Notes from Sat Kirin Kaur...

The Album
This album is a collection of 6 Shabds or spiritual songs from Guru Nanak; the spiritual masters who elevated themselves and LIVED in mastery and liberation. There are 5 chants or mantra?s that are woven into the Shabds to give the listener a simple opportunity to sing along. These mantra?s are from the Yoga sutra?s of Patanjali. The arrangements are from the musical genius of Thomas Barquee who is truly a channel of the spiritual realm of music.

The music is based on Indian Raga?s. (A Raga is a powerful musical scale format that deepens the feeling and intention of the prayer). You will hear Eastern instruments: sitar, bansuri flute, tabla, tamboura, harmonium as well as Western intruments: piano, violin, guitar, bass, and percussive instruments. Then there are female and male voices blended to a unified experience of the oneness of creation. My Intention
The time was 33 years ago that I was blessed with the technology of the Shabd Guru, as my spiritual master. My gratitude is to Yogi Bhajan who always said to me, every answer that you seek is in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib ( Shabd Guru). The recitation and singing of these songs has served to uplift me and has guided me through every challenge of my life.

Now my intention is to share the universal impact of SHABD GURU. I want to share the upliftment and inspiration with you. I would like you to be carried as I have been carried, above the darkness and confusion of these times to a place of internal steadiness and clarity.

How To
The shabds or songs are presented in the form of prayers. Listening to these sound currents will bring peace of mind. Absorbing yourself deeply, singing along with concentration will bring a depth of understanding to your life. This album is based on the premise that all humans need a spiritual base to complete themselves. The voice is the most direct connection to the soul. The spiritual language of Gurbani is a sound current of permutation and combination of sounds that raise the human consciousness to the place of each individual?s highest destiny?.or even just to a calm and happy place.

My work with the dedicated people of the United Nations has brought me to a constant awareness of the vast challenges that face humankind. The premise is simple ?A heartfelt prayer is more powerful than an atomic bomb?.

My Experience
Daily absorbing myself in the Shabds, sometimes for hours, lifted me above my self doubt?..and brought me to a place where I felt a deep connection with other women, other souls? longing for transformation. I sincerely believe that humankind has a bright future through the development of the human spirit. God bless you all with happiness and the ability to rise above any and all challenges to the place of your human excellence and majesty.

Life is a series of experiences, good, bad and indifferent. By some good fortune when we are given an experience that nurtures and supports the very essence of our being, we have a gift of the steady "Truth". This is what I experienced 34 years ago at my first KUNDALINI YOGA class. Gradually I added more and more lifestyle practices (taught by Yogi Bhajan) into my daily routine. Over the years when weathering a life challenge became an issue or tricky blind turns presented themselves, I found the results of these life changes brought clarity and steadiness. Exploring "inner space" and "slow down" rather than "outer space" and the world of "speed up"; became the primary focus in my life.

While on a study trip to the GOLDEN TEMPLE in India in 1973, (with Mrs. Yogi Bhajan) I started learning the transformational music of "Shabd Kirtan" with "Kirtan masters" called "Ragi's". Prior to my first India trip, I had completed my Bachelor of Arts at Pennsylvania State University w/a BA in Psychology and a minor in Art and Music. The combined spiritual dimensions of a yogic lifestyle along with the elevated musical realm of the "Shabd", gave my life a depth of fulfillment that I could only dream about.

For 20 years I had the good fortune to live in LA and study directly with Yogi Bhajan. During those years, along with being a wife and mom, Yogi Bhajan appointed me (1980) to teach about the Shabd Guru to our community and children. Teaching the language, music and caring for the Guru were all a part of this work. Singing and teaching has been taking me to India, England, Canada, Mexico and South Africa. This has given me the opportunity to study with Indian Classical masters that has enabled me to produce 4 musical albums of Shabd Kirtan. I have also been representing 3HO* at the United Nations to disseminate our mission of peace and service since my move to New York 11 years ago.

Sharing the technology of this yogic way of life to uplift, enrich and bring harmony and peace to others is a gift that can only grow with sharing.

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