Dalai Lama review – Inner World: Music you'd find in a luxury spa
The Tibetan spiritual leader’s wise teachings at its core – on compassion, humanity, children and the future – are intended to effect positive change
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Dalai Lama made his Glastonbury debut in 2015 with a speech, and crowds singing him a happy birthday. Five years later, as he turns 85, he is releasing his first album.
Given that the proceeds from Inner World are being donated to educational charities, and that the Tibetan spiritual leader’s wise teachings at its core – on compassion, humanity, children and the future – are intended to effect positive change, I would love to recommend it. Sadly, I cannot.
Mantras chanted by His Holiness are rhythmically woven into wafting new-age concoctions of flutes, chimes and strings. The opening track, “One of My Favourite Prayers”, features the Dalai Lama reciting verse – by the Indian scholar, Shantideva – that expresses his devotion to helping others (“For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world”). It’s set against a soothing backdrop of floaty pipes and free-form guitar-picking.
As an album to meditate or relax to, this is adequate, but there is little to distinguish the shapeless instrumentation from any you’d find in a luxury spa. Except, perhaps, “Ama La”, which endorses the special responsibilities of mothers in instilling empathetic values in their children, while showcasing Anoushka Shankar’s sitar-playing with a performance that is transporting in its gentle otherworldliness.
In 2015, the Dalai Lama was persuaded to make Inner World by his longtime student from New Zealand, Junelle Kunin, who co-produced the album with her husband. “Music can help people in a way that I can’t,” the guru responded. That, of course, depends on the music.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments