Singing Your Soul Home

Devotional singing goes back to the beginning of time and includes all cultures and spiritual and religious traditions. When you sing your devotions are twice heard. Once through the music and twice through the words. Kirtan in sanskrit  means ‘repeat’. In essence it is a call and response singing circle of devotional mantras. The word, MANTRA, derives from the Sanskrit words ‘manas’ (mind) and ‘trai’ (to set free from the mind).  

“This music, along with the Sanskrit words, which is the oldest of languages, has a very special connection. When you listen to the combination of the music and words. You go into a trance-like state, and it has a tremendous power and spiritual quality.”

~ Ravi Shankar

It’s important to remember that when you are chanting, you are singing. We all want to sing and we all deserve to sing our prayers. You don’t need to become a professional singer to benefit from some good vocal maintenance and technique. It’s the difference between honouring your instrument and not understanding it’s expressive value.

Singing is all about listening. You want to listen to the true sound that is inside of you, whisper it quietly upon your lips and seduce it out of your very soul. It is a very senory experience. 

• It’s very important to sing within your comfortable vocal range. Know your limits. Never sing a high note that you can’t sing quietly. Mantras are beautiful in harmony. If the melody is not comfortable for you, find the upper or lower harmony and sing that. 

• Loud is not proud, it is just one possibility on the dynamic scale of expression. Volume can come from passion but it should come in moderation. Excessive volume can be harmful to your instrument. Use it to flavour your devotion, don’t scream them.

• A singing breath comes from your diaphragm. It’s not a deep belly breath. Use your core to breathe. Breathe in your natural rhythms. The mantras will flow naturally with the breath. They work together. Don’t struggle for a breath. That defeats the purpose completely. If you need to pause...take the pause and then just follow the rhythm and join in again. Doing this you will find yourself relaxed. 

• Singing expells a lot of moisture. Stay hydrated. Keep water close by and use it. Swallow slowly and keep your throat relaxed. Hum and concentrate on the resonant sensations.

• Singing involves the whole body as an instrument. When you follow the sound, you will find yourself compelled to moving with the sound. This is very natural. We are meant to move, not stand still. Sound is vibration, it moves you. 

Most importantly, never demand more of your voice than you would of the rest of your body. When your voice is sick, give it the rest it deserves. Don’t strain it. Silence can be golden and listening to the sound that surrounds you can offer untold treasures. 

In my own experience I have found that mantras have been like soul puzzles, they unlock themselves me to as I need them. Until that time, they remain a mystery and I cannot master the words or translation until the window of my soul is open to receive them. It is not necessary to sing every mantra during a kirtan. Remember you are listening for your true sound. There is no need to do a mantra that does not sing to your soul. Sit one out and just listen. 

Anoushka Fyreagle is a sonic mystic and sound practitioner who teaches Integrative Sound Practice in private sessions and group practice. She is also available for workshops and public speaking. You can find out more at www.anandasound.com.