Soul of Nepal - new album on radio

Dear all
we added nice album "Soul of Nepal" by Sy collective of Nepal.
Enjoy and keep listening!

Maharaggi

Aama Timro

Nirmal Aama

Timi Mata Pia

Ujjayalo

Milchha

Hanuman Chalisa

Sanjay Talwar - Singer of the Heart Part.3

VH: We have several of your records on our Sahaja radio. They are: Adi Shakti Poojan 1 & 2, Prerna, Roohani Roshani, Bandagi, Jagriti, Sahaj Sadhana, Phuhaar, Santulan, Santushti, Kahat Kabir, Kabir Bhajnamrit, Kabir Sur Sangam, Paigambari, Surkamal...
Which of them is the closest to you?

„Roohani Roshani“. Because Shri Mataji personally supervised its making. Right from the compositions, poetry, the prerecording Puja advice. At the recording time She put Her attention to it, and when it was recorded, She checked for its quality & amde me rerecord certain portions where she felt it needed correction. It also marked the maiden Album under my name „Roshan“(The Enlightened one) a khitaab (Name) She gave to me during its making. There were many things she said at that time, about this album being one of my best & would be the most popular of all. It really is very special and closest to me.

VH: Your last album „Jai Jagdambe Maa“ has come out with the official world mark TIME MUSIC. How did you manage to press Sahaja yoga to the world trade?

I had just had a meeting with Shri Mataji on 10th Dec 2002. I went back home and recorded a new album.
I met all the leading music companies of India and proposed this latest Bhajan album for a worldwide release. 'Times Music' reviewed my Bhajans and selected them for a worldwide release. Thus was born the music album - "Jai Jagdambe Maa."
The trick was - not to talk about mother or Sahaj Yoga to them. Just let them listen to the music, my voice and then decide. They asked me one question: "What inspired you to creat something so good and original like this?" I answered: „ It is the story of the Devas, who sought the protection of the Devi in the Devlok. These Devas were being routed by the Asuras or the Rakshasa, who had spread hell in the trilok. Finally the Devi went on a rampage to kill these demons. And now the devas have been reborn as Sahaj Yogis and Shri Mataji as the Devi Herself. And I am merely singing the praise of Shri Mataji for having saved us from our own Asuras that had come back to attack us in the subtle. The bhajans are actually the rejoicing of this victory that Shri Mataji has managed in this mortal world by giving the seekers Sahaj yoga, the ulitmate tool to all problems of life."

TIMES MUSIC IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT SHRI MATAJI AND RELAESED HER ALBUM WITH A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF HERS AND HER LIFE NARRATION ON THE INNER COVER. IT WAS INDEED VERY GRACOIUS OF THEM. IT WAS RELEASED WORLDWIDE BYTHEM IN MARCH 2003.

It includes some popular Bhajans from my previous musical works - "Roohani Roshani & Prerna". In addition to these, I wrote and composed three new Bhajans. The CD' has a total of 8 Bhajans, recorded professionally to meet with the international commercial norms. The recording was completed Jan. 2003.

VH: The video CD „Maa Ka Aashirwad“ (Mother´s Blessings) is also very nice. Could you write us how was it created, where did you record it and what is the contents?

A separate Video production of the Bhajans of „Jai Jagdambe Maa“ was produced in March 2003. It was titled "Maa Ka Aashirwad"(Mother's Blessings) It comprises of an opening welcome song and has several photographic images of Shri Mataji, that best describe the lyrics of each Bhajan.
I hired a professional film director, a dance director and his team of dancers & choreographers. We filmed the songs in Pune and Satara in four different temples. Shri Mataji had soon thereafter taken to silence, but had blessed the project with all her love and good wishes. She gave many bandhans. It was a tribute paid to Her and was released during Her 80th Birthday Puja.

VH: Finally one more question – how does still Sahaja yoga fill you after so many years, what does Shri Mataji mean for you and what does music composing give you?

In order to do more justice to this question, I would first like to summarise my musical journey as a learning of Sahaj Yoga from the Teacher of all teachers, the Goddess Herself. And what a blessing...... It is a moment of great pride and fulfilment for me, ever since I started writing, composing and singing Bhajans in dedication to our Divine Mother in 1986.You will recollect the Bhajan tapes of Adi Shakti Poojan Vol-I & II, Roohani Roshni, Prerna, Jagriti, Sahaj Sadhana, Phuhaar, Paigambari, Santulan, Santushti, Kabir Sur Sangam, Kabir Bhajanamrit, Kahat Kabir & Soorkamal - all of which have been popular among Sahaja yogis, the world over. I had the privilege and blessings of our 'Mother' to write about all aspects of Sahaj Bhakti, as it grew within me. There was never an opportunity lost in sharing with Her my poems, which She corrected and even moulded, so as to impart a more deeper meaning to it. She filled these with all HER vibrations.Some of the Bhajans' lyrics, are actually her own words, as dictated to me.Sometime in Feb 1989, She had called me, to let me know, that my Bhajans would reach all corners of the world, and that seekers would be able to meditate on them. Later She even authorised my poems and compositions, that were subsequently recorded and presented to all of you in the form of the above-mentioned releases. All these Bhajan tapes, , having been there since last 22 years. I managed to recover not only my production costs, but many times over. The collections were presented to Her as Royalties.

