Kirtan Leader Blog

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Kirtan is a mystery.

We chant mantras (words/syllables) and incredible things happen such as:

1. We feel more connected to our self, and others. 
2. We feel a connection with the Divine. 
3. Essential qualities of presence,...

A frequent question I receive is, how do I start chanting?  

Here are a few thoughts on how to begin.

1. Know that chanting is for everyone. Chanting isn't singing. Singing is for professionals. Chanting is for everyone....

I frequently receive questions about the connection between Kirtan and yoga, which is confusing for many. Below are a few thoughts. 

1. While most in the West associate yoga with physical postures (asana), yoga has...

You're a total newbie to Kirtan and wondering, what's this all about? Here's a brief beginner's guide to Kirtan. 

1. Kirtan is call and response chanting from India. that invokes connection with the Divine. It is the central...