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Winter Issue 2014
PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Table of Contents: The Glories of Sri Ganesh p.6 Nada-Yoga: The Yoga of Sound p.11
“I Am Om, The Word that is God.” ~Bhagavad Gita 7:8 “In the beginning was Prajapati [God the Creator], with Him was the Word, and the Word was truly the Supreme Brahman.” Kathaka Samhita, 12.5
Mantra: The Science of the Word of God-dess p.18 Music as Wisdom p.25
Cover image art: Devi Saraswati Ma, Goddess of the Arts, Music, Knowledge & Wisdom. Artist unknown.
Welcome to Pranava Magazine By J.Yochanan Russell
Editor in Chief
Pranava Magazine is a Quarterly Journal of the Kirtan Movement in the West. Pranava serves as a media publication that chronicles the current & modern renaissance of the ancient practice of devotional chanting, known as Kirtan & Bhajan, & how it’s grown into the cultural phenomenon of the West that it is today. There will be featured Kirtan Wallah interviews in each issue, with supporting articles that highlight their particular tradition.
Columnist feature articles that offer education into the deeper implication of chanting mantras & the sacred names of divinity. Pranava Magazine is for the education, empowerment, & inspiration of its readers, in order to maintain a continuity of acknowledged awareness of the roots of Kirtan, & how with sincerity, practitioners can benefit themselves, & humanity through positive transformation & Sacred Union with the Divine through devotional chanting.
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Pranava Magazine
Editorial Note Bhakti-Yoga is the path of Divine Love, & the devotional sadhana of Kirtan is the means by which we court our Beloved with singing & chanting, who is none other than our very own Inner Divinity that takes whatever form to suit our own idiosyncrasy. What grace! What kindness & mercy of the Absolute! Jai Bhagawan!! It is with the warm & loving spirit of Bhakti that I welcome you to our first pilot issue of ‘Pranava Magazine: The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West!’ With Pranava* Magazine, we are embarking on a journey of conscious media that gives voice to the life-force of the ever expanding culture of Kirtan, which is now deeply rooted in the West as a subculture. Everyone who has the blessed experience of participating in this rich & ancient tradition can feel the palpitating Heart thats been passed to us from the East. Our aim is to honor the deep roots of Kirtan & its various traditions, while highlighting it’s continuity of creative expression here in the U.S. I truly feel that Jnana-Yoga is a key component upon the path of Bhakti, as it aids in the cultivation of direct experiential knowledge & insight (Gnosis) of the Divine, & therefore placing the mind under the service of the Heart. In order to initiate Pranava Magazine., we offer an invocation & praise to Sri Ganesh as the first article. In the following articles, we present vital aspects that shape, & are never missing in devotional music: ‘Nada-Yoga: The Yoga of Sound’; ‘Mantra: The Science of God-dess’; & ‘Music as Wisdom’. I hope you enjoy such articles of our pilot issue & find it empowering & enlightening. For our Spring March/April Issue, we have GuruGanesha as our first featured sacred music artist to grace the front cover as our outstanding first interviewee! Future issues will follow suit with exclusive interviews of our favorite Kirtan Wallahs, with complimentary articles that delve deeper into the particular tradition they represent, so stay tuned! May your hearts forever remain ablaze in the bhav of Bhakti as you draw ever nearer unto the One! OM Ganapati OM!! Yours in Loving-Compassionate-Wisdom, ~J.Yochanan Russell pranavamag@gmail.com Digital magazine available at www.pranavamagazine.com
Pranava Magazine
Editorial ‘Pranava: The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West’ Editor in Chief: J.Yochanan Russell Senior Columnists: Maturanath-ji, Vamadeva-ji, Shanti Shivani Art Director: J.Yochanan Russell Advertising, Marketing & Circulation: Shannon Chambers, J.Yochanan Russell Contributing Editor: Solala Towler Senior Photographer Ankush Vimawala Article Submission Inquiries: pranavamag@ gmail.com Request our Media Kit for Ad Submissions: pranamag@gm ail.com
*The definition of Pranava: Pranava is the name of the Primordial All-pervasive Sound Vibration that culminates as OM/AUM, which is the Word of GOD/Divinity. Pranava is the voice of the life-force in motion. Pranava is that which impregnates all with Life, & it is that which puts everything into Motion, hence the etymology, Prana= Life-force & Va: the root of Vayu, Vata, Vaccha (voice). This is why Every invocation & prayer to the Divine begins & ends with the Pranava seed syllable OM in nearly every tradition: aum, amen, amin. 3
NOW AVAILABLE! A WINDOW TO THE FUTURE OF ECSTATIC DANCE! Soul-stirring dance electronica grooves meets India’s ecstatic chant tradition resulting in a spiritually-charged music fusion that is… KIRTRONICA! Coming in at #12 on the New Age Billboard Charts following its release in July 2013, the Kirtronica album continues to gain momentum in the spiritual dance community, paving the way for the future of ecstatic dance. “Jaya Lakshmi and Ananda take a delightfully refreshing approach to kirtan/ mantra music with their new album Kirtronica and their magnificent live performances. Their music makes you instantly want to sing and dance in joy while still being as heart opening as more traditional kirtan.” ~Guru Ganesha
Contributors J ~Yochanan~ Russell is the founder, Editor in Chief & Head Columnist of Pranava Magazine; he is a longtime student & practitioner of Universal Gnostic Dharma, Ayurveda, Cha Dao, Raja-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Vajrayana Tantra, Mahamudra & Dzogchen. As a lover & player of Sacred Music, he participates in the cultivation of Mantric Music/Kirtan for the healing, spiritual development, upliftment & empowerment of humanity. Shanti Shivani is is a singer/nada yogini/sound healer, internationally acclaimed seminar leader and recording artist. She is one of the few Western pioneers bringing the sacred traditions of Nada Yoga and Dhrupad, the most ancient style of Hindustani classical music, to the West. She brings a wealth of vocal, meditative, and movement experience to her classes. She has several albums to her credit and has been recording as a solo artist and in collaboration with many World Music artists since 1993. She currently lives in Eugene, OR. www.shantishivani.com As a gifted teacher of Bhakti Yoga, Author and a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor, Matura has conducted hundreds of classes, and lead uplifting kirtans in America, England, Australia & India, inspiring others to seek and serve the Conscious Spiritual Reality that is the basis of all world faiths. A preview of Matura's forthcoming book "Absolute Abundance" can be previewed here: www.abundantlives.org
For Guest Contributor Submissions, please email J.Yochanan Russell: pranavamag@gmail.com
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THE GLORIES OF SRI GANESH PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
By J.Yochanan Russell
The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West Image Courtesy of Ankush Vimawala www.vimawala.com It is through the blessings of Sri
He is also affectionately known as
Ganesh that the vision of Pranava
Ganapati, as He holds the position as
vakratunda mahaakaaya
Magazine has been actualized &
the General of Shiva’s & Kartikeya’s
suryakoti samaprabhaa
made manifest, so let us shine a
army (as the name Ganapati means)
nirvighnam kurumedeva
spotlight on Him & sing His praises!
sarvakaaryeshu sarvadaa
Jai Sri Ganesha!
