EPISODE · Aug 14, 2025 · 1H 3M
John Balaam: Chanting Mantras, Sound Healing & Circus Upbringing
from Radio FM88 Australia · host Jeffrey Shaw, Elisa Hererra, Priti Pauline, and Zoe
Dive into this powerful episode of Dreaming The New Dream with hosts Julia Chai and Jeffrey Shaw, featuring John Balaam – mantra chanting expert, yoga/meditation teacher at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, and owner of Redland Yoga Studio in Brisbane. John shares his fascinating journey and wisdom: Circus childhood: Born into a family entertainment business with Ferris wheels, dodgems, and eccentric performers (half-man half-woman auntie, razor blade eater uncle, wall of death riders); learning street smarts, spruiking, and feeling like an outcast leading to boarding school soul-searchingShift to spirituality: Sydney pub/restaurant life exposing bad habits; discovering mantra meditation via a park poster, quitting jobs for health food work, and releasing addictions through mind disciplinePower of mantras: Transcendental vibrations from Vedic lineages (not man-made), nourishing the soul (atma), relieving problems (Hare Krishna meaning), and purifying beyond body/mind practicesKirtan experiences: Group chanting unifying diverse people, releasing mind chatter, and fostering community/joy (events at West End Fridays and Redland Bay)Sound as medicine: Plant growth experiments, voice timbre shifts, cell renewal science, and chanting as future healingEssential for mantra practitioners, sound healers, kirtan lovers, yoga meditators, and anyone curious about vibrational spirituality or unconventional life paths.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Welcoming John Balaam05:00 - Circus Family Upbringing: Performers, Adventures & Street Smarts15:00 - Boarding School Contrast & Early Soul-Searching25:00 - Sydney Life: Pubs, Celebrities & Bad Habits35:00 - Discovering Meditation & Mantra Power45:00 - Releasing Addictions Through Mind Discipline55:00 - Mantras: Vedic Vibrations & Soul Nourishment1:05:00 - Kirtan: Group Chanting, Unity & Experiential Joy1:15:00 - Sound Science, Healing Future & Events1:20:00 - Closing Thoughts Watch or listen to new episodes live every week: YouTube | Facebook | X | Alexa (“Play Radio FM88 Australia”)Support the Show: Donate at https://radiofm88.com.au/donate-now/Support the station: https://radiofm88.com.auHosted by: Jeffrey Shaw (jeffreyshaw.com.au) & Julia Chai (mindsease.com.au)#JohnBalaam #MantraChanting #SoundHealing #Kirtan #HareKrishnaMantra #YogaMeditation #VibrationalHealing #SoulNourishment #AustralianYoga #RedlandYogaStudio #RadioFM88Australia #DreamingTheNewDream #JeffreyShaw #JuliaChai
What this episode covers
Dive into this powerful episode of Dreaming The New Dream with hosts Julia Chai and Jeffrey Shaw, featuring John Balaam – mantra chanting expert, yoga/meditation teacher at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, and owner of Redland Yoga Studio in Brisbane. John shares his fascinating journey and wisdom: Circus childhood: Born into a family entertainment business with Ferris wheels, dodgems, and eccentric performers (half-man half-woman auntie, razor blade eater uncle, wall of death riders); learning street smarts, spruiking, and feeling like an outcast leading to boarding school soul-searchingShift to spirituality: Sydney pub/restaurant life exposing bad habits; discovering mantra meditation via a park poster, quitting jobs for health food work, and releasing addictions through mind disciplinePower of mantras: Transcendental vibrations from Vedic lineages (not man-made), nourishing the soul (atma), relieving problems (Hare Krishna meaning), and purifying beyond body/mind practicesKirtan experiences: Group chanting unifying diverse people, releasing mind chatter, and fostering community/joy (events at West End Fridays and Redland Bay)Sound as medicine: Plant growth experiments, voice timbre shifts, cell renewal science, and chanting as future healingEssential for mantra practitioners, sound healers, kirtan lovers, yoga meditators, and anyone curious about vibrational spirituality or unconventional life paths.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Welcoming John Balaam05:00 - Circus Family Upbringing: Performers, Adventures & Street Smarts15:00 - Boarding School Contrast & Early Soul-Searching25:00 - Sydney Life: Pubs, Celebrities & Bad Habits35:00 - Discovering Meditation & Mantra Power45:00 - Releasing Addictions Through Mind Discipline55:00 - Mantras: Vedic Vibrations & Soul Nourishment1:05:00 - Kirtan: Group Chanting, Unity & Experiential Joy1:15:00 - Sound Science, Healing Future & Events1:20:00 - Closing Thoughts Watch or listen to new episodes live every week: YouTube | Facebook | X | Alexa (“Play Radio FM88 Australia”)Support the Show: Donate at https://radiofm88.com.au/donate-now/Support the station: https://radiofm88.com.auHosted by: Jeffrey Shaw (jeffreyshaw.com.au) & Julia Chai (mindsease.com.au)#JohnBalaam #MantraChanting #SoundHealing #Kirtan #HareKrishnaMantra #YogaMeditation #VibrationalHealing #SoulNourishment #AustralianYoga #RedlandYogaStudio #RadioFM88Australia #DreamingTheNewDream #JeffreyShaw #JuliaChai
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John Balaam: Chanting Mantras, Sound Healing & Circus Upbringing
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