If I want to start a chanting practice how do I start?
Join an event. Sing with us. Let your heart shine through your voice!
If you are looking to start a practice at home, it’s simple. Create a format for your sadhana. I recommend the following practice:
drink some water, light incense, find a cushion to practice on
using a set of mala beads, hold them in your right hand
begin with an invocation. Peace mantras, ganeśa mantras, or a simple “om”
Om Śri Gurubhyo namaha to recognize the teachers
Mantra purusa, a meditation practice that is the installation of bija mantras, or sounds, on the body. Alternatively, stretch the hips and legs and move the hips in circles.
Do a 108x repeptition of a mantra using the mala beads. To find the tone, use an instrument to find a comfortable note. Try to repeat the same sound over and over in your chant (rather than speaking the mantra, sing it). There are 108 beads in a mala and you can use it to count by sliding the mala over the middle finger and using the thumb to push the beads along.
End with a peace mantra or words of gratitude for the practice.