Krishna Das shares a realistic path for resting in the true nature of love that is always accessible to us all.
In this episode of Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das thoughtfully discusses:
- The many versions of The Bhagavad Gita from different lineages
- Figuring out which practice works for you
- How the soul/buddha-nature is always present, even when we aren’t looking
- Meditation practices that increase the awareness of being (I am-ness)
- Appreciating and accepting all the different parts of ourselves
- A mantra given to Krishna Das from Ram Dass, “When the sun is kept in the heart, all evils vanish from life”
- How relationships can help us see the work we need to do
- Calming down the mind via chanting
- The magnetic force and energy within in India
- Being in relationship with everything all the time
- How real love does not come and go, and is not conditional
“We’re in relationship to everything all the time. We have relationships with this table, the computer, the harmonium, the iPad, the floor, the walls, the house, with other people. We’re in relationship to everything in the world all the time. When we’re in a romantic relationship, we feel loved in the way we want to be loved and we think it’s coming from the other person—it isn’t. It’s coming from our own hearts.” – Krishna Das
Check out the harmonium tutorials mentioned by Krishna Das to learn about playing KD-style chords and chalisas!
“If you don’t love yourself, then what? Where do you sit? Where do you rest? Your self, your true self, is not different than God, not different from the guru. If you don’t learn to appreciate and accept all the different parts of yourself, you can’t find rest inside.” – Krishna Das
About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.