“Salutations to the supreme Lord
& is the gatekeeper of sacred madirs/temples. As the Lord of Beginnings, Ganesh is
Ganesh, whose curved trunk (vakra-
Sri Ganesha: The Lord of
invoked at the start of every
tunda) and massive body (maha-
Beginnings & Remover of
ceremony to ensure that the way is
kaayaa) shines like a million suns
Obstacles
cleared, with all obstacles removed.
(surya-koti) and showers his
Sri Ganesh is the first beloved son of
blessings on everyone (sama-
Devi Parvati & Mahadeva Shiva,
It is stated that if we want the
prabhaa). Oh my Lord of lords
brother of Kartikeya, & husband of
affectionate attention of the Divine
Ganesh (kurume-deva), kindly
Buddhipriya. Due to his elephant
Mother, that we must firstly appease
head, Ganesh is the most
Ganesh. As He holds high favor of all
always (sarva-) and forever
recognizable deities within the
the other Gods, it is through the
(sarvadaa-) from all my activities
Hindu pantheon. Sri Ganesh is
vibration of Ganesha-Bhakti that we
designated as the lord-chief (Isha) of
can also attract the favor of them as
all of Lord Shiva’s ganas (hosts-
well. He receives this power as a
servers) – hence his name, Ganesh.
blessing from his parents.
remove all obstacles (nir-vighnam),
and endeavors (sarva-kaaryeshu)”. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha!
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
It is very vital to understand that all of the attributes & qualities of Sri Ganesh reflect particular aspects of cosmic consciousness, which are found within our very own psyche. The many Gods & Goddesses that we find in all the sacred wisdom traditions are all emanations of the Absolute. Sri Ganesh is just one out of many archetypal blueprints of divinity that lie dormant within the heart-mind of every sentient being. In the Hindu tradition there are many symbolic representations of divinity, and it would be very easy to become confused by the different representations of God, but it is very important to remember that all representations of God (the Absolute) are merely symbolic images, forms that the formless will assume in order to aid his devotees. This will be highlighted throughout future articles on the deities of Kirtan as we proceed with the publication of Pranava Magazine. When we talk about Ganesha, Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Lakshmi, or any of the Hindu gods, all of these symbols are doorways into ourselves, into the deepest regions of our True Nature. Our True Nature has these levels of manifested and unmanifested nature, which are all discovered within. Religion means to reunite with Divinity. The purpose of religion is reflected in the origin of that word, religare (Lat.), which means "to reunite or to bind, to reconnect," and is identical to the Hindu term yoga, which comes from yug, which means "to unite," and is where we get the word "yoke." Our purpose is not to unite with some image of a God or to bind ourselves to some doctrinal codes that demand us to behave a certain way in order to be a true follower of such and such symbol.
Our true purpose is to be a manifestation of the unmanifested, to become a Deva or
The Names & Attributes of Sri
Devi on Earth. The whole purpose of
Ganesh
Divinity is to make us a reflection of It. That
Ganesha means "Lord of hosts." This phrase
is why we are alive: to become the divine
will sound familiar to you if you’ve studied
incarnate. All who consciously spend time
Christianity or Judaism, because "lord of
engaged in any kind of spiritual cultivation
hosts" appears throughout the Bible, which
from performing a particular puja,
is no accident.
meditation or during devotional chanting in
The Sanskrit name "Lord of hosts" is derived
kirtan, can attest to moments of when such
from:
a truth is tasted firsthand within.
“Remover of all obstacles,
•
collection, or categories." It can
Pranava Swaroopi,
also be armies, any large number of
Embodiment of wisdom, Devata of Muladhara Chakra! O Lord Vinayaka, The bestower of happiness
gana means "hosts/servers, group,
things or people •
Isha means "Master"
Gana+Isha is "Master of hosts." Another name for him used throughout India
Who has Modaka in hand!
is Ganapati. The name Ganesha is used
O Elephant-headed Lord!
mostly in northern Indian traditions, while
Salutations unto Thee. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha”.
Ganapati is used in the south; yet, Ganapati also means "Lord of hosts."
pranava 7
PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014 Another important name for Ganesha is Vinayaka, and
“We pray to the one with the expandable belly
this name means "without a master." This refers to one
(lambodarāya) who is omnipresent (viddhamahe). We
who excels all masters; there is no master higher, in
meditate upon and pray for greater intellect (dhīmahi)
other words, he is his own master.
to the Lord with the huge belly (mahodarāya). We bow
In order to comprehend the mysteries of Sri Ganesh, we must study the elephant itself. As we observe the wild
before the one with the single-tusked elephant tooth (tanno danti) to illuminate our minds with wisdom (prachodayāt)”.
elephant in the jungles of the world, we discover that as they roam & feed throughout, they are opening up space that were previous left in darkness, to receive
To have a mind that is illuminated with wisdom, it must
more light. We can clearly see that Sri Ganesh is the
first be prepared thorough purification & made empty,
remover of obstacles due this exact meaning; not only
in order to be receptive. Sri Ganesh grants what Zen
should we understand this to mean that Ganesh has the
Buddhism calls “Beginners Mind”, which is a mind that
power to remove certain obstacles that stand in the
remain always within a state of receptivity. Ganesh is
way of us accomplishing mundane goals, but also that
the Lord of Beginnings for this very reason. For anything
He has the power to make room for more light to shine within the consciousness. This is why we call upon Sri Ganesh to assist in the
to work in alignment with a vision we hold within, we can call upon Sri Ganesh to clear the way in order to initiate manifestation.
awakening of the consciousness with the prayer of the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra:
Sri Ganesh is also known as the Lord of Speech (Vaccha), Knowledge (Jnana) & Wisdom (Prajna). It is no wonder that these attributes are related with Ganesh as the elephant is well known for its powers of memory, & sophisticated communication. It is also worthy to note
AUM lambodaraaya viddhamahe, mahodaraaya dhImahi, tanno danti prachodayaath
how the words knowledge & gnosis are both derived from jnana, which even phonetically sounds like Ganesha.
