Self Realization

Why Use Meditation Music for Self Realization?

In this video, Prasant discusses what is unique about music made naturally for meditation, self discovery and Self Realization as opposed to other categories of music made with other intended goals or different styles less suited for meditation.

As Prasant has talked about the simplicity of working with sound to realize our inherent Peace and Beingness, then shouldn’t any sound or music work just as well? The answer is multi faceted. From the perspective of of the limited “i,” the ego, that has taken certain positions within itself and harbors likes and dislikes etc. the subtle qualities of the music will have a noticeable effect on the mind on multiple levels. In the realm of the absolute Truth, the depths and natural Truth that we are, all of this is one and the same. So you can continue to abide in the Self or rest as pure awareness while listening to intense heavy metal music or a catchy pop song, after all that is what is always taking place, knowingly or unknowingly. It is all arising within you. But it will likely be more difficult and identification with the ever excited outgoing I-thought may be more possible.

Prasant explains that it is similar to intake of food and the qualities that result from those choices. The body remains to play out its existence before, during and after Realization, so ultimately there is tangible benefit in working with music that has a conducive intention or is created spontaneously from natural Being or Peace when it comes to resting as your own nature, the Self of all. That which allows your mind to feel at rest, peaceful and at ease, is best for this purpose.

Multi Raga Meditation for Peace and Self Realization on Saxophone

In this unique raga meditation for Self Realization, Prasant allows for spontaneous phrases to arise that do not adhere to a particular raga or scale. What came out is a fountain of phrases from various ragas that mix and merge with each other in unexpected ways arising from and returning to Silence. For those familiar with Carnatic music, you may consider relaxing and experiencing the music as pure feeling rather than attempting to recognize every raga that comes out.

With every sound, dissolve the identity and thoughts and with every Silence, dive deeper into the natural feeling of Being. This effortless Being is where all happens spontaneously and deep Peace and Silence is felt to be what we are.

Download Prasant’s meditation albums free and contact Prasant at the links below.

Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist steeped in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and jazz music. A disciple of Carnatic saxophone pioneer, “Padmashri” Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Prasant had the privilege of apprenticing with him for several years since 1996. He had further training with Dr. T.R. Subramaniam as well as mentorships with other senior artists in India. His parallel exploration of jazz led him to express original music arising from both Carnatic and jazz as well as traditional Carnatic music on the saxophone. Prasant has shared music around the world through albums, performances, artist residencies, lecture demonstrations and teaching. In addition, Prasant shares insightful and easy approaches to meditation and Self Realization through music and sound, which leads naturally Silence and Peace.

Connect with Prasant: Website: https://prasantmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prasantmusic/
Satsang (held online via zoom): https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/

Prasant’s music is available on all major platforms, but you can download it directly from him here. It’s also a great way to support his work: https://music.prasantmusic.com/ If you want to explore the natural merging of Music and Spirituality or Self Realization, check out this playlist: You can Realize Truth through Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH&index=1&t=0s Subscribe to get notified of new videos, enjoy!

Video: Ethiopian Tizita Minor / Carnatic Japaniya Raga Saxophone Meditation for Resting in Self and Peace

While sitting for this spontaneous raga meditation on tenor saxophone, this deep and beautiful melody from the Ethiopian Tizita minor came out. It turns out that it coincides with a rare Carnatic (South Indian Classical) raga called Japaniya. Here it is played mostly in a Carnatic style, but no particular attempt was made to tether it to a particular way of playing but just to naturally allow for Silence, Rest and Peace. It is very conducive for deep and restful meditation coupled with alert inner exploration. This arising is likely inspired by playing with wonderful Ethiopian-American vocalist and long time friend, Meklit, who just released a new EP, Ethio Blue at a concert on March 9th. The title track makes use of this rich and haunting Tizita minor that has a deep history in Ethiopian music. Special thanks also to keyboard artist Kibrom Birhane who plays this beautifully in this ensemble.

Something special about this particular unfolding is that the meditation came out in two phases. The first slowly allow for listening and returning to the moment and facilitating absorption in the sound of music. After about 3 minutes, there is a short silence and then a deeper section appears that allows to enter Silence through the music and sound as a vehicle. You don’t need to make any effort while meditating with this, but just simply listen and allow.

A message for this meditation: You are guided at every step and every moment by a perfectly clear inner Truth. It guides both thought and action with Stillness. It is the Source of everything. Don’t worry and allow actions to be performed while always seeing the Truth alone.

0:00 Opening raga meditation, 1st Phase: Listening and enjoying
3:29 Second Phase of raga meditation: Entering and rest in Silence and Peace
9:45 Sitting in Silence Download Prasant’s meditation albums free and contact Prasant at the links below.

Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist steeped in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and jazz music. A disciple of Carnatic saxophone pioneer, “Padmashri” Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Prasant had the privilege of apprenticing with him for several years since 1996. He had further training with Dr. T.R. Subramaniam as well as mentorships with other senior artists in India. His parallel exploration of jazz led him to express original music arising from both Carnatic and jazz as well as traditional Carnatic music on the saxophone. Prasant has shared music around the world through albums, performances, artist residencies, lecture demonstrations and teaching. In addition, Prasant shares insightful and easy approaches to meditation and Self Realization through music and sound, which leads naturally Silence and Peace.

Connect with Prasant: Website: https://prasantmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prasantmusic/
Satsang (held online via zoom): https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/

Prasant’s music is available on all major platforms, but you can download it directly from him here. It’s also a great way to support his work: https://music.prasantmusic.com/

If you want to explore the natural merging of Music and Spirituality or Self Realization, check out this playlist: You can Realize Truth through Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH&index=1&t=0s

Subscribe/follow to get notified of new videos, enjoy!

New video: Sri Ragam Saxophone Meditation for Self Realization and Profound Peace

Enjoy this brief Sri Ragam Meditation on the saxophone for Self Realization and Profound Peace. Music that naturally arises from the source of sound, the Silence itself is extremely helpful for allowing us to settle back in to our own nature, the Self. The Self is ever present in perfect completeness at all times, but we momentarily get distracted by arising thoughts and their resulting identities, culminating in the identification with the ego or I-Thought. By dissolving our attention into the sound and then resting in its silent Source, we allow the i to dissolve and the Self to be realized. No particular method or approach is required while listening to the music. Simply relax and allow.

It begins with a very brief talk, the music meditation in Sri raga and a brief silent sitting. Thank you for being here!

0:00 Intro talk on this Sri raga meditation on saxophone
1:21 Saxophone raga meditation begins
9:30 Brief silent sitting meditation (natural resting in Silence)

Download Prasant’s meditation albums free and contact Prasant.

Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist steeped in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and jazz music. A disciple of Carnatic saxophone pioneer, “Padmashri” Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Prasant had the privilege of apprenticing with him for several years since 1996. He had further training with Dr. T.R. Subramaniam as well as mentorships with other senior artists in India. His parallel exploration of jazz led him to express original music arising from both Carnatic and jazz as well as traditional Carnatic music on the saxophone. Prasant has shared music around the world through albums, performances, artist residencies, lecture demonstrations and teaching. In addition, Prasant shares insightful and easy approaches to meditation and Self Realization through music and sound, which leads naturally Silence and Peace.

Video: Recognize, Rest and Realize: Saxophone Raga Meditation for Self Realization

Rest naturally in your own Being, the Self in this saxophone raga meditation for Peace and Self Realization. Simply allow the sound to arise in your field of experience and notice it spontaneously dissolve in silence and arise again. As this is happening, rest deeper and deeper into your own natural Silence. This dissolving is of sweetness and is easy. It is not necessary to concentrate or make any effort.

Recognize: Recognize your are the pure awareness, the Self.
Rest: Rest in the Self, your own Being.
Realize: Realize you have always been This and all is This alone.

This video is from a live Music Satsang during #navaratri time. It includes a deep meditation in raga Kharaharapriya and ends with a rendition of the krithi Himagiri Tanaye in raga Shuddha Dhanyasi. If you would like to know more about livestreams and Satsang with Prasant, or would like to view to full Satsang with talk and Q&A, please visit: https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/ or contact Prasant at https://prasantmusic.com/contact/.

Download Prasant’s meditation albums free at the links below. All music and video is original, by Prasant Radhakrishnan during the live performance.

Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist steeped in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and jazz music. A disciple of Carnatic saxophone pioneer, “Padmashri” Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Prasant had the privilege of apprenticing with him for several years since 1996. He had further training with Dr. T.R. Subramaniam as well as mentorships with other senior artists in India. His parallel exploration of jazz led him to express original music arising from both Carnatic and jazz as well as traditional Carnatic music on the saxophone. Prasant has shared music around the world through albums, performances, artist residencies, lecture demonstrations and teaching. In addition, Prasant shares insightful and easy approaches to meditation and Self Realization through music and sound, which leads naturally Silence and Peace.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prasantmusic/
Satsang (held online via zoom): https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/
Prasant’s music is available on all major platforms, but you can download it directly from him here. It’s also a great way to support his work: https://music.prasantmusic.com/ If you want to explore the merging of Music and Spirituality or Self Realization, check out this playlist: You can Realize Truth through Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH&index=1&t=0s Subscribe to get notified of new videos, enjoy!

Absorption in Supreme Sound and Silence | 20 Minute Saxophone Raga Meditation | Raga Sriranjani 

Happy to share this new saxophone raga meditation with you in raga Sriranjani. You’re welcome to use this video for formal sitting or play it in the background while you work. Those with a musical background can improvise along with me for an active meditative absorption.

