Jyoshna - From Nothingness To Empowerment

A few of us came together to share our experiences of the first Sunrise Kiirtan Mela festival on Sept 30 till Oct 1st. Present in this podcast are Ashoka, Caitriona, Jiivan (Host), Gerry, Maetrii, Siobhan, and myself. The reactions were diverse: Ashoka said:"it was stunning" and Siobhan, "it was a glowing portal for the divine all weekend", and Kate said "it was such a rollercoaster, it opened up a whole new world for me", and Caitriona "the kiirtan shifted you into a higher consciousness.. I felt like I stepped out of time" among others. We start with some kiirtan and end the same way.

Jiivan Jack Mc Carthy speaks about his new research work on Sustainability including 'Frontline Bikes', a bike mechanic business that supports people moving from addiction to independent living. He talks about a circular economy really being about relationships and mutual benefits.

Gerard Madden is a native of Whitegate, County Clare, and is the author of numerous books dealing with local history and  the ancestry of Irish families. He authored the histories of Holy Island, Scariff, Mountshannon and Tuamgraney. He is also editor and frequent author of the East Clare Heritage Sliabh Aughty Journal and a boatman of 32 years.​ This conversation was recorded while I was with my daughter Isabel of five years, after a boat tide to Holy Island recently. Gerard or 'Ger' as he is known around here is a prolific writer and historian as well as a boatman. He is suggesting in this interview that the Child Burial ground, the most sacred spot on Holy Island, be restored without delay and that the planned Interpretative Centre be forgone, as we have the most beautiful island right there in front of us. Wise words Gerry! I end with the song' If I could Swim the Ocean' written in East Clare and on my new album, 'Unity Hours IV". https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/track/if-i-could-swim-the-ocean

Ambika came to Sunrise farm about nine months ago and here she speaks about her experience in Ukraine, Poland and Ireland, about how the war has effected her, and how she moved from depression into learning kiirtan and meditation. Even though she still struggles with finding her connection with the divine she knows that she definitely wants to meditate and to help others. She ends with the beautiful song of Madalasa, in Sanskrit and English.

In this podcast I share a new recording of a kiirtan track being released soon with Unity Hours IV songs and discuss some thoughts and readings by P.R Sarkar on the duty of a government to support the arts and musicians. Cezanne could live on the smell of an oily rag but can we? hear the complete song album here: https://jyoshna.bandcamp.com/album/unity-hours-iv

Amita and I discuss her experience as her mothers model, and about the painting itself. She also touches on her Jacqueline Fahey's involvement in movements for social change and justice, her feminism and her career. Lastly Amita talks about her own musical interests, her experience of samadhi and ends with a beautiful song in Te Reo. 

In this interview Jiivan describes his experience of being an ABBA fan, the bliss he felt when he could say 'I love you" to Agnetha and her amazing response at the ABBA Premiere in London. It was the concert that he always wanted to go to, but coudnt and now finally went. We end with an old kiirtan of mine that Jiivan loves to sing, called LFT Kiirtan.  

In this interview Bernadette talks about her background and the session of macaronic singing at the Mount Shannon Arts Festival recently that was very successful. She also speaks about the Irish Language movement that she is dedicated to. She ends with a macaronic song called One Morning in June, a love song from the 18th century.  

Most of Unity Hours IV album was recorded in Malbay Studio, except the backing vocals which I recorded with Michael Lloyd in NZ.  Recently I interviewed Martin O'Malley about the background of his studio. It's a wonderful studio in a rural area of Ireland, near to the beach, where we have begun to mix the album. I also share one rough mix of the song "Under Her Spell' a song about my daughter Isabel.    

In this podcast I talk about Pitr Yajina or Honouring our Ancestors aka the 'Bath Mantra', something which is very beneficial to our health and our happiness. It has immense value personally and collectively by recognising those who have paved the way for human progress. It also reminds us of our spiritual goal in life, that we are coming from Infinite Consciousness and will eventually merge back into Infinite Consciousness, once our work has been completed. I also talk about the upcoming events at the Kiirtan Academy and end with Ananda Sutram Kiirtan.  

