I’m so grateful to nandhi and hunter for their music suggestions that I thought I’d post my list of top meditation CDs.
Sacred Ground by Kelly Howell uses binaural tones to influence the brain through the entrainment of brainwaves. I’m not an expert on this but I can attest to the fact that this CD can induce a meditative state of mind even when I am experiencing extremely strong emotions. I call this my “silver bullet” and have listened to it hundreds of times.
Temple of Love by Rasa. The first song on this ambum, Jaya Radhe, is, in a word, perfect. Singer Kim Waters pulls you into Rasa’s world of bhatki with a soulful voice that tears my heart and leaves me helpless. Stunning.
Shabda Yoga by Russil Paul is the yang to Rasa’s yin. Strident, motivating, uplifting, emotional and profound yet very meditative. This is another album which has supported me during my dark hours and which I have listened to over and over.
Before we leave the world of the divine I have to mention Cave of the Siddhars by Turiya Nada. This album has an incredible amount of power, to a degree that I’m almost uncomfortable. Having said that, I also get the feeling listening to it that I’m in very competent hands. My only problems with the album are that a) the transitions between songs are too abrupt - it’s almost painful when a song ends; and b) it’s too short! Each song is a world into its own.
Descending into the earthly realm, I have to recommend Buddha Sounds III: Chill in Tibet (various artists). I found “Eyes Closed” via Pandora at work and the first time I listened to the song at home it precipitated a dramatic visualization. Female singers Ahy’o and Lila Liu breathe seduction into every syllable in a way that bridges the gap between earthly and heavenly desires. “Shine On” sends an arrow straight to my heart.
Auricle by Maneki Neko would be categorized as “New Age/Meditation”, I suppose, but this album has a silence, a depth, a haunting yearning quality that only gradually reveal itself to the listener. Listen to it a few times over the course of a month and let me know if you agree.
What are your favorite, great meditation CDs?
aum namaste,
Joe
I also enjoyed the Divine Sound cd, and sometimes wish that I hadn’t lost the copy. It seemed to awaken the kundalini in a good way, and it was fairly powerful in terms of making the unconscious conscious and removing hidden blockages. Also, it sounds really cool, since it’s just him chanting and there’s a drone instrument playing. In my opinion, a person could just listen to that cd once a day (it’s like an hour long) and that’s all they would need.
I must mention the album ‘Requiem’ by Nigel Shaw http://www.seventhwavemusic.co.uk/albumrequiem.html
It’s the music I use when I “do” The Form (actually the Form does you, the same way the mantra does…) and it takes me way deep! Much deeper than in meditation, actually. The combination of the music and The Form is very powerful, but the music by itself is also a very nice ride into the heart! It’s a Requiem for the Ego…
(This youtube clip shows The Form, but you have to put up with the interviewer who is not very aware of the basics… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb-95R9kJlA)
Scott,
Thanks so much for the suggestion. The music is extraordinarily powerful. I downloaded a copy from emusic.com and listened to it today on a trip to NY. On the way back very disturbing thoughts surfaced but the music kept me in a place of equanimity and peace. I was able to ride out the thoughts and am now in a very nice place of stillness. Bless you.
emc, I’ll check our yours, too. Thanks for the post.
aum namaste,
Joe
Hi Scott,
Yes , Scott the Divine Sound is very powerful and awakens the shakti as well as cleansing deeply.I have probably listened to it more than anyone else in the world since it’s release in 2006. I estimate I have listened to it over 2000 times and it still gives me kriyas! LOL.A word of caution, some may need to self pace with it.The first time I listened to it I felt nauseous and some cannot listen to it for more than a few minutes. In these cases it is best to build up slowly a few minutes at a time.
L&L
Dave
“I have to mention Cave of the Siddhars by Turiya Nada. This album has an incredible amount of power, to a degree that I’m almost uncomfortable.”
Agreed. First time I listened to it I was hit by a truck and slept for 2 hours like a stone afterwards! Next time I listened, I got a terrible headache. Now I seem to have adjusted to it, but I listen to it with causion and never when in a state of energy overload. Self-pacing and Turiya Nada is not a good mix! Otherwise, a very nice cd!
um
divine brushjw,
we are grateful for cave of the siddhars (turiya nada) to be on your top list! thank you!
it is natural for these chants to be powerful since they are energies of ayya, a siddhar yogi who had been meditating for 18 years (without moving and drinking just a glass of milk a day) and the bhakthi that entwines ayya as presence within the mantras.
due to the intense energies in cave of the siddhars, we thought the suggested usage helps- http://www.nandhi.com/TuriyaNadaUse.htm
an interesting story behind cave of the siddhars- http://www.nandhi.com/ayya_music_story.htm
our new album - invoke the masters is just out. it is said to be a ‘notch more powerful’ than cave of the siddhars.
gratitude and love!
aum
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Money’s tight so I’ve only been able to obtain The Divine Sound. An extraordinary, life-changing recording. As money allows I’ll try others. What a blessing! I feel so rich - having these to look forward to is like money in the bank
I’d like to clarify my list a bit. Sacred Ground “does” meditation for you. I used it for a year and I believe it helped train my mind to experience deep meditative absorption.