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In many of the depictions of Sri Ganesh, we see him
have success in your business or marriage, then you ask
mounted on a mouse, or a rat. This symbolizes a
Ganesha to bless your marriage or business. That is
particular attribute of Ganesh; as he is able to remove
great, but the real purpose of the symbol of Sri Ganesh
obstacles & create auspicious beginnings, he does so by
is related to spirituality. It is "He who straightens the
way of the rat, who’s special ability is to get within &
crooked", it is he who straightens us, because we are
traverse every nook & cranny. These very nooks &
crooked with pride, lust, anger, & many other kleshas
crannies are those within the heart-mind.
(afflictive emotions), so with his single tusk he points out the way towards the One.
The more we approach Sri Ganesha with sincere hearts blazing with Bhakti, the more He grants the boon of Gnosis, which is the direct inner experience of divinity. As the source of all wisdom, knowledge & intelligence Ganesha represents is not only secular book knowledge, but more importantly knowledge which is spiritually inspired. Another name of Sri Ganesh is Ekadanta, which means "one tusked." There are many stories in the Puranas about his tusks. In the earliest myths, Ganesh has a single tusk, and this is symbolically represented in many different ways. It is stated that in the act of generosity that he offered his tusk as a pen in order to transcribe the Vedas. Some sources say that it was the Sage Vyasa that asked Sri
Sri Ganesh is also represented as the bringer of wealth and prosperity; many people worship Ganesh because they want financial prosperity; this is an unskillful approach. Many Hindus (now western Hindu aspirants) call upon Ganesh because they want success in business or power in the world. When we perform the sadhana of Sri Ganesh regularly, we naturally begin to embody the spirit of selflessness & renunciation, & we come to realize that the only wealth & prosperity that has any merit are the riches of the spirit that are reaped in the consciousness. If any financial abundance comes along the way, then it is used to further support dharmic ventures that will benefit humanity for many generations to come.
Swami Sivananda said: "Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava,
Ganesh to transcribe a poem he wanted to have written
which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus.
down. Ganesh agreed on the terms that Vyasa would
Nothing can be done without uttering it. This
recite it in one breath & in the middle of transcribing
explains the practice of invoking Ganesha
the pen broke, so as to stay in time & flow with Vyasa,
before beginning any rite or undertaking any
he quickly broke off one of his tusks & continues to
project. His two feet represent the power of
transcribe.
knowledge and the power of action. The
Ekadanta has the suffix danta, from dantin, from the root dru- darshayati: "to show"; he has a symbolic single tusk because he is the one who shows the path, who
elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om."
shows the single way to the Absolute, and that is
Let us forever recall the glories of Sri Ganesh & chant
Ganesha’s role: to clear obstacles within & to show the
his name with loving devotion, & may he bless our every
path that leads to our true home.
endeavor from within!
That relates to another one of his names, Vakratunda, which means "he who straightens out the crooked." Many Hindus think that this all relates to earthly life, such as if you’re going to take a trip or you need to
Ganesha Sharanam-Sharanam Ganesha!
Om Ganapati Om!!!
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Nada-Yoga: The Yoga of Sound By Shanti Shivani
PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Nada-Yoga: The Yoga of Sound Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound, is an ancient spiritual practice that is part of Raja Yoga and ayurveda, the
The Gospel According to Saint John 1:1 says: "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and God was the Word."
science of life. Nada Yoga means The great Sufi teacher, Hazrat u n i o n ( y o g a ) w i t h t h e n a d a Inayat Khan, said: "Creation is or nadam, the primordial sound the music of God." In other which is the primal, omnipresent, words, the world arises out of omnipotent vibration of the jagat the music of God, that resounds (the universe in sanskrit) that has no and manifests itself in all of beginning nor end. In the Rg Veda, nature. Pythagoras called it the the oldest text of the 4,000 year old "music of the spheres.” In all vedic scriptures of India, sound is mystical traditions sound plays a called nada (sound in skt.) brahma vital role, as it is the bridge
"Salutations to the nadam, which is the inner guide and the inner life, the dispenser of happiness to all! It is the inner guru, appearing as nada, bindu and kala. One who is devoted to the inner guru, the nada, the inner music, obtains the highest bliss.”
(the Hindu God of creation), which between the lower and higher means the sound of God. It is the worlds, the unconscious and the sound of silence, the sound of the conscious, the form and the void, and it is perceived by the yogi formless. who contemplates the unborn, the unstruck sound, the anahata nada, There are many forms of Nada Yoga or by the householder practitioner in India. The two main streams are whose mastery of the outer sound the path of the renunciant, one who through music, dance or theater
has renounced the world, and the combined with deep devotion leads path of the householder. Within to hearing the unstruck, inner these two main streams there are sound. many different lineages with
merging with the unstruck sound, the anahata nada, thus connecting more and more deeply with the true Self, Brahman or God. The householder who lives in the world focuses on singing or playing the outer pure sound on an instrument to connect with the inner sound current. The anahata nada is connected to the anahata chakra,
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika IV, 1 says:
different practices. A very important which is the heart chakra. The lotus householder lineage is that of the of the heart is the seat of Brahman,
NAMAH SHIVAYA GURAVE NADA-
singer, instrumentalist, drummer,
our true nature. This would explain
BINDU-KALATMANE
dancer and poet. The ultimate goal
why devotion is so crucial to being
NIRANJANA-PADAM YATI NITAM
is the same: Self-realization through
able to connect and merge with the
YATRA PARAYANAH.
the unstruck inner sound, through
anahata nada.
which the individual consciousness "Salutations to the nadam, which is the inner guide and the inner life, the dispenser of happiness to all! It is the inner guru, appearing as nada, bindu and kala. One who is devoted to the inner guru, the nada, the inner music, obtains the highest bliss.
merges with the I AM consciousness.