In Her magnanimity, She allowed me to retain sufficient funds, so as to continue making more Bhajan recordings. That is how so many productions happened.Once there was a gap of about two years, when I had not made a new Bhajan Tape.She ordered me not to discontinue making them. There were many others who had also started doing the same, and there was a big competition. I was being stopped by many from continuing, but then She told me, that She was trying to overcome this evil of jealousy among human beings, and that till such time it happened, I must not lose hope and learn the art of forgivness.It was the 10th of December,2002, when I had a chance meeting with Her, that She shared with me a very thought-provoking fact. She said: "One day even I will have to leave this mortal being, and it is You people - the Sahaja Yogis, who will have to keep this lamp of love glowing in everyone's hearts. You will have to take the responsibility to lead all seekers of truth to their ultimate fulfilment through your own Self-Awakening."

Her words left a great impact on me. I was spellbound, and a great sense of urgency engulfed me. Almost instantly I shared with her my dream- 'to bring all the Poetry that She had filled me with; all the music She had nurtured in me, and all the sweetness She had endowed to my Vishuddhi, to reach out to the whole world- whether it be shared with all my Sahaj brothers and sisters, or with those who could receive the vibrations of Her love through my musical works and lead them to their Self Realisation. This would also include those seekers who were waiting to become yogis.
I asked her, that this time She did something so unique, that Her vibrations from these Bhajans would provide instant meditation to all. I prayed to Mother for her blessings, and she granted it. She told me that my work was already done. She then reminded me of Her golden words, when in 1989 she had predicted this would happen. She said: "Now, the time has come, and nothing can stop it from happening. So go ahead, you have my "Anant Aashirwad"(eternal blessings) .

That is when I took a very bold initiative and went on to sign the historical 10-year contract with TIMES MUSIC. I also went on to produce my very first Bhajan video CD - „MAA KA AASHIRWAD“ This project cost me over Rs 10,00,000.00.
Her blessings were such that I recovered every penny of it. And all this despite stiff opposition from some quarters. I really cannot blame anyone for it, because they ad no clue about my long association with Mother on this subject.

I have never spoken so much in detail and so candidly, as I have done in this interview.

Now coming to the essence of your main question- Sahaja yoga is that aspect of Shri Mataji that I am continuously learning. Its fulfillment is endless. I feel completely bathed in it & wish to keep having this bath till my last breath. What concerns me most is that I need to share this experience with as many people as can be possible. And that is the challenge I am presently dealing with. I still feel I have a lot to do, and so am hopeful to keep prodding on.

What Shri Mataji means to me? Well it must have become quite apparent to you by now.
We are indeed very fortunate to have SHRI MATAJI with us in our lifetimes.Imagine, we are living in times when the Goddess Herself has decended on Earth to save mankind from destruction.

Music Composing fills my heart with gratitude to Mother.
Here is an expression of gratitude that I would like to share with you:
Very recently I wrote a song in english. It is my promise to our Mother, written on behalf of all the Sahaj Yogis ( Jewels) of this world.
I am waiting to record this song in North America, as I know it is the song that would please the Adi Shakti very much.
It goes like this - "We’re in the Heart of the World with your blessings......“ - it is in Google
It is one of the ways I wanted to say:

THANK YOU MOTHER FOR GIVING US THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF SAHAJ YOGA. WE PROMISE TO KEEP THE LIGHT OF YOUR LOVE GLOWING FOREVER.


VH: Where can our listeners buy your CDs and what is the price?

That is a good question, and I am myself trying to find some answers for it. Firstly, all my music was being made available by me only. In the early days ( 20 years back) my music was the first to come out. Mother wanted me to sell my own tapes. So these wouls be copied by my Sahaj Brothers form UK & Germany and given to me in ganapatiphule, where i set up my musici stall. This cotinued for about 10 years, till more and more musicains were born and morew tapes flooded the Sahaj music market. Mother then started the NITL in Pune, who then started to sell my music.

