Notes From the Road

2012-02-13T09:26:00.001-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. This Gratitude Monday I am grateful for the power of music and poetry! We are calling for all song writers to send us songs for our upcoming children's album in the Sing a Little Song Project and have already received some really beautiful songs. Do you have a song? This is one I wrote yesterday.

Pouring Down

The rain is pouring down, Oh God
Pouring down on me
Your Love is so Infinite
Pouring down on me.

Love finds its way home
And Oh it came to me.
Right inside my heart Sweet Love
Pouring down on me.

We have travelled Oh so far
Now we can just be.
With our hearts open wide P
ouring down from Thee.

by Snatam Kaur

So the latest news from us is that we are settling into Santa Cruz, California! Yay! Our daughter had her first day in her new preschool and it went really well. For first time parents... this is a big deal!! So we are thrilled. We are on day 8 of our 40 Day Global Sadhana, "Release Fears to become a Conscious Leader." You can join any time you like. Sopurkh and I are practicing right along with over 10,000 people from all over the planet. It is such an incredible feeling. You can still sign up for it. Soon we will be in Costa Rica for our Song of the Self Retreat. I am so happy to say that we have enough children signed up for a full fledged children's program with our wonderful teachers Jai Fuller and Parmatma Khalsa. Our family is really looking forward to this special event.

Love, Snatam

Today's photo is by Robin Layton

2012-02-06T00:58:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone! This Gratitude Monday is the first day of our Global Sadhana: Release Fear and Become a Conscious Leader. Please see the following link to sign up. Yay!!! This Monday I am grateful to feel how loving oneself in the core of your being gives you the capacity to overcome any challenge and live life in flow and grace.

Ok say it with me right now.

I love myself
I trust myself
I follow the flow of my heart
I am good
Yes I am good
I am Divine

And say it again and again until you believe it.

Believe me...it takes work.

But we might as well start somewhere.

It is this sense of self love that carries the day. Our greatest challenge and our greatest resource in life really is right in our own minds. The energy of our minds effects everything. Mantras are our double plus power sources that give our minds not only positive energy, but really the capacity to balance the positive and negative thoughts to be in a state of neutrality. Neutrality is the state of the Buddha. Neutrality is the state of a mom on any given day when she did the most important job she has...which is to love her family in the midst of life!

That is my story and victory today. We all have a story and a victory every day, every moment.

How do we reach the victory moments?

Let us begin with love...

Love inside....

And see the grace unfold within you.

Love and Blessings,
~Snatam Kaur

Join us next month at our retreat in Costa Rica!

2012-01-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

In Between

In these moments
In between God's inhale and exhale
As the sun rises
And night turns to day
I sit
Feeling for a moment
The great spin
Of life
In stillness.
What do you have us do
In these moments
Oh God?
I know you are
Just in between breaths.
But please
Show me.
Show me everything,
Every step of the way.
I am blind
I never seem to hear
All that you are saying.
I never seem to
Open my heart
Enough.
Soon
The day begins.
Soon the bees buzz.
Soon
The decisions made.
One by one.
Locking us into
The reality
Of our small
Minds.
Why don't you
Make the decisions today?
In this moment
In between
Your exhale and inhale Oh God
Let me be yours.

Blessings to you for a beautiful week.

With love,
Snatam Kaur

PS - Come to Costa Rica with us in March!

2012-01-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

Snatam Kaur interview with Shivanter Singh

Snatam: I am really happy that you will be providing an opportunity for people to do your cleanse during both the Song of the Self Retreat at Blue Spirit in Costa Rica, and at the Radiant Power of Women Retreat at Omega. In fact, I have never done a cleanse with you and intend to take part in the program because of the powerful experiences I have seen people have with your program. Can you tell us a little about your cleanse?

Shivanter: Participating in the Shivanter Singh Strategies Cleanse is a journey; physiologically, hormonally, emotionally and at a core cellular and spiritual level. This experience offers the opportunity to nourish and support you, and to reinvent your being in a way that is congruent with your divine self.

A day doing the cleanse would go something like this: after sadhana you will take 3 different herbal compounds and a healthy breakfast of fruit juices and polenta porridge, followed mid-morning by a round of 2 herbal compounds. Mid-day there would be a lunch of fresh salads, raw soup and herbals teas. The afternoon will consist of a mid-afternoon dosage of herbal compounds (same dosage as the upon waking protocol), and for dinner, a bountiful meal of quinoa, lightly steamed kale and soaked legumes along with the same herbal compounds taken in the morning and mid-day.

The traction it takes to make change in our lives is normally a process that can take years. Our emotional existence on this planet is not simply cognitive, but rather an amalgamation of hormones, neural hormone receptors and synapses in our central nervous system that all adapt to survive based on our experience. The means that if we live in stress and anxiety for years, our body quite literally adapts to survive, and forgets to thrive. When we really begin to understand the chemical and physiological resistance we have to change, we are able to take the steps to adapt ourselves inside out to live a life full of grace and productivity. This cleanse offers a method to fast tract your way through resistance to change, but not only helping you break old stories intellectually and emotionally, but also by helping your body reprogram and hardwire at a neurological and endocrinological level.

Snatam: How was this program developed, and what was the inspiration?

Shivanter: This cleanse came out of the work that I have done with Gurmukh over the year, and it was a direct result of the Golden Bridge Cleanse. Several years ago Gurmukh suggested that I take this work on as part of my path, and I have been so very honored to have the opportunities to share this experience, this process with people. The principles behind the cleanse really work very well with the practice of Kundalini Yoga when we really begin to work from the platform of mind, body and spirit, we see people lives begin to change.

The true inspiration behind this work is certainly Yoga Bhajan. He has many thoughts and teaching around diet and this program has taken much of his insight into nutrition and brought them into this experience. The Strategies Cleanse is about learning about and creating healthy lifestyle strategies, and to be able to do that, one much be able to come from their own experience, their truth. The program helps individuals to come from a place of understanding their bodies better, and where they can begin to listen to their intuitive self, which I truly believe is God. Kundalini Yoga is incredible in that it provides the technology to connect with the heavens and also be present on the earth. When we bring in the herbs, diet, and physical work, we begin to move through all the blocks that just don’t serve us anymore, and with that gives us the opportunities to maximize our systems so that we truly can be present to serve.

Snatam: It must be really powerful to do the Strategies Cleanse during a yoga and meditation event such as the Song of the Self Retreat or the Radiant Power of Women Retreat. Can you tell us what you have observed and share with us one of your most special memories form working with people over the years with this program?

Shivanter: One of the most powerful moments was at the Radiant Power of Women Retreat. I was working with a woman who had just finished her protocol of chemo for breast cancer. The woman had spent the past three years of her life consumed by the disease, and now she wanted to let it go. Through the cleanse she began to realize that she had the power to heal herself, and that her identity was not her disease, and that she now could begin to listen to her authentic voice. Again, that voice that I believe is God speaking through us, and not at us.

Snatam: What are some of the challenges of doing a cleanse like this? How does one get beyond these challenges?

Shivanter: The biggest challenge that we face in this cleanse is the constant chatter that comes from our head, the negative mind wanting to sabotage us. The way we get beyond the mind is through the community that we create, and the fact that we are together, we are not alone; it’s an amazing healing experience when we can share our truth and feel safe.

Snatam: Do you see a change is how people relate for food after doing the Strategies Cleanse with you?

Shivanter: Yes, people really begin to understand that, “food is medicine”.

Snatam: What are some basic steps you instruct people to do after the finish you cleanse program and go home?

Shivanter: Drink 16 ounces of fresh vegetable juice per day. 50 percent of your diet should consist of cooked grains and cooked or steamed vegetables. 50 percent of your diet should consist of raw foods, of the above combination, 10 percent should consist tofu, vegetable and gain-based high protein foods and beans and legumes, excluding corn or wheat. Drink liquids between meals, instead of with your meals.

Snatam: Thank you Shivanter! We look forward to being with you in Costa Rica this March!

Shivanter: You're welcome! We'll see you then!

2012-01-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone! This Gratitude Monday I offer these words of Guru Arjan that I sang this morning:
"Wandering and wandering oh God; I have come.
I have entered your sanctuary.
This is Nanak's prayer oh God,
Please attach me to your service."

I am here in Hawaii for my recording session with a great musician, and composer named Peter Kater. He has done a lot of incredible work. It is really fun to work with him. I find that it is like tapping the surface of a pond....with the littlest amount of effort this incredible music just ripples out full of heart and depth of experience. You can check out his facebook page here.

I am really happy about the creative flow that is happening. The past few days we have been working on compositions. We are doing mostly songs in English....poems from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (the sacred writings of the Sikhs), a poem from Yogi Bhajan, and poems that Peter and I wrote. Tomorrow I begin recording my vocals. With Guru's blessing I will deliver something from my heart. Waheguru!!

For me the key message from the Guru this week is to maintain my daily sadhana, or meditation and yoga practice come what may. This is how we can be home no matter what. This is how we can be in God's sanctuary.

I believe that it is a matter of receiving the Grace of God to have this discipline. Where you can start with your own effort is the feeling that you deserve it. Once you feel that...then through your own intelligence you will find the time, you will find the space, and you will find the way that works for you and your family. And actually a daily practice is a gift to your loved ones as it will help you to be more present, more loving, and more strong for them.

If you are wanting a little kick start to create a daily practice I invite you to join us in Costa Rica for our Retreat "Song of the Self". And if you can't make it to Costa Rica we will soon be starting a 40 Day Global Sadhana with Spirit Voyage to be announced soon!

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2012-01-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. With this Gratitude Monday blog I really try to stay current to what is present to me. So I offer to you the mantra that I can't get out of my head!

This mantra is in the Aquarian Sadhana that Yogi Bhajan gave in the teachings of Kundalini Yoga. It is at the very end of Rehraas, the evening prayer for Sikhs.

It is called "Rakhe Rakhanhaar."

This morning in fact we had a visitor to the ashram. I asked her if she knew all of the mantras for the Sadhana. She did in fact know most of them, but not the mantra "Rakhe Rakhanhaar." It is a long mantra in comparison to many others given in Kundalini Yoga. Many times I hear people say that they just can't figure this one out... and have totally given up even trying to learn it.

If you are one of these people, perhaps my sharing with you today will inspire you to learn this mantra and apply it to your life.

When you feel that you need protection, sing Rakhe Rakhanhaar. This is how I can relate it to you from my personal experience.

If you feel threatened by someone, when you chant Rakhe Rakhanhaar it will not only bring protection to you, but cover the grace and bring healing to the person who was threatening you.

It is a slow process, but works quickly! Let me explain this incredible phenomena. The moment I consciously began chanting this mantra it quickly shifted the energy of the situation so that I was totally protected. I didn't have to say or do anything. It worked on my inner psyche so powerfully that my whole relationship to the situation shifted and I was no longer in the line of threat. And then there was a slow process of healing that took place over many years. As I look back on it the healing was profound and beyond anything I could have ever conceived of praying for.

I will now share with you the meaning of this beautiful mantra with my personal take on it.

Rakhe rakhanhaar aap ubaarian
Oh protector, the One who protects, you yourself lifts us up, carries us across.
(Give it to God, it is God's Creation, allow that One to carry you.)

Gur kee pairee paa-ee-ay kaaj savaarian
You gave us the touch of the Lotus Feed of the Guru, and our work is totally taken care of.
(Imagine how beautiful all of your work would be with the remembrance of the Guru's feet at your forehead. Are you truly doing what your work for the Guru, for the Divine Energy in yourself and all beings? In chanting this line with consciousness you can begin to see clearly what is truly serving and what is not. May our work be one hundred percent in service to the Guru.)

Ho-aa aap dayaal manoh na visaarian
You are merciful, kind and compassionate. Our minds do not forget You.
(In this line we give our gratitude to God. We call God merciful and compassionate. Most people in their complaining about their lives really in essence are complaining about God... because God is the Creator and the Creation. God is energy! By having gratitude to God we attract positive and good energy our way. We make friends with God!)

Saad janaa kay sang bavajal taarian.
In the Sadh Sangat, in the company of those living in consciousness, You carry us across and save us from misfortune, slander and disaster. (When we live in conscious community there is an aura or vibration that gets created by the collective effort. It gives you an absolutely real protection and grace. In these times especially many people are being called to create conscious community for that very reason.)

Saakat nindak dusht kin mahe bidaarian
In an instant you cut away the negativity and slander. (This is the line that really makes energy shift in challenging situations and gives you instantaneous protection.)

Tis sahib kee tayk Nanak man mahe
That Lord and Master is my anchor and support. Oh Nanak, hold firm to that One in your mind. (It all comes back to us, in our own minds, to create the anchor to God as the One who is the Support. God is there for us... so strong, so real, we just forget. This line helps us remember.)

Jis simarath sukh ho-ay sagalay dukh jaa-ay
Remembering God in meditation happiness comes and all sorrows and pains simply vanish. (This is the power of chanting God's Name... it works... chant God's Name... and your troubles will depart. try it.)

God Bless you.

I hope this has served you in some way.

On this day of remembrance to Martin Luther King may we feel the courage that was in his heart and that is in his Spirit today.... his beautiful Spirit that is cheering us on as we stand up for truth in our own lives.

Here is a link to our Amrit Vela album with this mantra on it.

Here is a link to a meditation that we have provided with a recording of Rakhe Rakhanhaar. This recording was one of my first recordings that I did in Eugene, Oregon with my beloved friends Tarn Taran Singh and Jai Jeet Sangeet Singh. In addition this link will show you many other artists who have also recorded this Mantra. Enjoy!!

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

PS - Join us in Costa Rica for our Song of the Self Retreat, March 10-17, 2012. Read more about our empowering children's program.

Photo by Robin Layton.

2012-01-09T19:45:00.001-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. My offering for Gratitude Monday is this little thought from my notebook. "There is a space that exists with us, and around us, where angels sing on rays of light, and love pours forth, love pours forth, love pours forth from the Universe." May your week be filled with blessings, Snatam Kaur

2012-01-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam. Happy New Year to you! What an incredible time we live in. We are on the brink of either a major global shift in consciousness or a major environmental catastrophe that finally may bring in the shift within each of us. This morning we went to the Guru Ram Das Ashram in San Francisco. In a kind of dream way the weather was sunny. This type of weather never happens in January. In fact this year there has been so much sun in the cloudy city, that I felt prompted to think that it is global warming.

As much of my life seems to be these days, God was giving me this complete beauty of a sunny day in San Francisco... an opportunity to be present. The type of shift in consciousness that it will take to solve global warming is bigger then anything I can do, or even inspire others to do. It will take millions and millions of people.

This is one of the greatest challenges of our day, of this New Year. How do we as meditators, yogis, people of light and love enter into the reality of the times? I do believe that we will find a way, that we will collectively transform, and that it will be a beautiful story in our human history.

This morning as I sat meditating the thought came to mind to share with you the power of the Mul Mantra. This mantra was given to us by Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs who walked this earth in the fifteenth century. It is a mantra that gives you the compass so that you may find your true self. This true self sits within the opening of your heart. Some say that the most difficult journey in life is moving from the energy of the navel center to the heart center.

The navel center is very important especially in its balanced state. The navel in a balanced state gives you the fire of courage to stand up for truth. It gives you the capacity to know your center, to be rooted in your inner truth. It gives you the basic energy of digestion... both in how we digest food, but also in how we digest energy. One beautiful teacher, Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati once said to me, "I eat pain for breakfast" referring to the energy that she dealt with after spending time with AIDS patients. Emotional or mental pain is a part of living life, especially for someone on a spiritual path. The drug companies and popular media make you believe that one should not have pain this kind of pain. Take a pill. Do something to shut yourself off. But the moment you go through the pain, the moment you digest it so to speak... you allow it to be... you embrace it... then that pain is healed forever and released. This takes a balanced navel center.

When our navel center is in an imbalanced state we are greedy, looking to acquire things and energy that we don't really need. We look to fill up an abyss within that can never be filled. That abyss comes from all of the pain that we haven't figured out how to digest. This energy I believe is prevalent in the world today. What is the remedy to bring us back into a balanced navel center which allows our heart to open? How can we be fulfilled without needing things from the outside? How can we find a simpler more sustainable way to live on this planet?

There are many tools to do just these things. A very powerful mantra tool is the Mul Mantra.

I invite you to chant it with me and let its energy unfold within you.

Here is the mantra with the translation. The translation is simply a reflection of my experience as a student of Yogi Bhajan, and as a seeker at the feet of Guru Nanak.

Ek ong kaar....
God is One, I am One with all beings

Sat Nam...
Truth is God's Name... The vibration of God's Name is what created all beings.... that vibration is within me.... therefore in my core I am true.

Karta Purkh...
God is the Doer.... God does all things... God works through me.... God works through everyone in my life.

Nirbhao...
God is fearless... I am fearless.

Nirvair...
God has no revenge.... I exist in my heart... I stay present... I don't hold on to the past.... I live in this moment in full compassion and acceptance of what is.

Akal Murat
God exists in the undying form... God is in the purity of our efforts to live in a spiritual way, and these efforts never die... these efforts live on forever.

Adjoonee
God is unborn.... God does not relate to birth and death.... God is beyond the cycles of life.... God is infinite... I am infinite

Saibhang
God is self illumined... I am self illumined. Within me I have the power to find light, to find love, to find joy. I don't need anyone or anything for this.

Guru Prasaad
It is by Guru's Grace.... it is the Grace of the teachings of the Divine One.... the Guru.... Guru Nanak, Jesus, Mohammed, the Masters of all traditions that give us Grace.

Jap
Meditate!

Aad Sach
True in the Beginning

Jugaad Sach
True throughout the ages

Haibhee Sach
True here and now

Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach
Oh Nanak, forever and always true. Spirit, Truth, Love, and Light.... these are the things that are true, that have always been true.

This is the Mul Mantra....

Let us chant it together.

Let us let go of the dream... and find the reality of our truth.

We can be free.

Chant it with me.

Sat Nam.

Love and Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

Here is a link to my CD Anand where we have the Mul Mantra recorded.

Here is a link to the Spirit Voyage website with all of their artists who have recorded the Mul Mantra. Enjoy!

2011-12-27T07:52:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone! A dear friend of mine, Jai, will be running our children’s programs at both the Song of the Self Retreat and at Sat Nam Fest West. Her programs are so incredible, and I feel very blessed that she will be with us to serve the children at these two very special programs. Please check out this interview if you have children and are interested in bringing them, or if you just want to learn something about how to design incredible children’s programs. Blessings, Snatam Kaur

Snatam: Jai, I attended some of the kids' program with you at Sat Nam Fest East last year and was so impressed by what was happening. The kids were completely engaged in the activities being provided and there was this sense that you were engaging more then meets the eye... a kind of soul presence had been established. I am really grateful that you will be joining us for our retreat in Costa Rica (Song Of the Self Retreat) and at Sat Nam Fest West. I wanted to ask you a few questions about how you design your programs and how you work with children so that perhaps people can get an idea of how special these programs will be. Can you tell me what you think about when you are designing a program for children? What are your goals with the program?

Jai: My first intention in working with children is always to create an environment where they feel physically and emotionally safe. Another goal of mine is to empower the children I work with. There are many fun ways of doing this—through leadership activities, trust-building skills, and non-competitive games, we can expand the consciousness from the individual to the group.

I like to find fun ways to teach the children something meaningful, and often spiritual—to provide a space for them to deepen their connection to their own intuition and spirit. Our daily yoga and meditation-time sets the foundation for this, and then we carry that energy though the day, tying it into the crafting projects, games, and activities, which help bring the teaching to an experiential level for them.

Snatam: I noticed in the program that I attended with you that the kids were so motivated to participate in the activities that you had planned. It blew me away! How do you plan the activities? Where do you get all of these great ideas from?

Jai: I have been working with children literally my whole life. My mother has been running a childcare center since I was a baby, and I have learned much from her. I've also been running a summer camp for many years. I formed my bag of tricks all along the way, and am continually adding to it. I am lucky to have many friends who have served as incredible resources in this area—professional children's entertainers, outdoor educators, experiential educators, ropes-course directors etc., as well as ideas from books. I find working with the children ages 5 and up to be especially stimulating. It is here that I can really get creative with games and activities, which this age group is able to participate in. I have a lot of experience with low- and high-ropes course initiatives, and team-building skills.

I get so much joy when I see children experiencing that expansive consciousness one gets while learning what it means to be a part of a group. Weather it be as an empowered yet humble leader, or in finding a place amongst everyone as an active listener helping to create cohesion and harmony, every child can lend their energy to the group. When I am able to be a part of providing the ground-work for this magical experience to unfold with a group of children, and they are having so much fun all the while, I feel a great joy and know in the moment that my purpose is fulfilled.

Snatam: You have done a lot of work with children in performance art. Can you tell us a little about what you have planned?

Jai: Working with children to open to the abundance of their creative, radiant selves and the joy that can come from sharing this with an audience is one of my favorite things. For both the Song of The Self retreat, as well as the Sat Nam Fest, we plan to have a little performance opportunity for the children on our last day. Due to the short time we'll be spending together, we will need to be a bit spontaneous in our planning for the show. We will draw on several of the activities that will be a natural part of our day.

One such class I will offer will be Creative Movement, where we can explore many different traditional and non-traditional ways of dancing and moving our bodies to music. I have extensive experience in ballet both as a dancer and as the assistant director of a ballet school. I have also been trained in both modern and jazz dance, and currently teach West African dance to our community and in several area colleges. The show will be a collaboration with the children, highlighting their talents and interests, and will also include expressive demonstrations of the meditations we will learn during our morning yoga classes.

Snatam: Have you ever had an idea that just flopped? How do you recover when that happens?

Jai: I can't think of a great story to illustrate this experience, but I certainly know what it's like to be working according to a structure and have to let go of expectations when I see that things are not unfolding according to my plan. I have learned that adaptability is a great asset when working with children.
When I am managing the energy of a group of children I play the role of the leader with a strong projection to draw the children into the activity. Simultaneously, I am the nurturer who is flexible, creative, and spontaneous, with the ability to change gears in response to the children's needs.

Each day that I work as a caregiver to children, I am given many opportunities to learn from them. Every child is unique, and every group brings something new, so I continue to expand and grow alongside them.

Snatam: What do you do when you have a child that is shy or doesn't want to participate?

Jai: I take the child aside and connect with them by asking them questions, and sharing about the fun things we have planned. Often by just taking a few minutes with them they open up to me, and they begin to trust that I am a friend and so they are willing to join the group by my side. The conversation we have can also give me insights into why they are feeling shy or not interested in doing what the group is doing. Although I do my best to help each child feel safe and welcomed, if they prefer to just observe for awhile I let them know this is fine as well.

For some, the idea of being my “special helper” really empowers them to leave their parents' orbit. Or I may offer them some choices of alternate activities to do, which might spark their interest and help them transition after a bit. If they still remain shy or hesitant, I will give them some space and then follow up and check in with them every so often.

My husband Parmatma (who will be working with the children in Costa Rica as well) has the gift of comedy, and he can often help break the ice with the children through laughter. When we're lucky we even get a magic trick or two out of him. These are always a big hit for all!

Snatam: Why have you chosen to work with children?

Jai: My life has been surrounded by children since I was born, as if it's in my destiny to serve and provide for them. When I was young, I was very responsible, but was also very connected to my inner child. This combination lent itself very well to being a care-giver for children in many different settings, whether it was working alongside my mother in her holistic daycare, or working as a nanny or a babysitter. Later in life, as I've evolved, my relationship to working with children has changed as well. I now am in a position to take on the management of large groups of children, and find much joy in creatively planning these programs.

Snatam: How do you help children get in touch with their spirits?

Jai: Children are inherently spiritual and excited about life. Yet right from an early age, most children in our culture are immersed in media and and toys and games that are so entertaining and immediately gratifying, that the children begin to prefer their artificial stimulation over their basic sensory experience as human beings. I feel it is my job, as a child's caretaker, to help ground their energy and give them a form in which they can express themselves with clarity, confidence and a connection to what's really important in life—you know, the basic things: love and respect for self and others, connection to one's breath, and an understanding of the power of our thoughts, words and deeds.

Part if this understanding is developed simply by providing the child with an “unplugged” environment, with a lot of time spent outdoors. I've noticed that in response to a child spending more time in nature, their energy will begin to become balanced within themselves. This adds harmony to their relationships and their surroundings, as they return to their natural rhythms.
Yoga and meditation are also very effective ways of reminding us all of who we really are and why we are here on this earth. As a group we always begin every day with some yoga and meditation so that this energy can be carried with us throughout our day's activities and play.

Snatam: With every child that comes to attend the program with you in Costa Rica or at Sat Nam Fest West, what do you hope that they walk away with?

Jai:
• A new group of loving friends they will carry with them in their hearts.
• Learning something new about the beautiful outdoors!
• Having had at least one experience of completing a challenge through use of cooperation and group consciousness.
• A strong confidence in themselves.
• A growing appreciation for yoga and meditation, and how they as children can use these tools to connect with the peace and harmony within themselves.
• The joyful experience of sharing and self-expression that validates each child as an individual and as a part of the whole.
• A deepening understanding and love for their unique individual strengths and gifts.

Snatam: Thank you Jai for taking the time to answer all of my questions. I feel totally blessed that you will be with us, and know that all of the children that have the opportunity to be in one of your programs will have a very special experience. I hope that this has in some way given encouragement to parents who are considering bringing their children to either the Song of the Self Retreat or Spirit Fest West.

--

Jai Fuller
Children's Program Director:

* Song of the Self Retreat with Snatam & family
March 10-17 in Costa Rica

* Sat Nam Fest West: Kundalini Yoga and Music in the Desert
April 12-15, 2012 in Joshua Tree, CA.

