Meditative Dance - Kiirtan

Kiirtan is a simple dance that is an effective tool to assist in meditation for both beginners and experienced meditators. The full name of this dance is "Lalita Marmika" meaning "voice of the inner spirit." The dance is performed with uplifted arms and upturned palms in an attitude of surrender. The legs are bent slightly at the knee while the feet move rhythmically. One foot supports the weight of the body and the other foot moves behind the supporting foot with the toe touching the ground. When the arms tire they may be lowered and the hands used to clap to the melody. While the dance is performed, the mantra "Baba Nam Kevalam" (Love is all there is) is sung to any one of a wide variety of melodies.

Kiirtan is enhanced when preceded by a moment of reflection. As you begin, visualize yourself dancing on our planet earth as it is spinning through the universe remembering that each and every particle, whatever its size, is a manifestation of the Supreme. Behind this immense physical expression, this timeless journey, is the force of unconditional, infinte love drawing us all to our Creator.

The effect of Lalita is to stimulate "soft feelings" (Laysa), which arise in the mind as a result of the "soft vibrations" created in the lymphatic glands, which contract during the dance. Hence, the name of Lalita: it generates soft or soothing feelings. This is possible because the lymphatic system contains lymph (lasika), the subtlest fluid in the human structure. Lasika is a pure, rarified liquid, the end product of food (via chyme, blood, flesh, Vasa, bone, bone marrow, and Shukra). When Lalita is danced and the mantra chanted, it vibrates sympathetically. Thus the lymphatic system acts as an antenna or resonating chamber, through which higher, more spiritual, feelings are expressed. These feelings are then distributed throughout the entire body by means of this subtle glandular network. -- p.138, Right Side Up by Lars Charles Mazzola

The primary benefit from performing kiirtan is the arousal of universal love an essential characteristic of meditation. In addition, this dance minimizes egotism and anxieties thus helps to combat the stresses of our modern world. The mind becomes relaxed and focused on the infinite, the heart softer, more compassionate, while the body becomes flexible and ready to sit for meditation. It is recommended that 5 minutes of meditation (or more) follow this dance "to internalize and fix the spiritual sentiments that have been awakened."(Ibid)