Kirtan and the Yoga of Chant

Perhaps you have listened to CDs by Krishna Das, Bhagavan Das, or Ragani and others. You may have chanted "OM" or "OM Namah Shivaya" during a hatha yoga class. If so, you have tasted the practice of nada yoga, the yoga of sound. 

The Sanskrit word kirtan (pronounce keer'-tahn) means "to glorify". Sanga kirtan, shortened to sankirtan, means glorification in the company of others. What we generally refer to as kirtan is group singing or chanting of divine mantras with devotion. These Sanskrit mantras direct one's mind to spiritual consciousness, which is often experienced as bliss, as serenity, or as simple relaxed awareness.

The chanting is usually done as call & response with simple instrumental accompaniment. Chanting in this manner is fun and easy to do. Vocal skill is not important. Rather, the beauty of kirtan is in hearing a variety of voices sincerely calling out as one to their own conceptions of the Divine.

 

One does not need knowledge or training to participate and enjoy the benefits of group chanting. One needs only an open mind, open ears, and appreciation of one's own unique voice.  "It's the great beauty of chanting; we're all in it together, encouraging the sweetness that is beyond words" - Murshid Alias Amidon