Peter Alexander ~ peter@alexandercomposer.com Agni, Fire of Creation When the world seems black with anger, hate, and discord, we can find inside ourselves a powerful source of light and truth. Agni, Fire of Creation, is a collection of mantras and musical soundscapes destined to lead listeners from inner tranquility to ecstatic joy and back again. Begin by meditating upon the source of light (Agni, fire, the sun,) and its capacity to stimulate perception. Finding the light within ourselves, we learn to recognize truth. We realize the power of light to dispel darkness, to heal, to bring peace. This knowledge brings us great joy, and we celebrate with songs of gratitude and praise for the Divine. Each track intricately interweaves both eastern and western instruments, vocals, and musical traditions. Sanskrit mantra, Gregorian chant, bluegrass riffs, and reggae beats play well with dulcet vocal harmonies. Listen to a single track to enlighten your day, or take the journey from start to finish. Singing is always a form of prayer, and prayers of light can unify the world. Featuring: Greg Barnett David Balakrishnan Benjy Wertheimer Prajna Vieira Melissa O’Keefe Ben Leinbach 1. Sahanā Vavatu 4:16 (The Peace Invocation) 2. Asato Mā 7:13 3. Oṃ Aruṇāchala 9:50 4. Gāyatrī Mantra 11:02 5. Tārā Mantra 10:03 6. Follow Your Heart 8:09 7. Sthirah Sukham Āsanam 7:33 (Trad. Christian Hymn c. 1779) English lyrics by John Newton 8. Pange Lingua 3:15 (Gregorian Chant) Music by Peter Alexander Arrangements by Peter Alexander and Greg Barnett The Musicians Peter Alexander: vocals, harmonium, shruti box, bells, djembe Greg Barnett: guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals David Balakrishnan: violin Benjy Wertheimer: esraj Ben Leinbach: percussion on tracks 5 & 6 Ramana Erickson: tabla, vocals on track 3 Melissa O’Keefe: vocals on tracks 5 & 6 Julie Simonsen: vocals on tracks 3 & 5 Prajna Vieira: vocals, kartals on tracks 3 & 4 Recorded by Peter Alexander at Redwood Recording Studios, Half Moon Bay, CA Scott Bergstrom at 25th Street Studios, Oakland, CA Ben Leinbach at Old Bull Productions, San Anselmo, CA Benjy Wertheimer at Wolf Cub Studios, Portland, OR Mixed by Greg Barnett at Redwood Recording Studios, Half Moon Bay, CA and SGL Studio, San Rafael, CA Mastered by John Schimpf at 25th Street Studios, Oakland, CA Produced by Greg Barnett and Peter Alexander Graphic design by Bruce Gardner © 2017 Peter Alexander www.healingkirtan.com Text and Translations: 1. saha nā vavatu saha nau bhunaktu saha vīryam karavāvahai tejas vinā vadhīta mastu mā vidviṣā vahai oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ May He protect us both. May He take pleasure in us both. May we show courage together. May spiritual knowledge shine before us. May we never hate one another. May peace and peace and peace be everywhere. ~ W.B. Yeats and śri purohit swāmi 2. asato mā sadgamaya tamaso mā jyotirgamaya mṛtyor mā amṛtam gamaya From unreality lead me to reality. From darkness lead me to light. From death lead me to immortality. 3. Oṃ Aruṇāchala mama hṛdaye śivam bhavāmi mama hṛdaye I bow before Śiva, Aruṇācala, land of my heart. 4. Oṃ bhur bhuvaḥ suvaḥ tatsavitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāṭ We meditate upon the Divine Light of that adorable Sun of spiritual consciousness. May it stimulate our power of spiritual perception. ~ I. K. Taimni Oṃ bhuḥ Oṃ bhuvaḥ Oṃ suvaḥ Oṃ mahaḥ Oṃ janaḥ Oṃ tapaḥ Oṃ satyam Divine are the seven spheres of existence from the physical to the ultimate reality. 5. Oṃ tāre tuttāre ture svāhā Tara, whose name means “star” or “she who ferries across,” is a Bodhisattva of compassion who manifests in female form. 6. Follow your heart. Believe in true sight . Follow true sight. Believe in your heart. When you follow your heart and believe in true sight you will unlock your treasure and bring it to light. When you follow true sight and believe in your heart your soul may unfold and will shine forth in gold. Sitā Rām in your heart, Sitā Ram, Sitā Rām. 7. Sthiraḥ sukham āsanam (II,56 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) Posture (should be) steady and comfortable. The Sience of Yoga, I. K. Taimni Pange lingua gloriósi … “Sing, oh my tongue, and praise the mystery …” For full Pange Lingua text and translation visit: www.healingkirtan.com I offer a deep bow of gratitude to all the hands, voices and talents who have made this recording project possible, and the Great Spirit behind them. namaste Peter