Please sing along with us for abundant heath and wellbeing!
Here is a melody I created for the supreme Vishnu mantra – Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Vishnu is the ‘sustainer’ in the Trimurti or Divine Trinity of Brahma ‘The Creator’, Vishnu ‘The Sustainer’, and Shiva ‘The Destroyer’ found in the spiritual traditions that come to us from the ancient Brahmanic or Vedic culture.
For me personally these three simply represent the truth of reality. Every story, every thing, and every living thing has a birth, a life, and a death. Vishnu representing the sustaining or continuing quality of all things is said to show up on Earth from time to time to teach humanity and keep us on the right track so to speak. Anything that is ultimately successful will need to ‘course correct’ from time to time and Vishnu embodies this quality in the myths of India by coming to earth as an avatar to teach us the dharma or cosmic law.
For me, ‘cosmic law’, while ultimately unchanging is presented to human beings in different ways depending on cultural or temporal differences. If we fixate on these differences we often find ourselves at an impasse and conflict ensues. However, if we can look past the specific cultural and temporal inflection of these spiritual teachings that come to us from all corners of the globe, we find they all ultimately point to that which is unnamable and unfathomable. What you choose to call the unnamable and unfathomable will be based on when and where you live, but ultimately the name we give it cannot touch it or truly embody it.
-Douglas Johnson E-RYT 500, YACEP
Credits:
Douglas Johnson – Vocals, Harmonium and Composer
Rachel Isley – Vocals & Kartals
Matt McKenny – Tabla
Mike Wilhelm – Bass Guitar
