Kirtan: The Power of Sound
Kirtan has been described as connecting the soundful (the singing) with the soundless (silence). The chanting of the mantras offers your mind something to do, to focus on. Just like in breathing exercises or when meditating on a candle, it brings the mind to stillness.
In a Kirtan session, mantras are sung in call- and response. Repeating the mantra over and over, lets you sink into deeper layers of your meditation. Continuously singing the same lyrics over-and-over, makes it easier to remember and follow along.
It does however require some attention not to get distracted by thoughts arising in the mind. The whirlwinds of our mind, as Patanjali calls them, are always there. In our minds, we’re pondering over the things that happened yesterday, or thinking about what will happen tomorrow. This distracts us from the here-and-now, from being in the moment.
Singing mantras can help. Man means “to think” and tra means “to protect”. Mantras protect you from the thinking mind. Each mantra is aimed at clarifying and harmonizing the vibration within us. Day-in-day out we produce sounds. With language and words, but also with our thoughts. When we express positive thoughts and words, we will feel more positive. And the opposite is just as true. When we think negatively, we will feel more negative too.
You may notice that at the end of the session your mind has calmed down and you get glimpses of the silence within you. Practicing kirtan can help you bring your mind in a state of calm so the heart can open.
No experience needed. It’s not about singing beautifully. The most important thing is that you can express your voice. Singing together brings a safe environment to do so, and so much joy and connection.
It’s something you should really experience yourself!
Liese Schram