You’ve probably heard that meditation is good for you if you live on this planet. In addition to its many positive effects on emotional well-being and physical health, medical doctors and mental health professionals extol its virtues. You probably haven’t heard of Kirtan unless you are a serious yoga enthusiast.
Unlike traditional mindfulness or meditation practices where the goal is to quiet your mind, Kirtan involves chanting or mantras that many find easier to perform since it does not require intense focus. The practice of clearing one’s mind is difficult, so many people quit mediation before experiencing its benefits.
You might be interested in Kirtan if you have tried meditation and said, “I just can’t sit still, meditating makes me anxious, I can’t turn off my brain, I’m just bad at it.”.
What is Kirtan?
In its simplest form, Kirtan can be experienced in yoga classes by saying “om” together with the other students. A kirtan consists of rhythmically repeating words, phrases, or syllables. Chanting or singing the sounds occupies your mind, so it clears your mind and stops your normal train of thought.
As part of Kirtan, finger-tapping can also be incorporated to engage your senses. Music often goes along with it, enhancing the rhythmic pattern and creating a deeper meditative experience. An individual or group can participate using a call-and-response pattern. Mantras are often based on Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, and some Kirtan chants are Hindu.
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