Ananda

“Ananda” is a vocal and instrumental group from the United Kingdom, devoted exclusively to performing the music of Sri Chinmoy

As someone who does both arranging and singing, it is my personal feeling that instrumental music is more playful, while vocal music is more soulful. “Ananda” emphasizes the voice as the main instrument; the vocals are forward in the mix. This tells us that the main intent of these spiritual musicians is to share with us the deeper, more soulful aspects of the songs.

Here is an excerpt from Sri Chinmoy’s book, “The Source of Music”:

“Music is the inner or universal language of God. I do not know French or German or Italian, but if music is played, immediately the heart of the music enters into my heart, or my heart enters into the music. At that time, we don’t need outer communication; the inner communion of the heart is enough. My heart is communing with the heart of the music and in our communion we become inseparably one.

Meditation and music cannot be separated. When we cry from the inmost recesses of our heart for Peace, Light and Bliss, that is the best type of meditation. We cannot meditate twenty-four hours a day, but we can meditate, say, for two hours a day. Then we can play music or we can listen to music for a couple of hours a day. Next to meditation is music. But it has to be soulful music, the music that stirs and elevates our aspiring consciousness. When we play soulful music, psychic music, then immediately we are transported to the highest realm of consciousness. When we play music soulfully, we go high, higher, highest.

Each time soulful music is played, we get inspiration and delight. In the twinkling of an eye, music can elevate our consciousness. But if we also pray and meditate, then we are undoubtedly more illumined and fulfilled than a music lover who is not consciously following a spiritual life. Each spiritual musician is consciously spreading God’s Light on earth. God is the cosmic Player, the eternal Player, and we are His instruments. But there comes a time in the process of our evolution when we feel that we have become totally one with Him. At that time, we are no longer instruments; we ourselves are musicians, divine musicians. It is the Supreme who makes the proper instrument. Then, it is He who makes the player play properly, and it is He who makes the musician.” -Sri Chinmoy

Ananda Albums at Radio Sri Chinmoy

You can find out more about the music group Ananda at www.AnandaMusic.co.uk

Artist: Ananda
Release year: 2006
Duration: 38:04
Acknowledgements: Sri Chinmoy, “Ananda”
Format: Advanced Audio Coding