Jyoshna - From Nothingness To Empowerment

Liilamaya shares his extensive knowledge of herbs and the social and health benefits of alcohol free cocktails. He shares some innovative and delicious non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, such as Cosmopolitan (Cosmo), Margarita (Marga Sita), Pina Colada, and Momet- Um- Tea to stimulate our appetites. I then end with a kiirtan he requested called 'Children's Kiirtan March' from my 'Live in Brasil' albu...

Anjali is a brilliant singer/songwriter from the US. We have been friends for many years and collaborators since 2005. Here I answer Anjali's questions about my background, music and what inspired me to instigate the kiirtan Academy. I end with a recording of 'Snow Leopard' as its one song that she quotes from.  

Balakrishna is from the Bete tribe in Ivory Coast, a place that is renowned for its music-.culture. He infuses his kiirtan with his musical roots and his unique relationship with his guru. This interview is full of gems - he talks about having a conversation with the Beloved in kiirtan. The wisdom he shares is priceless. He ends with a beautiful kiirtan with a soulful blues feel to it.  

Delicious to eat, simple to make and healthy for our bodies, what more could you want in a birthday meal.? It was Didi's birthday today so everyone contributed something to the meal including good vibes. Maetrii and Ramadevas recipe was both creative and traditional, so I asked them to share it with you. Here Metrii gives us the recipe.  I end with a kiirtan that I feel goes with what Maetri...

Tonight Didi talks about three wonderful recipes using Chick Pea Flour as the main ingredient. They are simple and fast to make yet very tasty and nutritious. I end with her favourite kiirtan called Kiirtan for Dad.  

on Saturday I could really feel the effects of ekadashi, I was feeling quite down, and it wasn't until I went to the Kiirtan Academy and had some beautiful satsaung and kiirtan that I noticed that those feelings ahd completely gone. The Net Course is on March 15th so if you feel that your kiirtan isnt what you want it to be, then come and enjoy this transformational experience. I end with a devoti...

Up until just three years ago, after spending time as a gardener, an artist, singer in choirs, and yoga instructor, Latika found her self pouring out beautiful kiirtans. Listen to her tell her story. She ends with a gorgeous kiirtan that she wrote. 

During COVID Acarya Chirainjivii has "no time to bake bread" as he's in the medical profession yet he still takes the time to nurture his, and others, spiritual and musical growth doing Kiirtan and Prabhat Samgiita. He ends with singing a beautiful kiirtan by Bhagavan Das and himself.

Dada Danaviira is from the Phillippines and his love of kiirtan makes it a joy to listen to. His rock and reggae guitar influences mixed with his own style and plenty of devotion make his kiirtan very danceable and rich. Here we are talking about his musical background, his service programmes and his wonderful Baba dreams. He ends with a song and kiirtan that he wrote after his Baba dream.  

Jiivan and I discuss what its like to see new buds springing up after a long cold winter, the joy of it all. We share a love of music and we discuss the new music video on Youtube of the Unity Hours II double album launch in December as well as the new Kiirtan Academy Course coming up on March 15th and much more. Check out the new Kiirtan Academy Course click this link: https://jyoshnaad5185.click...

Emere McDonald and dedicated groups of people from Auckland, are serving the hungry every Sunday by collecting fruit and vegies kindly donated by the stall holders at Avondale market, for more than six years. They then distribute it to those who need it around Auckland. This project is lead by Dada Vimaleshvarananda or Dada V as he is called, some very committed Ananda Margiis and people in the co...

When Vimukti tells us about her last few days, how lovely its been and how terrible, you realise just how vulnerable animal lives are. Ultimately its  about the survival and ecological balance of our planet- and its mostly down to human beings to change that. The department of Ananda Marga called PCAPL plays a huge part in her life (Prevention of Cruelty To Animals and Plants (managed by wome...

