Music

The heavens give voice to divinity. Music gives voice to the soul.

I was born with the heart of a musician, and I cultivated my talents until I was in my early 20s. I often wonder how things would have turned out if I’d decided to pursue music full-time. But my soul had other ideas and I chose writing and design as my primary forms of creative expression. That decision was related to an innate sense of purpose, which is a whole other story.

To this day, I’m deeply moved by most musical styles, especially sacred chant. Chanting is as old as civilization and practiced in most spiritual traditions.  Repeating words set to music is a really effective way to embed ideas deep within the subconscious, so it’s important to choose carefully what we’re repeating. Chanting mantra takes music to a new level, connecting us with the Earth, Cosmos and our own divinity.

Mantra can be a single sound, syllable or word, or a phrase that’s repeated rhythmically, often to music. As we focus on the divine expression contained in the words, mantra creates transformation.

Mantras originate in the Vedas of ancient India and are an important aspect of devotional practice in Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Chanting mantras in Sanskrit is now popular far beyond the East where they originated, with contemporary performers blending phrases in their native language with Sanskrit.

Several years ago, on one of my many visits to the eco-spiritual mecca of Crestone, deep in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, I happened into a kirtan with David Newman. Also known by the spiritual name Durga Das, this guy really knows how to spin the wheel.

The room was filled with ancient souls who chant often, but we hadn’t all experienced David’s style. His kirtan – performed with his talented wife Mira, who’s also a devotional singer, and the spirited guitarist Philippo Franchini – elevated the evening into new realms of bliss.

Some of my other favorite kirtan artists are Deva Premal, Jai Uttal, Snatam Kaur, Donna De Lory, Wah! and others who appear on the brilliant and timely video posted above, created by David and Mira Newman (who just gave birth to their first child, a soul beaming with infinite love!). In the vein of “We Are the World,” “Stay Strong” features a host of mantra masters performing a new-vintage chant for these changing times. I watch and sing along nearly every day now.

(The mantra is Jaya Rama Bolo Sita Ram. Learn more on the website staystrongproject.org)

Since I love music so much, we’ll feature lots of musical gems on HeyAllie.com, so check back often. More favorites are posted on my YouTube channel, too. Click here to watch.