SINGING AS MEDITATION
Singing as Meditation is a sacred art form that elevates us as musicians and singers while facilitating a deep cleansing within our souls as we express ourselves through sacred verses and phrases that are mantras.
When our singing is combined with spiritual practice, it can transform the self by cultivating a direct relationship with the divine presence. We are touched by something otherworldly, and, for a time, we are transported to another realm.
Don't worry if you are not a musician or a singer. The training will break down the process at three levels using the same song's devotional expression in musical notes.Â
ACCOMMODATIONS
Beginner: The opening level will guide you through the most important notes and their movements within the raga, providing an immediate sense of modulated breath that results in an elevated consciousness, similar to that of Gregorian chant. This "chant effect" has profound spiritual and therapeutic value.
Intermediate: The second level will teach the subtle nuance of "hidden notes" created by bending and sliding. This effect is the experience of bhakti, a unique phenomenon in Indian music: it is devotion awakened through technique rather than summoned by an act of will.
Advanced: The third level will model ornamentation, the melismatic complexity of Indian music that creates the "kundalini effect," typically caused by kriyas â those involuntary energy movements that result from rigorous Tantric discipline, which can be mimicked through vocal technique to activate energy in the chakras.
IMPROVISATIONS
The experience of bhakti is most intense during the creative process. However, bhakti can also be contrived when creativity is excessive.
To find a middle path between creativity and authenticity, between connecting with the divine and connecting with oneself, there are seven rules.
During the training, we will explore the rules that help express Sanskrit verses through Ragas in ways that cultivate connection (to the divine), authenticity (to tradition), and Bhakti (profound emotional stirrings).
These rules can be applied to any Sanskrit verse using any raga (musical scale or mode). Those who want to engage in the process one-on-one can prepare using the following verse:
Once you log into the module with all of the tutorials to prepare for the training, you can download these rules and create your unique expression of bhakti using any raga of your choice.
During the training, you can witness receive expert feedback that will help you craft the process not only for this verse but any verses you set to music in the future. It will also help you examine compositions you have created and refine them for future expressions, performances, and recordings.
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Self-Study Training
OPTIONAL PRIVATE SESSION
$175
PREMIUM ACCESS
Singing As MeditationÂ
Singing For God Tutorials
Bonus: Kirtan Masterclass
Yoga of Sound Immersion
$295
PREMIUM ACCESS
Singing As MeditationÂ
Singing For God Tutorials
Bonus: Kirtan Masterclass
Yoga of Sound Immersion
What will you learn? And why learn it?
Singing As Meditation, which is also an expression of "Singing For God," teaches easy singing as meditation and devotional singing that challenges our sense of spiritual intimacy and connection.
Singing As Meditation is not about singing for groups, although you can take the process to groups once you master it in private. It is about discovering your most intimate relationship with the divine through engaging in spiritual practice with intimacy.
The devotional songs are broken down into easy-to-learn segments, accompanied by a simple notation system. There is no one judging you or grading you. You get to enjoy the beauty and uplifting quality of the songs, their meaning, and the ragas that express them.
Rather than learning kirtans (call-and-response chants), you will learn devotional songs, also known as Kriti (devotional musical expressions). Both wordsâ kÄ«rtana and káčtiâgiving praise and creatingâare wonderful expressions of bhakti (personal devotion).
đ NEVERTHELESS, BONUS KIRTAN MASTER CLASSES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ONLINE TRAINING.đ
You will learn some exquisite devotional songs, some composed by famous musicians, saints, and mystic poets of the Bhakti tradition, like Goswami Tulsidas and Purandara Dasa.Â
The easy parts include fundamental ragasâmusical intervals (swaras)âand words accompanying them (sÄhitya). In some instances, they are simple exercises that aid devotional vocal expression.
NOTE-BENDING,
RAGA COMPARISON
& CULTIVATING VOCALÂ BHAKTI. Â
What differentiates the voice of Bhakti from other kinds of voices? How does one stimulate Bhakti in the voice? What techniques can a vocalist use to awaken Bhakti in and through the voice? How do we use musical intervals to enhance devotion?
A Dynamic New Online Program
Discover the methods and the process for yourself.
Step-By-Step Tutorials
Gain immediate access to tutorials that coach you through voice, guitar and keyboard. Access them from anywhere .
Interactive Group Training
These training sessions are optional. Most students prefer to catch the replays. All sessions are recorded and archived.
Optional Private Session
Add an optional 30-minute private session conduced via Skype or Zoom and receive the recording with expert suggestions.
Yogis and Yoginins, Musicians and Singers, Healers and Therapists and Teachers
WITH OR WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS, YOUR VOICE IS THE KEY!
If you are a musician, feel free to bring your musical instrument to the Zoom sessions so you can pick out the musical intervals. You may also want to use your musical instrument to follow along with the online tutorials.
If you are not a musician, you have the best instrument of them all: your voice! And your voice is the barometer of your soul. With Singing For God, we seek to develop a transparency in our voices that is often missing, particularly in spiritual practice.
In the traditional music of India, it is the human voice that emulates all other instruments. A musical instrument is considered an extension of one's voice through which one expresses the deepest sentiments of the soul.
Non-musicians will learn to use supportive instruments such as the tanpura. If you don't have one or play one, don't worry. You can download a complete set of drones (Seven Drones For Seven Chakras) to assist your practice of Singing For God.
Many musicians do not connect intimately with their musical instruments. They try and produce on the instrument what is in their minds rather than what's in their hearts. Singing For God changes that dynamic.
Premium Access Includes
Our entire Yoga of Sound Immersion
Fine Tune Your Improvisation
as you enhance your expressions of bhakti