Temple of Love, Shabda Yoga and Buddha Sounds III are bhakti albums. They inspire divine longing in me; they’re not music I actually listen to while meditating.
Cave of the Siddhars and The Divine Sound are meditation albums, but composed and performed with an otherworldly mastery. I may just buy Invoke the Masters. Great teaser, nandhi
Auricle would probably be considered ambient music and could be used for meditation. Having tasted the divine, I now use it mostly while I’m otherwise occupied as an anchor in Stillness. I also can highly recommend Liquid Mind. Consistently good to excellent.
aum namaste,
Joe
I’m happy to report that I’ve found another truly extraordinary meditation CD - Ultimate Om by Jonathan Goldman. You can read the Amazon review if you’re interested in details (“The sound utilizes the Pythagorean ratio of 2:3, which is an aspect of the Golden Mean, and vibrates in the keynote of C (256 cycles per second), which is considered a harmonic of the resonant frequency of the earth’s electro magnetic field…”) but I love this CD because it:
instantly evokes the Divine Sound and brings me into a profound meditative state
is infinitely gentle, loving and soothing
I’ve been sick this week and had a lot of bed time. Over and over I’ve been lulled to sleep by this album. Rather than a setback in my meditation routine, I feel that I’ve actually increased my meditative absorption.
Om namaste,
Joe
OK here’s another one from your intrepid auditory reporter - but I have to warn you, this one’s definitely not for everyone: Brainwave Mind Voyages Series 4: The Theta Brainwaves.
First, let me tell you what I didn’t like about this CD:
The “music” is not melodic, in stark contrast to most of my previous recommendations
the “waves” don’t sound very realistic
the audio quality is a bit primitive (may be just my copy)
the gaps between tracks are jarring
Last night my dark night returned with a vengeance. I listened to Theta Brainwaves at a quite loud volume. The experience was uncomfortable at first. I caught myself criticizing the composition and resisting its effect. After a few minutes I relaxed into it and immediately the Divine Sound reached a crescendo. The sound attained a quite high pitch, and there was tremendous energy above the roof of my mouth rising upwards. The energy sustained itself, which is quite remarkable.
A half hour or so later I went to bed, still listening to the CD. Within a few minutes I found myself… smiling Holy guacamole, Batman!
It took a while to get to sleep - and I was in no hurry, I was enjoying the energy - but I woke this morning refreshed. I’ve had a hard shaking a flu bug but my energy had finally returned. This might be a coincidence but I’m just reporting my subjective experience.
Also, the gaps between tracks were flooded with silence. The silence was actually shocking in a visceral way that made the term “Sound of Silence” take on a whole new meaning.
The fact that this CD can bring on high sustained energy is intriguing for me because from my experience the next step in this type of meditative absorption is bliss (well-being, jhana, whatever you want to call it). It seems to drip down my throat. I haven’t learned what the particular trigger is to reach this stage - my previous experiences were somewhat spontaneous. I suspect that it has to do with relaxing the muscles in my face and guiding it to my third eye, letting go while maintaining absorption.
One last thing before I forget: I was speaking in a small meeting tonight and the energy poured out of my mouth with my words. This has not happened before. It felt… heavenly. That’s the only word that comes to mind.
aum namaste,
Joe
Hi.
I’m new to this forum and I would just like to tip everybody about “Bliss music” It’s music that litterly can give you “Shaktipat diksha” (awakening by grace, the Kundalini energy). The music is made by a guy called Kip. Check out the web side at: www.bliss-music.com
Lately I’ve been listening a lot to Chakra Chants and Chakra Chants 2, both by Johnathan Goldman. The more I listen to them the more I like them. Within seconds of listening to either album I hear the Sound of Silence like a sustained “ting” of pure crystal. The divine energy flows first through my head, then my entire body becomes a celestial tuning fork.
At this time I seem to get the most benefit from meditation music with a balance of yin and yang energies and these are an amazing balance. Highly recommended.
Namaste,
Joe
Otherwise, a very nice cd!
Holy guacamole, Batman!