I used to find myself avoiding the ancient Sanskrit words and mantras, seeing them as a potential distraction from directly discovering the effortless wonder that we always already are.
However, over the last few years that has changed; and when I first heard this mantra I really fell in love with it. So I put it in a song which you can hear me sing with my new Ukulele here . . .
P.S. I was later delighted to discover that ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is a love song to ourselves—to our innate wonder. Each of the 6 different sounds: Om-Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya, chart a course of resonation, starting from the highest energy centre, the brow chakra (Om: clear seeing), then down to the root, between the anus and genitals (Na: survival and the right to exist), and back up through the body—from below the navel (Ma: sexuality and creativity), to the solar plexus (Shi: personal power), then the heart (Va: love and sensitivity), the throat (Ya: expression and the right to be heard), back up to the brow and round again.
I love this so much James, truly beautiful💗🙏
Thanks Vikky xxx
Beautiful James, thank you. Heartfelt.
I have long chanted in Sanskrit as my daily practice so I’m curious to hear more sbout your shift from feeling this to be a distraction, to what you feel now. x
Good question Kate! When I first started seeking proper (that is knowing I was seeking!) it was pretty intellectual . . . I wasn’t a very Bhakti type. I wanted to understand it all with my mind, which is helpful of course but ultimately a limited way of operating. Getting into the Indian presentation seemed like the ‘scenic route’ and I wanted the short cut (the direct cut!). It was when it all broke open that I realised that, of course, it’s all Bhakti in the end. Then all these songs and mantras took on a new significance for me. I could hear the love and beauty, I could hear the sheer celebration 🙂 xxx
Thank you James. Beautiful! I had briefly chanted this a few years ago but hadn’t really focused. It arrived yesterday from you with perfect timing. X
Great Jane 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it xxx
My dear James. I love it. You sing with such feeling it is truly beautiful. Thank you. xx
My pleasure mum. Glad you enjoyed it xxx
The Heart Sings. So much love and gratitude for the divine calling us home. Thank you James. Much love
Much love to you too Harry xxx
Powerful and moving…thanks for sharing it !!!!!
My pleasure Thomas xxx
Dear James, I just listened to your Buddha at the gas pump interview. Loved it. Watch a few of short clips….sent love and light concerning your heart operation
And years ago ( bout thirty) I used to chart OM NAHAM SHIVAYA! Love love love your singing of it listen-each night before I go to bed. Looked for clips of you signing more…wish they were here
Love, Valerie
( 84 years young lover of ,LIFE) i
Hi Valerie
Thank you for your sweet comment 🙂
I’ve been working on the music for some time and hope to have an album out by the end of the year, so watch this space!
Much love and warm wishes
James