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Celebrate Peace Concerts
05/02/2008 Encinitas, CA
05/03/2008 Los Angeles, CA
05/07/2008 Santa Barbara, CA
05/14/2008 Soquel, CA
05/15/2008 Sacramento, CA
05/16/2008 Berkeley, CA
05/17/2008 Palo Alto, CA
05/21/2008 Ashland, OR
05/23/2008 Bend, OR
05/25/2008 Eugene, OR
05/28/2008 Portland, OR
05/30/2008 Seattle, WA
06/01/2008 Victoria, BC
06/05/2008 Calgary, AB
06/07/2008 Vancouver, BC
06/14/2008 Santa Fe, NM
Benefit Gurdwara for Guru Ram Das Ashram
05/05/2008 Los Angeles, CA
Omega Ecstatic Chant Weekend
05/09-11/2008 Rhinebeck, NY
Benefit Event for Vancouver Ashram
06/02/2008 Vancouver, BC
... view all events
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Here are some albums that have absolutely beautiful recordings of the mantra “Guru Guru Waheguru, Guru Ram Das Guru”, the mantra featured in my article for this newsletter. Please check out my article for more information about the mantra.
 On Pure Ganesh by GuruGanesha Singh there is a great recording of Guru Guru Waheguru on Track #6. It is filled with joy and love. We listened to this often on tour, especially during our morning drives. I sat in the front passenger’s seat (also known as shot gun!) and had complete control over what we listened to, and many times I would just put this mantra on repeat over and over again. The music and the tune are so joyous, and the feeling that it imparts is of pure faith. After listening to it, I felt that we were guided and protected on our journey.
... buy this album now at Spirit Voyage
 On the Crimson Series by Singh Kaur, Volume 1, Track #1 there is a beautiful recording of Guru Guru Waheguru that has gently put me to sleep many a night. There is something totally pure about the voice of Singh Kaur. Often when I’m in an unfamiliar place, I play her CD just to get grounded and feel protected. The music and her voice deliver absolute serenity and calm every time I listen to it.
... buy this album now at Spirit Voyage
 Peace in My Heart, Mantras for Transformation by Tarn Taran Singh, Track #2. This is one of the most brilliant and joy filled tunes for Guru Guru Waheguru. You’ll just have to listen to it, to see what I mean! My husband and I not only listened to it over and over again on our long drive home from our last tour, but we also sang it around the house once we got home, just from memory. It just got into our heads. That’s when you know you’ve got a great tune!
... buy this album now at Spirit Voyage
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Notes from the Road |
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Satnam, the Grace within you, shines through you, forever more, that you may manifest the perfect Name! La, La, La, La!
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!
... read more |
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Text by Jennifer Beeson
Snatam’s New Children’s Album
Snatam has just recently finished recording her newest album, Feeling Good Today, which features many of the much-loved songs she and her band have played at Children’s Programs across the country. Slated for release this June, the album will be an uplifting and joyful experience for children and adults alike! Look out too for Snatam’s new children’s DVD, still in production…
On the Road
Just home from their Spring East Coast tour, Snatam and her bandmates are once again gearing up to take to the road! The West Coast tour will begin in Encinitas, CA on Friday, May 2nd and will conclude in Vancouver on June 7th. Snatam is pleased to announce that Girish Gambhira will be joining her on tablas for selected performances. All audiences will also be treated to a special opening performance by the multi-talented Mirabai Ceiba. See www.spiritvoyage.com for more information on tour dates.
 Joy is Now
GuruGanesha Singh and Snatam Kaur share sublime kirtan accompanied by virtuoso raag-jazz instrumental performances featuring GuruGanesha's signature guitar and a stunning array of classical Indian instruments. Titled Joy is Now. Produced by Thomas Barquee. Visit www.spiritvoyage.com soon for the release date.
