LAMA SURYA DAS & STEVE HALPERN
Chants to Awaken the Buddhist
Heart (Inner Peace Music)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Steve Halpern has made 60+ recordings and the majority has been part of his Inner Peace series, designed for meditation, relaxation and spiritual exploration. Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart is the companion CD to Lama Surya Das' new bestseller from Broadway Books, Awakening the Buddhist Heart. Together, Halpern and Surya Das fuse jazz, chants, mantras and spacey, otherworldly music to create a journey that's just right for headphones, incense and relaxation. Otherworldly in a sense that these chants slowly take us away from the cares and stresses of the day. Whether the Lama is chanting the Tibetan national mantra of "Om mani pedme hung," or Halpern's bass is plucking a Female Buddha Mantra, Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart is definitely required listening to follow any of the Buddhist paths to enlightenment or just plain relaxation. Halpern has pioneered new ways to use music in his own "sound healing" work, using tone and sonic vibrations in music to create opportunities to achieve meditative states of peace and relaxation. Give it a chance. Whether or not you follow the Buddha. Even among the most cynical and jaded, like me, it works. Both of the visionaries behind this disc are online: www.surya.com and www.stevenhalpern.com.

Track List:

The Jewel and the Lotus Mantra * The Purification Mantra * Female Buddha Tara's Mantra * The Seven Line Prayer * The Wisdom Mantra * Calling the Lama From Afar * Vajra Guru Mantra * Trikaya Buddha Mantra Chant * Obstacle Removing and Path-Cleaning Prayer * Female Buddha Tara's Mantra * The Purification Mantra (Part Two) * Two Prayers

© 2001 - Eric Steiner