Kirtan Leader Blog

The harmonium is the perfect spiritual companion for your chanting journey—creating a sound that wraps around your voice like a warm embrace from a choir of angels. This beloved instrument has been THE sacred sound machine for devo...

June 2019 I visited the Bay Area to work on new tracks and participate in a 4-day Integral Unfolding retreat.

I’m very lucky to have a beautiful and welcoming home in which to stay while in town. One evening I returned from the re...

Three Kinds of Art

Author, musician and educator Greg Thomas turned me on to the teachings of  jazz/cultural critic Albert Murray. 

Starting at minute 20 of the video linked above, Thomas presents Murray’s three types of art with...

Music is magic. For many of us music delivers the most awe inspiring experiences of being  fully alive and fully human. All humans have an innate desire to bond with our tribe through chanting, clapping and dancing. Those who have ...

What is Kirtan? 

Great question. Here are a few answers...

1. Kirtan is call and response chanting which utilizes sacred names of the Divine. 

2. Kirtan is the central practice of Bhakti Yoga, or the Yoga of the Heart, or Devoti...

A Kirtan and Bhajan are closely related. Both are sung, with musical instruments, use Divine Names or Scriptures, and are oriented towards creating connection with the Divine. 

I like to think of Kirtan as a short phrase (like a s...

Here's an excerpt on Mantra from my 30 page booklet titled Bhakti & Beyond. 

In Kirtan, we chant Sanskrit phrases of praise to the Divine called mantras. Mantra is a Sanskrit term with multiple meanings. Author Stephen Rosen trans...

Years ago I started referring to myself as a Kirtan Leader.

While others in the field called themselves Kirtan artists, Kirtan singers or Kirtan Wallah's, I wanted to highlight the importance of leadership when sharing this ancien...

In these times of Covid, experts say singing together is quite risky.

I've received lots of questions about how to practice Kirtan in the face of these risks.

Short answer... while chanting together at distance (at least 6 feet) ...

Lots of folks ask me about Kirtan lessons, and Kirtan classes. They want to know about Kirtan education, and Kirtan schools. Their hope is to learn to chant at home (and perhaps share with others) so they can get their Bhakti Bliss...