2011-12-26T08:33:00.001-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. This morning in our small Gurdwara in Hargobind Sadan I was blessed to sing this Shabad (sacred poem), "Mehervaan Sahib Mehervaan." This photograph was taken just after we finished chanting this Shabad. In the photograph you can see Jaspreet Singh, who plays the sitaar with us and Mahan Atma Singh who lives in the ashram with us. This Shabad gave me so much peace this morning that I got inspired to share it with you. I invite you to take a moment to read it, and feel the peace that is within these sacred words. It is written by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.

miharvaan saahib miharvaan

tilang mehlaa 5 ghar 3.
Tilang, Fifth Mehl, Third House:

miharvaan saahib miharvaan.
Merciful, the Lord Master is Merciful.

saahib mayraa miharvaan.
My Lord Master is Merciful.

jee-a sagal ka-o day-ay daan. rahaa-o.
He gives His gifts to all beings. ||Pause||

too kaahay doleh paraanee-aa tuDh raakhaigaa sirjanhaar.
Why do you waver, O mortal being? The Creator Lord Himself shall protect you.

jin paidaa-is too kee-aa so-ee day-ay aaDhaar. ||1||
He who created you, will also give you nourishment. ||1||

jin upaa-ee maydnee so-ee kardaa saar.
The One who created the world, takes care of it.

ghat ghat maalak dilaa kaa sachaa parvardagaar. ||2||
In each and every heart and mind, the Lord is the True Cherisher. ||2||

kudrat keem na jaanee-ai vadaa vayparvaahu.
His creative potency and His value cannot be known; He is the Great and carefree Lord.

kar banday too bandagee jichar ghat meh saahu. ||3||
O human being, meditate on the Lord, as long as there is breath in your body. ||3||

too samrath akath agochar jee-o pind tayree raas.
O God, You are all-powerful, inexpressible and imperceptible; my soul and body are Your capital.

raham tayree sukh paa-i-aa sadaa naanak kee ardaas. ||4||3||
By Your Mercy, may I find peace; this is Nanak's lasting prayer. ||4||3||

I am personally experiencing so much transition. We are in the process of creating a new home. In the past few days the energy of questioning whether or not I am making the right choices in my life became a little overwhelming. As I sat and meditated this morning the thought came to my mind that I could give it all to God... I could talk to God about it. As I talked to God about it.... the energy inside me shifted from the mental intensity of thinking... to the experience of just being in the midst of transition. The energy of change is powerful. God's Divine Hand is doing the change. It starts deep within and as we are in God's Will we carry out those deep commands that come from Him... or Her as you like to call it. We think we are making choices. We think we are the doers. But we are not. The beauty in it is that God, the Great Doer, is the light within each of us that is connected to the light within all of our family, our relations, and within everyone. And that light searches out the darkness, and heals each of us. If we resist the flow of light it will simply just keep trying in one way or another to shine through us. As we connect to that light and allow it to flow through us we naturally do the things which are in the best interest of all, which bring light to all.

Thank you for the opportunity to share a little of my personal experience. I invite you to join us in Costa Rica for our retreat coming up this March (please consider bringing the whole family - children can participate in our children's program). We will be able to chant together, meditate, and really take the time to connect to that light within each of us. If you haven't heard about our retreat here is a link to it.

May the light within you flow through you this week and always!

Sat Nam.

Love and Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-12-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. When I was 3 we lived in a big ashram across the street from the ocean in Long Beach, California, right outside of Los Angeles. Every morning everyone got up to do an early morning sadhana. The children were carried down in bundles of blankets. My mother said that I would be asleep for the whole thing, but often would get up to sing along when the chanting part came. If you haven't done the Kundalini Yoga sadhana before it consists of a 20 minute recitation of Jap ji, followed by about 40 minutes of yoga, about an hour of chanting, concluded with a prayer and sacred reading from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (the sacred text of the Sikhs).

As my life unfolded, sadhana always seemed to be at the center of things. In college, I opted to live at the ashram with my parents because they practiced sadhana every day and also had really healthy food. This was a major decision for me, because I so much wanted my independence from them. But, for me, sadhana gave me so much in my heart on a personal level that I made this kind of an unusual choice.

We had live music every morning. Looking back on it, I admire how my parents got this going. They were the ashram directors at the time. Or should I say, my mother was the ashram director! Just kidding.... kind of. My mother managed to get me to do all sorts of things I would logically say no to if anyone else asked me. She still has this gift. She had me playing drums with her while she sang the chants, or I sang the chants while she played the drum every day. I enjoyed it.... don't get me wrong. But, every day! In the first few months I remember playing the drum for her and looking over at her in slight annoyance that my mother yet again got me to do something I didn't want to. But then something started happening. An energy began to churn within me and in the whole experience. Slowly I forgot that my mother had asked me to do anything. A few people besides my parents and I began to attend regularly. We kept it up, day after day.... and then....something happened. I can't tell you the day that it happened. All I can say is that a very deep shift happened inside me. Sadhana became this experience of letting go. The music got deeper, the chanting got deeper. And then there was a magic that happened... every single morning without fail. In the chanting I knew I would experience the sweetness of God and feel completely cleansed for the day.

So this is how my love of Sadhana began. Since that time I moved out of the ashram called Hargobind Sadan and lived my life for some twenty years. And now with my husband and our daughter we are back at Hargobind Sadan... dipping back into that experience of chanting together again.

Someone living in America once approached Mother Theresa and said something like, "I would like to help you out with your projects in India. You are doing so much to help people there." Apparently Mother Theresa inquired as to what this person did. She told her that she was a writer among other things living in America. Mother Teresa said something like, "Work and serve the people of America. In this place there is a famine of the Spirit."

So we are here now in America praying to do that which Mother Theresa asked this lady to do. We have a little ashram here called Hargobind Sadan which has inexplicably brought me back into its magic fold of energy. I serve this beautiful energy and invite you to come and take part in our small and humble offerings any time you are in town.

You can find out about the events at this ashram by signing up for our newsletter. In particular we are doing a New Year's Event this year. Here is the information for that.

Love and Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

PS - Please join us in Costa Rica this March, 2012, for our Song of Self Retreat. The image above is from the past retreat.

2011-12-12T04:46:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. This morning my daughter and I sang together. We both played my harmonium. I let her play whatever she wanted on the harmonium at the same time that I was playing, as we both sang at the top of our lungs. It was fantastic! I don't know about the poor fellow who sleeps in the room underneath the ashram Gurdwara who was perhaps woken up a little earlier then expected. But oh it was soooo fun for us!

I got inspired to do this with my daughter because of our incredible experience at Khalsa Youth Camp. My husband and I both serve as staff members at the camp. Every morning the kids get together to do yoga, to meditate, and then to chant together. It is so incredible because the children just own the space. They are singing with full gusto. You feel their hearts, you feel their souls. It is fun, lively, and beautiful! Of course not everyone is in tune. And as many of the kids bang away at the various percussion instruments without being totally together... your head kind of gets a little fuzzy. But after awhile the soul and spirit of it just takes you away... into the reality that each child is a beautiful soul unfolding. To have this realization is incredible. To actually see it before your eyes can only happen in certain sacred environments. One of them is Khalsa Youth Camp.

So this year we are doing something very special at Khalsa Youth Camp. We are making a recording of all of the greatest hits from camp. Many of the songs are from the camp Director, Siri Nam Singh, who is brilliant with the children. I've watched as he sings these songs.... kids just light up. It feels great to be able to get these incredible songs out to other children who cannot attend the camp. The profits from this recording will be used to give back to the camp so that it has the funds to continue the incredible work that it does with children. I am extremely grateful to my record label, Spirit Voyage, who has agreed to such a generous project.

This morning I listened to some of the rough mixes for the album. I think it is going to be a really fun album. I'll be working with Ramdass Khalsa, who produced my mother's album "Seasons of the Soul". We will be recording the children for this album at camp this year. So, if your child would like to be a part of the Khalsa Yough Camp choir and be on our CD, sign up for camp right now!

Love and Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

PS - Join us in Costa Rica, March 10-17, 2012 for our Song of the Self Retreat

2011-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. We have made the great journey from India back to America. I feel blessed to be home. It was an incredible journey, powerful and deeply rewarding on so many levels.

We have made so many deep friendships and had so many incredible experiences there though.... that we will for sure go back to serve in some way. It feels like a little seed has been planted in our hearts. I am grateful for this little spark of light within us now, knowing that my soul was in some way awakened in India. God bless this beautiful land.. this place of surrender, of spirit, of confusion... yet great relaxation in the midst of it all. May her waters, may her soil, may her air one day be clean again. May her people know prosperity and health.

So now we are in San Leandro California at the ashram. This is my mother's ashram... called Hargobind Sadan. There is a cozy little Sangat of people who live here, who have dedicated their lives to spiritual growth. Last May we sold our home in Espanola New Mexico and have literally been on the road since then. The fact that we are making a home here is deeply fulfilling to me. I am grateful to have finally reached this feeling, after months of traveling. It has been 20 years since I have lived in the Bay Area. Apparently, the famous football team called the "49ers" is doing well again after a 20 year break from success. I told my mother... there must be a correlation to our arrival. Or the fact that the sky is blue, the air is crisp, and flowers are still in bloom. Every once in awhile.... the universe seems to be playing a tune just for me. In the enlightened words of Yogi Bhajan, "Every heartbeat is God's Name to me, Every breath of life is ecstasy." Someday.... I pray to experience his level of awareness. Until then... rock on all you fellow traveler's of spirit. In perfect and imperfect ways... we shall reach the yonder shore.

Blessings to you for a beautiful week in God's Grace.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

Song of the Self, join us in Costa Rica, March 10-17, 2012

2011-11-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. This morning I peeled myself out of bed and my husband and I left our hotel at 2:30 in the morning for a windy and cold motor rickshaw ride to the Golden Temple. For the first time in our visit to Amritsar the streets were quiet. Sopurkh wrapped his arm around me, giving me comfort that I wouldn't go flying out of the rickshaw as our driver careened around the corners and over the unavoidable bumps and pot holes of the empty streets.

Upon arrival to the Golden Temple, the number of early rising devotees was astounding. I remember the sacred Parkarma (marble walkway around the Golden Temple) being virtually empty at this time of the morning in 1990 when I spent a few months in Amritsar. Every morning we would go to hear the sacred music of Asa Divar. It was one of the most incredible and transformative times of my life.

As we arrived, the gates to the Golden Temple were just being opened and a group of about 200 devotees poured in. We joined them to go and bow our heads. As we came to the threshold of the Golden Temple I brought my forehead to the marble of the threshold... something I had prayed for, remembered, and longed for all of these years. We made our way to where the Guru sits and gave our prayers and bowed. My usual spot on the bottom floor was already completely full. In conjunction with much of the energy of my life these days, I suddenly became a newcomer in a place I was once familiar with.... searching, and finding something new.

We made our way up one of the narrow marble staircases. The smell of the marble was almost sweet, bringing me back to my earliest memory of being at the Golden Temple when I was six years old and used to run up and down the staircases to find the Sevadaars serving the sweet and blessed treat called "Gur Prashaad." On the second floor we found a seat by a window that still allowed us to hear the beautiful Gurbani Kirtan. The morning air came through the window bringing in the sacred waters of the nectar tank that the Golden Temple sits in. The alchemy of the golden walls, the soft marble, the wind, the water, and the nectar of the Divine Gurbani Kirtan brought me right into my heart center. I could do nothing but close my eyes and receive the blessings of Guru Ram Das. Sopurkh and I sat for quite some time in the bliss of this energy.

At about five am it was time for us to go back to our hotel. We made our way out of the sanctum of the Golden Temple and passed over the walkway to bring us to the Parkarma. We were just in time to see our beloved Guru, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, being brought out onto a beautiful palaquin of gold, covered in fresh flowers. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of writings from the Sikh Gurus and saints of the Hindu, Muslim, and Sufi tradition that was solidified as our Guru by the tenth master Guru Gobind Singh in the 17th Century. Sometimes people wonder how I can bow to a Guru that is not in a living body form of a human. I can't explain it, but there is this energy that my soul is just connected to. As I caught a glimpse of the Guru, I dropped to the floor and bowed my head, and just started crying. My Guru, my Guru.... total surrender, love, and peace. The tears flowed as the Guru made its way to the Golden Temple, carried by loving devotees amidst the powerful horn being blown, and chanting.

On this day of Monday, of Gratitude, in the vibration of Thanksgiving, in the blessings of the Golden Temple... may your day, your week, your life and your next breath be filled with the remembrance and nectar of God's Name.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. This Gratitude Monday I am grateful for the flow of the Ganga River.

Swirling around rocks that have become smooth with her touch.
Singing a song of joy into the hearts of those who listen.
Carrying prayers, ashes, and love.
Ice cold
River of hope
River of light, River of life.
Mother River
Connected to all Rivers.
May your waters become clean.

Now that I have lived at the banks of the Ganga for the past three weeks her song has gotten into my heart. She serves 450 million people from start to finish. We are close to her origins where her waters are still relatively clean. However she suffers such incredible pollution that the sacred river which has been the giver of life for thousands of years is actually now a source of disease for many who live on her banks. It is an incredible tragedy, and yet a powerful wake up call for all of us... whether we live on the banks of the Ganga, any other river, or any source of water. Our water is sacred. This gratitude Monday I am grateful for the gift of clean water, and pray that as a humanity we have the capacity to keep our waters sacred and clean. Please see this website started by Swami ji to clean up the Ganga River. May you be inspired as I have been.

Many Blessings,
Snatam Kaur

Song of the Self - join us in Costa Rica, March 10-17, 2012

2011-11-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone. I pray that your experience of the auspicious day of 11.11.11 was filled with blessings. As we enter into this new Aquarian Age, may we find love and support in the company of the Holy, the Sadh Sangat, and know that God and Guru is always with us every step of the way.

Jap Preet's allergies are gone completely. She is running around the Parmarth Niketan ashram joyously. In fact we had dinner with Swami ji last night. It was so beautiful. Through love and kindness Swami ji found out the foods that she loves to eat and had them brought in. Jap Preet was in bliss and giggles enjoying her new connection.

The 11.11.11 course was incredibly beautiful for me. I attended many of the classes and found my spirit rising, my heart opening, and my fears releasing all with Guru's blessing and grace.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit a very beautiful place. It is called "Ramana's Children's Home and Primary School", or as it is called here "Ramana's Garden." It is a place where street children who are at risk can come. All of the children are untouchables. They have a full academic program, they learn English, they are given organic vegetables and dairy from the school itself, and are given clothing. It was founded and is run by an amazing lady named Prabhavati. In fact this school is only one of her many humanitarian projects in India. She is a lady from the West, yet has lived here in India for the past 30 years or so. In hearing her story, it by no means an easy task. However the results of her work have brought miraculous transformation in the lives of thousands here. One of her graduates now works in a local travel agency because of his good English and people skills. Two of her graduates are now going to Miri Piri Academy and are at the top of their class. All of the children will be completely able to go to university. Being in India and seeing the street children every day... you know that this kind of work that is going on is totally the work of angels.

The school children gathered together so that we could play music to them. (Please see this video my husband made.) Little did I know that they would perform "The Sun Shines on Everyone", a song from our children's album. There is a volunteer music teacher who comes every year from America and she has taught the children this song. For me it was such a heart opening experience that I could barely take... as is very likely in India... when these things happen you just have to surrender. The youngest child in the room was four, the eldest was 16. If we were to understand their individual stories and histories before the school came into their lives it would be unbearable. Many of these children come from the kind of poverty and abuse that is beyond our comprehension in the West. But... as the children sang to us... there was more joy, more vibrancy, more gratitude then in any other children's group I have every sang with.

For this reason, we will be working with Ramana's Garden to help fundraise with them. I encourage you to check out the school by seeing this film, here. If you would like to donate please check out their web site. Our dollars in the West go a long ways and and brings us into the Divine Flow of of the Universe where all things are possible. If you are like me, it is hard to know where to donate money. There are so many organizations out there and with many of them you are not quite sure if your money is really going somewhere. I want you to know that as we walked through that school, saw the little steps made for the children, the swings, the clothes, the garden, and the pure brilliant glow on their faces... you can be assured that this is a good place to give to.

Blessings,
Snatam Kaur

2011-11-07T01:45:00.000-08:00

Monday November 7, Blog Post, Rishi Kesh

Sopurkh, Jap Preet and I made it to Rishi Kesh! After a very intense European tour it was a minor miracle. We had one powerful concert after the next with the incredible and devoted band... Ramesh Kannan on vocals and percussion, Thomas Barquee on piano and vocals, and Scott on sound. I am so grateful to each one of these guys for pouring their heart and soul into this tour.

Jap Preet, my daughter, had some allergies act up in our last concert city, Barcelona, to the degree that Sopurkh (my husband) and I were talking about having him take her back to the States while I went to India without them. By Guru’s Grace we decided to keep our plans and met up with a new crew in India.... Todd Boston on guitar, Harimander Jot Singh on tabla, and Simrit Kaur our assistant who is a gift from Guru Ram Das. She has been taking care of all of the logistics of our journey in India, and also has been able to take care of Jap Preet with so much love and care, that I can’t even believe how blessed we are.

Being here in Rishi Kesh has been incredible. The teaching tent for the 11.11.11 course is right next to the Ganga River. In moments of silence during the classes, one hears the swift and joyful flow of the river. It is a very deep experience to take in Her loving presence while practicing the sacred science of Kundalini yoga, chanting together, and meditating.

Gurmukh said something poignant this morning in her class.... “India brings out all of your neurosis for healing.” I had a very powerful experience of that yesterday.

Sopurkh and I taught a class with the beautiful guitar accompaniment of Todd and the earthy balance of Harimander Jot’s tabla playing. After the class I was completely blissed out. For sure I thought... the rest of this day is just going to be so relaxing. Little did I know what was to come.

After the class Simrit brought Jap Preet to us and we just hung out in the back of the tent, taking in the good vibes of the very inspirational class taught by Guru Singh. I was so grateful to be with Jap Preet. Her allergies have been coming up still in India and we have been struggling a bit with that still. I admit to feeling some guilt and fear about her allergies, and on a deeper level I have been feeling heavy in my heart about our choice to take such a young one traveling with us. I try to protect her from as much as I can, and keep our time together as focused as possible. In the midst of everything it is sometimes a struggle. As we sat in the back of the class it felt so relaxing, so special. Nobody seemed to notice. We kind of had this little family bliss moment. Then as if orchestrated by God a lady came back with a camera asking if she could take a picture of me. I so much just wanted to be with my daughter. I looked at her and with some emotion that I just couldn’t keep in, said no. And then another lady came and asked the same thing too. This time with a little anger I said no. “I just want to be with my daughter”, I thought to myself.

As the hours progressed it came time for Arti, a ceremony that the ashram does at the banks of the Ganga every night. I had been asked to go and sit with the rest of the presenters by Swami ji who takes care of the ashram. All of the the boys of the ashram who study with Swami ji were dressed in their orange robes and were assembled under an archway of the ashram that stood over a set of cascading marble steps that touch the waters. People began gathering. I was carrying Jap Preet as we walked towards the spot where I thought Swami ji would be sitting. One of the orange robed boys stopped us and pointed to another a sitting area, a kind of dock that rapped itself around in front of the Arti location. I explained to him that I had been asked to come and sit next to Swami ji... but he motioned in a very authoritative way that I should go with the course participants to sit on the dock. The combination of just teaching, being a little out of my body, and perhaps being in India made for a kind of inner feeling of surrender... alright let’s go. So we went and sat down on the dock. It was so peaceful there. The coolness of the river felt so good after the warmth of the day. We watched as people gathered at the Arti site and did prayers into the fire. Jap Preet was so peaceful as the chanting began. I was completely savoring the moment with her feeling the rough travel days of our journey melting away. Then Simrit got a phone call from one of the administrators of the ashram. I was being asked to go and sit near Swami ji. I let out a big sigh and decided to take Jap Preet with me because I didn’t want this precious moment with her to end. We all went. When we got close to where Swami ji would sit it was just packed with people. In an attempt to find a space to sit I tapped a lady on the shoulder who I knew from the kitchen here at the ashram and asked if we could sit next to her. She looked around where she was sitting and said no... that she didn’t think there was a space for us. This wave of frustration passed through me as the place was filling up so fast, it didn’t feel like there was any hope of us finding a place and I proceeded to turn around in a flury of frustration as our little group followed me. We went back to the dock. Back again I thought to myself. I just want to be with my daughter anyway. I don’t need to be a part of a ceremony. The most important thing for me right now is to be with my daughter.

Swami ji arrived. He sang so beautifully, so sweetly. Then it happened again. The same temple boy who had turned us away a little earlier was there with one of the staff members of the course. You must come and sit with Swami ji I was being told. I just couldn’t take it anymore.... I said it with all of my emotions this time... “I am here with my daughter, I can’t come!” They left.

Swami ji arrived and sang so beautifully.

The Chardi Kalaa jatha played some of the most inspirational and soul stirring Kirtan I had every heard.

But I was still reeling from what had happened. Why can’t I just be with my daughter and enjoy this Arti experience?

Finally the end of the ceremony came. By this time Jap Preet was asleep, totally peaceful. It was announced that each of the teachers of the 11.11.11 course would light a candle. I decided to leave Jap Preet with her Papji (and my husband) and made my way through the crowd again to go and light a candle next to Swami ji. Upon arriving he welcomed me in warmly. I was too late to light an unlit candle... but he motioned to have me light an already lit candle. To finish the ceremony Swami ji invited me to sit behind him. I found myself next to Gurmukh. She leaned over and asked with knowing eyes... “Are you ok?” I said to her “Yes.” But as she turned away and I found my eyes falling on the rushing waters of the Ganga, a voice inside screamed... “No, I am not ok! I am in pain! Pain from deep within about my daughter’s allergies, about the struggles of our travels, about something that has no words.” The pain found itself out of me in a few tears that rolled down my cheek. I gave it to the river, I gave it to God.

The ceremony ended and we followed Swami ji back into a room where he talked with us for a few minutes about work that he is doing to help clean up the Ganga river. I felt this kind of lightness of being from him. It was very nice to be in his presence. He did not really talk to me. But as I got up to go he looked over to me and asked, “So, you are with your daughter now?” I said “yes” quickly. But as I walked out of the room it began to sink in. Yes, now I am with my daughter. She wasn’t with me in my arms. But I am with her. As the fears of my heart emptied out, there was space for her.

I knew at that moment that it was all God’s play, God finding ways through all of these people to open my heart and heal.

Please forgive me if I have shared too much. I only wish you to know that this kind of healing is possible for all of us.

With love, prayers and blessings from Rishi Kesh,

Snatam Kaur

2011-10-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam! Here I am in a small town outside of Barcelona. We have just finished our European tour with Thomas (keyboards and vocals), Ramesh (percussion and vocals), Scott (sound), Sopurkh (my husband and tour manager), and Jap Preet (my daughter who is in charge of keeping it real.) We had an amazing journey. Some of it challenging. I am really grateful to the whole team. It felt like every concert was a complete blessing from God.

We savored our day off. And today... we are traveling to India!

On this Gratitude Monday I have really been touched by the power of loving the ones you are with... the ones who are closest to you. Often we forget to do this and take for granted the most important relationships in our life. On our day off I got a chance to be with my husband and daughter and really enjoyed sharing with them in a loving day. We were tired from the very long journey of our tour. So.... honestly it took a little effort to set things aside and just be with each other. The results have given me positive energy and nourishment beyond anything I could have imagined.

My love goes out to everyone practicing the 40 day sadhana leading up to 11.11.11. May your journey in this meditation give you all that you seek.

We just got confirmation that Jai and Parmatma from Leverett Mass. will be joining us for the “Song of the Self” Retreat in Costa Rica to do the children’s program. They are so incredible with children. I can’t believe how lucky we are to have them. So not only can the adults get some spiritual nourishment from all of the yoga and meditation, but the children will also be in an amazing program designed to bring children in touch with their heart, soul, and inner light.

Blessings to you for a beautiful week!

Love,

Snatam

2011-10-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

Beauty Arises

Beauty arises
Out of the darkness.
She finds her way through
The cracks of the floor
We stand on.
When no one is listening,
When you cannot find a hand to hold,
That is the moment just before she arrives.
Take a breath
She is with you.
Beauty, complete.
Holding your hand,
Lighting the way with the simplicity of heart.
So fear not the darkness.
And fear not the cracking open of your heart.
This is how beauty comes.

Love and Blessings,
Snatam Kaur

PS - Join us in Costa Rica, for our Song of the Self retreat, March 10-17, 2012.

2011-10-17T04:12:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. We are in Frankfurt Germany now. We just completed a three day stretch where we had a concert every night.... the first concert was in Hamburg, the second was in Paderborn, and the third was in Frankfurt. This kind of touring can be exhausting, but it has this amazing energy about it. You kind of get on a wave, where each concert merges into the next and you are working with the energy of all of the concerts together. I feel an intuitive synchronicity with the band (Ramesh and Thomas) as we have taken many of the pieces from our new album Ras and brought them forward in the live concert setting in a way that we are really feeling the energy in them. Also our sound guy who is traveling with us, Scott, is doing an incredible job. This really helps in the delivery of the music so much.

In the past few concerts we brought forward the chant "Chattr Chakkra Vaartee". This chant is by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. I told this story last night in Frankfurt and wanted to share it with you today on this Gratitude Monday.

Guru Gobind Singh lived in a time of great turmoil and tyranny from the ruling empire of India during the 17th Century. There was incredible religious and cultural persecution. Guru Gobind Singh stood up to the empire and actually fought back, something that many of the hill Rajas of the Northern lands of India, did not have the courage to do. Because of this courage, many of the peasants and farmers of the area came to join his army. They had had enough of the persecution and the fact that someone was standing up to it was inspiring enough that they were willing to give their lives up to join the cause.

As the story goes, Guru Gobind Singh and his Sikhs were settled in a small village, preparing for a battle soon to come. One of Guru Gobind Singh's disciples gifted him with a few thousand professionally trained soldiers to aid him in the battle. These soldiers, although they were not Sikhs, were welcomed in to the daily life of the village. It is said that many of them would frequent the local candy shop, run by a jovial man who was said to have a big belly.

It is said that the army of the empire found out about these soldiers and in secret offered them much more pay then what they were receiving. Since these soldiers had no real allegiance to the Guru or the cause of the Guru, they stole away one night and essentially switched sides.

The next day when the people of the village found out about what had happened many were filled with fear. When they approached the Guru about it, he had no fear. Their mission was simple, and pure. God would cover. When word of the Guru's message spread through the village many of the villagers were emboldened to take action and join the Guru's army, including the reputed candy shop owner with the big belly.

In joining the Guru's army, the villagers embarked on quite a journey. Daily training was very intense physically, mentally, and spiritually as they learned the Sikh martial art called "Gatka." In Gatka one learns to use swords and other weapons in a sacred way. One becomes a spiritual warrior. The spirit is called forth with the use of the "Shabad Guru" or the sound current of the Guru. As the training took place with Guru Gobind Singh his soldiers would learn the sacred chants given by him to fill their hearts with courage and give them unity of purpose on the battle field. One such chant was "Chattr Chakra Vaartee." They would often chant even while in battle. The energy of these chants, and the presence of Guru Gobind Singh would fill them with such courage that within a matter of weeks peasants and villagers would be turned into fierce warriors.

