Kirtan Course - May 2025 - Songs of the Bhakti Mystics

This course is made for anyone and everyone who wants to deepen their practice and understanding of Bhakti Yoga and Kirtan. This is an all levels offering to help you learn the concepts, songs, philosophy and wisdom of Bhakti Yoga.

This program is a hybrid in person and online course. You choose to join in person or from anywhere in the world. We do this intentionally so that it is accessible to all no matter where you are. And if you choose to visit the Ashram in Santa Cruz for the weekend you can!

This container combines self paced pre-recorded content that you can watch on your own, with four weekly live kirtan sessions for you to practice in real time.

This course provides you with an opportunity to learn about the authentic culture of Bhakti Yoga as has been given by the inaugurators of this movement.

AS IT IS. No fluff— no cultural appropriation, from a traditional and authentic lineage and practice.

Yours truly, an aspiring servitor of this divine kirtan movement and an initiated disciple of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj

• Bonus Arati/Puja ceremony if you choose to stay tuned
• Weekly live kirtan practice (in person and online so that you can join from anywhere in the world)
• 1x 30 min private session with Vaidehi online
• Access to online content and resources for support (PDF's, books and YouTube videos)
• Each module helps to break down the song, the meaning and more so you can learn step by step

In the temples we sing songs written by the “Gurus” aka the “teachers” of Bhakti yoga who are embodiments of profound messages and realizations of the true meaning of Bhakti. They are known as “Kavirajas”, poets carrying the essence of Bhakti through their songs, which you can engage with and learn through the practice of Kirtan. Through their songs the glories of what is Kirtan are unlocked and the vision becomes more clear.

Week 1:
• Learn the 9 processes of Bhakti Yoga through the song for this course
• Practice the song in real time and understanding the meaning
• Hear how Srila Govinda Maharaj sings this song and the importance of heart felt singing and transmission
• Practice the song and Mahamantra

Week 2:
• Break down the song verse by verse, pronunciation, additional meaning, and how to practice the first 3 processes Bhakti Yoga
• Practice the song and Mahamantra

Week 3:
• Learn the next 3 processes of Bhakti Yoga and how to practice
• Additional references for these three practices and how to deepen
• Practice the song and Mahamantra

Week 4:
•Complete the last 3 processes of Bhakti Yoga
• Additional references and verses sharing more on these beautiful concepts
•Complete the course
• Practice the song and Mahamantra

• Know who the authors are and their contributions to the world of Bhakti and Kirtan

• Understand the meaning and concepts within the songs 

• Learn how to sing the melodies 

• Dive deep and let go in call and response 

• Practice and allow these songs to awaken in your heart 

• Evolve and cultivate the mood of devotion, Bhakti Yoga through this practice

Each week you learn a new song. I drip release videos and digital files for the song so you can listen at home and get familiar with:

• The poet and author of the song

• The meaning and Bhakti principles within the song

• The words and pronunciation

• Support for your voice for the melody of the song

  
  Why I offer it this way....
  Often times when I teach Kirtan, there is a lot of story and education. New information takes some time to absorb especially when it's profound and needs sitting with. It's nice to see concepts, words and lyrics written out, and to have a video to help with pronunciation. It's important to say the words on your own, with heart, mindfulness, and thereby feel a bit more comfortable in a group or kirtan setting.
  
  The beauty of this whole thing is that this is part of the practice of Kirtan, Bhakti Yoga, and spiritual life, self study, meditation and introspection.
  
  Plus, I love teaching and creating mentorship containers that are a hybrid of "digital content," for the educational material and "in person sessions" for the hands on experience and embodied application.
  
  The digital course...
  Provides you with informational videos and content so that you can learn, absorb and practice at your own pace and feel more comfortable with the live kirtan practice.
  
  The live Kirtan practice...
  Whether you are joining in person at the studio I am holding this offering in, or online, the live practice is real time Kirtan! Using your voice to sing along and engage in the call and response.
  
  This way you get to use the "live kirtan" sessions to actually engage in the practice vs talking about it or going into the teaching aspect— unless you have any questions of course.