Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Mayapur, India

A Walk, A Song

A Russian, an Argentinian, a Quebecois, and Paramatma (the Divine in the heart) became my companions on short trails today.

One of those strolls took us to the Kirtan Mela, 'Festival of Chanting.'  For this five-day arousing event I was slotted in for one hour to lead an impactful chanting session.  I had been pining for the presence of Bengali friend, Ajamila, to join me in the lead - just as we had done last year.  Just hours before my designated time, Ajamila showed up at my door.  We were now poised for mantra meditation in a large hall called Pancha Tattva.  Our hour from 1:30 to 2:30 PM happened to be a quiet hour, actually conducive for gaining the right kind of atmosphere.

Being lunch time, many people had cleared out but for two to three hundred that stayed.  Well, we collectively started off soft for a take-off.  Then we built up momentum and made for a blast-off.  People were pleased.  This might also well be the barometer for giving satisfaction to the Source.  We sang, engaged the hands in clapping all together and even incorporating the snapping of fingers, doing a beatnik-type of thing.  The crowd was all smiles.

In one sense I was proud of us, that is, Ajamila and I.  We were committed to sticking to traditional tunes and giving a break to Bollywood stuff which is often prevalent at kirtan festivals.

The overall Kirtan Mela was a huge success.  May sincere mantra singers come together to fill the ether with sounds of Divinity - challenging the effects of Kali, the age of craziness.

May the Source be with you!

6KM