In the moment

A Yogi trains his/her mind to become focused and intently present in the moment. Allowing all thoughts and internal dialogue to subside or relate completely to the experience of the all pervasive now. Vaishnava yogis utilize this ability to sit for hours in Kirtana, singing the names and songs relating to his/her Istha deva. This practice easily awakens a state of bliss, care-free, and time suspended consciousness. It is for this reason that Kirtana remains effortlessly my favorite form of spiritual practice.

It is a group effort to hold space and prepare the Kirtana for maximum potential and ecstasy. Together, we churn the rhythms and melodies in such a way that a smile and joyful expression is present on the face of all present. Dancing becomes irresistible, the body wants to move, to express its happiness, to surrender completely to the love within the name.

In order to achieve such a state, we  hold on the lotus feet of the holy names of Istha without any distractions, abandoning our usual tendency towards externalization. We pray, we beg, we plead for a moment of true sincerity, true abandon, a true humility in the face of the lord of life present in the name.

Having just returned from the Island vibes festival on stradbroke Island where we attended as a group of young kirtaniyas, intent on connecting to the people to share this mystic experience of Kirtana, the pulse of the mrdanga, and melody of our hearts, I am ever grateful and inspired to be a member of the Sankirtana mission of Sri Chaitanya and Sripada Nityananda Avadhuta, the 15th century Avatars of Krsna and Balarama, the friends of the poor, and destroyers of caste and body consciousness. I am truly and utterly humbled by the experience we had as friends and Kirtaniyas sharing this process with such warm, loving, and free spirited people. Stay tuned for more on our trip to Island vibes, some beautiful footage was taken and I believe something truly incredible will come from it.

The Kirtana revolution is upon us, grab your instruments, your voices, and your hearts, bring them to the Kirtana circle and chant and dance without any inhibitions. No rules, no control, just take the name and let him guide you home to the ever present moment, the ever present now.

#Jainitai