 Pilgrimage
is the act of searching for and tasting the mystery.
It is an intensely personal yet spiritual journey
with purpose to the holy places the Buddha walked,
prayed or meditated. It is to touch the same ground,
drink of the same water and smell the same wind
the Buddha did. The content of this CD encompasses
three different pilgrimages to India (’94,
‘96, ‘00) with the same spiritual
master, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche and a fourth journey
to India to take teachings with His Holiness the
Dalai Lama in Dharamsala (’98). The two
writers, myself and Penn
Kemp, each chronicled our observations of
both journey in a holy land, and journey with
spiritual intention having some of the writing
published in a co-authored book Sarasvati Scapes.
New material was also written and other work was
pulled from two other collections of poetry, Timeless
Time and on our own spoke.
Once the words were written the notes of another
kind emerged. I wanted to bring to the listener
the experience not only of pilgrimage but of India.
This is when vocalist and composer Kiran
Ahluwalia and translator Ajmer Rode were called
in. Ajmer with his adept ear for translation,
nuance and cadence graces our ears in the rendering
of some of our pieces in Punjabi. Kiran vocally
improvised over various poems in her own luscious,
melismatic and unique way. Along with her contribution
she brought to the CD musicians who have feet
in both the east and west musically and culturally.
Musicians who brought their entire being into
the playing. They followed the commitment Kiran
demonstrates as the musical leader she is.
The most difficult part of this project to realize
was the Tibetan chanting of monks and nuns. The
nuns of Ghachoe Ling in Nepal were so gracious
to allow us to utilize portions of their own CD,
The Bliss Swirl of Sky Dancers and my venerable
teacher, Zasep Rinpoche without hesitation offered
the use of chanting on his CD, The Melodies of
Chod. Three enthusiastic monks from the Manjushri
monastery in Montreal graciously recorded their
chanting which is intertwined throughout the project.
Finally, the entirety of the CD was trimmed,
tweaked, tucked and embellished by the irreplaceable
producing of Stephen
Fearing. From studio directing schedules,
musicians, poets and engineers, choosing sound
effects, multi-tasking between his own various
musical projects and injecting his own “je
ne sais quoi,” Fearing aided in reaching
the next level of creativity. As a guitarist he
laced and graced the entire project with the indefinable
beauty of his signature acoustic, electric, and
steel guitar playing.
Whether you are a literary or world music lover,
a Buddhist or India-o-phile or none of the above,
just simply an appreciator of the manifestation
of the Divine in a CD, may you enjoy this unique
collaboration of talented and inspired artists.
Today, this story of Buddhist pilgrimage in India,
are my vision, my gift to you.
Acknowledgements
First, the inspiriation of it all, my teacher
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche. A being who continues to
walk with me in the footsteps of the Buddha, steps
that are sometimes incomprehensible but always
moving me towards the light. Thank you. George
Tilser, Brian denHertog, Robbie Struthers, Michael
O’Shea, Margaret Potyrala and Ross MacDonald,
fellow pilgrims of various spiritual paths who
have travelled many miles with me both literally
and metaphorically. Without each of you I would
never have reached certain places. For a safe
space, a Toronto home away from home, a gentle
shoulder, Laura Michalchyshyn and Rick Gilbert
forever thank you. For his enthusiastic help finding
monks, thank you to Jeff Cupchik. For their creative
input and encouragement in the nascent stages
John Bermingham, Diana Claire, Brian denHertog,
Jill Russell, Tim McCauley and M&M. In the
very latter stages of production, for his expert
advice, thanks to Ian Aikenhead. Hugs to my various
“sisters” Lori Kenney, Kate Giffin,
Barbara Brown, Mardi Pierenek, Pam Stone, Carol
Ogden, Susan Lazaruk and Michele Raye, you were
all always a phone call away. Finally, a multitude
of thanks to Tarla Curran and Joanna Saunders
- two magnificent and unique beings who continually
support me at every moment of growth and passage;
who generously share their experience, strength
and hope so that I can in turn become the person
I dream to be.
Blessings and love to you all.
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