Jai Uttal - Thunder Love
When FindBliss asked Jai Uttal, one of the kirtan scene’s most beloved singers, what he does to follow his Bliss, he replied that he tries to stay in his heart and in truth and integrity. Jai Uttal’s heart, truth and integrity have brought bliss to numerous listeners, and his highly anticipated new album Thunder Love promises to bring bliss to many more.
The grooving tunes on Thunder Love are a bit of jazzy meets kirtan, lounge-y love songs that provide a new glimpse into the emotion. The lyrics range from the hypnotic repetition of traditional mantra to tracks that blend English and Sanskrit in seamless harmonies. When asked how he chooses what to record and how he incorporates the use of both languages, modern and sacred, Jai replied, “I follow my excitement and intuition.”
His excitement and intuition in this album brings him to explore the emotions of love. As Jai himself says, “I feel this album is about opening up to love—finally.” It’s a sentiment expressed through sound and for the listening, the tunes evoke the glimmering shine of dawn’s rays on a new day. In the third track, “Down on My Knees,” Jai interweaves English lyrics to croon that feeling of surrender we’ve all experienced on our own road to bliss.
Thunder Love also includes the traditional Sankrit mantra infused with repetitive devotion, such as “Om Namah Shivaya,” which is an invocation both to Shiva, the archetype of surrender, as well as to the internal aspect of the divine within each of us.. In “Never Felt This Love,” an English song with a jazzy beat that shows off Jai’s melodic voice, we all feel Jai’s triumphantly won devotion.. With these and other tracks (hey, we don’t want to give away all the surprises), Thunder Love will satisfy diehard Jai Uttal fans and provide the opportunity to introduce new listeners, who may not yet have stepped into a yoga studio, to these hypnotic beats.
From Damaged to Awakened
During May and June 2008, Genpo Roshi traveled to Europe, in conjunction with the publication of his book Big Mind, Big Heart: Finding Your Way in Spanish, German and Dutch. He presented his Big Mind process to audiences in Spain, France, Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands. On June 22nd, at his first talk to the Kanzeon community in Salt Lake City after his return, he recounted some of the highlights of his trip, and spoke about recent developments in the Big Mind process. This is transcribed from the last forty minutes of that talk. Read more
Haiti: How You Can Help
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, you may be wondering what you can do to help. We at Find Bliss have listed the names of several charitable organizations (in no particular order) that are providing food, water, medical treatment and shelter to Haitian earthquake survivors.
(AP Photo/Jorge Cruz)
People can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. A $10 donation made through mobile giving can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, a blanket appropriate to the climate or other supplies to give people the ability to cook for their families.
Your contribution helps empower grassroots leaders and organizations around the world that are promoting human dignity, civil rights and self-determination. For the seventh year in a row, AJWS was recently awarded four stars by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of not-for-profit organizations.
YELE
Started by Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean, Yele uses music, sports and the media to reinforce projects that are making a difference in education, health, environment and community development. In practical terms this translates to over 3,000 new jobs, close to 7,000 children being put in school, more than 8,000 people a month receiving food and approximately 2,000 young people a month learning about HIV/AIDS prevention.
UNICEF
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all associated administrative costs so that 100% of every dollar you give to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will support UNICEF’s relief efforts for children in Haiti.
CARE
Based on preliminary estimates, CARE has established the Haiti Emergency Response Fund, with a goal of raising $40 million to support our five-year response to provide immediate relief and longer-term rehabilitation. Your gift will help us address the needs of the survivors of this unprecedented disaster.
Do You Have a Dream Today?
Is Dr. King’s dream complete now that Barack H. Obama is sitting in the White House? Not even close but it is becoming a walking, talking reality ready to bring the next part of the dream to life. So, do you have a dream? Is it walking and talking? or at least crawling? One of my favorite but sometimes overused quotes is “A rising tide lifts all boats” and I try to use that to my advantage whenever possible.
My dream is to help other people find their true selves and alter their lives so that they are in alignment with this “true self” daily. Now that Find Bliss is out of my head and a living, breathing enterprise is my dream over? Not even close but I am living in joy and feeling challenged, inspired, rewarded and connected every day. This change coming to America and eventually to other parts of the world is a powerful opportunity to make personal changes using the momentum and the global discussion to help realize your personal dreams and make subtle or even dramatic changes to your daily life.
My question to you is …. Do you have a dream today?
Twas The Day Before Change
November 4, 2008 feels like a long, long time ago.
Maybe it is just me but even with all the staff announcements and a few short press conferences over the past two months I feel a bit out of touch with “Hope” right now. Yesterday helped a bit although I chose to watch the playoffs most of the day instead of following the goings on in Washington so it did not have the full affect. Read more
Today’s Spiritual Affirmation
MY LIFE IS LIVING EVIDENCE OF THE GOOD OF GOD!
A WEB OF LOVE AND PEACE AND JOY SUPPORTS MY LIFE!
I LIVE IN TUNE WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL ORDER
AND HARMONY OF THE UNIVERSE!
THE WHOLE OF GOD IS UNIQUELY PACKAGED AS ME!
THE ABUNDANCE OF THE SPIRIT FLOWS IN AND THROUGH ME!
RADIANT HEALTH AND WHOLENESS EXUDE FROM ME!
GRATEFULLY I LET IT BE!
AND SO IT IS! - AMEN! Read more
Winter Warming Tortilla Soup
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lay tortilla strips on a baking sheet and spray with a little vegetable oil. Bake for about 5 minutes, until toasty brown. Take care not to burn.
In a large saucepan or stockpot, heat oil over medium heat and saute the onion, celery and carrot for about 5 minutes, until the onion is golden. Add the potato, garlic, jalapeno, zucchini, corn kernels, stock, tomatoes, chili powder and cumin. Cover and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and cook for 12 - 20 minutes, or until potato is tender. Read more
Deva Premal - Love Is Space
Glowing with an inspiring, heart-centered passion, love is space sets a new musical standard for mantra singing and is the perfect instrument for creating a calm, impenetrable oasis on the massage table, meditation cushion or yoga mat. Deva Premal’s gorgeous voice floats above graceful arrangements on guitar, piano, harmonium, flute and light percussion, bringing these ancient mantras to life.
Love is Space, Deva Premal’s second solo album, contains six sacred mantras from India, including “Gate Gate”, the heart sutra of Buddha, and “Om Mane Padme Hum”, the ancient Tibetan invocation. Also included is the exquisitely performed West African chant, “Ide Were Were”.
READ MORE – Deva Premal Bio and Tour Dates
READ MORE - Featured Artists CD Reviews
DOWNLOAD or LISTEN to sample track from Deva Premal - Love Is Space in the Find Bliss Music Store:
