Music and Mantras: The Yoga of Mindful Singing for Health, Happiness, Peace & Prosperity

by Girish, Rolf Gates (Contributor)

“Singing is as human as breathing, and this book tells us why.” —Mark Guarino, contributing music writer, The Guardian Celebrated yogi-musician Girish opens new possibilities for transforming your life through song, combining the ancient art of singing mantra with twenty-first century neuroscience research.For as long as he can remember, Girish has created rhythm to accompany life. His first experience of music as sacred art came in college, playing with jazz bands. “During improvisational sessions,” he recalls, “there were these unexplainable moments of synchronicity and intuition that felt like magic.” This led Girish to an unexpected journey—a seeming detour to live as a monk in an ashram for five years that inadvertently nourished his musical artistry. Here, he studied Sanskrit as a means to understand the deeper meanings of ancient chants, which sparked a life-changing event that led him back to music—and to combine music with Sanskrit chants. Now he shares what he’s learned to help people of all ages, backgrounds, and traditions to transform body, brain, and life through mantra and music. With Music and Mantras, Girish has created an interactive toolkit—including more than ninety minutes of companion audio material—for personal transformation through singing, sharing his own experience as a musician, yogi, and former Hindu monk. Weaving simple, elegant mantras from ancient traditions with neuroscience, Girish shows us how to achieve greater peace of mind, clarity, calm, focus, and even improved health and wealth through the yogic art of chanting—an ideal practice for singing our way to happiness, health, and prosperity.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2016

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Meditation Teacher Training. I appreciated the approachability of the book and will use it as a mantra reference though this isn't exactly a subject that I am passionate about. If you're familiar and passionate about mantra work, you'll enjoy this book.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a singer and a person with healing qualities, I've felt drawn to sound healing and chanting for several years, but had only dabbled until now and was not sure where to really start. Then, I stumbled upon this book, like magic. Girish has written an excellent introductory book for someone like me or even someone with no prior singing or meditation experience. The book is very generous with links to audio, tips for voice, selected mantras and their uses, and much more. I especially appreciate Girish's way of breaking down the science behind the benefits of singing and chanting (quite affirming!) as well as some helpful basics of sanskrit and the magical/divine qualities of the language. The book has me inspired and already I am building my new mantra practice (and feeling amazing, I might add)! Thank you, Girish! I am so excited about getting deeper into this practice. Ever grateful for the guidance and empwerment offered in this book.

[Reading Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fast read (obviously) with good use of internet backup for resources. He references Thomas Ashley-Ferrand, pretty much The Guy who popularized mantra practice in the US, and adds a new dimension to it. Some of the mantras he offers are the same as in Ferrand's various compendia, but a few are new. The combination of breath, music and mantra really gives a new dimension to the practice of mantra. Definitely a wonderful addition to any yogi or Buddhist library and plenty to offer even Christians and other spiritualities.

[Sue Spaight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for an advanced yoga teacher training course on Bhakti yoga. I loved learning more about how to sing, though I had trouble following the singing exercises (not my forte). My favorite part is the Songbook with all the different chants with Sanskrit and translations, and teachings about many of the Hindu deities. That’s all been a mystery to me until now. If you are interested in music, spirituality, chanting it’s really a must-read book.

[Helen Lehndorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good introduction to kirtan, the Yoga of sound. Thorough and easy to follow - it also comes with a whole lot of vocal exercises and free chant tracks on the accompanying website - a great first stop on your kirtan/chanting adventures!

[Niki Walters]

Of course I loved this book. It had more information on voice and a little more science science other mantra books I have read in the past which was nice. I got the impression he wasn't just repeating knowledge, but was translating his own experience.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful weaving of personal experience and stories with philosophy, technique, and tradition. I plan to keep this book forever as it is a great reference for all things mantra and expressions of the voice.

[Rachel Alliker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was easy to digest and had a lot of insight into the power of mantra. I liked the organization of the book and overall some things he mentioned were for more experienced practicers which was a little confusing.

[Korie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for anyone interested in chanting or kirtan. Easy to read with many, many great ideas and suggestions. Thank you, Girish!

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Judy Lindow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a good job of giving you tools to chant, breathe, and sing.

[Teresa Traverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great overview of chanting and incorporating music into a yoga practice. I’d highly recommend it!

[bookinglibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

After attending an afternoon workshop with Girish in Palm Springs recently, I read his cogent, entertaining and essential book on the useful and meaningful practice of incorporating mantras in our yoga practice and life.