Enjoy and experience effortless Absorption (Samadhi) in Supreme Sound (Naada) and Silence in this 20 minute music meditation on saxophone. Samadhi in most cases is considered a difficult height to attain through meditation practice, however through music and sound it is surprisingly effortless. All that is needed the effortless experiencing or hearing of sound and complete letting go into the sound. This letting go is such that there is the feeling that there is nothing but sound. Subsequently dropping into the Silence, deeply rest in your own feeling of being. The cessation of mental movement will naturally occur and the awake awareness that is ever present reveals Itself. This may happen on its own without any effort put forth by you.

Download Prasant’s meditation albums free here. All music, video clips and images of nature taken in this video are original.

Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist steeped in both South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and jazz music. A disciple of Carnatic saxophone pioneer, “Padmashri” Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, Prasant had the privilege of apprenticing with him for several years since 1996. He had further training with Dr. T.R. Subramaniam as well as mentorships with other senior artists in India. His parallel exploration of jazz led him to express original music arising from both Carnatic and jazz as well as traditional Carnatic music on the saxophone. Prasant has shared music around the world through albums, performances, artist residencies, lecture demonstrations and teaching. In addition, Prasant shares insightful and easy approaches to meditation and Self Realization through music and sound, which leads naturally Silence and Peace.

Are you Doing or Being? #SelfRealization

Doing or Being, which is true? One of the fundamental questions anyone, including musicians, must come across and contemplate is this simple question, are you doing or Being? Are you (the one who seems to think and move in an individual body) instigating thought and activity as well as their associated results? Or is there something deeper within us that is just Being? Many know the age old answer intellectually, but few have actually investigated within themselves to find out and many still struggle with this question today due to a deep rooted feeling of being the thinker/doer.

Why does this matter? The feeling of being a doer results in much suffering, due to the mind identifying with (read taking credit for) actions and the apparent good and bad results. So there is much said about realizing that you are not the doer, not the thinking mind, etc. While that is important, the intellectual understanding on non-doing can create another blind spot resulting in a stance in inaction. There is an easier way and that is to recognize and realize the Source of doing, which is our own simple Being. No matter what is taking place, you can always see that you are Being. This simple Being is always aware and available in our experience when you are in activity and when you are not. This allows us to see that both doing and Being are layers of experience like waves on the ocean. The activities are like the waves and your Being spans the depth and breadth of the ocean, including everything in your experience. The movement of the waves of actions have their source and cause in the ocean of Being, Peace and Silence. Our identity in Being actually empowers us to spontaneous, natural action that is stable, responsible and peaceful. Recognizing this dissolves intellectual conflicts and leaves us in the natural Peace and spontaneous activity of the Self. After all, it is the Self that does everything, while we doing nothing at all. While you are seemingly doing, just Be. While Being, you will automatically do. All others in your life are also living this way. Realizing this, be free of all worries.

—
The music intro includes a bit of spontaneous raga meditation in Kedaaram on the alto saxophone. When there is a spontaneous silence in the talk, please use it as an opportunity to rest in Being. It is left in on purpose. 🙂

Other videos by Prasant on this Topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH

Connect with Prasant: Website: https://prasantmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantmusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prasantmusic/

Satsang (held online via zoom): https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/

If you found this video useful, please share it with friends and loved ones!

Prasant is available to speak to your group or organization about Realization Through Music or on approaches to meditate with Sound and Music as well as Satsang. He is also available for concerts, masterclasses, private lessons on the saxophone. You can contact him through his website linked above. You can also support more of this work by downloading Prasant’s free meditation albums and choosing to contribute there: https://prasantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/meditations-ragas-on-saxophone-vol-2 #nonduality

Living Meditation: How to Merge Meditation Practice with Daily Natural Life

https://youtu.be/hkYffsyrP5E

Glad to share a new video with you, Living Meditation: How to Merge Meditation Practice with Daily Natural Life

You can easily make your life a natural, living meditation. Many people on the path find that balancing formal meditation practice and contemplation of Truth with an active natural life difficult. This is due to seeing spiritual practice in isolation compared to the world. This is the case even for those are steeped in teachings that embrace the world as the Divine itself.

One one side, regular meditators access peaceful states during their meditation practice, but often can become disturbed by various happenings in daily life. They can become worried or anxious that they might miss their meditation practice and then become a wreck during a stressful moment during the day. To avoid this shock, they slowly withdraw and avoid things that could cause this overwhelm and try to do more meditation. On the other side, those who live a very active life can become overly enmeshed in the happenings of their world and body and thus have difficulty finding peace during meditation. They may not want to meditate for fear of how difficult it might be and throw themselves into more and more activity to avoid arising thoughts and emotions.

