The Krishna Das Pilgrim Heart Hour features Krishna Das’ no-nonsense take on everyday struggles for finding balance on the spiritual path. Through the honesty, humility and humor of his own personal experiences, he points to the possibility of navigating life’s trials with a true inner yearning for truth. His own practice of kirtan or chant is the well stone of his ability to share from his spiritual heart. As KD says, “Love is a disease - we catch it from those who have it.”
Krishna Das offers his perspectives on selfless service, committed practice, and uncovering the presence that has always been within. This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das discusses: Doing selfless service for others anytime and anywhere Keeping up with our practice in order to receive the fruits Asana and Pranayama to clean our energy channels and heal the body Uncovering the presence that already exists within us Guru devotion as a means to dissolve the separate self About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “Service can be done anytime, anywhere. It doesn’t have to be your job so to speak, it doesn’t have to be a big deal, it doesn’t have to make you money. Real service is learning how to treat other people with the same love and respect that we would like to be treated. You can do that now. You don’t have to wait for permission, you don’t have to wait for inspiration.” –Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 193 – Sub Ek: Our Own True Nature
1 hr 3 min
Krishna Das reflects on Maharaj-ji’s teaching that all names, forms, and journeys lead to the same truth. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das talks about: Neem Karoli’s teaching: Sub Ek (all one) Following the heart and our own individual path to God A dream message that Krishna Das had from Maharaj-ji Developing communication skills for improved relationships How being hard on ourselves makes it difficult to offer compassion to others Putting effort into daily practice Living with ease and being with all experiences, good and bad “Maharaj-ji said one thing to us that was life-changing: sub ek. All one. Many names, many forms, many paths, all one. Different cultures call it by different names, they conceive of it differently, but underneath the thoughts it’s all the same…What Jesus realized is the same thing that the yogis in India realized, that the Zen Buddhists, Sufis, Muslims realized. They don’t get stuck in the difference of the forms. It’s just names; they’re all the names of the same thing which is our own true nature.” –Krishna Das About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 192 – From Turmoil to Tenderness: Lessons in Devotion and Release
1 hr 53 min
In this extended Q&A special, Krishna Das offers powerful insights on navigating the turmoil of the human experience through devotional practice. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das offers down-to-earth advice on: The name of God as an echo of our own being Tuning ourselves into the mantra Replacing greed and anxiety with compassion and kindness The delusion of self and other Depression and falling into the trap of self-obsession Building up the strength to let go through daily practice Coming back home to ourselves, to our breath The lingering connection we have to those we have lost Looking for love within ourselves instead of outside ourselves "Depression expresses itself in many different ways. In general, through regular practice, we obsess about ourselves less and less. Over time, how we feel retreats into the background. It’s no longer the most important thing in your life. You wake up ‘How am I now? How am I now?’. All day long, all life long, we are always judging how we feel. As time goes on, you don’t give a shit about your state of mind anymore. You’re here now, which is where we are.” –Krishna Das About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 191 – Trauma, Healing & Permission to Start Over
1 hr 6 min
Krishna Das shares wisdom on overcoming trauma, transforming negative patterns, and continually beginning again in the grace of the present moment. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das offers down-to-earth advice on: The incredible life of Garchen Rinpoche, a Tibetan Lama who spent 20 years in prison and labor camps in Communist China Overcoming trauma & tragedy with gratitude for the present moment Holding beings we have lost in our hearts and helping their spirit through prayer Negative thought patterns and the stories we tell ourselves Liberating the mind from suffering through practice Remembering that we can always start again and create better habits Finding the quiet space within ourselves that is non-reactive Naturally arising compassion and not taking things too personally Check out this free documentary on Garchen Rinpoche , For the Benefit of All Beings . About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas "Our emotions are like clouds. We can't see the sun when we're stuck in our emotions. But has the sun gone anywhere? Have we gone anywhere? It is our minds that create the suffering and our minds that liberate us from suffering. You will always be right here where you are every minute. So how do we free ourselves? Practice. It's not about being high, having bliss or love all the time; it's about dealing with what's here. We can always start again." –Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 190 – The Essence of Karma
1 hr 12 min
Exploring the essence of karma, Krishna Das explains how conscious spiritual practice and selfless living can transform the patterns that guide our incarnation. Check out Krishna Das’s book and CDs, Flow of Grace , for an expansive explanation of the Hanuman Chalisa and more! This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gives wisdom on: The essence of karma and the seeds that we plant for the future Individual karma, global karma, cultural karma and ancestral karma Transforming our reactions to all that arises in the moment What perpetuates negative karma The spiritual law of cause and effect: how love generates love, anger generates anger, and intention shapes reality Knowing that we are here in this incarnation for a reason The many forms that spiritual practice can come in and finding what resonates with you How to live selflessly and cultivate compassion, even when feeling lost or searching for meaning "Every action, every thought, is a karma which has an effect at one point or another. Whatever it is right now is a result of the past of our own karmas, the karmas of the world, the karmas of our culture, our family, and our own particular personal stuff. That can't be changed because it is here, it's in the moment. What can be changed is how See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 189 – Maharaj-ji Behind the Scenes
1 hr 5 min
Discussing the divine mystery of Maharaj-ji, Krishna Das explains all of the spiritual workings that are going on ‘behind the scenes’ of our daily lives, bringing us exactly where we need to be. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das explores: How Maharaj-ji works in our lives, often without us directly noticing When Maharaj-ji sent Krishna Das back to America The moment that Krishna Das ‘got with the program’ and realized he had to chant with others in order to purify his own heart Serving Maharaj-ji through being true to oneself and figuring out what we want out of life Doing activities that bring one closer to peace and compassion Turning inward and getting to the root of depression and unhappiness Seeing Hanuman and Jesus Christ as one in the same Freeing ourselves from egoistic suffering Grab a copy of KD’s favorite version of the Ramayana HERE ! “Finally, I blurted out, ‘Maharaj-ji, how can I serve you in America?’ Now come on, I wasn’t at all concerned with how I was going to serve. I was concerned with how I was going to live in America. He looked like he bit a pickle. That’s when he said, ‘Asking about service, then it’s not service. Just do what you want.’ So what did he mean…you can help people, you can do many things to help, but Maharaj-ji was saying that I had to figure out what I wanted and that would be a service to him.” –Krishna Das About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 188 – Suffering & Self-Created Stories
1 hr 4 min
Guiding us toward balance, connection, and freedom from suffering, Krishna Das explores letting go of our numerous self-created stories. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das responds to questions on: Devotional literature and poetry What to do when feelings of boredom arise during practice Using pain as an object of awareness How mantra practice helps us remain balanced in daily life Detaching from our thoughts and feelings rather than identifying with them Freeing ourselves from the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves The difference between letting go and pushing away The illusion of separation and how recognizing our connection to all beings releases us from suffering Check out this Tibetan devotional poem mentioned by Krishna Das, Life Beyond Time “When there is a lot of physical pain, it is really hard to be present, which is why they always say practice when you can. It is inevitable that people get sick and suffer and die. People we know will get sick, suffer, and die, and we’re going to have to deal with those situations. We must find a way to live everyday in the best way we can.” –Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 187 – 50 Years of Devotion
1 hr 2 min
Drawing on over five decades of devotional practice, Krishna Das offers down-to-earth spiritual guidance for beginners and seasoned seekers alike. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gives wisdom on: The miracles that happen around enlightened beings How to cleanse and open the heart by letting go of old patterns Krishna Das’ lifelong journey of awakening, surrender, and trusting life’s unfolding Preparing the heart for prema-bhakti —the experience of real, unconditional love Learning to trust yourself and discovering what’s truly right for your unique spiritual path Moving away from the ego and going further into our true nature Seeing the guru in everyone and living with less fear, doubt, and mistrust Remembering the essential truth of impermanence—nothing lasts forever, not even suffering About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “In those days, my heart was full of many things that the last 50 years have flushed out—sometimes, against my will. I didn’t want to let go of things, but you have to.” –Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 186 – Bowing at the Feet of God
47 min
