Overcoming Fear from The Yoga of Sound Series  
Artist: Mata Mandir Singh

Remove your fears by experiencing the unlimited expanse of the Universe through Naad Yoga, the Yoga of Sound. Hearing & singing this sound current is said to instill courage & fearlessness into every fiber of the listener. Overcoming Fear features the soothing & hypnotic vocals of Mata Mandir Singh with complimentary harmonies by Gurudass Kaur. Remastered at Invincible Recording Studio.

This CD has been two and one half years in the making. It started simple, just a few of us sitting around a friend's house in France playing some mantras together, and from there began to magnify and expand with everyone's input. We all worked hard and recorded a few different versions of it. In between has come the September 11th 2001 tragedy and in the years following, fear seems to have a life of its own in the world, growing and expanding. We offer this music, mantra, and prayer as a small contribution to freedom from fear and suffering for all humanity and hope that if even a few people use the spiritual technology contained within for personal growth, then our effort has been well worth it. I also firmly believe that when we vibrate mantras of peace and security the thought-waves travel and spread on a molecular level and so spread peace in the world as well. So for this reason, the time I feel most fulfilled in my life comes during the making of spiritual music or Kirtan as it is called.

Although I have plenty of deep-seated fear still to overcome in my life, I am grateful to have had the role model of my teacher Yogi Bhajan as an example of a spiritual warrior. He came to the West literally with nothing (his luggage was stolen here in Amsterdam on the way over). He went on, overcoming many obstacles, to teach tens of thousands of people the way of yoga and meditation.

Then I was blessed to have learned the history of the Sikhs and the incredible obstacles they overcame as a people to bring the body of teachings forward to the present. These stories are also deeply imbedded in my consciousness and serve to inspire when things seem hopeless.

I remember an incident in Yogi Bhajan's early days as a teacher after a near car accident in the mountains. Everyone except him was shaking with fear. A student said to him. "How can I be fearless? My role model as a child was Mickey Mouse. Yours were Shiva, Krishna and the Sikh Gurus." I don't know how he replied to that comment but I do know he has said many times that the greatest mantra in the Age of Aquarius is "Keep Up".

Mata Mandir Singh has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Naad Yoga - the yoga of sound. A skilful guitar, mandolin and cittern player, he is a pioneer of the yoga music genre, having recorded more than 28 CDs and cassette tapes since the late 1970's.

Mata Mandir pours devotion into each note that he sings. His gentle voice creates a sacred atmosphere for healing and connectedness, helping students calm their minds and open their hearts. His Sikh-inspired mantras invite listeners to have a personal experience of the Divine.

A longtime student of Kundalini Yoga Master Yogi Bhajan, Mata Mandir learned early on about the power of the sound current for elevation. "Yogiji told me a long time ago that if you play any instrument in a rhythmic pattern, that will put you into harmony with the whole universe," he says. Inspired by Yogi Bhajan's life-changing teachings, Mata Mandir then embarked on a journey of helping others come in tune with the rhythm of the universe. "Everything has a frequency and vibration, everything has its own song," he says. "When you tune in to sounds of the world, like the sound of your breath or your heartbeat, for example, the world becomes different. You create a new intelligence in your life and you begin to see rhythm where before you only saw chaos."

Mata Mandir currently performs and teaches classes on the science of chanting and listening both across the United States and internationally. In his upcoming book, Naad Yoga - the Yoga of Sound Workbook, he explains how one can use mantras to stimulate the brain and glandular system and reach deep states of bliss. "There's a cascade of chemical changes in every word we speak," he says.

Sharing a deep passion for Naad Yoga, Mata Mandir uses music to guide his students to the present moment and into a natural state of empowerment. Adding to his detailed teachings on chanting, he also emphasizes the importance of learning to deeply listen. "The eyes can create a lot of illusion," he says. "But the ears are very accurate and can distinguish all different notes, all different sounds."

1. Mul Mantra
Mata Mandir Singh - acoustic guitar, vocal
Kate Mckenzie - vocal
Michael Benedik - classical guitar
Hari Kaur Khalsa - harmony vocal

2. Gobinde Mukande
Mata Mandir Singh - acoustic guitar, vocal
Gurudass Kaur Khalsa - vocal
Michael Benedik - classical guitar
Antal Steixner - percussion

3. Chatr Chakra Varti
Mata Mandir Singh - acoustic guitar, vocal
Michael Benedik - classical guitar
Kate Mckenzie - vocal
Antal Steixner - percussion

4. Sa Ta Na Ma Celebration
Mata Mandir Singh - tabla, vocal
Kate Mckenzie - vocal
Khalsa Choir - backup vocals
Michael Benedik - classical guitar
Antal Steixner - percussion
Hari Kaur Khalsa - harmonium, tamboura
Wahe Guru Singh - flute

5. Adi Shakti
Mata Mandir Singh - acoustic guitar, vocal
Kate Mckenzie - vocal
Hari Kaur Khalsa - 2nd female vocal
Khalsa Choir - backup vocals
Michael Benedik - classical guitar
Antal Steixner - percussion

6. Guru Ram Das Chant
Hari Kaur Khalsa - celtic harp, vocal
Kate Mckenzie - vocal
Mata Mandir Singh - acoustic guitar, backup vocal
Michael Benedik - classical guitar