Because I have been a householder
We experience our true Self, we
practitioner of the Dagar lineage of
experience union with the Absolute I
Dhrupad music since 1981 and I like
AM.
to talk from experience, I will mainly be speaking about the nada
The renunciant nada yogi meditates
yoga of our lineage. But let me first
on the inner sound current, thus
give you an introduction to Dhrupad,
traveling into the more subtle
which is little known in the West.
realms of his being by focusing on the increasingly subtle sounds until
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
The modern form of Dhrupad is said
younger brother, the late Ustad Zia
that this was the music I had always
to have emerged out of the
Fariduddin Dagar but I received most be looking for and that these two
prabandha style of the 12th to 14th
of my training from Pandit Ritwik
men, the elder and the younger,
century. Dhrupad was originally only
Sanyal, one of the main disciples of
were my teachers.That evening I
sung or played on the veena by
both of the above-mentioned
found out that the younger singer,
Hindu Swamis. It was and still is an
Ustads, with whom I started studying Ritwik Sanyal, was teaching classical
act of worship during which the
in Benares, India in December of
vocal music at Benares Hindu
priest or musician communes with
1981.
University and teaching Dhrupad
Brahman or God and invokes the
I will never forget the first time I
privately. I met one of his students
rasa (essence, flavor) of the raga
heard Dhrupad vocal music. It was
that evening and asked to be
(musical mode). The intention is to
Mahashivaratri, the "Night of Lord
introduced to him but she declined,
put the listener into a state of
Shiva", during the February new
saying that he would not accept me
contemplation and inner peace.
moon of 1981. This is the most
as a student if I didn't
During the 12th and 14th centuries
important time to worship Lord
commit to a minimum of 5 years of
the language of the compositions
Shiva, and I was living in the worldly
study. But Dhrupad was my destiny,
changed from Sanskrit to Brijbhasa,
abode of Lord Shiva in Benares or
and so it was that 9 months later the
the language of Braj, the area
Varanasi, India. I was studying sitar
same student agreed to make an
around Vrindavan. About six
and classical vocal music with Pandit appointment for me with Ritwik
centuries ago Dhrupad came under
Ramakant Mishra, in whose family
Sanyal for an audition, because she
the patronage of the royal Moghul
house I lived. The annual Dhrupad
realized that I was very committed
courts, where it was adapted for
mela was taking place in a big tent
to studying Indian Classical music.
performance, thus evolving into a
on Tulsi Ghat for 3 days and nights
Since our first meeting I had been
refined and sophisticated art form.
and all of my friends were
studying khayal style of singing with
The compositions became more
attending. I had never even heard
one of the greatest devotional
secular though and were often
about Dhrupad music, but found
musicians of Benares, the big-
praises of the emperors, whereas
myself totally transported listening
hearted Bhole Nath Mishra. I had
before they had been solely
to two Dhrupad singers in
gotten my first taste of kirtan
devotional and philosophical in
jugalbandhi (duet) an older man, Zia (devotional singing) in 1977, while
nature. Dhrupad reached its peak in
Fariduddin Dagar and his younger
living with my first spiritual guru,
the 16th century during the time of
disciple, Ritwik Sanyal.
Bengali Baba, a Shaivite sadhu, at
the legendary court musician of the
I had grown up with classical
the Hanuman Bhowri in Pushkar,
Emperor Akbar, Tansen, and Swami
Western music, but this music took
Rajastan. We would sing every night
Haridas who is said to have been the
me to a whole other dimension that
around the dhuni (holy fire pit) with
guru of Tansen. Swami Haridas was a
I had not experienced before. The
the villagers and those evenings
Dhrupad singing saint who lived as a
intricate embellishments consisting
were quite ecstatic with my
hermit in the forest near Vrindavan.
of subtle sliding from one note to
boyfriend playing guitar to the
The most important schools of
another, the oscillations on one note
chants. Bhole Nath Mishra, who was
Dhrupad are the Dagar and
creating the finest microtones, the
a true devotee of Lord Shiva,
Vishnupurbanis or lineages. To this
powerful pulling from very deep
rekindled that devotional passion in
day a Dhrupad recital is not seen as
notes, the interweaving of the
me, which is crucial if you are to
a performance. It is a communion
notes, the entire unfolding of the
sing with total surrender. And as I
with Brahman or God in his or her
raga that lasted more than one hour
would find out much, much later,
many aspects in which the listeners
created such a deep mood that it
singing ragas demands that you
take part. I had the great fortune to
was truly a spiritual
become an empty vessel for
have been accepted as a parampara
experience. While going on this
Brahman or the I-Am consciousness
student of the lineage of the late
mystical, musical journey with themI to sing through you.
Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and his
was overcome by the realization
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
‘The ultimate goal is the same: Self-realization through the unstruck inner sound, through which the individual consciousness merges with the I AM consciousness. We experience our true Self, we experience union with the Absolute I AM.’ I will also never forget how profoundly I was affected by period of time with him. In the middle of my sadness my first meeting with Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, the
Ustad appeared before my inner eye and jumped into
greatest rudra veena player of Northern India. I met
my heart. I was overcome with joy, almost ecstasy, and I
Ustad (Master in urdu) for the first time in 1982 at the
knew he would be sitting in my heart forever.
Dhrupad mela (festival) in Ambejogai in Maharastra, a small village with a college in the middle of the desert.
In India, vocal music is considered the highest form of
It was the first Dhrupad mela dedicated to women in
music, as the voice possesses the magnetism that the
Dhrupad. Nancy Lesh (the now well-known Dhrupad
instruments lack. The body itself becomes the
cellist Nancy Kulkarni) and I were accompanying our
instrument when we sing. The tambura or tanpura, the
guru, Ritwik Sanyal, to the mela and we were to meet
drone instrument, rich in harmonics, that the Dhrupad
"Bare Ustad", for the first time. Being in Ustad's
singer accompanies himself with, is built according to
presence touched me to the core and I felt an
the proportions of the human body. When carefully
incredible reverence for him as a human being and an
tuned, all of the shrutis or microtones can be heard.
artist. I believe it was also at this particular Dhrupad
The tambura not only provides the tonic note or "Sa" of
mela that Ustad's performance on the rudra veena
the middle and lower octave as well as the lower fifth
catapulted me out of my body into the cosmos. At the
as a point of reference, but also puts everyone hearing
end of this quite amazing mela, when Nancy and I were
it into a state of relaxation, even contemplation,
sitting in the back of a rickety, old bus, leaving
because it balances the left and right brain
Ambejogai, my thoughts were with "Bare Ustad" and I
hemispheres.
felt extremely sad that I only got to spend a short
(Continued on page 14)
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
(Continued from page 12)
“The tambura also regulates the inner rhythms of the player and the listener. This is why it is so important to tune it correctly and to play it with a constant rhythm. As we tune the tambura, we also tune our bodies through posture, breath and specific vocal
I might note, that medieval Western music and the church-modes of Gregorian chants which preceded the even-tempered scales of Western classical music had the same relationship to the tonic.) The tambura also regulates the inner rhythms of the player and the listener. This is why it is so important to tune it correctly and to play it with a constant rhythm.
