As I wrote in a recent post, I’m back in the studio with the amazing Dan Johnson, recording music that’s been in the pipeline the last ten years. Here are two short clips of work in progress. This is ***not*** finished work. These are tiny previews of longer tracks. Look for release some time this fall. Stay tuned for new clips as we add more musicians and mantras to the mix…
Here’s a 3-minute version of the Mangalam:
And a tiny taste of our version of the Gayatri Mantra:
I’m back in the studio for the first time since Devi Demo was released, working with the amazing Dan Johnson on tabla. The vision is to record all the music that’s been in the pipeline these last ten years. Needless to say, manifesting that vision depends on the financial support we receive. That, however, is a topic for another day. For now, I want to share a bit of the current work in progress to readers of this blog. This is an 8-minute clip of the Mangalam Chant. We’re still polishing, embellishing, and refining. This is ***not*** finished work. It has not been mixed down or mastered. So please treat it with care. It’s a very tender new being… And the beginning of what I trust will be an ongoing release of mantra-inspired music and kirtan fusion…
Here’s a quasi-transliteration and commentary. I can’t seem to embed the proper transliteration font into this blog template.
Sarva mangala mangalye, Śive sarvārtha sādhike, Śarayai tryambake gauri, nārāyani namo-stu te…
To the Auspicious of all Auspiciousness, to the Good, to the Accomplisher of all objectives, to the Source of all Refuge, to the Mother of the Three Worlds, to the Goddess Who is Rays of Light, Exposer of Consciousness, Salutations to You
Bhumi-Mangalam, Udaka-Mangalam, Agni-Mangalam, Vayu-Mangalam, Gagana-Mangalam, Surya-Mangalam, Chandra-Mangalam, Jagat-Mangalam, Jiva-Mangalam, Deha-Mangalam, Mano-Mangalam, Atma-Mangalam, Sarva-Mangalam-Bhavatu-Bhavatu-Bhavtu…
May there be peace in earth, water, fire, and air, the sun, moon, and planet, in all living beings, in body, mind and heart. May that peace be everywhere and in everyone. Mangala is an adjective meaning auspicious, lucky, fortunate, etc. With the suffix “m,” it becomes a noun: auspiciousness, luck, etc. It is also related to the goddess Durga suggesting, “one whose touch brings ecstasy.”
Since it’s been awhile since I’ve written here, I thought I’d post the class that fell on my birthday. For those who visit this blog but have never been to class, I thought you might enjoy seeing photos:
Here’s my birthday dharma talk…
Here’s the text of the Mirabai poem I read:
Why Mira Can’t Go Back to Her Old House
The colors of the Dark One have penetrated Mira’s body; all the other colors washed out.
Making love with the Dark One and eating little, those are my pearls and my carnelians.
Meditation beads and the forehead streak, those are my scarves and rings.
That’s enough feminine wiles for me. My teacher taught me this.
Approve me or disapprove me: I praise the Mountain Energy night and day.
I take the path that ecstatic human beings have taken for centuries.
I don’t steal money, I don’t hit anyone. What will you charge me with?
I have felt the swaying of the elephant’s shoulders; and now you want me to climb on a jackass?
Try to be serious. [tr. by Robert Bly]
And here’s a clip of chanting from this class. With apologies for sound quality. But the spirit and energy are certainly here. This is Narayana and Kali Durge.
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