..
closing eyes, clearing thoughts, let the heart breathe.. peacefully gliding into your soul…

We met Robert Bradley while shooting our first film, “Playing for Change: A Cinematic Discovery of Street Music.” Robert is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but we filmed this song in Los Angeles in front of a Playing For Change graffiti wall painted by a local artist. We had just finished a take of Robert singing “Playing For Change Blues,” a song we created while filming across America, and were beginning to interview him. All of a sudden he started speaking the lyrics to this song… We immediately grabbed another mic for his guitar, plugged it directly into the camera and asked him to perform it for us. Enjoy!

I saw this beautiful video through one of my fellow tweeters and friend “Prasad Palacharla.” I had to post this video so that everyone can see it. It is a music video of a song called “Chanda Mama” and it was recorded from many parts of the world. They had one beat playing, and with that same beat they went around the world having people from different parts to sing on the musical track. It is amazing how it all pieced together. And this is a beautiful example of what UNITY sounds like. When we all forget about race, creed, religion, sect, group, or whatever we use to identify ourselves, when we forget that, and just come together as a human being, as ONE BIG FAMILY, because WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS no matter, we can make beautiful music in Peace and Harmony. Watch and enjoy this video.

Namaste!

Chanda Mama
This Song Around The World is a folk tune from Chennai, India. We started the track in New Orleans and added musicians from the across the globe before finally delivering it the people of it’s origin. We ended up in Chennai recording and filming the vocals from the Oneness Choir. The track has a feeling of perseverance and joy and features vocalists from four continents.

MC Yogi – Rock On Hanuman, Live @ Toby’s from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

MC Yogi – Give Love (Giving4Living Mix) from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

I just discovered this artist, he is creative and sings about Light, Truth, Beauty, Life, Peace. Beautiful music which is truly inspiring so I must promote this guy.  Hey if you know of another artist that is inspiring please send us a comment, let us know about him, her or group.  Namaste!

Alexi Murdoch – Orange Sky

Alexi Murdoch – Song For You

Alexi Murdoch – Something Beautiful (unreleased)

Other links to him:

http://www.aleximurdoch.com/

http://www.myspace.com/aleximurdoch

http://www.last.fm/music/Alexi+Murdoch

Smile, and see clearly, it’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day.

Lyrics:
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here’s the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
Real, real, real, real bright, bright sunshinin’ day
Yeah, hey, it’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day

Very inspiring song.

Lyrics:
Many rivers to cross
But I can’t seem to find my way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of dover

Many rivers to cross
And it’s only my will that keeps me alive
I’ve been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride

And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
It’s such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me and she didn’t say why
Well, I guess I’ll have to cry

Many rivers to cross
But just where to begin I’m playing for time
There have been times I find myself
Thinking of committing some dreadful crime

Yes, I’ve got many rivers to cross
But I can’t seem to find my way over
Wandering, I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover

Yes, I’ve got many rivers to cross
And I merely survive because of my will…

Love is my foundation
Wisdom my capital
Struggle is my model
Truth is my redeemer
Sorrow is my comforter
Love is my foundation

Metta means loving-kindness. THE METTA SUTTA The Buddha’s Teaching on Loving-kindness This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, Straightforward and gentle in speech. Humble and not conceited, Contented and easily satisfied. Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm, and wise and skilful, Not proud and demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born, May all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings: Radiating kindness over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world.

Karuna in Sanskrit is compassion. Compassion is action to stop suffering
Compassion comes out of wisdom. Wisdom is seeing that all beings and phenomena are interdependent. You suffer, so I suffer. I stop your suffering and bring you happiness and become happy myself…….Buddha’s teachings are wonderful !

Jayamangala Gatha: Stanzas of Victory
The recital of the Jayamangala Gatha, a set of eight benedictory stanzas extolling the virtues of the Buddha, is usually done on important occasions or when inaugurating any venture of significance. The contents of the stanzas, when recited clearly, are intended to bring happiness and success in all good endeavours we embark upon. These verses have come to be called “The Stanzas of Victory” or Jayamangala Gatha. A unique feature that concludes each verse is the line “By virtue of this, may joyous victory be yours.” These stanzas are regarded as efficacious because they relate to eight occasions, each based on beautiful story, where the Buddha triumphed over his powerful opponents by the sheer power of good.

Through these verses, one will realize that true victory is JOY; where none is left dejected or in pain. Each time the Buddha triumph over His adversaries, He left them with realizations and awe over the pure powers of generosity, patience, self control, loving kindness, serenity, peace, truthfulness and other virtues. The vanguished never leaves without lamp of wisdom being lighted; ensuring them greater happiness.

While the origin of these stanzas is shrouded in mystery, it can be stated with certainty that they were compose in Sri Lanka by a devout Buddhist poet.
___________________________

These photos were taken by Sakal M.P. Kim and Jendhamuni Sos at Wat Promrat and Wat Bo, SiemRiep and in Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Kingdom of Cambodia, in June of 2008.
___________________________

Jayamangala Gatha, Stanzas of Victory, by Messengers of Dharma (M.O.D.). This CD is donated to me by my youtube friend from Malasia (I’m so sorry I couldn’t remember your screen name).

She is distinguished by “her body … white, as an autumn moon; clear as a stainless crystal gem, radiating light. She has one face, two hands, three eyes. She is described in manuals as having “the youth of 16 years” but is often depicted as more full-bodied than Green Tara. Her right hand makes the gift-bestowing gesture, and with the thumb and ring finger of her left hand she holds a branch of white utpala, its petals on the level of her ear.

