Yungchen Lhamo is a true musical bodhisattva and sonic shaman. Everyone knows that live music can sound way different from a recording, but never have I experienced such a profound difference between the two. Even though her recordings are good, they cannot capture the mystical power of Yungchen’s voice. In person, the magic of her voice can pierce the soul so deeply that the heart can experience its own true nature. She has actively worked to offer the healing power of music to a wide audience.

The first track comes from her first album, the second, a wonderful rendition of the Om Mani, comes from her last solo album, the third comes from a collaborative album done with the Russian pianist and composer Anton Batagov. In the liner notes, Batagov asks the audience to listen to the full album without interruptions. This seems worthwhile. Consider it after enjoying the sample.

Jennifer Berezan has created two wondrous albums as single, continuous meditations. “Returning” was recorded in the Oracle Chamber in the Hypogeum at Hal Saflieni, Malta, a 6000 year-old temple intentionally made for sound, and thus her performance deliberately evokes the traditions and lineages of the singing Priestesses.

Drukmo Gyal is a serious practitioner of vajrayana Buddhism, and she incorporates a holistic understanding of heart, mind, body, world, and Cosmos. Her music offers healing and clarity of mind. You can listen to a Dangerous Wisdom interview with her HERE.

Ani Choying Drolma was born in Nepal to Tibetan exiles. She has done a lot to bring sacred Buddhist music to a wider audience, and to use both music and her relative renown to help the world. He Om Mani is nice to listen to for meditation, and it stands as an interesting contrast to Yungchen Lhamo’s offering. When meditating with the Om Mani, it can be helpful to press the thumbs to the fingertips on each hand: Thumb to forefinger is Om, thumb to ring finger is Mani, and so on, each of the four words of the mantra getting its own finger press. You may like to view the Dalai Lama’s explanation of the mantra here, and then listen to Ani Choying after.

Olena Podluzhnaya, who goes by the name UUTAi, is a singer and khomus (jaw harp) player from Yakutia, Russia, a land of extremes, and a place of shamanism and magic.

She has a video I like even more as an introduction to what she does, but she doesn’t allow it to be embedded. But, what’s great about the clip below is the reaction of ordinary folk to something so out of the ordinary. It’s worth watching. And then, you might want to view this as well, and then explore her YouTube channel a bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAp1fPt8Eg

Zarina Kopyrina comes from the same culture as Olena Uutai. Here she gives a little introduction to her people and their land before her performance. As with Olena Uutai, you may want to explore Zarina’s YouTube channel, which appears under the name Snow Raven (Olox): https://www.youtube.com/@SNOWRAVENOFFICIAL/videos

Sheila Chandra is such an interesting artist . . . She has worked so beautifully with sound and with her cross-cultural experience. She eventually developed burning mouth syndrome(!), and could no longer sing. Not sure where she’s at with that now. But I admire her.

The drones are contemplative and intriguing—worth checking out others, and sitting with them (wonder if Stan Grof ever used them . . .). Her Om Namaha Shiva was pretty unique when it first came out. Ever So Lovely/Eyes/Ocean is ever so lovely.

Perhaps Chandra is less a sonic shaman than a maker of sonic mandalas.

Mari Boine is perhaps more aptly described as a sonic shaman. She is an indigenous woman, a Sami. Powerful stuff. She knows how to go to the dark places of wisdom. Even if you don’t happen to like any of these tracks, she’s worth seeking out.

Sofia Jannok is in some ways the musical and sonic shamanic younger sister of Mari Boine. I love the way she yoiks. In the Sami tradition, one does not yoik about a person or place, but rather one yoiks the place or the person. To yoik the tundra is to reverently conjure its energy. Sofia can be incredibly joyful. And she’s just plain incredible. If you ever feel low, just try staying that way when you play “Irene”.

And finally, a super fun, rather catchy track with a delightful vibe and spirit: