Bhakti Fest OMmersion: Sunday

Another beautiful, perfect day in the desert. Sunday was Hanuman's birthday, and there were so many magical, synchronistic moments.  Here were the standouts for me: seeing Gwendolyn from Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band playing in a drum circle outside the cafeteria; soul kirtan mama C.C.White gettin' down with her bad self singing "Kirtan Feels Good"; chanting "Baba Hanuman" with Shantala as the sun was setting in the...

Bhakti Fest OMmersion: Saturday

Back at the B&B, but my head is still filled with music. Here's who I saw today; Joey Lugassy, with a break-out set. Amritakripa, homies to Joshua Tree -- again I was impressed with their very unusual sound. Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus band, who always make me cry & dance my ass off, often at the same time. DASI Karnamrita, who has an incredibly sweet voice and stage manner & played traditional kirtan with...

There’s No Place Like OM

Sorry for the corny title, but Saul David Raye said it tonight and it's so true. Imagine a place where everyone you meet is a friend, where everyone you meet wants to open their heart & love their fellow man a little more. This is Bhakti Fest. Imagine the darkness of a desert night surrounding you, the cactus, the (almost) full moon shining down. Imagine the singing voices, the dancers silhouetted against the brightness...

Bhakti Fest OMmersion: Friday

It is a perfect day here in Joshua Tree. Warm -- but not hot -- clear and sunny. It is an indescribable feeling to be back, with the desert sand between my toes once again. The crowd is smaller at this Spring OMmersion --  I've heard 800 to 1000 are expected -- so the energy is different in some ways than it was in September. However, it's only Friday and things are just starting to get cranked up. The day started with Prema...

Chanting Is Growing In Popularity

The Providence Journal: Popularity of Chanting Growing by Jenna Pelletier/April 4, 2011 Some sit motionless with their eyes closed. Others sway back and forth on meditation cushions, chanting shri ram jai ram jai jai ram. Still others stand, swinging their hips and clapping to the beat. An at-capacity crowd of about 60 people has come to Wakefield’s All That Matters yoga center not to practice postures, but to participate...

Kirtan For Mommy & Me

I've spent some time teaching music to preschool children, and I bet they would just love kirtan! This is a sweet story. Mommy and Me Kirtan By Jessica Berger Gross/Yoga Journal Neil had been out of town for a few days, and the one thing I couldn't figure out was how to continue my morning meditation practice without a second parent around. When Neil's home, he's almost always up before Lucien wakes up. When I'm on...