“Chants of a Lifetime”
Journey Back to Source:
A Review of “Chants of a Lifetime”
“Chants of a Lifetime,” by Krishna Das, is a transformational story – a story of loss, a quest for love, the love of song, projections, and the unity of the interconnectedness of us all.
When we find someone we love and care about, a spiritual teacher, of sorts – someone we look up to; we feel connected, loved, and valued. It gives us a sense of belonging and being, and for many a sense of purpose. When we lose someone that we value so much it appears as though our world is crashing down around us. Krishna Das, a student of Yogi Neem Karoli Baba (also known as Maharaji-ji), found himself at that very place when his spiritual teacher passed on from this world.
During his time with Neem Karoli Baba, Krishna, discovered the power of Kirtan –singing the names of God– and within it a divine love. He felt alive, radiant, and vibrant in front of his host as he was being seen for the first time in his life through the eyes of love.
Those who know the depths of unconditional love – divine love – know the look expressed and feelings felt when someone truly sees you. Not for what you believe yourself to be, not for what others perceive you to be, but for who you truly are!
Maharji-ji’s transition from this world left Krishna feeling not only the grief and anguish from such a loss, but from loss of such a love as well. It
put his entire existence back to square one – prior, to meeting Maharji-ji – or so he thought.
As I read, of Krishna’s loss, I was reminded of when my grandparents made the transition. For me, they were more than grandparents, they were at one point in time my foster parents and I loved them, as Krishna loved Maharji-ji. So, I understood, what it was like to have someone so loved, admired, and iconic make the transition to the non-physical reality. I knew the sense of loneliness he felt and how his world appeared to have shattered in a matter of fleeting moments.
Krishna’s loss sent him on a journey of self discovery and a journey to bring the love and meaning back to his chants – returning his purpose back to his life.
He would discover that he was the divine love that he projected on his “guru”, Maharji-ji, and that the love he felt from a glance from his teacher was the acknowledgement of the love residing within him. That his chanting carried for many the expression of divine love, understanding, and appreciation – it brought validation to those in attendance.
As, I sat and read, I continuously played the CD that is included with the book as a way to immerse myself in the story – it WORKED! In fact, I highly recommend it, that way you are taking the journey with Krishna and not simply reading about it.
At the end of the book, I couldn’t help but feel like, Maharji-ji’s final teachings came on Krishna’s journey back to source! When your loss is so great that it causes you to question everything – your existence, your purpose, your beliefs – so much so that you feel beyond hope stuck in a pit of despair if you explore that it will yield the ripest, tastiest, fruits that you could ever imagine.
The loss of my grandparents did that for me – shook me at the very core of my being – and my own personal journey began. It’s as though; through great loss we discover great truths.
I recommend relating the story to your life as you have lived it thus far – and you too will go on an incredible inward journey.
Through this epic journey you will be touched by life’s uncertainty and overwhelmed by endless love. Life’s journey takes on a whole new meaning when you realize that you are cradled in the gentle, caring hands of source and that through you divine love can be expressed. And when you release all that you have learned about the third dimension of reality – the physical – you will see the interconnectedness of us all through the eyes of love – through the eyes of source.
This is the journey taken in “Chants of a Lifetime,” by Krishna Das and this too will be your journey as you read effortlessly through the pages.
You can purchase the book by going to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Hay House to purchase your own copy.
To learn more about Krishna Das, visit his webiste
Tags: Chants of a Lifetime, hay house, Kirtan, Krishna Das, Maharaji-ji, Neem Karoli Baba