Music often has the potential to transport the listener into an all together fantasy world, but there are a few times far and in between when music transcends boundaries and transports the listener into an ethereal world of self awakening. Where the distinction between reality and fantasia merges and one unites with the divine cosmic being. That is the time when the God smiles benevolently and enthralls in his creations attainment of multi pronged, singular minded nirvana. And amidst the humdrum of day to day drudgery of urban existence this task is quite unattainable unless when stands atop a mountain to doing penance and ruminating. Or simpler is picking up the maestro of spiritual elevator music Craig Pruess`s album Sacred Chants of Buddha. His next offering after awakening Lord Shiva`s eye in his previous album dedicated to him.

Sacred Chants of Buddha offers nearly an hour of unity with the Lord. And its Buddha, his oracle who takes you on this path of enlightenment through tracks or shall Ii call them aids to a higher altitude of existence. The `Vajra Guru Mantra` invokes blessings to attain Supreme Siddhi while `Buddham Sharanam' explicates with the powerful Buddhist Chants ‘Buddham Sharanam' gacchami/Sangham Sharanam Gacchami / Ve Ne Dhamman Pravartikam / Tvam Sharanam Gacchami (I take refuge in the enlightened ones and in the spiritual community and in my own nature to do what is right). Centuries old yet debatable concept brought alive through sonorous chanting which permeates straight into the cerebrum and places the listener into a slow yet cathartic, subtle yet sublime kind of a trance.

As you float between galaxies unravelling the buttons of your mind you might and up on the flip side with Om Mani Padme Hum. Not really a track in the real sense of the word. This eons old composition at times is just `blank`!. Making the listener enthrall and soak in essence of Buddhist philosophy on his way to attain Perfect Enlightenment. The consummate harmony of Wisdom and Compassion attained by the Buddha, is reflected through the music and rhythms of Om Tara as he embodies the universal and timeless ideal of Man Perfected. Even though the chanting is highly anglicized and stylised in the album it is Craig`s creative genius which emerges supreme as he spiritually fuses meditative chants with modern instrumentation. In its own genre for this album, Awesome is still an understatement, Phenomenal might suffice!

So place yourself in a silent and dark, cold yet cosy room. Listen to the `real` sounds of silence. place yourself flat on the ground. Close your eyes. And focus on the divine sound. Let the chants enter your body from the lower extremities and travel upwards slowly and easily towards your mind. Feel the music cross each part of your body. Let the cosmic vibrations envelop you in its divine embrace. Breath slowly. Concentrate. Even though the music is very slumber oriented- Dont Sleep!! Fantasize about the Lord and feel the Lord slowly lifting you in his arms and taking you through your entire journey, which never is birth nor will ever will be death. Emerge with a halo!.