Prema Kirtan (Journey into Sacred Sound)

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Kirtan bathes us in sacred mantras of transformation and healing that enrich and enlighten us. Rooted in the bhakti yoga tradition and practic ed for millennia, kirtan is the easiest meditation and a substantial form of spiritual nourishment. It is the joining of a mantra and the soul in song to establish a heart-connection with the Divine.

In Prema Kirtan we learn of a type of kirtan that reveals the fullness of our eternal, illumined nature, calls up treasured feelings from the innermost chambers of our hearts, and ends the dark night of our material sojourn by giving rise to the sun of prema, divine love for our Supreme Source.

I've known Pranada since the mid-seventies, almost as many years as I've been practicing kirtan. We are fellow travelers on the Bhakti path. I've been impressed by her keen perception and thoughtfulness. Her studies of sacred texts and her ability to explain them never ceases to amaze me. Through all the phases of her life, from the early days of practicing Bhakti in an ashram environment, to raising a family, running businesses, facing calamities and health challenges, she has remained fixed in her personal spiritual practices and studies. She is passion- ate to present the esoteric truths and practices of Bhakti in a way that makes them accessible to contemporary audiences new to the path. In short, I can't think of a better person to write this important book, Prema Kirtan. I was introduced to the wonderful world of kirtan almost fifty years ago. I was immediately attracted. Coming from a background in music and eager to take up spiritual life, I appreciated being able to express myself through kirtan. Yoga and music together - what could be better? I was especially drawn to the singing of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who would become my principal guide and guru on this path. I felt something wonderful in his voice that I'd never experienced before. Gradually I came to understand that what I was hearing was pure love. There was not the slightest tinge of ego or pride. The emotion he expressed was not covered by illusion.

Three friends unexpectedly showed up in my front yard carrying a yellow rose bush, a tea olive bush, and a hydrangea plant - all gifts for my birthday. Since we hadn't seen each other for a while, we gathered in my living room to catch up. Our conversation naturally turned to sharing details of our successes and shortcomings in our daily spiritual practices. As serious decades-long practitioners of bhakti, the heart and soul of yoga, we were always receiving new insights. Long ago we'd found that sharing our experiences not only encouraged one another's cultivation of devotion but enlightened us about what worked and what didn't. It has never ceased to amaze me how rich and varied the inner journey is, how profound the bhakti philosophy, and how valuable my friends and other sincere seekers have been for my spiritual development. My thoughts drifted for a minute.

Yamuna Devi turned to me, "Please lead kirtan, Pranada."

Along with philosophical discussions, our get-togethers were always enriched by at least some time spent in kirtan.

Kirtan is the musical form of bhakti-enriched mantra meditation.