We’re Back!

Just a quick update to start the new blog now on Word Press.  A few more features available here.  Hope you are all off to a healthy and happy new year!

Six Teenage Boys Chanting: The White Knights Kirtan Band!

We had a wonderful opportunity to listen and participate in chanting and meditation led by six teenage boys 1/29/2010 at Hobb’s Hall in Marblehead, MA.  "Teenage boys chanting" may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s for real!  Attendees were stunned that sophomore to senior high school boys could even want–and clearly enjoy–singing devotional chants, as well as meditation!  One school teacher concert attendee said she wished more boys had their discipline, sense of caring, and service.

I spoke with Nitai, their head teacher at Ananda’s Living Wisdom High School in Nevada City, CA (www.livingwisdom.org) after the kirtan.  "It was the kids’ idea to form a kirtan band," he said, not wanting to take credit for their venture into chanting.  Living and going to school at Ananda, one of the most successful spiritual communities in the world, may have had an effect…. But ultimately kids observe actions more readily than lectures, and experience over pure book learning, and clearly they have found chanting has helped them find a sense of inner peace, as well as a means to share the joy they have found within.

The full kirtan band, called the White Light Kirtan Band, is made up of equal boys and girls; they have performed for three years and produced two CD’s (the latest one is for sale for $16).  However, on this trip, the boys have been spending three weeks on a "Service Adventure" this year on the East Coast for which they all individually raise money to go on the trip.  In addition to offering several kirtans up and down the East Coast from Quebec to Washington, D.C., they will help at various spiritual communities, such as Cite Ecologique in Quebec and the Himalayan Institute in
Pennsylvania. 

Of course the boys and their two instructors just missed the 50 degree weather we had just enjoyed mid-week, and instead got hit with some of the most artic wind and low temperatures we’ve seen all winter!  A quick tour to the Marblehead Light House was quick indeed as we sprinted back to the car before our ears, face, and bodies turned to ice!  This year the girls were in Hawaii for their Adventure…..they may have had better weather, but the boys will have had a truly character building experience between the cold, sleeping on many floors, sharpening their navigation skills on New England roads without street signs (and no GPS to turn to), the camaraderie and experiences at spiritual communities, and sharing the gift of chanting.

We just want to say thanks for sharing with us, and when will you come back again?  We’ll order up some warmer weather for you next time!

What do you think about our newly revised website?

Hi Great Souls,

 

Just writing to let you know we recently moved our website to Office Live, and are in the process of updating it.  We’re experimenting with a number of new features:  this blog, a calendar, pictures, links, and more.  If you have any ideas you’d like to share or any feedback, just drop a note and let us know!  Wishing you all the greatest gift this holiday season:  ever new peace within. 

 

Joy to you!  Tracy