There are three flowers in various stages of growth symbolizing the three times (past, present and future.) The first bloom that is in seed, usually on the right, stands for Buddha Kashyapa who lived in a past eon; the second in first bloom stands for the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, whose activity has brought you here today, and the bud on the left symbolizes future buddhas — the expected one is Maitreya Buddha.

Her hair is dark blue, bound up at the back of her neck at the back with long tresses hanging down; her breasts are full; she is adorned with divers precious ornaments, her blouse is of vari-colored silk, and her robes are of red silk, the palms of her hand and the soles of her feet each have an eye, making up the seven eyes of knowledge; she sits straight and firm upon the circle of the moon, her legs crossed in the diamond posture.”

[This description (Beyer 379) from the beginning of her sadhana is included as characteristic of the details in texts used as a basis for tantric visualizations. We remind the reader that in a Buddhist sadhana, the practitioner is not really worshipping a goddess since the image is his or her own self imagined as a deity.]

White Tara is referred to as “Mother of all the Buddhas.” This is because she embodies the motivation that is compassion. Her whiteness “Radiant as the eternal snows in all their glory” is indicative of the selflessness — the purity — of this compassion but especially the undifferentiated Truth of the Dharma.

Her seven eyes stand for her perception of suffering that is apparent (the two we normally have,) that is psychological/spiritual (the one in her forehead,) and that is inherent in activity (in her palms,) and in what is usually considered as progress (in her soles.)

The mantra for White Tara is

OM. TARE TUTARE TURE. MAMA AYUR PUNYE JNANA PUSHTIM KURU, SWAHA

Ohm, Tahray Tootahray tooray, mahmah ahyoor poonyay jnyana pushtim kuru[-ye], Swahhah

Tibetans say: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE, MAMA AYUR JANA PUNTIN KURU SOHA

Namo Amitabha!

This is a beautiful song with a beautiful message, listen or read the words and take a moment to reflect on it.

Love – Devotion
Feeling – Emotion

Don´t be afraid to be weak
Don´t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don´t hide
Just believe in destiny

Don´t care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don´t give up and use the chance
To return to innocence

That´s not the beginning of the end
That´s the return to yourself
The return to innocence

That’s the return to inoocence

Very nice song, with nice pictures. Great moments of reflection.

This is another beautiful song with nice pictures of our brothers and sisters across the world.

“I came across this song and thought its beautiful and I should post it. I hope you like it too. Kayama means Gather Together, Lets all Kayama! “

Words & Music by Anthony Burbidge
From The CD The Great Awakening
—
Verse 1:
Many lives, beliefs, and faiths
Many minds refuse to change
But there is one source of life
And we all know this deep inside
—
Chorus 1:
Many rivers; all returning
In their own way to one source
Many rivers; all converging
With the one unchanging force in our lives
—
Verse 2:
Many souls upon the earth
Many lost lives; many hurts
But there is one force we all feel
There is one love that will heal
—
Chorus 2
—
Bridge:
Though our eyes may fool our minds
In our hearts we recognized
We’re not two souls – you and I
We are one in our source of life
—
Chorus 3
—
Chorus 4:
Well I can listen and I can love you
Even if we don’t agree
‘Cause where we come from
And where we’re going
Is the same for you and me
—
Chorus 5:
Like many rivers; we’re returning
In our own way to one source
Many rivers; we’re converging
With the one unchanging force in our lives
—
Anthony Burbidge December 20, 2007.
Visit: www.anthonyburbidge.com

Om bhūr bhuvah svaha
tát savitúr váreniya
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó na prachodáyāt

Translation:
Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of pain and sorrow,
The Bestower of happiness,
Oh! Creator of the Universe,
May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.

ॐ

Om Mani Peme Hum is the most widely used of all Buddhist mantras. It is open to anyone who feels inspired to practice it to develop great love and compassion. This mantra originated in India and it is in Sanskrit. Once, Buddha Shakyamuni was dwelling at the monastery of Anathapindika, in Jeta Grove, with his disciples. He introduced this remarkable Six-Syllable Mantra to the assembly and said: “This is the most beneficial mantra. Even I made this aspiration to all the million Buddhas and subsequently received this mantra from Buddha Amitabha.” The meaning of this mantra is:

Om, it is composed of three letters, A, U, M; these symbolize the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha and Bodhisattva.

Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the method, great compassion and love. Just as a jewel is capable of fulfilling the outer needs of sentient beings, similarly, love and compassion are capable of fulfilling the inner needs of sentient beings.

Peme, meaning lotus, symbolizes wisdom. Just as a lotus grows from mud but is not polluted with mud, similarly, wisdom “the supreme knowledge” is grown from ordinary mind but not polluted with ordinary thoughts.

Hum, indicates union. The union of method and wisdom leads to pure exalted body, speech and mind of enlightened beings.

Thus the six syllables, Om Ma ni Pe me Hum, mean that through the practice of a path that is a union of love and compassion with wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha. The merits of reciting this Mantra are limitless and cannot be fully described even by the Buddha. It is said that the sand of the Ganges and the drops of water in the ocean can be counted but not the merits from the recitation of this Mantra. This Mantra is the great love and compassion manifestation of all the Buddhas. It helps us to develop the love and compassion to make our life full of meaning. Also this mantra can bring healing and can be use as a prayer for other sentient being.

Taken from: http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/A%20-%20Tibetan%20Buddhism/Authors/Za%20Choeje%20Rinpoche/The%20Meaning%20of%20Om%20Mani%20Peme%20Hum/The%20Meaning%20Of%20Om%20Mani%20Peme%20Hum.htm

John Spillane and Baaba Maal Part 1