Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold

Lovely, heart full, heart felt, Krishna Das storytelling was for me a journey that gave me strength to really trust myself, to grow stronger into myself, and this has given me the freedom to follow my path to find my guru

What I love about KD is that he is a guy that uses the chanting and the droning tone of the Harmonium to survive depression and the vagaries of life. I love that he is a reluctant teacher that has become a spiritual leader despite himself. This makes him so real. The lack of ego, or his struggle with ego, draws people to him. I enjoy his youtube chai n chat's as well.So, what is the wisdom he is imparting?Well that is where his unusual guru comes in. Neem Karoli Baba also does not appear greatly interested in being a teacher, at least in the formal sense.I sort of interpret that Neem Karoli Baba is one manifestation of Baba Hanuman...or I guess we can say a manifestation of God on earth that pops up, ie incarnates, fairly constantly. There are indications in the book that perhaps there is another version of this reincarnation in the woods somewhere. Maybe I have that wrong but that is what I got out of it.I remember him saying in one of his Chai n Chats, when asked a question about hindu beliefs, KD says 'he (Neem Karoli Baba) was not that type of guru.' Neem Karoli Baba basically teaches by being. He does not spend a whole lot of time expounding on any teachings.Another story I liked was that when he got to India to hear all this profound wisdom - Neem Karoli Baba basically said to 'follow Jesus.'I laughed out loud at that. I can see myself traveling thousands of miles and climbing a mountain only to hear that Jesus is the answer.I really love these two unexpected and rather reluctant teachers that teach by doing what is natural to the them, or for their basic survival, versus the edification and elevation of their own ego.

In May of 1973, when I first met Ram Dass in Tampa, Florida, a young fellow named "Krishna Das" was traveling with him. "K.D.," as we came to refer to him, was a quiet, gentle soul who - in those days - spoke softly and infrequently. But when he sang, his songs to God opened up the Heavens . . . and pure Love and Light poured from his heart, and from the hearts of those who had the opportunity to be in the "Presence" his songs invoked.It was May 22, 1973. We were sitting on "Crescent Hill" on the campus of the University of South Florida as the sun was setting in the West. Krishna Das was leading nearly 3000 people in the Indian form of devotional singing known as "kirtan." Celestial music began to flow in, and out, and around, and through the gathering . . . floating on the warm, majestic, tropical evening breeze . . . holy sounds magically lifting our hearts into the realms of the Spirit.Now, some 37 years later, Krishna Das has become known as the foremost "kirtan-walla" in America . . . an accolade that is well deserved because he is simply the best. And it is my pleasure and honor to be able to highly recommend his new auto-biography . . . a beautiful journey of the heart . . . Chants of a Lifetime . . .It is the story of a profound journey from confusion and emptiness into the Heart of Love. Anyone who lived through the Sixties and Seventies, or who seeks a greater understanding of the spiritual transformations those years engendered will find this book both fascinating and insightful. And anyone who is interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the many dimensions of yoga will find much to savor and reflect on in this delightful, inspirational story of one man's sincere search for the path to Truth . . . and his exuberant gratitude about finding it.

I just received a most spectacular book and CD. It is Chants of A Lifetime by Krishna Das, and is an account of his life in search of the heart of Love...Gold as he calls it. The book is compelling in so many ways, and for those of us who lived through the incredible 60s and 70s, it is a true reminder of the opening in those years to our spiritual longing. Things changed after that, but in those years, there was a heartfelt innocence to our yearning for connection to God, Source, Presence, Universe...whatever you want to call it.Krishna Das chronicles his journey through meeting Ram Das in New Hampshire, and then on to India where he found his heart in teacher, Maharaj-ji. He explains the process, the true meaning of a guru, and brings in exquisite poems of Rumi and Kagore as well as others that point us to the heart of the great mystery - Oneness and the ways in which we each find our path to the source of our heart's true desire...reunion.This is a biographical journey, but also a spiritual teaching for the reader. In addition, for those of you familiar with his moving chants, the CD provides a wonderful backdrop of his musical prayers. I am so moved by this book that I'm taking the rest of the day to read it, and I haven't done that with a book in a long, long time.If you feel the need for imagery that stills the mind and opens the heart, give yourself the gift of this incredible book!

Read this book just to get a feeling of how chanting can change your life.I've been to some of the places in India that he talks about and he describes them well. (Some of them have changed drastically as India has become richer.He tells a good story that have helped me understand more of his guru, Neem Kurli Baba, and the people that his guru inspired. I just wish that he would have told us a bit more of his ups and downs on the path.

Well you might could tell from my title I liked his book. He kind of cracks me up and made me laugh a lot with his journey. Mainly because I could relate even though I never had a guru. His chanting is incredible. The book comes with his cd. I don’t have a car player, not even in my car so my friend scored and always meets me at the dog park saying thanks in chant style and bums me out I didn’t have a player. Anyway it’s a two thumbs up from me. Great book. Kooky guy. Great cd. You don’t need to meditate on this book, just get it and read it.

I’ve been wanting this book for so long. This is the second time i order it, first didn’t come and i don’t know if they refund me. Now i have it. Jumping of joy went to the fence to get it, very excited i opened the package. It’s beautiful and i’m gonna read it right now. I wish the cd had arrived too but i’m so happy to have it now like it is; beautiful and with so many pages mistreated. I think is a book already read, but i’ve waited so long that i don’t care. Love KD very much!

I have often heard about elders saying, “Chanting gods name” or Japa as it is called to centre oneself. This book is a testimony to what can be achieved and how my dear Guru brother Krishna Das does the chanting. Beautiful explanation and being a part of his Kirtan’s lifts the soul and helps one to dive inward. Many layers gets peeled in the process unconsciously. Amazing book and he, is an awesome guide. Jai Guru Dev.

O autor, de maneira direta e clara, relata em primeira voz, sua jornada de busca espiritual, desde as montanhas norte-americanas até a Índia. KD tem coragem de expor suas inseguranças e incertezas a cada passo do caminho, bem como de desnudar suas questões interiores mais difíceis para podermos acompanhar como, ao seus olhos, a "graça" vinda através de seu guru, transformou sua vida pela prática do kirtan. Uma jornada onde conseguimos quase que sentir o que KD sentiu em seus momentos mais iluminados e nos mais tomados pela escuridão, melancolia e depressão. Um belíssimo livro.

Écrit avec beaucoup d’humilité cette autobiographie est inspirante et riche d’informations et d’expériences. A lire si vous cherchez une source d’inspiration et un chemin vers votre cœur. Jay Hanuman !

Please buy and read this adorable offering of love and wisdom