Doug Von Koss
I have been called a gifted artist, teacher and performer. I guess that’s mostly true. I prefer to say I am a carrier of artistic medicine in words and sounds. I work in the wise fool tradition so that means I take what I do very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously at all.
I love to guide community circles through ecstatic and sacred experiences that celebrate the human spirit. I draw upon many of the world’s religious traditions to create with chants and songs an inner mosaic of beauty that hopefully remains in an individual’s heart long after the day or night has passed.
I am at ease leading hundreds of people, gathered as strangers, into an almost instant chorus of radiant voices. Then the hopeful fun begins!
I present chanting and singing workshops, study trips, poetry performances, rituals and other festive surprises in widening circles around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bali and Italy.
I am always interested in exploring new opportunities to celebrate beauty in community. What’s on your mind? Let’s talk!
The Noah Project
I’m the artistic director of The Noah Project, an open group of men who have gathered once or twice a month for 17 years in the San Francisco bay area to joyfully participate in the beauties and sorrows of the world.
The Noah Project uses chant, song, poetry, group movement and story to ritually explore (albeit imperfectly) what it is to be male in this society. Our past gatherings are posted on the
Events page.
We welcome women to join us around the Winter Solstice,
Valentine’s Day and an event we call, “Just Because It’s June!”
In these events men and women gather in a great candle lit hall, in a perfection free zone, to sing healing universal chants and songs in magnificent harmony. We have tea and cookies and share laughter and praises and blessings. The evenings are never ordinary. They seem to ask, “How much love and joy can you handle?”
We take our name from a poem by Jalalladin Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks) that exhorts the reader to: “Start a large, foolish project like Noah. It makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.” How true, how true!
The music is learned by call and response so it is not necessary to read music. The only criterion for acceptance is the ability to sing Happy Birthday without driving anyone out of the room! Oh, and naturally they must be men of good will who love to sing!
Participation on Humanity Rising
HR!Day143 - The Art of Grief: The Need for Community and Ritual Day 143 - Friday November 20, 2020 The Art of Grief: The Need for Community and Ritual
