SOULSPEAK WITH DIMPLE SHARMA (Singer, Teacher & Health Entrepreneur)

"I have chosen to focus my efforts on saving THE TIGER, a species that is deeply symbolic on many levels.  This regal creature with what William Blake described as the 'fearful symmetry,' has dwindled as the modern world has devastated the ancient forests they inhabit. Through deforestation and poaching, the number of wild tigers are perilously low. No one has an exact number, but there are less than 3200 tigers left in the wild. I am hoping I can assist to change this with an increase in consciousness.  I feature two Siberian baby tigers in my CD, in order to raise awareness to their plight and have been working with a sanctuary in Ontario that helps to raise and care for tigers that would otherwise be euthanized."

DIMPLE SHARMA

Toronto, Ontario

I love to see artists of different genres bake Nature's message in their work. Dimple Sharma is just one among the budding 'conscious artists' who are now making their way to the entertainment scene with a promise of a new earth, a new dream.

She is a singer, songwriter and a strong advocate of wildlife preservation. She just completed her debut album 'Urban Monk': Music to Stir the Soul.  The creation of this album was a natural step allowing her to align her interest in works of tradition and inspirational music. Later on she collaborated with a variety of musicians and the result was a fusion of adult contemporary, pop, and world music.  While recording, she continued teaching children and it was in the classroom that she  became aware of how important music is for our youth, and how much it can inspire them towards setting positive goals. She  continues recording music and just recently started her own natural health company NuYuga as part of her desire to live a healthy, vibrant lifestyle that was balanced in work, art and play.   

I am so honored and blessed to be surrounded by such inspiring amazing souls and bringers of hope such  as Dimple. It is truly an amazing time to be alive.   

WHO IS DIMPLE SHARMA?

Born in India, but having spent most of my life in Canada, the traditional reference point of the East and its metaphysical insights would continue to follow me in all my passions and pursuits.  As a youth, India's deep spiritual roots represented a land of endless possibilities and I came to appreciate the power of symbolism they represent.

Having descended from Hindu heritage, I began to practice meditation and started to study some of the earlier Hindu and Buddhist spiritual texts.  A few of my elders spoke of a path to self mastery, a path where some have not just 'believed' but had 'seen.'  This intrigued me and I wanted to know more about this existential path to self-discovery.

This is my greatest passion, finding awakening.  Whether its cleansing the body, to purify it for the journey, mastering the mind through meditation, so that it does not lead one astray. Fasting to demonstrate discipline and to allow the organs to cleanse.  Yoga and martial arts to maintain proper flow in the body and to prepare one for the rigors of meditation.  Dance and music for deepening the joy and appreciation for all life.  All of these things are to serve my one central passion of pursuing awakening.  It is a challenging journey, but I believe that it can be achieved and I work progressively towards that!

WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY THESE DAYS?

The time is juggled between building my health company, music and my continuing education in the subject of spirituality and life longevity.  I'm also part of building a small community of local artisans seeking to invest in projects involving permaculture, locally produced functional foods and innovative evidence-based herbal medicines for animal and human use. 

TELL ME ABOUT THE BIRTH OF YOUR MUSIC.

Music is something I love to do and therefore it is weaved into my daily life. As far as performing goes, I love to share that music with people. I enjoy performing and to be with a group of people that are all celebrating music together.  For me the music is a lot more than just my own creative output, it's also just about the natural beauty of the notes which preexisted any individual artist. Music changed my life by opening up an entirely new avenue of expression of consciousness and positive vibration.  As a health seeker, music provides a different type of medicine for my soul.

WHAT INSPIRES EACH SONG?

Each song is inspired by a mood or experience, or a reflection upon the state of the world. The music is not focused on my personal life story, although naturally, my experiences have influenced the content.  Instead, I wanted my music to focus more on universal themes and the world of tradition - it expresses timeless ideas that go beyond the scope of the normal modern day vision. 

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU COULDN'T WORK ON YOUR SONGS? HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH CHALLENGES LIKE THIS?

Yes, at times I feel like I'm not in the right frame of mind or I'm disconnected from some greater energy source. This happens when my awareness dims and thus triggers a feeling of separation from the infinite source.  When I am aware and present in the moment, there is no separation and that's when I feel my creativity flows positively.

To persevere through challenges, I remind myself to get back to the principles that are the building blocks for success.  The natural laws of cause-and-effect demonstrate that we need to fill our bodies with proper minerals and nutrition, get lots of sleep, sunshine, and be emotionally and physically vital.   Often we neglect that the soul also needs to have its own sacred practices and that these efforts can result in positive fruits.  Expanding in consciousness, we are able to create something because we are connected to the universe and it gives us the inspiration -  it acts through us as a conduit.  I think when we are overly preoccupied with the mind, we tend to forget that it's really the greater source of all that inspires our true creative gifts.

IF YOU WERE A SONG, WHAT SONG WOULD YOU BE? 

That would definitely have to be the song 'Shine On' because it's a long song and I am into longevity! Also because it celebrates life - it's full of wild, happy energy; it has all kinds of expressive instruments and all of them are swirling in different directions, but somehow it all converges.  In many ways my life's been like that. 

TELL ME ABOUT THE MOST MEMORABLE FEEDBACK.
A fan told me that every time I smiled a baby tiger was saved. This made me laugh as I have a tendency to have a serious look as I am often on a mission for some cause or project! Of course this fan knew about my love for tigers so I couldn't help but smile! What I love is that hidden in this compliment, there was a lesson that despite the suffering in the world, we should remain positive. After that comment I'm smiling a lot more! I hope it's working, lol.

