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Sometimes yoga is music

I can’t believe I’ve only known about Snatam Kaur, or, more accurately, her entrancing and soothing song “Ong Namo,” for only a week or two. I haven’t heard anything so beautiful since Donna DeLory’s “He Ma Durga” or maybe my first taste of Enya.

But this track is the best of both worlds because the beat is present but slow, and the words are few and worth repeating. (I suppose that’s why it’s a chant.)

Even someone who, contrary to what the last two paragraphs imply, is not super familiar with the “new age” music scene, much less able to understand Sanskrit, I can groove along to “Ong Namo” with confidence.

“Ong namo, guru dev namo.”

“I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, I bow to the divine teacher within.”

Could there be a better prayer?

And this one’s set to music that compels me join in. Which means I am connecting with spirit without really thinking about it. Bonus! The beauty of chanting a mantra is that, similar to an affirmation, you don’t have to fully understand or believe it for it to be helpful. It’s more beneficial if you believe, because belief summons additional energy–but the lack of belief has no power to diminish the energy of what is true. You can tell when you hear this song that Snatam Kaur believes, and her energy radiates audibly.

As I said on Facebook the first time I ever heard “Ong Namo,” I am so grateful for this music and want to share its peace and beauty. Listen up: This is what love sounds like.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td4fqW41Qms&feature=related]

 

2 Responses to Sometimes yoga is music

  1. shereenzink February 9, 2011 at 8:38 pm #

    I love this!
    Your blog is really insightful, especially for a yoga-newbie like me! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

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  1. Count me in for kirtan « This Is Where the Healing Begins - June 3, 2011

    […] for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. It was a privilege to be with people who appreciate that sometimes yoga is music, and I am so grateful to add the joyous component of kirtan to my practice. […]

Love > fear