One of the core principles of True Nature Education is service. We believe it is as important to give back to the community as it is to care for and nurture our selves. That’s why we are honored to introduce our sister organization, Dharma Fund, and one of the lovely members using Dharma Fund’s platform to fund their dreams. Read on to learn more about what Dharma Fund is and how we are helping Kirtan artist Lana Sugarman create her second kirtan album.

What is Dharma Fund

Dharma Fund is a crowdfunding platform to help anyone and everyone bring their passion projects to life. What is your Dharma? At Dharma Fund we provide people with the opportunity to dream, believe, and create a project to help support their path in life. People create campaigns on Dharma Fund to get their ideas out there and get funding for their dreams. Check out some of our current campaigns to get a better feel for what we do.

A Note from kirtan artist Lana

One of our current campaigns features kirtan artist Lana Sugarman who is seeking funding for her second kirtan album. Here’s her story:

Inspiration and Purpose: My Journey into Mantra

I discovered the practice of kirtan in Toronto, in 2004. I was 20 years old and studying musical theatre at Sheridan College, just outside of the city. Yoga practice, (mainly asana), had been something I found in high school.

Somehow I found myself at a holiday celebration for the studio Downward Dog. Part of the evening involved a kirtan with the Canadian band, Swaha. The connection of music and spirit was incredibly powerful for me, and that spring I began to study Sanskrit with the singer of Swaha, Marla Meenakshi Joy.

For the next 2 years I would come into Toronto on the weekends to practice yoga at Jivamukti Yoga Toronto, and then pop in at Downward Dog to hear Swaha and the many traveling kirtan artists that passed through town.

Kirtan was a secret sanctuary for me-I could sing my heart out, and cry, or be silent. At times it did feel a bit odd being in my 20’s and choosing to chant on a Saturday night instead of hitting the clubs (most of the time). 

The Jivamukti lineage also had a huge impact on my life. When I completed my 3 year theatre program at Sheridan in 2006, I moved downtown Toronto and became a regular at the studio. Each class begins with a chant, dharma talk, and the teacher playing harmonium.

In 2008 I took my first big backpacking trip to Costa Rica. While I was there I spent some time at the True Nature Centre for a women’s retreat. I was delighted to find out they had a harmonium, and I wrote my first 2 chant melodies there. He Ma Durga and Om Namah Shivaya are on my first album, Invocation.

It was years later I realized Luna and Joshua are still on the bhakti path- and now have this wonderful website!

The following year I completed my 300 Hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training. With the encouragement of my teachers, I led my first kirtan that winter. (Just me, a harmonium, and 5 participants- mostly friends)

I began to lead kirtan at the studios I taught yoga at, and as time went on, people asked if they could find my music somewhere. This inspired my first album, Invocation which was released in 2013.

SInce then, I have continued to share this practice in communities throughout Canada and the US. It has been a sweet, slow burn, with much synchronicity along the way, and it touches me deeply.
It felt time to create another offering with the chants I have been sharing live the past 3 years.

I definitely feel that sharing my approach to kirtan is my Dharma- to be singing, teaching, and offering a safe space for people to process, release, and find sweetness in silence. It lights me up. I want this album to be something you put on when you feel a bit lost, but also when you want to celebrate. An accessible immersion into the sacred.

Kirtan artist Lana Sugarman is currently working on her second kirtan album and she needs your help to make it a reality. Check out her campaign on Dharma Fund to lend your support!