I recently started taking a Sanskrit class, and it occurred to me that studying and listening to the
namasankirtanas would help me practice reading the
Devanagari script and pronouncing the syllables! It’s been wonderful to bring the
namasankirtanas into my language study.
Washington, United States
The
namasankirtana Niranjani Annapurneshvari invokes peacefulness, stillness, gratitude, and humility within me.
Maryland, United States
What a joy to discover the extraordinary range of
ragas for
Om Namo Bhagavate Muktanandaya. This gives me so many ways to celebrate Baba's presence this month.
As I joined in the chant this morning, my state shifted in seconds. I moved from feeling stiff, sore, and out of sorts from yesterday’s gardening to feeling fluid and joyful. I am now ready for the day ahead to unfold.
Camberwell, Australia
Because the global pandemic situation implied life changes involving greater effort and time, I took refuge in listening to the names of God. I listen to the namasankirtana of the day in my office, and I enter into deep peace—a peace well known to me in my meditation space in my home and those in the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Mexico City. Sometimes my activities allow me to hum it, whisper it, or sing it softly.
When listening to the ensemble, my mind whispers, "I hear God."
Mexico City, Mexico
Last night I dreamed of my parents, who are no longer alive, and I felt a huge nostalgia; I live alone in what was their home.
Then I opened the calendar of namasankirtanas and discovered that today's chant was Mere Baba Muktananda—my favorite of all those dedicated to Baba. With a loud voice I began to sing “O my Baba, O my Baba, O my Baba Muktananda,” and I felt my state change immediately—I no longer felt the absence, but the presence of my parents.
Just like Baba, who is always alive in my heart, I strongly felt the protection of my parents, because I carry and I will carry them in my soul.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Niranjani Annapurnesvari is such a sublime chant. How blessed we are to be able to access these
namasankirtanas each day during this difficult time in the world.
Melbourne, Australia
What a delight it has been to take part in this practice of namasankirtana during this month of August! It’s been a journey of its own to draw me inwards. It is such a joy as each chant is revealed, each in a glorious rendition. I revel in, and look forward to, this practice daily as it centers me and steadies my state.
Melbourne, Australia
It's wonderful to end the month of July with a sublime namasankirtana dedicated to Baba: Jay Jay Muktananda. It feels to me as if Baba's hands and Gurumayi's voice are gently leading us to enter into the next month, and to say hello all together to the blessed month of August.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
Recently, I have been chanting
Hari Hari Bol while preparing food or evening tea. As I chant, very naturally I become filled with a sweet energy, a gathering inner silence, and a feeling of profound love. I feel Gurumayi’s presence in the words, music, and each particle of this
namasankirtana. Chanting brings me an experience of Gurumayi’s tenderness towards me and towards everything in this world of animate beings and inanimate objects.
I am so grateful to Gurumayi for making this
namasankirtana treasure available on the Siddha Yoga path website. To me this website is an abode of
shakti.
Bhandara, India
For me,
Om Namah Shivaya in the
Megh Malhar raga is fluid love.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Chanting is one of my favorite practices, and I had been missing chanting with other Siddha Yogis since
satsang at the local Siddha Yoga Center was suspended because of the pandemic.
Then I discovered the daily
namasankirtanas on the Siddha Yoga path website. I have been chanting them every day. And I have discovered the bliss of listening to the chant along with my regular tai chi practice after meditation. This helps me bring inner silence into my everyday movement.
I love the way chanting fills my home, heart, and life with gratitude for the love and grace of the Guru.
North Carolina, United States
I feel so fortunate to have the calendar of chants on the Siddha Yoga path website so I can see what the chant of the day is. Sometimes I’ll uncover my harmonium and practice that chant. Sometimes when I am unclear about what direction I should take during part of my day, I’ll play the chant of the day, and afterwards I always feel centered, uplifted, and know exactly what to do next.
Florida, United States
The
namasankirtana for today was
Kali Durge. As I chanted it, I was reminded of an unforgettable experience I had—chanting just that
namasankirtana—in the summer of 1992.
That year was my first visit to Shree Muktananda Ashram. I was full of joy, enthusiasm, expectations, and also some strong emotions, but the desire to chant with Gurumayi overcame all other sensations. One evening I was sitting in the hall, waiting for Gurumayi to enter and for the
satsang to begin. Suddenly, a hall monitor invited me to get up and he brought me forward to a place that was almost in front of Gurumayi. I was scared and excited at the same time. The chant that evening was
Kali Durge, which for me is a chant that evokes strength and courage. My dream was coming true!
I will never forget the grace I received—I was singing with and for Gurumayi.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
What joy I am experiencing today as we begin the month of
Birthday Bliss! As I looked at the Calendar of
Namasankirtanas, I thought about how Siddha Yogis everywhere will also be looking at this calendar and how we will be connecting our hearts and voices together as we chant!
