About chanting - who does it?

[Why Syzygy]

I am wanting to learn to chant. Do any of you practice chanting? What is the best way to go about this?

I've been given this resource:
http://www.kwanumzen.org/teachers-and-teaching/resources/chanting/
But, wow. I don't think I can learn without knowing how to pronounce all of that.

Hope someone has some experience and will share. Thanks!

[PADemD]

1. I don't chant but do appreciate it.

You can find some beautiful examples at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Benedictine-Nuns/dp/B003VWDP1U/ref=pd_krex_shvl_2

[kentauros]

2. Not chanting, but I do try to hone my overtoning skills,

usually in the shower. Better acoustics :D

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Honin' the tone...

Sounds like the next "Stomp" or something.

;)

I'm with you. I don't chant, per se, but I do overtoning (didn't realize that's what it's called) -- adjusting it to whatever feels best for my body in that moment. And I primarily do it in the shower.

:hi:

[Metta]

3. I chant.

From time to time. It works to focus and clear by raising the vibrations. :hi:

[Why Syzygy]

4. Suddenly

I want to do it for that very purpose. It makes sense to me that the vibes are strong.

[Metta]

17. Post your results?

Or, not. :hi:

[FirstLight]

6. Ooooh! I got one!

the Gayatri Mantra is the only 'chant' or song I use... it is really nice when submerged in the bathtub and you can hear the resonance of your own voice in a different tone...but i have also sang it with girlfriends under the skies while sufi dancing on the grass barefoot! ;)

here's a link to my favorite version by Deva Premal
http://youtu.be/fPI6KUn4_FI


the words are even better, this is the translation I was given years ago:

You, who are the source of all power
Whose rays illuminate the whole world
Illuminate also my Heart
so that it to can do your work


:loveya:
..... so powerful!!!

[Why Syzygy]

8. Wow!

That's a great resource, FL! Thanks for passing that along. That's exactly what I was hoping for. :D

[arikara]

7. Not chanting but toning

I have the Karuna Reiki, and one of the things with that form is that you tone the names of the symbols. At first I thought it was kind of weird, but the more I do it the more I like it. The vibrations feel so very good, and I find it really opens up my heart. Sometimes I can even hear a second voice in my tone.

Interestingly enough, I was just reading something about the Hathors. These are beings of light, and the way they communicate and heal is through toning. People who can talk to them say they like to tone with us, and they are the second voice we hear.

[Why Syzygy]

9. I used to do toning...

I know it is very healing. Had never heard of toning Reiki symbols. I'll try that.

[kentauros]

11. Is there a site out there that you like,

that details what tones to use for what symbols? Because I'd like to try that, too :)

I taught myself how to overtone using Jonathan Goldman's book "Healing Sounds". It's a good book to read, as he covers the history, scientific aspect of the sounds and exactly how to make them. It didn't take me long to learn, either, but I've also been listening to overtoning and harmonic singing for decades. I used to try and figure it out back when I was required to do "toning" at the beginning of each Gateway lesson from the Monroe Institute (that's another story! ;))

I didn't know that about the Hathors. I'm only aware that they exist, for the most part. Another aspect to this to research... :)

[arikara]

14. I don't know of a particular site

I learned it in the Karuna Reiki course that I took last summer, and the symbols are different than Usui Reiki. There are Reiki groups on Yahoo that have info for a form called Karuna Ki which is pretty much the same thing. Karuna attunements are quite expensive, but people on at least one of the Yahoo groups will give the Karuna Ki via distance if you want to try it. I think Reiki_Path is one that will do it. Some of those Yahoo groups have lots and lots of files to browse through too, so you may find more info there. I hope this helps.

I'm just finding out about the Hathors too. They seem very interesting to be sure.

[I Have A Dream]

13. One of my teachers (who is not incarnated) told us...

that the most important thing that we can do right now is to tone.

He said that if we only do one thing, it should be to tone.

[Dora]

10. Music!

In my kundalini yoga practice, I've discovered that there is a lot of yoga music that's built around traditional chants. I listen to Jai Uttal, Guru Ganesha Singh, Snatam Kaur. I've listened to some of these CDs enough that Jacob's now singing/chanting to himself.

Youtube should have a lot available. The Pandora yoga station also has some decent tracks, and last.fm also.

I chant whenever I think to chant. Moments of stress, moments of pause, stopped in traffic, cursing somebody else's thoughtlessness, before meeting somebody. For about the last 16 months, I've had this one going in the back of my mind most of the time:

sat siri siri akal
siri akal maha akal
maha akal sat nam
akal moorat wahe guru

http://kundaliniresearchinstitute.org/1000day/1000%20Day%20Meditation%20Mantra%20Sheet.pdf
http://www.pandrax.com/gfx/yoga/mantra_sheet.pdf

[Why Syzygy]

12. Thanks, Dora :)

Does the class chant during your yoga sessions?

[WhiteTara]

15. I have been chanting since I was in my 20s

and it is the best (okay, only one I can "master") meditation way for me. I can't sit...sometimes I find myself being literally propelled across the room. My body hurts all the time (oooold back injury) and so find chanting the best. I have many that I like. I found a cd/tape on Sounds True (we didn't get it because my Beloved didn't get it) that gave the pronunciation for the syllables. But you can also get the pronunciation off the internet, or the old fashion way. Find a teacher of "that" way and ask them how to say it.

But the easiest is Om Mani Padme Hum. This is known as the 6 syllable mantra and it is said that if you even hear this mantra one time before you die, you will move forward many lifetimes and if this is said at your death, it will help even more. Look it all up on the Googles, you will learn lots.

Ommm Ma nee Pod me Huum

A mala is invaluable in chanting. It is basically 108 beads, including the turning bead in a loop. Ten rounds (1080) is considered mystical and will awaken the "Gods" interest...or the vibrations begin to move the "string" with that many vibrations of the sound. I believe that the proper sound is really important because it vibrates certain ways with each sounding (know what I mean?)

I often chant myself to sleep at night or through dark moments, through fear, through joy, when planting. I have increased my repertoire over the years and you will find the ones that resonate with you.

I hope you find the peace and harmony you seek with the simple repetitious sounds of Universe/God/dess.

Chanting is sort of like you are SETI in reverse.

[Why Syzygy]

20. The Googles delivered!

http://youtu.be/4noQ0MD1_8s

This is Awesome Beautiful.

[Melissa G]

16. I chant every day and have for over 5 years.

I mostly chant Sikh things-bits of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Spirit Voyage carries a lot of chant music. PM me if you want specifics.

[Fire Walk With Me]

18. I don't specifically chant but have one bit which might or might not help...

I do pray a lot and the best prayers for the benefit of others can certainly have a noticeable, positive effect upon you (you get what you give). "I am praying for the enlightenment of all beings" is a good one. But the important bit is that you mean it, put a bit of intent/energy/will into it, or it's just words. I suppose that the same prayer said over and over is chanting to an extent, but I make no claim to have any specific knowledge of chanting as a practice. I "chain pray" because it helps me, and knowing that it helps me, I know that it is helping others.

I don't pray out loud, I intone the words in my mind along with the in and out breath through the nose. It is easy to become distracted by the wandering mind, and the underlying prayer can become flat and one-dimensional, losing efficacy until attention is restored to it.

Best luck on your quest. These days, you will find/be led to what you are looking for!

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. Oops, the original prayer is "We are praying for the enlightenment of all sentient beings."

