~ Connecting & Creating Community for Kirtan Lovers in Toronto and Beyond ~

Kirtan opens the heart and stills the mind. It is the yoga practice of ecstatic chanting. Through repeating the Divine Names in Sanskrit, the mind is cleared of worry, doubt, fear and all limiting concepts. The joy of peace and infinite love is given to the practitioner, and transmitted through the world by chanting. This is the practice of bhakti yoga or the yoga of devotion. - contributed by Pat Sandford

To receive a weekly list of kirtan events or to have your kirtan posted, please email torontokirtancommunity@gmail.com

FaceBook's 'TorontoKirtanCommunity' group: the upcoming week's kirtans are posted onto the group wall, as well as interesting articles, videos, photos about events and artists.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontokirtancommunity/

Facebook's 'TorontoKirtanCommunity' page lists links/info.
https://www.facebook.com/torontokirtancommunity

ALL known kirtans are posted below, on the left side, on this website's Kirtan Calendar.

“Music that is saturated with soul force is the real universal music, understandable by all hearts.” — Paramahansa Yogananda

“Kirtan is for all people. There are no experts, no beginners. The practice itself is the teacher, guiding us to ourselves. Kirtan allows us to enter into a mystery world—a world where all the logic of our minds, all the condition and learning are left outside. And in this mystery, we create a temple inside of our hearts, a place of refuge, a place of love, a place of just being.” —Jai Uttal

"Chanting is a way of getting in touch with yourself. It's an opening of the heart and letting go of the mind and thoughts. It deepens the channel of grace, and it's a way of being present in the moment." -- Krishna Das

"You start doing chanting as technique. You start to sing ‘Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram.’ You start thinking it means, Honorable Ram, Hail Ram, Hail Hail Ram. Then after an hour you stop thinking about all of that and you are just singing it. You are realizing the aesthetic of the music and how beautiful it is. Then after a while it starts to go deeper until your heart is just singing, it’s singing from inside you. Then there’s a point where true bhakti starts- where dualism ends and you become like the chant. You are in a space where it’s not emotional anymore. It’s moved into the deeper, intuitive quality of love. Touching that love leaves you with trust in the method and trust in where the method takes you—trust in the Beloved and trust in how you get there." –Ram Dass

"If we know anything about a path at all, it's only because of the Great ones that have gone before us. Out of their love and kindness, they have left some footprints for us to follow. So, in the same way that they wish for us, we wish that all beings everywhere, including ourselves, be safe, be happy, have good health, and enough to eat. And may we all live at ease of heart with whatever comes to us in life."
- Kirtan closing prayer by Krishna Das


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Saturday August 27 2011




*click on poster to view Saturday kirtan


Summer Yoga & Qigong Weekend Retreat
Friday, Aug 26th - Sunday, Aug 28th 2011

with Sitara & Rob

and guest teacher Rupert Harvey

Imagine this:

  • a beautiful tranquil retreat centre in nature on a sprawling country acreage
  • gentle and invigorating daily yoga and Qigong classes
  • relaxing by the pool or enjoying a refreshing dip
  • delicious healthy meals prepared for you (no dishes to wash )
  • quality time away from your daily routine
  • sharing with an intimate group of like-minded people

If any of this sounds appealing, you are in luck!

We know how important it is to take time away from the demands of a busy life to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. This is why we are offering you a chance to spend a weekend doing what you need to help refresh and recharge yourself at our Summer Yoga and Qigong Retreat.

Our Summer Yoga & Qigong Retreat will include:

  • 2 Kripalu Yoga classes (all levels)
  • 2 Qigong classes
  • 2 experiential workshops
  • sharing circle, an accepting and confidential space where you will have the opportunity to share how you feel without receiving feedback
  • healthy gourmet vegetarian meals
  • 2 nights comfortable accommodations (single, shared or tenting)
  • kirtan (devotional chanting)
  • swimming pool
  • warm, peaceful atmosphere
  • and more…

(all activities optional, no experience necessary)

Special Guests
We are excited to welcome guest teacher Sifu Rupert Harvey, a kung-fu master who has been studying Qigong and martial arts for over 40 years. Among his many impressive achievements, he appeared as a stunt performer on many episodes ofKung-Fu The Legend Continues with David Carradine. He is also an accomplished musician.

Qigong is a 5000-year old Chinese self-healing system with many similarities to yoga that can complement our practice. This ancient Eastern tradition includes exercises that help maintain youthfulness, support the immune system, enhances vitality, improves focus and cultivates calmness.

We are also honored to have some wonderful Toronto kirtan leaders who will be joining us in our kirtan.

**KIRTAN ONLY INFO ABOVE ON POSTER**


When
Friday, August 26 – Sunday, August 28
Check-in begins at 3:00 pm on Friday. There will be a yoga class from 4:30 to 6:00 and dinner around 6:30 pm. The retreat officially begins at 7:30 pm and ends Sunday at 1:00 pm.


Location
Lotus Heart Centre
This secluded retreat sanctuary is located near Brighton, Ontario, Canada.
Only 2 hours east of Toronto, and 3½ hours S.W. of Ottawa.
See for yourself at www.lotusheartcentre.ca

Other Offerings (additional cost)
Sitara - private healing sessions.
Our host, Andre Lepine - thai yoga massage
Massage Therapy & Reiki


Cost (per person)
$400 single / $350 shared / $325 tenting
(All taxes and service charges included)


Registration

To register for this unique retreat weekend, contact us at:

robandsitara@hotmail.com or 416-421-2220




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