Lately NITL has been busy with Mother’s archives and due to too many musicians and too much work involeved in making all the music available to all the yogis, I found my works getting drowned in this vast ocean of Sahaj Love. So finally I decided to work my own music myself once again. I have reprepared all the music masters and have brought them with me for making them available to all of the Norht Americans first, as i am currently based out of Victoria BC. Currently my tapes are avbailable for sale with Mr Ahuja of the toronto Centre and Mr Mahadev form the Vancouver Centre. Maybe Calgary Centre still have a few left with Mr. Surjit and Binu. Details can be had from Dr Andrei Harabor. Else I too have some stock lying with me.

The CD’s are priced at $10.00 each and the DVD at $ 15.00 each. In case you need some stock for sales, you can order directly with me on email, and i shall have it shipped directly to you. Only the title Jai jagdambe Maa should be freely available in all stores worldwide (wherever Times Music has a contract to sell). I am the only other copyright holder entitled to sell my own work.

VH: Dear Sanjay, thank you very much.

Hope I have answered all your questions.

JAI SHRI MATAJI

Love

Sanjay (e - mail: [email protected])

Sanjay Talwar - Singer of the Heart Part.2

You will remember about my left Vishuddhi, when She first met me. Right? Well this was what She did- She was sitting with about 40 Yogis meditating in front of Her, while i had just entered the big drawinbg room of Mrs Pardal form the opposite door, where I could see Shri Mataji directly face to ace. Her evey were closed, and there was complete silence. Then all of a sudden the candle lit on the opposite wall flickered very hard and then I heard a swishh kind of a sound coming from the left of the room. The moment i turen towards it, I saw a big ball of fire entering through the wall of the room, and it went circling around the room so very fat, that in a jiffy, and probably with a wink of the eye, it just made through the other side of the wall and disappeared. Its light was still lingering in the room, as I gazed towards this miraculous happening. That ver moment my eye met with mother’s eye, as She suddenly opened Her eyes and looked directly into my eyes. She then smiled at me and then shut Her eyes. None of the 40 yogis who sat in the room meditating, saw this miracle, as they sat unmoved, as if nothing had happened.I was simply shocked to learn that this experience was just mine, and mother had acknowledged it to me. I became very curious, but quitely went and sat amongst the other yogis.

Soon after, when Mother sat relaxed on Her chair, and yogis had gooten up and were moving around, I went and asked few of them, if they saw anything. No one acknowledged. Now, I could not contain myself, and i went straight to Shri Mataji. Before I could even utter a word to Her, She whisperingly told me by cupping her fingers around my ear, not tot panick, as it was „VishnuMaya“,then she emphasised, it was my Vishnu Maya, that I saw, having just finished with my clearance, and that i was now free from guilt. She told me that I could now freely express myself, and I need not fear anyone. She also said that i was very special and that I must respect myself. She told me that there was a lot of potential in me which could be tapped, and that She was working on it.

I quickly ran to another room, as if unable to contain my joy. I returned after a few moments, and sat at Mother’s feet again. I had brought a paper and a pen, and I was already writing a poem and was reading it aloud to Shri Mataji. Mother immediately closed Her eyes and began talking in prose. I quickly jotted down every word She spoke. It was actually filling up the words to my poem, and at the end of it, a beautiful song was born. She then asked me to sing it, which I did. She commented, saying „ it is a true happening in Sahaj yoga and that is how the transformation happens. You must sing it to all the new people..“

Later, we travelled in the plane from Jaipur to Mumbai.

In the plane, She started to talk with me about Sahaj yoga, and how it works in us. I had many questions which She answered. She would suddenly fall asleep while talking, and I would then start writing poems. She would wake up in the middle and enquire how much I had written. She would then go through the poem with me, and correct it.The miracle that would happen was, that when I would narrate the poems back to Her, I would actually sing them, as if the music was composed already. I cannot remember, how and when it got composed. She liked the compositions, and told me that the Ragas I selected were most appropriate to the subject matter of each poetry. Amazing!! I had not a clue about it till she actually told me.She said " You must first share it will all the yogis. They will simply love it, and then you take it to all the seekers of Truth."Only music will do the final trick".

When we reached Mumbai, Mother went to Pune in her car, while I followed in a train. I wrote a poem in the train. When I reached Shri Mataji's flat in Pune, she asked me "So did you write anything?". "Yes Mother" I said, and then she asked me to sing it to Her.

My God, there are so many more instances that speak about how I became a Sahaj Musician. All I can say that I am merely the flute through which the Adi Shaki blew her breath, and as She moved her fingers on my chakras. The music that was born was simply divine.There is actually poem where I have actually described how this flute works and simply plays Her tune of love. It is one more memorable moment when I wrote this poem and met mother to take Her approval. The most beautiful moments of my life were spent with Her at that moment.

