The Story of One Big Band

We live in a Uni Verse. We live in One Song.

I graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Songwriting. Growing up in the 70’s & 80’s I had exposure to the great global events that the music industry thwarted to build community and help those in need around the globe. Whether that need was a shift in consciousness (Woodstock), or sending aid to our brothers and sisters on the planet who are suffering from disease, war, famine, injustice and more - music answered the call.

Doha (Sanskrit) or Nam Gur (Tibetan, Gur for short), is often translated as "Songs of Realization." This form of poetry is often sung or recited spontaneously and is characteristic of Vajrayana Buddhism. Dohas are often used as a means of transmitting wisdom and spiritual aphorisms, but also function as songs of praise and enjoyment especially in the context of ganachakra (tantric feast).

There are various forms of Doha with themes ranging from bliss and rapture to admonishing samsaric lifestyles to praising the lives of great masters. While a great number of Doha from both the Indian and Tibetan tradition are attributed to the Kagyu and Mahamudra tradition (as we'll see below), with the great sage, Milarepa, being the most widely known, Doha are found in all schools of Vajrayana Buddhism.