Kiritan for us is both an invocation of Divine Presence and a musical journey back to the heart. Kirtan is the singing of ancient mantras with the intention for it to be a vehicle for self-realization. Mantra is one of the most powerful ways to generate Shakti-Prana or healing life force energy. When sung in a group the energy is amplified with each person supporting the creation of a unified field.
We share Kirtan with deep intention and space for Spirit to come forth through every participant using the medium of song and dance. We focus on spontaneously moving with and gradually increasing the group energy to build to an ecstatic state of connection with the One. We honor everyone’s contribution to the experience and encourage singing, clapping, dancing and stillness as well as safety for all emotions to be expressed and released. Other people have described our gatherings as “healing events that support deep transformation”.
The Shakti Experience
The Shakti Experience was founded by Luz Helena Florez who has been leading Kirtan for the past two years and creating a beautiful heart-centered community in the process. She was accompanied by Boaz Martin, the highly talented tabla player for her first year in Portland. After he moved to California, she joined forces with Christian Douglas on Mridunga and Arianne Shiminoff on violin and vocals. Arianne is a talented musician who began playing violin at age 4 and now also leads songs on harmonium. Majo Sandy takes the group to another level with her all-star cartals accompaniment that she learned while growing up in a Hare Krishna community. Luz Helena and Arianne are both part of the Amma community and see this offering as a blessing to be able to share her teachings of unconditional love.