Greetings All,

Well, for me time and space have really been altered. Since the pandemic cramped our style, I didn't feel feel as if I'd really done that much. Maybe it was the lack of travel? Or not driving around this big town of LA to teach? But as I got ready to share these latest recording efforts, I see I did OK — 3 albums and a 31-minute Sat Kriya!

LINKS TO THE ALBUMS AND ALL MY MUSIC:

Forces Joined on Apple Music, Youtube, Spotify
Sat Kriya on Apple Music, Youtube, Spotify
Yogable soundtrack on Apple Music, Youtube, Spotify
8 Limbs, 10 Bodies, 12 Steps soundtrack on Apple Music, Youtube, Spotify
All my music on Apple Music, Youtube, and Spotify

Here's a little background on these recordings:

The "Forces Joined" album utilizes musical versions of Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu and English mantras. Besides the joining of those forces, there is a merging of the chants' ancient wisdom with contemporary musical backings.

And you know Sat Kriya is Sat Kriya...
This rockin' musical track is a way at to add joy and momentum while keeping proper pace during the practice of this Kundalini Yoga staple.

The "Yogable: A Gentle Approach to Yoga, for Special Populations" and "8 Limbs, 10 Bodies, 12 Steps: Yoga for Addiction" are accompanying tracks to the manuals written by Patty Patwant Wildasinn. She asked to use some previously recorded tracks and requested I record some others. Versions of Sa Ta Na Ma, Kirtan Kriya, Sat Kriya, I Am, Laya Yoga Meditation and Sat Nam Wahe Guru are the newer recordings among them. All the cuts are meant to be applied for class/kriya meditations.

It is my wish that you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed creating them. And, I hope you find them useful and uplifting for your students, friends, and colleagues.

All Good Things,
~ Vicky Jap Dharam Rose

Greetings All ~

I don't know about you, but sometimes I really wonder why I'm here. By here, I mean this incarnation's time and place. And it's asked in all good humor.

Some people seem to know right out the gate (womb) what they're meant to do. We probably all know someone like that. When they've followed the path of their Soul's purpose, they are happy and often financially successful. Or not. Others suffered to do what they felt they had to. Some had a profound effect on the world while fulfilling their dreams, even in the face of societal obstacles. I admire them deeply for their passion, and envy that as well.

I spent quite a bit of time listening to others tell me about my purpose: "We're all here to serve." Well, that'sverygeneral, and serve who, and for what? Then noticing the ones proclaiming that, aren't serving, but often benefitting by abusing the concept for free labor (I've found it to be prevalent in the spiritual business model—unending internship).

Or if you're a woman, the "gotta be a mother or your life is incomplete" thing. Again, a standard set by society, rather than the individual. I know plenty of people who's destinies are fulfilled by being moms, as well as many who longed to be and couldn't make it happen. And then there's the opposite and all that encompasses. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but I've wondered where in my life's purpose motherhood landed. Was it a secondary layer of karma, or the top layer that I just didn't twig to?

There are so many constructed expectations. What I had to offer the world was told to me and I took those expectations on. I tried accomplishing those things but it chafed. There were years when I tried really hard, thinking there was some lesson in the discomfort, some gold nugget of wisdom that would be revealed. I'm still diggin' around!

What's the primary source of purpose? Is it innate? If so, where's mine? Is it discovered? If so, did I miss the signals? Does it have to be "passionate?"

Do we even need to know what our purpose is? I've spent my decades here fiddling about and having a pretty good time doing it. Life did mete out challenges and I'm guessing there'll be more to come. There hasn't been one particular thing that continually drove me—except curiosity.

And maybe that's just it. Maybe I'm one of those fly-under-the-radar folks who gathers information, holds space and is available when needed, while occasionally putting out a little something here and there; recognizing that purpose isn't always lighting the world on fire—it doesn't have to burn bright. It can settle into the quiet, comfortable glow of an ember. And most importantly, realizing that any life lived is a life of value.

Curiosity strikes again!
I'm wondering about your take on Purpose. Let me know.

All Good Things,
Vicky Rose