Donald Walters Life is the quest for Joy

One melody, with variations, hauntingly describes the human condition: love, hope, aspiration, courage, disappointment, and sorrow all directed toward life's universal goal: joy.

This is a new kind of music: in the tradition of classical music, but not constrained by classical structures. Transcending the emotions and the intellect, it uplifts the mind to a level of inner healing and soul-inspiration. Features cello, violin, guitar, and keyboards.

• 1. Intimations of Immortality 7:52
• 2. Remembered Pains 3:39
• 3. Soul Longing 2:45
• 4. The Desire for Inner Change 4:15
• 5. Divine Melancholy 3:05
• 6. Nostalgia for a Lost Joy 7:51
• 7. Where is the Door? 3:28
• 8. The Hidden Mystery 2:20
• 9. Hope 2:38
• 10. Wonder 2:17
• 11. Remembered Aspiration 1:34
• 12. Expectation 3:13
• 13. Relaxation in the Self :50
• 14. Joyful Discoveries 6:36
• 15. "Lord, I Long to Know Thee" 4:11
• 16. "Make Me One With Thee" 2:45
• 17. "I AM Thy Joy!" 4:15
• 18. "I Am That I Am!" 5:59

J. Donald Walters (aka Kriyananda) composed a delightful and elegant melody, and then gave it the theme-and-variation treatment on this relaxing and moving album. Key instruments taking turns with the melody are clarion and harp (Walters), cello (Eleni Cardona), violin (Brenda Collins), and guitar (Anna Allesandri). Whispers of delicate chimes and lush romantic strings back the variations. Many feelings are expressed on the variations -- hope, playfulness, nostalgia, melancholy, wonder, joy -- and the melody (like the best mantra) not only withstands its many variations but gets better with each turn. "The Hidden Mystery" is a string arrangement that reminded me of the hoedown sound of Aaron Copland. The dramatic gongs in "Remembered Aspiration" contrast dramatically with the timid melody played by the harp. In the liner notes, Walters relates the story of praying to be given an endearing "multi-purpose" melody when he was composing the score for his slideshow showing people of different countries and life's attitudes. I'd say he succeeded nobly. ~ Carol Wright Arrangers: David Miller; J. Donald Walters. Personnel: J. Donald Walters (alto saxophone); Anna Alessandri (baritone guitar); Eleni Cardona (cello). Photographer: J. Donald Walters

Testimonials

An intimate, meditative stream of lush music.
'NAPRA Review

"Our beloved Donald Walters has created a symphony in his endearing new style of soul-releasing music he calls 'Inner Quest Music. This instrumental work reveals, from the level of one's own soul and heart and for one's own inner self, the textured range of the human condition and that underlying and uppermost plateau all reach for and some find: greatest fulfillment in inner joy. Masterfully taking a single melody, Walters accomplishes this and more, sweetly reminding us of real outer world sitatuations then waking and quaking the inherent joy that fountains up from within."
'Greg Ozimek, PhenomeNEWS

"?healing vibrations through the repetition of an effervescent main theme. Sometimes simple things are the best!"
'New Age Retailer

"People have said, 'This is the most beautiful music I have ever heard!" It creates a strong feeling of harmony and peace."
'Valerie Schultheiss, Planetree

About Donald Walters

More about J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda), including photos and videos, is available at the official Swami Kriyananda website.

J. Donald Walters (Swami Kriyananda) is an internationally known author, lecturer, and composer. Widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on meditation and yoga, he has taught these principles and techniques to hundreds of thousands of students around the world.

An advocate of simple living and high thinking, his more than 80 books emphasize the need to live wisely by one’s own experience of life, and not by abstract theories or dogmas.

In 1968, Walters founded Ananda Village in Nevada City, California, dedicated to spreading the spirit of friendship, service, and community throughout the world. Ananda is recognized as one of the most successful intentional community in the world. Today, over 1,000 people reside in five Ananda communities throughout the U.S. (Seattle, Palo Alto, Portland, Sacramento and Ananda Village) and in Europe. The European retreat and community located in Assisi, Italy, also serves Ananda meditation groups in Europe, Croatia, and Russia. Both the Nevada City and Assisi communities have world-renowned guest retreat facilities where thousands of visitors annually visit for renewal or instruction in many aspects of meditation, yoga, and the spiritual life. Walters has also established “Living Wisdom” schools for grades K-12 in Nevada City, Sacramento, Portland, and Palo Alto.

Mr. Walters books and music have sold over 3 million copies worldwide and been translated into 28 languages. He is the author of more than 80 books on a variety of topics including leadership, education, creativity, and moral values. His Best-selling titles include Awaken to Superconsciousness, Meditation for Starters, God Is for Everyone, The Art of Supportive Leadership , The Path – One Man’s Quest on the Only Path There Is, Money Magnetism, The Essence of Self-Realization, Affirmations for Self-Healing, Education for Life, and his best-selling Secrets gift books.

A composer since 1964, Walters has written over 400 musical works. His music is inspiring, soothing, and uplifting. Many of his new albums are instrumental works with brief affirmations or visualizations. Chuck Dilberto, of Awareness Magazine says, “Walters’ words and music are full of his life and light. His sole intention is to heal, something we could all use during these chaotic times”. His recent albums include Secrets of Love , Music to Awaken Superconsciousness, Windows on the World and Surrender: Mystical Music fo r Yoga. As a composer, Walters is best known for the top-selling albums Mystic Harp and Mystic Harp 2 , featuring the legendary harpist Derek Bell, of the 5-time Grammy Award-winning group The Chieftains.

What others are saying about J. Donald Walters:

“J. Donald Walters is the kindest man I’ve ever met. Walters is a born, great teacher. His books are gentle masterpieces.”–Louise Hay, best selling author of You Can Heal Your Life

“J. Donald Walters has an ability to uncover countless unusual aspects of a subject, and to reveal them in an unexpected and original light. When he turns the spotlight of his concentration on any given subject, he leaves no aspect of it uncovered. What we have in J. Donald Walters, then, is an unusual and powerfully magnetic mind, and also one whose judgment is always fair. He is truly one of the great men of our time.”–Derek Bell, 5-time Grammy Award-winning harpist of The Chieftains

“J. Donald Walters has been one of the most important Western exponents of yoga in the past 30 years.”–Dr. David Frawley, renowned authority on yoga and author of Ayurveda and the Mind and Gods, Sages, and Kings

“J. Donald Walters is wise teacher whose words convey love and compassion. Read and listen, and allow your life to change.”–Larry Dossey, best selling author of Healing Words

“My listeners felt fed by the interview, and were inspired to ask for more. What a blessing it was to have an opportunity to have such understanding and wisdom on major media. After the interview was over, listeners called in for nearly two hours afterwards thanking us for interviewing Mr. Walters.”–Jan Hutchins, KCBS radio

“Mr. Walters is a delight to hear. His talks are always based on high spiritual wisdom, but it is wisdom made practical and accessible for ordinary people. His clarity and sincerity, his devotion, and his talks are sure to leave you feeling a renewed commitment to spiritual living, with deeper understanding of how to do that sensibly.”–John White, author of Thinking the Unthinkable

“There is a peace and quietness surrounding him that give a hint of his spiritual stature. Many times have I listened to him speak, and always have come away feeling refreshed and energized. It is not only the lectures, the teachings, and the books of J. Donald Walters that shed light on areas of darkness or confusion in people’s lives. Above all, perhaps, it is the example of the man himself, the peace and calm that surround him, the spiritual power that emanates from him, that point the way to each person’s own inner enlightenment.”–John Harricharan, Body, Mind, & Spirit magazine

“J. Donald Walters is one of the New Age movement’s best known voices.”– India Currents

“J. Donald Walters is one of the best known modern exponents of the ancient science of yoga. He is a gifted lecturer, author, teacher, composer, singer, and philosopher, as well as an artist, scientist, and businessman. In 1969, J. Donald Walters founded Ananda Village, which has become widely recognized as one of the most successful New Age communities in the world.”– Science of Mind Magazine

“I feel I can recommend this man of love and his sparkling teachings without reservation.”–David Alan Ramsdale, Meditation Magazine

“J. Donald Walters is perhaps the most respected non-Indian exponent of yoga in the world.”–Justine & Michael Toms, New Dimensions Foundation

“Your openness, your undeviating devotion to life and service, and your joyous good humor express themselves in your book…it came to an end too soon!”–Ken Keyes, Jr. best selling author of Handbook to Higher Consciousness