As we tune the tambura, we also tune our bodies through posture,
techniques.”
breath and specific vocal techniques. These practices anchor the voice in the perineum within the
consists of singing the lower octave
much stayed with me. Much later I
help of the breath and allow us to
of your personal fundamental note
had the one-time blessing of hearing
sing all the notes, from the the
before sunrise for approx. 45 min. I
the sound of the celestial flute. I
lowest to the highest notes with the
will talk about my personal
don't know how it happened nor
entire body. Singing in this way
experience with this practice below.
what brought it on. All I can say is that it was Grace. I suddenly heard
vibrates every cell of the body, thus attuning our physical and subtle
The first few years as a student of
one long-drawn high-pitched note, a
bodies. The nada yoga of the
Dhrupad, I was always searching for
note of such exquisite beauty and
Dhrupad tradition is considered to
a nada yogi to initiate me into nada
divine vibration that I found myself
be kriya yoga (purification yoga). We yoga as I did not know that singing the pure sound could connect me purify our physical, emotional and
in the deepest state of bliss that I have ever experienced.
mental bodies through singing the
with the inner sound current. That is
pure sound and align them with our
until I started hearing various forms
For me, the most powerful practice
spiritual body. Through speaking or
of the inner sound current after
was the kharaj practice of singing
singing we manifest ourselves in the
several years of devoting myself to
the lower octave down to the low
world and are thereby able to be in
doing many different forms of vocal
"Sa" or "do" (in my case lower octave
the world but not of the world. The
practices, learning compositions in
G) one hour before sunrise. Like
nada yoga practices of Dhrupad are
various ragas and singing alap, the
many meditation practices this
also of great therapeutic value.
slow evolution of the raga in call-
practice is done while it is dark,
When one begins this practice as an
and-response style with Ritwik
because the pineal gland, which is
adult, the first thing one
Sanyal.
responsible for heightened awareness, is awake when it is dark.
experiences besides a state of relaxation is that repressed
The first inner sound that I
emotions arise. The emotional
perceived on a regular basis was like
healing is very deep, especially
the sound that crickets make. Later
when doing the early morning kharaj
it turned into a humming sound like
(lower octave) practice, which
the sound of bees that has pretty
When the day breaks the pineal gland goes to sleep. When doing
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
But years later the kharaj practice took me to
bodies and past karma. Once you come out of
a whole other level. It was the summer of
this state, you feel totally reborn and as if the
1989 and I had not been able to go to India for
past has been dropped.Â
4 years as I had given birth to my daughter, Tara, in Germany and couldn't find the time to do my early morning kharaj practice as a single mother. So my first opportunity to study Dhrupad again was in the South of France at Sheela Raj's Centre Chakra. She had organized the first 10-day Dhrupad retreat of several to follow. This first one was with Ustad Fahimuddin Dagar, a cousin of my two Ustads who was a master Dhrupad singer and nada yogi. Fahimuddin Dagar's father, the late Ustad Rahimuddin Dagar, had dedicated himself to the in-depth study and practice of nada yoga. He had taught body movements to open up the breath and body to the subtle powers of sound to his son, and Fahimuddin passed them on to us during this retreat. I had already experienced the profound relationship between movement and sound in the course of interpreting and assisting FrĂŠderic Leboyer, the father of the "birth without violence" movement during his seminars. Leboyer taught a series of movements distilled from his lifelong hatha yoga and tai chi practice which had produced an incredible opening of my voice. Lo and behold, the movements that Fahimuddin Dagar taught us were almost exactly the same. So there I was, ecstatic to have the opportunity to focus on my beloved Dhrupad music again for 10 days, starting with the kharaj practice in the morning, one hour before sunrise. I was very happy when I realized that nothing had been lost and I was able to almost reach the low "Sa" (lower octave G), but then one morning the unexpected happened. I sang the low "Sa" with ease for the first time and suddenly exploded into white Light inside and out. This was an incredibly cosmic moment that seemed like an eternity as this kind of experience transcends time and space. Bathing in the white Light feels like a complete purification of all of your
I had had this experience of being one with the Light once before in McCloud Ganj, H.P., in 1979 while falling asleep. I was in a deep state of depression because I was missing my new partner who I had left behind in Germany. As I was falling asleep I found myself plummeting down a dark tunnel, but instead of hitting the bottom and waking up I exploded into white Light. The next day I felt as if I had been reborn and instead of dwelling in the past and being depressed, I focused on being in the present moment. I attributed this experience to the grace of a tantric yogi, the rainmaker of H.H. The Dalai Lama, Nagpa Yeshe, who I would meet on my walks in McCloud Ganj. He had the most heart-opening, happy smile I had ever seen and I was always filled with joy after crossing paths with him. Much later I realized that I had to have this life-changing experience because I was meant to let go of my life and relationship in Germany and start walking on the path of the nada yogini. Only when it happened I didn't know that that was what it was all about. Literally two days later, I met my tabla teacher-to-be "by chance" because my friends wanted to sit in on a tabla lesson and I decided to join them. And this was the beginning of my journey into the nada. More about that in the next issue of Pranava. Shanti Shivani is is a singer/nada yogini/ sound healer, internationally acclaimed seminar leader and recording artist. She is one of the few Western pioneers bringing the sacred traditions of Nada Yoga and Dhrupad, the most ancient style of Hindustani classical music, to the West. She brings a wealth of vocal, meditative, and movement experience to her classes. She has several albums to her credit and has been recording as a solo artist and in collaboration with many World Music artists since 1993. She currently lives in Eugene, OR. www.shantishivani.com
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Mantra: The Science of The Divine Word of God-dess By J.Yochanan Russell
Mantra: The Science of The Divine Word of God-dess By J.Yochanan Russell
PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Mantra: The Science of The Divine Word of God-dess The Meaning of Mantra Nowadays, the term ‘mantra’ can be heard almost anywhere from the streets to the mainstream media & oftentimes without the any real definition emphasized. If one were to ask any common person what does the word ‘mantra’ mean, more than likely the answer would be either some strange foreign word or phrase that’s repeated as a prayer or spell of some type...? It is also very common in our modern era for people to join spiritual groups or movements &
The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West
then take on new names given to them by their leaders; usually these are mantric names, or names of certain divinities, etc. Depending on the tradition, such names are rarely unveiled in their deeper meaning & application, & more often than not, such individuals end up creating for themselves a false personality, or a ‘spiritual ego’. For ages, mantras have been used to inspire personal development, & oftentimes used as aspirations to generate abundance, prosperity & material gain.
“There are 3 primary purposes that Mantra serve in MantraYoga: Purification, Illumination, In this article we are going to delve a little deeper into the meaning & application of Mantra-Yoga, revealing some of the original practices that have been held within the sacred traditions of spirituality around the world. The Science of Mantra-Yoga is the essentially the science of breath, vibration, sound & light. A deeper meaning for mantra that’s generally used for conventional purposes is: ‘mantra is a sound or word generally used to help focus the mind on a single thought until thoughtless Beingness is established. As a tool to achieve stillness, the mantra is to be discarded at the moment stillness is achieved.’ The word Mantra is related to manas (the mind); yoga means to unite with our origin. Mantra -Yoga would then mean to unite using the tool of mantra.’ This tool is the tool of transformation.
pranava 16
Google defines mantra as:
Elements), we find that sound is
“A mantra is a sound,
etheric in nature. ether, or akasha,
syllable, word, or group of
is the first condensation of the
words that is considered
absolute that emanates out of the
capable of "creating
initial vibration of the Nada-Bindu,
transformation" (spiritual
or the Spanda; as sound & ether
transformation). Its use and
crystallize & becomes more dense, it
type varies according to the
changes it vibration to create the
school and philosophy
other four Elements, (Air, Fire,
associated with the mantra.” This at least hints at the subtle & profound power that mantra possesses. The Word mantra itself, like many Sanskrit terms, is a compound word, & has a variety of meanings depending on its context; it could mean, ‘an instrument, or tool that transforms/ protects the mind’. The prefix Man means ‘the mind of the spirit’ Manas,& the suffix ‘Tra’:‘transformative/protective principle’. There are 3 primary purposes that mantra serve in Mantra-Yoga:
when a person of the East speaks of the mind, they place their hands upon the Center of the Heart, in order to suggest that the mind does not exist only in the head & moreover, that the
“One of the principle methods of Ayurveda is Sound-Vibrational Therapy which utilizes MantraYoga to balance out each Dosha constitution.”
mind itself is formless & cannot be found anywhere in the body or within one particular organ. Even though this term originates from the East, its implications &
Water & Earth).
1. Purification
practices are universal.
The Science of Mantra-Yoga is first &
2. Illumination
Within every spiritual tradition,
foremost a tool/component of
3. Perfection
mantras are repeated as Japa, sung
Esoteric Psychology.
as Hymns, recited as prayers or There are mantras that Purify,
conjurations, & chanted as Kirtans,
We could probably safely say that
mantras that Illuminate the
Gospels or Bhajans.
Mantra-Yoga was the first effective
Consciousness & mantras that
tool of psychology itself.
Perfect, therefore providing the
The sound of our very heart beat,
ground for Self-Realization.
along with our breath, is a rhythmic
One of the principle healing methods
mantra that’s being resounded for
of Ayurveda is Sound-Vibrational
Mantra in Ayurveda
the duration of our lives.
Therapy which utilizes Mantra-Yoga
In Ayurveda, & in the East in
In studying the Tattvas (the
general, the ‘Mind’ is more than just
vibrational signatures of the 5
to balance out each Dosha constitution.
a function of the brain. Usually
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Light, Sound, the Great Breath & the Living Word Everything within our perceptible & non-perceptible universe is permeated by reverberating mantra. Every single particle of matter vibrates at a certain frequency that in turn produces sound. It is known by esoteric science & mainstream science alike, that movement within the ether is what produces sound. The ether is the 1st Tattva that vibrates within the Absolute in order to produce space. There are 5 Tattvas (Akasha, Vayu, Tejas, Apas & Prithvi), they are all vibrations of the Absolute, & each one has its own Keynote sound, or sound signature. The ancient scriptures of India & the Bible both state very clearly that God is the Verb of Light, the Logos, the Word, which is the beginning & source of all creation.
“The Science of Mantra-Yoga is first & foremost a tool/ component of Esoteric Psychology. We could probably safely say that Mantra-Yoga was the first effective tool of Psychology itself.”
“In the beginning was Prajapati [God the Creator], with Him was the Word, and the Word was truly the Supreme Brahman.” Kathaka Samhita, 12.5 “In the Beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God & the Word was God...” the Gospel of St. John It was Sri Krishna who stated to Arjuna in His most beloved song; “I Am Om, The Word that is God.” ~Bhagavad Gita 7:8 So naturally the questions arise: What is God & what is the Word that these scriptures speak of? The term God is best understood when broken down as an acronym & the best one that I’ve heard was coined by Yogi Bhajan, who was a Mater of Kundalini Yoga in the Sikh Tradition; he taught that GOD is an acronym for the Generator, Originator & Destroyer. Out of any general definition of God, this describes it best. Rather than some idea of an Anthropomorphic or Monotheistic Deity, it defines God as being Principles, Forces, & this is exactly how most Esoteric Traditions view God. So if God is the Generator, Originator & Destroyer, then what is the Word? The exact same Tri-unity of Principles/Forces. In the Gnostic Teachings, these Three Primary Forces are what makes up the First Logos, the Second Logos & the Third Logos. In order for us to understand this term Logos, we need to understand the term Psychology & vise-versa.
pranava 18
The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West
The Art & Culture of Kirtan in the West
Windhorse: Spirit of Tibet Tibetan Kirtan by Solala Towler A magical blend of recordings made in the sacred city of Lhasa and the Tibet-inspired music of Solala. The haunting sounds of the monks and nuns of the Jhokang Temple are joined with flute, throat singing, tabla and other instruments and vocal chant by Solala and friends, including Shanti Shivani and Ankush Vimawala
To hear samples or to download this and other sacred music cds by Solala go to: www.abodetao.com God Creates with the Word; how do we create? With sex. It is the sexual force within us that carries the Word of God.
