What is kirtan?

Kirtan is a form of group singing using mantras. It is part of Bhakti yoga, a devotional tradition.

Usually the singing is accompanied with percussive and other instruments and one singer sings a mantra and the group responds together. The mantra’s sung at kirtan are short sentences and even more often only specific names of the divine and could be seen as positive affirmations.

Mantra’s are considered to be a medicine for the mind, as tools to fixate the mind.

The devotional aspect comes in when we keep the focus on the mantra. In that way we can let go of many other thoughts that keep us from connecting to the joy in our heart.

You don't need to be an experienced singer or know the mantras beforehand.

You can sing along, listen, or participate in your own way.