Today's DailyOM Offerings...
September 12, 2011
Pilgrim Heart
Krishna Das
1998
Krishna Das was born Jeffrey Kagel on Long Island, New York. Working as a bus driver in the late '60s, a brief meeting with spiritualist Ram Dass changed his life forever. He traveled to India and spent years absorbing himself in kirtans, traditional Hindu chants repeating the names of gods and set to music. Since returning to the United States, Das has emerged as the foremost Western modernizer of these ancient calls. His prolific work as a singer and musician focuses on bringing ancient Indian spirituality together with modern sound technology. In the complex programmed beats of techno and the heavenly glow of ambient music, he has found the perfect accompaniment to these age-old chants, elevating them to a great pitch of musical feeling. His 1998 album Pilgrim Heart remains an excellent place to start, an absorbing and meditative collection of gentle electronica and deep spirituality.
The album opens with "Namah Shivaya," where Das chants in call-and-response with a layered chorus. His low, rich croon suffuses the air with its soothing presence. Behind him, electro-tabla percussion shuffles lightly and ambient effects hum and glow, creating a sonic halo. The track builds slowly as the melody gradually develops before erupting into a loving, joyous cry to the heavens. Echoed at every turn by the bright chorus, Das sounds like a religious leader guiding his followers through a landscape of pure spirit.
In "Mountain Hare Krishna," Das sings the Hare Krishna mantra in a mournful melody. He sounds woozy, floating, overcome as the percussion rattles and strings sparkle softly. Popular vocalist Sting joins the chant, harmonizing in his own distinctively peaceful tones. Deep into the song, Das and Sting turn the melody into a reading of "Amazing Grace," tying together two disparate spiritual traditions through music. The next track, "Mahamantra Meltdown," also adapts the Hare Krishna mantra though this time Das crafts a brighter, more hopeful melody. Accompanied by shining acoustic guitar and a small rhythmic clip, he finds corners in the chant where his melody can rise and fall in pleasing, memorable turns. Between this and "Mountain Hare Krishna," Das demonstrates his great interpretive powers, culling such varied moods and feelings from a single chant. Through it all, his voice conveys the weight and calm of sincere, benevolent belief.
September 12, 2011
Bask in Your Surroundings
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You could find that the comfort of your home or family members makes you feel content today. The reassuring presence of those you love or a familiar environment might give you a sense of security and feeling that all is well in your life. Relishing your feelings may help you remain present and aware of everything that the universe has given you today. Perhaps you can take some time to sit quietly in the coziness you feel. You might close your eyes and imagine that your surroundings are full of warmth and light, allowing these sensations to penetrate into the depth of your being. As you feel the soothing energy of your environment, you may want to extend a few words of thanks to the universe for taking care of you. Simply being in this space can add to your overall sense of well-being.
Appreciating our surroundings lets us remain aware of the wonders we have been given. Allowing ourselves to be enveloped by the warmth of our environment and loved ones increases our awareness of the beauty that is in our lives. When times are difficult, it can be easy to forget that we have been blessed with so much. Realizing that we have everything we need in the present moment, however, helps us cultivate our feelings of contentment since we see that there is nothing lacking in our lives. By recognizing all that the universe has offered you, you will feel greater peace, joy, and warmth in your life today.
September 12, 2011
Special Messengers
Reconnecting with Friends
When fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason.
Every person that passes through our lives makes a contribution to our life stories. There are those who play large roles and make deep impressions, but sometimes a brief special appearance before life takes them in another direction creates a meaningful connection. It is a rare gift when they suddenly reappear in our lives after a long absence.
Though the world may seem full of more people than we could ever know, we are often drawn to people with similar energy, which brings us together time and time again. On first meeting, the characters in our life stories may seem familiar. We may know each other from past lives or perhaps we merely recognize the energy of a kindred spirit. But when fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason. They may act as messengers, reminding us of a part of ourselves we have forgotten to nurture. They might appear to give us a chance to react in a new way to an old situation. They may even bring up unresolved issues so that we may complete them, giving us the chance to move forward on our life path. Whether old friends, previous romances, or once and future partners, their reappearance is more than mere chance. They may never know what they bring into our lives, but the renewed contact is a gift.
If this hasn’t happened to you, maybe you are meant to initiate contact by seeking out old friends. If old friends come to mind or into your dreams, use their appearance as an excuse to get in touch. If an old song or movie reminds you of them, reach out to share the gift of renewed contact. Wherever you fall in the circle of connection and reconnection, be sure to look beyond the surprise of the moment to enjoy the deeper gift that this revelation brings.
