Kirtan is the ancient practice of chanting the names of love to uplift your mind and spirit. The words are in the Sanskrit language because the sounds that make up Sanskrit are fundamental to human consciousness, the vibration of the word reflects the actual vibration of the meaning of the word. You are not only speaking it, you are embodying it.
Chanting engages all of the senses. When you speak the word aloud, you involve the motor organ of your tongue, you are hearing the word as it is spoken, you are feeling the breath as it moves within your lungs and vocal chords, you begin to see the beauty inherent in this created world, and I don’t know what you smell, hopefully some fragrant incense or sweet flowers or something. Make sure you take a bath.
Kirtan is a great way to bring focus to an otherwise scattered awareness. It can be a preparation for meditation or it can stand on its own as a way to make a meaningful connection to the highest aspect of your own self. As individuals, we are all reflections of the universal. Your unique awareness is but one leaf on the oak tree of life, a wave within the ocean. And that leaf has its own inherent beauty, that wave its own inherent power. In kirtan we attempt to blend into that larger flow of awareness, maintaining all of your own uniqueness as you offer the expression of your voice and your heart into the atmosphere.
If consciousness is love, then kirtan is a manifestation of love on the physical level. And tell me really, who does not wish for more love in their lives?
Namah Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiye | audio
An invocation to Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, beauty, and wellness
Om Dum Durgaye Namah | audio
An invocation to Durga, the goddess who represents strength, wisdom, and discretion
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu | audio
A chant for healing
Shanti Mantra, Asato Ma | audio
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya / Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya
Mrtyor Maa Amritam Gamaya / Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih Om
Lead us from untruth to truth. Lead us from the darkness to the light.
Lead us from death to the sweetness of Immortality. Peace, Peace, Peace.
Gayatri Mantra | audio
Om bhur bhuvah svaha / Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dimahi / Dhiyo yo na prachodayat
Earth, sky, heavens. We contemplate the sacred light
of the radiant source. Let that inspire our prayers and offerings.
Dharmacakra Chant | audio
Nityam’ shudham’ nirabha’sam’
Eternal, pure, indescribable entity
Nira’ka’ram’ nirainjanam
Formless, without blemish
Nitya bodham’ cida’nandam’
Omniscient, blissful consciousness
Gurur Brahma nama’myaham
To that true teacher within, I offer my salutations
Yoga Invocation
Om Namah Shivaya gurave
I honor the highest part of myself, the Supreme
Saccidananda murtaye
That is full of luminous consciousness, the highest joy, and takes the form of my body and my mind
Nishprapanchaya shantaya
Who is never absent and full of peace, who is transcendental in nature
Niralambaya tejase
Who is without support and radiates with a Divine luster