On Sunday (24th June) we'll have our next kirtan, or chanting session. I'm really looking forward to it. There's (in my opinion) nothing better than chanting for re-balancing ones mind and lifting ones spirit. We all need some re-tuning sometimes.It can be hard to keep centred in the hustle and bustle of life, and the mind gets easily filled up with all kinds of 'stuff' (plans, conflicts, anxieties - you name it). To sit down and just sing simple mantras with music, and together with a group of people (as we do in kirtans) just shifts the attention of the mind in a powerful way. It tunes the mind into a higher vibration and clears away all unnecessary thoughts and anxieties. We experience that we're the observers of our thoughts and feel more connected to our own selves - our true happy selves.
It is like cleaning a mirror. When we clear away the dust, or all that burdens our mind, we experience ourselves more clearly. This is very satisfying.
One may also chant alone, at home, or when going about ones daily activities. It is an excellent way of keeping in tune and connected.
I even used to chant between the goalposts during football matches, at the time when I was a goal-keeper. I had to keep warm and ready for the next attack, and so jumped around chanting. So there's no real limit to how you chant...
A good way though is to sit down and chant a mantra one is attracted to, either by reciting it repeatedly it or by singing it in the melody of ones choice. It is very effective. You'll notice a difference quite rapidly. Even a few minutes of chanting can lift ones day. Try it out and let me know how you get on.
Happy chanting! And see you on Sunday. (The photo is of Rasasthali during our last kirtan)
Meru