WHAT'S SOMETHING THAT NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU.
I used to be a school teacher for a few years before pursuing business and music. I looked really young in my first year of teaching and would often get confused as one of the students! I remember my first class where a student raised her hand and asked on behalf of the class if I was a teenager!  Haha... I always made class fun and magical for my students and I had some of my best memories with them. Their inspiration, letters and love continue to inspire me.

OTHER PASSIONS THAT ENRICH YOUR SPIRIT.

Physical training, reading esoteric texts, listening intently, walks in nature, plant and herb research, animals, dancing and community service.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CAUSE.

Human encroachment is unbalancing our ecosystems and wildlife species are shrinking at a rapid rate. There are so many worthy causes that need attention, but I have chosen to focus my efforts on saving the tiger, a species that is deeply symbolic on many levels.  This regal creature with what William Blake described as the 'fearful symmetry,' has dwindled as the modern world has devastated the ancient forests they inhabit. Through deforestation and poaching, the number of wild tigers are perilously low. No one has an exact number, but there are less than 3200 tigers left in the wild. I am hoping I can assist to change this with an increase in consciousness.  I feature two Siberian baby tigers in my CD, in order to raise awareness to their plight and have been working with a sanctuary in Ontario that helps to raise and care for tigers that would otherwise be euthanized. 

The sanctuary also recently rescued a baby black bear and I got to hang out with him, he was just as adorable as the baby tigers! It amazes me how we think of how dangerous these creatures are in the wild, yet when raised by humans, I have observed that they are so affectionate and loving, like a house cat. What does this tell us about the nature of consciousness, when the fiercest beasts in the wild roll on their backs to receive love from their favorite caretaker? It tells me that love and consciousness are co-companions. I am not suggesting we make them pets, only trained experts can handle them; however, as we rescue animals these observations will become more relevant.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOURSELF LATELY? AND WHAT HAVE YOU UN-LEARNED?

I've learned what Socrates stated on his deathbed and that is that I know nothing! Part of unlearning for myself is coming to terms with the way Carl Sagan described the earth as a tiny, pale, blue dot in the vast universe that we have only scratched the surface in knowing. The fact that I know very little allows me to step back to see the bigger picture.  It's not that I don't see limitless potential for growth, but the humility of Socrates demonstrates that the ego can often get too overwhelmed in the infinite details of understanding the universe.  Un-learning to me is also connecting with my heart and soul instead of relying solely on the mind, as we are taught a lot in Western education. As Steve Jobs said, "intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect." Here in the West where thinking takes on a relentless and frenetic nature, Jobs gives sage advice.

IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Greater awareness and as technology is advancing, people are informing themselves.  Someone uploads a terrifying video of the horrific abuse of animals at a local slaughterhouse and suddenly half your friends on Facebook go vegetarian! The awareness, fueled by technology brought forth a change.  Through awareness we realize that where there is a consciousness, there is a soul.  For example, animals raised in horrendous conditions, abused for sport or experiment are conscious feeling beings and they deserve a better life.  If we open our mind up to the consciousness of animals and even of plants we would realize how interconnected we are with everything and rather than have less we would have more.  The same applies for our own species and for all innocent lives being negatively affected for the gain of others.  

YOUR LIFE MOTIVATION.

To be one who 'sees' and not someone who just believes.  To really partake in life and to celebrate all the things that I love in every moment and be present in every breath, because this awareness leads to sublime truths.

DAY IN THE LIFE OF DIMPLE.

I'm a big believer in paying my higher self first and for me this begins in the morning.  What you do first will affect the rest of your day, so it's important to start things positively.  A day in my life usually begins with an infrared sauna, vocal exercises, a delicious green juice, a shot of wheatgrass and sprouts, some gentle yoga and some meditation.  Then I work with a variety of people in the natural health industry.  A few times a week I work out with a training partner and do interval / core training as well as singing and jamming with my bandmate to feed my body and soul! I also call my parents every day to make sure they are eating healthy!

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is the reason that everything 'is' rather than everything not being.  It is the impulse of the Universe to bring into existence the whole kaleidoscope of life, and rather than leaving everything empty, what is breathed into existence is love.  Love is also the endearing fellowship, it is honoring friendship and the hope for a building a healthy, evolving community.

YOU ARE FACE TO FACE WITH YOURSELF AS A CHILD. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOU?
I would tell myself not to be in a rush to be a grown-up, but to rather enjoy and savor every single moment along the way.  I have come to realize how magical and enchanting childhood is and often we spend it pining over the future instead of really being present in the moment.

DREAMS & ASPIRATIONS.

Creating a community based environment where local artisans live together in a self-sustaining, spiritual and culturally positive way.  This community would raise awareness, respect and love for all beings and remember the traditional path of honoring upright principles and a cultivating a higher consciousness.  Of course music and good healthy food would be a part of it!

YOUR 2012 OUTLOOK. 

Being that I'm a self-released artist, I have to do a lot of the legwork myself which I enjoy doing and much of 2012 will be filled with recording, performing live shows and being able to really concentrate on music. I'm not doing any tours per se but I'm playing a lot of little small shows that are very intimate.  I'll also be working hard on developing NuYuga's innovative natural health product line.

YOUR ONE MESSAGE TO ALL. 

My message to the world is that we can be so much more than what we are, we can find a balance where everything has its needs met - that answer is within and we just have to open up our hearts and receive.

FOR MORE ON DIMPLE VISIT HER WEBSITE

 www.dimplesharma.net 

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