Miten with Deva Premal

songs for the inner lover

Last month I wrote about my experience in Sedona, the discovery of Satsang, and the vortex. I also gave notice of a live concert taking place in Santa Cruz Nov. 13th. Well, my wife (Joy) and I made the journey.

The sold out performance took place at the First Congregational Church; on High street. All of us who where there shared and participated in a devotional worship service; the street name summed up how we felt.

Deva started the concert by waiting for a complete silence. It became immediately apparent that a meditation was about to begin. The silence deepened. I gently squeezed Joy's hand as Deva began with-- Chidananda (I am pure bliss, I am Shiva). When the song ended, some four hundred of us applauded in silence, an experience in itself.

Diva's partner in life and music is Miten. They met at an ashram in India in 1990. When you watch him play his guitar it looks like he's doing gentle acupressure on a beautiful child. This is a man who began as a singer-songwriter-guitarist in the 70s opening for Fleetwood Mac and Ry Cooder. His stage presence and the ease in which he interacts with the audience reveals a man who embodies the words he sings about.

Here's a verse from the second tract on their new CD-- Miten with Deva Premal

Vertical Reality--

walking... watching... breathing... feeling...

there is so time in here, there is no mind in here,

emptiness is what it is, it's a vertical reality

and it's big enough for you and me.

Accompanying Deva and Miten were Mansoe, a Himakayan flautist ( I kept thinking I was witnessing Lord Krishna); and Benjy Wertheimer. Benjy played an Esraj (similar to a small sitar, played with a bow) and an assortment of native drums. Krishna Das says of Bnjy: ìThis is not just music, it is prayer.î To be in the presence of these four gifted musicians and sharing in the out pouring of love was an experience of magnificence. Speaking of which..., their last song-- So Much Magnificence, was my favorite. Miten asked that the men sing:--ìThere is so much magnificence... near the ocean... waves are coming in, waves are coming inî, and for the women to sing-- ìHallelujahî. After about ten minutes of intertwining these melodies we finished with an impressive ìOmî session.

The next morning Joy and I were driving from Bonnie Dune to Santa Cruz. We were playing our new CD, Miten with Deva Premal. As I approached Hwy. 1 the words of Miten were orchestrated to the landscape-- There is so much magnificence near the ocean, waves are coming in, waves are coming in. Hallelujah!

Bill Firth is author of the book A Golfer's Guide To Enlightenment and can be reached @ (530 386-2000) or cosmicgolfer@gbis.com.

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