The Bliss Within: A Tibetan Mantra Kirtan Concert for Inner Peace

The Bliss Within: A Tibetan Mantra Concert for Inner Peace

Doors Open - 6:30PM

Concert Start - 7:30PM

Come join us at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew for a night of soothing Tibetan mantras that can help transport you to a state of pure bliss. We'll start the evening with a short healing meditation to purify our chakras and body/speech/mind, and then we will dive deep into the practice of kirtan and Tibetan healing mantras together.

Through the practice of chanting, we can use our own voices to activate the healing state within and use our own minds to heal our minds. Or you can simply relax and receive the healing vibrations of the music and the mantras, allowing these healing sounds to vibrate through your system and bring peace to your mind, body, and soul.

Together we will immerse ourselves in ancient healing chants that have been used for centuries to promote healing, balance, and well-being. This is a precious opportunity to join in community with other like-minded people and hold the intention to cultivate inner peace for the sake of all beings.

Led by Buddhist ngakma Lee Mirabai Harrington and featuring Noah Hoffeld on cello, John McDowell on piano, Rose Stoller on response vocals, and Keli Lalita Reddy on percussion.

Portion of proceeds will be given to Tibet House US.

FAQs

What is kirtan?

Kirtan is a form of devotional chanting (with origins in ancient India) in which we sing sacred mantras and divine names in a call-and-response pattern. While kirtan is not traditionally practiced in a Buddhist context, Lee received permission to lead certain public mantras call-and-response style to introduce people to the benefits of these mantras.

What is Tibetan mantra-healing?

Mantra healing is an ancient practice from the “spiritual healing” branch of Tibetan medicine, traditionally used as a complementary therapy to broader medical treatments. Practitioners of mantra healing use specific Tibetan and Sanskrit mantras to initiate healing states, remove subtle body blockages, and restore balance and energetic flow at physical, mental, and subtle levels. So, in contemporary terms, mantra-healing could be described as subtle body sound healing and energy healing. In effect, we are using the vibrations of the mantra to affect the vibrations of our own physical, mental, and subtle body systems to restore balance, maintain health, cultivate peace, and prevent future illnesses and imbalances.

Why is singing and meditating with a group so powerful? And what are the benefits of chanting?

The practice of singing and chanting helps calm the nervous system, restore inner balance, and foster a sense of harmony and community. Singing helps us attune to ourselves and others. Chanting sacred mantras also helps to balance our chakras, open our hearts, and bring our minds into a deep meditative state, making this a beautiful practice for those who feel they "can't meditate" because of overactive minds. Chanting quiets the mind, and calls forth the Inner Silence. Chanting or meditating in a group is even more powerful. People who find it difficult to find inner peace by themselves often find the practice easier in groups.

I prefer to sit on the floor at kirtan. Can I bring my own cushion or backjack?

Please check back two weeks prior to concert. Currently we are reserving the meditation-cushion spaces (on the floor at foot of stage) for ordained sangha, and we will make any unclaimed floor seating available as the date nears.

Is the church handicap-accessible?

Yes! Handicap seating is available and the venue is wheelchair accessible.