Howdy & NamaskaraH Fellow AYPers,
I came across the quote below (in my sig. file), a couple of days ago, while re-reading Play of Consciousness by Swami Muktananda.
Usually, the only people I know who "get" the yogic power of kirtan as an Advanced Yogic Practice are some of the "names" of the Western Kirtan movement -- i.e. Krishna Das, Girish, Wah!, Donna Delory, Dave Stringer, Jaya Lakshmi, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, Etc. ---- but its power isn't exactly a secret.
Several major gurus have cited chanting (Kirtans and Bhajans) as the most effective single yogic practice available in the Kali Yuga (and I'm not saying I agree with that statement --- but it is *VERY* effective - amazingly so -- I've gained more in slightly over a year of dedicated Kirtanasadhana than I did - LITERALLY - in over ten years of other spiritual practices - COMBINED (no kidding, no exaggeration).
And no, I don't think a person can "walk in off the street" and have that happen -- though "Bhakti Willing"
per the AYP Lessons covering bhakti -- "ya never know".
I did build a reasonably (realizing that it's all relative, of course) strong foundation of various yogic practices including daily meditation, tantric sexual practices, jnana-related practices (i.e. study), shaktipaatasatsanga (bhakti infusion via hanging out with the Self-Realized -- Adyashanti most specifically and most often -
http://www.adyashanti.org , if interested).
However, feeling drawn to - and adopting -- a daily kirtan practice - over the last year or so, has been like trading my 28.8K modem for a cable modem, or trading my skateboard for a Ferrari, or trading my aging Aardvark for a .... well, you get the idea!
Even the widely respected mid-20th century sage Paramhansa Yogananda said, "Chanting is half the battle".
Half is a LOT, when enlightenment / self-realization / God-realization is the topic!
The history, practice and power of Nama Sankirtana ("Ever-expressing the Name" -- i.e. "In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God") runs pretty deep -- as do its neuroendrocinological benefits.
(The vibrations of the Sanskrit mantras / "Names of God" have very specific energetic effects, as do the dynamic tongue positions, the breathing, the Bhakti, etc. -- it's basically a "super-practice" -- and one that can be quite a bit of fun!)
Anyone who thinks of Kirtan as an archaic practice involving serious, Indian guys in long robes, solemnly reciting the Vedas to a bit of a beat -- have never rocked out with a thousand people grooving their collective butts off to "Om Namah Shivaya" at one of Krishna Das's sold out, packed house, Siddhasana-room-only events (and if you'd like to see what I'm talking about, drop a few bucks on a new or used copy of "The Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga", which contains a very cool / very inspirational DVD.)
And they've most certainly never kicked-in the mega-bliss by doing the Hanuman Chalisa (#1 track in Rishikesh for four decades in a row, during the 16th century ....) while bopping to a glorious little Hip-Hop track called "Hanuman", courtesy of Girish (see
www.spiritvoyage.com - Girish is on tour NOW!
)
And, I would doubt that "said practitioners" have had the experience of heart-banging in bhav-pit with ear-to-ear grinning, sweat-laden, love-fueled kirtanistas at a PLO (Pagan Love Orchestra - led by head-pagan Jai Uttal) event.
And would really, really REALLY doubt that they've had the .... experience .... of Bhagavan Das's NOW (co-produced by Mike D. of the Beastie Boys) ---- can anything really be THAT cool, THAT much FUN, that Sacred, sound THAT good AND be that yogically powerful??
Indeed it can.
I would say "you get the idea" --- but if you haven't heard that music AND chanted along ........ you don't (get the idea).
Yet.
(And it's not all about "this music can be cool / modern and/or funky as well as yogically powerful" -- but that aspect CAN make it a lot of fun -- and many people *don't* know that Western Kirtan exists, or that it's as big as it is, or sounds as good as it does).
And if you're the type of person who prefers your kirtan a bit more private and mellow --- there's always the unspeakably beautiful / sacred / calming choice of Jaya Bhagavan by Tina Malia & Shimshai ... or anything by Wah!
Or, if you're *really* traditional --- there are many tens of thousands of authentic Indian kirtans and bhajans available, as well.
In my experience, the Westernization of the musical style does not diminish the yogic power even the tiniest bit.
In terms of personal experience, the only things that come *close* to Kirtan, in terms of the life enhancement, power and amazing spiritual / yogic benefits which I enjoy, would be: meditation itself, pranayama (i.e. spinal breathing and related practices), kechari mudra, and direct cultivation / enhancement of bhakti.
So, I'd like to unofficially open "Kirtanasatsanga" (Kirtan-related discussion / gathering here on the AYP forums) -- and invite any and all comments, questions, tips, dialog, etc. etc. etc. --- and find out where everyone else is, with respect to the power of Namasankirtana!
Jayayam!
(Celebrating the Awe-Inspiring Victory of THIS!)
Peace & Namaste,
Kirtanman
"Brahmabhuuta hote kaya cha kirtani" - Tukaram
"Through repeating God's name, the body becomes divine."
[as quoted in Play of Consciousness, by Swami Muktananda]