It is a Moment I will never forget:
Now let me share with you.... Moments that granted me the magic of music from the Saraswati herslf. It was February of 1997, and we were doing puja to Shri Mataji at Mumbai. I remeber it was Shivratri puja. It went on till the wee hours of the morning.Shri Mataji finally left the Puja venue about 2 am. I was staying at Juhu with a Yogi, and we reached home around 2.30 am. I do not know what came over me, and I just started writing. I had barely finished composing the new poem that I felt this tremendous urge to go and meet Shri Mataji. It was around 3.30am. The yogi with whom I stayed, started to tell me about the protocol with Mother, and that the leaders will be very angry, if we went and disturbed Mother at that hour. I remember, my Yogi brother telling me that I should not go at that hour, as Mother had just finished a Puja, and must be resting. But I was very adament. I told him- "if we have to meet Mothet, then nothing can stop us.If you do not want to go, then I will go alone." And so I got up to go, he was so much taken by my determination, and so he said " well then we shall face it together- whatever happens".

We got into an autorickshaw and got off right in front of Mother's Juhu retreat (owend by Mr Rahul Bajaj- the great Industrialist of India). As we got off, what we saw was to our utmost amazement. The front door to the bungalow was wide open, and as we walked towards the beach house, I could see Shri Mataji from a distance. She was sitting at the head of a round dining table with all the world leaders sitting beside her, along with Yogi Mahajan. I could hear from the distance Mother exclaimimg " Come.. Come.., I had been waiting for you. I knew you would have written something. So, is it ready now? Would you like to sing it to all of us? I had just finished telling all these people about the amazing gift you have and here you are. How did you know we were discussing you?" And she laughed. Then She asked me to sit beside Her, and when She finished washing Her hands ( She had just finished having Her dinner),She asked me to drink the contents of Her finger bowl. I looked as if I was in some sort of a Heaven and God was telling me to drink nector. I picked up the bowl and drank it.

I remember all the leaders whispering " please leave some for us. All this while we have been waiting for this moment, and you just land up and start drinking it all by your self" They said it very jokingly, but Mother had heard them, and said, " See, He is writing this wonderful poetry, which has to go to the whole world, so he needs it more than you all' and She started laughing.She then told me to sing my new poem and composition. As I sang it, Shri mataji closed Her eyes, and I felt some sort of a great opening in my Vishuddhi. It is hard to describe, what I was going through, but my entire being was just lifted into ecstasy. Shri Mataji asked everyone there to check the cool vibrations and then commented. " I am going to now take him with me all over the world, you see. I will have him sing his songs to all the yogis and the seekers of truth." She asked the Foreign leaders to invite me to the Foreign Pujas and have me sing at all the functions. She told them that from now onwad She was going to start a Music group, that will travel with Her, as She would travel the whole world giving realisation to all the sekers. She asked me to get my passport ready and get ready to leave for abroad that summer itself.This declaration of mother, was indeed the birth of Nirmal Sangeet Sarita.
The song I had composed that day was " Teri Sason ki Jab Ek Ladi...." It was later recorded in my musical release "Roohani Roshani"

There were innumerable such instances when I would be with Mother and She would call upon me to sing my new compositions. It had become like the 'order of the day' for me.I had, by now, become quite addicted to writing new poems and the music compositions would just flow spontaneously. Mother then commented that it was my Swadisthan chakra that had opened and that pure knowledge was flowing through me.

She said "So now you know, that there is some power that is working in you, Actually you are not the doer, it is that power that is awakened in you, that is doing all this through you. You are merely an instrument, surrendered to this power. And I have authorised it to happen, so you do not worry about making mistakes, as none will happen. This power is absolutely pure, and it is flowing for the benovalence of mankind at large. So never stop its flow. Just keep writing, and now you must records it all and make it available for all the Sahaj Yogis to buy. It will be a collection worth having for anyone, because it has the vibrations. It is eternal music of love.
She would bless me again and again, and whenever there would be yogis around, She would specially call me and ask me " can you please sing that particular song you made the other day"...

The best compliment Shri Mataji ever paid to me was, when She named me "Roshan“- the enlightened one. She once told me that I had the complete knowledge of Sahaj Yoga, and that she was very happy that I would be able to now write, compose and sing Her message to the whole world.I am still trying to understand what She really meant by that. I do know for sure,that if God is to be seen on earth today, IT IS PARAM PUJYANIYA HER HOLINESS SHRI MATAJI NIRMALA DEVI.

VH: You were a member of the music group Nirmal Sangeet Sarita. You played at a lot of pujas before our Mother. Now Nirmal Sangeet Sarita often perform at Guru pujas in Cabella. How do you remember these concerts? Could you share a story from the concert?

