Fragments from a Conversation with Devadip
At a spiritual retreat in Puerto Rico, Sri Chinmoy discusses music with his devoted disciples, Devadip Carlos Santana and Tom Coster, a member of Devadip's band. Earlier in the day, the band had given a concert in San Juan.
Following are portions of Sri Chinmoy's remarks:
Music is an indispensable thing. We don't have to know what it looks like or what it does. Its very existence keeps us alive. Music means Self-expansion and oneness. The Self expands through music. The Self that expands is not the individual self but the unlimited Self. Music is the expansion of unlimited Reality. When the Unlimited expands, that is music.
Music is God's Dream. God is dreaming at every moment through music. His Dream is called the cosmic Reality, the universal Reality. If we don't dream, reality cannot come into existence. Reality is always there inside dream. So you can say that this moment reality is the body and dream is the heart, and the next moment reality is the heart and dream is the body.
Sometimes when you play, on the strength of your heart's oneness with the audience, do you observe one thing? There are two hearts: one heart is your small heart, which is playing, and the other heart is the big heart, which is listening. Again, the big heart is playing and the small heart is listening. It is like this. The audience is the larger heart and you are the smaller heart that is expanding and becoming one with the larger heart. When you are playing, at that time do you feel this? And then, do you feel that you are the larger heart and that the audience is the smaller heart? If you do have this experience, then you will feel that you were one and now you have just become many, and that you were many and now you have just become one. This is what happens when the smaller heart and the larger heart meet together. The smaller heart is the seed and the larger heart is the tree. The seed grows into the tree and the tree gives birth to new seeds. If you can see it this way, then at every moment your musicwill give the greatest satisfaction; for this moment you are the seed, the next moment you are the fruit. You are the fruit, you are the seed; you are the dream, you are the reality. This is what the heart feels.
This is the experience I had when you were playing today. When I identified with the musician, the smaller heart, sometimes I was seeing you as the seed and sometimes as the fruit. It is absolutely true. The seed and the fruit, the smaller and the bigger — you have to take them as one. Or, when it is small, take it as one, and when it is large, take it as many. On the strength of our oneness we see the seed and the fruit as the one and many.
The musician and the audience are like lotus petals. All around they are blossoming, blossoming, blossoming. Sometimes you see the lotus petal after it is fully blossomed and it is inside another petal. You have played your role, you have blossomed; and inside the blossom is a new creation, another lotus petal that has blossomed. At that time, your whole existence is perfection. There is no end to our perfection. But when we come to realise that perfection is not only inside us but also inside our creation, at that time we feel that a whole new world of perfection is dawning.
Each time we play music, in the beginning the music is the creation and afterwards it becomes the creator. At first it is the creation, but once it is well-established it becomes the creator. Why? Because new light, new life, enters into the creation itself and energy, reality, divinity start functioning inside the creation. At that time, the creation becomes the creator. It is like children. In the beginning, they are lifeless; we don't expect anything from them. We just give and give. But when they grow up, they start giving joy and satisfaction to the parents. They add to the parents and become creators. God created; He made you. Then you get satisfaction by becoming more than the creation, by becoming a creator yourself and offering something to the world.
Then, when you play music, please feel that it is not you who is playing. Somebody else is playing and somebody else is enjoying. But that somebody else is part of you. One part of you is playing, one part is enjoying and still another part has become the music itself. So the moment you start playing, make yourself into three parts. Feel that one existence of yours is playing, another portion is observing and a third part of you is the music itself. You are the creator, you are the creation and you are the reality that exists in the creator and the creation. These things need not come as mental thoughts or images; far from it. At a glance they can come.
Sometimes, when you were playing I was clearly seeing a boat. When you were playing very fast, it was like inclement weather. The boat was not going to capsize, but it was rocking. You were playing very, very fast on the outer plane, and on the inner plane the boat was sailing very fast. It was not my mental hallucination. It was absolutely true. I had no idea what kind of music you were playing. The mind did not know, but the inner message or inner experience that I was getting was absolutely real. Again, when the music went very high, sometimes I saw a very high mountain. Once I was seeing you on top of a high mountain. At that time the music was not very loud, but I was seeing a mountain. You were all there on the mountain. Like that, at least twenty different images I saw at different times while you were playing. I may have been writing notes to Bansidhar or talking to Dhruva, but in my vision I was seeing this because of my identification with you. While the music was playing, I was watching.
The way to get such experiences is through meditation. When you meditate soulfully, early in the morning, you enter into a higher world, the world of divine reality, perfection and satisfaction. Then you bring this world down into your music. You do it this way. While you are breathing in and breathing out, try to feel that you are offering your life-breath to the instrument keys that you will use. Your life-breath is something very precious, and you are offering your life's most precious thing to your instrument.
When the Supreme created you, He gave you a portion of His Reality, His Divinity. That was the supreme sacrifice. He gave something of Himself and created you. And now, you are creating something for the world. You are giving to your instrument something of yourself — something really precious and luminous, something which is part and parcel of your own reality. You are the instrument of the Supreme. He is using you and you are using something else, your own instrument. It takes only a few seconds. You don't have to go to all the strings. Just cast a glance at one or two keys and feel your life-breath inside. Please, at that time, offer your gratitude to the Supreme. It was He who gave you life itself and a portion of your life you are giving to your instrument. The Creator created you by offering you a portion of His Reality. Now He is asking you to create something in the same way.
There is something called the cosmic sound. We call it Anahata Nada, the soundless sound. This is the word that we use, but that word is an infinite understatement. The cosmic sound is infinitely more powerful than the loudest sound that we can produce; yet it is inaudible to the ordinary ears. If we hear the soundless sound inside our heart, it is infinitely more powerful than the loudest sound we can produce. You will use the word dynamic. But I wish to say that in softness there can be the greatest dynamism. Sometimes I talk to the disciples in a fatherly way, with utmost concern and affection. I am talking in a very soft, delicate voice, but at that time I am holding my absolutely most dynamic power. I am smiling at the disciples and offering them all kinds of affection, so they think, "Guru is all affection, like a tiny feather that will be blown away by the wind." But in my softness there is divine volcanic power. Again, when I am shouting, barking, scolding, insulting, at that time there is absolutely no strength there. I am shouting, but I know that when it is a matter of solid strength, strength that can build or break, then there is nothing so powerless as my shouting.
As a musician, when you want to offer something to the audience, if you all the time use outer means, you will not be able to give satisfaction. You say that here in Puerto Rico they always eat beans and rice, and that is all that they like. But I wish to say that the world is always looking for the new, the new. God Himself is looking for the new. I have written thousands of poems with no rhyme or metre. But why should poetry all the time have metre and rhyme? People will say, "It is very easy without rhyme or metre." But I do not see eye to eye with them. With God's Grace, in my poetry I entered into another world, a world of oneness. So something new, something divine has to come out of it. Let us call it a new river flowing from the source. This new river is flowing and we have to become one with the flow. Something new is coming out which offers progress to mankind, and if we become one with it, then we can really offer something to humanity.
If one is a great runner and people have seen him win all the time, then people will expect him always to increase his speed. But there comes a time, no matter how fast one runs, when people will not be satisfied with him because the thing that he has created or offered as a runner is not enough either for him or for the audience. But if the same runner enters into the long jump or javelin, then he is all the time creating newness. If a musician all the time performs loud music, then he is acting like a runner, the best runner. The audience has got from him inspiration, joy and aspiration as a runner. But now the audience expects something new from him in the same field of sports. If he can become a good shotput thrower or discus thrower, then immediately he creates a new road for the audience to travel.
Each time you play, you create a road for the music-lover to walk along. One particular road he may like today, but tomorrow he may not like it. You will say, "What is wrong?" Nothing is wrong. But human beings always want to change. They are not satisfied with one thing; they will be satisfied only with four things or six things. So, when your music changes form every now and then, it is a great boon for mankind.
I am telling you some tricks of mine. As you know, I never play any piece without making mistakes, but sometimes when I strike a wrong note, inside the wrong note I do something. I use my concentrative power to give my voice or music a sweetness, and that power enters into the audience. I am hearing the unsatisfactory notes, but the audience is hearing the sweetness, the subtle, delicate qualities. Sometimes their minds may know that I hit the wrong note, but inside that note they get tremendous joy: something new, something sweet. I have done this many times with my disciples. I also do it when my voice is not good. In your case, when you know you are playing correctly, but you are not getting the same sweetness or height, at that time do you become sad or depressed? Or do you put your concentrative power inside the so-called lesser music to immediately produce new life? You are not trying to fool the audience; far from it! Only you want to give new life to the lesser music and maintain the same height, the same creation. Here you are creating something else, giving something new to the audience, so that they are delighted.
The best thing would be for you to write a book. People may not accept it overnight. But in ten years or twenty years they will see that what you are saying is all reality, all truth. You don't have to prove what you are saying; your proof is your music. If you stick to your own principles, you don't have to prove anything. The very fact that you are continuing to play is your proof.
Published in God the Supreme Musician (1976)
Fifty Short Bengali Songs
These fifty short Bengali songs, written and composed [in the months of October or November 1977] by Sri Chinmoy, are sung by three different groups of his disciples. In addition to learning all of the 50 songs, each group was responsible for arranging four of the songs as rounds, and for learning and singing the rounds arranged by the other two groups. Each of the three performances of 38 songs and 12 rounds takes between 45 and 55 minutes. The Bengali transliterations and English translations appear below.
Songs
1. Janabi bege enke jai mor rupantarer chabi
At the speed of the fast-flowing Ganga, I have been working on my transformation-picture.
2. Usha bala elo dhire aji dhire hridaya gabhire
Slowly, very slowly, the virgin dawn appears in the very depths of my aspiration-heart.
3. Tumi esecho badhar dwar tumi bengecho
O Lord Supreme, You have arrived,smashing asunder the obstruction-door.
4. Jibane marane ashar swapane phutibo gopane
In silence my reality-existence will blossom in the hearts of life and death.
5. Jiban amar mor bidhata kripar pathar
My human life embodies the measureless Compassion of my Beloved Supreme.
6. Ektu hasi bhangbe amar khudra hiyar timir nishi
O Lord, one Smile of Yours will destroy the darkest night of my little heart.
7. Ananda bhola nirvana dola tunga ala chinmoy bhela
Self-enraptured in the swing of nirvana, the boat of Consciousness infinite is spreading pinnacle-light.
8. Eso ananda alokananda khudita hridaya majhe
O Infinity’s Light, Eternity’s Delight-Light, do descend into my hungry heart’s endless hunger.
9. Chanchala man dure rakhi chanchala mor man
I keep aside my restless mind; always I keep it aside.
10. Taruner asha purna haibe ekatha janabo
I shall let the entire world know that the green hope of the green generation will without fail be fulfilled.
11. Jharna-kala jharna-kala dodula purna
O Fountain-Art, Fountain-Art, you are complete all-where. In you I see the cosmic Swing of the Reality infinite.
12. Turjya surjya dhurjya pujya jago jago jago
Awake, O peerless height, O sound without a second. Awake, O measureless patience. O eternally adorable One in me, awake.
13. Shibire khunji mandire puji
I look for You in the fortress of life’s dire battles. I look for You at the hallowed shrine of life’s temples.
14. Jatri amara manena ratri manina
Asimer pathe jatri amara satya trishita jatri
We are the pilgrims who defy the mandate of night. We are thirsting for Truth Transcendental while walking along the beginningless and endless road of life.
15. Asha hara mor manera banera benu
The flute of my mind-garden is empty of hope today.
16. Antare bahire swarge martye tumi shudhu sathi
You are my only Friend in the inner world and in the outer world. You are my Friend without a second in my soul-existence-life and my body-existence-strife.
17. Sanga halo jihan asha maran dila dekha
My hope-life has come to an end. The Prince of Gloom has finally and irrevocably arrived.
18. Premik ami khunji ekaki hriday tale amare
I am a God-lover and a man-lover. All my life, all by myself, I have been searching for my reality’s self-form.
19. Balo tumi amai prabhu bhalobaso
O Lord Supreme, do tell me only once that You are all love for me.
20. Bhalo lage jiban maran bhalo lage
My life’s death and my death’s life soulfully, without a second, I love.
21. Supreme
22. Agni vina prane baje taito nachi
The lyre of fire is now being played; therefore, I dance here, there and all-where.
23. Badala nabhe madala baje pagol halo hiya
My heart is now enjoying a God-intoxicated insanity because of the sound of wild thunder and the charming kettledrum of the blue-vast sky.
24. Jiban nadi sukaye jai kena janina
I know not why my life-river has come to a halt. I know not why dryness has assailed its existence-light.
25. Chalar pathe chalbo asar sathe nachbo
I shall walk along Eternity’s road. I shall dance eternally with hope.
Indeed, I am the blue bird of the blue sky. I am the blue bird of the blue welkin.
27. Supreme
28. Akutir prem dan bhakatir madhu pan
The love-offering of aspiration-light and the drinking of devotion-light are inseparably one.
29. Kandite parina ar hasite parina ar
No more am I inspired to cry. No more am I inspired to smile.
30. Dhular majhare lukabo amar shir
Inside the sand cave I shall hide my haughty head.
31. Japibo japer mala dibanishi
I shall count the weeks by rosary with two sleepless eyes and one sleepless heart.
I dance in all my being, inside the blessingfully hallowed temple of the cosmic gods.
33. Ami habo nishiter aratir shikha
I shall be the worship-flame of sleepless night.
34. Premer prasade bandi amar hiya
I shall find my crying heart and place it in Your love-inundated palace.
35. Arati ghanta bajabo bidhata bajabo
I shall ring the bell of my soulful self-offering, O my Lord Supreme.
36. Pushpa rathe pradip mala jwale
A row of lamps is burning very bright in the chariot of flower-beauty and flower-purity.
37. Abar asibo phire jananir kripa nire
I shall once more return to the loving nest of my Mother Dear and Mother Sweet.
38. Sandhya batase nachi sandhya akase uri
I dance with the evening breeze. I fly in the evening sky.
39. Tomar amar majh kane dharai ke aj ke jane
Nobody on earth knows what was borne between You and me, and what abides between us today.
40. Ami kandi ami hasi palir ghare
I cry and I smile, for inside me are affection-flooded hamlets.
41. Bhakti amar shakti habe shakti habe mukti
My devotion-heart will become my power-life. My power-life will become my liberation-soul.
42. Sanga halo kanna hasi tomar pada tale
At Your Feet divine my sorrow-world and my happiness-world have completed their respective roles.
43. Chaowar asha bhalobasa bhalobasa
A life of longing is all love. A life of hope is all love.
44. Dure dure bahu dure tomar pabo dekha
I shall catch a glimpse of You at the farthest corner of the world, and in the world beyond.
45. Nimesh hara nayan khudha jage aji
In me awakens the sleepless vision-hunger today.
46. Bajna baje bajna baje asha hiyar gabhire
The music-world reverberates in the inmost recesses of my hope-heart.
47. Nirab aji hridaye tale tomar parase
Your silent touch has filled me, my all, in the very depth of my heart.
48. Alor swapan nandana ban amare dake
The dream of Light divine and the beauty of Eden are beckoning you.
49. Ashru amar jharena tomar lagi khama karo prabhu
O my Lord Supreme, forgive me. I have failed to shed tears while longing for You.
50. Tomar paye amar amire sanpibo
I shall surrender my little “i” to You, and place it at Your Feet.
Performance published in AUM – Vol. 4, No.12, December 27, 1977
Songs published in Journey’s Goal, Part 10a
Ujjwala Taba Punya Kirana
Listen to Sri Chinmoy teaching the song
Until recently discovered, the score for this Bengali song had been lost for almost 43 years. Here also, is the original recording of Sri Chinmoy teaching the song to his students at the Sherwood Manor Hotel in Bermuda.
Antigua
Lyrics:
Antigua, Antigua, Antigua!
Perfect land, perfect friend, perfect closeness.
No stranger you see, no remoteness.
Antigua, Antigua, Antigua!
Columbus found your sublime beauty;
You still offer pristine purity.
Published in My Aspiration-Heart’s Country-Life-Salutations
E Jibane Jadi Tomare Harai
Words and music
by Sri Chinmoy
Lyrics:
E jibane jadi tomare harai
Ki niye dharai rahibo
Ghume jagarane tibra bedane
Ashru sagare dubibo
Translation:
In this lifetime, if once I lose You,
Then with what shall I be able
To continue my life?
In my wakeful hours and in my sleep,
With excruciating pangs,
I shall drown in the sea
Of my heart-tears.
Published in Miscellaneous Bengali Songs
Sri Chinmoy composes 26 songs — 13 Bengali/English pairs — to usher in the New Year. The scores for two of the songs are displayed below; the others can be found on the Sri Chinmoy Songs website in the songbook In the New Year, a New Dawn.
Nutan Barashe Khuliya Rakhibo
Words and music
by Sri Chinmoy
Lyrics
Nutan barashe khuliya rakhibo
Sathek ashar duar
Translation
Hundreds of hope-doors
I shall keep open
In this New Year.
Published in In the New Year, a New Dawn
Hundreds of Hope-Doors
Words and music
by Sri Chinmoy
Published in In the New Year, a New Dawn
