Kirtan – Temple of Sound & Presence

In this year's seminar/workshop the topic of our exploration will be Kirtan. As we know, kirtan is an ancient art form to calm the mind, open the heart and connect with the Divine. When this potent spiritual practice is done properly we can experience, through Grace, three exceptional results: One) devotion (bhakti) which gives pleasure and joy, Two) nearness, or experience, of Divinity (anubhava) which gives nourishment of soul, and Three) detachment or independence from everything else (virakti) which creates peace of mind and heart.

GIVING AND ACCEPTING SHELTER AS BASIS FOR DEVOTEE CARE

- Giving and accepting shelter is the basis for Vaisnava relationships and
Vaisnava culture.

Jiva Goswami in Madhava Mahotsava: "Though one usually ignores others in
attaining one's goals, those aspiring for prema accept dependance on others
with similar goals and tastes. Thus, cooperating with each other, they
worked together keeping in mind the goal of prema."

=> materialistic culture: