane influenced poetry. All ticket sales go to support the St. John Coltrane Church and are tax deductible. And even if you cannot attend please consider giving a donation to support this great work that has been teaching about the spiritual power of Coltrane’s music for more than 43 years.

 

Please visit www.coltranechurch.org to purchase tickets, donate, or learn more about the church. 

 

The event takes place on Sunday April 1 and will include speakers, performance from noted jazz musicians and vocalist, tap dancers and spoken word artists.

The program will begin at 5pm with performances from the Coltrane Church Ensemble and The Voices of Compassion featuring the vocal talents of legendary jazz singer Ann Mack, renowned saxophonist Azar Lawrence, celebrated jazz drummer E. W. Wainwright, spoken word artist Marlee-I Mystic, and tap dance percussionists Toes Tiranoff and Megan Haungs. The event takes place at Rasselas Jazz & Supper Club, 1534 Fillmore Street in San Francisco. $20 donation for the event. Get you tickets in advance at www.coltranechurch.org click on donation and make your purchase, print and bring proof of purchase.

 

 

The Saint John African Orthodox Church has been a force for good in the community for the past 43 years. Founders Archbishop Franzo Wayne King and Reverend Mother Marina King began their work in 1971 under the name of “One Mind Temple Evolutionary Transitional Body of Christ.” The inspiration came after the young couple had seen John Coltrane perform live in San Francisco in the year 1965. Being raised in the Pentecostal Church, Franzo King knew the presence of the Lord, and experienced this presence in the sound of John Coltrane. Archbishop King refers to this as a “sound baptism” which touched their hearts and minds.

 

In 1982, the church was incorporated into the African Orthodox Church, which was founded in 1921, a time when people of color who were excluded from advancement in the Episcopal church Its founder, George Alexander McGuire, sought to draw a wider circle that includes all people in the quest for ecclesiastical and spiritual freedom.

 

The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church is located at 1286 Fillmore Street, between Turk and Eddy, in San Francisco. Visitors from throughout the world attend the weekly Coltrane Liturgy, celebrated every Sunday from noon to 2pm. All are welcome.