#91 Creating Dalai Lama's album Inner World - Junelle Kunin

When asked why Dalai Lama accepted the request to make the
album, he answered, “The very purpose of my life is to serve as
much as I can.” He also added, “Music can help people in a way
that I can’t.”






The Tibetan spiritual leader has a message about the 'real
source of happiness.': warm-heartedness and a concern
for others. Inspired by the gifted New Zealand musician
Junelle Kunin, the Dalai Lama hopes that Inner
World can give people confidence in a world shaken by
crises. The album was produced by Junelle and her
husband Abraham, who composed the music, and on it,
joins other musicians from around the world in playing
more than 30 instruments. And of course, there is the Dalai
Lama's voice. 


The album can help people deal with emotional stress and
addresses the Dalai Lama's key concerns — courage, healing,
wisdom, purification, protection and humanity.


In this episode talented and wholehearted musician
Junelle will take us on the journey of the birth of "Inner
World" by sharing:


- her discoveries, challenges and growth while creating the
music with Dalai Lama and her husband 





- the vision and intention with the album 





- how they put together sound experiences and choose
instrumentation to embed Dalai Lama's sacred offerings 





- what became possible through co-creating with partners





- how music can help us cultivating peace and educating the
heart





- what she loves about the Māori culture in which she
grew up and how they live their spirituality





“Music has the potential to transcend our differences. It can
return us to our true nature of warm-heartedness” - The
Dalai Lama





Inner World was released on the Dalai Lama's 85th
birthday, 6 July 2020. It is the first time a Dalai Lama
has released recorded music. The album debuted on multiple
Billboard Album Charts: #1 Billboard New Age Chart, #4 Top
New Artist Album, #8 Billboard World Music, #13 Record Label
Independent Album, #14 Current Digital Album, #17 Digital
Album, #43 Top New Artist - Consumption, #55 Top Current
Album, #98 Billboard Top Album, #125 Top Albums w/TEA





Net proceeds from the sales of Inner World will go
to The Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama
(Switzerland) chosen programs: Social, Emotional
and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning), an international
K-12 education program and part of an academic collaboration
between Emory University and His Holiness; and Mind
& Life Institute, which brings science &
contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind
& create positive change in the world.


Enjoy the conversation!


***


Links to Junelle's profiles:


Website: dalailamainnerworld.com


Instagram: @junellekunin<