Kirtan!: Chanting As a Spiritual Path [Paperback]

Linda Johnsen (Author), Maggie Jacobus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

Kirtan has recently arrived in the West, carried by brilliant singers and musicians, creating a new musical movement that s turned yogic chanting into a cultural phenomenon. This book interviews eight of America s top Kirtan singers, Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Bhagavan Das, Snatam Kaur, Ragani, Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Wah.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Linda Johnsen has done it again. This time with help from Maggie Jacobus. The two writers have interviewed eight of the most popular kirtan singers in the West today and have them sharing intimate stories about their life work. The authors first take care to let us know that the Sanskrit word kirtan means singing, chanting, and praising the Divine and that it s a sacred practice anyone can do no special training is required. Then their history of Indian spiritual music shows us the background of chanting, the use of mantras in song, and the love that the art of kirtan brings to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. --Helen Fedro, Himalayan Path, Volume 7, Number 3, Summer 2007

About the Author

Linda Johnsen is a long-time student of religious philosophy and spirituality and an initiate in the Shaktavaita Tradition. She holds degrees in Eastern and Western Psychology, and has post-graduate training in theology and Sanskrit. She has traveled to India and lived with women saints. She is a writer for several spiritual magazines and a contributor to several anthologies, including The Divine Mosaic: Women s Images of the Sacred Other. Linda is also author of Yes Publishers' Daughters of the Goddess: Women Saints of India, The Living Goddess: Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe, and A Thousand Suns. Linda resides in California. Maggie Jacobus has spent years delving into the transforming power of sacred sound. In this book she shares her avid research, study and practice of kirtan. A certified sound healer, singer in a kritan band, and a founding board member of the International Kirtan Foundation, Maggie is also the author of more than 7i magazine and newspaper articles on alternative heath and wellness. She is a contributing reporter for The New York Times and is the executive producer of a children s nature program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Yes International Publishers (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093666343X
• ISBN-13: 978-0936663432
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #900,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BACK DOOR TO UNIVERSAL LOVE, May 26, 2008

By 

Donna Coomer "Between the Lines Reviews" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kirtan!: Chanting As a Spiritual Path (Paperback)

Kirtan is a new word for most, even my spell-checker. As a practice it is not new, it is in fact a spiritual practice originating in India centuries ago. Wandering troubadours and bands of singers is also an age old practice, bringing the audience into the mix and singing divine Sanskrit lyrics are just a couple of the things that set Kirtan apart from other musical activities.

With the help of a selection of the West's most popular Kirtan wallahs, or singers, Johnsen and Jacobus let us go behind the scenes and look at what's become, over the last few years, a national phenomenon. For those who spiritual practices involve yoga or perhaps meditation, Kirtan is more familiar. For the rest it's the back door into a profession of universal love. Krishna Das, Deva Primal and Miten, Jai Uttal and Wah to name a few are all holding this door open to literally anyone whether they sit on the floor, on a chair or in a bar stool.

Their interviews explain how they've taken their love of the divine and are singing it's praises using age old chants or creating new ones. Some use typical Indian instruments and some are incorporating drums and guitars among other things along with the standard harmonium. With totally new musical genres such as jazz or reggae being added. In large or small groups the wallah gets things started with a chant of sacred words that is then recited back by the audience. With simple phrases and the repetitive nature of the Kirtan it is not necessary to know the definitions of the Sanskrit terms and even the most timid singers will eventually join in when the magic and energy of this delightful devotional form takes over. More powerful still is the wonderful vibration that imbues the soul and spirit when the music stop and those in attendance rather then breaking into applause simply sit and enjoy the energy radiating throughout their body and that of those around them.

Another benefit confirmed in the interviews in this book is the carry over into the daily lives of the wallahs and those who participate in kirtan. Even I found myself at work one day after a session and in the midst of a rather mundane repetitive task without a lot of conscious thought I began chanting a favorite Deva Primal song I had learned. My voice grew stronger and the next thing I knew I had been having my own little mini kirtan for about ten minutes! My work was done and instead of the usual end of the day tiredness I felt energized.

Picking up this book will give you all the info you need to get connected and find a kirtan group or event scheduled in a nearby area. Insightful and fun interviews, a glossary of Sanskrit terms, Internet links and a book list round out this wonderful intro to the ever-broadening world of KIRTAN!

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for those who are practitioners of Yoga but also love to sing, October 11, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kirtan!: Chanting As a Spiritual Path (Paperback)

Music is arguably apart of mankind's innate spirituality. "Kirtan! : Chanting as a Spiritual Path" is a spiritual discussion of chanting and singing and its spiritual applications to Yoga. This singing can uplift spirits and do wonders for one's soul. Outlining how singing can tie in with Yoga, and goes in depth on its nature. "Kirtan!" is a must for those who are practitioners of Yoga but also love to sing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Curious about Kirtan, November 13, 2008

By 

Karen Bryson "Karen Mueller Bryson, novelist ... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kirtan!: Chanting As a Spiritual Path (Paperback)

Kirtan, a form of sacred chanting, recently arrived in the West. In their book, Kirtan! Chanting as a Spiritual Path, Linda Johnsen and Maggie Jacobus describe how Kirtan can be used to "ignite your spiritual fire." According to Johnsen and Jacobus, Kirtan originated in India and is used as a vehicle to enhance and deepen one's connection to the Divine. In their book, the authors provide information for the beginner interested in starting his or her own kirtan practice. The authors interviewed eight of the most popular Kirtan artists (Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Bhagavan Das, Snatam Kaur, Ragani, Jai Uttal, David Stringer and Wah!) and those interviews form the core of the book. The authors also include web links for additional resources. If you are curious about Kirtan and want to learn more about the practice, this book is an excellent place to start.