The Charlotte-based Unity Spiritual Center’s next monthly kirtan event, featuring sacred Sanskrit chanting that’s been popularized in the U.S. by musicians like Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Deva Permal and Snatam Kaur, is set for 7 p.m. on March 16 at Park Road Church’s Milford Chapel. The center’s Jim and Kay Fuller collaborate with local kirtan musician Andrew Simmons to offer the highly spiritual and meditative practice which draws hundreds of worldwide participants.

Song leaders and participants alternate singing short, ancient, powerful chants—based on the names and attributes of the divine from Hindu and Eastern traditions—and mantras back and forth in a call-and-response style. They celebrate the divine as creator, protector, sustainer and transformer.

Repeated chants in community strengthen connections with the divine and activate latent qualities and energies present within. Beginning participants often feel energized, experience less mental chatter and find openings of spiritual or intuitive awareness, and over time, heal the mind and body, restoring energetic and emotional well-being. Words for all chants are provided.

The center also offers group meditations on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. On each fourth Tuesday, the group meditation incorporates kirtan chants.

 

Cost: requested love offering. Location: 3900 Park Rd. For more information including future kirtan events, call 704-619-9029 or visit CharlotteSpiritualCenter.org, the center’s Meetup or Facebook pages.