By Amanda (Purna) Schmidt

Aratis, bhajans, kirtans — it’s all here!  Find them all in Yoga’s Sacred Songs, Gurudevi’s newly published compendium of all the Svaroopa^Ⓡ yoga chants.

Learn the inspiration behind each chant, as Gurudevi explains the importance of the words as well as melody. You’ll also find a Sanskrit pronunciation guide as well as photos of Gurudevi.  

Best of all is Shree Guru Gita, which she has rendered into English verse.

The companion CD, “Mystical Song of the Guru,” is also available now. These wonderful new resources make the mystical experience of chanting more accessible than ever. It’s never been easier to bring this Ashram practice into your daily life. Deepen both your understanding and devotion.

By Barbara (Girijananda) Hess

With Gurudevi’s new album, chanting brings me to such a blissful inner space. 

I feel the eternality inherent in Guru, the remover of darkness, revealing the light. OM flows into Guru which flows back into OM. I coast inside on the slow, melodic repetition of OM Guru, OM Guru, OM Gurudev. I become aware of the infinite depth of my own Self. 

This is what the Guru does — she removes my darkness to reveal the light of my inherent Divinity to me. She shows me the source of illumination inside. The formless and the form at the same, time, she guides me in coming home to my own Self. This chant opens me to this ever-expanding awareness. 

Recorded at our Vowed Order retreat, this chant is a call and response between Gurudevi and the chorus of vowed members. During our recording session, my heart expanded. I perceived the devotion of Gurudevi singing to her Guru, my own devotion, and the devotion of my fellow vowed kula singing to her. 

The powerful simplicity of this chant stays with me wherever I go. I find myself singing it out loud or silently many times during the day. Even amidst daily life busyness, I am drawn inside to the bliss of my own Self, the One Self Being All. Jaya Gurudev!

By Ben Waters

Interviewed by Lor (Priya) Kennedy

From the very first Swami Sunday I stumbled into, I knew. I had found the most important part of my life. Swami Sunday is the place where I began to find my Self. It’s where I got to know Gurudevi. If it were offered every day, I would be there. Outside of living at the Ashram, Swami Sunday is how I can spend time with Gurudevi Nirmalananda every week. 

I really didn’t know what I was looking for 10 years ago. I didn’t have a clue what a Guru was. In the beginning, I just watched her. I knew I wanted to give everything to this person, to give her my life. But I questioned why I felt that way — wasn’t she just another human being? 

In the past, she’s been everything to me, but she continues to be even more. My relationship with her and my understanding of who she is continues to unfold. Now I have a relationship with her on the inside too. At first, there was a duality, but now I am realizing, she is no different than me. She is my Self. In meditation, when I repeat mantra, there is nothing but her form. 

One of the things that brought me to spiritual practice was a crippling social anxiety. Serving as emcee for Swami Sunday was intimidating at first. My voice would crack and shake. I didn’t want to screw up and disappoint Gurudevi. 

Then I realized it wasn’t about me whatsoever. I was one of the many people Gurudevi uses as a link between her and others. Often, when I share my personal story, it’s in alignment with her talk that day. I’m trusting that it’s really not about me — it’s all taken care of. Being able to serve her this way is incredible. It’s a little part I can do to give back.

How was I blessed to find a Shaktipat Guru and have this relationship with her? My karma in this life has been tough. But if I had to go through all that to get to her, it was worth it. 

By Gurudevi Nirmalananda

The first time you chant Shree Guru Gita can be a powerful experience, whether it’s due to the beauty and power of the chant or because your tongue can’t quite wrap itself around the Sanskrit syllables.

You have options about how to participate:

Close your eyes and listen, coasting on the Shakti (energy).

Open your eyes and follow along with the Sanskrit.

Read the English silently while the group is chanting the Sanskrit.

Mouth the Sanskrit words silently, or even breathe into them.

Chant quietly, even if your chanting isn’t perfect.

Open your mouth and sing along, even perhaps using a finger to track each word!

Beyond your experience of the chant itself, notice what the chant does for you. Your “Marker Pose” is your state before and after the chant: what is the condition of your body, breath, mind, and heart?

How do you feel within yourself — at what depth are you sitting within? By assessing these changes, you can determine the value of this practice for yourself.

Excerpt from Yoga’s Sacred Songs, page 149

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