Srinivasa Yoga House, Hamilton NZ

Kirtan (Chanting)

Kirtan and Bhajans evenings (devotional chanting) are held at Srinivasa Yoga House

on the first Friday of every month, starting at 7pm.

Kirtan is free, Daan is gratefully accepted (Daan is any contribution that will further enable

an event to occur again. Daan can be in any positive, helpful form).

Kirtan

Realizing the Bhava in Kirtan and Mantra...

Kirtan and chanting, which are a part of mantra yoga, are an important part of yoga education. In ancient times words and music were used to attain an altered state of mind. Music was an aid to develop the mind, spirit, emotions and sensitivity. In this modern age different forms of music have developed, like rock, heavy metal, jazz etc, but until recent times music was not used to please the mind but to tranquilize the agitations of the mind.

Mantra does not mean 'word of power'. It is something you feel from deep inside, something that comes up from the depths of consciousness to the surface of your mind. Mantra is the unspoken language of the heart. The proper use of mantra can evoke a particular sentiment and sensitize the mind to be receptive to many experiences, both internal and external. Although it is said that Rama and Krishna are the names of Indian gods, or that Devi is the nmae of a goddess, this is only a religious interpretation. The word Rama is also the sound of a chakra, and yogis had knowledge of the word Rama in it's different capacities long before Rama was born. Mantras predate religion; they represent the link between the individual nature and the divine.

Kirtan is both an art and a science. It is sung to evoke a feeling that is uplifting and pure. It is not so much the chanting of the name that is important as the awakening of the bhava, the feeling or emotion that is associated with it.

Kirtan helps to achieve the state where one is able to express one's feelings towards the pure nature in their purest form. This devotion is different from expressing a religious sentiment. It brings out the pure self and enhances the sensitivity, and one is able to connect with the pure being . And this equals yoga.

Swami Niranjananda Saraswati

Songs, Kirtans, Music and Mantra are powerful tools to alter the personality and perception.

Swami Niranjananda Saraswati

Kirtan is singing God's name with feeling, love and faith. In Sankirtan people join together and sing God's name collectively in a common place.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Kirtan cannot be understood through the intellect because kirtan is mainly concerned with the emotional personality of the individual. The emotions are a very powerful tool because with the intellect you cannot go very deep, you cannot realise consciousness. You can know about many things but you cannot experience them. It is the difference between knowledge and experience.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Srinivasa Yoga House, 154 Old Farm Road, Hamilton
Phone 07 8560 009 Mobile 021 054 8756
srinivasa@xtra.co.nz

Afflilate SYAA 011613

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