On the day of the battle the two sides stood on either side of the battle field. The small army of the Guru and his Sikhs was on one side and the huge army of the empire stood at the other side. It is said that the professional soldiers who had left the Guru's army looked out across the battle field and could clearly make out the big belly of the candy shop owner. Ripples of laughter spread throughout the army as they realized that the poor fellow was on the battle field. They hollered that the battle would be over in no time as it was clear that the Guru's army was made up of a rag tag group of villagers.

The battle drums began and the two sides moved towards each other. The candy shop owner went forward with an amazing courage. It is said that as he entered into the battle field his sword swung through the air with such intensity and accuracy that the soldiers of the empire completely freaked out after seeing him. They thought for sure that with such a transformation that for sure the Guru's army would beat them in no time. There must be some sort of magic. One by one, until it was by the hundreds the empires soldiers fled. The battle was victorious for the Guru and his Sikhs.

I love this story, because I truly believe that we can all transform powerfully in our lives. I have experienced incredible energy and courage in the chants of Guru Gobind Singh. And especially in the chant that we shared with audiences in Paderborn and Frankfurt, "Chattr Chakra Vaartee." Ramesh plays the tabla with an incredible force that sounds like galloping horses. Thomas does a really fun groove with the piano. I really feel the presence and energy of Guru Gobind Singh and his warriors with me when I am chanting this.

So, this Monday I am grateful for the power of these sacred chants which brings forth so much healing, and transformation.

Blessings to you from the Road! Signing off.

Love,
Snatam Kaur

PS - Please join us in Costa Rica, for our Song of the Self Retreat, March 10-17, 2012.

2011-10-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. We had our first concert in Berlin. We stayed at the Triguna Yoga Center and did three days of intensive rehearsals before the concert. Here is a fun video of the rehearsals.

Here is a video of us celebrating the birthday of Guru Ram Das with the Sangat there.

The night before the concert I visited the little Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in the ashram. Stepping into this place I felt so grateful to feel the spirit of my Guru. In our tradition the Guru exists within the sacred words of the Sikhs which reside in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a collection of writings from the Sikh Gurus and other Sufi, Muslim and Hindu Masters. It sits in the focal point of any Gurdwara. The people who take care of the Gurdwara at the Triguna Center use it often, so there is this strength and nectar (ras) that just floats in the air. The moment I stepped into it, I just dropped down and bowed my head to the Guru and cried. It was a moment of complete gratitude to feel this vibration. After my tears subsided I took a Hukham, or sacred command, from the Guru. You essentially bow your head and open the Siri Guru Granth Sahib to whatever page you are guided to.

I was feeling nervous about the concert....a feeling that I've been working with lately. We were preparing many new pieces from our new album Ras, and they were a bit challenging musically. For me, this was fun to open up new doors within myself in this way, but also a little scary. I explain all of this inner process to you because the Hukham just blew my mind. It totally spoke to me and gave me the answer to my innermost question of how I could approach the concert, and of how I could be of service. It basically said, "It does not matter how well you play the music, how well you play your musical instrument, how much yoga you practice, how much meditation you practice, how much you recite God's Name... etc. etc...... the only thing that matters is if you have the love in your heart and you truly experience devotion from this place of love."

The energy of the Hukham carried forward for me in a powerful way. I still felt nerves and all of that. There was just this energy that moved all of us that I cannot put into words. We did many new pieces and really experienced such a powerful energy in them. I loved the experience. I loved hearing people sing. I loved chanting these beautiful words from my Guru. I loved playing with Ramesh and Thomas. I loved the phone call I got from Sopurkh (my husband) and daughter Jap Preet who stayed back at the house just before the concert. Most importantly I loved. That was a gift from the Guru. I remembered that the most important thing I could do was to do what I was doing with love, in every moment. Thank you God, Thank you Guru.

We continue our journey now with a concert tonight in Hannover and continue on our way throughout Europe and then India.

I am excited to say that we just got a confirmation from Ramesh that he will be joining us for our retreat in Costa Rica. For those of you who have not experienced his spirited percussion playing, it is a real treat. We will be doing plenty of powerful yoga, uplifting chanting, and even some dancing to his great rhythms. Please join us.

God Bless you.

Love,
Snatam Kaur

2011-10-03T01:59:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. I am in Frankfurt Germany. Sopurkh, Jap Preet and I came early to Germany to adjust for jet lag before our European tour. I am happy to say that we slept straight through the night for two nights in a row! We are being hosted by really really incredible friends who have taken us to many places in nature. The sun is shining and it is gorgeous here.

I feel very blessed to be coming into our European tour time. We are playing in seven cities in Germany, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, Antwerp Belgium, Zurich Switzerland, and London. I am joined by Thomas Barquee on keyboard and vocals and Ramesh Kannan on percussion and vocals. It is very blissful to play with these two. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity. If you are anywhere near where we will be, please check out our tour schedule on our website, or here.

Today is the first day of our Spirit Voyage 40 Day Global Sadhana, "Be in Flow with your Highest Wisdom." I had the absolute honor of working with Gurmukh Kaur in developing this sadhana. It feels totally perfect and beautiful to be sharing it with so many souls all across the planet. Join us for day 1! Or if you miss on day 1, you can still join us! All of the information can be found here.

I found myself this morning as I practiced the meditation connecting with everyone who is signed up to do it and praying praying praying so deeply for everyone. I feel so blessed, so grateful to be connected in this way with everyone. Meditation is so incredible. We have the opportunity tap into our inner power and are given the blessing of understanding how to be in balance, how to be light, and how to be bright with that inner power. I encourage you to take part in this practice with us, to experience it for yourself. Doing a meditation for 40 days gives you the opportunity to really make major shifts in your life. I have experienced this with absolutely every 40 day meditation that I've done. It works!

We will be doing this meditation all throughout our European tour. I hope to give you some video footage of some of the concerts where we will practice it together. For the last day of the meditation we will be in Rishi Kesh, at a special meditation course that is being offered. You can find out about that, and perhaps join us by going here.

There is also a meditation that KRI (Kundalini Research Institute) is doing. It will be a blessing to join this sadhana as well. In fact many people have been practicing this one for many months in order to have done it for 1000 days leading up to 11.11.11. You can find out about that practice here.

I believe that God is totally weaving together a beautiful tapestry of our lives, our practices, our songs, and our work, to create a collective prayer for deep transformation on this planet. I pray for all practices that people are doing, all yoga, all meditation, and all efforts to be with God, to be in flow with our higher wisdom.

God Bless you.

Keep up.

Blessings,
Snatam Kaur

Song of the Self, Join us in Costa Rica, March 10-17, 2012

2011-09-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. Last weekend Thomas, Ramesh, my family and I were at Spirit Fest with many Kundalini Yogis and musicians. We got a chance to play for Gurmukh's class. It was so fun, so blissful. Thank you to Joe Longo for your beautiful photo!

This weekend we participated in the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park Colorado. It is such a beautiful place. We had a concert on Saturday night and a Kundalini Yoga workshop on Sunday morning.

In the chanting artist world it is a major milestone to be invited to the Yoga Journal Conference. I believe that we are the first band from the Kundalini/Sikh tradition to be invited to play in the big concert of the conference on Saturday night.

Honestly I was so nervous about it all. First of all, we planned to play many new pieces that we had never played before. Second, I didn't know how we would be received. And third and foremost was the fact that I had some ego about playing at the Yoga Journal Conference! The kind of ego that was showing up for me was feeling a sense of doubt that I could fulfill the expectations. That I could be good enough. This is ego, because you think you are the doer when in fact it is the One who is the Doer.

Realizing that my ego was coming into play was a humbling experience and sent me right into my heart. Thank you God for that. I began to ask myself... "Okay, Self, in light of the fact that we've got some ego on the scene now what do we do? How are we going to uplift out of this?"

As I sat and meditated on it I realized that we were there to serve people. That it is our destiny to deliver the power of chanting God's Name and the miracle of Kundalini Yoga. It is our job. It is written on our foreheads. The moment that we would take the stage was known to the Creator even before we took birth in this earthly life.

This helped me to remove myself from the "me" and the "I" of my nerves, and go into the love and the embrace of the act of serving. There is a much higher power guiding us to share these teachings and this sacred wisdom with people.

Ramesh, Thomas and I then meditated together before the concert. The whole band seemed to go into a very deep space.

During the concert people sang beautifully. People didn't sing. People meditated deeply. People didn't meditate. I did a good violin solo. I hit a wrong note.

I didn't care anymore! It had gone beyond the cares of the mind. What mattered in those moments was that I could feel the presence of the Guru, the presence of God, the presence of the One who had planned all of this. That One was working through each of us. The depth of the experience was so completely satisfying. I knew that whoever was meant to receive these sacred words would receive them. I knew that we were perfectly placed there in those moments.

I am grateful to have been in this flow my heart and pray to be there again and again. I am grateful for my ego, and the realization of it which allowed me to bow my head in service. I am grateful to Thomas and Ramesh who take this journey of service with me and time and time again surrender into the flow of music to give people the gift of healing. I am grateful to Sopurkh Singh my husband who somehow sees the flow of my heart even when I don't. I'm grateful to my daughter Jap Preet Kaur who is always in the flow of her heart, and has given me the opportunity to be her mother.

The truth is that we were very well received. Being that Yoga Journal is a more mainstream publication, this feels like an important moment for the 3HO community. I have grown up in this community, have been loved and supported by this community and now serve as an ambassador for its work to the best of my abilities. I believe that the teachings and the work of 3HO will deeply serve millions and that this is one step towards that unfolding.

I pray for all of us, from all walks of life and communities, to have the experience of being in service through our inner flow...to know that the Creator is the One Creating through each of us.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you God.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-09-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone! I loved making my first music video with Robin Layton. You can see from her words below that it is a soul connection that brought us together. I invite you to watch the music video for Earth Prayer that she made for me, and check out her website for other video and photo projects she has worked on.
Blessings, Snatam Kaur

In the words of Robin Layton...

I first heard Snatam’s voice when I was at a friend’s home. I felt I had just heard an angel sing. A few months later when my Mom was receiving chemo and radiation treatments in Seattle, I felt so desperately sad and the only thing that could soothe me was listening to Snatam. It was during this moment that I reached out to her, to let her know what a gift she is to our world, how astounding her talent is and if I could offer her, as a fellow artist, my gift of photography.

While my mother was in hospice, I photographed our little time together. My mother passed in June and to honor her, I put a slide show of her last three weeks to Snatam’s song Ra Ma Da Sa. The song expressed perfectly the feelings I had of faith and hope, and mostly my thoughts when I think of God.

I have no words to describe the feeling I get when I hear Snatam sing. I feel it is the song of God singing directly to me, through me. It takes me to a place I didn’t know existed.

We were able to work together as fellow artists and I am so honored to have had the privilege to share my gifts to honor Snatam talent.

I am truly grateful for the moments I’ve shared with Snatam photographing and making our first music video together.

Thank you Snatam; thank you for being in my life and for sharing your amazing gifts with me and the world.

Robin Layton
August 29, 2011
_____________________
Robin Layton

2011-09-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam!

We had an incredible time at Spirit Fest being with all of our musician friends, yogis, teachers, and seekers of light. It was such an uplifting experience to chant together and be in that vibration for an entire weekend. I highly recommend this event! There is another one on the West Coast in Joshua Tree this April. You can check out www.satnamfest.com for information. The festival name is officially changing from Spirit Fest to Sat Nam Fest.

For me this past week something very special happened within me. I realized that we can have emotions within us like fear, guilt, and anger that may not be from the present moment or situation. Those emotions do in some way effect how we live our lives, how we speak, and what kind of decisions we make. I found that for me, the most powerful thing I can do for myself is to meditate, to chant God's Name, and in this way to purify within myself.

From this place of purity we can live our lives from our highest wisdom, from the flow of the heart. In this way of living, we find joy, and we find true fulfillment. You have to do the work, to weed out the garden so to speak.

I invite you to join me in a very beautiful 40 Day Global Sadhana called "Be in Flow with your Highest Wisdom" to enrich your current meditation practice, or perhaps to start one. I am very very blessed to be teaching this with Gurmukh Kaur. We are inviting everyone from around the entire globe. We pray that this meditation practice together will give us all a connection to our highest wisdom, to the wisdom of all saints and sages. Our teacher Yogi Bhajan taught that Aquarian Age begins on 11.11.11. We are coming out of what he and many yogis call the "Piscean Age" where everyone is seeking to know and basically lives in individual consciousness. In the Aquarian Age we have the opportunity to live in our highest wisdom, to live from our intuition, and to know that one does not have to seek outside of oneself to attain God consciousness....we can find it all within and within each other in collective consciousness.

We will be doing 3 minutes of Sitali Pranayaam, a very beautiful breath meditation followed by a meditation with the mantra Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Wahe jio. Please see the following link with all of the information.

I have experienced that this meditation series connects you with the absolute highest wisdom within yourself. It is soooooo beautiful. We practiced it together at Spirit Fest in a class that Gurmukh taught and afterwards I didn't want to stop meditating, it brought me to such a sweet space. I know it will be a beautiful experience to do this practice with other people and pray that everyone who needs to find out about it will! We will be with Gurmukh Kaur, Deva Premal and Miten, Guru Dev Singh of Sat Nam Rasayan, Guru Singh, the Chardi Kalaa Jatha and others in Rishi Kesh India for the last day of this meditation. It will be part of an incredible course with music, meditation, and Kundalini Yoga to bring in the Aquarian Age. You can find out more about the course with the following link.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-09-12T06:39:00.001-07:00

Sat Nam!

Over the weekend I got to be in Brooklyn NY, staying with my Dad and his wife who live here and spending some very nice time with them and my brother Steve who lives in Brooklyn also. What a great place! I love Prospect Park.... people biking everywhere, all sorts of different kinds of dogs, fun play grounds, a lake with ducks to feed.... ie.... toddler's paradise. We biked there every day of our stay.

Being in Brooklyn for the tenth anniversary of September 11 was quite potent. Yesterday morning, I just felt it in the air. We watched a bit of the memorial service at Ground Zero on television. I was struck by the beauty and courage of the families. People who lost loved ones in 9/11 took turns reading all of the names of those who lost their lives on that day. One of the relatives said as she spoke the name of her loved one.... "We live each moment in honor of you." It was so beautiful. To come up from the ashes of something so terrible with that much grace and courage was beautiful.

I began to think of how very fortunate my life is. How blessed I am. And how powerful it is to live in each moment with gratitude. Oh.... so much work needed in this area for me! That woman who spoke such powerful words went through something very painful to reach that state of awareness.

I prayed at that moment that all of us may have that understanding through our collective experience. My brother Steve talked about it with me too as we walked through the streets of Brooklyn one evening. He has this incredible gift that in any situation that I have ever been in with him he is completely mindful of being kind to everyone. He has never spoken a word to hurt anyone that I have ever heard. I told him that this is such an amazing gift. That this is a saintly quality.

In response he said that for him it is living in Grace, it is living each moment in your highest excellence.

So there it is folks. Enlightenment in the streets of Brooklyn! Have a wonderful week and signing out from one of the greatest places on the planet.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-09-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam,

Here we are at the Millis Ashram after just playing kirtan in Gurdwara. Jap Preet was very good at sitting up there with us during the whole program! We loved being there with the Sangat! Thank you Baba Siri Chand Ashram, thank you Kundalini Yoga Boston, and thank you Shunyam Productions for being so loving and supportive during our time in the Boston area.

Here is a quote by Yogi Bhajan that inspired the following poem, "Time to Listen".

"Prayer is when you talk to God, Meditation is when God talks to you." Yogi Bhajan

Time to Listen

I am holding in my hand

The flower you gave me

So many years ago.

You whisper and think I don't hear you.

I am that close.

I know what you have been saying

All these years.

You placed that flower at my feet.

Now that you realize

Your mind has been talking

Too much

It is time to listen.

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-08-29T05:48:00.001-07:00

This Gratitude Monday I am grateful for my beloved teacher Siri Singh Sahib ji, Yogi Bhajan. We celebrated his birthday last week on August 26th with 2.5 hours of Long Ekongkaars at the Omega Retreat Center and participated in a global meditation with the worldwide 3HO community by chanting the mantra Guru Guru Wahe Guru Guru Ram Das Guru for 11 minutes.

Lately I am trying to eat more vegetables for my physical health and well being. I was reminded last night as I served myself some zucchini from the Omega dining hall of a time when I was 5 or 6. It was Khalsa Youth Camp at Ram Das Puri. Yogi Bhajan was coming to see us. We prepared a basket from the garden piled high with these beautiful zucchinis. One of the children delivered the basket to him. He reached for one of the zucchinis and took a huge bite of it which totally shocked me because it was raw. But then he proceeded to eat the whole thing right there. He once said to me years later as I sat with him over a plate of baby artichokes, "life is eating you up, isn't I?". I nodded my head in frustration. He took a small artichoke in his hand and leaned forward and looked into my eyes and said, " then you eat up life!" In one bite much like he had eaten the zucchini he ate that artichoke, and smiled at me with a twinkle in his eyes.

This morning after my sadhana I listened to his words of affirmation called "Patience Pays." I felt deeply blessed and would like to share this vibration with you. I invite you to take a moment to read these words and let them sink into your consciousness.

"Patience pays. Wait. Let the hand of God work for you. One who has created you let Him create all the environments, circumstances, and facilities & faculties.
Tu kaahay dolay praaniaa tudh rakhaygaa sirjanhaar | jin paidayas tu kiyaa soee kardaa saar
Oh individual, why you are in a very doubtful state? One who has made you will take care of you. One who has created this universe, all the planets, planetary faculties and facilities on Earth, He is the One who has created you. Wait, have patience, lean on him, and all best things will come to you.
Dwell in God. Dwell in God. Dwell in God. Befriend your soul. Dwell in God and befriend your soul. Dwell in God and befriend your soul. All the faculties and facilities of the Creation, which are in your best interest, shall be at your feet. You need million things; million things will reach you, if you are stable, established, firm, patient. Remember, Creator watches over you and Creation is ready to serve you, if you just…be you.
So please take away the ghost of your life and stop chasing around. Consolidate. Concentrate. Be you. And may all the peace & peaceful environments, prosperity approach you forever. Sat Nam"

You can hear Yogi Bhajan's voice actually saying this affirmation from this You Tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjNBzaNxCwE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

You can download this affirmation for your meditation practice at www.spiritvoyage.com under the title Patience Pays by Yogi Bhajan

Blessings,

Snatam Kaur

2011-08-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

Life has such an ebb and flow. One minute you can be riding the wave, the next minute you are under the wave. One minute you can feel safe and secure in your life, and the next minute you can feel totally threatened by something.

I find that when I meditate it helps me to separate myself from the sting of something to realize that it is all coming from God's Divine Will. Usually the most emotionally charged things aren't really that big of a deal anyway. It is our own emotions, our own feelings that must pass through us one way or another. As the ups and downs of life happen to me I am learning to be alright with it and stay centered.

This past week I was given the gift of realizing that there is a great yoga posture that can really help me to stay centered. I'd like to share it with you.

It is Stretch Pose!!!

This is one of the most powerful postures in all of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Lie on your back. Raise your head up six inches, your feet up six inches, point your hands towards your feet and begin a powerful breath of fire. Breath of fire is a rapid breath through the nose. Do this Stretch Pose for as long as you can! I suggest going for one minute at least. When I do this posture in the morning as a part of my Kundalini Yoga set it completely anchors me into my navel center. From this place I feel less reactive, more positive, and stronger on every level. This posture harnesses and concentrates your "Chi", the energy that is naturally at your navel center. The more navel based exercises you do the more this Chi is available for you physically, and mentally. It will give you the key to staying centered and balanced in your life. There are many navel excersizes that help increase your Chi. Stretch pose is one of the quickest and most powerful ones that I have ever experienced.

It is better to take a break from Stretch Pose if you are pregnant or in your menstrual cycle.

I have practiced this posture my whole life, but last week I had a "ah ha" moment. I realized that this exercise can keep me centered, and that I am very grateful for it in my life. These kind of moments I find are precious, because someone can tell you how good something is for you, but it is not until you get it on a deep level inside that the "ah ha" moment happens.

Please see this link to the Ten Bodies Yoga Set that has Stretch Pose as the very first exercise. I love this yoga set too! It is a great morning tune up and the first set that I got hooked on as a teenager. http://www.mrsikhnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Kundalini-Yoga-Ten-Bodies.pdf

May this blog serve you in some way to help strengthen your navel and perhaps have your own "ah ha" moment.

Sat Nam,

Snatam Kaur

2011-08-15T06:46:00.001-07:00

Sat Nam everyone from Gilsum New Hampshire!

Jap Preet and I have been driving her Grandpa's truck to town and to the lake. We love listening to the radio. At times I can see Jap Preet dancing with her arms as she sits in the car seat. She doesn't really seem to like to be watched, so I have to kind of take sneak peaks. Grandpa has a bumper sticker that says, "I love my country, but not my leaders." He got a kick out of the fact that I would be driving his truck around. I am a passionate Democrat and have voted for every Democrat including Obama since I got the right to vote. He is a passionate Republican. We've had a few heated arguments about politics in the past that sent the dogs to hide under the table. (just kidding... kind of:) We don't really talk politics anymore. We connect in many ways. Especially with my mother in law ill, it has given us so much to share together.

The gift that stands out the most to me this past week is realizing the importance of breath. As my mother in law suffers from Parkinson's Disease I realize that there is not much that I can do. This is a strange feeling. Usually I'm ready to give some sort of advice about a diet one could do, a meditation one could practice, or a doctor one could see. This is beyond anything I have ever dealt with. At times as we sit at the dinner table there is just a silence as we have said all that we could say, and done all that we could do for the day. Small talk doesn't really work too well anymore! At first I kind of started freaking out when these moments of silence came. Then I remembered to breathe. To just be in my breath. I realized at that moment that this gift of being conscious while breathing is a gift to my whole being and existence. When I breath like that I can experience the full spectrum of a situation and see the blessings in it.

My teacher Yogi Bhajan taught that at the last moment of your life, you see your life pass before you in just a matter of seconds. In those few seconds you feel all of the sensations of your life, all of the emotions, all of the energy that you experienced and what you were left with after each experience. It is said that after having this experience your soul can either move on and merge into the Light of God, or it goes back to earth. I don't know about you, but I'm going for the merging into the Light thing! Each breath of awareness contributes to that very last moment.

So let us breathe! Let us enjoy all of the moments.... especially the silent ones!

Sat Nam,

Snatam Kaur

2011-08-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone!

We are in beautiful Gilsum New Hampshire. This is where my husband Sopurkh's parents have a very sweet little home. We've got our RV parked in their driveway. I love being here. There are trees everywhere, and this gentle breeze that just makes you feel blessed. Jap Preet and I love taking walks and looking for chipmunks. And there is a great lake that we have been going to every day where the fish swim right up to you.

My mother in law got the first symptoms of Parkinson's Disease a few years ago, and just about a month ago her condition took a big dip. Now she needs someone with her all of the time. That someone has been my father in law. He just got some much needed back surgery, so Sopurkh has stepped in and has been taking care of his mother and now his father too. He is doing such a beautiful job, as I knew he would. But, there is something really special about this opportunity because I know how much he loves his parents and this is really giving him a way to show and express that love.

I am personally grappling with the whole experience of this form of Parkinson's Disease. There are many different forms of this disease. What my mother in law has includes a lot of dementia and the loss of other basic cognitive and physical capabilities. It is intense to say the least. From the perspective of yoga and meditation, loosing one's memory and not being able to do much but sit and breathe is considered an incredible yogic opportunity. In fact it brings you closer to just pure awareness. But to get to that place takes a journey through so many emotions and so many identities that we give ourselves from the workings of our mind. Here are some identities on my list.... I am a mother, I am a wife, I am a daughter, I am a cook, I am a house cleaner, I am a singer, I am a touring artist, I am a teacher, I am a poet, I am this, I am that. If all of my identities were taken away because I no longer could do things to fulfill my roles could I get to that place of "I am, I am"? Could I be alright with just being?

Many of us pray to be on the spiritual path where we are letting go of our identities on a daily basis, by our own surrender. My mother in laws identities are being taken from her without her wishing, without her consciously choosing it, and without her wanting to let go.

Watching my mother in law go through it is painful. She is such a beautiful lady. Just a few years ago when she visited us I remember how when we had a party in honor of the fact that she was with us, I found her in the kitchen doing everyone's dishes. I remember how when my daughter was born she was filled with so much joy to be with us. I think her Parkinson's symptoms were just coming on at that point and so she couldn't do very much in terms of helping with the housework that comes with a new baby. She decided to just be with her grand daughter and she sat, for hours, watching her, smiling to her, and talking to her. I will never forget that. I am sure my daughter is blessed now for her whole life to have experienced such pure love and devotion.

And now with the symptoms much worse, she still is showing all of us so much pure love.

In the words of Sopurkh, "for me, this has been an experience of surrender, which I guess is love, but it's more about accepting life just as it is, as it is placed before me. Then acting responsibly. All the while, creating joy and happiness, and having faith and gratitude with what is placed on my path."

I pray to one day understand why all of this is happening and release some of the pain in my heart in watching such a beautiful lady struggle in this way. I pray for all families dealing with Parkinson's Disease. For all families dealing with any disease. May we find God's simple and beautiful presence within us, when all else is stripped away.

Sat Nam.

2011-07-24T09:44:00.001-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. This year I will be singing with my mother at Spirit Fest. I am so happy that she is coming. Joining her are Amar Singh (guitar, vocals, and flute) Sahib Amar Kaur (viola) who accompanied her on her album Season's of the Soul. And also my beloved husband Sopurkh Singh will be playing tabla. If you haven't heard her sing it is an unearthly experience. Growing up, there was always this window into heavenly realms right in our own home as she sang most every day. She still sings every day. You get transported with her too in a kind of spiraling way. Her voice and devotion spiral into the space around her and create this energy for the possibility of your heart opening. It is a quiet and subtle energy, but very powerful. As a teenager sometimes I resisted singing with her because I wanted my own independence and my own experience. God did give me that, as I have been blessed to play kirtan all over the place. Now as a weathered traveler and mother myself I humbly accept any opportunity to sing with her as a blessing from God. I thirst for it in fact. So, if you are anywhere near Spirit Fest this September, I invite you to come and experience her and this lovely energy

2010-07-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. Here is something really simple that you can do if you are concerned about the lack of substantive climate change legislation in our government.

