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Kirtan
with Rick Roberts and friends
Yoga Center Amherst
17 kellogg ave | amherst, ma
Saturday, December 5
7:30 - 9 pm
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Jayatha! Have you smiled yet today!
This Saturday marks our one year anniversary of offering
Kirtan at Yoga Center Amherst, and it's also the last Amherst Kirtan for 2009!
I'm thankful for the support I've received this year, from Patty for providing
the beautiful space, to Corinne for getting us going in the beginning, to the
many musicians that help create the chant and to the many chanting voices and
smiling hearts that join us each month. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Nine
bows and let it be Love!
Last week at Green River Yoga we got into a discussion after
chanting about the meaning of the word jaya which appears in a few of the
chants we do. And there is usually at least one curious person each week asking
about the meaning of some of the other Sanskrit words we chant. So to answer
the question from last week and to push my Sanskrit study to another level I'll
try to include a short Sanskrit Primer each week to satisfy inquiring minds.
See below for a brief history of the word jaya.
And for inspiration this week I draw again from The Gift,
Poems by Hafiz, translated by Daniel Ladinsky. Inner struggles and the need for friendship and community. Enjoy, and smile!
let it be love,
Rick
How precious our time together here truly is! |
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Sanskrit Primer
for your reading pleasure
Last week after chanting jaya jaya Shiva Shambho a small
debate arose over the meaning of jaya, and mild concern over the concepts of
victory and conquering that are implied. The debate wasn't too heated, but
still it prompted me to do a little dictionary research.
Jaya (like all Sanskrit words) began life as a verbal
root, in this case ji which can have slightly different meanings depending on the
context in which it's used. It can mean to win or acquire (by conquest or
gambling), conquer (in battle), vanquish (in a game or lawsuit). But it can
also mean to conquer the passions or to overcome or remove any desire or
difficulty or disease. The latter seems more likely in the context of
devotional chanting, and the meaning is often translated as victory with the
implication of victory over that which keeps from our own Self.
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Inspirational Corner
A Great Need - Hafiz
Out of a great need we are all
holding hands and
climbing.
Not loving is a letting go.
Listen,
the terrain around here
is far too dangerous
for
that.
There Could Be Holy Fallout - Hafiz
We are often in battle. So often defending every side of the
fort, it may seem, all alone.
Sit down, my dear, take a few deep breaths, think about a
loyal friend. Where is your music, your pet, a brush?
Surely one who has lasted as long as you knows some avenue
or place inside that can give sweet respite.
If you cannot slay your panic, then say within as
convincingly as you can, "It is all God's will!"
Now pick up your life again. Let whatever is out there come
charging in, laugh and spit into the air, there could be holy fallout.
Throw those ladders like tiny match sticks with "just"
phantoms upon them who might be trying to scale your heart.
Your love has an eloquent tone. The sky and I want to hear
it!
If you still feel helpless give our battle cry again, Hafiz
has shouted it a myriad times, "It is all, it is all the Beloved's will!"
What is that luminous rain I see all around you in the
future sweeping in from the east plain?
It looks like, Oh it looks like holy fallout filling
your mouth and palms with Joy!
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nine bows to the musicians!
who continue to give so much
Gurucharan........................tabla
Kevin Germain....................yayli tanbur
Dona O'Dou........................tamboura
Divya Shinn........................vocals
Rick Roberts......................harmonium |
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Kirtan
with Rick Roberts and friends
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday
...is a time
for people to come together, open their hearts and sing. For years
chanting has helped people to effortlessly reach a state of quiet and
stillness that easliy leads to meditation. While it's true that we can
chant in our car or in the solitude of our home, there's nothing like
chanting with others and with live musicians. Every kirtan is different
depending on the energy of the group, but as the evening progresses one
becomes saturated with the Name, the mind becomes one-pointed and
dropping into a deep state of meditation becomes effortless.
Suggested donation is $10 but please remember that a donation is not necessary. Anything is
appreciated, and all are welcome regardless of their ability to pay.
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