Take Your Soul on a Great Night Out Sacred Chanting is Right in Your Neighborhood By Jay Hanuman

ou may know about big events like the Ecstatic Chant weekends Yat the Omega Institute, or you may have attended a sold-out Krishna Das concert, but did you know that there is probably a sacred chanting session happening in your area this very week? Kirtan is a form of “bhakti” (devotional) yoga that involves the sing- ing of the Divine Names and mantras, usually in Sanskrit. It’s a wonderful and enjoyable way to worship that’s been steadily growing in popularity—both internationally and right here in West- chester and Putnam Counties.

Kirtan is a means to connect to the heart and divinity that Cat Guthrie on guitar and Eileen O’Hare on harmonium; lies within, as expressed by together they are BlisSing some of the tens of thou- sands of people who partici- in the hope of discovering their own ence of kirtan had expanded beyond divine nature. “They selected only these traditional ashram communi- pate in these sacred chanting those sounds which had the greatest ties and into the larger public sphere. events around the world. clarity, purity, and power of resonance,” Today, kirtan continues to grow rapidly says Vyaas Houston from the Ameri- along with increasing interest in the can Sanskrit Institute. “The vibrational world’s sacred traditions and the vibrant The word kirtan comes from the purity and resonating power of Sanskrit yoga movement in the West. It extends Sanskrit language, in which “kirt” is above all an opera on a grand cosmic across cultures, races and religions which means “to name, to communi- scale that you can sing with your whole and offers a profound experience of an cate, to celebrate, to praise, to glorify.” heart and being.” ancient sacred tradition to the greater The word Sanskrit itself means “lan- During the 1980’s, kirtan became human community. Kirtan is a means guage brought to formal perfection.” a regular practice in many yoga ashram to connect to the heart and divinity that Over the millennia, Sanskrit sages who communities throughout the West. By lies within, as expressed by some of the understood the power of words contin- the end of the 20th century, the experi- tens of thousands of people who par- ued to develop and refine this language

52 52 Westchester/Putnam Counties ticipate in these sacred chanting events is Satya Franche Carlson, who’s around the world. been leading her ensemble Ma Kir- “The first time I went to a kirtan, tan since 2006. She currently holds I felt good that night,” says Dennis regular kirtans at Wainright House Winge, a full-time musician who fell in in Rye and numerous yoga stu- love with this form of spiritual practice dios in Westchester, Connecticut, a year ago. “The next time, I felt good and other parts of the Northeast. the whole next day. The third time, I felt Satya, whose name means truth in good for two whole days and I thought Sanskrit, says she is very grateful to ‘Wait, there’s something going on have assumed a leading role in the here!’” rising popularity of kirtan through- Believing that there should be a out Westchester. “It has become so Satya Franche Carlson kirtan, “on every block in every town popular in the last few years,” says every night of the week,” Winge took it Satya. “People are really starting to upon himself to learn the art of leading feel the benefits of this heart opening power to deliver the mind from material kirtan at a week-long Omega course meditation.” consciousness or perception to spiritual last spring. Since then he has played consciousness or enlightenment. The with many great kirtan artists through- mantras are generally short and easy to out the Northeast at yoga studios In addition to the monthly learn, and they may be recited a few and well-known spiritual centers like Ossining Kirtan, other op- times for practice before each chant Omega, Kripalu, and Ananda Ashram. portunities for kirtan in begins. Traditionally, instruments such Winge currently leads kirtan on the as a harmonium, tabla, gorong and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 Westchester and Putnam other percussion instruments are used, p.m. at the parish hall of St. Paul’s on counties abound. although kirtan can be easily adapted the Hill in Ossining. to many Western instruments such as violin, guitar, bass, and keyboard. In Putnam, a unique opportunity “The Divine Names we sing come for sacred chanting called “BlisSing” from a place that’s deeper than our is hosted by Eileen O’Hare and Cat thoughts or our minds,” says Winge, “In Guthrie at a private residence in Gar- fact, at our deepest level, they are us.” rison. This event is open to the public, The spiritual practice of kirtan, although and usually takes place two Tuesdays largely taken from the Hindu tradition, per month. O’Hare, a legacy carrier in is not about belonging to a religion the Andean Shamanic tradition, uses or having any particular set of belief both English and Sanskrit in her chants systems. Winge says that’s one of the and draws upon various traditions from reasons he loves it so much. “There’s around the world. “I am so grateful that nothing to debate or discuss,” he says. the Garrison kirtan has been steadily “You just sit down and sing!” growing,” she says. “It is my favorite form of communal spiritual celebra- For more information, visit denniswinge. tion.” com and click on “kirtan,” or type the Dennis Winge and Tara Porter at Kripalu Kirtan chants are most often sung words “Ossining kirtan” in Facebook. in call and response fashion, and chant Join the Satya Franche and Ma Kirtan In addition to the monthly Ossin- sheets that list the mantras are provided mailing list by writing to makirtan10@ ing Kirtan, other opportunities for kirtan at most sessions. The Sanskrit word gmail.com or typing “Satya Franche” in in Westchester and Putnam counties “mantra” can be broken etymologically Facebook. To join the Garrison kirtan abound. Perhaps the most ubiquitous into the root words “mana” (mind) and mailing list, email [email protected]. kirtan “wallah” or leader in Westchester “tra” (deliver). Mantras thus have the

53 53 February 2011