As part of the Kiirtan Academy meetings I like to include some current research. Today I was fortunate enough to look into various sacred song, drum and dance traditions around the world, such as New Zealand Maori and Qwwalli music as well as Rarhi Kiirtan. I end with a song 'If not for You' written on Sunrise Farm a few years ago. Click on the link below to see Rarhi Kiirtan   https://www.yo...

Lydia gives us more amazing recipes for very delicious vegan, gluten free dishes - Sweet and Savoury Tofu and Banofee Pie.  I end with a Baba Nam Kevalam kiirtan called 'I want to Leave the Past Behind' from the album Crimson Dawn, sung by Tapasii and I and distributed on Innersong.us.

Whats the difference between a love and a devotional song? I give examples from various songs I have written and end with  the love/devotional song ' When Will I , from the album 'Longing '

In this second part Dadaji talks more about the feminine perspective in Prabhat Samgiit as expressed through the nouns P. R. Sarkar uses to symbolise devotional expression, for example through the word balaka (see sculpture). He gives a very meaningful Baba story to illustrate this point. He says that the expression of love is everywhere in these songs - in fact its inescapable, so if you really w...

At the Launch of Episode 14 'At the Threshold of a New Era' Dadaji is here talking about how he felt the necessity to translate Prabhat Samgiit songs into English and their lyrical and melodic depth, richness and diversity. He also talks about a song written on Sur Das (a poet from the Agra Kiirtan gharana) and songs written from a feminine perspective in Prabhat Samgiit. I end this part with a Pr...

For Ini, Playing Music was Firstly an Unconscious Mechanism of Survival - That Developed Into a Life Long Love of Song, Affirmations and Mantra. In this podcast Ini tells us more about her background and keep us up to date with her original Musical that is going to be staged in Sept this year. Ini then sings us her beautiful 'Earth Mother' chant. I end with a song and kiirtan called 'When Will I'...

Clare Boland has been a social Worker most of her adult life. Here she shares some of her experiences, strengths and realisations on how to deal with some very difficult situations in life. These gems will inspire you deeply.  She ends by singing with her husband Tom Boland called "You are higher than the Mountain Peaks, a kiirtan by Vimal.  

Didi's wish is that everyone shall be free from hunger, especially on this very special day in Ireland. Didi loves to feed people and in this podcast she shares some of her amazing experiences with the children at the Ananda Marga Children's Home in Haiti. She also talks about the Spirulina Project in West Africa that feeds hundreds of malnourished children every day. Theres a short but beautiful...

Sometimes its goals that seem most important, but then an inner transformation can take place that changes your mind. This is what I pondered after watching the Nepali  movie 'Karma', with Tsering Dolkar, Mithila Sharma and Jampa Kalsang. I end with a song called 'My Release'  

Didiji went from renovating the jagriti, to weeding the garden, to planting spring bulbs, then to planting 1000s of plants (each tagged mind you) in  Babas flower garden, full of rare plant species native to Croatia, that now attract so many pollinators, butterflies, bees as well as birds and insects.. She has created not just an amazing garden (and complete natural food chain) but a Garden o...

Dadaji talks about the Feeling Gratitude for the Real Human Experience of Being So Close to Birth and Death every day and working together with such wonderful people. He also talks about his musical 'food' that creates empathy and understanding between people, opening up ways of respecting other people's different cultural expressions. To find out more click the link below: try this   ht...

Radha shares many beautiful stories and fascinating experiences, both as a devotee, and a homeopath in India, Ghana and elsewhere. She shares her knowledge, experiences and deep insights into the present situation. I was also delighted when she gave some remedies for musicians too. I end with a new kiirtan that I plan to record soon. To find out more about Radhas' homeopathic projects in Ghana ple...

Tonight Dada Abhidevananda Avadhuta talks about many fascinating topics: the meaning of 'Avadhuta'; his film 'At the Threshold of a New Era'; learning Bengali language  through translating Prabhat Samgiit; and uncovering the devotional female perspective in these songs. He also shares some amazing Baba stories. I end with the song 'Manus Sabai Apan', (PS no. 1090) 'Everyone is Family'  a...