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“I brainwash myself. Every day, I retrain my brain by reading and studying spiritual thoughts. More than my bank account, I protect my state of mind; my state of gratitude … that’s where good comes from,” says Keb’ Mo’, three-time American Grammy Award-winning blues musician.

An acclaimed singer, guitarist and songwriter who has been described as “a modern master of American roots music,” Mo’ uses spiritual practice to expand his consciousness. “My whole career is based on learning how to manifest good in my life. My career is not about doing business, but learning how to see what I want to accomplish by being present in the moment.”

2014 and 2015 find this musical storyteller embarking on his most extensive tour in years. It also marks a new chapter of his career with the release of his 12th album, “BLUESAmericana,” which features some of the most poignant and surprisingly joyful music he has ever written on the subjects of love, commitment, pain and forgiveness.

“I can deliver it from my heart,” Mo’ says, adding, “‘BLUES Americana’ is the beginning of the next phase of who I am.”

Early on, Mo’ (known then as Kevin Moore) had an affinity for spiritual contemplation. “My father raised me on the quote from the Bible, ‘But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.’” His family attended Mt. Buelah Baptist Church in Watts, Calif. While he loved the gospel music performed at church, young Kevin questioned the theology.

“Why was God gonna punish me?”

Mo’ showed incredible promise in music by the time he was a teen, beginning professionally by playing steel drums and upright bass in a calypso band. At 21, he collaborated with the Jefferson Airplane’s blues violinist Papa John Creach and promptly earned his first gold record. Around this time, Mo’ was introduced to the best-selling self-help book, “Psycho-Cybernetics.”

“This was my introduction to the powers of the mind; how to set goals, and to the mystery of life.”

ATTRACTING LIFE’S QUALITY STUFF THROUGH SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Blues Star

Kent RAUTENSTRAUS

Keb'’ Mo'

Handit OverIf your problems won’t go awayAnd you’re worried both night and day,Hand it over.Get on your knees and pray.If the road is dark and you can’t find your way,Just let the Spirit light the way.Hand it over.Get on your knees and pray.— Words and music by K. Moore

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A D V E RT I S E M E N T

BUY ONLINE:ScienceofMindArchives.org

Soon, Mo’ joined musical superstars Herbie Hancock and Tina Turner in practicing Nichiren Shoshu, a form of Buddhism that uses chanting (Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo) as a spiritual practice to change bad karma and achieve enlightenment.

“My sense of consciousness was unencumbered,” he says.

He devoutly followed this spiritual practice for 16 years, but eventually found that chanting multiple times a day was difficult to maintain with new priorities. He now had a wife and a son — not to mention a professional music career. Through family and friends, he was introduced to New Thought teachings.

“My wife turned me onto the writings of Florence Scovel Shinn,” Mo’ says. Shinn, a New Thought and metaphysical writer, is famous for quotes like, “The invisible forces are ever working for man who is always ‘pulling the strings’ himself,” and “Owing to the vibratory power of words, whatever man voices, he begins to attract.”

Mo’s wife also introduced him to the writings of personal success author Napoleon Hill (“Think and Grow Rich”) and Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science. “Dr. Holmes’s writings went directly into my mind.”

Mo’ instantly resonated with New Thought teachings and began a spiritual practice that continues to this day of studying and applying enlightened thoughts by metaphysical writers and teachers.

SURRENDERING TO “MOTHER/FATHER GOD"At age 38, “life happened,” and Mo’ began a period of deep soul-

searching, questioning if music was the right path for him. “I was broke!” he admits, “And I had a kid! I decided I had to

pay the bills so I’d better go into electronics.” But later, he thought to himself, “If I do music, I’d have to work hard. Then again, if I choose electronics, I’d have to work hard.”

Mo’ chose music, then deeply surrendered to “Mother/Father God.” “I said, ‘I surrender God. Use me! I’m in! I don’t care if I play for 10 people or 10 million people.’”

The next day, he landed a steady music job at a club, making $40 a day, four nights a week. He held that job for a couple of years. Then, at the age of 41, considered old in the music industry, he was signed by Sony Music to a long-term recording contract.

THE MAN BEHIND THE POWERFUL NEW

THOUGHT TEACHINGS

This is the most personal account of the life of the

visionary Dr. Ernest Holmes.Author Dr. Marilyn Leo

grew up around the Holmes household. Acknowledged by her ministerial colleagues as “a living treasure,” Leo shares a wealth of first-hand stories

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More on page 104

Let Your Light ShineStep aside, let your light shine, let your love show

It’s a short ride down a long road

When the rains come and the winds blow

Let your light shine wherever you go

— Words and music by Keb’ Mo’ and Jenny Yates Keb’ Mo’, his wife, Robbie, and their son, Carter, met

First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama during a White House concert.

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Mo’ is overjoyed that his first son, Kevin Roosevelt, II, 27, has followed his dad’s artistic path as a hip-hop artist, drummer, producer and bassist whose stage name is K. Roosevelt.

“I shared Deepak Chopra’s words with Kevin: Follow your dharma — you will know better than anyone else what to do. I told him to trust his instincts — they will always take care of you.”

Mo’ empowers his youngest son by reminding him, “Be fearless!”

MAINTENANCE WORK ON A MARRIAGERecently, Mo’ and his wife did some powerful “maintenance work”

on their marriage with in-depth counseling. They called forth the perfection in the situation, remembering that intimate relationships are a built-in pressure cooker designed to grow and expand souls. As a result of applying spiritual principle to their relationship, a deeply introspective song emerged that is featured on “BLUESAmericana.”

“For Better or Worse”What do we do now?It’s getting harder every day.Do we try and work it out,Or just turn and walk away?I’m willin’ if you’re willin’To dig deep and stay up all night.I’ll listen if you’ll listen,No matter how hard it hurts.For better or worse, for better or worse.— Words and music by Kevin Moore,Victoria Shaw and Heather Donavon

KEEPING ON THE PATHMo’s impassioned message to the reader

of Science of Mind magazine in the New Year is to be real and to consistently use spiritual practices such as reading and applying enlightened spiritual teachings, meditation, serving others, calling in the perfection of any given moment and practicing gratitude to tune up daily life.

He emphatically states that life is not just about making money. “The Goddess of Wisdom makes the Goddess of Money jealous!” he says with a grin. z

“They thought I was 20!” Mo’ laughs, adding, “It’s been an unbelievable journey ever since … and it demonstrates itself on a daily basis.”

THE UNIVERSE ALLOWS HIM TO BE A BLESSINGThe lessons that Mo’ learns on the “unbelievable journey” of life

are, in his words, profound and lasting spiritual truths and gifts. “Early on, I realized that I will always be cared for as long as I am

serving.” Mo’ elaborates that great artists with sustaining careers realize that their success has nothing to do with their artistry.

“When you’re on the top of the heap, it’s a mystery. You know you are to be of service.”

His long-time friend, singer-songwriter Brenda Lee Eager, says there is no mystery to Mo’s success. “People really get the essence of Keb’. What you see is who he is, and the Universe allows him to be a blessing to others.”

To that end, Mo’, now 63, has quietly and generously donated his music, time and heart to causes like Playing for Change Foundation, which creates positive change through music and arts education. He is crafting a thoughtful career that sustains the passage of time and blesses people of all ages.

In addition to musical collaborations with Amy Grant, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne, an extensive discography, concert touring and occasional acting work on stage, he appeared in the Martin Scorsese film project “The Blues” as well as in episodes of television’s “Touched by An Angel,” “The West Wing” and “Sesame Street,” where he sang with Kermit the Frog, Grover and Elmo. He is a favorite guest on Garrison Keillor’s radio program, “A Prairie Home Companion,” and also sang the title song “I See Love” for the CBS sitcom “Mike & Molly.” “I’m not really a blues guy,” he laughs. “I don’t preach anything!”

KEB’ MO’ OFF THE STAGESharing his talents in a very public career does not define Mo’.

He is also a loving husband and the father of two sons, taking these roles very seriously. He is married to Robbie Brooks Moore, who has co-written songs and sung with her husband as well as photographed him in concert.

She is the founder and president of their record label, Kind of Blue Music. They have a 7-year-old son, Carter Mandela Moore, named after two inspired peacemakers — President Jimmy Carter and the late South African president, Nelson Mandela.

You Can Love YourselfBut if nobody loves you, and you feel like dust on an empty shelfJust remember: You can love yourself.— Words and music by K. Moore

For more on Keb’ Mo’ and to purchase his music, visit KebMo.com.ScienceOfMind.com has Keb’ Mo’s essential spiritual reading list.