Chanting with Krishna Das

Krishna Das is amazing! He led a Kirtan crowd of over 500 hundred people at the Ethical Society in St. Louis on Tuesday, April 22, 2009. It was his first time performing in St. Louis. For many in the crowd, it was their first time experiencing this genuine, grace filled individual and his music. Incidentally, his musicians were awesome, and the chanting was superb.

I was fortunate to meet him the day prior at a dinner party. It was an intimate gathering hosted by a wonderful couple in the trendy central west end of St. Louis. KD (Krishna Das) arrived late after having car trouble in Kansas City, MO. Tired and distracted, he intended to stay for a small length of time. However, as he began to share about his blessed teacher, Neem Karoli Baba, he began rating a joy and love that transformed everyone in his presence. KD seemed to relax and flow into the peace that he was radiating to us.

(I would encourage people to read Miracle of Love by Ram Dass. Another devotee of Neem Karola Baba, he tells many wonderful stories about him.)

One of the things that I admired most about KD is that he does not exhibit the least bit of ego. It may be there, I just didn't experience it. Prior to and after the show, he intermingled with the audience. He made time for everyone that wanted to meet him, take pictures with him, and ask questions. He makes no pretense of being someone other than what he is: a spiritual devotee who offers through his Kirtan practice devotion to G-d and to his teacher.

I originally saw him last August in Columbia, MO. Both then and now, I felt my own heart increasing in its capacity to receive and give love. Sure, I am guilty of sounding like another blissed out, long hair, Earth Day yoga person chanting OM, right? Admittedly, I am all of these things.

Yet, it is rare to be in the presence of a room full individuals whose sole purpose in gathering is to chant the names of the Divine, regardless of our own individual religions and spiritual traditions. Though I am proudly a Christian priest, I am a bit jaded by the relentless dogma and doctrines that arise from many organized traditions including the Episcopal Church, of which I am a part.

Jaded does not mean disloyal or indifferent, but tired of the separation that comes from adhering to one fixed view over another. Chanting Kirtan, I am not advocating a view. I am not evangelizing on behalf of a perspective. Rather, I am offering myself-off key singing and all, in celebration of life itself.

I trust that is what Jazz musician John Coltrane meant by a "love supreme." While committed to a specific path, I do believe all authentic paths lead to G-d. I don't want to stand in the position of having to authenticate for another person their path to follow. I just think their is room for all of us on all of our paths to come together in a spirit of peace, compassion and joy. Some members of the St. Louis community did that with Krishna Das.

Om Shanti.