Spring Ecstatic Chant
Snatam and GuruGanesha will join with Jai Uttal, Shyam Das, Donna De Lory, Dave Stringer, and David Life & Sharon Gannon for Omega's Spring Ecstatic Chant weekend, May 9, 2008 - May 11, 2008 in Rhinebeck, NY. Celebrate spring with a weekend of inspiring musical prayer. Known in India as kirtan (Sanskrit for devotional chanting), the call-and-response, rhythmic quality of these prayers kindles a joyful mood and can lead to profound states of deep meditation. In India, kirtan is accepted as one of the surest paths to enlightenment. During the weekend we sing a variety of traditional and new chants and chanting styles, accompanied by ancient musical instruments, including the harmonium and tabla-standard in Indian classical music-and contemporary instruments. The weekend includes an extraordinary late-night Saturday session. This program is a spring version of Omega's annual Labor Day chant program, which has enthralled sold-out audiences for many years. Please click here to register. Watch this video about the event. Hear live audio from last year's Labor Day Ecstatic Chant.
Ocean of Pearls well received at Film Festivals with Snatam Kaur's music
Snatam Kaur recently sang on the original soundtrack for the movie Ocean of Pearls, which had it's world premiere at the Miami Film Festival with great success. The film tells the story of a Sikh surgeon who feels he has to change himself in order to be successful in his career. Through this experience, he realizes that his strength lies in his spiritual tradition and way of life. If you're in the Los Angeles area, the film plays on May 3rd. Please visit www.oceanofpearls.com. |
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By Snatam Kaur
 The Sacred Healing Mantra:
Guru Guru Waheguru, Guru Ram Das Guru
A few years ago an elderly man in his eighties approached me after a concert and asked if I knew of a meditation that could lift depression. I looked at him, astonished that someone of his age would ask me such a question. My first thought was, what can I say to this man, who obviously has so much more life experience then I? And then the thought came to me that he might not have much time left on this planet, and so whichever mantra I told him about, had better deliver a miracle. At that moment, I closed my eyes and prayed to Guru Ram Das for help. Guru Ram Das is the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, and I have, especially over the course of these last few years, reached out to him quite a bit. He embodies the energy of miracles and healing.
After a few moments, I opened my eyes, and suggested that he chant; “Guru Guru Waheguru, Guru Ram Das Guru” for at least 11 minutes every day. Drawing on my knowledge of Yogi Bhajan’s teachings, I explained to him that if you practice a sacred meditation or mantra for 40 days, you can break a bad habit; in 90 days you can create a new good habit; and in 1000 days you can create mastery. He thanked me, and I was grateful to share this sacred technology with him.
It is important to practice a meditation consistently every day. As human beings, whenever we do something consistently, it creates a sense of security and reality, much in the same way that a mother’s heart beat creates the rhythm for a baby. We also crave a constant rhythm. It is also good idea to create a sacred space to meditate in your home, not only so that you can have a nice experience, but also so that it establishes a priority in your life on a physical level, that you are devoting part of yourself and, part of your day to meditation and union with God.
When you chant “Guru Guru Waheguru”, you are calling upon the energy of the universe, the energy of the presence and experience of God to come through for you. Then when you chant, “Guru Ram Das Guru”, God comes back to serve you by the Grace of Guru Ram Das. The energy of Guru Ram Das is very special because in his own life, he went through a major transformation, and he is able to transfer this energy to whoever meditates upon him. He started out as an orphan, and through his purity, inner grace and love, he became the fourth Guru of the Sikhs later in his life. Guru Ram Das also teaches us about selfless service. He would spend his days serving all of the people who came to his court and at night he would disguise himself and go out onto the streets and serve the poor and sick. Selfless service is the most powerful way to awaken our own inner joy. Through chanting this mantra, I have found, that I can tune into ways of serving others that may not have become clear to me otherwise.
I have chanted “Guru Guru Waheguru Guru Ram Das Guru” countless times. Recently, when chanting it, I have come to that inner place where I want nothing but the energy of Guru Ram Das to prevail. Nothing else will do! There is no room to complain any longer, and no reason to want anything more! The miracles and healing that happen every time we share the sacred and divine music that we are so privileged to hold in our hearts is just overwhelming. It is ridiculous to want anything after you experience this grace! But life still has its challenges, and so I have resorted to praying to Guru Ram Das to sort it all out!
