JUST BREATHE

BHAKTI

Our Basic Agreement As New Bhaktas:

Bhakti is the path of devotional surrender. Over-intellectualising, judging and arriving with expectations is the surest way to stop your healing firmly in it’s tracks.

Our Agreement:
"Thou shalt not judge others nor and especially never not EVER thyself.”

Here are some Tips
to help you Prepare for Practice:

BEFORE WE START:

1. Create your container — You want to be somewhere where you’re able to sit or dance comfortably; and ideally you should be able to sing as loudly and as freely as your little heart desires.

2. Set your space — Get warm and comfortable, light incense or sage, set intentions, place something new on your altar to anchor your intent.

3. Connect a speaker or headphones to give you more control over the sound.

4. Relax yourself physically — energy flows more freely in an uncontracted body. Doing a few stretches, shaking, tapping, humming or simple vocal warmups can help settle an agitated body-mind.

During class:

1. Give your brain a break - Bhakti kirtan is NOT the place for thinking and judging, it’s the place for feeling and loving.

2. Don’t take yourself too seriously or try to sound pretty (though superfine if that happens too). It doesn’t matter if you stumble, drop the tune or mess up the words - in Bhakti kirtan your heartfelt commitment is your most important asset.

3. It’s very possible that you might meet points of discomfort or resistance. That’s your cue to ground softly back into the body, to breathe and gently try again.

4. Feel each tone as a vibration rippling out from the centre of your being as you sing - notice how they make you feel. Breath deeper. Sing more.

5. Try closing your eyes at some parts of the practice — it may ground you more deeply.

6. Follow the impulse — chant in a whisper or sing to the sky; set your voice free! See what tones and sounds want to come out of you organically.

WEEK 1: Wednesday, 21 July

GAYATRI

Background:

The Gayatri is an ancient Vedic mantra. This mantra is associated with the sun and contains the seeds of ultimate illumination or enlightenment. It provides a path to the realisation of the Divine in all things.

This sacred chant is incredibly popular amongst Bhaktas and Yogi’s in multiple lineages and traditions.

We sing the Gayatri Mantra when we seek to heal and cleanse our bodies, hearts and minds from the subtlest to their most gross expression. The Gayatri brings balance, clarity and an elevation of our perspectives — it delivers peace, happiness and bliss to a faithful, devoted heart.

mantra:

Om Bhur Bhuvaswaha
Tat Savithur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya
Dheemahi Dhiyoyona
Praaaachooooodaaaayaaaaate

[Short VERSION - Repeat as much as you like]

DWADASAKSHARI

Background:

The Dwadasakshari is one of the most important mantras in Vaishnavism (a Hindu denomination). The mantra is dedicated to both the Deity Vishnu and his avatar Lord Krishna. 

Krishna with his rich and relatable Leelas (stories or divine plays), is one of the most beloved deities of the Hindu Pantheon. For many, he represents the personification of holy relating amongst humanity.

Krishna provides protection, playfulness and levity while also inspiring the honouring of truth, authenticity and our “true purpose” in this life.

We call on Krishna to crack our hearts wide open. We sing his mantras when seeking an intimate, fully embodied experience of never-ending higher love.

mantra:

Om
Namo
Bhagavate
Vasudevaya

[repeat 2 times]

I bow
to the source
that lives in
the hearts of all

[repeat 2 times]

1. Listen to the mantra audio — See if you can feel the energy of the mantra vibrating through your body.

2. Relisten to the mantra audio; try to sing along, notice how that changes your experience.

3. Close your eyes, relisten to the mantra audio; try to sing along, notice how that changes your experience.

4. Play around with tone, pitch, volume and harmonies.

5. Once you’ve got this melody, make up your own, see what arises naturally.

6. Forget about trying to remember anything or sing each mantra perfectly. Come clumsy. Come softly with an open heart.
   Open. Surrender. And you’ll attune.

Can’t wait to sing our little hearts out together.

OUR

MANTRA
MAP

The mantra recordings below represent our base melodies to give you a general sense of timing.
Please note that we will be adding the harmonium, deviating from script and getting quite a bit more creative in the LIVE sessions when we meet. Practice these base melodies as best you can so you have more freedom and organic expression when we meet.

WEEK 3: Wednesday, 5 AUGUST

SARASWATI

Background:

Saraswati is literally translated as “She who flows” –  and this is the energy that is cultivated when we sing her name. 

Saraswati is the Goddess of  knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning – call on Saraswati when you are feeling disconnected from your creativity. 

 If your throat chakra is closed, if you lack a clear sense of purpose or direction in your life, if you feel like you’re stagnating and need a fresh start, then the Saraswati energy is the one to embody. It will help you unblock those mental-emotional pipes and reconnect you to the voice of your highest, most creative self. 

mantra:

Om Aim Saraswati Namaha Om

[repeat 2 times]

Om aim Saraswati,
Saraswati
Saraswati
Namaha Om