KIRTAN & MANTRA | DIVINE ECSTASY
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REALIZING BHAVA IN KIRTAN & MANTRA | SWAMI NIRANJANANANDA
|| SELECTION 1 ||
To really appreciate Music , you have to follow The Four Stages of Kirtan :
1 . Singing
2 . Keeping time with the rhythm or taal
3 . Evoking appropriate mood so that mind begins to swing
4 . Swaying the body with the rhythm , which happens naturally when the mind begins to dance .
Try this and you will see the difference in the quality of your experience during Kirtan .
|| SELECTION 2 ||
When you chant The Names , it is the syllables that alter the patterns of the mind according to the different sound frequencies and vibrations , making it more clear , tranquil and receptive , more complete , thus increasing sensitivity and feeling .
This sensitivity will help you connect with the Source of your Being and then you experience Union . This is the purpose and meaning of Kirtan .
|| SELECTION 3 ||
In chanting The Name you are expressing sentiments that are free from the conditioning of such external inputs or samskaras , and you are expressing those sentiments to this Pure Being GOD .
|| SELECTION 4 ||
There has to be passion in Mantra .
|| SELECTION 5 ||
Normally , logic follows a predetermined path and emotion follows a different path . Many times emotions cloud logic , and many times logic can suppress an emotion .
But when they complement each other , then logic becomes an experience and emotion becomes an insight which gives you wisdom .
Therefore , try to feel the emotion of the Mantra when you repeat it . That is the real practice of Mantra .
|| SELECTION 6 ||
Mechanical repetition happens in the first stage of Mantra practice in order to stop the natural dissipation of the mind .
Once the dissipation stops , then in order to awaken the state of consciousness , to experience the transformed condition inherent in the mantra , the bhava , the emotions , have to be added .
SANKIRTAN YOGA | SWAMI SIVANANDA
|| SELECTION 1 ||
People sit together and sing The Names of GOD with harmony and concord , and with Suddha or Divine Bhava — Feeling . This is Sankirtan .
Sankirtan is accompanied by the play of musical sounds as the word " San " precedes " Kirtan " .
Sankirtan is an exact science . It elevates the mind quickly and intensifies the Bhava or Divine Feeling to a maximum degree .
Nama and Nami are inseparable . Nama means Name — Name of GOD . Nami means " that which is denoted by the Nama or Name " . Nama is greater than the Nami . Nama is nothing but Chaitanya — Consciousness . Sankirtan is singing GOD's name with Bhava , Prem or divine feeling .
Sankirtan Yoga is the easiest , quickest , safest , cheapest and best way for attaining GOD-Realization in this age . . . Sankirtan Yoga or the Yoga of Singing GOD's Names is within the reach of all .
There is infinite Sakti or Power in GOD's Names . It will remove all impurities from your mind .
Vedantins say that there are three kinds of obstacles to Self-Realization — Mala , Vikshepa and Avarana . To remove them they prescribe Nishkamya Karma ( selfless service ) , Upasana ( worship ) and Vedantic Nididhyasana ( intellectual enquiry ) .
Sankirtan alone can achieve all these together .
Sankirtan removes the impurities of the mind ( Mala ) ; it steadies the mind and checks its tendency to vacillate ( Vikshepa ) ; and ultimately it tears the veil of Ignorance too ( Avarana ) , and brings the Sadhaka ( aspirant ) face to face with GOD .
|| SELECTION 2 ||
Sankirtan will enable you to realize this Infinite here and now .
Sankirtan will save you from Maya , from Delusion .
Therefore sing The Names of GOD always .
Let us , therefore , sing the MahaMantra :
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna ,
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare ;
Hare Rama Hare Rama ,
Rama Rama Hare Hare .
|| SELECTION 3 ||
GOD in Supreme Compassion and Mercy gave this MahaMantra by repeating which one will attain Self-Realization .
Therefore , sing GOD's Names ; serve , love , give , meditate , realize ; be good and do good ; be kind and be compassionate ; enquire " Who am I ? " , know the Self and be Free .
SANKIRTAN IS SPIRITUAL FOOD | SWAMI SIVANANDA
|| SELECTION 1 ||
KIRTAN is singing GOD's Glories .
One is thrilled with Divine Emotion .
One loses oneself in the LOVE for GOD .
One weeps in the middle when thinking of the Glory of GOD .
One's voice becomes choked , and one flies into a state of divine bhava feeling .
One is ever merged in japa of GOD's name , and describing GOD's Glories to one and all .
Wherever one goes one begins to sing and praise GOD .
One requests all to join the kirtans .
One sings and dances in ecstasy , and makes others dance also .
|| SELECTION 2 ||
May you be drowned in the Ocean of Divine Ecstasy ,
in a fully illumined state , by the regular practice of
Sankirtan and complete self-surrender to GOD .
HARE KRISHNA KIRTAN & DANCE | USQ PARK NYC
HARE KRISHNA KIRTAN | YOUTUBE
SOURCE | SATYAVEDISM.ORG