In fact there is a bill going through the Senate right now that is addressing issues caused by oil drilling but far lacks in substantive changes to our environmental practices. Given all of the information that we have it is hard to believe that we have done so little as a country. Each of us is responsible for this big mess that we are in, and we can get ourselves out of it!

I invite you to call your Senator and voice your opinion. I just did it and it took all of 2 minutes, and it felt really good.

In fact you can call this number set up by an organization called Repower America. They will give you basic talking points, and connect you with your Senator based on your zip code.

The number is (877) 973-7693

If you do make the call, let us know how it went!

Sat Nam,
Snatam Kaur Khalsa

Here is the email from Repower America:

This could have been the week that the Senate stood up and did the right thing. Instead, a minority of Senators chose to block action on comprehensive climate legislation.

So today, we're telling them loud and clear: We're going to keep fighting until they take action to help solve the climate crisis and build a clean energy economy.

Thousands of you pledged to call. Now, let's hold our leaders accountable by calling today.

It's important to let our leaders know that we are disappointed. We needed the Senate to act for the benefit of all Americans -- not let Senators in the pockets of big oil and coal run the show.

Just call our easy-to-use, toll-free Repower America hotline at 1-877-9-REPOWER (1-877-973-7693). You'll be given simple talking points and be connected directly to one of your Senators after entering your zip code.

Call now: 1-877-973-7693

Report your call afterward.

Thanks,

Tracey Lewis
Field Director
The Climate Protection Action Fund's Repower America campaign

2010-07-26T07:56:00.001-07:00

We just got some information from an organization called Repower America about how we can all take part in making sure our voices are heard by our government. There is an important bill going through the Senate right now to address issues caused by the recent oil spill, and because of the powerful lobbying efforts of the oil industry it is sadly very weak in moving us forward with effective changes to our environmental practices as a nation. Repower America is inspiring people to pledge to contact their Senators on Tuesday, (tomorrow!), and my husband and I would like to invite you to join us if you are from the USA. Please see the email from Repower America below to see how you can get involved. If you are not from the USA and you care about the environment, I believe this is a global effort, and I send all if my love and prayers to the people of this beautiful planet that we may come together in strength, grace, wisdom, and leadership.

Sat Nam,
Snatam Kaur Khalsa

Email from Repower America:

We're in the middle of the one of the worst environmental crises in the history of our country. And a minority of Senators in the pocket of fossil fuel interests are blocking any action in the immediate future on a bill that limits carbon pollution and helps solve the climate crisis.

Instead, it looks likely that the Senate will vote on a narrow oil spill response bill that only includes minor energy provisions -- and completely fails to address the underlying causes of the climate crisis and fossil fuel catastrophes like the oil spill.

Make sure your Senators know that band-aid measures are unacceptable -- and that you're disappointed and not going away. Join Repower America and pledge to call your Senators this Tuesday when they're back in Washington. Tell them that you and millions of Repower America supporters won't give up until our country takes leadership on climate change and clean energy.

Click here to pledge that you'll call the Senate on Tuesday, July 27.

Once you sign up, we'll email you on Tuesday and give you everything you need to make the call.

This disappointing announcement from the Senate follows what could only be described as a shock and awe campaign by corporate polluters. The oil and gas industry spent $213 million lobbying in this Congress alone.*

Apparently, that's what it costs to block action on this crucial issue.

But stopping debate doesn't just benefit big oil and dirty coal. It also robs Americans of the opportunity to reap the benefits of clean energy, including:
• Creating millions of new American jobs
• Ending our addiction to oil and dirty fossil fuels
• Addressing the threat of climate change
• Strengthening our national security

We need to change this storyline.

This is not the future I want to leave my kids and future generations. Like every parent, I want to provide them a world with better opportunities -- and a healthy, prosperous planet is non-negotiable.

Remind our leaders of our priorities, our values and our resolve. Join me today in pledging to call your Senators.

Sign up and make the pledge here.

Then stay tuned for our Tuesday email with calling instructions.

Thanks,

Dave Boundy
Campaign Manager
The Climate Protection Action Fund's Repower America campaign

_______
* Center for Responsive Politics, "Oil & Gas Influence & Lobbying," last accessed July, 22 2010. http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=e01

2010-07-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone. I just taught about the Shabads (sacred songs) from our new album, Divine Birth, to The Conscious Pregnancy Course held in our home town of Espanola. You can find out more about our new album, Divine Birth, by visiting www.spiritvoyage.com.

Here is a picture of Jap Preet Kaur and I with the lovely ladies taking the course.

Congratulations to those ladies for dedicating themselves to learning such amazing and life changing technology as the Siri Singh Sahib's teachings on pregnancy. This is a wonderful course taught by Tarn Taran Kaur, and you can find out more about it or other courses related to women by visiting her website at www.kundaliniwomen.org. Also there is another wonderful teacher who facilitates a great pregnancy teacher training course, and who has put together great videos for pregnancy, along with an incredible book called "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful". Her name is Gurumukh Kaur, and you can find out more about her by visiting www.goldenbridgeyoga.com.

Recently I was interviewed about our new Divine Birth album and my experience with pregnancy. The interviewer, Laurence Turner, gave us permission to post it in this blog. I hope you enjoy it! To find out more about her, please visit www.pregnancy-yoga.net. Here is the interview:

---

Laurence: Snatam, it is a honor to be speaking with you. I am a Pregnancy Yoga teacher here in the UK near London and expecting my second child. I would like to also represent here my pregnancy Yoga Students. Please tell us about your personal experience in pregnancy and birth. What is the yogic practice that you found the most useful
- to help with pregnancy ailments
- for labour preparation

Snatam: I really enjoyed my pregnancy for the most part. It felt so amazing to have this being growing inside of me. It was something that my husband and I had been praying for. So with the grace of God and my Guru, we were able to really focus our intentions and prayer to create a Divine space for our baby to come into. We did this through Kundalini Yoga and the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, which really encompasses the practice of yoga, meditation and chanting. It was through chanting track two, Jamiaa Poot, that is on our Divine Birth album, that I was able to release many fears about the experience of pregnancy and the preparation for birth. You can take a look at the meaning of these sacred words composed by the fifth Sikh Guru and see that they are simply positive affirmations that the experience of pregnancy and birth is celebrated and held sacred in Divine energy. The power of a mother's mental projection can create or destroy a sacred space for the being growing inside of you. This sacred recitation not only helped me to create good energy every day inside me but to also maintain it and grow it for the coming days of birth and motherhood.

There are so many incredible Kundalini yoga sets for pregnant ladies. I will tell you about just a few to illustrate the grace and beauty that is available in this science. Ladies, you will know what I am talking about! When you are pregnant and constipated because all of your internal organs have moved with your growing womb, there is nothing more beautiful then doing a simple 45 minute kriya for a week and be totally healed. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga every day I also believe that my daughter was positioned in the womb correctly for the birth. Finally, my hips were saved by yogic walking, or Charn Jap. The list goes on, and I am sure there are other mothers out there with even more transformational experiences.

Laurence: I feel I know little about the Sikh tradition and the associated Mantras and Kirtans. Is it necessary to have some knowledge to gain full benefit from the practice?
- should the students listen or also recite the Mantra as a meditation?
- how does the sound vibration work on the mother/baby?

Snatam: Our spiritual teacher incorporated many sacred recitations from the Sikh way of life into the science of Kundalini yoga. Some of the most avid practitioners are not Sikhs. It's just that these sacred recitations work, and I believe that it was his spirit of service that opened things up for him to share in this way. I grew up as a Sikh and have some natural experience with these recitations. Because the effectiveness of the recitations is due to specific meridian stimulation as the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, it is important to have some training. We designed our cd, Divine Birth, as a kind of training tool. Each of the sacred recitations is recorded without music and slow enough so that the beginner can grasp on to the words. In fact this is what I did every day of my pregnancy. I recited the first track (Poota Maataa Kee Asees) eleven times a day to create the sacred energy of love and prayer between my daughter and I. Then I also recited the second track (Jammia Poot) eleven times per day, which according to the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, is to be recited before the 120th day of pregnancy to bring the soul of a saint. In Kundalini Yoga it is taught that a soul enters the body on the 120th day of pregnancy. I certainly felt a major shift on that day and opted to keep reciting Jammiaa Poot throughout my whole pregnancy because I was simply enjoying the energy of it so much.

It is hard to describe the feeling that is created between mother and baby after doing these recitations. In fact my husband also did these recitations so I will include him as well. There is this unspoken serenity and bliss in our family. Granted we have out hard days too. But there is a feeling of quiet peace that is just there that gives us a bit of flexibility to go with the ebb and flow, that gives us an internal sweetness and nectar when times are hard, and an internal compass to bring the sacred back into our lives. These sacred recitations come from the Divine light of the Sikh Gurus which lives in the sound current each time the words are recited. Whatever your faith may be this energy is available to you.

Laurence: Could you tell us more about the importance of sound currents ?

Snatam: The very first words of the Bible are... "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God." The first words of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scriptures of the Sikhs is... "The Creator of all is the One God and truth is God's Name."

In many traditions it is understood that the flow of creation comes from the sound current of the Divine which manifests itself through God's Name. When we chant God's Name we tap into our own purity that is naturally within each of us. The more you can tap into this space the more your thoughts,vibration, actions, and words will reflect this space. Chanting God's Name is simply a way to make the space of internal purity a reality on this earth plane. It brings the heavens to the earth. In the words of Yogi Bhajan, "We are not humans here to experience the spirit, we are spirit here to experience being human."

Sacred sound current creates a home and sanctuary for your spirit on this great journey of life. It makes life Divine, and brings great joy and spiritual pleasure in the face of anything... pain, emotion, turmoil, and life! But to really experience it you have got to immerse yourself into it in your daily life. I encourage you to start chanting with your family and friends on a regular basis. I encourage you to have a regular personal practice, and watch the miracles that will unfold.

Laurence: Could you tell us more about your personal experience of how the energy of these sacred words can have a very real, positive effect?

Snatam: While in labor I chanted with so much focus because of the pain, that I have never felt so close to God and Guru as that time. It was such a beautiful blessing. Throughout our days now, as our daughter is now 20 months old we start each day together by chanting. It doesn't matter what the day has to bring, I know that if we chant our Grace will be covered. May you have this blessed experience as well.

Sat Nam.

2010-07-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone.

We had an incredible time at Khalsa Youth Camp up at Ram Das Puri. The kids at the camp range from ages 4 to 12. The children were just so radiant and beautiful. For the second time in my life I served the camp as the Sikh Dharma teacher. The last time was when I was 16. My husband Sopurkh Singh taught some really great yoga classes to the children, and looked after Jap Preet. Jap Preet was running all throughout camp, and learned how to hold her own as all of the children poured over her with love and excitement. During the day, the children had a variety of activities such as rock climbing, martial arts, out door skills, Sikh Dharma and art. The Sikh Dharma class was inside the beautiful Gurdwara (Sikh place of sanctuary) up at the site. In the class I told many stories from Sikh history, and shared my own personal life stories of my experience with Sikhism. It was really cool to see how the children were so interested in really connecting with the Divine....some were Sikhs and others weren’t. It kind of didn’t make a difference in the end. The children really had a way of inspiring us to be real. And so we were able to really go beyond religious differences and just connect to the purity of our practice.

I told a little story to the children one day.... some of you may have heard me tell this story already. I originally heard it from Bibi ji, Siri Singh Sahib’s (aka Yogi Bhajan) beloved wife.

A yogi sat meditating by a river. People came to the river, waded in, and began washing themselves and saying with each splash of water, “please take them away!”

The yogi asked the people what they were doing. The people replied, “We are giving all of our mistakes and misdeeds to the river!”

The yogi in his meditation found the spirit of the river and asked the spirit, “What do you do with all of their mistakes and misdeeds?”

The river spirit replied, “I take them to the ocean!”

The yogi in his meditation found the spirit of the ocean and asked the spirit, “What do you do with all of their mistakes and misdeeds?”

The spirit of the ocean replied, “Oh that’s easy, I just let them evaporate up into the clouds!”

So the yogi in his meditation found the spirit of the clouds and asked” What do you do with all of their mistakes and misdeeds?”

The spirit of the clouds responded, “Oh great yogi, I find the houses where the mistakes and misdeeds originally came from and rain down on them!”

Moral of the story.... well just do good things, and build the grace and beauty of your life step by step, action by action, word by word and thought by thought.

I told that story this year to the 4-7 year old campers at Khalsa Youth Camp, and asked them... what are good things that you can do in your life?

I got a lot of really good answers..... “Share”, “Be Kind”, etc.

But.... this one from a little 4 year old boy named Ravi Das blew me away. He raised his hand up high, and I called on him after many of the children had already spoken. He said with a radiant look of angelic connection and knowledge....

“Be a servant of love.”

Hey now... isn’t that beautiful?!

Well.... God bless you... whoever is reading this. May your summer be filled with infinite blessings.

Oh and by the way if you want to send your kids to Khalsa Youth Camp next year check out, www.3HO.org. I highly recommend it. And a bonus for the parents is that there are courses offered by 3HO in the same general area for you while your children are at camp. So, the whole family gets a big uplift.

Please enjoy some of my pictures from the camp.

--
Humbly Yours,

Snatam Kaur Khalsa

2010-06-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

Group Consciousness

We are doing a blog revival!!

Well today's blog is on the gift of Group Consciousness. As you may have noticed I've capitalized Group Consciousness. I do that with anything that is important to me. It all started way back at Summer Solstice (www.3HO.org) in the late 90's. I can't exactly remember when... just that I was a teenager, and Yogi Bhajan was on the stage teaching a packed class underneath a huge outdoor shelter in the New Mexican Jemez mountains. The sky was a crisp blue. Everyone was dressed in white. We were holding some sort of posture, and we were chanting. There must have been about a thousand yogis. At one point the back of the class started to sing a little bit slower then the front of the class. At first it just kind of came in like a gentle wave of sound differential. But soon it became a kind of sound frenzy. Yogi Bhajan suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs, " Have Group Consciousness! Come together! You are One!!!" He didn't try to correct us by using the microphone to get us all chanting together. He put the responsibility squarely on our shoulders. I was listening quite intently to the whole process because even back then I was really into hearing people sing together. Imagine, one thousand yogis, powerfully chanting but totally discombobulated. For a moment I thought that perhaps we couldn't really come together. But the Master kept yelling "Group Consciousness, You are One!" And sure enough, like a child gathering a bouquet of flowers, we were each plucked up into this thing called Group Consciousness, and it happened! Our hearts, minds, and souls had completely merged, and we were singing together, not because we could hear necessarily everyone's voices, but because we could feel each other!

It was the most beautiful experience that I've had in Group Consciousness, and it inspired a beautiful moment in our concert in Montreal Canada last night. Let me tell you about that. So, we had just finished chanting a beautiful and ecstatic chant, and it felt like a good time to sing "People of Love." (www.spiritvoyage.com/Snatam), we started singing it in English, and as you may know the main spoken language in Quebec is French. As we were singing in English I thought to myself, wow wouldn't it be nice to hear this song in French? But, my skills in French are about as good as a fish trying to walk on land. But then I remembered that day up at the Solstice Site with Yogi Bhajan, and the words Group Consciousness came back. And so I said to the people, right then and there, with the music going, "Yogi Bhajan would probably have done this... he would say, sing this song in French, and find your Group Consciousness to come together." So, we kept playing the music, and one by one people began singing... some people using different words then others, some people using a slightly different tune then others. But I kept thinking listening, and it took maybe a matter of 30 seconds, and the whole place was singing completely together "We are the people the people of Love, let us people Love today" in French!! Oh my God, it was soooo beautiful!!! Soooooo beautiful. I can hear it even now. They were in unison, heart, body, mind and soul. I was completely transformed in that moment by the Grace of it. Thank you to the beautiful audience in Montreal. Thank you to Equilibrium Yoga (www.equilibriumyoga.ca) for hosting us so beautifully.

I believe that it is these moments of Group Consciousness that bring about great transformation on this planet. I actually don't think we can do anything really significant anymore without having Group Consciousness. So, let us find ways to empower the Group Consciousness of this great phenomena that we call humanity... that we may come to the aid of Mother Earth, all plants, all animals, and all beings.

Blessings to everyone. May you have many experiences of Group Consciousness. Sat Nam.

PS. Come to Summer Solstice too! Its fun. We'll be up there with the whole family! And then stay for Khalsa Youth Camp and International Women's Camp. Check out www.3HO.org for more information.

2008-10-07T15:12:00.001-07:00

Feeling Good Today Pizza Party!!!

Recently we went to LA to record for our new (as of yet to be named) album which is planned for release in May. This gave us the opportunity to meet the very talented and beautiful children who sang on our new CD for children called "Feeling Good Today"... to be released in just a few weeks!!! Krishan, our producer, recorded all of the children out of his studio while we were on tour. I actually didn't know most of the kids before the recording. We reached out to the Kundalini Yoga and Sikh community in LA, and were blessed to find these kids! When Krishan sent us the first mixes and I got to hear the children sing, I was really struck by the joy and purity in their voices which gives the album so much life and love!! So the pizza party was an opportunity to meet them in person, and in some small way say thank you to the kids and their parents. Not all of the kids could make it however. So, here are some of our stars.

From left to right, bottom row of kids: Siri Guru Dev, Antonia, Cynthia
From left to right, top row of adults: Simran and Guru Prem (Siri Guru Dev's parents), Anabela (Antonia's mom), Sarah (Cynthia's mom), yours truly, Krishan (our producer)

Our goofy shot... you gotta have at least one of those, right?

From left to right: Angelo, Leo, yours truly, and Antonia

Here are some more pictures of our time in LA.

While in LA, we got to stay a few doors down from Guru Ram Das Ashram, where I have for many years received musical and spiritual inspiration. This year was very beautiful. Not only did I feel the presence of God in this sacred place, but felt like I was bringing our baby in womb to be blessed. Here's a picture of Guru Ram Das ashram, one of my favorite views, that often comes to me in meditations. If you ever want to visit the address is 1644 Preuss Rd in West Los Angeles, and the phone is 310-858-7691... someone always answers.

Here's a picture of GuruGanesha recording his beautiful guitar. Yes, for all of those GuruGanesha fans out there... we are blessed to have the warmth and joy of his guitar and voice on the yet to be named album. We could call it "To be Named". How about that? And by the way, if you live on the East Coast of the US and Canada, he'll be on tour with an incredible band in just a few weeks. Check out www.spiritvoyage.com for more details!

Thomas, who is producing "To be Named", is seen here talking to GuruGanesha, as GuruGanesha is recording in the sound booth the next room over.

Here I am singing, with the soul of my baby in womb very present. Sometimes there would be little kicks and movements, and other times just a pure feeling of presence, confidence, purity and love. I am grateful to this beautiful soul who chose us at this time.

2008-09-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone!

Since my last post on the election I received a comment that I wanted to respond to, posted by a good friend who stated that there is not much difference between McCain and Obama and therefore he is planning to vote for Nader. I strongly disagree, and urge this friend to vote for Obama. I believe that in this election every single vote counts and is crucial to changing very basic policies of our current administration which have been very damaging to our country. Especially in my state of New Mexico, where Bush won by only 5,000 votes in 2004, this conversation couldn't be more crucial.

McCain's position on the economay is to essentially continue the policies of the Bush administration. As we have seen recently with major financial institutions collapsing these policies have reeked havoc on our country. In addition the basic Republican trickle down affect just isn't working, where taxes for the wealthy are cut, and everyone else pays more. Obama is talking about raising taxes for the wealthy, which includes 5% of the population. This is a huge difference in policy. Obama sees that by empowring the middle class and supporting them, that our economy will get better. I agree with him. This is what Clinton did, and we had a balanced budget during his administration.

For health insurance, Obama plans to implement universal health care. I have travelled to other countries that have this system in place, and it is vastly more humane then our current health insurance programs. McCain has no plan to improve the health care system, and there are many people who are not covered either because they have gotten sick and no insurance company will cover them, or they simply can't afford it. In our day and age, this is unacceptable to me.

On the environment, McCain talks about off shore oil drilling, and drilling in the wilderness of Alaska as solutions. With increased hurricanes due to global warming, offshore oil drilling is a terrible idea. We have already caused enough damage to our oceans, and to set up offshore oil rigs in areas where hurricanes are known to come is unthinkable to me. Obama is instead talking about creating industry around solar and wind that will create more jobs for Americans, and create energy independence. Certainly with a growing industry, we will also experience more awareness about our energy use habits, which will change how people think and act. With the continuation of the Bush policies, we will be much more challenged to change the public thinking, as there is little or no openess to support education, or insentivise change. For example, there is a Federal program to give people who set up solar systems $2,000 back in their taxes that is expiring this year due to the Bush adminstration policies, which McCain fully supports.

In terms of our international relations and war, McCain supports the Bush doctrine, justifying pre-emptive strikes. We have damaged our relations with countries all over the world with this. Obama on the other hand is much more aggressive in holding diplomatic talks before we strike a particular country. He also sees the value of peace and will work to bring stabilization to our world.

In addition, I have personally seen over the past eight years, huge cuts in education. The first things to go are always the arts and music programs in schools. This is happening all over the country. Arts and music are essential for child development, and in my opinion for creating an open heart and connection to Spirit. I'd like to see not only these crucial music and arts programs re-instated, but also education in schools about how we as humans can become stewards of the planet. I see this possible with Obama, with McCain it will be much more challenging with little or no federal support.

Back in 2000 when Gore ran for president, I believe that Ralph Nader took away crucial votes from Gore. I believe that if Gore had been elected president, our financial system would be much stronger then it is today, our health care system would be much better, and the policies in regards to our environment would be much more progressive. In this election we face the same challenge. By voting for Ralph Nader, you are essentially voting for McCain. And although I support the formation of other parties, too much is at stake here to not vote for Obama if you wish to live in a country that looks to the future rather then the past.

2008-09-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

The other day I vowed to spend ten minutes a day doing something for the election to support Obama. So, I called my grandfather, because eight months ago he said he was going to vote for McCain. I wanted to have a conversation with him about it, and just hear him, and let him know how I felt.

I was really surprised, because one of the first things he said to me was; “You, your husband, and your new baby are going to have a good life, because change is coming.” I asked him what he meant, and he said, “Obama is going to win by a landslide, people want change. The economy is bad, housing is bad, and retired people are worried about Medicare. That’s why I am going to vote for Obama.”

I feel blessed to be an American, and blessed to know that we have a candidate like Barack Obama to support. I’m not a political analyst, or specialist in any way. I can say that I’m a peace activist in my own way, an environmentalist to the best of my abilities, and someone who strongly believes in the power of a single vote. Back in college, one of my best professors was a lady who taught a social science class. Although I can’t remember her name, she said two things that were probably more impactful then the sum of everything else all of my other college professors said. No offense if you happen to be one of my professors. But I hope you’ll understand when you hear what she had to say. First, the most important thing you can do is make peace with your parents… then your life can begin. The second was that the greatest and most important right that we have as Americans is to vote.

These days with all of the commercials that candidates broadcast, all of the mud slinging usually started by the media, and the nonsense talk about candidate’s personal lives, it is no wonder that many of us have turned off and tuned out.

But let me tell you something. The other night I got to hear Barack Obama speak at the Democratic National Convention. We switched the channel to PBS, where there were no interruptions or political analysts to skew things, and I just watched him speak and saw the convention. Honestly, it was the first time I had really seen him. I’d heard and seen clips… but never a full speech. It was a beautiful and moving speech. He also really addressed issues that McCain and others have been attacking him on. After hearing him, I felt not only a sense of hope and inspiration, but also a sense that he is ready for the coming months of debate.

I know that the road ahead for him will be challenging. However, that road is for all of us. We determine who our leaders are. For those that choose to tune out and not vote, they are in fact determining in a passive way who our leaders are. But, I feel that it is time as Americans to stand up, and vote. If you are not American, then please stand up and encourage any American friends that you have to vote in this election!

In my opinion, never before has an election in our country been so vital to the health of our environment in this country and the entire planet. We can already see the affects of global warming, and you don’t need to be a scientist to see that. Melting ice caps, increased hurricanes, and increased temperatures all across the planet, are just some of the indicators. We have just a few years left to be aggressive and make some key changes in how we live our lives, and what we do as a country depends on you and I and who we choose to be president. McCain is in full support of the Bush administration’s environmental policies. The Bush administration failed in the Kyoto convention with the excuse that other countries were not going to follow through with environmental actions, so there was no reason that we should either. I believe that the core values of the United States of America rest on the fact that we will act in consciousness and righteousness even when others are not.

In addition, McCain’s big stance right now is that we will do offshore oil drilling to curb rising gas prices. To me, this is absolutely ridiculous, especially, when we have solar and wind power technologies to be invested in that will bring us an amazing amount of energy without impacting the environment. Wind and solar power solutions will last for many generations to come and give us plenty of energy. Offshore oil drilling will last only another 30 years! In addition McCain chose a running mate, Palin, the governor of Alaska who has been in full support of oil drilling in one of the most vibrant and beautiful national treasures, the wilderness of Alaska.

Let me just say, that I met a Republican at our concert one evening, who really enjoyed the music. I enjoyed meeting him. There may be Republicans out there who have our music at home and who are listening to it right now. I believe that it doesn’t matter which party you are from, it is important to look at the issues and make a decision based on your core belief and experience.

I know that we all have busy lives, but think about the lives of the future generations. Think about the impact of global warming. Did you see the Beijing Olympic Games and see all of the pollution there? Anyone who has spent time in major cities in India lately will tell you that when you blow your nose after a day out you will see black grime on your Kleenex. To me, this is unacceptable! As people of spirituality, awareness, and peace, it is time to stand up. It is time to support Barack Obama.

I invite you to join me and take at least ten minutes out of your day in the coming months to support Obama.

Yes we Can!

2008-08-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here’s a good combination. Pregnant, and making a children’s yoga DVD. And yes, that was me a few weeks ago. Every time I wanted to complain I just had to look at the Director of the film, Alessandra, who is about two days more pregnant then I! We weren’t quite at the waddling stage… but close enough. I still can’t believe there is a point when you can’t see your feet when you are walking. Anyway… back to the DVD….