Through soulful insights on detaching from the ego and expanding the heart, Krishna Das reminds us that surrender is not defeat, it’s the deepest devotion to God. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gives wisdom on: Listening to the heart and paying attention to our motivations Why Krishna Das started to chant with people rather than alone What surrendering means in spiritual life: bowing at the feet of God Remembering that everything is all grace, but acting like it isn’t Loneliness and how feeling alone comes from within our own belief of separateness rather than physical closeness to other people Grief and longing for the things we do not have Refining oneself through eliminating the parts of our lives that do not work Navigating morals in practice when a spiritual teacher has been denounced Keeping our hearts open and engaging with life fully regardless of our quickly passing feelings Get a copy of Krishna Das’s book, Chants of a Lifetime , to hear more stories about his chanting epiphany.Plus, grab this FREE download of The Divine Reality for stories of Neem Karoli Baba. “If we were ripe, if we were ready, if we were fully cooked, the moment we heard that, there would be nothing going on in our heads except the name. But we are not ripe, our lives are very busy, our minds are very distracted, so let's do the best we can to remember the name until the point that the name remembers us and it repeats itself within us.” – Krishna Das About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “Over the years I’ve done lots of stuff, I’ve gotten in as much trouble as humanely possible, and I’m still here. So, that’s the most important thing, find out what you want and pursue it. If it’s not working, keep going, keep fine-tuning. How else will you find yourself except to eliminate everything that does not work?” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 185 – Spiritual Practices for Fear, Anxiety, and Overthinking
1 hr 16 min
Krishna Das explores how spiritual practices like chanting and loving-kindness can calm anxiety and free the mind from the trap of overthinking. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das shares his thoughts on: Maharaj-ji, beyond the physical form Discovering the guru’s presence everywhere Our limited, human way of conceptualizing God Spiritual life and relieving suffering in ourselves and others Loving people as they are while still being able to set boundaries when necessary The challenge of leaving relationships after they’ve served their karmic purpose Allowing the mind to settle and becoming accustomed to the feeling of letting go The illusion of control and the ridiculousness of trying to control others Finding ways to give ourselves a break and ways to show ourselves kindness Why we practice: feeling the suffering of the world without letting it destroy us Offering loving kindness to those we are struggling to accept Practicing the Hanuman Chalisa as a coping mechanism and a way to change karma About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “Let the mind settle a little bit, get used to the feeling of letting go. Thoughts will cut you up, cut your mind up. Just keep practicing, letting go, that’s what we can do. If we don’t do it, we’re constantly going to be the target of our own anxiety and fear. We have to do some letting go.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 184 – The Heart of Healing: Lessons on Love and Personal Responsibility
1 hr 20 min
Encouraging listeners to take responsibility for their own inner healing, Krishna Das discusses cleansing the heart of betrayal, hurt, and grief. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das provides wisdom on: Meeting Anandamayi Ma and what it means to have darshan with a guru Accepting people as they are and loving unconditionally Recognizing where we really are on our spiritual journey so that we can see where our work lies How all things are accomplished through the repetition of the name Navigating parental relationships and seeing our parents as people instead of only parents Taking responsibility to cleanse our hearts of betrayal, hurt, and pain Practicing seva (selfless service) and offering love to the world around us Holding grief with compassion and allowing ourselves to move through it with care Simplifying our practice: treating others the way we want to be treated How Maharaj-ji scoffed at superficiality and preferred authentic practice, even if it wasn’t meditation About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “Our relationship with our parents can be very difficult. We don’t know our parents as people; we only know them as our parents. We don’t know how many times their hearts were broken. We don’t know how their parents treated them. We don’t know what they’ve gone through that made them into the person they are now...When your parents lay a trip on you, if you get caught in reacting, that's your problem, not theirs. They are allowed to be who they are.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 183 – The Golden Rule Meets The Bhakti Path
1 hr 5 min
Krishna Das shares time-tested practices and spiritual wisdom for easing suffering, letting go, and treating others with the same compassion we wish for ourselves. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das provides wisdom on: Navigating the challenges of family relationships and untangling the knots of triggered emotions. Channeling our energy into chanting, meditation, and treating others with compassion and respect. Working skillfully with the mind rather than trying to control it completely Training ourselves, transforming ourselves, and opening ourselves to real grace and love Investigating deeply into the roots of our thoughts and emotions to understand their true source Turning inwards and knowing that we can find answers to all of our questions within ourselves Krishna Das’ go-to practice when he is having a difficult time: chanting 108 Hanuman Chalisas Making daily space for spiritual practice to strengthen the heart and mind Relieving suffering through deidentification with the stories that we tell ourselves The difference between letting go and pushing away This episode is brought to you by Dharma Moon. Join Senior Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern for a provocative and playful online discussion exploring the profound practices of mindfulness and the journey of becoming a meditation teacher. Learn more and sign up for a free online talk about becoming a meditation teacher with David at dharmamoon.com/deepening . About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “We can’t push people around, abuse people, hurt people, and think we're gonna get everything we want. That’s creating terrible negative karma for ourselves. We have to learn to treat others the way we ourselves want to be treated. If you think that’s easy, you've got another thing coming.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 182 – Your Life as Your Path