Before Nirmal Sangeet Sarita was put together, I had three RECORDED ALBUMS READY.
MOTHER NAMED THE FIRST TWO AS "ADI SHAKTI POOJAN VOLUME 1 AND 2." THE THIRD ONE WAS „PRERNA“ I WAS PREPARING TO RECORD MY 4 ALBUM „ROOHANI ROSHANI" WHEN......

Mother had asked Baba Mama to get in touch with me and listen to my compositions. Baba Mama approached me and told me that Mother had spoken to her and that She said that my songs had a lot of vibrations, so I told Her that "Yes, Mother, he is still untrained and therefore his voice quivers." I tried to explain to Baba Mama that Mother was referring to the flow of Chaitanya, and was not complaining about my voice vibrating. We both had a big argument, and then he said to me " Listen, She has asked me to become the Master of Ceremonies and to gather musicians to play for you, so that you can perform your songs to the whole world. So now, I am going to be your boss, and I will guide you when and how to sing.Thus began the first journey of the Nirmal Sangeet Sarita in 1987-88.

As I see more questions below, I will try to provide you with more direct answers. I guess the details you can probaly read in my forthcoming Book.
Yes, I am planning to write a book titled “Jewels of Joy“, where the Jewel are two types:
1)The priceless moments I spent with Shri Mataji &
2)Those that She created out of Her love - The Sahaj Yogis.

to be continue ....

Dear all
We are pleased to inform you that we have added to the broadcast two new albums. Both of them are gifts from last pujas. The first one is "Songs of Devotion" from Romanian collectivity. There you will find bhajans from the band Sahaj Group and Sangeet Lahari. The second album is "Love From the Heart" - a collection of music from United Kingdom, which was a gift of just ended Navaratri puja.

Sahaj Group Sahasrara Mantras

Sahaj Group Allah Tero Naam

Sahaj Group Kai Bal Gayee

Sahaj Group Ma Tere
Sahaj Group Pyar Bhare
Sahaj Group Bhavani Dayani
Sahaj Group Hasat Ali Nirmal Ai
Sangeet Lahari Hai Mata Mahan Apni
Sangeet Lahari Tanu Ishk Da
Sangeet Lahari Nato Chalka Na Gate

Wavewalkers - Let Colour Is

Vimala - Drive

Vibration - The Passing Storm

The Cast - The Day Down

Celli Quartet - Pachelbel Canon
Ciaram McLaughlin - Still Life Supreme
The Cast - Piper And The Maker
Cell Quartet - Gardel Por Une cabeza
Deborah Eckman - The Time Is Now
Casabella - Casabella
Last Biscuit - Ensemble Moses
Fari Bradley - Shri Durga

We have also added new song of Russian sahaja yogi Vladimir Ugodin - it is called "Mother come".

On the You Tube website you can also find new home video of Jeremy Clancy - "I feel so sorry for the rich man". The video- clip you can see here.

We would like to thank to all listeners for increasing interest for your radio and keep listening !!!!

Sahajaradio team

The First Generation - Interview with Dr. Nishi Pashnina (by Gita Pattison)

We uploaded another interview from "The First Generation" series.

You can find out more about our podcasts here (press Podcast).

The direct download for the interview is http://podcast.sahajyog.net/pattison/20080925_NishiPashnina.mp3

Sanjay Talwar - Singer of the Heart Part.1

Sanjay Talwar – the name on the stage of Sahaja Yoga which you cannot overlook. His voice and songs devoted to Shri Mataji is to be found on many CDs and cassettes. Sanjay Talwar is a „singer of the heart“ - his songs tell about love, relationship to Shri Mataji and belief in God. We play a few albums of his on our Sahaja radio. Sanjay has been a sahaja yogi for a long time, for more than 24 years, and he was in attendance at the birth of the music group Nirmal Sangeet Sarita. From 1986 to 2003 he recorded 17 audio recordings and 1 DVD. Shri Mataji Herself asked him to record songs for Sahaja yoga and Sanjay met Her wish. Here is the interview with the singer who has his „heart wide open“.

VH: What were your music beginnings like? How did you get to music and what attracted you most?

ST: I had music in me as a child, but I was just a bathroom singer. I was a bit popular in my college for singing film songs. I used to sing mostly sad songs. I used to feel a lack of love in my life, and I could not understand why I would become sad so often.I always used to be concerned about why some people suffered so much, paricularly when they were so nice and humble. I would often question my mother, as to why good people die sooner then the bad ones. I remember she used to have a tough time answering my questions. I myself suffered at the hands of the right-sided and dominating people ( there were many in my family), but I would found recourse in singing my hurt. It would somehow provide me with relief.

I ALWAYS FELT THAT MUSIC HAD SOME POWERS THAT COULD OVERCOME FEAR AND WEAKNESSES. Shri Mataji was the instant answer to my musical quest.SHE SHOWED ME THAT IT WAS JUST LOVE. She brought it out very gently and then began to nourish it with lot of love and compassion, while quielty opening all the obstructions in its path.This indeed was the biggest attaction for me. I was enjoying this sudden attention thoroughly.

VH: We ask every single musician how heshe has got hisher Self-realisation. Can you describe your story of the second birth for us?

ST: I was 29 when I met Shri Mataji. She instantly knew what I was going through, and I was quite shocked in the manner She started to take interest in me. I remember, it was on 04th July 1984, I was visiting London.

Now let me recollect .....

Shri Mataji had met me previously at my house, when she came as part of the Groom’s family to meet the Bride’s parents when the wedding arrangements were to be fixed between my sister and Shri Mataji’s nephew ( Mr NKP Salve’s son). This was way back in 1982. I remember Baba Mama also came with her. I was entrusted to look after Baba Mama. They would say that he loved his drinks, and I was asked to serve him the choicest of brands. That was the first time I met Baba Mama- in 1982. There was a tradition, that the bride’s family should please the groom‘s family, and that till the marrage took place, they were to be catered with full devotion and love. No one was to feel even slightly uncomfortable. Both my wife and I were entrusted with the responsibility to look after the Groom’s Aunt and Her brother, ie. Shri Mataji & Baba Mama. That was indeed the biggest luck of my life.I don’t think I was aware (at that time) of this great fortune.

Shri Mataji immediately took charge of both me and my wife, and started to tell us about Sahaj Yoga and its amazing powers. I began to wonder who is looking afer who? She would often tell my wife that she had a hot liver, and must use ice on it.Right from the beggining, Her attention was on my Vishuddhi. She started to work on my left Vishuddhi, as I used to stay very sad, and then She would ask me to sing some songs to Her. Baba Mama would silently sit and watch how She worked on me.

Now coming back to 04th July 1984, It was a date I will never forget.Shri Mataji had invited me to come and stay with Her in London, as by now my sister was married to Her nephew for 2 years already. I had this invitation from her pending for long.

Then one day, came the opportunity for me to transit London on my way to Toronto to work on some business I was starting with my elder brother. I remembered Shri Mataji’s invitation.Fotunately, I had a full day to kill in London, and I had no work that day. So I decided to call on Shri Mataji. I was informed that She was conducting a realisation programme in town. So I took the address and came to the programme. The moment I came in the hall, Shri Mataji noticed me, and ushered a few Yogis to make me sit right in the front. Then I saw a few Yogis taking positions behind me. She had just started the realisation, and I had walked in just on time.That was the day of my realisation.

Later that evening, Shri Mataji invited me to sit in Her car and took me home. She had cooked Tandoori Chicken, and very lovingly She fed me. It was just Her, Sir CP and myself. Then she told me about Sahaj Yoga and its great dimensions. I could not feel the vibrations then, so She worked on me. It was my Vishuddhi that was not opening up, and I was asked to repeat “ I am not guilty“. That is when, was the born the musician in me.

VH: You are the author of many songs on many albums, Shri Mataji has given you Her blessing and advice how to go on. How do you remember this cooperation?


I will need to meditate on this first, before I write anything, as it marks the golden period of my life. A good 8 long years with months of personal time with Shri Mataji.

I must say that the real musician in me, was born out of some of some miraculous experiences I had, in the presence of Shri Mataji.
She constantly nourished me with Her presence, Herself clearing out all my chakras.I will try to take you step by step towards its culmination to a wholesome experience. I hope through this sharing, it would pose a good case-study to many yogis, of Shri Mataji’s influence on a seeker.
One day Shri Mataji decided to build Her Pratishthan home in Pune. I remember, It was the winter of 1986. She was visiting Jaipur. My father asked me to accompany him to Jaipur, as he was the Leader for Delhi. Shri Mataji, the moment She saw me, she exclaimed that it was good that I came, as She needed me there. I could not understand, of what use I could have been to Her. It was actually the other way around. She knew that it was the right time I needed Her the most.I was actually going through a very bad turmoil in my family. Shri Mataji immediately took over. She asked me to accompany Her to Rajasthan and told everyone that She needed me to assist Her with a lot of work. Then she very sweetly asked me if I could drive Her to Rajasthan. I was delighted at the idea.

It was during this journey that the poet, singer & composer was born in me.

Let me go a little deeper into this part of the journey.It is very intense, and there are many moments of some very personal time and learnings I had from Her.

