Welcome to New World Kirtan
The New World Kirtan web site and podcast came about because of a Yoga teacher I met about fifteen years ago. She used to have magical satsang sessions in her home, a big old farmhouse just outside of town. On those evenings we chanted to CDs, and those of us who attended knew nothing about the artists or the music–let alone kirtan. But we loved the feeling of open heartedness & joy created by singing the Sanskrit & Sikh chants. While we sang and harmonized to music that called the Divine Names, everyone in the room felt at One with each other and the world. This was my introduction to kirtan.
Our beautiful Yoga teacher has since moved, and my friends and I now host our own satsang sessions every Sunday night. We still chant to CDs, and the music I choose for the weekly podcast posted here is based on this satsang practice. It features the songs that appeal to us from artists such as Krisha Das, Dave Stringer, Ragani and other modern day kirtan wallahs.
A concert is the way most people are introduced to kirtan, and the most important element in live kirtan is the voice. But you shouldn’t give a thought to your vocal ability, think of this as a sing-along . . .with meditation. In kirtan the voices blend in, and you become a co-creator of the performance with the musicians and all the other concert goers. There is nothing quite like it.
Dave Stringer
“In our culture, most of the entertainment is passive. The individual doesn’t have an impact on it. Their presence doesn’t matter,” says Dave Stringer, a kirtan wallah from Los Angeles who tours the globe. “One of the intoxicating things about kirtan is that it’s participatory. Your very presence shifts what happens.”
Perhaps you’re someone who finds meditation hard to do, but you need more peace in your life. That’s where kirtan can help. The podcast can be played purely for musical entertainment, and I hope you find it appealing on that level. Play the chants in your car when you’re in a traffic jam, and you may find yourself with more patience. If your children are being fractious, try playing the podcast in the background to help them calm down. You can also use the chants to deepen your Yoga practice, or to accompany a walk. After awhile you’ll find they are becoming the background music of your life. You’ll feel more at peace, and your mind will be quieter. Give it a try.
(quote from “Kirtan! Chanting as a Spiritual Path” by Linda Johnsen & Maggie Jacobus, 2007, Yes International Publishers.)
Monday, February 23rd 2009 at 1:08 pm
Hello
Thanx for that lovely podcast. Here in Europe the Kirtan community is still small but I hope that your podcast will change that.
When do you present a song from Sathya or also from Spring??!
Cheers,
Adrian
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 at 6:53 pm
Hi Adrian, thanks for commenting. I’m not familiar with these artists, I’ll go look them up.
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 8:37 am
Hi Kitzie,
Your podcast is my favorite and I look forward to each weeks’ new podcast. I’m new to the Portland area and I would love love LOVE to know more about your kirtan group, where and when you sing, if I can come sing too and/or if it is open to the public, and more about its happenings in the area. I’m having a hard time finding my spiritual place since arriving to the Portland area.
Blessings
OM Shanti
Namaste
Lisa
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 9:32 am
Hi and thank you for the free podcasts! I listen to them every day and enjoy the calming sensation I feel. Bright blessings to you,
Laura
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 8:34 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your kind words about the podcast, I love producing it. Regarding the chanting group, you are more than welcome to join us, but we chant in Corvallis. A good place to connect with some Portland kirtan goers might be at the David Newman concert in Vancouver next month, info at this week’s post. There are chanters in the Portland area, I’ve connected with them on Twitter. I’ve put out a message for them to connect with me regarding kirtan happenings in Portand, but haven’t heard back yet.
You could start a group, that’s what we did. Use the podcast, it’s perfect for starting a chanting group
Keep listening to kirtan, and everything will become clear.
Big love,
Kitzie
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 8:35 pm
Laura, thanks for the blessings. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the podcasts.
Kitzie
Thursday, February 26th 2009 at 6:43 am
Hi Kitzie,
I love the podcasts, and I do buy the artist’s music. I like to listen while I exercise. My hope is to develop a way to use the beauty and power of kirtan in some of my tennis coaching. In the meantime, I’ll continue to anticipate your wonderful kirtan choices.
Much thanks,
Bob
Saturday, February 28th 2009 at 7:43 pm
Thanks Kitzie for your great podcasts. I am a massage therapist and sometimes listen to your podcasts while I am in session. My clients really like them too! If I may suggest a few other artists that you may want to add in future podcasts: Jaya Lakshmi and Donna De Lory. Both of them have angelic voices and their music and kirtans really move me.
Namaste,
Jeff
Sunday, March 1st 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hi Bob,
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoy the podcasts. Let me know if you are inspired regarding the use of kirtan in tennis coaching. It certainly impacts my work as a voice talent.
Peace,
Kitzie
Sunday, March 1st 2009 at 12:18 pm
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll go look for these artists. Glad you’re enjoying the podcasts.
Peace,
Kitzie
Monday, March 2nd 2009 at 11:28 am
Bless you! I have been searching for something like the chantbook for a long time. I don’t know how I missed this. I love Azure Salver. This is a wonderful site. I love it!
Sat Nam & Blessings,
Ann
Monday, March 2nd 2009 at 8:09 pm
Hi Ann,
I’m so happy you like the site, and I love Azure Salver too. I first heard it while walking on a summer day, and the joyful imagery has stayed with me.
