Pilgrim Heart with Krishna Das

Guiding us toward balance, connection, and freedom from suffering, Krishna Das explores letting go of our numerous self-created stories.
This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das responds to questions on:
Devotional literature and poetry
What to do when feelings of boredom arise during practice
Using pain as an object of awareness
How mantra practice helps us remain balanced in daily life
Detaching from our thoughts and feelings rather than identifying with them
Freeing ourselves from the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves
The difference between letting go and pushing away
The illusion of separation and how recognizing our connection to all beings releases us from suffering
Check out this Tibetan devotional poem mentioned by Krishna Das, Life Beyond Time
“When there is a lot of physical pain, it is really hard to be present, which is why they always say practice when you can. It is inevitable that people get sick and suffer and die. People we know will get sick, suffer, and die, and we’re going to have to deal with those situations. We must find a way to live everyday in the best way we can.” –Krishna Das

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Drawing on over five decades of devotional practice, Krishna Das offers down-to-earth spiritual guidance for beginners and seasoned seekers alike.
This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gives wisdom on:
The miracles that happen around enlightened beings
How to cleanse and open the heart by letting go of old patterns
Krishna Das’ lifelong journey of awakening, surrender, and trusting life’s unfolding
Preparing the heart for prema-bhakti—the experience of real, unconditional love
Learning to trust yourself and discovering what’s truly right for your unique spiritual path
Moving away from the ego and going further into our true nature
Seeing the guru in everyone and living with less fear, doubt, and mistrust
Remembering the essential truth of impermanence—nothing lasts forever, not even suffering
About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.
MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas
“In those days, my heart was full of many things that the last 50 years have flushed out—sometimes, against my will. I didn’t want to let go of things, but you have to.” –Krishna Das
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Through soulful insights on detaching from the ego and expanding the heart, Krishna Das reminds us that surrender is not defeat, it’s the deepest devotion to God.
Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.
This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das gives wisdom on:
Listening to the heart and paying attention to our motivations
Why Krishna Das started to chant with people rather than alone
What surrendering means in spiritual life: bowing at the feet of God
Remembering that everything is all grace, but acting like it isn’t
Loneliness and how feeling alone comes from within our own belief of separateness rather than physical closeness to other people
Grief and longing for the things we do not have
Refining oneself through eliminating the parts of our lives that do not work
Navigating morals in practice when a spiritual teacher has been denounced
Keeping our hearts open and engaging with life fully regardless of our quickly passing feelings
Get a copy of Krishna Das’s book, Chants of a Lifetime, to hear more stories about his chanting epiphany.Plus, grab this FREE download of The Divine Reality for stories of Neem Karoli Baba.
“If we were ripe, if we were ready, if we were fully cooked, the moment we heard that, there would be nothing going on in our heads except the name. But we are not ripe, our lives are very busy, our minds are very distracted, so let's do the best we can to remember the name until the point that the name remembers us and it repeats itself within us.” – Krishna Das
About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.
MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas
“Over the years I’ve done lots of stuff, I’ve gotten in as much trouble as humanely possible, and I’m still here. So, that’s the most important thing, find out what you want and pursue it. If it’s not working, keep going, keep fine-tuning. How else will you find yourself except to eliminate everything that does not work?” – Krishna Das
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Krishna Das explores how spiritual practices like chanting and loving-kindness can calm anxiety and free the mind from the trap of overthinking.
Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.
This time on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das shares his thoughts on:
Maharaj-ji, beyond the physical form
Discovering the guru’s presence everywhere
Our limited, human way of conceptualizing God
Spiritual life and relieving suffering in ourselves and others
Loving people as they are while still being able to set boundaries when necessary
The challenge of leaving relationships after they’ve served their karmic purpose
Allowing the mind to settle and becoming accustomed to the feeling of letting go
The illusion of control and the ridiculousness of trying to control others
Finding ways to give ourselves a break and ways to show ourselves kindness
Why we practice: feeling the suffering of the world without letting it destroy us
Offering loving kindness to those we are struggling to accept
Practicing the Hanuman Chalisa as a coping mechanism and a way to change karma
About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.
MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas
“Let the mind settle a little bit, get used to the feeling of letting go. Thoughts will cut you up, cut your mind up. Just keep practicing, letting go, that’s what we can do. If we don’t do it, we’re constantly going to be the target of our own anxiety and fear. We have to do some letting go.” – Krishna Das
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Encouraging listeners to take responsibility for their own inner healing, Krishna Das discusses cleansing the heart of betrayal, hurt, and grief.
Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self.
This week on Pilgrim Heart, Krishna Das provides wisdom on:
Meeting Anandamayi Ma and what it means to have darshan with a guru
Accepting people as they are and loving unconditionally
Recognizing where we really are on our spiritual journey so that we can see where our work lies
How all things are accomplished through the repetition of the name
Navigating parental relationships and seeing our parents as people instead of only parents
Taking responsibility to cleanse our hearts of betrayal, hurt, and pain
Practicing seva (selfless service) and offering love to the world around us
Holding grief with compassion and allowing ourselves to move through it with care
Simplifying our practice: treating others the way we want to be treated
How Maharaj-ji scoffed at superficiality and preferred authentic practice, even if it wasn’t meditation
About Krishna Das:
Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.
KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017.
MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas
“Our relationship with our parents can be very difficult. We don’t know our parents as people; we only know them as our parents. We don’t know how many times their hearts were broken. We don’t know how their parents treated them. We don’t know what they’ve gone through that made them into the person they are now...When your parents lay a trip on you, if you get caught in reacting, that's your problem, not theirs. They are allowed to be who they are.” – Krishna Das
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