Deity-Yoga The Mystery of Mantra-Yoga is that we can create with our sexual potency with Mantra when applied in the Initiatic context. The culmination of Mantra-Yoga is Deity-Yoga. Every tradition that utilizes Mantra in their Initiatic levels culminates ultimately in Deity-Yoga. Deity-Yoga is well known in the East & not so much here in the West (yet). It is an ancient system of spirituality that has yet to be fully realized by those who call themselves ‘spiritual’ today. We mainly find this type of yoga in Indian spirituality & in Buddhism. Upon deeper investigation, we find Deity-Yoga in nearly all of the Mystical Traditions, including Christianity... so what is Deity-Yoga?
“The culmination of Mantra-Yoga is Deity-Yoga. Every tradition that utilizes Mantra in their Initiatic levels culminates ultimately in DeityYoga.”
Deities are most commonly depicted as Gods & Goddesses who are immortal, Divine & Powerful. They have their own particular abiding places in the Heavens & are held in high regard. Shiva, Tara, Chenrizig, Vishnu, Jehovah, Wankan-Tanka, etc. are some of the names of Deities around the World. It is understood & taught in Deity-Yoga that these Divinities are Archetypal Principles of our very own psyche. So in Deity-Yoga, not only is Puja (worship) a vital component of Sadhana (practice), but also in Realizing & Actualizing these archetypes within. Every Deity has its Mantra, & it is through the Mantra that we not only invoke the Deity with its attributes, but we also Unite with & embody the Deity as well. This is done through Visualization, Meditation, Mantra-Japa & Maithuna (Sexual Alchemy).
pranava 19
Deity-Yoga is a deep & profound science of the ancient world that modern quantum & astro physicists are beginning to catch up with. Within this science it is taught the the subtle nervous system (the Nadis & Chakras) are actually the condensed crystallization of light & sound within us; the
“The chakras spin, much like the disc of a hard-drive, & in the general populace (non-initiates) they are spinning in the counter-clockwise direction. Once empowered through certain Initiatic methods, they spin in the clockwise direction.”
actual channels that flow with prana are etheric; our vital bodies are the expression of light & sound. Deities are composed of light, sound, emptiness, bliss, & the secret of Mantra & Deity is so are you (us all), we just utilize these energies in an inverted manner in order to create false personality & ego.
The Seven Chakras & their Seed Syllables: Within our subtle anatomy we have 7 main energy vortices called chakras (chakra is a term that means ‘wheel’ or ‘circular disc’; in fact it’s where the words ‘church’ & ‘circle’ comes from), they are junction points of energy where the nadis meet & branch out. These are the storehouses of pranic energy & of our subconscious impressions that act like memory banks/hard-drives. There’s a common misconception that our chakras are inactive & need to be ‘opened’ ‘activated’ or ‘balanced’, when in-fact, they are indeed open & activated. The chakras spin, much like the disc of a hard-drive, & in the general populace (non-initiates) they are spinning in the counter-clockwise direction. Once empowered through certain Initiatic methods, they spin in the clockwise direction. What we are concerned with is the direction of which they are spinning. Each chakra has its seed (Bija) Syllable & also it’s corresponding Mantra/Vowel Sound: Muladhara: Lam; SSSSSS Swadistana: Vam; MMMMM Manipura: Ram; UUUU Anahata: Yam; OOOHHH Vissudha: Ham; EEEHHH Ajna: Om: IIIIIIIiiii Sahasara: Aum; IIIIIiiiii Its commonly misunderstood that if you chant the seed syllables of the chakras that this how they’re activated; this takes place upon chanting their vowels.
John ~Yochanan~ Russell is the founder, Editor in Chief & Head Columnist of Pranava Magazine,; he is a longtime student & practitioner of Universal Gnostic Dharma, Ayurveda, Cha Dao, Raja-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Vajrayana Tantra, Mahamudra & Dzogchen. As a lover & player of Sacred Music, John participates in the cultivation of Mantric Music/Kirtan for the healing, spiritual development, upliftment & empowerment of humanity.
The seed syllables are their vibratory signature that are related to their corresponding deities, & once activated & spinning in the proper direction, they resound with their particular bija-syllables.
Hari Om Ki-Jai!!!
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Music as Wisdom
By Matura Sitar
PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Music as Wisdom Music is ultimately a path of inner transformation. When the ego of self-importance is transcended by the performer- then pure creative expression can be realized as a type of divine revelation. Consciousness and sound coupled with intention and attention can produce marvelous effects. Sound can heal or harm, and as Dr. Emoto has recently demonstrated, the molecular structure of matter is altered by sound vibration and
“Veda literally means "Know this". It is axiomatic and autocratic truth. It needs no other support than its own self illuminating nature for it is not experienced through experimental or empiric methods.”
intention. If you pray over your food
The first recorded description of
it alters the molecular structure of
raga appears in the Brihaddeshi of
your meal.
Matanga in the 7th century where
Sound imbued with conscious
it is described as "a combination
substance becomes Mantra…
of tones which, with beautiful
sound, which could produce water,
empowered sound. Sound colors the
illuminating graces, pleases the
fire and nuclear combustion.
mind and emotions and this subtle
people in general”.
The Samaveda means sāman
science deals with Raga, or “that
Many Hindustani North Indian ragas
"melody" and veda "knowledge" and
which colors the mind” and Rasa,
are prescribed for the particular
is second of the four Vedas, the
spiritual emotional experiences.
time of a day or a season, and when
ancient core Hindu scriptures and
The science of Raga and Rasa was
performed at the suggested time,
ranks next in sanctity and liturgical
originally revealed through the
the raga produces an emotional
importance to the Rigveda, which
ancient yogic Rishis of India and has
effect in the receptive listener.
has been accurately dated at over
come down to us through the
During the monsoon, for example,
10,000 years old.
disciple successions of yogic and
many of the Malhar group of ragas,
The Sama Veda consists of a
musical lineages.
which are associated with the
collection of hymns called samhitas
Raga in Sanskrit literally means
monsoon and are ascribed the
and various verses, most of which
"color" or "mood" and refers to
magical power to bring rain are
have their origin in the Rigveda. The
melodic modes used in Indian
performed. There are legends of
original Sanskrit verses were sung,
classical music. It is a series of five
mystic musicians who could evoke
using specifically indicated melodies
or more musical notes upon which a
fire, rain, thunder and other effects
called Samagana, by the Brahmin
melody is made. In the Indian
through the power of their ragas.