57 min
Reminding us that there's no need to escape our daily life in search of spirituality, Krishna Das explains that our relationships, struggles, joys, and routines are the spiritual path. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das opens our hearts to: The divine play (Leela) and mysterious grace behind Maharaj-ji Neem Karoli Baba’s actions Krishna Das’ experiences with the Dalai Lama Embracing aging with grace, staying rooted in present-moment awareness, and living in truth The story of Neem Karoli Baba and the haunted tree Offering the positive karma and merit from chanting practices for the healing of all beings Holding space for global peace, collective happiness, and the end of suffering and war Working skillfully with sexual energy as a natural part of the human experience Learning through our relationships with others and all things Using daily life, with all its challenges, as our spiritual practice instead of seeking escape About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “When we’re not here, when we’re lost in dreamland, busyness, distraction, we don’t experience time going by, and then boom, a breath does not come in and we’re gone out of this body. To age gracefully is with awareness, to be aware of what’s going on in your life every minute.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 181 – Letting Go, Loving All, Living Now
1 hr 10 min
Krishna Das gives insights on continual grace and transforming our self-limiting inner narratives through spiritual practice. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/insighthour and get on your way to being your best self This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das thoughtfully discusses: What it means for the guru to have a key to our minds Teachings from Siddhi Ma: knowing that everything is grace, but acting like it isn’t Putting effort into loving everyone, serving everyone, and remembering God The story of Maharaj-ji in England with a military devotee Our subjective reality as the product of our karmic cycle Reconciling our faith with spiritual practice and seeing God in many forms Krishna Das’ take on Buddhism and dealing with the afflictions of the mind Using chanting and mantra to release shame and stay rooted in the present moment Letting go of the stories we tell ourselves and reclaiming the power to change our lives About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas "We have to make our effort to open to that grace, calm the mind, repeat the name, think of others. Like Maharaj-ji said, ‘serve everyone, love everyone, remember God’. There's not one of those three things that I can do completely, and so, my effort is required to open to the space where that's reality." – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 180 – Maharaj-ji's Perpetual Grace
1 hr 16 min
Sharing personal stories of his time with Maharaj-ji, Krishna Das walks us down the path of recognizing grace, loving all beings, and keeping the heart open, no matter how hard it gets. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. "Grace is always here but we're too busy, too involved in our stuff, our thoughts and emotions. We're too identified with our negative emotions. From our side, it appears we lose contact with the grace. But, that's not the case. We just lose awareness of the presence. Maharaj-ji doesn't go, doesn't come, doesn't leave us. He never lets go. Once he takes your hand, he never lets go." – Krishna Das This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das responds to questions about: Hanuman’s favorite food and providing offerings from the heart The ever-presence of Maharaj-ji and his grace, even when we are too busy to notice The struggle to connect with others and find a community Loving everyone, regardless of their actions or if we like/dislike them A short retelling of the story of Hanuman’s birth Working through addictions and the avoidance of pain A memory of an almost-marriage in India, and how Maharaj-ji always saw right through Krishna Das’ ego How it took Krishna Das 21 years to begin singing to Maharaj-ji as his primary practice "The big community is human beings, that's our real community. Our work is to allow our hearts to open to all beings, even the ones we don't like, even the ones that are doing terrible things. It's not our job to judge—it's our job to love everyone as best we can, and that's hard enough." – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 179 – Resting in the Nature of Love
1 hr 0 min
Krishna Das shares a realistic path for resting in the true nature of love that is always accessible to us all. In this episode of Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das thoughtfully discusses: The many versions of The Bhagavad Gita from different lineages Figuring out which practice works for you How the soul/buddha-nature is always present, even when we aren’t looking Meditation practices that increase the awareness of being (I am-ness) Appreciating and accepting all the different parts of ourselves A mantra given to Krishna Das from Ram Dass, “When the sun is kept in the heart, all evils vanish from life” How relationships can help us see the work we need to do Calming down the mind via chanting The magnetic force and energy within in India Being in relationship with everything all the time How real love does not come and go, and is not conditional “We're in relationship