My first musical encounter with the Adi Shakti happened in the car, in which I drove Shri Mataji to the interiers of Rajasthan. It was a cold December morning of 1986. Shri Mataji had woken up early at the residence of Mrs Pardal ( Leader for Jaipur), and had sent word to me to get ready to drive her through the heart of Rajasthan, as She had fixed appointments with various house owners enroute to see their homes with Jharokas ( artistically hand crafted windows) for making her home – Pratishthan in Pune.I had woken up that morning with a severe stomach ache, and had a loose tummy. I did not want to miss the golden opportunity to drive Shri Mataji, and so I did not disclose my problem to anyone.

We left early morning, with my wife, Manish Singh and Mrs Pardal sitting at the back and Shri Mataji opting to sit in the front seat next to me.It was not just an ordinary journey, but really the journey of my life had just begun.

I had a small Fiat car with two bucket seats in the front. While Mrs Pardal ( Jaipur Leader), Manish ( he was the officiating cook of Shri Mataji) & my wife Aradhana squeezed in to the back seat of the car, Shri Mataji opted to sit beside me on the front seat and I drove off.Remember I had told you that I had an upset stomach that morning, and I decided not to tell anyone?. As I started to drive, my stomach started rumbling and then I was in pain. Shri mataji immediately asked me to stop the car, though I wasn't complaining. She got out of the car, and went across to a nearby medical shop and brought me some Ayurvadic tablets. She then asked Manish to fetch me some butter-milk. As soon as I had it, I felt immediately better. "Now", she said, "It is a long journey ahead, so why not have a song from you?"That was the first time ever, I got to sing in front of Shri Mataji.I asked Her: "Mother, what would you like me to sing". She said: " Sing any song you like". So I started singing "Hamein Tum Se pyaar Kitna.."

It was a romantic song from an Indian film. She interrupted me briefly and told me to try changing the words a little so that it could be directed to the Devi. I could not fathom what she meant, and I just stopped singing. She then gave me the words, which my wife started to jot down in the back-seat. Thus started a journey where Shri Mataji continued to give the words and I continued to sing them. The meaning that came out were simply divine. She would stop in the middle and asked everone in the car to check the vibrations. She then explained to me the meaning of the words. I shook my head, and said: " Yes Mother, this sounds great".. Can I do more such songs? "Yes", She said, "now you carry on making the songs as we drive along and make sure that what you are creating, is what the seekers will listen to, and take their Self Realisation". I was thrilled at the prospect. All this while mother kept her hand on my Vishuddhi from the back, sometimes mssaging my shoulders, and at times running Her hand over my back- agnya. She would occasionally ask me: "How does it feel? Don't you feel your voice opening up?" Yes!! Mother I exclaimed, I cannot believe this is my voice."

She had worked on my Vishuddhi for hours, as I drove.That day we drove for 12 hours non-stop, till we reached Makrana. Enroute, I saw a lot of miracles, which I would not like to talk about here, as I would be then transgressing from the the main topic. Thus were born my very first musical Sahaj Compositions. Shri Mataji, would always ask me: "Have you written something new?". So every time I had to be in Her presence, I had to make sure I had a new song ready. She would just call me and ask me to sing a new song, that I had written and composed.She would ask all the yogis to listen to the amazing songs and then She would explain the meanings. I was quite surprised that I had written almost 24 songs in just a few days, while being in the presence of Shri Mataji.We had some amazing experiences with Mother in that Rajasthan trip. It lasted for about 3 days. Finally we drove back to Jaipur. On the way She asked me if I could accompany her to Mumbai, as She had no one going with Her. I galdly accepted. She told me that I would have to sleep outside Her room, as She was staying in just a one-bedroon flat. She enquired if I would be comfortable. I was simply thrilled.

The day following our arrival back to Jaipur... I must share this with you....

to be continue …

Elizabeth Henshaw - Zephyr

Although the Australian music group produced their first album Zephyr 7 years ago, it still belongs to my favourite ones. I bought the album in Australia, thanks to the internet, but first I had heard it on a cassette from my sahaja friends. This album is really unusual – you can feel gentleness, love, creativity, spirituality and respect to the Divine Power. Why do I come back to this album after years?
Because nowadays the internet is such a mass medium that a lot of new sahaja yogis can hear the music which was created a few years ago. And Zephyr is still worth of attention. Not only for nice songs by Elizabeth Henshaw and members of her band but also for the singing of Kate Henshaw which gives the album inimitable atmosphere. Elizabeth lives in London these days and she answers my questions this way:

VH: What was your first experience with Sahaja yoga and self-realization?

EH: In 1986 when I was 15 my parents, John and Judy Dobbie, came to Sahaja Yoga and my brother and I made friends with the other kids in Sydney. These friendships were very strong and definitely helped to keep me committed to SY at that age. There was no 'moment' of self-realisation, but I believe that SY kept me grounded and on the straight path during tricky teenage years.

