“Listen far beyond hearing, and call the unheard” – Lao Tzu
Kirtan is a call and response chant. It is part of Bhakti (the devotional path) of yoga. It is thought to be one of the oldest sacred music traditions in the world. It’s kind of like meditating without the hard work of actually stilling your mind. You are given a mantra (chant) to call back and if you can relax enough you might just get swept away by the ‘buzz.’
It is believed that Kirtan goes beyond the music and operates on vibration. In a room full of people, breathing, chanting and moving at the same pace and rhythm our vibrations synchronize. This results in a room full of powerful energy. This energy is intended to still the mind, create peace in the heart and let the participant be, just in herself.
If this sounds a little scary, cultish or freaky, I understand. Somehow though, it’s not. Kirtan, like all yoga, allows you to be who you are, chanting wildly or whispering softly, up front clapping and swaying or sitting still in the corner. Its purpose is merely, just for a little while, to get us out of our heads and to reconnect us to our hearts.
Milwaukee has a vibrant Kirtan scene. Ragani draws a huge crowd at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brookfield. She performs there the first Friday of each month. This is great Kirtan for first timers and it is where I first experienced the ‘buzz.’ Ragani is supported by several singers and musicians and the large crowd allows you to sing as loud as you want even if you stumble over the Sanskrit words. Bring a pillow and sit on the floor up front or rest easy in one of the chairs provided.
Yoga studios around the city also host Kirtan concerts. Last Sunday, YogAsylum in Brookfield hosted Arjun Baba. I can’t tell you a lot about this artist; his website states he, “currently lives on the earth and is open to relocate.” I can tell you that he has beautiful long dreadlocks and a soft spoken ease. His gentle concert was perfect for a mellow Sunday evening. The 25 or so participants, me and Jim included, chanted our way into relaxation.
Ragani, 7:30, Dec. 3, it’s on the chalkboard!
