New World Kirtan > Calming Chants for a Crazy World

Prosperity means different things to different people. For me it encompasses more than money -- it's a fullness of love, family, Spirit, community & monetary abundance -- all the things that make for a happy & fulfilled life. These mantras are from the Kundalini tradition, and can be sung or played in the background as you work. Here's a meditation to bring in what you need -- do this one while chanting Har Har Har Har Gobinday. For further work in aligning with the energy of abundance and prosperity, check out Yoga & Mantras for Prosperity by GuruGanesha Singh and Karan Khalsa -- it has detailed instructions. Go forth and be prosperous my friends, and I'll see you next week. Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Ajai Alai Mirabai Ceiba Ocean Aap Sahaaeee Hoaa Jai Jagdeesh I Am Thine Aap Sahaa-Ee Hoo-Aa Snatam Kaur Snatam Kaur Ras Aap Sahaee Guru Singh with Seal & Friends Game of Chants Har Har Har Har Gobinday Sada Sat Kaur Mantra Masala Har Har Har Har Gobinday GuruGanesha Singh Yoga & Mantras for Prosperity Ajai Alai Maya Fiennes MayaSpace  

GuruGanesha Singh is a bright light in the world of devotional chant, and his irrepressible spirit shines through everything he does. He certainly was an interesting guy to have a conversation with. And what a musician -- we heard his new endeavor, The GuruGanesha Band, at Bhakti Fest Midwest last month and it seemed all of Bhakti Nation was dancing with us that night. You'll hear one of the songs from the set in this week's show. This conversation with GuruGanesha brought light & laughter to my day, I hope it does the same for yours. Namaste my friends. Featured picture by mitchell manz photography asanapictures.com SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Sat Narayan GuruGanesha Singh Joy Is Now One God (Kundalini Surjhee) The GuruGanesha Band New World Kirtan Podcast: The GuruGanesha Band Live at Midwest Bhakti Fest Waho Waho Gobind Singh The GuruGanesha Band A Thousand Suns Wahe Guru Wahe Jio GuruGanesha Singh Grateful Ganesh Sa Ta Na Ma Snatam Kaur Feeling Good Today Peace Has Begun GuruGanesh Singh Joy Is Now A Thousand Suns The GuruGanesha Band A Thousand Suns    

On Sunday afternoon at Bhakti Fest Midwest, Vijay Krsna of the Kirtaniyas gave a wonderful workshop on Mantra Alchemy, this week we bring it to you as the last of the podcasts from the Midwest festival. The Kirtaniyas have just released their CD Heart & Soul as a name-your-price digital download, you can find it here. Catch the Kirtaniyas live at Bhakti Fest West, September 5-8 in Joshua Tree, CA. I very much enjoyed this workshop, and I learned a lot from Vijay --  I hope you do also.  Namaste my friends.  

This week we have more from a beautiful summer weekend in Madison, WI with musical selections from local kirtan bands Maashakti Das & Kirtan Path. Enjoy my friends! Namaste.

It was a perfect Saturday afternoon in Madison, WI. The crowd at Bhakti Fest Midwest was high with the joy of dancing, singing & celebrating together as a community and David Newman's music was the perfect accompaniment. This is a sing-along, feel-good set to to help you re-live the magic of that beautiful afternoon in Madison -- come catch the sparkle of the Bhav. Namaste. Photo courtesy of the Bhakti Beat.

The GuruGanesha Band was the breakout for me at this year's  Bhakti Fest Midwest -- and from the comments I heard & read I think it's true for most of us who heard them play. Their set was killer, and they seemed to be having so much fun -- it was very engaging. The crowd was energized, everyone was up and dancing -- what a great evening it was. This is the first podcast from Bhakti Fest Midwest, David Newman's set is coming next. Enjoy the GuruGanesha Band my friends -- they are awesome! Namaste. Picture by mitchell manz photography by way of BrightStar Events. There's also a good article on the Midwest festival at the BrightStar link.

I met Mike Cohen a few years ago when he was house sitting in Portland -- we had lunch at a local food cart & spent a lovely afternoon together. He has since settled down in Grand Rapids, MI and has become one of the pillars of  Midwest kirtan. We talked about the growing kirtan scene in the Midwest and about his new Dattatreya Kirtan Institute, a resource for upcoming kirtan wallahs. Performing kirtan is simultaneously a musical performance and a spiritual practice, so things can sometimes get tricky. Mike is all about training future kirtan leaders, and we talk about a few of the exciting talent he's working with. Hear Mike perform at this week's Midwest Bhakti Fest, see the ad in the sidebar on the right for discounted tickets -- and here's the link to a poll to let us know what artists you'd like us to record live at the festival, if you're a regular listener there are also a few questions about podcast direction. Next time from the Bhav my friends! Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Shree Ram Michael H. Cohen Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West Sai Isha Sharanam (Dance Of Ganesh) Michael H. Cohen Soul Contact Shakti Gayatri Michael H. Cohen Soul Contact Om Dattatreya Michael H. Cohen Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West Hare Om Shivaya Michael H. Cohen Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West Om Namoh Bhagavate Vasudevaya Michael H. Cohen Om Dattatreya: Journey to the West  

Here in Corvallis we just had a Solstice weekend jam-packed full of great kirtan. Atlanta-based Blue Spirit Wheel played a Yoga class & a kirtan concert as part of their six-week tour, which includes a set Saturday noon at Midwest Bhakti Fest. The band stayed with us, and it was such a great time -- the pic for this week's show was taken in our living room during a kirtan jam last Wednesday night. Then Sunday night Shantala with Bansuri flute master extraordinaire Steve Gorn played to a full house. The beautiful Corvallis kirtan community turned out to support both bands, and we spent the weekend surrounded with Bhakti love -- so blessed. Enjoy the deep soulfulness of Blue Spirit Wheel my friends, and until next time -- Namaste.   P.S. As I mention in the podcast, I'd very much appreciate your input on what artists you'd like us to record live at Midwest Bhakti Fest, and also a bit about podcast direction. Here's the link. Thanks so much for helping the show to better serve you

The delightful Ms. Ragani & I have some history. When I first started singing kirtan, the Yoga teacher used CDs. We chanted to a lot of different artists, Indian & American. One evening the teacher played a new artist, and my eyes kept being drawn to the image of the woman on the CD cover. The woman was Ragani, and the CD was ‘The Best of Both Worlds’. I went home and bought the CD that night, the first of many kirtan CDs to come. Ragani was the first person I called when I got the idea for the New World Kirtan podcast, and she couldn't have been more kind and encouraging. Several years ago she came to Corvallis for a workshop & enthralled us all with magical kirtan and stories about her guru. I have always enjoyed her sense of humor, as you can probably tell by the number of times she cracks me up -- we completely dissolve into laughter by the end of the interview. You've loved Ragani's music for years, now come get to know her a little bit. I'm sure you'll love her as much as I do. Until next week my friends -- Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Rama Rama Ragani Best of Both Worlds Guru Brahma Ragani Hare Krishna Govinda Ragani Turn the World To Love Jai Ganesha Ragani Turn the World To Love  

I've heard Dave Stringer perform live numerous times, and several things continue to impress me --  his energy (off the charts), his sharp wit, the  power of his vocals and his musicality. Each set is different --  this time he did a version of Saraswati Ma that kicked it up with amazing fiddle playing by Samuel Salsbury. It was a delight. Listening to this week's podcast took me right back to a magical spring night in the desert surrounded by beautiful souls. I hope it takes you there as well. Please enjoy the offering. Namaste. Thank you to the Bhakti Beat for the photo.

After a festival like Shakti Fest, returning to the world takes a while. Always I feel as though the cells in my body have been shaken up & put back together in a different way, and it takes time to integrate this new way of being into the flow of daily life. This year we stayed on-site at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, the first time we have been in the spiritual atmosphere called the Bhav without a break. The air seems to be charged with magic when you're in the Bhav, and all are blessed by the conscious creation of loving kindness. To be bathed in that atmosphere for three days and nights is an unforgettable experience. Two bands broke out for me this year -- Aykanna & the Kirtaniyas -- I'll tell you about them on the podcast, and you'll also find out why Snatam Kaur is the third artist in the set.  Want to see why the Kirtaniyas are amazing? Check out their new video with MC Yogi & DJ Drez, filmed at the Holi Festival of Colors in Utah -- you will love it, and it features the song in this week's show. Look for podcasts of several live sets from Shakti Fest 2013, and stay tuned for news & the interviews for Bhakti Fest Midwest, coming up next month.  And so the Bhav goes wonderfully and beautifully on dear hearts. Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Funky Divinity Aykanna Mantra Mala Nitai Gauranga (feat. MC Yogi) Kirtaniyas Azure Salver Snatam Kaur Live In Concert  

