By Durga Das (David Newman)
Kirtan means to chant or sing with devotion. Kirtan is an ancient tradition of expressing one’s yearning and love for the Divine through song. As asana or yoga postures are a staple in the practice of Hatha Yoga, Kirtan is the foundation practice of another great spiritual heritage called Bhakti Yoga or the Yoga of Love.
Typically what is termed Kirtan is the joining of sacred affirmations known as mantras set to musical accompaniment. These mantras are chanted in an ancient Indian language called Sanskrit and express the many ways in which the Divine permeates and inspires our lives. In addition to its spiritual import, Kirtan also has a very powerful healing effect. The mantras hold a vibrational quality that brings about a state of balance, peace and great joy when chanted or even when simply listened to.
As a practice, Kirtan is typically done in a group as the chants are sung repetitively in a call and response manner. The shared intention and enthusiasm of the participants heightened by the music and mantras often leads to ecstatic heights, sometimes inspiring spontaneous dancing, expanded meditative states, and spiritual epiphanies.
Recently, the Kirtan experience has spread throughout the world and has influenced and inspired many people. Many musicians have expanded the musical idiom of Kirtan matching the ancient mantras with more contemporary musical contexts. Nonetheless, the essence of Kirtan remains the same and continues to touch lives and open hearts as it spreads its wings in a time when it is so needed.
In my personal experience, singing Kirtan on the road with communities around the world for the last 10 years has had both a transformational impact on me and those who join me in the experience. Singing Kirtan is an expression of Love, and one that touches my heart every time I engage the practice, whether with a group or on my own. Each chant is like a new day, always fresh, and offering something new to learn. I continue to be astounded to see how chanting changes so many lives, and often without effort… solely from the experience itself. Herein lies the mystery of a great practice that after many thousands of years continues to serve humanity and open hearts around the globe!
I very much look forward to sharing the gifts of Kirtan and devotional music with all of you in Boulder come this fall.
Durga Das will be in Boulder November 2 & 3. See Events for more information.
