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<p>Pranavam Das (Lawrence “Lipbone" Redding) a devotee of Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Advaita Vedanta) and student of Dr. V. Balaji (Benares University), has performed at ashrams and devotional centers around the world. Venues include Kripalu Yoga Center, The Omega Institute, Sivananda Yoga Centers, Arsha Vidya Gurukulum and others. A full time professional touring musician and storyteller for the past 20 years, he often leads kirtans, Sonic and Pranic meditations as a form of spiritual devotion.<br /> <br />Expect an evening of breathwork (pranayama), chanting, and sonic healing, followed by a deep guided meditation with live music. <br /><br />In this 90 minute workshop, we focus on the breath and empowering the voice through the chanting of Aum (Om) and other vedic mantras. Much of the class takes place on the floor so bring a mat, pillows, blanket, etc.<br /><br />Om - The three phonetic components of Om (pronounced AUM) correspond to the three stages of cosmic creation, and when it is read or said, it celebrates the creative powers of the universe.<br /><br />Prana - The Sanskrit word for "life force" or "vital principle.” According to the Vedas, Prana permeates reality on all levels and is readily utilized in the breath.<br /><br />That which is flaming, which is subtler than the subtle,<br />on which the worlds are set, and their inhabitants –<br />That is the indestructible Brahman.<br />It is life, it is speech, it is mind. That is the real. It is immortal.<br />It is a mark to be penetrated. Penetrate It, my friend.<br /><br />Taking as a bow the great weapon of the Upanishad,<br />one should put upon it an arrow sharpened by meditation,<br />Stretching it with a thought directed to the essence of That,<br />Penetrate that Imperishable as the mark, my friend.<br /><br />Om is the bow, the arrow is the Soul, Brahman the mark,<br />By the undistracted man is It to be penetrated,<br />One should come to be in It,<br />as the arrow becomes one with the mark.<br />— Mundaka Upanishad, 2.2.2 – 2.2.4</p>
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