Music For Mindfulness With The Kirtan Lounge

By Aleta Arora

I had the amazing opportunity to join the Yoga of Sound - Music for Mindfulness in the age of Technology event at the Vortex Lounge! The event was put on by Kirtan Lounge, it was a special event dedicated to sharing the practices and experiences of using sound vibrations in healing and self-empowerment.

It was a truly magical experience. As I entered the tent that was serving as a stage for this marvelous performance, my eyes were immediately drawn upwards. There I was, greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors. They gave me much of the same sensation as being a child and looking through that treasured kaleidoscope for the first time. Colors swirled around, and they seemed to come closer and then further away. The kaleidoscope takes up the entire surface of this massive tent like structure. I finally look down and to my joy the floor is covered with pillows that welcome me and allow me to lay down and give my full attention to the ceiling. And then, I hear someone stating lovely messages of wisdom on the stage in front of me. It was Gopi, the mastermind of this event. A gentle and kind voice. It is hard to imagine he is a mastermind at google as he sounds like a lovely, kind sage. I listen intently to Gopi and continue to stare at the ceiling.

As Gopi drifts off the stage. There is a shifting of the stage and a piano appears. The kaleidoscope changes to bright stars as Murray plays in synch with the movement of the virtual sky. His fingers dance along the keys. Next is Cornflower, he produces sounds and beats only with his body. He is able to make a wild array of tribal and beat box sounds. Laura Escude was next, she was my personal favorite. She is an incredible violinist who uses computer playbacks of her voice. It was haunting and yet etherial. Somewhere between Tori Amos and Lorreena Mckennitt.  Images and shapes and photos appear on the ceiling all dancing wildly to her music.  

The evening ended with Fanna-Fi-Allah who played Qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music. Deep, soulful and ancient Arabic songs and music filled the tent, while I went into a trance watching their dancer whirl and swirl. One has to see this dancing to understand the passion, the intensity and the meditative quality of it. I never understood until I saw it in person. 

Overall this was a magical evening I will never forget. I was transported into a mystic world that evening.

To learn more about the Kirtan Lounge, visit: kirtanlounge.com.