[Why Syzygy]

22. either way

Either of the prayers are helpful :)

[Why Syzygy]

19. Well,

I've gotten some great information! Thank you all. I may have other questions later :D

[Melissa G]

23. Decided to post this lovely version of one of the chants I have been

chanting for the last 5 years. It is said to eradicate all bad fate and bring you into complete prosperity. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3zUYK4YU8M Snatum rocks!

explanation here: http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mool_Mantar

[Why Syzygy]

24. Thank you, Melissa!

I've been doing the Om Mani Padme Hum several times a day. It feels so good :)

[Melissa G]

25. I do that one every day also..

You do know what the translation of that means...;)

[Why Syzygy]

26. Tell me?

The youtube version I've been playing just says it is Aum to the Lotus .. I put the CD in my amazon wish list. The next time I order, it will be one of the items :)

I would like to know what translation you use?

[Why Syzygy]

27. Tell me?

The youtube version I've been playing just says it is Aum to the Lotus .. I put the CD in my amazon wish list. The next time I order, it will be one of the items :)

I would like to know what translation you use?

[Melissa G]

28. It's the Cosmic Hum of Creation

Technically, "the Jewel is in the Lotus.":) That would be an analogy... if you you need more than that to figure it out you may also need the blush smilie and a chat with your mom.
Love,
MG

[Why Syzygy]

29. ah

okay :blush: j/k

[Melissa G]

30. It does feel good to chant it!

You had that right!:evilgrin: It's good to be one with the flow of creation! :hug:

[Why Syzygy]

35. Vibration ..

This is from the book, The Healing Voice, page 47

".. Dr Tomatis's explanation of what occurs when the Tibetan monks chant: "As the bow sets violin strings vibrating, but it is the violin body which sings, so with proper chanting posture, the larynx of the monks contacts the vertebral column thereby setting the axial bones to singing."

As we listen to these unusual sounds, perhaps our own axial bones fall into a sympathetic vibration with theirs, which stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands. This may explain why this chanting has the peculiar ability to put some of us into a deep trance.
/end quote

I had read this and it didn't really resonate until I started doing OM MANI PADME HUM frequently. I can feel the bones in my face vibrating.
Anything that can be done to enhance the pineal gland is very beneficial, especially in our plastic world.

[Why Syzygy]

31. Weelllll....

Just came from the library. I always look through their books that you can get for any donation.

I found this!

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Voice-Traditional-Contemporary-Chanting/dp/0895945711/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311183533&sr=8-2

[Manifestor_of_Light]

32. Thomas Ashley-Ferrand is a good place to start.

Thomas Ashley-Ferrand put out handy CDs and books about mantras. The introductory CD explains what each syllable does.
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/hmcd.htm

What is a mantra and how does it work?
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/what.htm

Some Simple Mantras if you are just starting out:
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/simple.htm

What You Think, That you Become:
http://www.sanskritmantra.com/think.htm



I have this CD, Magical Healing Mantras from NEW EARTH label, and I particularly like the Om Buhr Buva Svaha mantra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Y0KYSfCck&feature=related

i like this Green Tara mantra melody, which has 108 repetitions to exactly match one revolution of a full sized bead mala:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcWl6VAB_M

My favorites are the Gayatri mantra and the Medicine Buddha mantra.

[Why Syzygy]

33. Thanks, MoL

I will look into those! I really appreciate you posting them.

[Why Syzygy]

34. I love all the resources!

I am still making my way through them. Life interrupts sometimes, and we have to get back to our business.

I got this book @ the library for a donation. I love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Voice-Traditional-Contemporary-Chanting/dp/0895945711/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312132937&sr=8-1

It's out of print but there are still available copies for sale.

She has this website (and other books):
http://www.highvibrations.net/

Oddly, looking through her site made me question something. I've seen plenty of spiritual teachers and sales promos.
It makes me feel a little uneasy. Like these things are sacred and should be shared in a sacred manner.
Has anyone else ever felt that way? It doesn't change the fact that her material is fabulous.

I also dug out:
http://gailchasin.com/
The Art of Intuitive Toning

I ALSO found all my DVDs and CDs that Martha Moore sent me. They are priceless! Does anyone else remember her?



(I added this thread to my Journal. All the resources will be filed there :D