I can tell you with absolute certainty that every time I have chanted this mantra it has brought me the energy of Guru Ram Das, and I am filled with joy. Sometimes I’ll chant it for 5 minutes, sometimes 11 minutes, sometimes for hours and hours into the night where I can’t keep track any more. I encourage you to try out this mantra, and keep chanting it until you feel Guru Ram Das with you, until you feel the miracle of your inner joy and light unfolding within you, and the love and light of Guru Ram Das surrounding you. |
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By GuruGanesha Singh
 Adventures...Chapter 3
One of the big challenges on a lengthy tour that covers many hundreds of miles is what to do to make the long drives in our tour van more enjoyable. We have found the solution: 1) Good Snacks 2) Bad Jokes and 3) Long Naps
I thought that all you food lovers might enjoy hearing about some of the creative snacks that we have conjured up that are fun to make, consume and help us feel great.
- Ganesh’s Exotic Non-Alcoholic Citrus Cocktail (aka ..The Flu Buster) – Mix equal portions of 100% fresh squeezed orange juice, 100% fresh squeezed tangerine juice, and Spritzer Jamaican Lemonade. Add a spritz of fresh lime juice. Sopurkh Singh had 16 oz. of this as he drove us to Chicago from Detroit and purred contentedly for hours.
- Adi Shakti’s Triple Chocolate Delight – take equal portions of mint, almonds and espresso chocolate. Combine in mouth. This will cure any post flaming van blues.
- Karta Purkh’s Spicy Garlic Peasant Popcorn – Take a bag of lightly salted air-popped popcorn, add brewers yeast and cumin powder (hot sauce optional) and a few spritzes of braggs. Shake lovingly. Then take a nibble of raw garlic and chew contentedly with a small handful of spicy popcorn. The resulting odiferous fumes wafting from your mouth will cause you to a) be quarantined to the rear of the van b) be fortified against all diseases. Warning......do not combine with carbonated beverages.
- Sopurkh's Latest Innovation in Snacking Foods – While driving the tour van back to our current accommodations at 11:30PM after a great concert and stimulating breakdown, ask GuruGanesha for whatever he has in reach! All foods are acceptable. Any prior dietary restrictions can be disregarded and maximum enjoyment is well deserved!
In our next newsletter, I will share with you my top ten list of bad jokes that keep us roaring in the van. So until then......relax and rejoice!!!
GuruGanesha |
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Dear GuruGanesha,
Thank you, the gratitude is flowing from all corners here and from my being to Snatam and you and your whole team and especially to Yogi Bhajan who brought the light of God into your lives. I realize now that he sent you to us as a gift to lift our hearts at this time. You will all come to Fairfield again and there will be other great nights, but everyone will always remember this last May night because of the timing and the intention of love you brought to us at this time. [ed. note: Maharishi Vedic City Community in Fairfiled Iowa. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi left his physical body on February 5th, 2008]
As I mentioned it's been my great joy to have people express to me their gratitude for the concert in the last weeks. Almost everyone started by saying "Thank you for bringing them" (well God brought you and it was nice that he allowed me to lend a helping hand :-). Further expressions included:
"The best concert I have ever been to!"
"The best event ever in Fairfield!"
"One of the best nights of my life!"
"It was incredible, just so incredible!"
"I began to cry as soon as Snatam sang." Many said they cried including the guys.
"We thought we were just going to a concert, but it was so much more. It was so healing for the whole community to come together, chant and unite for peace."
"Thanks for bringing Snatam Kaur and her group here – what a spectacular event!! I saw them in 2003 in California and was blown away then as now. Very beautiful experience – I look forward to having them come back."
"They seem like incredible people, wonderful musicians. I was truly inspired."
I felt all these things too. It was truly one of the best nights of my life and I felt privileged to be part of it. You know when I first heard Snatam's voice I realized that this was something very powerful but it was only when I first heard her sing in rehearsal that I had that experience of God consciousness that all of us experienced during the concert. And if ever the road gets weary, remember the transformation you are creating in people's lives and the planet.
Well to sum it all up, you all have a lot of fans here now!
Peace and blessings to you, Snatam, Sopurkh, the band, and Akal Sahai and Gurujot.
– Guy Harvey, Plainfield, Iowa
P.S. word travels fast and many of our TM friends in different cities will be showing up at your concerts including a group of 6 in Calgary. |
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