One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das

Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense, everything that comes from love is a miracle. T-1.I.3.

 

This is a heartfelt documentary about Krishna Das' authentic spiritual path and deepening connection with the Divine. As a young man, Jeffrey Kagel, who later became Krishna Das, was disillusioned with life and spirituality unaware. That is until he glimpsed the nature of reality through a drug experience. In seeking to reconnect with what he’d experienced, he traveled to India. Sitting in the presence of Maharaj-ji (Neem Karoli Baba) he had a deep experience of Divine Love and saw what life was truly about.

 

Already a musician, Jeffrey naturally attuned to singing Kirtan—chanting the name of God. He didn’t merely want to “chant and repeat” the words during Kirtan; he dove into exploring the meaning of each word and chant, with a genuine desire to experience Divine Love through the singing. In this way, he became a “natural” leader of the chants, and he would have happily spent the rest of his life singing at the feet of his beloved guru. However, after eighteen heart opening months in India, Krishna Das was told that his spiritual journey and lessons would involve returning to America. As he stood up to leave his guru, he heard clearly within his mind 'I'll sing to you in America.'

 

When his guru died, Krishna Das was deeply affected. Believing the source of his love and happiness had gone, and that he had missed the last opportunity to be with him, he fell into depression and drug addiction. Completely lost, Krishna went to visit a spiritual teacher who commanded, “Promise me you’ll stop taking cocaine.” And he did, stopping completely. Krishna realized that if he didn’t return to his music and sing with people, then his heart would never heal.

 

Krishna returned to Kirtan, and he began singing to sold-out crowds. With this growth came the ego’s temptations and Krishna, at the height of what some would call great success, returned to India to resist the temptations and reconnect with Maharaj-ji's presence. While in India, he realized the Truth that the Presence of his guru was still with him. He also knew unequivocally that his singing was no longer about 'him.' It was to serve Love, to answer his Call to God, and he returned to America to sing with this single desire. Because of the deep Purpose of his singing, everything but the song fades into the background of awareness, and he is taken into Direct Experience. This Presence fills the room when he sings directly to, and for God, inviting all to join.

 

The gift of his music has become a healing comfort and spiritual inspiration for many thousands around the world.