The key is to discover and access the common aspect that is ever present both in formal practice and natural life. This is of course our own Awareness, or the simple feeling of just Being. This feeling of Being is there in the depths of meditation, dream and deep sleep as well as during active hours of the waking state. It is there with you right now, as you read this and watch this video. During meditation, you notice and rest in this Being, but during active hours, you may forget the Being, the natural Awareness that is aware of everything and become engaged with thoughts and external happenings.

The next step is to begin to notice the feeling of Being or Awareness while you are active. At first, it may not feel natural. So use your work or an enjoyable hobby as a doorway to this practice. Music is a perfect example, but you could use anything, like painting, running, rock climbing, writing, even washing dishes. I have described the method for this with music practice in my previous video, https://youtu.be/gYH4-kZ5ZIQ but it is as simple as noticing you are aware and resting in the feeling of Awareness or Being as you are doing the activity, gently relaxing your intention and attention and allowing it to dissolve in Being. You will notice that the activity will continue despite this shift and you will be naturally witnessing your body and arising experiences happening all by themselves. This is active meditation! It is that simple.

Once you are comfortable doing this, you will recognize the simple truth that you are already meditating! By being aware and naturally knowing this, spontaneously, without effort is itself meditation. There is nothing else you need to do to meditate. It is happening automatically, as simple as breathing. It is even simpler than breathing actually. Now outside of formal practice and hobbies, you can be at Home in any situation, anywhere. It continues unbroken, 24/7.

The merging of these two aspects of life leads to more and more freedom, lightness and Peace while continuing to lead an active life in the world as necessary.
—-
The music intro includes an excerpt from the Muthuswamy Dikshitar composition Annapurne Visalakshi in Sama raga, Adi talam.

When there is a spontaneous silence in the talk, please use it as an opportunity to rest in Being. It is left in on purpose. 🙂

Other videos by Prasant on this Topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH

Connect with Prasant:
Website: https://prasantmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prasantmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prasantmusic/
Satsang (held online via zoom): https://prasantmusic.com/satsang/

If you found this video useful, please share it with friends and loved ones! Prasant is available to speak to your group or organization about Realization Through Music or on approaches to meditate with Sound and Music as well as Satsang. He is also available for concerts, masterclasses, private lessons on the saxophone. You can contact him through his website linked above.

You can also support more of this work by downloading Prasant’s free meditation albums and choosing to contribute there: https://prasantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/meditations-ragas-on-saxophone-vol-2

#activemeditation #meditation

The Key to Peace Through Music (Step by Step Method Explained)

Glad to share a new video with you!

Learn a simple approach to discovering deep Peace through music practice in this brief talk by saxophonist Prasant Radhakrishnan.

Overview: Intro: You can realize your own nature of Peace, pure Awareness, with or without music, but it’s easier with Music! Practicing music or a successful career in music without this key understanding will not result in permanent fulfillment and freedom from confusion. Luckily, this approach is very simple.

Step 1: Play or sing a sound. Listen to the sound when you play by simply relaxing and witnessing naturally.

Step 2: Play a second time. Enjoy and FEEL the sound filling up your entire field of experience so there is the feeling that there is only sound encompassing and enveloping all.

Step 3: Play a third time. While retaining the feeling from step 2, begin to notice what is aware of this. What is the Source of this experience? You will feel a natural awareness come forward. Recognizing this Awareness as your identity, more real than arising thoughts and experiences, rest in the Awareness.

Once you have discovered this simple and natural Awareness/Presence, you can notice that it is there all the time and there is nothing special you have to do to get it. Simply return this Awareness and allow your attention to turn away from clinging to the arising experience. This habit of clinging with attention will also dissolve in Awareness and you will recognize no separation between you and any experience in this perfect Ocean of Pure Awareness.

Other videos by Prasant on this Topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQYOeeKfh4Q&list=PLvRlCjx-q4ZTvB_qAfzAn2wKuzdnhZaMH

Connect with Prasant: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Satsang (held online via zoom)

If you found this video useful, please share it with friends and loved ones! You can also support more of this work by downloading Prasant’s free meditation albums and choosing to contribute there: https://prasantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/meditations-ragas-on-saxophone-vol-2

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Mind Is Like An Empty Soap Dispenser (brief talk + music meditation)

In this brief talk, the mind is likened to reaching for a soap dispenser that is empty. When we go to our mind to find what we want, we turn up empty handed. Instead, we can recognize that whatever we want, including peace and happiness, actually has its source in what we are, our very nature. Then we find that we can continue our daily life and activities in a fullness where nothing is fundamentally needed, added or taken away in any experience. The result is the Peace we have always had. At 13:28 Music raga meditation and brief Silence

Prasant Radhakrishnan shares natural peace and freedom through the sound of the saxophone leading to our own innate Silence that we have never lost. To attend Music Satsang, held regularly, please visit the Satsang page. For more videos like this, as well as other content, subscribe to Prasant’s Youtube channel.