Donna De Lory loves to dance -- on stage she is a whirling dervish, literally dancing through her entire set. Her harmonium is on a stand, so she never has to sit down. It's also a kinesthetic activity for the listener, because it's impossible to watch her and not want to dance too. Raised in show business, she was a background singer and dancer for Madonna for almost 20-years -- that's six international tours. Our conversation last week covered a lot of ground -- Madonna, George Harrison, her Dad's illness & death. After all these years of listening to her music it was wonderful to have the chance to get to know her better. She's playing at 7:30 this Friday at Shakti Fest, and if you can't be there in person you can join us through the miracle of live audio-streaming. Just click here to sing with us in Joshua Tree this weekend. Next time from the Bhav! Namaste my friends. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Amazing Grace Donna De Lory Unchanging Gayatri Mantra Donna De Lory Unchanging Life Without Boundaries Donna De Lory Unchanging Om Namah Shivaya Donna De Lory The Lover and the Beloved Govinda Jaya Jaya Donna De Lory The Lover and the Beloved My Sweet Lord Donna De Lory Unchanging He Ma Durga Donna De Lory Jai Ma: White Swan Yoga Masters  

At long last, it's here. The time when those of us who hear Joshua Tree calling throughout the winter can pack our bags and go to the desert to reconnect with the Bhav we find there. Shakti Fest is happening next week, May 17-19, and it's a celebration of the Divine Feminine -- reflected in the lineup of powerhouse female kirtan artists on the schedule for next week. This week's set is a celebration of the artists performing at Shakti Fest, tune in to the live audio stream to hear them perform live. Give it a try right now -- go to the top of the page & hold the mouse over 'Community'. Now scroll to 'Live Streaming' & click  -- that will take you to the page with the audio. That's it! I hope you'll join us. Next week we have an interview with the beautiful Donna DeLory. Until then my friends, Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Soaring – With and By Ben Leinbach Gina Sala Grace Has The Scent Of A Rose Gaja Nana Dave Stringer Ojas Lalitamba Live! Wah! Omega Ecstatic Chant Jaya Jaya Shiva Shambho Deepak and the Breath of Life Tribe Live at Kula Santa Monica – Journey into the Vishuddha Ram Sita Ram (Union) Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band Devaloka Radhe, Radhe Jai Uttal Queen of Hearts Love, Peace and Freedom/Sita Ram David Newman Love, Peace, Chant  

The first time I saw Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe perform at Bhakti Fest my eyebrows were about singed off with the energy. Larisa's unique blend of mantra-infused rock is designed to "wake, shift, shake and lift humanity" , and it certainly had that effect on the Bhakti Fest audience. This year Larisa & the Tribe are scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday May 19 at Shakti Fest, right before the incomparable Dave Stringer. It is a show you won't want to miss -- and you won't have to because we'll be live audio-streaming the whole thing right here. I'll have more details for you later this month. You are going to love the bright light that is Larisa Stow my friends. Namaste. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Gayatri Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe The Shakti Sessions Amma Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe Reaching In Rock On Sat Nam Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe Rock On Sat Nam Whatcha Gonna Do? Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe Rock On Sat Nam Guru Life Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe Rock On Sat Nam Sri Krishna Chaitanya Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe Reaching In    

Years ago I was doing Yoga to a CD by Shiva Rea, and the background music caught my attention. It was the the purity of the voice -- who was the artist and what was she singing? That was my first exposure to chant, and also to Deva Premal's Gayatri Mantra. Deva is now a chant superstar, and she has grown more magical to me over the years. Meeting her with Miten last year turned me into a starry-eyed stammering idiot -- she hugged my Ganesh doll!!! Anyway, seeing them with Manose live in the desert of Joshua Tree is a treat not to be missed. Today they have released their newest CD, A Deeper Light, available here. It's slow, hypnotic and juicy -- you will love it. It's not surprising that voices speak to me, given what I do for a living. The resonance of Krishna Das' voice speaks in one way, the sweet clarity of Deva Premal's in another. They both have the ability to take you within, and that is the ultimate goal of this practice -- to experience the sweet joy of realizing the Love within is who we really are. Namaste my friends. SONG ARTIST CD Om Mercury Max The Eternal Om Om Shanti Om (Peace) Deva Premal Mantras for Precarious Times Om Mani Padme Hum Deva Premal Love Is Space Om Muni Muni Deva Premal & Miten with Manose & Maneesh De Moor 2012 Om Namo Bhagavate/Oneness Deva Premal & Miten Omega Ecstatic Chant Om Namah Shivaya Deva Premal Into Light: The Meditation Music of Deva Premal Om Kumara Mantra (Innocence) Deva Premal & Miten A Deeper Light Gayatri Mantra Deva Premal & Miten Satsang – A Mediation in Song & Silence