Chanting with Krishna Das
Returning to Maui for his fifth visit, world renowned chant master and best selling World Music artist, Krishna Das will bring enlightening blends of chanting to the Studio Maui (Dec 16th, 7:30pm), and the Napili Kai Beach Resort (Dec 10 -15th). Heavily influenced by Hindu devotional music called called kirtan (chanting the names of the gods), Das describes his music as, “Yoga for the Heart & the Mind”.
Maui Time Weekly, blogger John Law caught up with the venerable Krishna Das to discuss the significance of his music within the world of yoga, spirituality and the pursuit of happiness.
Das emphasized that his music is not tied to anyone religion, but rather that it is like going to a yoga studio, “you go in, do poses, and walk out feeling much better”. Further, Krishna Das noted that, “it’s (his chanting practice) aim is not to recruit you or make you join a religion, but to practice…” introspection and allow one to “let go off their thoughts, and fall into a deeper place within yourself…once we know, who we really are we are naturally happier.”
(John will be headed to the Studio Maui on Dec 16th, 2009 to get involved and do a follow-up story on this event, so stay tuned! )
What: Changting with Krishna Das When: Wednesday, Dec 16th 2009, 7:00pm Where: The Studio Maui, Haiku Marketplace, 810 Haiku Rd. Suite 265, Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9390 Cost: advance $25, door $30 Click here to see Maui Time’s listing of this event & More & What: Open Your Heart in Paradise When: Thursday, Dec 10th – Tuesday, Dcc 15th 2009 Where: Napili Kai Beach Resort, 5900 L. Honoapiilani Rd. Napili, HI 96761 Cost: Full Retreat – $1250 incl meals; Daily Retreat $250 incl mealsClick here to see Maui Time’s listing of this event & More
Krishna Das Background infoKrishna Das, born Jeffrey Kagel, is the best-known U.S. vocalist of Indian devotional music performances called kirtan. A style of call and response chanting with the audience of hymns, mantras or the names of the Divine in India’s devotional traditions. His musical style is distinctly Western, using chord progressions typical of Western popular music. The kirtans he leads often build from a slow, meditative tempo to a high paced catharsis.
Krishna Das traveled to India in the 1960s where, along with Ram Dass, he studied with Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). He has studied Buddhist meditation practices, Bhakti Yoga – in Hinduism this is the yoga of devotion, and he is now devoted to singing and teaching. He has released 8 best selling CDs since 1996, and travels around the world giving performances and teaching.
He has recorded a number of variations of the Hanuman Chalisa, a 40 stanza Hindi devotional poem to Hanuman by Tulsidas (c.1600). In recent years, he has also performed and recorded “Jesus is on the Mainline”; Other heterodoxies are found on his album Door of Faith (2003), which includes a setting of the Hanuman Chalisa that interpolates the Buddhist “Gate of Sweet Nectar” and a setting of the Gospel tune “God is Real” which blends in “Hare Ram”. Krishna Das’s harmonium bears an image of Hanuman, and he generally wears red T-shirts when he performs (a coloring associated with Hanuman).
As the New York Times describes in an article written earlier this year….“Some clapped and swayed as they repeated the words; others simply listened with closed eyes and beatific smiles. The mood became more festive as the evening wore on, with many participants jumping up to dance: springing straight up and down, making chorus-line kicks and even walking on their hands. It was a definite scene — a mix of a religious revival meeting, a Grateful Dead concert, and summer camp.” Complete New York Times Article
For more about Krishna Das: http://www.krishnadas.com To Hear Krishna Das: http://www.youtube.com/-atch?v=4BlZrlyi7jAClick here to see Maui Times listing of this event & more
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