Sunset Kirtan with Laksmi Nirsinha Das

$10 Suggested Donation

Practice the yoga of voice, using sound to balance and soothe your mind and uplift your heart. Learn to vibrate your own chakras with the joyous sounds of Kirtan and let your attention naturally turn inward as you experience the music and the energy of the group. Then enjoy 15 – 20 minutes of guided meditation at the end.
Kirtan is an ancient yogic practice which utilizes simple Sanskrit words, and infectious melodies. Sung call and response style, it’s a part of the rich Indian devotional chant tradition. It’s a little like gospel, a little like meditation, and it’s great fun.
The audience is encouraged to participate by chanting, clapping and even dancing. It’s hard to resist the urge to join in! In its heartfelt expression, Kirtan can induce profound states of meditation and bliss.

About Laksmi Nirsinha das:

Laksmi Nrsimha das, born Larry Pugliese in Newark, NJ is a 37 year practitioner of bhakti yoga under the mentorship of renowned teacher A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Credited in Wikipedia with influencing the hardcore scene with his soulful chanting and illuminating realizations about bhakti yoga, Laksmi Nrsimha das has led a quiet, behind the scenes life practicing and teaching spirituality under the radar of general public recognition.

After being diagnosed in 1995 with Hepatitis C, Laksmi recently underwent chemo therapy for the disease in the fall of 2008. During this most trying time, after nearly four decades of chanting, Laksmi decided to record this moving meditation on the sacred mantras of the Vedas. His first recorded meditation serves both as counter therapy to the severe side effects of his chemo therapy treatment and an honest outpouring of his heart to the dark Lord, Sri Krishna.

All in all, this recording serves as a practical demonstration of the soothing effects chanting has on the body, mind and soul even during trying times. In addition, the listener is given a glimpse into the profound mood one feels during meditation on the holy, universal hymns of ancient India.