Downtime - Taking a moment to enjoy what you love

I am at a stage in my life where finding some downtime can be a real struggle, I love what I do, my career is demanding but it's what I am passionate about, I also love spending time with my amazing family, all of my children yes all three of them under the age of five are a bunch of joy and keep me on my feet.

I barely have time as I used to have as early as a few years back but when I do get a moment to myself I love the sound of 'Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan' the king of Sufi Qawali - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusrat_Fateh_Ali_Khan

Those of you who have come across this legend of devotional classical Sufi music will know of his work, I am absolutely blown away by his talent to connect with you as a listener at a higher level, a spiritual level I have not connected to whilst listening to no other.

During this weekend I had some time to myself searching through youtube for something soothing and relaxing to listen I bumped across one of Nusrat's classic Qwalie. 

I found this particular Qawwali around 8 years ago whilst on my commutes to work and still to this day I get the same joy and pleasure from hearing the unique melody, beat and the words. I happen to have a decent level of understanding of the dialect and the language in which Nusrat sings at time's it's beyond my understanding also, however, I feel the intensity of his voice and the wide diversity in which he sings touches you spiritually even though you have no understanding of what he's saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bAjd4ySHwg

As I listen to the starting notes of the music it has a profound effect on my mind I am lost in the beat and completely relaxed almost totally disconnected from the reality I guess this is what intoxication feels. 

I've never touched alcohol in my life, however, the feeling here is very much intoxicating or close to I guess being drunk in the moment....as the track builds out and continues you can't help feeling lost in the music and the lyrics.

The Qawwalis are performed in a 'Qawwali party' (there is a group of the performers who support the lead singer) the harmonium player, tabla players, hand clappers these group members are considered amongst the best in the business it's what makes the whole Qawwali come together.

'Solos shoot off into mystical celebration and voices come together in ecstatic choruses'

My downtime these days is spent when possible listening to one of my favorite voices. I love the chance of listening to one of Nusrat's classic Qawwali klaam. This is music for ears and minds seeking the bridge to another level.

Do check out Nusrat and his work if you get a chance and let me know what your experience was like...