Album Notes

Govindas's kirtan flows like a waterfall of raw emotion, his sweetness and passion permeating every chant. Eschewing slickness and 'commerciality', Govindas sings from his soul and from his deep longing and connection to the spirit. And when his beloved Radha accompanies him on mridangam, watch out, the gates of heaven are opening!!!!!!!
---Jai Uttal

Much gratitude for the lovely cd's!!!  I must confess that your rendition of Hare Krishna brought tears to my eyes yesterday morning as I was listening to it.  The Indian chanteuse is divine amongst the tablas and singing.  Also the last track sent chills up my spine!  WOW!
---Jacqueline Rothfork

One of the paths of yoga is called Bhakti Yoga. It is the path of the Heart. The Spiritual Heart. It is one of these places inside that we can't necessarily see, but we surely can feel. Bhakti Yoga is working with the heart channel. Love. Acceptance. Surrender. Endless Surrender. Into something greater. One of the practices that amplifies the Heart channel is Kirtan. Singing the Names of the Divine. Our voices connect our Hearts. All praising the One. We become an orchestra together. We feel that connection to eachother. We know we are connected to something greater. In that feeling of gratitude, we celebrate the beauty of love!

My guru is Neem Karoli Baba. The guru is a great teacher, a guide through the mystery of life. He was considered a saint by many in India. He was very simple. His only possessions were the clothes on his body. Which was usually just a blanket. His presence of love was so strong that people were attracted to him from all over---even Americans like Bhagavan Das, Ram Dass, Krishna Das, and Jai Uttal- came from America and their lives were transformed. These guys are his hands still working in the physical world. These guys are my teachers. It was his love and deep knowing that kept people coming back to him. Maharajji (Neem Karoli) left his body in the early 70's. His presence is so strong that 30 years after passing away, many people on this planet are still being guided by him.

The one thing he required was that kirtan was constantly being sung around him. This is where I go when I sing kirtan---to this place that takes me back to the knowing inside my own heart. And love is at the core of that knowing.

The chants or Kirtans on this cd come from this great tradition of Bhakti. The practice of kirtan is a musical journey, a yogic adventure. May they be a doorway for you to explore magical mandala of your inner Heart!

With much love and respect,
Ram Ram,

Govindas