priests at sacrifices in which the
musical tradition, ragas are
North Indian music has its remote
juice of the Soma plant, clarified
associated with different times of
origin in the Sama Veda, a literature
and mixed with milk and other
the day, or with changing seasons.
of great antiquity, and the Vedas are
ingredients, is offered in libation to
Indian classical music is always set in rife with stories of Brahmin priests invoking the sacrificial fires with a raga. Non-classical music such as popular Indian film songs or ghazals
mantric sound vibration alone.
sometimes use ragas in their
Masters of the Dhanur Veda
compositions.
employed mantric armor as well as
the various deities who’s qualities and natures also reflect archetypal universal powers.
weapons anointed with potent
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Socrates said that “all knowledge is but a
All of these have existed before....will pass away.... and
remembrance� and if he was right, then wisdom is
again be manifest in the future. Everything moves in a
eternal and is drawn down from the eternal reality of
circle, even the manifestation of knowledge and
consciousness into this plane through the power of
technology.
austerity and purity, with sound vibration as its medium. This is also the opinion of the Vedic Rishis.
Much of the wisdom and artistic ideals we have today were borrowed from the prior cultures of India, Egypt,
Prior to 5,000 years ago, there existed in India, an
Greece and China...India's deep spirituality,
advanced civilization of conscious spiritual culture that
mathematics and wisdom came to the West via
placed more emphasis upon inner character
Pythagoras, Plato and Socrates...for it is a documented
development and the individual raising of consciousness
fact that they had Indian Gurus. There is also a large
towards a state of intuitive and ecstatic harmony with
body of documented scientific and archeological
universal principles. This is, of course, the Indian Yogic
evidence that suggests Jesus Christ also traveled
culture. Yoga means "Union", so it was an advanced
throughout India and studied Her various schools of
society of inner development meant to foster a
philosophy.
conscious integration of the individual consciousness with Universal Truth, producing a state of dynamic,
The Rishi's advanced states of spiritual consciousness
graceful living. The world is still in awe of the Indian
endowed them with unusual insight and subtle powers
contribution to all branches of knowledge, medicine and
and as a result they revealed many universal truths and
the arts, and all cultures throughout the world have
gave us the largest and most profound body of wisdom
drawn from this original font of Vedic wisdom.
known to man...the Veda. Veda literally means "Know this". It is axiomatic and autocratic truth. It needs no
Persons of inner purity, insight and spiritual depth were
other support than its own self -illuminating nature for
honored above all others in the society of Varn Ashrama
it is not experienced through experimental or empiric
Dharma. They lived without concern for material
methods. Nor is its wisdom the fruit of experience
objects as all levels of society contributed to their
gathered from this world but rather it is self-
maintenance and received the benefit of their purity
illuminating wisdom that is manifest upon the fertile
and insight. They were known as the Tattva-
plane of the conscious heart of the purely realized. It
Rishis....Seers of the Truth, and many were master
descends from the higher planes of eternal conscious
musicians and yogis. They were advanced psychic and
substance to this plane via these intuitive saints or
spiritual research scientists, potent with deep
Rishis. The Rishis are not searching dull material
experience.
objective manifestations for answers, but rather are shining a higher super-conscious subjective light upon
Civilizations rise and fall...flourish and produce cultural
the material objective plane. Their clean hearts, like
fruits in the form of insights, philosophies, material
open windows to the infinite, allowed the entrance of
technologies and arts...passing them forward to other
higher knowledge. This is superior science of a conscious
flourishing societies while they themselves pass away
nature. Matter is a product of consciousness. The world
from prominence. The Vedic literatures describe many
is in the mind. So, to understand consciousness is to also
fascinating technological advancements such as air
understand matter by default. By standing in the light,
ships, the measurements of cosmic and atomic time, the
darkness is also understood. The Veda, in it's purity, is
categorizing of all the subtle and gross material
the ever existing conscious reality that exists prior to
elements, medical scientific procedures, advanced
material creation. It's truths are independent of
psychology and spirituality, sexuality, astronomy, martial
mundane material reference and transformation and it's
arts, dramatic, musical and visual arts and sculpture
rays of conscious light reveal, illumine and explain all
that is unprecedented in the history of the world.
manifestations both mundane and divine.
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PRANAVA MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE 2014
Dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam...the Vedic
Music is ultimately a path of inner transformation.
wisdom is made manifest through the dharmic hearts
When the ego of self importance is transcended by the
of the saintly-in every age- as necessity dictates.
performer- then pure creative expression can be
Wisdom is not the provincial property of this world
realized as a type of divine revelation.
culture or that. The first step on this path is professional courtesy The plurality of religious conceptions and attendant
towards other musicians and acute sensitivity
traditions in this world is indicative of this conception
tempered with humility and respect. Despite technical
of renewing truth. According to the particular
abilities, without this humility, one remains doomed to
necessity of the time, place and circumstance and the
the labyrinth of articulate noise.
deep inner necessity of the people....a corresponding conscious revelation takes place suited to the
Much like music, reality renews itself dynamically
development of those peoples at that time.
according to necessity and circumstances. Change is opportunity in motion. Wisdom is revealed through
Necessity and revelation are dynamic relational
sound and music in its purest creative expression, & is
forces. When necessity is united with purity of purpose
wisdom at play.
and self-sacrifice...then revelation of Divine knowledge is drawn down to this plane of material existence...illuminating first an individual, often giving rise to a system, which then grows, expands within society, becomes burdened and eventually decayed by ecclesiastic hierarchy...loses vitality of the original revelation...which then gives rise to conditions that enable the necessity of a fresh revelation. Music is of this self-renewing quality as well. Thesis-antithesis-synthesis....Progress means elimination and new acceptance.
As a gifted teacher of Bhakti Yoga, Author and a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor, Matura has conducted hundreds of classes, and lead uplifting kirtans in America, England, Australia & India, inspiring others to seek and serve the Conscious Spiritual Reality that is the basis of all world faiths. A preview of Matura's forthcoming book "Absolute Abundance" can be previewed here: www.abundantlives.org
‘Music is ultimately a path of inner transformation. When the ego of self importance is transcended by the performer- then pure creative expression can be realized as a type of divine revelation...�
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