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SATSANG
Satsang is a Sanskrit word that simply means, “being in the company of Truth.” It is a gathering of devotees with the intended purpose of chanting, meditating, spiritual reflection, and imbibing scriptural teachings together.
As I learned to chant in Kirtan (a Sanskrit word that means narrating, reciting, and describing an idea or story in Indian devotional songs in which a group repeats lines sung by a leader) and sang Bhajans (religious songs of praise), I felt enormous happiness.
A quote I love:
“In the house of worship, the music never stops,
The walls are made of songs and the floor dances.”
Author unknown
In Siddha Yoga we do a lot of chanting and this suits me well. One of the first things I noticed while being with Baba was his singing and the role it would play in my life over the years. I was taken aback when on many occasions throughout the day he would break into song. After every evening program, Baba would chant with us, accompanied by a harmonium and numerous other instruments.
From an early age, I loved to sing and listen to music. I come from an artistic, musical family. My Uncle Calvin produced three country music records, playing all instruments while singing and writing his own songs. Every weekend I would go with my dad down to the old homestead where he had grown up. There my three Uncles, my Grandmother, (playing the harmonica or banjo), and a group of country folk would get together for jammin’ sessions. I would always sing my heart out! This was considered real “hillbilly music.”
Baba would say it didn’t matter the type of song, but when one sang or chanted with their whole soul, the Lord would hear every word that was uttered and respond quickly to one’s feelings and devotion.
Although I had enjoyed hearing & singing country music, the sacred Indian prayers and mantras I found to be more mesmerizing and I experienced the uplifting happiness and joy they created. They were quite different from the sometimes sad wording I’d been used to hearing down at the farm. (I lost my dog, I lost my wife, I lost everything… Oh woe, oh no). So during these gatherings with Baba, I found myself letting loose and singing in ecstasy.
“Chanting plays the greatest part in this yoga;It is a magnet that draws the power of the Lord.Chanting makes meditation easy.Kundalini Shakti within becomes very pleased with chanting.To discover how effective it is, you should chant.”~ by Swami Muktananda