Pilgrim Heart
Krishna Das
1998
Krishna Das was born Jeffrey Kagel on Long Island, New York. Working as a bus driver in the late '60s, a brief meeting with spiritualist Ram Dass changed his life forever. He traveled to India and spent years absorbing himself in kirtans, traditional Hindu chants repeating the names of gods and set to music. Since returning to the United States, Das has emerged as the foremost Western modernizer of these ancient calls. His prolific work as a singer and musician focuses on bringing ancient Indian spirituality together with modern sound technology. In the complex programmed beats of techno and the heavenly glow of ambient music, he has found the perfect accompaniment to these age-old chants, elevating them to a great pitch of musical feeling. His 1998 album Pilgrim Heart remains an excellent place to start, an absorbing and meditative collection of gentle electronica and deep spirituality.
The album opens with "Namah Shivaya," where Das chants in call-and-response with a layered chorus. His low, rich croon suffuses the air with its soothing presence. Behind him, electro-tabla percussion shuffles lightly and ambient effects hum and glow, creating a sonic halo. The track builds slowly as the melody gradually develops before erupting into a loving, joyous cry to the heavens. Echoed at every turn by the bright chorus, Das sounds like a religious leader guiding his followers through a landscape of pure spirit.
In "Mountain Hare Krishna," Das sings the Hare Krishna mantra in a mournful melody. He sounds woozy, floating, overcome as the percussion rattles and strings sparkle softly. Popular vocalist Sting joins the chant, harmonizing in his own distinctively peaceful tones. Deep into the song, Das and Sting turn the melody into a reading of "Amazing Grace," tying together two disparate spiritual traditions through music. The next track, "Mahamantra Meltdown," also adapts the Hare Krishna mantra though this time Das crafts a brighter, more hopeful melody. Accompanied by shining acoustic guitar and a small rhythmic clip, he finds corners in the chant where his melody can rise and fall in pleasing, memorable turns. Between this and "Mountain Hare Krishna," Das demonstrates his great interpretive powers, culling such varied moods and feelings from a single chant. Through it all, his voice conveys the weight and calm of sincere, benevolent belief.
September 12, 2011
Bask in Your Surroundings
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You could find that the comfort of your home or family members makes you feel content today. The reassuring presence of those you love or a familiar environment might give you a sense of security and feeling that all is well in your life. Relishing your feelings may help you remain present and aware of everything that the universe has given you today. Perhaps you can take some time to sit quietly in the coziness you feel. You might close your eyes and imagine that your surroundings are full of warmth and light, allowing these sensations to penetrate into the depth of your being. As you feel the soothing energy of your environment, you may want to extend a few words of thanks to the universe for taking care of you. Simply being in this space can add to your overall sense of well-being.
Appreciating our surroundings lets us remain aware of the wonders we have been given. Allowing ourselves to be enveloped by the warmth of our environment and loved ones increases our awareness of the beauty that is in our lives. When times are difficult, it can be easy to forget that we have been blessed with so much. Realizing that we have everything we need in the present moment, however, helps us cultivate our feelings of contentment since we see that there is nothing lacking in our lives. By recognizing all that the universe has offered you, you will feel greater peace, joy, and warmth in your life today.
September 12, 2011
Special Messengers
Reconnecting with Friends
When fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason.
Every person that passes through our lives makes a contribution to our life stories. There are those who play large roles and make deep impressions, but sometimes a brief special appearance before life takes them in another direction creates a meaningful connection. It is a rare gift when they suddenly reappear in our lives after a long absence.
Though the world may seem full of more people than we could ever know, we are often drawn to people with similar energy, which brings us together time and time again. On first meeting, the characters in our life stories may seem familiar. We may know each other from past lives or perhaps we merely recognize the energy of a kindred spirit. But when fate brings old friends back into our lives, there is always a reason. They may act as messengers, reminding us of a part of ourselves we have forgotten to nurture. They might appear to give us a chance to react in a new way to an old situation. They may even bring up unresolved issues so that we may complete them, giving us the chance to move forward on our life path. Whether old friends, previous romances, or once and future partners, their reappearance is more than mere chance. They may never know what they bring into our lives, but the renewed contact is a gift.
If this hasn’t happened to you, maybe you are meant to initiate contact by seeking out old friends. If old friends come to mind or into your dreams, use their appearance as an excuse to get in touch. If an old song or movie reminds you of them, reach out to share the gift of renewed contact. Wherever you fall in the circle of connection and reconnection, be sure to look beyond the surprise of the moment to enjoy the deeper gift that this revelation brings.