Sonic Awakening: A Guide to Sanskrit Vibrations

Sanskrit chanting is deeply rooted in the Indian Vedic tradition, which emphasizes the dynamic relationship between sound and the source of wisdom and insight.

In the Bhakti traditions, chanting invokes a personal and loving devotion to a higher power, or the divine. When individuals chant Sanskrit mantras, bhajanas, or stotras (hymns), they do so with a sense of reverence, love, and devotion towards the spiritual essence represented by the mantra. It's an act of opening the heart and connecting on a profound level with the sounds of the sacred.

Sanskrit chanting isn't just about devotion, however; it's also a means of inner exploration and self-discovery. As individuals immerse themselves in the rhythmic repetition of sacred sounds, they enter a meditative state where they can discover deeper layers within themselves and experience a more nuanced relationship with their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Chanting is a practice that meaningfully connects your sense of self with the vibratory potency of reality itself.

8 HOURS: Krishna Das offers a real-world approach to the teachings and practices of yoga– these are tools that can be used to help us live more gracefully and richly in our day-to-day lives. In each module, Krishna Das will be chanting some of his favorite devotional pieces and breaking them down so that students can access a deeper context and more meaningful experience of the words and music. In addition to chanting, KD will be weaving in stories of his guru and other gurus of the contemporary era, to help transmit their perennial teachings and how they can be a guide for us in our own lives and spiritual journey. Each module will also contain time for Q&A, where students on the live call can ask their questions and receive answers directly from Krishna Das.

When we allow ourselves to open up to the possibility of a deeper way of loving and living in the world– that liberation from sadness, fear, and confusion is not simply a dream– it can be a powerful and potent opportunity to alter our habits and behaviors and make a shift toward a more compassionate and joy-filled existence. This is what the path of the heart is all about!

5 HOURS: If you practice yoga, it’s because of the Vedas. The Vedas are at the heart of Indian traditions of enlightened practice. Classical yoga, tantrika and bhakti lineages can trace their origin to the Vedas. The paths of self-inquiry that emerge from the Vedas all aim to awaken higher intelligence within your nervous system—by attuning it to the universal intelligence. This is enlightenment. To know the Vedas is to unlock the secrets of the universe within your own body-mind. Yet what the Vedas are and how best to approach learning about them often elude us. Are they “books?” Do they describe a philosophy or a science? And what do they have to do with your yoga practice? This 4-part course in the Vedas offers an experiential immersion in its enlightened principles, its contributions to the history of Sanskrit texts and traditions, and its ongoing relationship to authentic yoga practice. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the Vedic worldview, its core “texts” and teachings, as well as practical and traditional methods to relate the Vedas to your yoga and meditation practice.

8 HOURS: This four-module course offers methods for freeing one’s body and voice. By engaging in both ancient and contemporary practices, we will realize the undivided ground of our being through deep inward attunement, moving, and chanting.In the Realization Process, by inhabiting our whole body and accessing the subtle vertical core of our body, we uncover our authentic spiritual nature: a unified fundamental dimension of consciousness, pervading our own form and our surroundings as a whole. Judith will teach the main Realization Process practices as well as gentle movement exercises for moving with our whole being, and specific sounds for opening the chakras. When we chant as we move, the vibration of the sounds awakens, opens, and energizes the whole internal space of our body.

Sanskrit chanting is the vocalization or recitation of sacred sounds, words, or phrases from the ancient Sanskrit language. The mantras and verses in Sanskrit hold profound meanings and encapsulate wisdom that, while ancient, remain incredibly practical. Chanting involves studying and understanding the meanings behind the chants, which often unveil timeless philosophical insights. As individuals engage in this study, they discover the depth of spiritual knowledge encoded within the vibratory framework of reality itself.

Through the practice of chanting, individuals embark on a transformative journey. It's a path of personal growth, where devotion and discovery work hand in hand to shape an individual's spiritual outlook, beliefs, and attitudes, ultimately leading to a more profound sense of purpose and inner peace.