This week’s New World Kirtan Podcast explores the deeper meaning of the Gayatri Mantra, one of the oldest & most powerful mantras in existence. Here’s a simple translation: “O Divine Mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.”
The Gayatri is a prayer to lift our consciousness toward the light. Ian Boccio of the kirtan band Blue Spirit Wheel gives us an overview of the deeper meaning of the mantra, followed by several Gayatri chants so you can continue this exploration in meditation.

Next week we’ll start a series on where Western kirtan is headed — so far I’ve recorded conversations with Dave Stringer, Madi Das, Nina Rao, Jai Uttal, Ben Leinbach, Wah, Mike Cohen, Ian Boccio & Gershone Hendelberg about the topic. Several things have brought this to a head — streaming is one but there are lots of other factors. The current model isn’t working — how can we as a community make a difference?

Until then my friends. Namaste.