Bhakti and Music
Kirtans, Bhajans, Stories, Sanskrit Mantras, and HymnsBhakti and Music
DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE
Kirtan
“Kirtan is singing of God’s name, with feeling. Such singing has a benign effect on both the physical and subtle bodies. It is an excellent method of soothing the nerves and directing the emotions to a positive goal. Kirtan melts the heart, fills the mind with purity and generates harmony and divine love. The chanting of Sanskrit kirtan, even when mechanically done, produces certain effects. When done with devotion, and awareness of the meaning, its benefits are immeasureable.” – Swami Sivananda
Communicating with the Divine
The term Bhakti comes from the root ‘Bhaj’, which means ‘to be attached to God’. Bhakti is love for love’s sake. The path of Bhakti appeals particularly to a those of an emotional nature. The Bhakti Yogi is motivated chiefly by the power of love and sees God as the embodiment of love. Through prayer, worship and ritual the devotee surrenders to God, channeling and transmuting his/her emotions into unconditional love or devotion. Chanting or singing the praises of God form a substantial part of Bhakti Yoga.Mantras and Rituals
A “Mantra” is a mystical spiritual energy encased in a sound structure. At its simplest, the word Om serves as a mantra. In more sophisticated forms, they are melodic phrases with spiritual rendition such as human longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge and action.Sacred Sound
Mantras, as sacred sounds, are known to affect our vibratory being and consciousness as the word mantra itself means both protection and instrument.Vedic Rituals
The experience of mantra and chanting are best when accompanied by ritual. Ritual, in the very way that it is performed –the same time each day, also mirrors the rhythmic quality of mantra or the universe’s ebbs and flows. Without sound encompassed in ritual that it is difficult to release the accumulation of psychic toxicity in our spiritual system.
Mantras and Rituals
A “Mantra” is a mystical spiritual energy encased in a sound structure. At its simplest, the word Om serves as a mantra. In more sophisticated forms, they are melodic phrases with spiritual rendition such as human longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge and action. Mantras, as sacred sounds, are known to affect our vibratory being and consciousness as the word mantra itself means both protection and instrument. In a translation of the Yoga aphorisms of Patanjali, it is noted that the “repetition of sacred words or mantras is…an invaluable aid to spiritual progress.” The experience of mantra and chanting are best when accompanied by ritual. Ritual, in the very way that it is performed –the same time each day, also mirrors the rhythmic quality of mantra or the universe’s ebbs and flows. Without sound encompassed in ritual that it is difficult to release the accumulation of psychic toxicity in our spiritual system.
Classical Indian Music
Classical Indian music is an ancient artform that brings one into a deep meditative state. The music has different melodies which the musician plays, known as “raga.” At the Sivananda Yoga Farm we have every month a well-known classical Indian musician come and perform.Classica Indian Dance
Bharatanatyam is a form of classical dance, originating in ancient India. It is a sacred dance, that was originally performed in temples as a mode of worship which uses Indian music and mythological stories to bring the ancient teachings of the sages to us in Dance form. Come and join us for an evening of music, rhythm, sacred geometry, poetry, harmony and beauty.
Classica Indian Dance
Bharatanatyam is a form of classical dance, originating in ancient India. It is a sacred dance, that was originally performed in temples as a mode of worship. It uses Indian music and mythological stories to bring the ancient teachings of the sages to us in Dance form. Come and join us for an evening of music, rhythm, sacred geometry, poetry, harmony and beauty.Upcoming Dates
| Dates | Program Name | Price | see more... | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Dates | Online International Satsangs with Swami Sitaramananda | View Details | Register Now | |
| Flexible Dates | Holiday Retreat: Yoga Practices for Peace & Contentment | $210.00 | View Details | Register Now |
| Flexible Dates | Holiday Retreat: Yoga Practices for Divine Love in Daily Life | $210.00 | View Details | Closed |
| March 7 - 10, 2024 | Sivaratri Weekend: Dissolution & Evolution | $295.00 | View Details | Register Now |
Faculty
Acharya Mangalananda
Acharya Mangalananda is a direct disciple of the great modern woman Saint, Anandamayi Ma. When Swami Sivananda met with Ma he called her “The finest flower the soil of India has ever produced”. Mangalananda went to India for the first time in 1973 when he was just 19…
Angelika
Angelika is an internationally acclaimed performer, composer and recording artist, whose main intention is to promote Oneness, Peace, Healing, and Good-will amongst all people through her inspirational music. Angelika is originally from Germany and now resides in Nevada City.
Atmarama dasa
Atmarama dasa is a devotional singer, sacred music composer and expert musician; who has become well known for his power to transmit devotion and spiritual energy. Since 1985 he has lived in Vrindavan, India (the holy place where Lord Krishna appeared on this earth 5,000 years ago), where…
Ben Kunin
Sarod player Ben Kunin learned his instrument and the tradition of North Indian classical music over more than 25 years of study under the legendary Maestro Ali Akbar Khan at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA. He also learned tabla from Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri…
Hasu Patel
A disciple of Sitar legend Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb is one of the few distinguished female artists performing today classical music on Sitar, the most popular string instrument of India. As a performer, composer, and educator, she has dedicated her life to preserving and propagating in its pristine…
John Beaulieu, N.D., Ph.D.
John Beaulieu, N.D., Ph.D. is a composer, sound healer, counseling psychologist, and board-certified naturopathic physician. He is a world leader in the use of integrative energy medicine for healing and well-being. Dr. Beaulieu is the founder of BioSonic Enterprises, Ltd., a company dedicated to tuning the world, and…
Joss Jaffe
Joss Jaffe performs as a tabla player, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. As a composer and producer he has released 4 critically acclaimed albums, his most recent “Meditation Music” debuted on the top-ten Billboard New Age Chart. Joss has performed and taught at yoga events and festivals internationally.
Shreelata Suresh
Shreelata commenced her training at the age of six under Vyjayantimala Bali, the famous dancer and actress. After her arangetram in 1981, she studied under the illustrious Guru Kalaimamani K. N. Dakshinamurthy Pillai. Presently she is under the tutelage of Guru V. Krishnamoorthi, whose unique and innovative choreography…
Steve Oda
Steve Oda is a sarod player, composer and teacher of the Hindustani classical music. A Canadian of Japanese ancestry, Steve Oda, began his musical education at the age of seven, learning to play slide guitar and then jazz guitar. His love of creativity through musical expression led him to the classic music of North…
Uma Reed
Uma was first exposed to Hindu devotional chanting in the early 1970s, while studying meditation and spiritual practices with Ram Dass and various other teachers. Kirtan was a practice that touched her deeply, and as a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, she often participated in kirtan gatherings with…
Swami Vashistananda
Swami Vashistananda comes from the Namboodri lineage in Southern India, Kerala and has been a long-time teacher of bhakti and vedanta in the Sivananda organization ever since. He has been at the Yoga farm since October 2014 and does ceremonies at all the ashram temples and shrines. Swamiji…