to everything all the time. We have relationships with this table, the computer, the harmonium, the iPad, the floor, the walls, the house, with other people. We're in relationship to everything in the world all the time. When we're in a romantic relationship, we feel loved in the way we want to be loved and we think it's coming from the other person—it isn't. It's coming from our own hearts.” – Krishna Das Check out the harmonium tutorials mentioned by Krishna das to learn about playing KD-style chords and chalisas! “If you don't love yourself, then what? Where do you sit? Where do you rest? Your self, your true self, is not different than God, not different from the guru. If you don't learn to appreciate and accept all the different parts of yourself, you can't find rest inside." – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 178 – Freed by the Name
46 min
In this heart-led exploration, Krishna Das shares how mantra, willpower, and grace guide us from the illusion of ego and into the freedom of real love. This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das offers wisdom on: Inspiration from Maharaj-ji’s picture, dream visits, and more How the soul pulls us towards real love and freedom Why meditating/chanting/any form of practice is a good idea The jungle guru who helped Krishna Das with his will power Using our will in a constructive way to free ourselves from suffering Solving the problem of what is really holding us back Repeating the name of God as a gradual method to purify our minds and hearts Falling out of the ‘movie of me’ through mantra “There's mantras for everything. There's mantras for robbing banks, for finding buried treasure, for controlling snakes, for becoming president of the United States, but kirtan is the chanting of the names, which is only good for one thing, finding real love. It's not good for controlling other people, getting rich, anything except finding real love and connecting deeply to our own true nature” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 177 – Working Through Afflictions
1 hr 13 min
Discussing how to work through afflictions like addiction, heartbreak, and self-hatred, Krishna Das gives spiritual guidance to listeners. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das explains: Learning to chant the Hanuman Chalisa Working with addiction as a part of the spiritual path Developing the ability to stop hurting ourselves Looking within, not without, in order to do spiritual work in all parts of our daily lives Comparing Hanuman with the Holy Spirit Remembering that nothing lasts in this world Relationships as a neurotic need rather than true, deep love The universal experience of heartbreak and all situations as impermanent Opening the heart, quieting the mind, and connecting to a deeper place within ourselves Considering others and doing what we can to help About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “We have to develop the ability to stop hurting ourselves because we have the soul. If we’re just hurting ourselves and engaging in addictive, dangerous, destructive behavior, it’s like we’re beating ourselves up. This program that’s running, this self-hatred program that’s causing this behavior, it is spiritual work to try to free yourself from that.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 176 – Releasing the Ego, Repeating the Name
1 hr 15 min
Revealing the true Buddha nature, which rests beyond ego, Krishna Das shows how regular practice can unveil the inherent purity within us all. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gets into Desireless action and other teachings of the Gita The ‘evil’ within us all (selfishness, greed, anger, etc.) How our ego tries to protect itself from others The ways we feed our hungry desires at the expense of anything in our way Buddha nature and finding the pureness within each soul Developing both internal and external repetition of the name Balancing ultimate and relative reality in our daily lives Finding faith in the stories of the great beings that came before us Making the world a better place through practice The Hungry Hearts Prayer and working to relieve suffering MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “It’s not that we're intrinsically evil. Actually, it’s the opposite. We’re intrinsically good. Our essence, our Buddha nature, is within everyone. The soul is absolutely pure, it is untouched by all this stuff.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Ep. 175 – Healing Our Heavy Hearts
1 hr 21 min
Providing mantra and mentorship, Krishna Das explores how we can heal our heavy hearts and manage both personal and global suffering. In this episode of Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das explores: Mantras to use during wartimes or other painful experiences Hanuman, the remover of all difficulties and negative energy Tibetan philosophies of the transition between life and death Best wishes for all who are suffering across the globe Keeping our hearts open and available to all beings, all the time A story of how KC Tewari saw Maharaj-ji as Shiva The extraordinary beauty of the devotee and the beloved Escaping from the habit loop through regular practice Managing a heavy-heart and freeing ourselves from suffering Committing to being a good human and caring for others MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas “These practices free us from all negative emotions, ultimately. They free us from the very things within us that cause us suffering, whether it’s the way we react to the outside world or the inside world. One has to commit to wanting to be a good human being and to care about others.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
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