Thank you for the Blessings, and I send them right back to you with love.
Kitzie
Friday, March 6th 2009 at 9:43 am
Good Morning Kitzie,
I went to the David Newman show in Vancouver, WA last night and it was simply D-I-V-I-N-E! I read that kirtan can’t really be experienced to the fullest unless it is live, and I believe that now. What an amazing night I had last night.
Have you heard of Larissa Stow and the Shakti Tribe? They are a little bit more *modern* sounding, but effective and uplifting still.
Brightest blessings,
Namaste,
Lisa
Friday, March 6th 2009 at 1:35 pm
Hi Lisa,
How wonderful you went to see David Newman, I’m jealous! I’ve never experienced live kirtan, and I really looking forward to it. Shantala will be here in June, and I think Dave Stringer may be in the area also. Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band are also finalizing a NW tour, so there will be lots of good music around soon.
I have several bands to research, I’ll add Larissa Stow to the list, thanks!
Namaste,
Kitzie
Friday, March 6th 2009 at 7:38 pm
Sounds like it’s going to be a great summer, Kitzie! Hope to see you at at least one, if not all of the upcoming shows. Last night David Newman had Brent, the bass player for Shantala sit in and play bass. Ehat a talented musician! And a doll, too! Wish you could have made it.
Nice talking with you again,
Namaste
Lisa
A thought for the evening:
“In the end, the love you take is always equal to the love you make.”
The Beatles, 1971
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 at 3:46 pm
thank you so much for the podcasts, I have just discovered them a few minutes ago, while looking up Deva and Mitten on Itunes. I look forward to having the new podcasts and will listen to the older ones as well. Blessings
Joy
Tuesday, March 10th 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hi Joy,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the podcasts. It is my pleasure to bring them to you.
Namaste,
Kitzie
Wednesday, March 11th 2009 at 3:50 am
Hello Kitzie,
Thanx for your lovely podcast. So I can spread your message out to my friends and Yoga students here in Germany. I love you for that.
Also thank you for playing so many tracks from Dave Stringer!! What about the “om Namo Bhagavate Nityandaya” sung by Spring Gross??!
One more question: As I am playing the harmonium I am also looking for songbooks inkl. the notes. Do you have any suggestions?
Love and Light,
Adrian Anjaneya
Offenbach/ Main (Germany)
Monday, March 16th 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi Adrian,
So glad you’re enjoying the podcast, and are spreading the Love around in Germany. I really love producing it.
Dave Stringer’s music rocks, it’s playing on my IPod all the time. I’ve looked for Spring Gross, can’t find her. Can you send me a link?
I haven’t a clue about the harmonium, sorry. I’ll ask some of my musician friends if they know of any resources.
Much love,
Kitzie
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 at 12:06 am
Hi Kitzie,
Thanx for your lovely answer. Yes, Dave really rocks and I had a lot of fun at the kirtan retreat with him. Spring Gross, you’ll find her in itunes as: Spring -> Spring Fever -> Om namo bhagavate Nityanandaya. Or ask Dave about her!!! http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/3171140-spring-fever
Check also for Thomas Barquee, f.e. ->Sound of Om -> Om Dum Durgayei Namaha!
Looking forward to your next podcast.
Sending you
Love and Light,
Adrian
Monday, March 23rd 2009 at 9:30 am
Morning Kitzie,
I just reserved our tickets to the Dave Stringer show in Portland…got yours yet? Hope to see you there.
Something new for you to check out: Gratitude And Joy by Paul Avgerinos. Enjoy. I found it at the library!
Love & Light from a faithful fellow kirtan singer,
Lisa
Monday, March 23rd 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for letting me know about it, when & where is the concert? I’ll make sure I let people know, and I’d love to be there. Perhaps some of us from our satsang group will take a road trip!
Thanks for the music suggestions. I’m back to walking, so I’ll have more time to listen to new music. Someone from our group gave me a few new artists last night, Donna De Lory is one. She’s on this week’s podcast.
Thanks for the love, right back at you.
Kitzie
Tuesday, March 24th 2009 at 3:32 pm
Hi Kitzie,
I am looking to chant with some other people here in Corvallis, and I came across your website. I really enjoy what I’m hearing – it seems like you have some type of group that meets regularly? How do I hook up with the group?
Thank you so much for putting together such a wonderful website.
Thanks,
Terry
Tuesday, March 24th 2009 at 9:46 pm
Hi Terry,
Glad to connect with you. We meet every Sunday night, and we sing the music from this podcast. There are about 20 of us who meet regularly. I can send an email with the address if you wish.
Kitzie
Monday, April 6th 2009 at 10:07 am
Hello Kitzie,
I have been blessed by your wonderful pod-casts for tree-four weeks now. It is so wonderful. I have spread your website to a lot of my friends here in Norway.
Thank you so much for the work you are doing for us!
I´ve been kind of addicted, every week waiting for the new pod-cast
In gratitude,
best regards from
Sun-peace
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 at 11:01 am
Hi, Would you consider checking out my music to post on your podcast? Om, Kalidas