Williams, TT
RAGA MALKAUNS
with Michael Stirling
8 weeks, Mondays, January 16 - March 5, 7:00 - 9:00pm
$108 before January 9, $151 thereafter
$20 drop-in with previous experience

Raga Malkauns is a majestic and supernatural raga of the late night. It’s mood is extraordinarily expansive and is represented by the image of a yogi (Shiva) in deep meditation, and derived from His Taandav, (cosmic dance). According to Pandit Pran Nath, Mr. Stirling’s Guru, Malkauns is considered to be one of the six major ragas in the system of North Indian classical music.

Raga singing is a classical, highly devotional and improvised musical form directly descended from ancient traditions passed on orally from teacher to disciple in the Guru-Shishya tradition.

This class is taught in the Kirana style of North Indian classical vocal music, which traces its history back 700 years to the colorful era of the mogul kings and the legendary saint and singer Gopal Nayak, who worshipped Krishna, embraced Sufism and blended these elements into a spiritual form expressed in the language of music. Students will increase their knowledge and broaden their understanding of the general elements of North Indian Classical Music (raga & tala) and its ancient cultural and historical elements. The form allows for the greatest range of expression by the vocalist, and the lyric content is concerned with divine love, the separation of lovers, nature and the seasons.

Raga class will be accompanied by tambura (the essential drone instrument) and tabla (a set of two small hand drums). These classes are open to beginners and those with experience as well.

Teacher Training Elective 16 hours.

Prices:

Before January 9 $108.00 USD After January 9 $151.00 USD

Williams, TT
RAGAS OF SPRINGTIME with Michael Stirling
8 weeks, Mondays, April 2 - May 21, 7:00 - 9:00pm
$108 before May 14, $151 thereafter
$20 drop-in with previous experience

‘Ragas of Springtime’ will explore the colorful seasonal ragas: Raga Basant, Raga Megh and Raga Mian Ki Malhar.

Raga singing is a classical, highly devotional and improvised musical form directly descended from ancient traditions passed on orally from teacher to disciple in the Guru-Shishya tradition.

This class is taught in the Kirana style of North Indian classical vocal music, which traces its history back 700 years to the colorful era of the mogul kings and the legendary saint and singer Gopal Nayak, who worshipped Krishna, embraced Sufism and blended these elements into a spiritual form expressed in the language of music. Students will increase their knowledge and broaden their understanding of the general elements of North Indian Classical Music (raga & tala) and its ancient cultural and historical elements. The form allows for the greatest range of expression by the vocalist, and the lyric content is concerned with divine love, the separation of lovers, nature and the seasons.

Raga class will be accompanied by tambura (the essential drone instrument) and tabla (a set of two small hand drums). These classes are open to beginners and those with experience as well.

Teacher Training Elective 16 hours.

Prices:

Before May 14 $108.00 USD After May 14 $151.00 USD

Williams
RAGA SINGING OFFERING
with Michael Stirling, vocalist, accompanied by Aran Adams, tabla
Saturday, May 19, 7:30pm, by donation

Raga singing is a classical, highly devotional and improvised musical form directly descended from ancient traditions passed on orally from teacher to disciple in the Guru-Shishya tradition.

Williams
KIRTAN! with Robert
1st Fridays, 7:00 - 9:00pm, February 3rd
Join Robert and Friends for an evening
of soulful Kirtan!
$5 – 10 suggested donation

Chanting (Nama Sankirtan) is a unique tool that can be used in the practice of inquery into the Self/Soul (Atma Vichara). Nama Sankirtan (chanting) is one of the laboratories of sadhana. Chanting allows one to effortlessly slip into mediatating on Atman (the Soul) and with practice have a direct experience of the realization of God. Chanting mantras and sacred names is a process of harnessing the power of Consciousness (Cit-Shakti / Kundalini Shakti) and utilizing that power to meditate and become absorbed into the Heart (Hrdaya) of All and experience Jivan-mukta, the "one who is liberated while still alive.

Robert began practicing the yoga of meditation in 1963 after seeing a Hollywood movie "Beach Party" in which a background beatnik type character sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Some years later Robert was influenced by the Beatle, George Harrison who was responsible for helping introduce the music of Ravi Shankar and the yogic practices of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabupadma  A.K.A. Krishna Consciousness to the West. In 1968 he and his wife Maria started taking private Hatha yoga lesson in Newton Massachusetts. He received an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. He has worked as an actor in numerous films while living in Portland Oregon, i.e., "Twilight", "Management", "Conversations with God" "Leverage" and "The River Why".  His musical background experience ranges from performing with the likes of Pete Seeger and producing Reggae, Black Gospel, Rap, R&B and folk. In 2009 and 2010 he had the great good fortune to visit India on a pilgrimage to Ganeshpuri and Alandi. While in Ganeshpuri India he performed Seva (selfless service) at Kailash Niwas, the Abode of Bhagwan Nityanand. Since his pilgrimage to India he has composed numerous chants.

LIVELY HEART CHANTING-COMMUNION
with David and Friends 
3rd Fridays, February 17, 7:00 - 9:00pm • $5 - 15 suggested donation

All are welcome as we praise, love, and celebrate divine being - in and as everyone! Multi-tradition chants, kirtan, circle singing, and spontaneous chanting all offered as in-the-moment practice of awakeness-loving-happiness-communion-blessing-realization. You are welcome to sit quietly, sing out fully, clap, dance - whatever serves your heart's devotion.  Have a chant or short prayer or teaching that moves your soul? Bring it to share!

David has been leading devotional chanting around the Portland-Vancouver area for several years, and offers a welcoming and spirited atmosphere for all.    He has been sharing his love for the spiritual process through satsang, meditation, and community celebrations, as well as performance art, original music, and writing.  He is the author of “Your Face is a Kiss – Discovering the Miracles of Being” a collection of inspiring poem-meditations.

Join David's Facebook page

Southeast
TAKETINA with Robert Madda
3rd Saturdays, February 18 5:30 - 7:00pm
(2nd Saturday for January only)
$5 donation is appreciated and no one will be turned away.

Please join us!

During a TaKeTiNa "rhythm journey" you encounter rhythm directly in your body. Using easy step patterns, gentle claps, and simple vocalizations, participants are led to a state of expanded awareness and inner silence. Explore how our connection to rhythm can be doorway to inner healing. TaKeTiNa "rhythm journeys" can be a deep relaxation and vitalization of the nervous system. It is accessible and engaging for any level of ability. No previous rhythm or music experience is necessary.

To learn more visit Taketina.com

NASHIR N'SHAMA
A Jewish Kirtan! with J.D. Kleinke
4th Sundays, February 26, 5:00 - 6:30pm

Nashir N'shama weaves Jewish texts into an inviting and simple form of call and response chanting to invoke the meditational spirit that is at the heart of Jewish prayer. Participants dance, sing, and close their eyes as the guitar, harmonium, and djembe lay a backdrop for our spiritual practice. Nashir N'shama....let us sing our soul!

All are welcome, and no prior exposure to kirtan, Hebrew, or any Jewish music or rituals is required. Song sheets with transliteration will be provided. Just wear comfortable clothing and warm socks; as with many kirtans, many may be inspired to dance! Donations welcome,
no one turned away. All net proceeds go to J Street, a non-profit working for a practical and peaceful two-state solution in Israel.

For more up to date info, check out "Nashir N'shama" on Facebook.