04.17.2006
Tonight I went to my first Kirtan session, in Boulder, where I sang the praises of Hanuman, the monkey god, on his birthday. For those of you poor souls who don't know what Kirtan is (I didn't either), it is devotional chanting in the Vedic tradition. It is a form of Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and, I must say, I loved it.

“How would you like to go to Kirtan tonight?”

“What's Kirtan?”

“I'll wait 'till you see for yourself.”

“Umm, okay? I'm down, but I'm a little nervous. I have to sing? Okay then, I can't promise you anything but I trust you anyway.”

Well, as soon as I walked into the room all my fears immediately dropped and me and Nomz sat right down and started chanting and feeling the rhythm of the drums. I could really feel the joy in the room and any sense of fear was immediately realized as unfounded. The rhythm, the chant, the not knowing what all those sanskrit words mean, it all just made sense to this mind and I couldn't recommend it enough for all those out there who have struggled with sitting meditation practice or even just sitting still. Though it seems to be directed outwards it really centers and quiets the mind and, like prayer, puts you in a place of pure humility and gratefulness opening you to the Divine. This is no place for rationalization. No place for worrying about technique or skill. It is pure, simple, and powerful group mind joy! joy! joy!

Namaste.