October 17, 2014
Lesley University
Sherrill Library, Room 350
Brattle and Mason Streets, old campus
4:30 P.M.
RSVP to
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/karmu-a-plac-in-the-sun-documentary-film-screening-and-panel-discussion-tickets-13562482751
If you have any questions, please contact Beth at 617-349-8833…
Karmu gave herbal medicines to everyone who came to see him. He would give people either “red” medicine in a drink which was herbal “black” medicine disguised in a sangria like fruit punch, or he would hand them capsules of “black” medicine or give them a straight shot of his decoction of black medicine. Hardly anyone who came in his house didn’t get something to ingest. This use of herbs was unique during this time period.
In 1968, there were not health food stores in every major city. It wasn’t commonplace; there were not multiple health food stores nor were they any chain stores such as Whole Foods in major cities. If there was a store, it had bins of raw herbs, not prepackaged jars of herbs and herbal compounds lining the shelves. In 1968, there was only one herb store, in Cambridge. When Karmu needed Aloes, he had someone place an order with Dick Martin, the owner of Attar. It had to be a special order, as they didn’t have 60 pounds of aloes in stock.
Karmu’s most used herbs were aloes, goldenseal, valerian, snakesroot, Life everlasting, to name a few. These were the backbone of “black” medicine. While his use of herbs was unusual for the period, now it now seems commonplace.…
By Peter Beren
Published in Cambridge Phoenix, November 27, 1969
© Peter Beren, reprinted with permission
Many things are whispered in Boston about the Holy one; herbalist, magician, either one of the great stand-up comics of our time or the Black Maharishi. You approach the House of Karmu with mixed feelings. Walking down the ramshackle length of Green Street in Cambridge, you find yourself exceptionally attune to every unexpected noise. A cat screeches and scurries across the street; somewhere leaves rustle and a door slams. As you walk up the creaking stairs, a voice booms out–“Have no fear!”–and you are shuffled into the combination living room-kitchen where the Holy One holds his nightly court.…
Sufi Samuel Lewis talking about his poem the “Black Christ.”
Sufi Sam Lewis had a vision in the early 1970s. He wrote a poem about a man who he called the “Black Christ.” When he met Karmu, he said he met his man.
Sufi Sam was an inspiration to many people and was the one who led many of us to Karmu’s door to learn how to heal others.…
Our new website is up and running. We can’t wait to get the word out!
Auto mechanic by day and urban shaman by night for forty years, Karmu welcomed into his home anyone in need. He helped thousands of people from drug addicts to students and professors at Harvard University. Part West Indian curandero, masterful lay counselor, hands on healer and down to earth holy man, Karmu fed the hungry and healed the sick with his herbal remedies and therapeutic massage.
Karmu’s humorous banter lifted the spirits of the downtrodden. Recognized for his skill by Sufi master Murshid Samuel Lewis, Karmu came to prominence during the 1970s for his unique form of massage and herbal remedies. He inspired hope in those who sought out him out and treated all with the same respect and helping hand that he offered the likes of Allen Ginsberg, Baba Ram Dass and R. D. Laing.
Through archival footage and contemporary interviews with artists, teachers and doctors (well known professionals such as Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Daniel Goleman), Karmu, A Place In The Sun portrays an incredible man and his legacy of physical, emotional and spiritual healing.…