The Essence of All.
by Kevin James Carroll, “Live in Barcelona”, 2018.
The Song.
The Song.
This is a very special song by Kevin. He begins with very delicate guitar, and also sings the opening poem very gently and delicately, so the meaning can go straight to the heart. This tactic helps avoid all the opinions and divisions caused by the thought-driven sense of self, about sacred verse that belongs to other people.
Kevin then uses the three non-English mantras to gradually build up the energy from rest and quiet to a powerful climax, that he sustains long enough to really move us out of our rut, when we can join in. Then he suddenly releases it. This is a classical tactic used in Kirtan, and helps bring out the full healing potential of singing these sacred songs.
He then sings the concluding praise and thanksgiving in a gentle and re-assuring way. This strategy helps to open our hearts to gratitude and appreciation, which are very powerful healing Qualities of Deity.
This song is over half an hour long. It is enough by itself, for your own private Kirtan session, where you can give it undivided attention, and really join in. A good investment for your money.
You can listen to and buy this song as a single, as a download, at
https://kevinjames.bandcamp.com/track/essence-of-all-3
When the lyrics are written out in full, we can see the themes that flow thru this song : Divinity in the Light and the Way, and in healing especially within ourselves, and in all life. And our natural response in thanks giving and praise.
All of the darkness of this human life,
Is enlightened by the Light that I am :
The Essence of all, The Essence of all,
You’re the one that I bow down to,
The Essence of all, The Essence of all, The Essence of all …
I am the light, and I am the way, I am the truth,
of who I am, I am that I am, oh hallel-u-yah
Gayatri Mantra.
ॐ भू र्भुवः स्वः ।
om bhur bhu-vaha svaha
wordless protects releases gives
healing vitality pain joy
We meditate on Deity, the Source of Healing, which can
protect our vitality, release our pain and give us joy,
तत् सवितु र्वरेण्यं।
tat savitur varen-yam
that the Sun excellent
that is like the Sun, illuminating all; and excellent,
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
bhargo devasya dhi-mahi
splendorous radiant meditate on
धियो योनः चोदयात् ॥
dhiyo yonah pracho dayāt
intellect our guidance, motivation
May this guide and inspire our intellect.
Hallel- lu- yah
radiant Presence of Deity, or
thanks and praise to Deity,
thanks and praise for the Essence of all.
Go- pāla
spiritual provide for, &
nourishment protect
“May we provide for and protect our spiritual nourishment.”
Hear the angels singing, Hear the angels singing,
Hallel-lu-yah, Hallel-lu-yah,
Thanks and praise to the Spirit,
Thanks and praise to the One,
The Essence of all, the Source of all creation,
Thanks and praise to the Children,
Thanks and praise to the Mother,
Thanks and praise to the Father,
Thanks and praise to the ancestors,
Thanks and praise to the elders,
Thanks and praise to the brothers,
To the Essence of all, sisters and brothers,
Thanks and praise for the families,
Thanks and praise for community,
Thanks and praise for friendships,
Thanks and praise for the love we share,
Hallel-lu-yah, Hallel-lu-yah.
Kevin then uses the three non-English mantras to gradually build up the energy from rest and quiet to a powerful climax, that he sustains long enough to really move us out of our rut, when we can join in. Then he suddenly releases it. This is a classical tactic used in Kirtan, and helps bring out the full healing potential of singing these sacred songs.
He then sings the concluding praise and thanksgiving in a gentle and re-assuring way. This strategy helps to open our hearts to gratitude and appreciation, which are very powerful healing Qualities of Deity.
This song is over half an hour long. It is enough by itself, for your own private Kirtan session, where you can give it undivided attention, and really join in. A good investment for your money.
You can listen to and buy this song as a single, as a download, at
https://kevinjames.bandcamp.com/track/essence-of-all-3
When the lyrics are written out in full, we can see the themes that flow thru this song : Divinity in the Light and the Way, and in healing especially within ourselves, and in all life. And our natural response in thanks giving and praise.
All of the darkness of this human life,
Is enlightened by the Light that I am :
The Essence of all, The Essence of all,
You’re the one that I bow down to,
The Essence of all, The Essence of all, The Essence of all …
I am the light, and I am the way, I am the truth,
of who I am, I am that I am, oh hallel-u-yah
Gayatri Mantra.
ॐ भू र्भुवः स्वः ।
om bhur bhu-vaha svaha
wordless protects releases gives
healing vitality pain joy
We meditate on Deity, the Source of Healing, which can
protect our vitality, release our pain and give us joy,
तत् सवितु र्वरेण्यं।
tat savitur varen-yam
that the Sun excellent
that is like the Sun, illuminating all; and excellent,
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
bhargo devasya dhi-mahi
splendorous radiant meditate on
धियो योनः चोदयात् ॥
dhiyo yonah pracho dayāt
intellect our guidance, motivation
May this guide and inspire our intellect.
