Swami Beyondanada, the Cosmic Comic since 1985, will bring
his unique and uplifting comedy to Michigan on Friday, September 26th. The laughter begins at 7 pm. at Unity of
Livonia, 28660 Five Mile Rd. The show is
a FUNdraiser for the Citizens for Peace and Unity of Livonia. Tickets are $20. in advance, or $25. at the
door. For tickets, call 734-425-0079 or
734-421-1760.
Swami Beyondananda is the alter ego of writer, humorist and
workshop leader, Steve Bhaerman. The Swami, whose favorite yoga pose is
tongue-in-cheek, is the spokesperson for a new non-religion, FUNdamentalism
(accent on "fun"). Says the Swami, "We are strictly
non-dominational."
Steve was pursuing a career as a teacher and writer, when a
funny thing happened. The name "Swami Beyondananda" flew into his
head one day in 1979. As Steve tells it, "I got struck by enlightening
during a brainstorm."
The following year, when he and a cohort were casting about
for a comic mascot for their ground-breaking holistic publication, Pathways in
Ann Arbor, Swami's name popped back up.
Pathways was one of the first publications bringing together holistic
health, personal growth, spirituality, and politics.
Before long, Swami was the most popular feature in Pathways,
as he held forth on topics such as "Everything You Always Wanted to Know
About Sects" ("... unbridled sects can lead to unwanted
misconceptions ...") or Tantrum Yoga ("... the latest rage on the
path to ire consciousness").
When Steve decided to pursue comedy as a full-time career in
1985, the Swami was the obvious vehicle.
Audiences have delighted in the Swami’s "comedy
disguised as wisdom" and "wisdom disguised as comedy". Attendees will have the opportunity to ask
the Swami answerable questions, and receive his “questionable answers”.
He can be found online at www.wakeuplaughing.com.
