For anyone who will be in or near Portland next week: the sangha that I am a member of at Dharma Rain Zen Center has been blessed by the offering of Shantala who will sing/chant for money for the purpose of spreading the dharma. If you can make it, you may experience the ecstasy of Spirit manifesting in intersubjective harmony. Kirtan is a devotional practice that has changed my life in indescribable ways. It doesn't resonate with everyone, of course; if you haven't experienced it, though, it's worth checking out.

Heather and Benjy Wertheimer of Shantala will be performing a benefit concert at the Portland Dharma Center on Tuesday, June 19, at 7:30pm. Admission is $15. Click here to open a pdf poster. If you have not had the pleasure of hearing Heather's impassioned soul-stirring calls to the Beloved with Benjy's exotic instrumentation on the tabla, esraj, congas and more, you will not want to miss this emerging local talent. Shantala participated in the 24-Hour Chant for Peace last August at Great Vow Zen Monastery. Their style is Kirtan, a celebration of spirit through sacred chanting. They have performed worldwide, inviting audiences to participate through call-and-response, dance, and meditation. The weaving of Benjy's Indian classical singing and instrumention with Heather's soaring vocals creates beautiful music full of passion and reverence. Their CD, "Church of Sky," was named one of the top ten albums of 2004 by New Age Retailer and has aired on radio stations nationwide.