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
I start my day with the chant of the day and feel so blessed.
Thornbury, Australia
I love the new chant that is posted for today: Shrikrishna Devadeva in the Jog raga. I feel that it both empowers me to realize my own strength and encourages surrender to the Lord's will.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for composing this sublime chant.
Sydney, Australia
When I opened the calendar of
namasankirtanas for the month of April and saw
Mere Baba Muktananda listed for the first day of the month, I literally jumped for joy. It’s my favorite
namasankirtana!
As I began to chant, I felt as if Gurumayi, a group of devotees, and I were standing with open arms in front of a
puja to Baba Muktananda. It seemed to me that as we chanted, we were invoking grace and peace. This made my heart fill with even more joy. I felt so lucky to have God in my life.
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
The namasankirtana for today is Om Namah Shivaya in the Mand raga, with a melody composed by Gurumayi. As I chanted, I felt as if I were an instrument being tuned to God's music. While I listened to the mantra, it seemed to come from the very Heart of the universe; when I was responding, it seemed the same Heart in me was expressing love and devotion in return.
During that ecstatic call-and-response chant, the understanding arose within me that I was born on this planet just to experience God's melody playing in the core of my being, because everything is given to us by means of the mantra. Through the practice of chanting the name of God, I learn how to receive God 's love and make an offering to that love in return. Through the repetition of the divine name, I experience the all-pervasive presence of Shiva dwelling in me as me.
Rennes, France
Yesterday morning I chanted
Om Namah Shivaya in the
Bhupali raga. Today I discovered in the Calendar of
Namasankirtanas that for the month of March the chant is
Om Namah Shivaya almost every day—in many different
ragas. I feel I am surrounded by Lord Shiva inside and outside in an endless hug. I will read, chant, smile, breathe, and meditate all month with Lord Shiva. What a wonderful month awaits us!
San Giorgio a Cremano, Italy
I am a housewife. My everyday household routine starts with reciting either Shri Rudram or Shri Guru Gita (I recite them on alternate days). Then I choose one namasankirtana to chant.
In the past, I used to get confused and then impatient about which chant to choose. Now, since the namasankirtana calendar is given on the Siddha Yoga path website, I am so excited to chant with the chant given on the calendar. The reason I get excited is because when I start the chant, sometimes I feel I am in Gurudev Siddha Peeth; at other times I feel as if Gurudev Siddha Peeth had spread itself into the universe so that the whole world is now Gurudev Siddha Peeth, and we are all chanting as we go about our daily activities.
Every day the namasankirtana calendar fills me with new enthusiasm and nourishes my practice of chanting.
Thank you, Gurumayi, for this chanting calendar.
Vadodara, India
On the first of every month, I open up the calendar of
namasankirtanas to see what the month holds for me. What will I chant on my son's birthday? What about my parents’ anniversary, or my birthday the day after? What will I chant on the first day of spring? And as a harmonium player, I look for those chants I don't know how to play. I get to learn something new! My heart swells, and I can't help but smile as I am filled with anticipation and gratitude.
This calendar has become a wonderful tool, encouraging me to chant more at home and play more too! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Pennsylvania, USA
During the month of
Birthday Bliss, I have so enjoyed chanting each
namasankirtana, while holding the virtue of the day in my awareness. I love to see how the virtue of the day connects with the
rasa of the
raga and with the meaning of the words in the
namasankirtana.
I am deeply grateful to Gurumayi for the myriad creative ways in which she teaches us and guides us in exploring and engaging with the Siddha Yoga teachings.
A sevite in Shree Muktananda Ashram
Every morning, I visit the Siddha Yoga path website. This morning, after viewing the daily virtue, I discovered that the chant of the day is Niranjani Annapurneshvari, dedicated to the Goddess of nourishment and abundance. Ever since I heard it many years ago in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, this chant has been very dear to me. Today, I had the pleasure of listening to and chanting along with it, which filled my heart with joy and gratitude.
Gurumayi, thank you for your endless and omnipresent support. I also want to thank the sevites in the SYDA Foundation Music Department for making it possible for us to hear these musical gems online.
Singapore, Singapore
Every day I chant or listen to a CD of the chant of the day, which is announced in the Calendar of Siddha Yoga Namasankirtanas. This has given me great bliss and the sense of being connected to the global sangham. Today I did not know the melody of the specified chant, Niranjani Annapurneshvari. How amazing it was to then discover that the melody is right there on the website for everyone to hear! I am so grateful for all the love and care manifesting in every little detail of the website.
Thank you, Gurumayi!
Großkarolinenfeld, Germany