Grammy-nominated Kirtan singer and GoOD Friend, Krishna Das (KD) joins Nikki to talk about the first mantra he was given by Ram Dass (that saved him from a car accident), his experiences meeting Indian saints like Anandamayi Ma, his personal spiritual practice (chanting versus meditating), one of his favorite Christian Saints, St. Seraphim of Sarov, his time in India with Neem Karoli Baba aka Maharajji, and his time now, still living in the boundless presence that is his Guru. They cover how to manage doubt,  how to grow in Faith, and KD shares the mantra he turns to when maya/illusion gets very loud. Finally, KD leads a the beautiful 'Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram' chant. Watch on Youtube! राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम "The words of these chants are called the divine names and they come from a place that's deeper than our hearts and our thoughts, deeper than the mind. And so as we sing them they turn us towards ourselves, into ourselves. They bring us in, and as we offer ourselves into the experience, the experience changes us. These chants have no meaning other than the experience that we have by doing them. They come from the Hindu tradition, but it's not about being a Hindu, or believing anything in advance. It's just about doing it, and experiencing. Nothing to join, you just sit down and sing. The repetition of the holy names reveals a presence hidden within the heart. Something begins to happen that's very disturbing - we get happy." - Krishna Das  The 'Sri Ram' Mantra is known as the victory mantra. 'One gets success and victory in all his ventures who chants this mantra. It is a miracle mantra which can make the impossible tasks possible.' Sri - Honorific title to show respect and reverence Ram - the Light of your Soul  Jai - Victory or Triumph Victory to the Light within me. "Just take Ram's name and all desires will be fulfilled." - Maharajji to Dada in Miracle of Love "Q: Maharajji, what can I do to gain pure love for Ram? -- Maharajji's Answer: You will get pure love for Ram by the blessings of Christ. Hanuman and Christ are one. They are the same." - Miracle of Love "Standing or sitting, eating or lying down, if one chants 'Ram, Ram' constantly, one will be able to gain His Grace, there is no doubt about it. A person, who is anxious to gain God's Grace, can experiment on this and test its truth. He, who constantly chants 'Ram, Ram', will become Ram." -Sri Sitaramdas Omkarath Aditya Hridiyam Mantra Meditation with Ram Dass  - "All evil vanishes from life for him who keeps the Sun in his heart."  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2: 8-10   Chants of a Lifetime by Krishna Das   राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम To claim your free gift, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me at nikki@curlynikki.com!  Join us on Patreon to support the show, and tune into and participate in live video Q&As with me!  Support the show राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम