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Kiirtan: Ancient Cure for Modern Problems

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Many people suffer from psychic ailments in the current age. Many of us are depressed or suffer from

anxiety disorders. Moments of happiness are brief and fleeting. Loneliness and meaninglessness are

common themes.

We blame stress created by the modern lifestyle for all ailments but there are other factors. It is a

complicated story. Some say humans are alienated from nature. Others say the human development

in physical and mental spheres outpaced the development in the spiritual sphere. Some blame the

materialism. Some point out the extremenarcissism prevalent in the current age. We should also note

the fact that the social norms changed dramatically in the second half of the 20'th century. Our

relationships became very complicated. As individual freedoms expand people are suffering from

loneliness. The old disease of the intellectuals, the feeling of meaninglessness is spreading to other

segments of the society.

http://open.salon.com/blog/suresh_emre/2010/08/21/kiirtan_ancient_cure_for_modern_problemshttp://open.salon.com/blog/suresh_emre/2010/08/21/kiirtan_ancient_cure_for_modern_problems

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Some talk about the hidden impact of astronomical and geophysical changes on human mind. For

example, there are serious changes in Earth's magnetic field. The solar system is passing the mid-

point of the galactic plane and we are exposed to more radiation.

The changes in our environment including Earth's interior and the outer space is causing physical

ailments as well. The number of autistic children is increasing at an alarming rate. I am absolutelyconvinced that humanity is going through accelerated physical and psychic evolution in the current

age.

In the 60's and 70's there was great interest in spirituality but in the early part of the 21'st century

the interest in spirituality is waning. If you don't believe mecheck the trends in search engines. I also

think that "alienation" is a problem but I do not think it is alienation from nature; rather it is

alienation from our true identity. Alienation from spirituality is a problem. It is not the only problem

but it is the most important one. The problem is that we are too busy to remember our Soul. We are

too busy to remember God. We are too busy to meditate. We are too busy to pray.

Modern lifestyle demands quick remedies. Can we connect with our spirituality quickly? The answer

is YES. The interesting fact is that this modern (quick) solution is an ancient one.

I mentioned the sound archetypes in a series of articles. I said the sound archetypes were imprinted

in ancestor brains by the shamanistic rituals of chanting and dancing. We all carry remnants of these

imprints in our genes and in our collective mind. Chanting and dancing still have powerful effects on

humans. Kiirtan is a modern version of the sacred dances of the Paleolithic times. The Sufi dancing

and chanting is the same. I see the same trend in Christian churches as well. Christians raise their

arms just like the Sufi dancers or the Kiirtan dancers. Raising arms towards the sky and singing

sweet melodies is truly a universal way to connect with God.

Rhythmic repetitions of certain sounds take us to our beginnings. Basically we are reaching the

deeper layers of our brain, the parts of the brain that deal with raw emotions and even deeper layers,

the so-called primitive brain where involuntary body functions are performed. The sound archetypes

http://knol.google.com/k/suresh-emre/google-search-trends-in-spirituality/35vsnxisjn2mw/199http://knol.google.com/k/suresh-emre/google-search-trends-in-spirituality/35vsnxisjn2mw/199http://knol.google.com/k/suresh-emre/sound-archetypes/35vsnxisjn2mw/3http://knol.google.com/k/suresh-emre/google-search-trends-in-spirituality/35vsnxisjn2mw/199http://knol.google.com/k/suresh-emre/sound-archetypes/35vsnxisjn2mw/3

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are to be found at this layer of the brain and in the corresponding layers of the mind which is the

collective mind of our species.

The main reason for the effectiveness of the sacred dances and chanting is that it provides a

mechanism to bypass the thinking part of the brain and connect with the deeper layers where the

physical meets the nonphysical (mind and the Soul).

Kiirtan is the easiest way to connect with Divine Love

Kiirtan is the easiest way to connect with our Soul, the easiest way to feel the Divine Love. It is easier

than meditation. It is easier than poetry. It is easier than social interaction. It is simple music that

resonates in the heart.

"What is Kiirtan? What is this love affair? Kiirtan is devotion. Kiirtan is singing to the divine. As

we open our hearts to sing in devotion, we experience the sweetness of the divine in us. It'

becomes realour beloved is present, right inside and around us, plain as day, listening, dancing,

and celebrating! In Kirtan we are vibrated to the core of our being. The mantras and sounds of

Kiirtan chants stir and awaken spiritual qualities in us. The energy lifts us above the mind, wherethoughts cant seem to reach us. Worry and stress slide off. We touch the divine within us and sit

with it. The divine takes us. We feel her hold us in her arms for a while."

- Vamadeva

Kiirtan is the singing of a mantra aloud while ideating on the Supreme Being. It inculcates the feeling

of bliss and prepares the mind for meditation, because in performing it all the motor and sensory

organs are engaged and directed towards the Supreme. It can be done anywhere, any time, but the

best time is just before meditation.

The mantra used for kiirtan is:

Baba Nam Kevalam

Baba means "my most beloved One",Nam means "name of" or "to identify with", andKevalam

means "only". So the meaning of the mantra is "My most Beloved is the only One." The ideation is:

"Everywhere I look, in everything I hear, feel, see, taste and smell, I perceive that one Supreme

Consciousness which pervades all things."

Innersong

Innersongis the best place to find spiritual music. They have many kiirtan CDs. You should try their

free music section.

This introductoryvideo by LiilamayaKirtan is the best introduction toAnandaMargakiirtan.

Others you might enjoy

LiilamayaKiirtan1

ShantikaOneLove

http://innersong.com/http://innersong.com/http://innersong.com/downloads/FreeMusic.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7cPuwvUrQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7cPuwvUrQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IvCLOua7YY&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGD4cvR2FaE&feature=relatedhttp://innersong.com/http://innersong.com/downloads/FreeMusic.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7cPuwvUrQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7cPuwvUrQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IvCLOua7YY&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGD4cvR2FaE&feature=related

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You can invent your own melodies

I sing "Baba Nam Kevelam" freely, inventing my own melodies. I enjoy the composed ones too but

Kiirtan has been more effective for me when I sing it to any melody that comes to my mind. You will

discover that some of these melodies are original. You will receive music from the depth of your

heart.