What is Kirtan?The word Kirtan comes from the Sanskrit roots
Kir "action", and
Tan "weave". Kirtan thus means "acting together (creatively) within the weave" (the manifested universe).
In yoga, Kirtan is the practice of ecstatic devotional chant. The Indian poet Tukaram said, "It is through the chanting of God's name that the body becomes divine."
Each syllable of every kirtan chant has been consciously included to help facilitate yogic evolution, by stimulating neuro-chemical and subtle energetic responses in the brain and body.
Through its combination of
bhakti (devotion), mantra repetition, and pranayama, the practice of kirtan can significantly enhance ecstatic conductivity, and (indirectly) inner silence. Chanting kirtans can also cultivate and exponentially strengthen the beneficial effects and power of both sangha (spiritual community), and group spiritual consciousness, in the individual's practice. For all these reasons, kirtan is recommended as a powerful practice by many yogic authorities.
Please also see the AYP FAQ entries for:
Bhajan&
ChantingFrom the AYP Main Lessons:
Will chanting affect my AYP mantra meditation practice?At the forum:
Kirtanananda - The Joy of KirtanPer Request - Kirtanman's Top 10 Kirtan Artists