Hallel- lu- yah
radiant Presence of Deity, or
thanks and praise to Deity,
thanks and praise for the Essence of all.
Go- pāla
spiritual provide for, &
nourishment protect
“May we provide for and protect our spiritual nourishment.”
Hear the angels singing, Hear the angels singing,
Hallel-lu-yah, Hallel-lu-yah,
Thanks and praise to the Spirit,
Thanks and praise to the One,
The Essence of all, the Source of all creation,
Thanks and praise to the Children,
Thanks and praise to the Mother,
Thanks and praise to the Father,
Thanks and praise to the ancestors,
Thanks and praise to the elders,
Thanks and praise to the brothers,
To the Essence of all, sisters and brothers,
Thanks and praise for the families,
Thanks and praise for community,
Thanks and praise for friendships,
Thanks and praise for the love we share,
Hallel-lu-yah, Hallel-lu-yah.
Discussion of Lyrics.
The opening poem that Kevin sings so beautifully has lyrics that work, perhaps because they are somewhat enigmatic – they encourage investigation – what could they mean? Where might they come from? Can Christian scripture be applied outside the Christian belief system and doctrine?
How can we apply these themes to a philosophy where Deity is not limited to an external all-powerful God located above us? Let us use these beautiful themes in a philosophy where Deity dwells in our heart as pure consciousness = eshvara . And also all around us as “the essence of all”. Where Deity is an experience and a perception, and not a required religious belief.
I am the light, the way, the truth.
In the Gospels, Deity is described as the way, the truth and the life (John 14 : 6) and as the light (John 8 : 12), and advises us to not hide our light but elevate it so it may illuminate others (Matthew 5 : 15). (They also advise us to not cast our pearls before swine – they will simply disappear into the mud (Matthew 7 : 6, Sermon on Mount.)) Christian scripture also advise us to be children of light, the light of Deity, for too we often walk in darkness (Ephesians 5 : 8).
The religious scholars write these scriptures thus : “I am the way, I am the truth, I am the light.” For ourselves, this can be Deity speaking in our own heart. This can be our determination, and the ideal can be rewritten into a practical course of action thus -
- I will follow the spiritual path … and not slide backwards into self sabotage. And I will learn the skills needed for this.
- I will be guided by spiritual truth … that resolves problems, releases pain, restores happiness and protects inner peace
- I will return to the enlightened state … in my daily life. I will cultivate spiritual Qualities, and let go of defilements.
“I am that I am”. This helps to strengthen the previous line : “I am the light, I am the way, I am the truth.” In such context, “that” can stand for the light, the way and the truth, and everything else in the song. Repeatedly singing “I am” helps us to identify with Deity, Deity that resides in our hearts. In Western tradition, it’s called the “Holy Spirit.”
“I am that I am” could come from the traditional storey of Moses and the burning bush, Exodus chapter 3. Moses asks God “what is your name?” and God replies in verse 14 :
- ’ehyeh ’ăšer ’ehyeh = “I am that I am”.
In Verse 14, God continues – “To your people say this : ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Chapter 3 then describes how Moses will lead his people to freedom.
This expression could be rewritten as “I come from Deity, and I identify myself with Deity.” This suggests that we could identify with Deity when we practise our leadership. We can reflect on our motivation to lead others : Where does my drive to lead come from? Just my ego, wanting to impose my opinions in the world? What sort of following is that likely to breed? Or do my intentions come from a higher Source?
To describe Deity as “I am” can also understood as a question – who am I ? what am I? We can use this question when we feel down, or upset. We can ask ourselves – these painful thoughts and feelings, are they my true Nature? Or am I really something happier? Something higher, more inspired and more appreciative? This can be a helpful reflection when we start to believe in, when we start to identify with …. all those hurt filled thoughts and attitudes that can go thru our heads …
The Sanskrit for “who am I?” is - so ham, a beautiful song by Terry and Soraya, soon to appear on this website.
Exodus 3 : 14 is also translated thus : God said to Moses : “I am who I am”, or “I will be who I will be”. Adding some interpretive words, we get –
- I am my true Nature, I am my higher self or ātman,
- I will be my True Nature, and -
- I am not those defilements! Nor will be!
In short, the expression ’ehyeh ’ăšer ’ehyeh = “I am that I am” or “I am who I am” is enigmatic, so all sorts of imaginative interpretations can be found on the net.
Halel-u-yah.
According to gnosticwarrior.com, the Hebrew halal = halel means “radiance”, and yah is also known as Yahweh, their principle Name for Deity. However, “Hallelu-yah” is normally an expression of thanks and praise to Deity.
