OK, I’ve decided to create an elevator speech for kirtan, because people don’t know what it is. And when I try to tell them what it is and how great it is I get all woo-woo with the explanation–which just doesn’t work. So here’s my elevator speech . . . it’s a work in progress.
“Kirtan is a music experience that quiets the mind. It originated in India, and it’s one of the oldest sacred music traditions in the world. The mantras used in kirtan can open you to the experience of peace. You don’t have to sing, you can just listen.”
Or some of my Twitter followers suggested love songs to God, congregational meditation with music, singing to feel connected, or my favorite; it’s the Yoga equivalent of singing around the campfire.
So–they all work. But how do you describe the magic of it, the transformative power? And the music, the wonderful fusion between the ancient and the modern? That’s where I get all starry eyed & inarticulate, because it’s so hard to describe. More people need to get acquainted with kirtan, so they can discover the magic also . . . or so they’ll at least stop looking blank when I talk about it. To get that process started, I’ll be posting links here so you can discover more about kirtan, devotional chanting, and all the different ways it’s being used around the world.
Hope you enjoy the set! Namaste.
THIS WEEK’S SET
|
CHANT |
ARTIST |
CD |
SONGBOOK |
|
Radhe Suite I: The Longing |
David Newman |
Love, Peace, Chant |
P. 12 |
|
Radhe Suite 2: |
David Newman |
Love, Peace, Chant |
P. 12 |
|
Radhe Suite 3: The Union |
David Newman |
Love, Peace, Chant |
P. 12 |
|
Om Mani Padme Hum |
Deva Premal |
Love Is Space |
P. 3 |
|
Radhe Shyam |
Krishna Das |
Live On Earth |
– |
|
Om Namo Bhagavate Invocation |
Krishna Das & Shantala |
Sri |
– |
|
Om Namo Bhagavate/Because the One I Love |
Shantala |
Sri |
P. 7 |