Many in our Gāyatrī upāsana community will know the name Jean Le Mée, whose translation of the Gāyatrī mantra and his book Hymns from the Ṛg Veda opened the Veda to a wide modern readership with rare clarity and poetic depth.
Let us bring our minds to rest in
the glory of the Divine Truth.
May Truth inspire our reflection.
Jean’s careful attention to both sound and meaning allowed the spirit of mantra to speak through English. Within the Veda Studies community, many of us hold a deep appreciation for his work — for the way he approached the Veda with precision, humility, and poetic sensitivity. He was able to channel the Ṛṣi-s in his translations and referred to them as Engineers of Sound.
Jean’s wife, Katharine Le Mée, who passed away recently, was a remarkable presence in her own right — an author, musician, and sincere student of sacred sound. Her book Chant: The Origins, Form, Practice, and Healing Power of Gregorian Chant is a beautiful exploration of how sound can open the heart and reshape the mind.
“In the same way that chanting mantra is said gradually to change the mind-set of the devotee, Gregorian Chant is designed to create awe, reverence and gratitude in those who sing it and those who listen to it. It acts as a protection against the onslaught of less positive thoughts that take over the mind when it is not being watched.”
— Katharine Le Mée, Chant
Katharine joined many of our classes at Veda Studies — most memorably the Gāyatrī Upāsana workshop, where we used Jean’s translation, and the Foundation Course, which she repeated several times. She approached the rigour of Vedic recitation with true enthusiasm, delighting in the discipline and precision of the practice.
In recent years, Katharine and I had been discussing ways to republish Jean’s work, so that his translations and reflections could reach new generations of sincere students. I pray that this may still come to fruition — as a living tribute to both Jean and Katharine, whose shared love for sacred sound continues to guide and uplift so many.
With reverence and gratitude,
Shantala
Such lovely people…. I remember her from Gayatri Upasana meetings. I have both of their books and love them.
She loved joining us Karen. She loved that we had Jean’s translation on our screen for the moment of silence we enjoy at the end of the practice. Thank you for your comment!
Thank you so much for sharing, Shantalaji. Perhaps we could do a sadhana and a community fundraiser for the republishing? His work shouldn’t be in a box 📦. Ram Ram