Bhajans & Kirtan
Bhajans and Kirtan Are Practices of Bhakti Yoga—the Path of Love
and Devotion
At Hridaya, practicing bhajans and kirtan is a profound way to open the Heart, cultivate devotion, and experience the transformative power of sacred music. Through chanting devotional songs, you connect with the Divine and awaken the Love within. Whether you’re new to chanting or an experienced musician looking to lead kirtans, our workshops offer a space to deepen your connection to Bhakti Yoga, the “yoga of devotion.”
The Kirtan and Bhajan Immersion workshop with Mehdi Dumondel is designed for anyone wishing to explore the Heart-opening practice of chanting and devotional singing. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to surrender to the music and allow it to guide you into deeper states of Love and connection.
If you already play an instrument and feel called to facilitate kirtans, the Play Kirtan! workshop with Kilian Hübinger is a unique opportunity to develop the skills needed to hold a space for others in this sacred practice. Throughout the workshop, you’ll explore the art of leading kirtans, learning about rhythm, group dynamics, and the deeper intention behind the practice. The journey culminates in a participant-led kirtan, replacing the usual Saturday night Bhajans at Hridaya—offering an authentic experience of stepping into the role of a facilitator.
Also consider joining the Becoming Prayer workshop, led by Paige Fletcher and Naveen Radha Dasi, where you’ll learn to approach Bhakti Yoga with humility, honoring the masters and lineages that have preserved these sacred forms of prayer, song, and sacred ritual. Through puja (“ritual offering”), kirtan and bhajan (“devotional song”), japa (“mantra repetition”), and the powerful poetry of written and spoken prayer, you’ll soften the mind and awaken the natural longing of the Heart.
The Kirtan and Bhajan Immersion, Play Kirtan!, and Becoming Prayer workshops offer unique pathways to connect with the Divine through sound and devotion. Whether you’re seeking a personal immersion into the practice or aspire to share its transformative power with others, these offerings provide a rich and fulfilling experience.
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Find Your Bhajans and Kirtan Workshop
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More About Bhajans and Kirtan at Hridaya
At Hridaya, when you’re not in silence, you may choose to gather every Saturday to chant mantras, open yourself to the great mystery of devotion, and, as our dear teacher Antoaneta shared, “put your hearts on fire.”
The root meanings of bhajans and kirtan are “to glorify”, yet bhaj also carries another essential meaning: “mutual.” At first, you may think that bhajans and kirtan are about chanting and calling upon the Divine, but soon, you realize that, in Truth, you are simply answering the call.
Kirtan refers to congregational chanting. At every moment, God calls you to awaken, revealing His presence and beauty in everything you experience, offering you His many names. Yet so often, you do not see Him, you do not feel Him, you do not listen, and you are not present.
When you gather to chant the Holy Names, you commit yourself for the evening to being fully present to That which shines through every being, offering your voice and your entire being to that Light.
You inspire the sangha to open up more, creating a sacred space where the power of prayer guides you into the depths of your soul. In shared aspiration and longing, you experience Love, bliss, and ultimately, recognition of the Self.
The repetition of the Holy Names is like a magical key that unlocks the universal energies of God. Krishna, Kali, Rama, Hanuman, Shiva—all these Names represent different rays of light emanating from the one sun of the Spiritual Heart. By repeating the mantras, you allow these rays to purify and open you to the universal dimensions of the Heart.
The Names of God are among humanity’s greatest gifts from the Divine. The Divine has revealed His or Her Names to mystics in deep states of meditation so that you may remember Him, ask for guidance and support, and ultimately allow your soul to praise Him in full gratitude and reverence.
Many great saints have shared that Bhakti Yoga is the most direct and straightforward way to attain God-realization in the age of Kali Yuga. Through prayer and surrender, you open yourself to God’s grace, allowing that Grace to carry you home into the great ocean of Para Prema—Supreme Love.
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Chanting the Names Is like Blowing Together on the Sacred Flame
of the Heart
In Bhakti Yoga, the most essential practice is to cultivate Love. Chanting the Holy Names is like blowing on the sacred flame of the Heart. As you respond to the divine call, God asks only one thing of you: Sharanam, “to take refuge.” Taking refuge means trusting God’s love for His creation and allowing His Love to transform you and lead you into “surrender,” or Atma Nivedana—the final stage of Bhakti, where God becomes the center of your life and where your will merges into His will.
Do you want to experience this divine call? Join one of our live bhajans.
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Discover Bhakti
Step into the heart of devotion and let sacred music open new pathways within. Chanting awakens deep joy, connection, and presence. Our workshops create a space to experience Bhakti Yoga through the uplifting power of bhajans and kirtan. Join us, and let your voice become a bridge to the Divine.
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