As with most Buddhist scriptures, simply "believing in" what the Heart Sutra says is not its point. It is important also to appreciate that the sutra cannot be grasped by intellect alone. Although analysis is helpful, people also keep the words in their hearts so that understanding unfolds through practice.

In this sutra, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is speaking to Shariputra, who was an important disciple of the historical Buddha. The early lines of the sutra discuss the five skandhas - form, sensation, conception, discrimination, and consciousness. The bodhisattva has seen that the skandhas are empty, and thus has been freed from suffering. The bodhisattva speaks: Shariputra, form is no other than emptiness; emptiness no other than form. Form is exactly emptiness; emptiness exactly form. Sensation, conception, discrimination, and consciousness are also like this.

The Heart Sutra continues, with Avalokiteshvara explaining that all phenomena are expressions of emptiness, or empty of inherent characteristics. Because phenomena are empty of inherent characteristics, they are neither born nor destroyed; neither pure nor defiled; neither coming nor going.

Avalokiteshvara goes on to say there is no path, no wisdom, and no attainment. Because no individual being comes into existence, neither does a being cease to exist. Because there is no cessation, there is no impermanence, and because there is no impermanence, there is no suffering. Because there is no suffering, there is no path to liberation from suffering, no wisdom, and no attainment of wisdom. Thoroughly perceiving this is "supreme perfect enlightenment."

This musical work "Heart Sutra" is set to sound and musical vibrations meant to help harmonize the content of the sutra with one's feeling and sense rather than appeal to the analytical and intellectual musings of the listener. The result is a much deeper knowing and oneness of the "universal void" in which everything and nothing is contained.

Christopher Currell has employed advanced synthesis and spatial audio techniques to help convey a deeper meaning and understanding of the Heart Sutra. Combining sound colors, advanced polyrhythmic themes and flowing percussive rhythms, Christopher has woven a tapestry of elements that speak to the deeper consciousness. Christopher has taken the information, which is the Heart Sutra, and fused it into an audio wave pattern that connects directly to heart of the listener. In addition, Taiun Matsunami from the Daitoku-ji Ryosen-an temple in Kyoto, Japan provides the exquisitely performed Heart Sutra and other Buddhist chants.

1. Beginnings
2. Heart Sutra
3. Dedication
4. Clouds
5. Sho Sai Shu
6. Delight
7. Beginnings (Reprise)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 1/28/2011
Christopher Currell lives in Kannami Japan

Tagged as: New Age, Inspirational, Chillout, World Influenced

1. Intimland Part 3 - Penetration by Angelight: New Age/World Music for mankind from Russia
2. Looking for a Way Out by Paolo Pavan: Urban funky jazz piano, in a sober and straightforward style
3. Silent Knowledge - The World Stop by Angelight: New Age/World Music for mankind from Russia
4. Up by Paolo Pavan: Urban funky jazz piano, in a sober and straightforward style
5. Tantrabeats 2 - The Space of the Soul by Angelight: New Age/World Music for mankind from Russia
6. Velvet Face by Paolo Pavan: Urban funky jazz piano, in a sober and straightforward style
7. Fall Submissions by AntiGuru: IDM in the style of early Warp
8. Les Baricades Misterieuses by Hanneke van Proosdij: vibrant harpsichord-music
9. Green by Arphaus: aficionado of deep house, IDM and ABBA
10. Harpsichord suites of Chambonnieres by Hanneke van Proosdij: vibrant harpsichord-music
11. Harper's Brew by Aryeh Frankfurter: Timeless and enchanting folk music for the soul
12. The Cure for Chaos Theory by Psycliq: an electric heart with an organic soul
13. Cruel Waters by Ash Ganley: masterfully nuanced AAA rock
14. Public Service Announcement by The Proper Authorities: pulse-pounding, booty-shaking rock
15. Soyes Loyal by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
16. Public Service Announcement (Instrumental) by The Proper Authorities: pulse-pounding, booty-shaking rock
17. Universe Acceptable by Ash Ganley: masterfully nuanced AAA rock
18. Determination by Quantum Milkshake: A surreal, soundtrack-inspired, dance band
19. Finding Sanctuary by Anthony Salvo: solo and layered violin music on the theme of relational and spiritual intimacy
20. Back Home by The Ranchhands: Fiddle driven modern country music

• MP3: High quality MP3 variable-bit-rate files. Most people download these: they are audiophile files that play everywhere.
• ALAC: Perfect quality Apple Lossless format files. If you use iTunes or an iPod, get these. They're an exact audio copy of the original CD, and include the CD artwork and artist info. This is the same format as High Definition audio provided by the iTunes store.
• AAC: High quality Apple Audio Codec files. If you use iTunes or an iPod, these files sound great and include CD art and artist info. This is the standard format provided by the iTunes music store.
• WAV: Perfect quality WAV files. This format works everywhere, and is an exact audio copy of the original CD. It sounds fantastic. Album art and artist info is unfortunately not possible with this format.
• FLAC Perfect quality open source FLAC files. This is an open source audio format. It is an exact copy of the original CD, and includes CD artwork and artist info. Works great on Linux, VLC and many audio players based on open source.
• OGG: High quality open source OGG files. This is an open source audio format. It is a compressed (smaller file size) version of the original CD, and includes CD artwork and artist info. Works great on Linux, VLC and many audio players based on open source.
• 128k: Medium quality 128K MP3 files. These are medium audio quality MP3 files that will work on every device. The audio quality is good enough for most uses. These files are intended for cases where you want to conserve disk space.