If you're looking for a relaxing soundtrack for your day, might I recommend Three Rivers Hare Krishna.
It's just one of the offerings from Buddhist Chant Master Krishna Das' album titled: Live on Earth (For a Limited Time Only).
A few years ago I spent a weekend with Krishna Das and another incredible Buddhist teacher, Sharon Salzberg, at a place called the Garrison Institute. It's located a beautiful hour long train ride along the Hudson from New York City.
Krishna Das - whose real name is Jeffrey Kagel -- was born a Jew. The conversion phenomenon is so prevalent in North American Buddhism that they've actually coined a term for it: Jew-Bu.
Anyway, he and Sharon studied in India together, though their root gurus are different.
She went on to open the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, has published some beautifully accessible books, and is a lifelong practitioner of metta (lovingkindness) meditation. (Check out A Heart as Wide as the World, available in book form as well as spoken word.)
Krishna Das' practice is entirely in his music. He's one of the more famous kirtan singers around. He has a beautifully hypnotic and resonant voice. Whether you believe or not, there's something about the repetition and reassuring drum beat that helps elevate your soul.
When I find sitting silently for meditation to be a challenge, I'll sometimes put in some Krishna Das. It helps regulate my breathing and focus my thoughts.
Happy Tuesday.
2 comments:
I am going to check that one out. I love the "Limited Time Only" thing. I am going to work that one into my routine.
PS - I am rooting for the "J's"
PPS - I know the apostrophe doesn't work there, but it looked weird with it being "Js" ... so I am just going with it!
so strange. i have a krishna das CD. i can't remember when/where i bought it, but it was a random purchase, and i love it. another random purchase that i think you'd like: united peace voices: http://www.lgpt.net/lama_upv.htm. i'd put money on it in fact!!! xow
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