We went to see Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the weekend, and I learned something I never knew about the Queen of Rock ānā Roll.
Without giving anything away, the show starts at the end of the story (if that makes sense) – it’s the 1990s, and Tina’s on a sell-out world tour.
But just before she goes on stage – we see her sitting and chanting a mantra.
How did I not know Tina Turner was a meditator?
Well okay, I haven’t read either of her autobiographies, or seen the 1993 film ‘What’s love got to do with it?‘
But even reading through the program from the show, I couldn’t find any mention of it.
As the show had started with this moment of meditation, it piqued my interest and I had to find out more.
She was introduced to Buddhism in the 1970s, just a few years before she finally left her musical partner and abusive husband, Ike.
She began studying Nichiren Buddhism, based on the teachings of Nichiren, a Buddhist monk, who lived during the 13th century in Japan.
Tina was looking for strength and self-empowerment, and this practice teaches the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo,
It’s the Japanese title of the Lotus Sutra, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential sacred scriptures of Buddhism.
Or what Nichiren defined as the fundamental law that is the essence of all life and phenomena.
The teachings say chanting this mantra leads to a gradual process of inner transformation and empowerment.
Probably exactly what Tina needed at that time.
But she continued the practice for some 50 years, right up until her death last year.
I also had no idea she had been involved in the Beyond project, a movement for the awareness and acceptance of different religions and spiritual paths.
The collaboration led to four albums.
Then in 2020 she released a book, ‘Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good‘, which offers wisdom for readers on how to find true contentment and peace.
It’s amazing what paths you can find yourself exploring when you allow your sense of curiosity to guide you.
All this sparked by the first few seconds of a musical show.
It’s inspiring to know meditation was such an important part of Tina’s life.
A woman often regarded as simply the best…
Ann š