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One World Family

by Shane Tuthill, candidate for B.S. in Parapsychic Science

It all started as a melodious dream. In our creating a new musical groove by harmonizing diverse genres and mystical traditions in singing bhajans and kirtans (Vedic devotional chanting) our Indiana-based Baraka band blends the traditional sacred mantras of India with our favorite musical art-forms, reggae and hip-hop. Our vision: a muse-ical movement of consciousness!

After years of performing state-side and abroad in venues as diverse as yoga centers, concerts and music festivals of all sizes, our nine-member Baraka band was invited to perform in Bangalore, India. Held in February 2006 and billed as one of the largest interfaith and human values gatherings in history, its Art of Living Silver Jubilee hosts one million-plus attendees! Our band raised $16,000 for a two-week trip to its exotic and mystical paradise—thanks to donations from our family, friends, sponsors such as Indiana University, and a series of fund-raising benefit concerts. 

Shane Tuthill’s newest muse is named Ocean Maria Kianga Tuthill.

Arriving in India we stepped into an ancient culture where sages and God-Kings rule, amidst modern pollution and economic hustle and bustle. Visiting the Art of Living ashram as students of its advanced course, clearly we felt gifted with an endless abundance! Everywhere we went, again and again we seemed to create spontaneous free-style sessions in which our musical aura gathered in enchantment. Who knows how many people took our picture; it seemed, time and again, that Baraka connected people on a soul level.

At the concert we expected to sing only one song, “One World Family,” but Spirit guided us differently! Beginning instead with our reggae/hip-hop “Bom Bom Bhole,” its ancient and well-known Shiva chant forms the chorus of a high energy dance tune. The people of India knew this chant so well, they went wild! The audience was an endless sea of faces—bouncing, clapping singing—and throughout the trip people continually recognized us and thanked us for our inspiring music and energy.

Baraka traveled to the sacred beachside village of Gokarna, an ancient Holy site housing one of the most powerful Shiva-lingams in the world. Swimming in the Arabian Sea, drinking exotic fruit smoothies, we celebrated the famous yearly festival of Shiva Ratri. Amongst some of my best friends in the world, we also met a world of new friends!
To hear Baraka: http://www.artoflivingmidwest.org/baraka/

“One World Family”

…Everything under the sun, we are one
All breathin’ one air, from the one sky,
All reflections of the one true light
All drinkin’ one water, from the one ocean
Plus there’s only one infinity which we give devotion
And under the ocean, you find there’s only one land
Separated by lines on maps, drawn by man,
But that wasn’t the plan, how long can we stand
To be fussin’ and fightin’, we should be actualizing our dreams,
Celebrate the supreme, by elevating every child on earth to a king or queen
Find that heaven inside and just let your heart sing

(original lyrics excerpted with permission)