To give you a little background, this DVD is a combination of a yoga class, a story, and songs set to celestial communication. For those of you who haven’t heard of celestial communication, this is a kind of dance to bring emphasis to the words of a song, and incorporate the energy into the body, and in this way “communicate” with God, the angels, and divine energy. In a way, this combination of story, yoga, and movement is how I grew up doing yoga. My spiritual teacher once said that children’s yoga should be first and foremost fun. As you’ll see in the DVD we have some pretty ridiculous moments.

As we toured around the country these past seven years, children kept coming to our concerts. We would invite them up on stage to sing with us at times, because they just were so cute and beautiful. I admit it, I couldn’t resist. Pretty soon, I began to realize how much the kids were connecting with the spirit in the music, so we developed a whole children’s yoga program to give them a more direct experience of that spirit. We delivered this program all over the world, and so we decided to make a DVD out of it for kids that couldn’t make it to our programs.

We looked around our home town of Espanola and neighboring Santa Fe to find children to be in our DVD. Fortunately, the kids who came to do the video were in top form on the day of filming. A few days before the filming, we had a set of rehearsals with the kids. Mind you, I believe (in my haven’t really experienced being a mom sort of way) that we had very good children. But, it was the combination of probably our adult nerves, and the sheer fun of being kids, that created a slightly unruly rehearsal situation. We quickly realized that the sheepskins for the yoga class would become airborne on the day of the filming if we didn’t tape them down. Already, one boy had a dirt mark on his nice white yoga pants after only wearing them for 5 minutes for our fitting. My niece Siri Atma was doing the Def Leppard hand symbol (we think it came from her father) during the celestial communication for the song “I am Happy, I am Good”. At one point I told myself “At least the kids were bonding and having a good time”… as all of the children were on the floor in a massive wrestling pile completely ignoring my adult implorations to have them come sitting up to do more yoga.

The night before the filming, I earnestly looked at my husband over dinner and said, “We should probably reschedule everything, give a few more weeks to practice with the children.” I know, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this… you probably would just like to see the finished DVD and just see it as a yoga class. But, hey, I thought I’d take you behind the scenes… get a little personal with it.

Anyway, my husband looked at me with his big blue eyes, and said with all of the confidence that I wish I had, “the kids will be fine, you’ll see.”

On the day of the filming, the crew showed up, and set up the lights and cameras. The kids arrived at 8:30 in the morning, and let me just say it was a new day. They walked in with all of the confidence and calm that I had imagined that they would have all of these months in preparation, and we began filming. We went through each posture, and celestial communication movement, sometimes more then once, and the children were beautiful. I couldn’t believe it… that’s why in the video I’m smiling so much… it really was because of the children… and maybe because I’m pregnant. Alessandra, in her very cheerful yet authoritative voice led us through the whole day. We finally let the children go that evening, after awarding them with special crystals.

Currently, our music producer, Krishan, is working in LA to create the final music mixes. We have some very talented children singers that came into his studio to sing. We also have an illustrator working on some amazing illustrations for the story. I can’t really tell you any more then this… top secret stuff. No just kidding. But, look out for our new DVD which plan to release this October.

Sat Nam!

2008-08-04T13:49:00.001-07:00

Sat Nam chanters of the world!

This blog entry is dedicated to the sevadars (those who serve selflessly) who make our tours possible. These gems of humanity see God in the hearts of others, and have no duality about giving themselves fully. I am more than just grateful to them for helping make the kirtan happen each night, which is the obvious result, I am inspired by their consciousness in action, and this helps create the humble, devotional space for the kirtan to flow.

At each stop along our tour, there will be one, maybe two or three, sometimes too many to count, sevadars who show up and make us all smile. They come with purity of heart, and I remember God in that moment, when I see someone present with us, just there to lend a hand. There were so many during our two tours in 2008, I'd like to talk about a few of them with you.

Jaspreet Singh and Robin are pictured here.
We spent nearly a week in the San Francisco bay area, and Jaspreet Singh was there at 4AM sadhana playing his sitar, and he was with us at 1AM arriving back home each night after our 4 kirtans and 1 childrens program. He rode with us in the van, made jokes with us, and then simply said "Sat Nam" after one week of serving us. We felt his presence with us for the rest of the tour. Another all-star sevadar, Robin, showed up for the two concerts that her husband Ramesh joined us on percussion. God sent her with a big smile on her face and asked us if we needed anything. We quickly sent her here and there, Radioshack and the chai-shack. She helped set-up and break down without us even asking her.

Beyond the actual lifting of things, long hours, and so forth – is the heart of this experience - the smile and subtle energy of these sevadars - that makes the impression, and makes all the difference, between simply lifting things from here to there, to having a joyous experience. I have learned the incredible, transformative power of a smile! I put one on, and the world smiles with me.

2008-04-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Satnaam! I am driving in the wide open space of New Mexico, entering into Arizona. I'm with Adi Shakti Singh, our sound guy, and we're meeting Snatam, GuruGanesha and Girish in Encinitas.

And I'm touched, listening to Miten sing "This our aloneness, this is our time, this is the mountain we all have to climb, this is our destiny, wild and free, we're all holding a master key, to the empty sky".

In my 10 or so years of practicing meditation, I found the Beloved in my life. Wahe Guru! Which means the ecstasy of God, is here and now. Wahe guru! When I hear lyrics and music, that is in praise of this same experience, I feel my heart, and I feel home. Miten sings, "You gave me the greatest gift, you made my heart my home". The love inside me, is greater than any love that I can find outside me. This I found through meditation. Then Miten sings "I was never loved so deeply, never so true, so completely, until I was loved by You".

Thank you to all the spiritual teachers who served this mission before us, and to those that are serving today, and to those that will serve in the future.

The album I am referring to is called "Songs for the Inner Lover" by Miten with Deva Premal. you can read more about Miten and Deva Premal at www.devapremalmiten.com. You can purchase their albums through Snatam Kaur's record label at www.SpiritVoyage.com

We'll be starting our West Coast Celebrate Peace Tour in Encinitas 6 days from now. Peace come join us.

Peace on earth,
Sopurkh Singh

2008-04-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Satnam, the Grace within you, shines through you, forever more, that you may manifest the perfect Name! La, La, La, La!

This is Snatam Kaur's husband, Sopurkh Singh, taking over the mantle of the "Notes from the Road" blog. Snatam Kaur will be jumping in from time to time, to share her experiences, however, I am gladly stepping in to help share the "notes".

The Feb/March 2008 tour was my first full tour with the Celebrate Peace Band. We were a band of six for half of the tour (Snatam Kaur, GuruGanesha Singh, myself, Karta Purkh Singh on percussion, mandolin and vocals, Sat Jot Singh on piano, bass and vocals, and Adi Shakti Singh on sound), and then we were also joined by two video journalists (James Connolly and Rachelle Escaravage) who were brought to document the experience by Steve Robertson's Peace Has Begun campaign. Part of my job is Road Manager, and I was anxious about traveling with eight people for three weeks of the tour. Where would we all stay? Would we go over budget? Everyday I prayed in the morning, and I heard the answer: God will provide, there's no need to be anxious, everything is God's will, this is part of the plan.

Sure enough, we had wonderful accommodations all along the way, with many home cooked meals to boot! I'm going to attempt to thank them all here, the Sivanada Ashram, Deva Singh and Kaur, Mahan Kalpa Singh and Ram Rang Kaur, Guru Sahai Singh and Mukta Kaur, Harbhajan Singh and Hardarshan Kaur, Arci and Dulal, Yogaville Ashram, Tracy, Sat Want and Gurujot Kaur (and the Herndon community), Mahan Rishi Singh and Nirbhe Kaur, Benita, Joan and Per, Harimandir Singh and Siri Bandhu Kaur, Navrattan Singh and Gurpreet Kaur, Ray and Sarah, Saribjit Singh and Jaspal Kaur, Surjit Singh and Mary, Vedic City with Guy Harvey and Michael and Shelley, Guru Dev Singh and Sat Kaur, and the Kripalu Yoga Center - to you all - one big thank you!

Here is a picture us Snatam, myself, and GuruGanesha with Shelley and Michael from Iowa:

And thank you God, you were right, you would provide, not only were our basic needs covered, you covered our spiritual needs, and we all grew from the experience. I saw the plan fully unfolding in ways I could have never "managed" as road manager. You covered us when our van caught fire, you covered us when Snatam couldn't sing, you covered us when we needed faith. You taught me how to manage by bowing my head to you.

Thanks to all the peace makers in the world, including Yogi Bhajan, who inspired us to create peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in our world. Yogi Bhajan taught us to dial-up You directly. He taught us to repeat Your Name, and that we would be radiant from the inside, and it would be beautiful. He taught that by chanting Your Name, we would have compassion for ourselves, and others, and we would be bountiful. He taught us that if we chanted again and again, we would see the true essence of this beauty and bounty: You, and we would be blissful (from Gurmukh's book: Beautiful, Bountiful, Blissful - thank you Gurmukh).

Satnam.

2008-01-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam everyone!!!

Well, I know its been a long time since my last entry. Please forgive me. Listen, I have some major news. Word has it that we will be driving around a double decker bus. I kid you not. A great friend and sponsor, Dan from Cellnique, is donating the bus to us for our use. It will have a beautiful design with the words "Peace Has Begun" in alignment with our new partner organization, Project Peace on Earth. It is going to be really exciting. Granted, I have never traveled around in such a large vehicle, but I promise to have pictures and share my experiences with you.

I am working on a new children's album with Krishan. For those of you who have seen us on the raod you will know that Krishan played tabla for us for two years, and then moved to being our sound engineer. Sadly he will not be travelling with us this year, because he is working on our new children's album and other albums. Certainly he is a very talented producer with a bright future. We are having fun here in the studio.

For those of you who love Manish, and were looking forward to meeting Tanmayo, we were unfortunately unable to get their visas in time for the spring tours. He and Tanmayo live in a beautiful ashram in India with their guru, Guru Dev from the Osho tradition. As you know if you ever heard him play tabla, it was like playing over a river. His rhythms are so beautiful, simple, and yet soul stirring. And Tanmayo with her beautiful voice and violin would have been magical. We are still hoping that a tour works out for them in the future, and if something comes through we'll let everyone know about it.

To finish this long over due entry... let me tell you my inspiration for today. This morning I went to Guru Ram Das Ashram in Los Angeles to hear the Hukham, or guidance for the day from our Siri Guru Granth Sahib. These are the words that stayed with me...

"There are two paths to choose from, but always One God." In life there are always choices to make.... just remember whatever choice "you" make.... God is there with you, and has made that choice through you. Live, enjoy, and remember God's Name!

Sat Nam.

2007-10-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam.

Sometimes people ask me why I live in New Mexico. Well, check out this picture and you'll see why. This is the sun setting just behind the Black Mesa which is sacred Indian ground. We can see it from our kitchen window. The public is not allowed to climb it... but it radiates a peaceful energy out and blesses the land and the homes around it.

I'll be on the road tomorrow again, driving up to Colorado for our first series of concerts and a Gurdwara. It has been a few weeks since the last tour... so I've had enough time to relax and rejuvenate. The tour van is in the shop today getting a check up. Hopefully she'll be ready to ride tomorrow. After Colorado the whole gang comes back to New Mexico for our big cd release celebration/concert in Santa Fe and then we'll head on out to Arizona and then California. see http://www.snatamkaur.com/ for our full schedule.

My prayers go out to everyone in Southern California affected by the fires. We will be dedicating prayers to you throughout this whole tour.

After seeing the movie by Al Gore, an Inconvenient Truth, I have been very inspired to try to lead a zero carbon lifestyle. One of the things that I was always frustrated with was going shopping for food and using so many bags! It is true that you can recyle the paper bags, but each time a paper bag has to get created it takes a large amount of energy. So, my husband and I bought canvas bags that we use every week. My husband was the real champion about remembering to bring the bags shopping.... it took me awhile to get into it. But I am now. I also recently discovered that at the health food store where I go, they allow you to bring containers to buy things in bulk like rice, granola, nuts, and all sorts of things. So, now I bring containers when I want to buy these types of things, and just get the tare weight ahead of time before filling them up. I've saved something like 20 plastic bags in the past couple of weeks! Pretty cool. Also, when I buy produce I don't put the produce in bags. I admit sometimes the potatoes roll around in my basket a bit, but it works out fine. For me, it brings me alot more awareness about what I'm buying, and I tend to buy just what I really want. So... if you are like me and trying to find more ways to incorporate environmental awarness into your daily life, you may be as delighted as I was at discovering some of these little things to do.

The biggest thing we can all do for the environment is vote for candidates who support the environment !!!!!! So, please vote and inspire every one of your friends to vote too.

See you on the tour.

Sat Nam.

2007-07-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Rishi Parbhaat Singh on your graduation from Miri Piri Academy!!!!!

My brother is graduating from Miri Piri Academy, a boarding school in India. It is located in the outskirts of Amritsar Punjab, which is in the north of India. The school has children from eight years old all the way up to high school. The children not only receive an academic education, every graduate is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, they have the opportunity to study Gurbani Kirtan (spiritual music of the Sikhs), Indian classical music, Gatka (Sikh martial art), they learn to meditate (good thing to know how to do these days!), they have the opportunity to do seva (sacred service) at the Golden Temple which is one of the most sacred places on the planet, and among many other things they establish lifelong friendships. To find out more about this great school and to see pictures of the other children check out: http://www.miripiriacademy.org/.

My brother started off at the school when he was eight, and has now graduated. Here he is at the Taj Mahal in the early morning hours. Rishi Parbhaat Singh means Sage of the early morning hours of the mountains. He is one of the most kind people I know, and with a great sense of humor that he has just begun to reveal to me. I'm so thrilled to know him, to be related to him, and to watch him go into this next phase of life... into college and beyond.

I know its been a long time since my last blog entry... my apologies. I'll get back on schedule. However, today's blog is dedicated to Rishi Parbhaat Singh, to the graduating class of 2007 from Miri Piri Academy, and to all graduating classes everywhere.

May you walk into each new day with the courage and strength of your heart.

May you know your worth and never sell yourself short.

May you have the intelligence, humility, and opportunity to serve humanity.

May you learn to talk to God.

May you breathe through each day, blessing your life with awareness.

May you understand gratitude.

May you see the beauty in you, the God in you.

May you know that all is as it is, and it is perfect.

With all love to you, blessings to you.

Sat Nam.

2007-04-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam!

Today's blog will feature the "before" and the "after" of each concert. It is actually alot of work. For every concert we arrive 3-5 hours before hand. After a concert it is about a two hour process. We have a wonderful team. Here are some fun photos....

Here is Ram Dass setting up the keyboard before the concert. He does such a nice job playing the keyboard... but his real passion and gift is the clarinet. In last night's concert the keyboard had a blip of some sort (that is one of my more technical terms) and it just blopped out (another technical term). Each time he would strike a note on the keyboard it played out into the speakers with about a half second delay. He managed to play a few pieces with this delay going... now that is talent. But after awhile it was clear that it wasn't worth it... so we played the rest of the concert without the keyboard. The good news is that we heard some more clarinet and he did a beautiful job.

Here is Manish tuning his tabla before the concert. Manish really makes sure that his tabla is always in tune. I am really beginning to appreciate it. When the tabla is in tune it sings with you... it is so beautiful. I hadn't really payed that much attention to tuning before... I admit it. But Manish told us a fun story. The first time that Ravi Shankar came to the west and did a concert he started off the concert with tuning his sitar. As is quite normal in an Indian classical music concert Ravi Shankar came out on stage and sat down to tune his sitar. It took him 45 minutes. When he finished the audience gave him a standing ovation! He said very humbly to the audience, "If you like my tuning, you will probably like the actual music that I will be playing tonight."

Here is GuruGanesha with his guitar tuner before the concert. He really loves to tune his guitar, and so he is very happy that Manish has helped me to see how important tuning is. I have to admit since all of this tuning fun has come upon the tour I actually really enjoy it and have become more sensitive when something is out of tune.

Here is after our very beautiful concert last night. GuruGanesha and Mahan Rishi team up to move the piano back on stage.

Here is GuruGanesha and a young man named Ravinder taking the poles out of our banner which sits behind us on stage.

Here is Ram Dass and Manish taking a moment for a samurai fight with the poles.

Ok... here is where you can insert your own imaginary samurai sound affects. Having fun.

Here is Krishan wrapping the cables. He has a special technique for wrapping the cables that actually preserves their life for alot longer then if you were to use say "my technique". He tried to show me once... but I haven't been able to retain that particular technique. Krishan is seen here wrapping cables... but he is actually in charge of both set up and break down. I wish that I had one hundred photos to show you how hard he works. I feel very blessed to have him on tour, along with the the whole crew. They work hard, but they are incredibly positive.

Here is GuruGanesha, Manish, Ravinder and Ram Dass folding the banner. There is also a special technique here as well. You have to fold it just right so that it can continue to look good concert after concert. We are actually due for a new one soon. I noticed a little tear the other night.

Here is Nirbhe Kaur and Sanela who cooked us a great meal for after the concert, and were there helping to clean up and haul things out to the van.

Here I am after the concert in Philadalphia the other day. This is my harmonium case. Fortunately it has wheels.

Here is Manish carrying microphone stands.

Finally this is the real bliss. This morning GuruGanesha and Ravinder recited banis together in the living room of the blissful ashram that Mahan Rishi Singh and Nirbhe Kaur have. Ravinder lives in New York but because of the huge rainstorm last night we encouraged Ravinder to stay the night at the ashram.

Today is our day off. It has been raining for the past two days here in New Jersey. The rain has just stopped. There has been alot of flooding and many roads have been closed. But now that the rain has stopped things are looking up for our journey to Ithaca New York where we are going to play at Cornell University.

May we remember God's Name.

May we feel God's hand in everything.

May we take plenty of deep breaths.

May we live in the bliss of Guru's Bani.

Sat Nam.

Sat Nam!

2007-04-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam everyone!

Greetings from New York!

Here I am with Sat Kirn Kaur. She lives here in Brooklyn New York with her husband Siri Vishnu Singh. She has made a beautiful cd that I listen to every morning. It is called Mangala Charan. It is the introduction to one of the most beautiful and epic poems called Jaap Sahib by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs... Guru Gobind Singh. Within the up tempo and fun music of Sat Kirn's cd (produced by Thomas Barquee) Yogi Bhajan's voice is interwoven masterfully... as he talks about the Mangala Charan and what it can do for you. When I'm on the road I do a yoga set for the immune system which is very difficult to motivate myself to do... but this cd that she made just does it for me. If you would like to find out more about Sat Kirn see: www.satkirn.com, or check out www.spiritvoyage.com.

I wish that I had some pictures from this morning. We had a beautiful morning sadhana at the Guru Ram Das Ashram in Brooklyn New York. As the sun rose in the living room packed with people we sang to Guru Ram Das. Nothing gets better then this for me.

This past weekend we had a children's singing hour and two concerts at Golden Bridge New York. That was fun... its amazing.... but this new center which is related to the Golden Bridge in Los Angeles has very similar energy to its sister center. I really enjoyed being there. We also went to two Gurdwaras in Richmond Hill this Sunday. That was a fun kind of situation.... lots of people and lots of Raagi Jathas waiting to play. Manish has only been to one other Gurdwara with us... in Sweden. It is really interesting bringing someone into a Gurdwara who has never been before.... because they see it from a very innocent place. I have really enjoyed having Manish with us because when I speak to people about the Sikh faith and way of life I am aware of Manish sitting next to me on the stage. This has helped me to be very aware of what I am saying, and really say it in the spirit of Guru Nanak, with universal acceptance and truth. Some of you may want to know the story with Manish and how we started playing with him....

Well here it is....

Last year just before we went to Europe, Krishan Prakash informed us that he couldn't come to play tabla with us because his mother's health wasn't so good. We really had alot of compassion for him.... since that time his mother has actually left her body... so I'm glad that he got that time with her. Needless to say we had to find a tabla player for that tour... and so we contacted our friends Deva Premal and Miten who play very beautiful devotional music for audiences around the world. They told us about Manish and he happened to be available for our concert in Sweden. Manish literally walked in just in time for a small sound check before the concert and then we played together. GuruGanesha and I were amazed. Playing with him felt like being on a river... the music just flowed, and the rhythm ebbed and curved with our music very gently and beautifully. We enjoyed it so much that we asked him if he could stay with us for the rest of our European tour. He was able to come to Spain where we had 900 people waiting to hear us. I am so grateful to Manish that he was there with us because his playing and presence really helped us to deliver a beautiful energy that night that was in complete honor to the mission of Guru Nanak. We received a ten minute standing ovation.

After that we returned home to our regular touring team. We really love Krishan Prakash, and we loved playing with him. But, one afternoon he surprised us and told us that he would much rather do the sound for us then play tabla. GuruGanesha and I couldn't believe that someone would want to do sound and not be doing music. But, this is what Krishan Prakash went to school for... to be a producer and sound engineer. He is an artist at it really. So, we made a big leap and wrote an email to Manish who was living in an ashram with his teacher. He had given his teacher three of our cds, and his teacher absolutely loved them and used them in his retreats. When Manish received our request, he asked his teacher for his blessing, and it was given to him full heartedly. That was back last fall. It took alot of effort to get him over here.... including a work visa, plane ticket... etc. We are very grateful to have him... and the sound is absolutely fantastic with Krishan Prakash on the board.

In the light and Grace of Guru Ram Das
We travel from city to city
Walking in the footsteps
Of our great teacher the Siri Singh Sahib.
Sometimes our feet slip out of his big shoes,
But always God is there to catch us,
Keeping us on the mission
Of spreading peace
Through the Guru's hymns.

May love and light and peace be yours today, and may God's Name be on your lips.

Sat Nam.

2007-04-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sat Nam and Greetings everyone.

Here are some photos of our tour.... I hope you enjoy them.

We were recently in the Bahamas for an Interfaith music festival at the Sivananda Yoga ashram in Nassau. It was a great experience.

Here is from left to right: Manish Vyas, a local Bahamian man whom GuruGanesha befriended, GuruGanesha, and Sopurkh.

My husband and I enjoying a good laugh (probably one of GuruGanesha's jokes) ... with a picture of Swami Vishnu Devananda in the background. Swami Vishnu Devananda was the founder of the ashram that hosted the interfaith festival. He was known as the "flying swami" as he flew many peace missions with his own small airplane. One such mission was a flight over the Berlin Wall before it came down. He did this to demonstrate that there are no walls between any countries... that we are unified by the One Spirit within all. Apparantly when he landed he taught a yoga class to the East German soldiers who met him, was given lunch and treated very respectfully. The mission was widely covered by world wide media and brought attention to the situation at hand, and the importance of working for peace. Many of his missions were at risk to his own life. I enjoyed hearing the stories about his life from his disciples who are now running the ashram, and felt a deep sense of gratitude for his dedication to bringing yoga to the west and to war torn nations. He passed away in 1997, but has left a legacy with the many teaching centers around the globe.

This is a local choir in Nassau Bahamas, called the "End of Time" Choir. They were so beautiful and their songs were really soul stirring. They performed in the interfaith music festival the evening before us. I really overjoyed hearing such a good Gospel Choir. The thing that really touched me was that the pastor of the church was related to about 70% of the choir members... his children and grandchildren all took to singing and spreading the light through their singing. One thing the pastor said which I really took to heart was... "If you can't spread love, light and peace in your own family, how can you expect to spread it anywhere else?"

Here is Manish Vyas, who has recently joined us. Here we are at a concert in Washington DC, which was sponsored by Spirit Voyage Music. Manish is an incredibly talented tabla player and vocalist. We are really enjoying his presence with the tour. For more information about him, you can visit his website at: Manishvyas.com

He came all the way from India to tour with us... the food and the weather is so different then what he is used to. Although he toured in the US for a number of years, the past couple of years he has been living with his teacher in Mysore and practising meditation in an ashram. My favorite quote from him thus far is as follows. We had to leave quite early one morning and didn't have time to find a place to eat breakfast. We were all in the van quite hungry. I found some tofu at the bottom of our food bag and gave some to everyone. When I gave the slightly pale and rubbery looking tofu to Manish he closed his eyes momentarily before taking the tofu for breakfast and said, "Let Thy Will Be Done."

Here is Ram Dass, who has also joined us. He is playing piano here which he does very well... but just waint until you hear him on clarinet! He is so fluid and really carries the spirit of joy into his playing.

Here's all of us!

Until we come to your city,

Sat Nam!!!!

2007-03-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone!!!!

We are back on tour and it is fun. This week I'd like to share some fun photos with you from Mexico.

Here we are with some people after our workshop the miracle of sacred sound in Mexico City.

While we had our pictures taken, I grabbed a camera and took a picture of the people taking a picture of us.

Here we are with.... from left to right.... Manuel (who did a great job of organizing all of our events in Mexico), Krishan Prakash, GuruGanesha, me (making sure GuruGanesha can be seen, cuz I'm soooo tall... yeah right... I have no idea why I kneeled down!), Jai Hari Singh (our beautiful friend who invited us and did a spectacular job organing for us), Pritampal Singh, and Jai Hari Kaur (who cooked the best food, and gave me a healing massage that I'll never forget).

As you may have heard we had 1100 people at our first concert in Mexico City. It was absolutely amazing. When I first walked out on stage I was totally overwhelmed by the love from the audience. They clapped and clapped and clapped and I hadn't even started singing yet! I found that this love permeated through our whole experience. Our hosts, who have a beautiful ashram in the hills of Mexico City took care of us with so much love... I was considering moving there. Just kidding... but wow... the mangos were so good. Let me just tell you a little bit about the ashram that we stayed at... it is run by Jai Hari Singh and Jai Hari Kaur. If you want to find out about it you can go on line to www.yoga-mexico.com In any case, this ashram is the home of the first Siri Guru Granth Sahib in Spanish. A beautiful man by the name of Baba ji did the translation work. I read from the very first copy ever printed, and currently there are 200 more copies on the way. For those of you who don't know what the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is... it is a collection of sacred poems and writings from the Sikh Gurus and other enlightened masters of early India. As Sikhs we bow to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as our Guru, because the tenth Guru of the Sikhs instead of appointing a human being as his successor appointed the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. I absolutely love reading from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib... I feel a connection with my Guru, and have received so much guidance that I can't even believe it. For me, the deeper I go into the relationship, the more it serves me. What I do is before I take a reading or a "Hukam" is I meditate and sit in silence, or pray. Then I read, and sometimes the internal question that I have will be answered right there in the reading of the hukam. If the answer is not directly there for me, after I read I sit and meditate again, and feel how the hukam has affected me in relationship to the question... and it seems to really work for me... the answer comes, or I'm given guidance as to how to answer the question. In any case... when I read from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib at this ashram in Mexico City the energy and power of the Guru was so potent there. I felt that it was because of this great work that Babaji did to translate all of those pages into Spanish. Babaji had lived in that ashram and had recently died... but this was his life's work.

