by Aygul
Kirtan. Leader. Kirtan leader.
I've been pondering upon what it really means to me...
It's more than just sitting behind the instrument and having others repeat the sweet Holy names of the Lord. It's about merging in sound ecstasy with other spirit souls and ultimately experiencing a more profound and divine connection with God. It's about love. It's about service. Service to all of creation. Service to Krishna. It's about sharing that unlimited and sweet love with the community and the whole world.
We often do not realize in what ways we might be affecting other people. This reminds me of a true story I once heard about a man, who wanted to end his life. He was on his way home and had an exact plan on how he was going to put an end to his physical existence in this world. As he was about to cross the street, the traffic light turned red. He automatically looked at the car that was closest to the crosswalk. A lady that was driving the car smiled at him very warmly and with a soft gesture showed him to pass. Something happened in that moment. Her smile was so gentle and powerful at the same time, so full of love, that he realized how meaningless his intention to end his life was. There was something so genuinely beautiful in that smile, that was worth living for. He never saw her again and she will probably never know that her smile saved the man's life. Those few seconds were enough to flip his world upside down. If a single smile could change the world of this man, only imagine what the Holy name is capable of!
Spreading the all-powerful nectar of the Holy name is a great responsibility and a wonderful opportunity all in one. Although I've been singing in front of people my whole life, I've never been able to fully overcome the anxiety that comes with it. I think leading kirtan will help shift the focus from myself to Krishna, keeping in mind, that the main reason I'm doing it is to serve, by taking the humble role of a kirtan dasi.
Kirtan. Leader. Kirtan leader.
I've been pondering upon what it really means to me...
It's more than just sitting behind the instrument and having others repeat the sweet Holy names of the Lord. It's about merging in sound ecstasy with other spirit souls and ultimately experiencing a more profound and divine connection with God. It's about love. It's about service. Service to all of creation. Service to Krishna. It's about sharing that unlimited and sweet love with the community and the whole world.
We often do not realize in what ways we might be affecting other people. This reminds me of a true story I once heard about a man, who wanted to end his life. He was on his way home and had an exact plan on how he was going to put an end to his physical existence in this world. As he was about to cross the street, the traffic light turned red. He automatically looked at the car that was closest to the crosswalk. A lady that was driving the car smiled at him very warmly and with a soft gesture showed him to pass. Something happened in that moment. Her smile was so gentle and powerful at the same time, so full of love, that he realized how meaningless his intention to end his life was. There was something so genuinely beautiful in that smile, that was worth living for. He never saw her again and she will probably never know that her smile saved the man's life. Those few seconds were enough to flip his world upside down. If a single smile could change the world of this man, only imagine what the Holy name is capable of!
Spreading the all-powerful nectar of the Holy name is a great responsibility and a wonderful opportunity all in one. Although I've been singing in front of people my whole life, I've never been able to fully overcome the anxiety that comes with it. I think leading kirtan will help shift the focus from myself to Krishna, keeping in mind, that the main reason I'm doing it is to serve, by taking the humble role of a kirtan dasi.
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