VH: The record has got two wrappings. The first one was perhaps for Sahaja yogis and I have known it was being sold at Ganesha puja in 2001. The second one is for selling all over the world and it was also put into the category of the world music. Why that change of wrappings?
EH: Zephyr is essentially a studio-based project which I started in 2000, when I decided that all the music I was writing for fun should really be recorded, produced and put out there. So I taught myself production, and evolved from being a classically trained pianist to becoming a composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, piano/keyboard player and programmer. I found talented vocalists and instrumentalists from a variety of musical backgrounds to come and record the parts I wrote out for them, as well as other lyricists to contribute. These were mainly all Sahaja Yogi professional musicians. With the first (self-titled) album 'Zephyr' finished and mastered, we had 1000 copies manufactured, which is what you bought at the puja originally.

I then sent these out to music publishers and record companies, and I was offered a music publishing contract in 2001 with Origin, who released the album commercially. It was the same recording, but we had to design a new cover and booklet. I then went on to write and record 'Flame' which Origin released in 2005. The combination of having a deadline but also total creative freedom works very well for me.

VH: I would like to pay attention on these songs:
Destiny – maybe the most played song on the Australian Sahaja radio. What is it about?
EH: 'Destiny' is essentially a 'seeking' song. The words came straight out of my subconscious - I didn't think about them! Luckily it works OK! For me the music always has priority over the lyrics. I think the music can transmit even more vibrations than the words sometimes. I wrote the music under a tree with a sheet of manuscript paper and pencil, out of my head: three vocal parts (in harmony) and the oboe part (expertly played by Jeff Lyons). Then I added all the other instruments (samples) in the studio.

VH: Sunrise – unusual and nice composition with Indian vocalizing and tables – mixture of western and eastern music. Really great example. How was that created?

EH: Yes, this is a fusion of some interesting elements; Baroque harpsichord, Indian classical vocals and tabla, rhythmic pop synth and bass. Kate's vocals were laid over the strings, bass and harpsichord, then Bobby Singh and Sumathi Krishnan came into the studio to put down tabla and indian-style vocals separately. We recorded a lot of Sumathi improvising, then I cut it up, chose the best bits and moved them around where they sounded best!

VH: Spiritus Sanctus – music text Hildegard von Bingen. Why did you use this topic?
EH: Hildegard von Bingen was a 12th Century female 'saint' who wrote theological, botanical, and medicinal texts, as well as letters, liturgical songs and poems. I used this text as it is about the Holy Spirit, and I like the sound of Latin! I wrote the double bass part first in a difficult time signature (played by jazz bassist Jonathan Zwartz). There are 10 beats in the bar, divided into different rhythms in different sections. The tambourine and harp add a medieval touch. This song has been recorded by a successful vocal group with my permission, and has always received a lot of national airplay on ABC radio in Australia, probably more than any other Zephyr track.

VH: The Comforter – I know the version which is simpler and shorter and is placed on the selection IPO. It is interesting how the song can be improved and recorded differently. Do you think musicians should record their pieces in different ways after some time?
EH: Every song can be produced differently, even so it can cross genres. The producer's job is therefore a very significant and rewarding one. I felt this song needed to be 'refreshed', and the recording standard needed to match the rest of the album.

VH: Red Earth – my heart is always vibrating when I am listening the sound of Australian didgeridoo. It symbolizes Mooladhara, the connection to Mother Earth, the base, the root. I consider it as the top of the album. The author is Michelle Shete and Kate Henshaw together with you. How can such a wonderful idea of celebration Mother Earth come?

EH: Red Earth directly represents Australia and its wonderful, vibrating natural beauty. This track was recorded in 1996 for a Sahaj film made by the Australians (that's why it's 11 minutes long!) and I love the inspiring lyrics written by my friends Michelle and Kate. Robert Webber does a fantastic job on the didjeridoo. My other friend Sarah Labade plays the cello part. Interestingly, at the recording session there were three girls: Kate, Sarah and I, and ALL of us were heavily pregnant! It was quite funny.

VH: What is new with your third album? When can we expect it?
EH: For the third album I would like to work more collaboratively with a variety of artists. The albums should evolve so that new musicians and their aspirations are featured as well. Everything I write is owned by the music publisher/record company, so basically I can't distribute my own music. When they decide to finance a third album, I will start recording!

VH: Elizabeth, thank you for this album, it is really fantastic…
EH: Thank you, Vlada for your time in spreading so much great music around the world. We all appreciate it very much!

LINK: http://www.zephyrlife.co.uk/