We not only had a concert, I also taught a workshop that spanned over a two day period. We focused on sound and mantra, and specifically we experienced the power of the Shabad, "Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur". For those of you unfamiliar with this Shabad, you can find it on the "Mother's Blessing" cd that my mother and I made a few years back. This Shabad has brought many miracles in my life, and so I shared my experiences with people about it, and we went into the translation of every single word. Awhile back, my mother helped me with the translation. She loves to understand every word, and usually when she learns a new Shabad she makes sure that she knows the meaning. I do my best to do this as well. It really is a powerful experience. In fact, here are the words for the Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur Shabad... check them out.

The basic power in this Shabad is that it describes and relates how Guru Ram Das became the Guru. He was an orphan, but because of his purity and inner meditation, he shone through to the world as a king and through his life experience his inner being was recognized by the world and he was given the Guruship. I feel that for many of us on the spiritual path that it is a daily process of discovering our inner strength, royalty and grace. We must discover it, honor it, and make it real. Then others will recognize you... that You who is God incarnate. So, this Shabad helps to tap into that inner self and go through the miracle of transformation so that the shining light of the inner self will guide the whole life.

Dhan Dhan Raamdaas gur jin siri-aa tinai savaari-aa
Vaar Of Raamkalee, Uttered By Satta And Balwand The Drummer:

Dhan Dhan Raamdaas gur jin siri-aa tinai savaari-aa.
Blessed, blessed is the court of Guru Raam Daas; The One who has created You, has adorned You.
Dhan- Blessed, Hail, Praise be to
Raamdaas Gur- Ram Das Guruship, Vibration of the Guruship of Ram Das
jin- the one
siri-aa- create
tinai- that one
savaari-aa- adorn, set in order, arrange, correct.

Pooree ho-ee karaamaat aap sirjanhaarai dhaari-aa.
Perfect is Your action; the Creator Lord Himself has installed You on the throne.
Pooree- perfect
ho-ee- is
karaamaat- action
aap-God Himself, of Himself
sirjanhaarai-Creator
dhaari-aa- install/place.

Sikhee atai sangtee paarbarahm kar namaskaari-aa.
The Sikhs and the holy community recognize You as the Supreme Lord God, and bow to You.
Sikhee- Sikhs
atai- and
sangtee- holy community
paarbarahm- God
kar- do
namaskaari-aa- bow, pay obeisance to.

Atal athaahu atol too tayraa ant na paaraavaari-aa.
You are permanent, deep like an ocean and unweighable; You have no end or limitation.
Atal-permanent, unchanging
athaahu- deep ocean, profound
atol-unweighable
too- you
tayraa-yours
ant- limits
na- no
paaraavaari-aa- limit, boundaries.

Jinhee too(n) sayvi-aa bhaa-o kar say tudh paar utaari-aa.
Those who serve You with love - You carry them across.
Jinhee- those
too(n)- you
sayvi-aa- serve
bhaa-o- naturally with love
kar- do
say- they
tudh- you
paar- shore, other side
utaari-aa- lift across, carry across, bring across

Lab lobh kaam krodh moh maar kadhay tudh saparvaari-aa.
Greed, desire, lust, anger and emotional attachment - You have beaten them and driven them out of those who are still householders and living with family. The entire family is blessed.
Lab- greed, lust, desire
lobh- desire, what you want for yourself, greed
kaam- passion, lust, sexual love
krodh- anger
moh-bewitched, dilusion, fascination
maar-beat
kadhay-remove, push out, bring out
tudh- you
saparvaari-aa- living with family

Dhan so tayraa thaan hai sach tayraa paiskaari-aa.
Blessed is Your place, and True is Your extension or expansion of the Guru’s presence.
Dhan-Blessed, Hail to, Praise be to
so- that
tayraa-your
thaan- place, land
hai- is
sach- true
tayraa- yours
paiskaari-aa- extension, expansion

Naanak too lahnaa toohai gur amar too veechaari-aa.
You are Nanak, You are Angad, and You are Amar Daas; so do I recognize You through deep meditation.
Naanak- Guru Nanak
too- You
lahnaa- Lahnaa was Guru Angad’s name before becoming Guru
toohai- you are
Gur Amar- Guru Amar Das
too- You
veechaari-aa- deep reflection and meditation

Gur dithaa taa(n) man saadhaari-aa.
When I saw the vision of the Guru’s Court, then my mind body and soul was supported and sustained forever.
Gur- Guruship of Guru Ram Das, Guru’s Court
Dithaa- sight or vision
taa(n)- then so
man- body, mind, soul
saadhaari-aa- sustained, supported

2007-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sat Nam.

Today's blog entry is a prayer... a prayer that I have been saying for myself. If you wish to say it for yourself please do so as well.

May the pure vibration of my soul
Attract all events in my life
So that I may vibrate in the purity of my soul's radiance.
May the Guru's feet be on my forehead
That I may always remember
That He is with me.
May each day, each breath
Be a celebration of God
And let God manifest through me.

Let Thy Will be done.

Sat Nam.

2007-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

Raag Study.

This weekend was a life transformational weekend for me. We had a three day course in Raag with Professor Paramjeet Singh. When GuruGanesha and I were traveling in Canada this past summer we met the Professor, who is teaching Indian Classical music as it applies to the hymns of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. He is seen above with GuruGanesha and I, my husband is sitting behind us along with the Professor's friend.

For those of you who don't know, the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is our living Guru for Sikhs. It is a treasury of hymns written by the Sikh Gurus and saints of other faiths. As Sikhs we don't bow to any human being as our Guru, we bow to this sacred text. For me on a personal level I have always looked to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib for guidance. In times of hardship and celebration the Guru is with me. Here in Espanola and in many Sikh communities we have a weekly Akhand Paath which is a continuous reading of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. I have found that whenever an Akhand Paath happens there is a radiation of love and peace that I seem to feel in my own heart and that seems to even radiate out for miles around. In the time of our Gurus, which was roughly between the 14th and 17th centuries in India, what we call Classical Indian music was an essential tool of communication. Classical Indian music has roots back thousands of years in India. Raags and Thaals were developed. A Raag is a collection of notes, or a particular scale that induces a feeling, or allows you to express a feeling through music. There are Raags for each time of time of day ,and these Raags are a very powerful tool for communicating from the soul to the Creator. (ok... that line is my opinion... in any case...here we go.) A Thaal is a rhythm, and between the interweaving of rhythm and music.... the result is pure ecstacy. Each of the hymns in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib was assigned a Raag. This was done by our Guru, to give us a clear tool to experience the ecstacy of the poetry. So, yes, I knew about all of this... but I didn't really know. This weekend was an eye opener.

I spent three full days completely emmersed in the study and practise of Raag. There were times in the voice excersizes where we were singing so low that I didn't sound much better then a frog, and times when we were singing so high that I couldn't even believe it. It was scary, and humbling all at the same time. But, all of those voice excersizes really opened my voice up and I feel really strengthened by them. I think its really going to help me have stamina while on tour. But the real joy was when I experienced a Raag for the first time, really experienced it. One of the most memorable times this weekend was when we sang Siri Raag. This Raag is an evening Raag, and as we sang it the dusk was turning to night. It was a beautiful, complete, deep, completely strong warrior, yet open heart experience. I felt taken over by the joy and the sound.

I knew that Raag was something special when I heard the Chardi Kalaa Jatha for the first time. (Please see: www.ckjatha.com for more information.) When I heard them sing I felt completely taken into the Raag, taken on a journey of devotion. There was no question about the destination, it was straight to God. Their voices were so powerful I couldn't even believe it. I was sitting behind them, and although the microphones were in front of their mouths as they sang, they seemed to have amplification coming out of their bodies; pure power. I always was so amazed by them, and longed for that same kind of inner strength and experience of Raag. I am happy to say that I have begun the long awaited journey into Raag and I look forward to sharing with you my experiences along the way.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Over and Out

2007-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

Getting to know Espanola....

This Saturday Sopurkh and I participated in a prayer service for all of the soldiers serving in the army, and for peace on the planet. The names of soldiers from the Espanola Valley who are serving were read off in the beginning. It happens every Saturday and is a very beautiful and simple service. If you are interested in coming it is held at St. Steven's Episcapol Church across the street from the Espanola Plaza at 11 am to 11:30 am.

A miracle happened! Usually I order my shoes off of the internet because I wear a size five. I've gotten pretty tired of walking in and out of one shoe store after the other only to find that the shoes that I kind of liked were not and will never be carried in my size at that shoe store. When my husband and I first got married, I must have been overcome with the joy of marriage because I completely forgot about this phenomenon and unfortunately took him shoe shopping. After about five stores both of us were just plain sad. After that I only ordered on line. Well, this Saturday after the prayer service we were driving down the streets of Espanola, and I saw this shoe shop, Borrego's Bootery.... and just for fun we decided to stop. I couldn't imagaine what kind of shoes would be in there... I was more in the mood for exploration... and maybe finding something funny about Espanola to talk about. Well wouldn't you know it, we walked in that "bootery" and there were stacks and stacks of shoes, and tons in my size!!!! Who knew! I bought two pairs of shoes. What fun!

My husband and I took a walk just above Santa Fe. We were in a kind of forest wonderland. The snow created a quiet white engulfed reality... nothing but the sound of our foot steps. Very beautiful.

Let's just say... I made some good discoveries this weekend... its nice around here....

Espanola....

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Over and Out.

2007-01-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! May we take each breath in gratitude, may we live in our center, may we be filled with the Divine Sound Current of God's Name, may our hearts be full and our gifts plenty.

I am enjoying some time off here in New Mexico. As you may know we have had alot of snow. It is unbelievably beautiful. The other day I took some pictures to document this absolutely amazing natural wonder. I hope you enjoy....

Here is my husband Sopurkh Singh after shoveling snow off of our roof. I had seen snow shovels before... but never really appreciated them until now. Its alot of hard work and it really helps to have a wide shovel like this.
Sopurkh and I took a walk on the beautiful snow covered desert plane near our house. It is just before sun set. You can see the beautiful moon in the sky, and our two shadows in the snow.

Here is the sun setting over the Black Mesa, a sacred site for the local Native Americans.

This series of pictures reminds me of a quote I just heard from Yogi Bhajan that went something like this... " As a spirtual teacher I am the setting sun, and you are the rising sun. That's why I have to tell you to rise, to keep up... its a law of nature."

And so the sun has set on last year and we begin our journey into 2007. May we journey on the road of love, light, truth, and purity.

Happy New Year!

2006-12-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have some photos of Winter Solstice. I hope you enjoy them. Merry Christmas everyone! My husband and I were travelling home on Christmas day. In the Orlando airport just after security we saw a small chapel where there was Mass. We stopped in to meditate and pray. I really loved being able to do this. Please enjoy this special time of Christmas, New Year... and Guru Gobind Singh's birthday coming up.

During a break in White Tantric Yoga I took a couple of pictures. It is beautiful to see pictures of it while people are actually practising it. For photos like this see: www.3HO.org. I couldn't take pictures because I did all three days. It was incredibly rejuvanating and healing. I feel so incredibly grateful for this science of yoga that the Siri Singh Sahib left us. As you know, on the last leg of the tour I got sick with a flu. After a full year of touring, seven tours total, and recovering from being sick, I felt that White Tantric Yoga healed me mentally, physically and spirtually. After doing it I felt a deep cleanse.... and light and love.
Here is my husband and I during the break... one of those pictures where you're still talking when the click goes off.
There we go...
Here are some good friends of ours... Dharampal Singh and his wife Ardas Kaur. They sat next to us on the first day of White Tantric Yoga.

This is the Gurdwara at Winter Solstice. During Winter Solstice there are morning Gurdwaras every day that are very sweet. There is also an Akaand Paath, or continuous reading of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib (our Guru) that takes about three days. Everyone in the camp has an oppourtunity to sign up and read. They have the option of reading in English or in Gurumukhi. There is also a Rainsabhai one of the evenings, which is an all night kirtan. This year there were so many incredible musicians who came to play. I was really blown away. There is also a special Christmas eve Gurdwara which I always love because it feels like a celebration of the completion of three days of White Tantric Yoga.

2006-12-20T10:22:00.000-08:00

On the last leg of the Celebrate Peace December 2006 tour we swung through Florida. It felt just like that... swinging... the weather was warm, and filled with moisture. After the cold mountains of North Carolina I felt as if in a dream. Featured in this blog is one of the most beautiful and sacred places on this earth. It is called Kashi Ashram, and was founded by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba. This ashram is nestled in the thick green Florida foliage in Sebastian Florida. Ma has been a long time friend of Yogi Bhajan, so I've known her for about twelve years now. In the nineties she reached out to people with AIDS, giving them love, prayers, and a spiritual connection to God, as many came to her ashram to die and have their ashes put in the beautiful lake, lovingly called the Ganga. She continues her work and service to people by teaching meditation and yoga and offering a beautiful sacred ashram for people to come and visit or live. She is known for lovingly embracing everyone no matter what. Throughout the years that I have known her she has always embraced me with so much love that I have been brought to tears numerous times. The moment we arrived at her ashram I was filled with a deep peace. I had the opportunity on our last morning to take some photos for you. She has dedicated her entire ashram to peace on the planet, as there are shrines to many faiths. Please enjoy these photos, and feel free to check out the Kashi Ashram website for more information. www.kashi.org

This is Neem Karoli Baba. He taught Ma, and also other well known devotees such as Krishna Das, and Ram Das.

A beautiful shrine to Budha.

A breath taking shrine to Jesus Christ.

A shrine dedicated to the Siri Singh Sahib, Yogi Bhajan.

A shrine honoring the Jewish faith with the ten commandments.

Shiva sits in the lake, lovingly called the Ganga.

A beautiful meditation space with Baba Siri Chand, the son of Guru Nanak, and a powerful yogi who served the Sikh Gurus of his time and who still serves all who call upon him.

A statue of Mother Mary stands by the Ganga, caressing the waters with love peace and forgiveness.

Ma built this Guru Hargobind Gurdwara, dedicated to the Sikh faith. As a Sikh I was so deeply touched, it brought me to tears. A beautiful little Gurdwara! Who would have guessed anyone who is not a Sikh would conceive of this. It is a very beautiful gift to Sikhs everywhere.

Here is the inside of the Gurdwara... very sweet and lovely.

I hope you have enjoyed these photos. My husband and I are now attending Winter Solstice. I look forward to sharing photos with you next week from Winter Solstice.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-12-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

Here is Guru Tara Kaur and I. Her name means beautiful star of the Guru. She truly is that. We had a great time together in Virginia Beach where we stayed at her house.

Sat Nam everyone!

Since my last blog entry we had a concert in Winston Salem, a concert and a workshop in Asheville North Carolina, and two concerts in Atlanta Georgia. I found out a couple of things about Winston Salem… that this is where the headquarters is for the cigarette company named after the town, and it is where Oprah Winfrey has one of her homes. We stayed at a Best Western right there in down town and it was beautiful to see the city lights, and much quieter than most cities I’ve ever been too. Unfortunately I made the mistake of telling the hostess at the front desk of the hotel that we would be doing our vocal exercises in the morning and would appreciate relatively isolated rooms as to not disturb any of the other guests. She sent us to an isolated building… where the heat didn’t work. Hence my beautiful cold took birth. That night I slept with my coat on… brrrrrrhhhhh. I had been doing so good. Oh well… sometimes things just happen like that. I have to say that we had an absolutely lovely concert in Winston Salem. It was in an antique gallery which was a renovated warehouse of some type. There was beautiful artwork all over the place and a great Christmas tree. I was envisioning Oprah Winfrey walking into the hall… that would have been cool. Hey if it ever happens I’ll let you know. The best part of the whole evening was that our hosts are from the Hare Krishna tradition, so they served prashaadam, or sacred food to everyone who came to the concert! That has never happened before. It was some of the best food I’ve ever had… real comfort food. I would like to give a big thank you to Arci and Dulal Chandra for hosting us so beautifully. Many people came to our concert who had never seen us before and it was an amazing evening.

Anyway, we made our way to Asheville. Folks… that town is up in the mountains. Holy moly, it’s snowed….wind… ice… the works. Growing up in the West Coast I was not prepared. The next time I visit Asheville in December, you can bet I’ll have long johns on even before we arrive. That’s when my cold got real comfortable and took up residence in my throat. We found ourselves in another Best Western… this time the heat worked. So I bundled up and drank tea and did every thing I could to get better. We had an absolutely beautiful concert. People really chant up there in Asheville. I’m very grateful to Namaste Yoga for hosting us.

By the time we made it to Atlanta I did one concert at the Kashi Ashram… and that was it. I sounded like a frog. We considered all sorts of options like having GuruGanesha sing for me while I lip synced. Just kidding… We thought about canceling the concert… but that didn’t sit too well with anyone. Finally we decided that GuruGanesha should take the lead and take the jatha (band) with him. GuruGanesha went to a local Gurdwara and did an arousing version of Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru and the Mul Mantra. I heard people really enjoyed it. For the concert that evening everyone who came to the concert was told that I wasn’t going to make it… that they could have their money back if they wanted it…. Or they could stay for the whole thing and get 50% off at the end if they wanted it. Well… everyone stayed and they had a great concert. I knew that GuruGanesha and the band would have no problem delivering a beautiful evening. I couldn’t really go to sleep because all I was thinking about was the concert. It was really odd being home. So, I stayed up until they came back. When GuruGanesha walked through the front door I knew by the look on his face that it had been a great evening.

Anyway…how about a moral to this story? God is everywhere, in charge of everything… and the music goes on…especially when it is dedicated to peace.

Peace Ya’all. (That’s what they say down here in the south).

PS. I'll be at Winter Solstice soon. I'm really looking forward to seeing my sweet husband. He's coming for our concert in Altamonte Springs and we are doing Winter Solstice together. Winter Solstice is a gathering sponsored by 3HO that takes place outside of Orlando Florida with three days of White Tantric Yoga, two days of amazing yoga and meditation classes, morning meditation, evening music at the Yogi Tea Cafe... lots of fun. If you are interested in learning more visit: www.3HO.org. Safe travels to everyone going to Winter Solstice and to the many other places of travel during this holiday season.

2006-12-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a beatiful little girl named Ava from the Singh family. She came up on stage to help us out with our children's section of the concert. We are very grateful to the Singh family for helping us to get the word out about our weekend in the Virginia Beach area, and for hosting a beautiful Gurdwara program at their home.
Here's a picture of us at the concert at the A.R.E. center. I know that you've seen enough of me.... just putting it in here so that my husband can see how I look. Sometimes the tour is so transformational, I joke around with my husband that when I get home and he's picking me up at the airport I'll be six feet tall.
Here's Guru Bandha Singh, and his mom Atma Kaur, with his sister Guru Tara Kaur. We are staying with them and totally enjoying all of the good food, good yogi tea, and pure coziness and positivity.

We started off our tour in the Virginia Beach area which is in the southeast corner of Virginia… in the United States, and on the planet earth… in case you were wondering where we are. If you really want details, I’m sitting in a Panera’s restaurant writing this blog, catching up on emails, and having “Oh my God… you won’t believe this email” conversations with the rest of the guys in the band. Everyone’s got their little spot. I think GuruGanesha and Krishan have both already ordered two meals here. I’ve had a cup of tea and an apple. Our host, Atma Kaur is making a wonderful meal tonight. I’ve got a small appetite… and really want to eat her good food. I know that the guys will have no problem. They can eat!

Anyway…

I’d like to share a little bit about this weekend. We had our concert and two workshops at a center called A.R.E… which stands for the Association for Research and Enlightenment. The founder of this association is Edgar Casey. Edgar Casey was able to do “readings”… essentially he would go into a trance like state and give readings to people in this state, addressing everything from health questions to the meaning of life questions. In the readings he would give people treatments and gave them many of the wholistic health care concepts that were unheard of at that time, but are more widely practiced now by medical doctors. He saved many lives. He also talked about reincarnation and a person’s Akashic record. The Akashic record is well known in Indian yogic traditions, but he just tapped into it from his own awareness. I really find this fascinating and cool. For those of you who have never heard of the Akashic record, I will do my best to give a brief explanation. The Akashic record is recorded for each human being. It records every thought and action, and it also tells every future action and a person’s destiny. You can access the Akashic records by going into a deep meditative state. Very few people on this planet have that capacity to see the Akashic record, but it is well known in many yogic traditions of India. Edgar Casey was able to access the Akashic record and in this way he was able to treat people of physical, mental, or even spiritual disease. Many of his readings have been saved. The readings that really speak to a universal experience are available in books for the public. Also Edgar Casey really taught about the importance of love and respect for all faiths. So at the A.R.E. there is the world’s second largest metaphysical library, offering books from many different faiths.

Edgar Casey was so dedicated to the mission of service that he often wouldn’t charge anything for these readings. At times he and his wife lived in poverty. There is a flourishing organization that continues his work.

Anyway, pretty cool stuff. If you are interested in learning more you can check out the following web address.

http://www.edgarcayce.org/

I would like to give a very special thank you to Tracy, Atma Singh and Atma Kaur who organized a very magical weekend for us.

2006-11-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

Just a few thoughts to share....

Everything in the universe happens by the law of attraction. Every thought that we have attracts everything that happens to us. Our thoughts send out energy waves to the universe, and the universe responds in kind. With our thouhgts we are putting our order in with the universe. If you order up chaos through worrisom thoughts then that is what you are going to get. If you order up happiness and love, then that is what you are going to get.

So keep those thoughts positive folks.

May Peace Prevail on Earth

Over and Out

2006-11-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Celebrate Peace Band being peaceful...kind of... with Shiva Singh and Shabad Kaur of Spirit Rising Yoga of Chicago. Hey, that's my violin!!!

We are very grateful to the love and energy that Shiva Singh and Shabad Kaur and all of the folks at Spirit Rising Yoga put into our beautiful weekend together... November 10,11, and 12. We had a great children's program, taught two workshops on the technology of Kundalini Yoga and inner peace as taught by Yogi Bhajan, had some wonderful dining experiences, and were treated with love and care.

Check out their website at: www.spiritrisingyoga.com

A friend recently asked me how I keep the music alive if I’m doing it day in and day out. I thought to write about it in this blog.

When we set up for our concerts we have the same back drop, the same stage equipment, the same instruments, the same everything. When I’m on tour I bring a set of outfits for the whole week… so as you can imagine after four weeks of being on the road there are some repeats. Same, same, same.

Yet with the tour we have a vast amount of variation. Sometimes we are in large expansive cathedrals, at other times in small yoga centers. Sometimes the audiences are large crowds who are singing along with great enthusiasm. Sometimes people have never heard our music and we are met with quiet stares for a good portion of the concert until what feels like a miracle happens and people open up and sing with us. Sometimes the crowds are small. And sometimes there are no crowds at all… when I’m home… and the music continues. My husband and I enjoy playing together especially at the end of the day.

The combination of the “sameness” of the tour, and the vast amount of variation that we experience could actually drive someone insane! Because of my commitment to peace on the planet… starting with peace in my own heart I have stayed the course. The process has lead me right to what I feel is the most important place of growth, and that is within. I learned a long time ago from my teacher Yogi Bhajan to sing from the seat of my soul to God and Guru and nothing else. Through these concerts I have been given the same lesson again.

So in answer to my friend’s question of how to keep the music alive, I do it by connecting with my soul and singing to the God within from my soul’s voice. I find that the more I can do that, the more people seem to hear what I’m singing. Somehow, I am singing to the God within them as well. I don’t know how it happens, and I don’t expect to ever know. I just know that there is a vast universe of learning right within each of us, and the deeper we make the connection with the Divine inside, the deeper we will be able to connect with everyone and everything in our lives.

I once played with a tabla player named Sat Nam Singh Ramgotra who said about himself, “If I’m not enjoying playing the tabla and the sound of the music, what is the use?” So, I often ask that question of myself. Am I enjoying this? Is it connecting with me, my own heart, and my own soul? If the soul’s enjoyment is not there… then it is time to shift something. It can be a little shift in a note, or a combination of notes. It can be a shift in my thoughts or emotions in relation to the music. It can be a shift in my breathing to be more in tune with the music. It can be a large shift like taking music lessons and expanding my knowledge base. All of these shifts that I have mentioned are from self experience and are a part of my growth as a musician.

As a good friend of mine Guru Kirn Kaur said to me the other day, “If you find out what your soul wants, and set the intention to fulfill the soul’s longing, there will be signs from the universe and a pathway to fulfillment will manifest.”

Let’s leave it at that beautiful quote. Until next week.

May Peace Prevail on Earth
Over and Out.

2006-11-15T13:33:00.000-08:00

Peace through martial arts

On our travels we meet a number of people who are working for peace that I will be featuring periodically. This week I'm featuring Gurujodha Singh Khalsa. To begin with let's see some photos taken in his back yard.

In September I stayed with Gurujodha Singh and his wife Siri Ved Kaur and was reminded again of the fact that he is offering a powerful style of martial arts for today's modern peace maker. The few lessons that I took from him in my early twenties stayed with me for a lifetime... namely the concepts of self esteem, self awareness, and plain toughness! Gurujodha Singh is a fourth degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, has studied personally with Yogi Bhajan and served as Yogi Bhajan's body gaurd for many years. He offers classes in Kenpo Karate, Gatkenjitsu (a form of martial arts that he developed), Tai Chi, self defense for women, and classes for children. If you are interested in finding out more about Gurujodha Singh and the many classes and workshops that he offers please visit: www.gatkenjitsu.org.

For those of you following the Celebrate Peace Tour travels we are on break now. I am enjoying being home in New Mexico. The greatest thing is that the solar heating system in our house works! For those of you who don't know, my husband and I just moved to New Mexico into a solar heated house. Before going on this last tour we tried turning on the heat when it got a little cold, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. I had to leave for the tour, so we didn't really spend much time on it. While on tour my husband reported to me that the heat was working! I was a little skeptical, but let me tell you it is working. Holy cow, you'd think it was summer in here! But, truthfully I'm enjoying it especially after traveling all over the east coast where it was really cold.

Next week I hope to have some good pictures from our time in Chicago and Ann Arbor. Stay tuned!

