Friday, June 11, 2010
Sat Nam everyone.
Here is a picture of my mother, Prabhu Nam Kaur teaching a Gurubani Kirtan class at Hargobind Sadan in San Leandro California last night. We are here getting in some good R and R after our tour and some quality grandparent time in for Jap Preet Kaur. She taught about the Shabad, Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Wahejio that is being offered today on Spirit Voyage (www.spiritvoyage.com) for a free download in celebration of her new album just released today called "Seasons of the Soul."
This is such a wonderful moment for our whole family that this album is out. You might be wondering what the big deal is. Well let me tell you. This is the kind of Kirtan that my mother does... for years.... and somebody managed to capture it in recorded form. Ramdass with his colleague Narayan really did it. You guys hit a home run with this. Thank you guys! The music is heavenly!! Thank you to Sahib Amar Kaur and Amar Singh for all of the beautiful flute, viola, and vocals. My goodness... the mandolin that Narayan plays is masterful, and heart opening. Manish is even on the album with his wonderful tablas and vocals. I love it! And the harmonies! Don't get me started! I absolutely love harmonies honestly. And this album is just so incredibly harmonically satisfying. So lovely. But, most of all... the absolute love and passion that my mother has for God and Guru is at the center of everything... the music, everything completely supports this love. I feel like I'm right in my mother's heart when I listen to this album. Thanx guys (Ramdass and Narayan) for producing such a lovely lovely album.
At the heart of the success of this masterful creation, I believe is the presence of God which came through Prabhu Nam Kaur, Ramdass and Narayan; that beautiful quiet presence which diligently, purposefully, masterfully, and joyfully brought forth the devotion in each and every note.
Sat Nam.
Snatam Kaur Khalsa
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Sat Nam everyone.
Here is a picture of us (Jap Preet, Sopurkh and I) in Torrington Connecticut with our producer Bret, his wife Jane and daughter Natalia. We had a wonderful time... thank you to everyone there.
Lately I have been putting a lot of thought into how to maintain internal clarity and balance while being on tour. For me this is a moment by moment process. Here is a story that has inspired me on my journey, and that I wanted to share with you all.
There were two extremely talented and respected musicians in the Court of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs (1534-1581), named Satta and Balwand. In fact on the day that Guru Ram Das became the fourth Guru, Satta and Balwand sang the beautiful Shabad that they composed:
Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur, Jin Siriaa Tinaa Savaariaa.
Hail Hail to Guru Ram Das, the one who created You has exalted You.
Yogi Bhajan has taught us so much about this Shabad. I have been singing it my whole life. He taught that when you chant this Shabad it can totally transform you and bring miracles. I totally feel that kind of energy with this Shabad. It is incredible. I can only imagine what it was like for the sangat (sacred community) to hear that Shabad for the first time as it was sung by Satta and Balwand. It must have been astounding.Hundreds of people would stream into the Court of the Guru every day, bow their heads to the Guru, give an offering for the free kitchen, listen to the Guru speak, and listen to the incredible kirtan of Satta and Balwand. People loved their kirtan so much. I can only imagine the beauty of it.
Well Satta and Balwand began to feel that since people loved their kirtan so much that it would be good to set up another hall where people could see them more often, and just be able to focus on the beautiful kirtan. So, they established another hall and left the Court of the Guru.
Everything was set to go. The invitations were sent out, and the grand opening day arrived. The doors were open, and the two musicians prepared for a huge crowd.
Nobody showed up.
How could this happen?
As the musicians sat in the empty hall, they realized in the depths of their hearts that people were attracted to the Guru, the One who they were singing the kirtan for. The One who pulls us out of our ego and confusion into our awareness and love. The One who liberates us. All this time everyone had been coming to see the Guru.
With heads bowed low they came back to the Court of the Guru and asked for forgiveness. The Guru embraced them and gave them their positions again.
This story is with me always. As we chant in every concert I see my Guru there and chant for Him. It is not always easy to maintain the focus and to remember to do that. But I find that it happens now more easily and with more strength. The moment I do this, it always shifts the energy and brings me back to that internal clarity and balance that delivers the transformation.
So whatever your path may be, may you find the way to truly worship the One.
love and blessings,
Snatam Kaur Khalsa
PS. If you would like to chant the Shabad Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur, we have a version of it on Mother's Blessing available at www.spiritvoyage.com. Also, if you would like to find out more about Sikhism and the Sikh Gurus you can visit www.sikhnet.com