Giridhara or Tom Barefoot, was an amazing person, a role model to many of us, through his sadhana (meditation) and service. His work in creating the Srii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar Archives has served all of us around the world for decades, as well his many other social service projects. Giridhara and his wife Acarya Cirasmita, hosted me for over a year in the early 90's as I joined their community to sing songs and kiirtans together at their home in Vermont. This resulted in the 'Touched by the Sea' album recorded with the local Margiis and musicians, at a studio nearby in Montpellier. The love, compassion and friendship Giridhara gave me, will always remain in my heart and so I remain forever grateful.  I end with a new song called Divine Fire and kiirtan.    

After a time of reflection I have gathered together some highlights of my stay in Aotearoa, such as what happens when you take risks for something good, feeling gratitude for new and old connections and recording with Michael, ending with a brief description of the new courses we are offering at the Kiirtan Academy.and a new kiirtan called Divine Fire.  

Dadaji is very active in various social service projects in Aotearoa NZ. He leads the Feeding Programme, has been involved in promoting the sacred medicinal Neem tree internationally and is also part of the Prout party (Progressive Utilisation Theory), that brings new optimism to the political landscape. This interview took place almost a month ago, before I left NZ, but is still very valid and inspirational.   

Tonight I reminisce about my stay at Bethells Beach, Aotearoa and some things I am grateful for (even though its not over yet). I end with a beautiful Prabhat Samgiit sung by Didi Ananda Anuprabha and Tiny Green Island in Irish and English sung by the Sunrise Singers.   

Six months ago, we lost Saskia, a beautiful creative woman from our community in Mount Shannon, Co Clare, Ireland. Our Community is small so it had a huge impact on all of us. I am in NZ at present so have time to write music. Here I offer a draft of a song, using her poem and my music. 

'Golden Dawn' or Sonali bhor, and 'New year' or Ek Nutaner songs are the some of the most deeply mystical and empathetic songs ever written. Listen here. 

When I saw the line up for NZ Yoga day I was disappointed to see that there weren't any female kiirtan players. So I set about doing something to change that. I called old friends, from when I was here four years ago, Sarah, Mel and Fern from Shakti band. They were keen to do something and then Sarah contacted Rachel and Emma too and Mel called Angie. There were ten of us in the end who came forward with just a few days to record a kiirtan. Accompanying me were Sarasvati, Emere and Tapasii. The short 5 minute videos have been sent to the editor Aston Garret, in time for Saturday.  The other exciting event is the Open Mic Kiirtan nite which is also happening on Saturday 8 pm Irish time or 9 am Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come and share a kiirtan if they like, in a very supportive environment. At the end I include the audio of the video we made of the song and kiirtan called Dharma. 

So the three greatest polluters on our planet are EAT or Energy Agriculture and Transport. Did you know that the temperature only has to increase by  1.5 degrees more and we will be at our tipping point? So what can we do? Jiivan has some great suggestions for the First world countries, who are causing havoc in the Third world countries. In technology alone there is 54 million tons of waste, in one year, hence the need for innovation, and individual responsibility to save our planet for future generations. Listen to Jiivan's repot on COP 26 here.     

Tonight I share my experiences with my amazing sisters who came to help me get my stuff together, working as a team. It made me reflect on the power of collaboration even in so called solitary activities like meditation. I then share a demo of a new song/bhajan and kiirtan.  

Sutapa shares her spiritual journey here with poignant humour: how she was so determined to get initiation, her astounding spiritual dreams, how she overcame her complexes in public; how she got the inspiration to sing online every day during the pandemic and much more. She ends with a mesmerising kiirtan from Prabhat Samgiit.

I rarely talk politics, its not my area of expertise, but tonight I want to express something about diversity, it being a natural, expression of identity that cant be denied. I end with a song that I wrote today, a draft only, called 'Respect'.