Jeannie Tschantz for the Ananda Music Ministry
<aside> 💎 “Being a chant leader is not just a matter of desire. Our leaders need to have the right training and preparation.”—Swami Kriyananda
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: click on any topic below to go to its expanded view. Scroll down farther (past the pink) for the whole document.
This document is for Ananda Chant Leaders - those who lead chanting for any Ananda event, where the leader is representing Ananda or leading others in deepening their attunement to the Ananda ray. These events may include Sunday Services, work days, group sadhanas, community kirtans, and other Ananda gatherings. In our own personal sadhanas we can feel free to do whatever inspires us. When we are leading others into Master's and Swami's specific ray of Ananda, however, that changes.
We offer this information to help Ananda chant leaders learn the basics of chanting as Master and Swami taught them, and to present the principles behind each recommendation. Without understanding the spiritual principles we can get caught up in rule-consciousness. These principles are drawn from Master's and Swami's letters (especially “Thoughts on Chanting”), articles, talks, books and from meetings with Swami over the years.
We hope to add to this document, as time goes on. For instance, devotion is a huge topic which we haven’t come even close to covering here. Also, we hope that we will hear from those who had experiences with or directions from Swami regarding chanting, that go beyond what we have here. We’ll add those as they come in.
There are exceptions to each of these guidelines. It is up to us as chant-leaders to understand the whys and wherefores of each principle, so that when an exception needs to be made, we make our decision in tune with Master’s and Swami’s guidance.
The purpose of chanting is to calm our minds and hearts in preparation for meditation. It’s not for entertainment. Hold strong to this purpose, and when you are uncertain refer back to it.
Master brought a new way of chanting to the west, which is different from the traditional Indian kirtan style. Swami continued this tradition.
Master and Swami mostly played chants on harmonium with melody only, or with occasional drones or embellishments.
Swami (after much consideration) later added guitars to our chanting, so we often chant with guitars and harmoniums, or sometimes just guitars.
Read this letter by Swami