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-11-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

We are on the last leg of the tour. I'm counting the days until I see my dear husband again. But, as he told me the other night " We are on a very beautiful mission." I am so grateful to him for his support.

I'd have to say the theme of this last weekend was finding the love of God and Guru in everything we do. Anyway, here are some fun pictures from last weekend. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? I hope you enjoy.

GuruGanesha in one of the beautiful music moments, when the spirit flows and there's nothing else to do but follow it.

Here I am with Brenda MacIntyre and her daughter. Brenda is a Juno Award winning singer (Canadian Grammies), and First Nations Medicine Song Woman. She started off our Peace Concert at Toronto University. She sang with just one drum, but her presence and her voice filled the hall. She also spoke so beautifully about the earth, and about the Spirit. Her daughter sat on the side of the stage as she sang and I loved how close they seemed to be. It was really a blessing for us, as I felt that we were brought into a very sacred space before going on stage. During the concert we shared such a magical energy with everyone. I felt such a sense of prayer, courage and strength from the audience, and really felt that Peace is here, Peace is real. We shared one of our pieces called "To Heaven and Beyond" which is actually one of our albums. It is one musical piece (or peace!) that weaves in sacred chants from the Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Budhist faiths. In the end we sing "God in every heart". To me the end always feels like trumpets announcing to the universe the reality!!! God is in every heart.

I want to give a big thank you to Guru Fateh Singh. He is actually in the picture too as seen above. He organized the whole concert and is a key organizer in the whole Peace Week. He's been working on Peace for many years and really brought together so many of the essential elements for a beautiful evening. It felt like one of those things that only happens after years and years of dedication. Thank you Guru Fateh Singh!!!!
Here we are with one of the most beautiful families on the planet. They have been hosting the entire band this whole weekend, and they have been doing it with so much love. They came to every single event, helped us load and unload, the kids helped us sell cds, we had the best food you could ever imagine. I am so grateful. From left to right is Gurpreet Kaur (mataji), Gurusahiba Kaur and Gururattanpreet Kaur (the two sisters in blue), Gurumontek Singh (the boy standing next to me), GuruGanesha and Navrattan Singh. We are standing outside of the Dixie Road Gurdwara in Toronto. Apparantly this is the largest Gurdwara in North America. On Saturday night we played for the Guru and the Sangat, and also on Sunday we played for the birthday of Guru Nanak. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the experience. It was incredibly uplifting.
Here we are after our concert in London Ontario. As seen in the photo Seva Fisher (the lady in black third from the left) worked with a bunch of students from Coss (Canandian Organization of Sikh Students) to put the concert together. They did an amazing job, as well over 300 people showed up for our first visit to London.
Getting into the spirit of things we are all flashing a "W" sign. You might wonder what its for.... take your pick out of these three or maybe choose them all: 1. Wow!, 2. Waheguru, 3. University of Western Ontario where a number of the students go to school.

Someday soon I hope to get a recording on my blog of Ram Dass Singh. He actually has three (with probably more to come) characters that he can do. Just when things get a little tough in the van, he comes out with these incredibly funny voices and there's nothing we can do but just laugh. To give you a little preview he can do Kermit the Frog, a "Borat" like character (but nice) called Uri, and munchkin character called "Not Steve". So far my favorite voice is "Not Steve". We sometimes have very extended conversations about pretty much nothing. Its alot of fun. Aside from being so funny Ram Dass has been helping us so much with tons of heavy lifting for the set up and break down of our concerts. Not to mention the fact that he is incredibly talented. Yay Ram Dass.

2006-10-31T18:41:00.000-08:00

Today is my day off. I had great healing treatments from our friends in New Jersey; Dr. Mahan Rishi Singh and his wife Nirbhe Kaur. Krishan Prakash was kind enough to take me to the mall and helped me to find a very nice white coat. We are headed up to Toronto next weekend... and I think I'll be glad to have it.

On Monday night I got a chance to make langar at the Bridgewater Gurdwara. Langar is a community meal served at Sikh Gurdwaras. It is open to anyone who wants to come. It was started by Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs and his wife. Guru Amar Das used to receive many people into his court and he required that they would all sit and eat langar before coming to see him. In this way emperors would sit next to beggars, something unheard of in those times when the caste system was so strong. This tradition has continued to this day. At the Harimander Sahib in Amritsar India around 10,000 people are served every day. I absolutely love langar... I love making it and eating it. There is something very special about it, because it is made with devotion and love and in the spirit of service. Because of touring I haven't had the chance to make langar for quite some time, so when I saw my good friend Navjot Kaur in the kitchen I promptly put on an apron and joined her. She is the one with the yellow scarf. We are making puris. A puri is basically a delicious friend bread. My job was to roll the dough into small balls.

This past weekend we had a concert at Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) on 13th Avenue right in Manhattan. First of all let me say that it was so fun being in New York. I stayed in Brooklyn with my father (Hi Dad if you're reading this blog), and we had two concerts in Manhattan. I really enjoyed to grandeur of the tall buildings of Manhattan which covered miles and miles of space. I suppose coming from the open planes of New Mexico it was shocking. I really loved it though, and found myself as we would drive by one fascinating building after another creening my head to try and see the tops of the buildings.

IYI was founded by Swami Satchidananda who is seen in this picture above. There were many beautiful photographs of him at the center. I took a picture of a picture of him; please forive me it doesn't do justice to the glow and beauty of the photos that I saw there. The Siri Singh Sahib Yogi Bhajan and Swami Satchidananda were great friends... they used to really love and respect eachother. Both of these great spiritual teachers have left their physical bodies, but it was inspirational to see how their teachings are each being carried on. We were taken care of beautifully by the people at the center. It was truly a blessing to be there. In the busy streets of Manhattan it felt like an oasis.

Here are some beautiful words from Swami Satchidananda.

The Power of Yoga for Healing, Vitality, and Spirit
Message from Sri Swami SatchidanandaNovember 2-4, 2001 at Miami Beach, Florida

Now, more than ever we need to have a steady mind, a calm and clean mind, and a loving and compassionate heart. So many people are in pain, so many have lost loved ones, and so many are overcome with fear. That is all true and we have to feel compassion and lovingkindness toward everyone.

God has given us a big wake-up call. As yogis let us have a deeper understanding and broader perspective when viewing what is happening in our world. Let's not focus only on the negative side. That is what we see happening sometimes, and people become filled with fear and anxiety. A yogi, on the other hand, will look upon everything with equanimity and balance.

This is a time for us to remember that in the name of religion more people have died than in all the wars and natural calamities put together. Now more than ever we must understand that the purpose of religion is not to separate us. True faiths don't preach hatred and killing, nor did any of the prophets. It is the people who interpret the scriptures who create the divisions. Division comes if we put our ego into the teachings of these religions. Let us strive to be free of that kind of egoism.

In the same way, I see a very bright future for humankind. The positive changes we are seeing are the proof of what is to come. I really feel we are going to see a better world. If you want to know why I feel this way, it is because I see more and more people wanting to know the truth, becoming interested in Yoga and spirituality, and leading more caring and compassionate lives.

The consciousness of people is changing, and they want to know how to lead a better life. Please, have that hope in your heart and that trust that we are building a better world. My prayer is always that universal love will light our paths. Every day when you pray, repeat: "May peace, prosperity, and happiness be unto all. May all see good in everyone, may all be free from suffering. May the whole world be filled with peace and joy, love and light." When you say this, visualize it and really feel it. It should be heartfelt when you send your peaceful energy out into the world.

Our prayers will bring benefit, so let us wholeheartedly pray for the world. Let us each spend at least a few minutes each day in meditation. To me, those are the most important minutes. You may not even realize the effect, but these peaceful vibrations will help millions of peaceless minds. You will be helping the whole world to find peace and joy. And you can carry this peaceful feeling from meditation all through the day, all through the week, all through your life. Even in the midst of a busy life, you can retain this peace. With this outlook, the whole world becomes a heaven on earth. God bless each and every one of you.

For more information about Swami Satchidananda or the Integral Yoga Institute of New York please visit: www.iyiny.org

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-10-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Ottawa

Our first leg of the Celebrate Peace Tour of October/November 2006 is Ottawa. We have actually been here four times if you can believe it! The first time we were sponsored by Rama Lotus and it was just GuruGanesha and I. Now we've got the "crew"... which includes Krishan Prakash, Karta, and our newest member Ramdass Singh. Ramdass is an incredible musician, who I grew up with in the Berkeley/San Francisco area. He plays clarinet, guitar, and sings. He is interning with us... and really helping out so much. He does a great impersonation of a funny Russian guy called "Uri" and it has kept me laughing, belly laughs. Anyway... here are some pictures taken by Harimander Singh, courtesy of www.bigshots.biz.

We attended Peace Prayer Day in Ottawa this last Saturday. We had children from Club Yoga come up and sing with us. I love this picture with the little boy who just went right up to Krishan Prakash and asked if he could sit in his lap.
Here are one of the presenters at the Peace Prayer Day Celebration. It is inspiring to see what some people are doing for peace on the planet.
Peace is possible. A number of peace organizations came to Peace Prayer Day to display and offer ways that people can get involved.

Here we are at our Celebrate Peace Concert Saturday evening.

At the end of the concert we got a standing ovation.

Here are two of the strong volunteers that helped out... Devinder Kaur and Ram Das Kaur.

Here's the newest star to the Celebrate Peace Tour... Ramdass Singh... giving us a "Uri" smile.

2006-10-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Airports

I am enroute for our next tour. This is a picture of me in the Denver airport taken by me just moments ago. I kind of feel like a techy:)

We'll be going to the North East of the United States and dipping into Canada. Today I decided to bring my own travel mug to the airport. In Albuquerque I went to a breakfast stand and asked if they could use my mug instead of a paper cup. The guy at the cash register looked at me as if I was crazy and seemed to take some pleasure in telling me that it was against their policy. When I said, "But, I'd like to do it for the environment, save a tree, you know what I mean?" He shook his head, rolled his eyes and looked to his co worker who put her hands up in the air and said, "its the policy!"

Who ever heard of a policy like that? When will our government and our companies start creating policies to protect the environment? I've asked that question many times, and the answer keeps coming back to me... when it makes money. There are alot of companies out there making money on saving the environment and its big business. Perhaps there are people from other countries reading this blog, and I urge you to be responsible also. We can no longer ignore the problem of Global Warming, and we cannot in our right minds leave an environmental hazard to our children. If we don't collectively change our habits we will see an environmental hazard in just fifty years. I'm going for the "collective" part of it. I figure even if that guy in the Albuquerque airport who told me it was company policy to only serve drinks out of their cups thinks I'm crazy, at least I got to communicate to him the word "environment." Maybe someone else will communicate to him too... and maybe someday he won't think I was crazy.

Good news is that in Denver (my layover city) I handed my mug over to a lady at a bagel shop and asked her to fill it up with hot water. I tried to go for a more direct approach... and it worked. Try and try again. At least I saved one cup on this airport journey.
Airports are kind of bland at times. But, today I'm blessed that a brave guy has taken out his guitar and is playing just a few feet away from me. Its a nice sound, and I'm glad he kind of broke through the normal operating procedure... which is to sit down, wait for your airplane, don't look at anyone, and or use a bunch of paper cups and plates eating some fast food that you'd rather not know what the ingredients are.

Anyway, now you see a picture of me in the airport, and hopefully you have a sound track in mind.

May Peace Prevail On Earth

Over and Out

2006-10-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

Relief Nursery

I just finished writing about an experience I had this summer at a place called Relief Nursery. I hope you enjoy it.

Relief Nursery
August 3, 2006

When I pulled into the parking lot of the Relief Nursery in Eugene, Oregon, I took a deep breath. After being on tour for two weeks already my legs ached just stepping out of the car. We had traveled from Edmonton, Canada all the way down the Northwest, dipping into cities along the way as if we were a flock of birds. I knew that for this program I’d have to have my feet on the ground, so I took a moment, soaking in the morning summer sun and the fresh air.

I am a musician on a mission. My band and I are on the Celebrate Peace Tour, sponsored by Peace Cereal and Spirit Voyage Music. While on tour we give concerts dedicated to peace on the planet and award grants from Peace Cereal to local organizations in many of the cities where we give concerts. One of our greatest passions is working with children who I call disenfranchised. It’s hard to put a name to it, but there is a whole population of children in our country who are removed from basic privileges that are considered normal for many of us. This population is surprisingly large, but through the Celebrate Peace Tour we have been blessed to partner with some of the organizations in this country who are working to improve the lives of these children. We have visited children in juvenile halls, foster care homes, and poor neighborhoods. We offer music, yoga, and stories all aimed at giving the children we meet a sense of positive self esteem and some basic yogic tools for mental peace and clarity. Most importantly we like to have fun!

Usually I travel with GuruGanesha, who plays guitar and always gets the kids laughing, along with Krishan Prakash, who plays tabla and does a great bear snore for our yoga story. That day however I was without my band and I was visiting a place called the Relief Nursery. I took my new guitar out of the trunk, grasped the soft handle and said a prayer that I would be able to do this program on my own. I knew a little about the Relief Nursery because they were this year’s Peace Grant Recipient in Eugene, Oregon. The next evening I would be giving them the grant at the end of our Celebrate Peace concert.

The Relief Nursery gives care to children who are in abusive or potentially abusive homes. Many of the children who come to the center come from homes where their parents have drug problems or are incarcerated. The center provides a beautiful school and day care where they not only nurture the children but also provide counseling for the parents. Their philosophy is that the most important support system for a child is their family, so the family has to be healthy.

I felt like I had nothing to give in light of the problems these children were growing up with. As I walked through the parking lot I could see some children playing in the school playground and realized that the best thing I could give was love.

The moment I stepped into the school’s office I was greeted by a staff member and immediately lead to where the children’s program would take place. I settled on a beautiful grassy spot underneath a tree. Within seconds all thirty children at the school gathered around me. I tried to breathe and calm my now beating heart with the thought… “give love, give love.”

Children from the ages of about five to eight gathered around me. I said hello to the kids, and quickly realized that a couple of the children only spoke Spanish. We started off with a little yoga, which the kids did with a lot of gusto. I’ve done probably close to a hundred children’s programs in the past, but these kids were different. As I looked at each one of them, I realized that what they call “home” may not be what I could ever feel was home. What they called love, was more simple than I had ever imagined. As they looked at me and followed the yoga postures, there was nothing but that simple love. Even though they giggled and laughed their way through some of the yoga postures, and even though I could barely keep them engaged, their eyes seemed to never leave me.

As we got deeper into the story where I teach the kids yoga and songs, I began to realize what I had to deliver to these kids. It was a moment of joy. And so I asked them to all stand up, and just like the kids in the story who were walking up a mountain, I asked them to march in place with me and sing the song “ I am happy, I am good.” These are words of the revered yoga master and sage Yogi Bhajan. As we sang it we alternated with English and Spanish, “ Yo soy feliz, Yo soy bueno.” With each repetition the kids’ voices got louder and louder… until finally all of us spontaneously threw our arms in the air and yelled the words of the song with joy and celebration. The kids, myself and the staff all paused momentarily in disbelief at our outburst, and with a giggle from a few children and a universal twinkle in all of the children’s eyes we proceeded to yell it again, and again.

At that moment I was almost overcome by tears… for me I was yelling those words right into their homes, right into their lives, and praying that they would have the opportunity to have a beautiful life. That moment of joy will live in my heart forever.

After the program I got a tour of the facility and was thoroughly inspired by what I saw. The center has a room dedicated to counseling, where families come for sessions with highly qualified family therapists. They also have a library where English and Spanish classes are offered. I saw an amazing kitchen facility where nutritious meals are prepared for the children; meals which many of them would not receive otherwise. One of my favorite aspects of the Relief Nursery was a “hand me down” room where parents could bring their kids and get free clothing, shoes, and school supplies. Each of the classrooms had really nice desks, books, and art material. I felt that any child would be blessed to be here, but the fact that these kids have the opportunity was so beautiful to me.

I arrived that morning, tired from my touring but left completely inspired and energized by my experience with these children. It’s easy to get caught up in our lives, with work, with our families, and our endeavors. It’s easy to get stressed out, even when we have such privileged lives. I saw how serving these children not only gave them something, but gave me something as well, and that yes, it is possible to make a difference in this world… even with one guitar.

To find out more about the Relief Nursery please visit: www.reliefnursery.org.

2006-10-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Blessings

This is a picture of Guru Ram Das, courtesy of Sikhphotos.com. Guru Ram Das is the fourth Guru of the Sikhs. He embodies compassion, kindness and healing. He was an orphan, just barely making a living to feed himself when he met the third Guru, Guru Amar Das. Guru Amardas saw his love and devotion right away. Through a series of experiences, and trials Guru Ram Das transformed himself miraculously to serve and uplift everything and everyone that he came in contact with. Guru Amardas saw this in him, and crowned him the fourth Guru.

As Sikhs we often chant the Shabad (sacred song) Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru. Shabad means without ego. So when we chant, we bring the energy of the Shabad to us and it becomes our guide and teacher, or Shabad Guru. The Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru Shabad for me is all about transformation, about making the internal changes, step by step that pretty soon add up to a miracle. This Shabad relates the experience of when Guru Ram Das became the fourth Guru. At the time, it must have felt like a miracle for this once orphan to take the throne of Guruship.... for the people witnessing it, and for perhaps Guru Ram Das himself. I believe all miracles start from within, and I believe that the energy of Guru Ram Das is so powerful and potent because his miracle of personal transformation also began within himself.

Last night we had the Espanola Sikh and 3HO community over to our house in celebration of the birthday of Guru Ram Das. For eleven nights before his birthday we are, along with communities around the world, gathering at eachother's homes to chant the Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru Shabad for thirty one minutes. On his birthday, which is October 9th this year, we will chant it for two and a half hours in the morning. It is during this time of connection with Guru Ram Das that if you want a miracle you can pray for it and it will happen or resolve as the case may be.

Anyway, the move from Eugene to Espanola has been very energy intensive. In addition we have kept our Celebrate Peace Tour going. For me it is really important to feel settled at home, but I didn't feel settled. It wasn't until last night when everyone poured into our front door, seen in the picture above, that I felt a deep sense of peace and settling. About sixty people sat in our living room chanting, but to me they were angels and warriors... absolutely beautiful... coming to bless our home and bring it protection. I felt so much gratitude as we chanted. I knew the words because I have been chanting this Shabad for so many years now, yet I felt as if I was hearing them for the first time as they penetrated into the air, the walls, and the carpets of our new home.

After the chanting we fed everyone Indian spice cake and Yogi Tea. I also gave a tour of the house to people namely to Shakti Parwha Kaur. She was the first student of Yogi Bhajan's when he arrived to the west. She became what we affectionately call her the "Mother of 3HO." She and I share the same birthday, June 19th. By God's Grace she loves me and has taken me out to movies, walks, breakfast, and all sorts of things for many many years now. I feel so blessed... and I love her dearly too. It was wonderful being able to show her my new home.

In this time of of great change for all of us... I pray that we may reach out to eachother more, that we may have the miracle of friendship, and friendship in our home.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Over and Out

2006-09-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Global Warming

I have just returned from the Celebrate Peace Tour. Today is my first day home. We hung our wind chimes in the back yard... and I'm really enjoying the beautiful sound. The focus of today's blog is on the environment. Its been on my mind lately.

I'll start with some fun pics from our tour....

From left to right: Karta Kaur, Harimander Kaur with her baby Sarb Jot Kaur, me, GuruGanesha, Jennifer with Ella (GuruGanesha's daughter in law and grandaughter, Akal Sahai (GuruGanesha's son and our tour manager), Krishan Prakash in true form, and Jesse who produced a very successful concert for us in Encinitas.
GuruGanesha and Krishan Prakash... Peace Warriors. Here is a picture of one of the Boutique Apartment buildings. This is one of the most environmentally aware companies that I've come across... and they are really successful.
Here's a picture of my husband Sopurkh in our garden at home.

This last weekend we had a number of events in the Denver/Boulder area all of which were sponsored by a progressive company called Boutique Apartments. This company creates chique apartments with artistic themes that range from fun to sacred. One building was called "H20" and had a huge water faucet sticking out of the side of it. Another building had beautiful sacred artwork from Tibet in the hallways. We got a tour of their apartment buildings. I was so impressed by the beauty of design, and by the steps they had taken to be environmentally responsible. Here's what they do for the environment. All of the appliances (refrigerator, stove, etc.) are energy efficient which cuts way back on the use of electricity. The electricity comes from wind power, and not from coal. The cabinets come from pressed wheat. The floors are made of bamboo which is much more sustainable. The carpets come from recycled bottles! It was so inspiring to me. Check out http://www.boutiqueapartments.com/ if you'd like to see more information. They are one of the fastest growing businesses in the Denver area.

I've grown up on the west coast. In high school I was in the social action club and we organized recycling. Living in Oregon for the last nine years, our local government and industry was very supportive of recycling. In fact, it is a big business there as it can be in many places if people just change their perspective. Recently my family and I saw the movie Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore. I have always been very aware of the environment, but this movie has changed my whole perspective on things. I suppose the major fact that alarms me is that if we don't reduce our current use of CO2's within the next fifty years then the ocean's water will spill over onto all of our coastal lands and cities. All of Manhattan will be under water! Cities all along our coast and in countries all over the world will be under water! This is a huge problem to me!!! Is anyone else out there concerned??? If we don't do anything at all, then our children and the generations to follow will inherit a devastating environmental calamity. I would have left the theatre feeling completely helpless, however the movie put a large emphasis on what we can do. There are some very simple steps that each of us can do. You can see http://www.climatecrisis.org/ for more information. Basically, we still can reverse the situation... but we've got to act now. We've got to change our personal habits, and we've got to talk to our friends, family, and neighbors to bring awareness to this issue. Here are some basic things that my husband and I have come up with that we are incorporating into our lives.

1. Recycling. (I live in an area of New Mexico that does not have a good recycling program yet. I just found out after researching it that the regular drop off site, bins at Walmart, gets so contaminated with waste and other non recyclable materials that most of the material doesn't make it to an actual recycling facility. The best option for us is to drive to Santa Fe which is about a 25 minute drive and drop our materials there).

2. Unplug appliances if you are not using them.

3. Driving a hybrid car; we have a Prius.

4. We're hanging our clothes to dry instead of using the drier. (This was my husband's idea, which I thought was over the top at first... but it's actually kind of nice... especially out here in New Mexico.) 5. Our house is heated by solar energy. We intend to convert all of our energy use to the solar panels eventually. 6. We're going to carry mugs with us, and instead of getting our drinks in paper or plastic cups.

5. We're going to talk to our friends and family and try to inspire them to make some of these simple changes.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-09-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

We are having a great time on our Celebrate Peace Tour. We met some really inspirational organizations along the way, and I wanted to share a little bit about them. I think that the media will have us believe that war is breaking out all over the place. Granted, there are many terrible wars in our world... but what we are finding through our travels is that there are thousands and probably millions of people that are working for peace. The people I have met have shown me that sometimes its just a matter of reaching out to your neighbors and giving a helping hand. This week's blog shows some people doing just that.

This is a picture of Steven who works for an organization called Outdoor Outreach. This organization helps children and teenagers from the inner city neighborhoods of San Diego get a chance to do outdoor activities such as surfing, and hiking. Steven came early to our Celebrate Peace Concert and helped us to set up our banner.
On behalf of Peace Cereal we gave a $2,000 grant to an organization called Neighbors Across the Bridge. This organization works in conjunction with Outdoor Outreach and the Barrio Logan College Institute. Barrio Logan College Institute helps inner city kids get good GPA's and get into colleges. In conjunction the three organizations encourage kids to keep good GPA's and rewards them with special outdoor trips and adventures. The founder of Neighbors Across the Bridge is sitting right next to me, along with representatives from Barrio Logan College Institute and Outdoor Outreach. We brought them up on stage at the end of the Celebrate Peace concert in San Diego to present the Peace Cereal Grant to them and also to dedicate the song "May the Long time sun" to them.

For more information on these organizations and their incredible work please visit these websites: www.blci.org, and www.outdooroutreach.org
At the end of the concert we were all very inspired as GuruGanesha took the microphone and announced, "Peace is Breaking Out all over the place!"

We went to the King Chavez Academy for a Children's Peace Hour with 200 kids. This is a school that is in one of the highest crime areas in San Diego. The school is a completely alternative school where the children learn in a positive environment and are encouraged to develop peace making skills. There is a large emphasis on the arts with many classes in dance, art, and creative expression. There are highly qualified teachers who are dedicated to these children. These children come from relatively poor homes, and it is truly a miracle that they are able to go to a school like this one. They were so enthusiastic and positive during our program. You can see them here doing yoga with us. There were mirrors in the back of the room... so you can actually see the band; Krishan Prakash, GuruGanesh and I in the reflection.

2006-09-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

A Call for Prayer

We are on the Celebrate Peace Tour. This is our day off, and so I get a chance to write on my blog. We have about one day per week where we don't schedule anything. On our day off we all do our laundry, pay bills, relax, or whatever else we need to do.

On this day five years ago I watched the news coverage and felt the horror along with people from around the world at the site of the World Trade Center being hit by airplanes. Over and over again these images were played on the news. I felt a sense of dispair that seemed to enrapture the whole country and fill my heart. Finally for me, the spell was broken when I attended an interfaith prayer for peace. In Eugene we gathered in a large church and each faith brought a powerful prayer. In my own heart it was a ray of light and hope, as it allowed all of us to not only pray for peace, but reach out to eachother in those dark times. I know that the power of prayer is real. If you feel any sense of dispair in remembering the events of September 11, I encourage you to join me, in whatever your faith is, and pray. I know that our prayers are still needed, not only for the families who lost loved ones on that day, but for the families that continue to loose loved ones because of a war that still goes on.

Here is my prayer.

May the love and light of the Great God, the Great Goddess, Waheguru
Find its way into the heart of humanity
So that we may awaken
To our infinite capacity
To be strong
To carry on
To heal
And to overcome.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Sat Nam.

Our Southwest tour is going great. We have a few more days in San Diego, and then make our way to Phoenix, Tuscon, and then Boulder and Denver. We had our big Anand cd release concert at Golden Bridge in Los Angeles. GuruGanesha, Krishan Prakash and I had been practising the week before the concert and learning all of the new pieces on the Anand album. Even though I had worked on the pieces in the studio with Thomas, bringing them to the live experience was an opportunity to really grow. The Anand cd recording is at such a high standard musically that it really called us to bring our level up. We really worked hard to prepare for the concert... and admittedly I had butterflies in my stomach.

People seemed to enjoy it.... you never know if it was "good"... but I felt good about it. The new pieces from Anand really have a beautiful energy and I'm really looking forward to delivering them at our future events.

My husband flew out for the evening, and I got to give him flowers on stage for his amazing work with the artwork for Anand.

Here are some pictures from that night at Golden Bridge.

If you'd like to order the album Anand or see our tour schedule please visit www.spiritvoyage.com.

2006-09-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the Release of Anand!

My husband Sopurkh Singh took this photo and the subsequent photos during the recording of Anand. This is what my recording booth looks like.

Thomas Barquee (my producer) and I are listening to what we've just recorded.

Thomas is a first class producer. He always demands the best from me as a vocalist, and calls out for the best to come through the music.

During a vocal take... sometimes we would get it after just one or two tries, and sometimes we would have twenty takes before finding the right one. Our goal was to find the place where my voice connected the heart and soul together. This is not always the most fancy vocalization... it just is what simply works... and you know it.

We are beginning our September tour at Golden Bridge in Los Angeles next Friday, with a big release party for Anand. We'll tour through Southern California, Phoenix, Tuscon, Denver, and Boulder. Information about our tour is on www.spiritvoyage.com, and the cd is available there as well. The following is an excerpt of an interview that I had with Guru Simrat Kaur of Spirit Voyage Music.

Q2 What does the title of the CD mean and why did you choose it?

Anand means bliss. But it is not just bliss in the way that we are used to. Anand is the state of bliss that comes when every word that you speak and action you take supports the light and journey of your soul. In the words of Yogi Bhajan, “ Many people believe that the spiritual path is difficult and the neurotic path is easy. It takes the same effort and energy to walk either path. The difficulty lies in the nature of the mind and how it grasps things and becomes entranced by feelings and sensations. Direct the mind with immediate sensations and convoluted negotiations, and we create neurosis and confusion. Direct it with the power of the Infinite word, words of truth, and we will excel with clarity, kindness, and love. ( The Mind, Its Projections and Multiple Facets, Yogi Bhajan, PhD).

I chose the title Anand because for many of us it is not enough to talk about happiness, admire it, or strive for it... it is time to be it. The world needs us to show up, to be fully present in our lives and ready to serve. I feel that now more then ever it is important for humanity to find a way to overcome the great turmoil and conflict that we are facing. For many of us who have always wanted to help, wanted to serve, wanted peace on this planet... it is time for us to not want any longer...but to become what we are longing for. In my own journey, my first step to empowerment was to love myself and except me for me. The second step was to then find the inner joy or bliss and to feel complete and whole. That is Anand. Granted, every day I work on self love and inner joy. But, I know through my own experience that once these things are firmly planted, truly serving with your whole being and talent can begin.

Q3 Please talk about the different tracks on the CD, what they mean to you, what their general meanings are and why you chose these mantras/songs?

Guru Ram Das Rakho Sarana-ee. During the second week of recording Anand, I was really doing some deep soul searching. I felt as though we hadn't really gotten to the depth that was required for this album, and for the people out there that would be listening to it. I decided to go to the local Gurdwara in Los Angeles, called Guru Ram Das Ashram, and prayed to Guru Ram Das the fourth Guru of the Sikhs for help. In my prayer I said to Guru Ram Das, please help me find a way to serve these beautiful people that we are meeting, give them your light and your protection... that is all I ask. At that moment I got inspired and pulled out the harmonium that sits in the Gurdwara and began to play the beginnings of the music for this piece. I brought it to Thomas that morning, and we recorded it and most of my final vocal that same day.

Jap Man Satinaam. This track is a small window into the great writings of the Sikhs and the experience of how flowing and beautiful the words and the experience of reciting these words can be. I truly feel blessed to have grown up in the Sikh lifestyle and community and to have such a beautiful musical legacy to follow. We merged some of the traditional Gurbani Kirtan styles with western elements. The experience of preparing this Shabad, or sacred song, brought me a sense of stillness and calm. For me, this track represents where I would like to grow more in my musical and spiritual development.

Anand. This is the album's title. Krishan Prakash, GuruGanesha and I were experimenting with different rhythms and sounds and came up with the music. The words came on there own as we naturally gravitated to singing "Waheguru" and then the first section of one of the most beautiful writings of the Sikhs called "Anand Sahib." I feel that this track represents a little bit more of the freedom of the live music experience.

Paramaysareh. The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh gave the Guruship to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a sacred body of recitations from the Sikh Gurus and other enlightened masters of India. At an early age I developed a relationship with the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as my Guru, and would often spend hours in our family Gurdwara either sitting and meditating in front of the Guru, chanting, or reading from the Guru. My spiritual teacher, Yogi Bhajan, always said that you've got to find the word or words in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib that really speak to you... then when you recite them your whole being lights up. Well one day I was reading and came upon the following words and just had a rush of joy pass through my body.
Aad pooran
In the beginning, God pervades.
Madh pooran
In the middle, God pervades;
Ant pooran
In the end at the time of death God pervades.
Parmaysureh
God is the Transcendent Lord.

This track is a celebration of these words and ultimately of "Parmaysureh" the Transcendent Lord that exists in all people, of all faiths, in all beings, in all spaces and in all times.

Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam
During the recording of this album I stayed with Simran Kaur and Guru Prem Singh of Los Angeles. Guru Prem Singh is a wonderful composer and musician and one day he played this chant for me with his beautiful tune. I fell in love with it, and we began performing it live. People sang along with us with so much love... that I knew this had to go on the album.

Kabir's Song
This song was a part of my child hood. A few years ago while on stage, I just did an impromptu version of it because the words express the deep journey that I feel in my own soul. Yogi Bhajan used to say that when you are teaching, speak as if you are teaching yourself. I took the same principal to singing, I like to sing as if I'm singing to myself.

Mul Mantra
One day while we were driving in the van on the Celebrate Peace Tour on a highway somewhere I pulled out the guitar and started playing this tune. When we brought it to the studio Thomas of course took it to the next level and now it is awesome.

2006-08-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Journey of the Soul

In this blog entry I'm sharing what feels to me to be the journey of the soul. My husband and I are en route to our new home, Espanola New Mexico. We are leaving a beautiful and loving community in Eugene Oregon which is more challenging then I ever imagined it would be. I am however looking forward to our new home in Espanola, and there are many good friends there. My brother, Rishi Parbhaat Singh is also leaving for India soon for his last year at Miri Piri Academy in Amritsar.

My brother Rishi Parbhaat Singh is one of the most kind, loving and honorable guys I know. I send him all of my love and prayers for his soul journey.
My husband and I driving to Boise Idaho, our first stop along our three day drive to Espanola from Eugene.

In the Center

There is no difference

Between Present and Past.

In the Center

There is no difference

Between Right and Wrong.

And so I sit here

In the Center

Feeling my soul

Take its journey

Above the trees, and the mountains

Into the desert.

My heart looks back

Upon the family and friends,

Yearning for the laughter and love

That will never end.

Whispering into me

Into the Center

The wind tells me of the fuure

And the past,

And I am left with

Nothing

But the

Center.

2006-08-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Peace Summer Tour 2006!

Steffanya is a young girl who is fighting cancer. After a children's concert that we gave at a hospital in Edmonton Canada I spent some time with her, her mother and grandmother. Her mother told me that every night Steffanya talks to God. I thought that she would deffinitely be praying to God for help, but her mother said that she instead says thank you to God for all of the blessings in her life. This was so touching to me.

Karta and I are sitting with the sangat in Kamloops Canada.

In Olympia Washington our hosts fed us fresh flowers from their garden.
Can't quite fit it in there....

Mission accomplished!
The Celebrate Peace Tour goes to Ashland!

Here we are in Sacramento doing a children's peace hour at a gathering organized by the Mother's Support Network.

It was a wonderful tour. We really met alot of inspiring people. My favorite story from this tour is from Kamloops Canada. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from it... but here goes. We were hosted by a very sweet family in Kamloops. The mother of the family, Abinash Kaur took us in as her children. She fed us with delicious paranthas, did our laundry, everything. She had a back problem and I remember being shocked as I saw her crawling up the stairs with our laundry in one hand, the other hand supporting her. She would never complain. In fact the first thing she said to me in broken English was, " I never ask God for anything... I just say... if you want it God... fine, that is good. My everything is broken... leg broken, back broken, arm broken, but this (as she patted her heart) not broken. This fine. I am happy." Thank you Abinash Kaur for your wisdom. I'll never forget you.

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

May Peace Prevail in our Hearts.

May Peace Prevail in our Homes.

Over and Out.

2006-06-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Peace Goes to Spain!!!

A beautiful altar in the Basillica Maria Del Pi. We had the opportunity to perform in this beautiful church dedicated to Mother Mary. The first construction was in 400 AD! Can you believe it? The walls of the church felt warm with a deep knowing of centuries of prayers, voices, and stories of humanity.

This is the beautiful stained glass window that I could see while singing during the concert.

The beautiful pipe organ in the Basillica Maria del Pi.

Arrandeep Singh and Amandeep Kaur, the beautiful children of the folks who hosted us in Leicester, UK.

GuruGanesha and our host Harvinderpal working together as a team to iron a Kirta... a very touching moment on the tour.

GuruGanesha does his morning vocal excersizes... Amandeep Kaur watches. Yes...he does these vocal warm ups every day!!!! But hey... you gotta give it to him... even though it drives me a little bonkers his voice has been smooth as butter lately. GuruGanesha's got a beautiful new album out called Pure Ganesh... you can find it on www.spiritvoyage.com

We had an amazing time in Europe! My heart is filled with gratitude to have a small glimpse into the countries we visited. We really sang to 800 people in the beautiful church as seen above. Their voices filled the large sanctuary space Unto Infinity. We are grateful to our hosts in Spain, Hargobind Singh and Hargobind Kaur. Waheguru!

One of the most touching experiences on this tour, which I don't have any pictures of was my time with a new friend whose names is Navleen Kaur. Her family hosted the Siri Singh Sahib Yogi Bhajan, in their home for many many years. She grew up learning and growing with his guidance. He taught her how to read one of the daily Sikh prayers called "Jaap Sahib", and she shared with us the way that he taught her. What she shared with me was a deep love of the words, and I really felt it and applied it to this Bani, Jaap Sahib. It was incredible. I am forever grateful to her. In fact I will be heading to Espanola New Mexico to play music at the upcoming Jaap Sahib course. Sopurkh and I will then be happy campers at the Summer Solstice Celebration, and then I will be teaching with my mother at the Women's Camp in Espanola. For information about these courses please see: www.3HO.org

I look forward to learning more, and sharing with you. For the next month I'll be updating the blog about once per week. Thanx to all who have given your comments. I've really enjoyed reading them.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

2006-05-26T02:43:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Peace Goes to the UK!!!!

Ok.... here's me being a tourist and taking pictures of double decker buses in London. How fun!!!

We played kirtan in a beautiful old English house right in the heart of London. It was organized just a week before, but the living room was packed with people. How beautiful the voices were who sang with us! Many thanx to Karta Kaur who organized it.

Here we are with Jagjit Singh who joined us to play tabla. He is a very beautiful Gursikh and a great tabla player. He has a similar playing style to our dear friend Harimander Jot Singh of the Chardi Kalaa Jatha. I hope they can meet some day.

Here we are with friends at Karta Kaur's house. After Kirtan they served us a delicious meal and some very tasty cakes.

Karta Singh and Karta Kaur.

We visited an incredible school called Guru Nanak School in Hayes, Middlesex UK. We did an assembly with about 400 of the students. Here they are doing Celestial Communications to the Mul Mantra.

The children sing with us the song written by the Siri Singh Sahib, " I am the light of my soul, I am beautiful, I am bountiful, I am bliss, I am, I am!"

Children of the Guru Nanak School sang with us, with so much Piaar (love). It was very beautiful.

Here we are with some of the beautiful women and teachers of the Guru Nanak School, Sukhmani Kaur, a Russian Sikh, is standing with us. She organized our visit to the school. I love the way that God works... through so many different kinds of people. We are truly blessed to witness it.

An earth shaking dhol class at the Guru Nanak School.

GuruGanesha Singh with very inspirational Khalsa men at the Wolverhampton Gurdwara.

Sopurkh Singh and I during a break at the White Tantric Yoga Course in Portland Oregon, USA.

A number of people have come up to me in the past couple of days asking ways in which they can get up early in the morning in the nectar hours, or Amrit Vela. This time is between 4 am and 7 am, and it is a very peaceful time to meditate before the rush of the day starts. A few things that I shared with people from my experience that have helped me are as follows. The first thing is that if you want to get up but are having a hard time, put it in God's hands... and ask God for the help. Feeling guilty never seemed to help me. Actually, my morning practise became very regular because I really enjoyed it... I didn't want to miss a day because it felt so good. Doing a yoga practise really helps, because not only do you feel good in the mind and soul but also the body. So, here's a few practical tips. Go to bed early!!!! In order to do this, you've got to decrease the things that send radio waves through you... like computers, TV, etc because these energy waves are very stimulating and can be disturbing if you are exposed to them to much. When it gets close to the time that you want to go to bed do more relaxing things like spend time with family, read an inspirational book, play music, do artwork, do yoga and meditation, etc. Its also good to eat early and leave yourself at least 2 hours and ideally 3 hours after you eat before you go to bed. Most of acid reflux disease is caused by eating late and going to bed soon after. You can also have a big glass of water before going to bed so that you've got a really good reason to get up when the alarm clock goes off! Anyway... these are just a few things. Remember life is a journey... and as my dearest friend and teacher Shakti Parwha Kaur said to me many times "Never take yourself too seriously and always have the right containers for everthing."

2006-05-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Peace goes to Sweden and Los Angeles.

Here I am with Deva Premal, who is a beautiful channel of sound. She is known all over the world and loved for her service to humanity through sacred chants. We joined her and her life partner Miten in Stockholm Sweden by God's Grace. Actually, Deva Premal and Miten were extremely kind to us. I am hoping to get more pictures of our time with Deva Premal and Miten and share them with you ... it was such a blessing to be with them and to feel the depth of their kindness and generous spirit. Deva Premal is like a big sister to me. I am really grateful for her loving presence in my life.

Grace makes it to Sweden in the hands of two lovely ladies from the Stockholm Gurdwara!

This is the Gurdwara in Stockholm Sweden. It was renovated recently and is very cozy. After Gurdwara and Langar (community meal) people are relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Here I am with Susheel Kaur. She is a beautiful Khalsa sister from the Gurdwara in Stockholm. Waheguru.

GuruGanesha and I with Hari Jot Kaur, our host in Stockholm Sweden, and owner of Root Light Yoga. She really stuck her neck out to sponsor us, and every event was an absolute success. We are grateful to her beyond words.

Here is a picture of my mother and I at the Bhaisakhi Gurdwara in Los Angeles California. When people ask me who taught me kirtan and how to sing I tell them that it was my mother. Her name is Prabhu Nam Kaur which means the light of God's Name... and truly she embodies this quality not only when she is singing but all of the time.

For those of you who haven't met Sopurkh Singh whom I am blessed to be married to, here's a picture of us together at the Bhaisakhi Gurdwara in Los Angeles California.

2006-03-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

The Celebrate Peace Tour goes to Ottawa!

The Celebrate Peace Tour visited a nursing home in Ottawa. We shared music and GuruGanesha Singh told jokes that made everyone laugh. We had a great time.

Residents of the nursing home singing with us.

Here I am with ladies of the nursing home.

Here is Atma Kaur and her boys. She made us a delicious meal upon our arrival into Ottawa.

We had a very powerful and transformational Kundalini Yoga workshop at the Ottawa Gurdwara. This Gurdwara has such a peaceful vibration. Here the class is meditating.

Here is a Sardar ji (respected man of the Sikh faith) who is enjoying the relaxation section of the Kundalini Yoga workshop at the Ottowa Gurdwara.

Here I am with a group of the youth who organized the Kundalini Yoga workshop at the Ottawa Gurdwara. Mukhande Kaur seen here with me wearing a turban and chuni was the one who contacted us first and was the leader who brought everything together. She is a wonderful and amazing young woman who is very inspirational to me!

Here we are with Pritampal Singh on violin at the Adi Shakti Yoga Center in Ottawa.

Clockwise: Siri Bandhu, Atma Kaur, Harimander Singh, GuruGanesha Singh, Krishan Prakash Singh, Karta Kaur, Snatam, and Atma's boys. Here we are at the Natural Choice Bed and Breakfast run by Siri Bandhu Kaur and Harimander Singh Khalsa. We had a wonderful and cozy time and highly recommend it to any travelers in search of a fun and blissful place to stay in Ottawa. Please see www.vegybnb.com for more information. And if you want the best breakfast ever ask Siri Bandhu for her special pancakes with sesame seeds! Yum.

Clockwise: Siri Bandhu, Atma Kaur, Harimander Singh, GuruGanesha Singh, Gabriel, Krishan Prakash Singh, Karta Kaur, Atma's boys.

I am grateful for all of the comments that people have been posting. Recently someone asked me to talk about my daily practise (Sadhana) which I would love to do because it has really helped me to stay strong and positive during this very blessed, but sometimes challenging tour.

I like to wake up in the morning and take a cold shower. It really gets my blood flowing and it is very good for the immune system. I then like to do a very powerful Kundalini Yoga set. Kundalini Yoga helps to release tension from the body,it maintain a strong nervous system, and it is totally energizing. I love to do my banis, which are sacred recitations from the Sikh faith; Jap ji, Jaap Sahib, Tav Prasad Swaya, Anand Sahib, Rehras and Kirtan Sohila. These banis help to really neutralize my mind and tune me into the flow of God. Often times if there is an issue that I am dealing with that is bothersome I will do a prayer about it before starting the banis, and then when I am finished with the banis my mind is totally clear and can find a solution or drop the issue as need be. I also do Nam Simran which is chanting of God's Name. I find that with this daily practise or Sadhana that things just flow much more easily. It takes time and intention, but I find that the universe starts working for me while I am meditating. Beautiful miracles just happen. But most importantly I hear the voice of God and tune into it every day. I first started doing Sadhana on my own when I was twelve years old. During this time in my life my parents had just gotten a divorce, so I did it to gain inner strength and peace. It really helped me and so I continued every day. I began to enjoy it as a teenager because my family did Sadhana every day with live music. That is when my love affair with Sadhana began. It continued especially with the Summer Solstice Sadhana in Espanol New Mexico where over 1,000 people gather every morning in the high desert as the sun is rising to chant God's Name. (see www.3HO.org for more information). When I moved to Eugene Oregon we worked on our daily practise and the community there really came together to create a beautiful Sadhana. Sadhana is one of my favorite things about going home to Eugene.
Speaking of home... I'll be heading home soon and look forward to being with my husband soon...Sopurkh Singh for all of those who haven't met him yet. He has an incredibly strong Sadhana. He has been a wonderful support for me on this tour, and has given me so much good advice. I am incredibly grateful to him. Pics of Sopurkh Singh coming soon...please stay tuned!!

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-03-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here we are at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in New Jersey playing kirtan.

Here is the Sangat (community) at Singh Sabha Gurdwara.

Here we are getting ready for our concert in Titusville New Jersey. One of the keys on my harmonium had a terrible buzz. Here is a friend and helper, Nelson, who took out his tool chest and got to work.

Yay, the buzz is gone!!

Mahan Rishi Singh is a great chiropractor. Here he is taking care of Krishan Prakash.

Nirbhe Kaur and Karta in the kitchen. Nirbhe Kaur cooked the most wonderful food for us.

Krishan, Nirbhe Kaur, Mahan Rishi Singh, GuruGanesha Singh, Karta and the dog Brahma. This photo was taken outside of their ashram in Princeton Junction, New Jersey.

Krishan doing angel wings on me, Nirbhe Kaur, Mahan Rishi Singh, GuruGanesha Singh, me, the dog Brahma.

With the family...no angel wings this time.

A guy sees us at a gas station and stops to help Krishan change the wind shield wipers on Miracle. It feels like the hand of Guru Ram Das is with us always. We decided to give him a box of organic oatmeal cookies to say thank you.

Rockin out in the van on the way to Ottowa Canada. GuruGanesha is being sponsored by a Gingerale company. Just kidding!!

Rockin out in the van...you can see the whole crew.

As you can see from the photo gallery we have been having a great time. One of the memorable experiences that I'd like to share with you is the beautiful Celebrate Peace Concert in Titusville New Jersey. Mahan Rishi Singh and Nirbhe Kaur poured their hearts into organizing this. The hall was packed with people and we really sent some powerful healing prayers out to the world. We had the distinct honor of giving a $1,000 Peace Cereal Grant to an organization called START, Students Taking Action and Responbility Today. I apologize for not showing any pictures of this because my camera ran out of batteries. But, just imagine this. At the end of the concert just as everyone put their hands together to sing "May the Long time Sun Shine Upon You", we invited five teenagers from START to join us and sing with us. They were some of the most powerful and motivated teenagers that I have ever met. They are putting the $1,000 towards a day called SUMMIT UP. During this day they will hold a peace march and are putting together many activities and workshops for the local community to learn how to live peaceful lives. A big thank you to them for their work. As I said to them at the end of the concert, "This is only the beginning for you guys!"

2006-03-22T08:18:00.001-08:00

GuruGanesha and Krishan with one of the students of the S811 school in the Bronx, New York.

GuruGanesha and Krishan get the whole room full of kids singing.

One of the students and teachers at the school.

Raphael dances.

Raphael takes the microphone to give GuruGanesha a break.

S 811 School
Bronx, NY
3/16/06

S-811 in the Bronx is a school that provides education and life skills training for kids with special needs so that they can make their way in the world. These kids are mentally or physically disabled in such a way that prevents them from going to regular schools. Kids are bussed in from all over Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan to come to this school because Federal funding is very limited and there are not many schools like this available in the area. We visited last year, and I was very touched by the love and light that poured from these kids. We were scheduled to visit them on Thursday, March 16th, but I got sick and wasn’t able to make it. Fortunately GuruGanesha and Krishan were able to go and had a great time. They shared with me some of the experiences.

GuruGanesha got the kids really chanting and singing with songs like “I am who I am that is that” (from Game of Chants by Guru Singh). The kids loved singing the words “I am, I am.” He did a rap version of “Happiness runs in a circular motion.” Many of the kids sang and clapped exuberantly with the music.

In GuruGanesha’s own words, “These children live in pure love and joy. People refer to them as mentally challenged. But they sang, chanted, danced, and responded to the music with total joy and exuberance, leading me to conclude that they are the only people on the planet who are not mentally challenged.”

In the words of Krishan, “They live with a lot more joy and happiness then most people do.”

One of the kids, Raphael, calls me “Grace”, because last year we gave each of the kids my album which is entitled “Grace.” At the end of the program Raphael took the microphone and said, “Even though Grace was sick, and we missed her very much, we are really happy that GuruGanesha and Krishan came.”

We are on the Celebrate Peace Tour... thank you for tuning in.

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Over and Out.

2006-03-20T16:18:00.000-08:00

Eric Wenzel of Global Peace Works receives a $1,000 Grant from Peace Cereals.

People chanting for peace.

Here I am...singing, singing, singing!

A beautiful photo of people praying for peace.

Here's Krishan Prakash doing his great harmonies while playing tabla.

Here is Karta Kaur. She is our sound engineer, store manager, and the most healthy eater I have ever met in my life. Our friend Mahan Rishi Singh called her a "sprouted angel"...I'd have to agree.

Kundalini Yoga East
873 Broadway
Suite 614
New York, NY 10003
3/12/06

If you’ve ever heard the term “Mercury in Retrograde” I felt like we experienced it on our way to New York. Apparently there is a planetary alignment that occurs for about three weeks, three times a year. During this time there can be problems with things like communication and transportation. If you’re on tour this can be a challenge.

As we pulled out of the Kripalu Center in Lennox MA at 8 am in the morning on our way to the “Big Apple” everything seemed perfectly fine. I sat in the back seat munching on a nice juicy apple…hey what a coincidence! Just kidding…please don’t mind my Gemini sense of humor. That morning we were all in good spirits. But then the moment that changed our day occurred when Krishan noticed that a cop was trying to pull us over. We all quickly made sure we had our seat belts on, and I’d like to just say for the record because I know that my dearest friend and mother of 3HO Shakti Parwha Kaur would be happy to know that I had mine on! Anyway the cop came to our car and took a look at our driver Krishan and smiled. Fortunately he looked like a nice guy. Well he proceeded to inform us that we could not travel on the road we were on with a trailer, and wrote us a $150 ticket. He told us that we had to take another route and get off of this road as soon as possible. So, that made us very late for our journey to Kundalini Yoga East. On top of that by the time we made it to the “Big Apple” no garage in the vicinity of Kundalini Yoga East would take our trailer. Fortunately GuruGanesha decided to bribe one garage worker with a $20 bill, and he gladly took it. Apparently this is a common practice in New York. I feel like a country girl. Oh well.

With all of that craziness, I have to say that the concert at Kundalini Yoga East was one of the most peaceful experiences I have ever had. After five concerts, we really have come together musically. But, there was something about the challenges of getting their that really seemed to bring us all together.

That evening we had the honor of giving our first Peace Cereal Grant of $1,000 to an organization called “Global Peace Works”. This is an incredible organization that brings people of different faiths together to work on humanitarian projects. Their latest project was the building of a community center in the slums of New Delhi. They brought together Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, and people of other faiths for this project. They all rolled up their sleeves and worked side by side to complete this very difficult task. The director of the organization, Eric Wenzel, was at our concert to receive the grant. I am very inspired by their work. The most powerful work that we can do on this planet is the work that brings us together in service. The fact that this organization is absolutely dedicated to this is inspiring beyond words. If you are interested in learning more about their work, or taking part in some of the projects please visit their website at: www.globalpeaceworks.org

A big thank you goes out to Peace Cereals for being so generous with their profits. For those of you who don’t know, 10% of the profits made from the sale of Peace Cereals go to organizations like Global Peace Works. In fact, we have the honor of giving four more grants on our March/April tour. That is pretty cool. It is my prayer that anyone reading this will be inspired to live their lives, and/or run their business like Peace Cereals has chosen to do. I truly believe that in giving we receive more.

And of course a big thank you to Sat Jiwan Singh and Sat Jiwan Kaur who are the directors of Kundalini Yoga East. We had a blissful time.

May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Over and Out.