Jai has been leading Kirtans worldwide for over thirty years. “These ancient chants,” writes Jai “contain a transformative power and healing energy. By singing these prayers we join a stream of consciousness and devotion that has been flowing for centuries.”
Kirtan is singing over and over the many names of God and the Goddess, the multi-colored rainbow manifestations of the One. It is said that there is no difference between the name and that which is being named, and as the words roll off our lips in song, the Infinite is invoked, invited, made manifest in our hearts.
In this workshop Jai will explore how we can approach the path of Bhakti Yoga in our own lives, with our own personalities and identities. We will begin to understand a new meaning of aesthetics, an internal aesthetics, wherein we create our most beautiful prayers to spirit without the slightest concern for other’s opinions or criticisms. We will touch on the vast beauty of the Indian Raga and Tala systems and direct participants to further study in those areas. Jai will open the floor to all kinds of questions, and, with a very flexible and lighthearted approach, will answer from his personal experiences and ideas and the stories of ancient India.
No previous experience is needed for these workshops. This is an exploration of the heart, independent of vocal or musical technique. For everyone who loves and practices Kirtan, Jai will share and demystify some of their secrets particularly the ‘fact’ that with just a little understanding of music and rhythm and a lot of self acceptance we all can sing and lead and share our hearts with others. The practice of chanting, itself, can become our teacher, guiding us home.
