Sri. Craig Sastry's dedication, organizational abilities, and modesty are truly amazing. It didn't take long for him to realize the need for developing these "customized" guidelines! These were published in his recent news letter and are good and necessary for any satsang, I think.
1) Always remember and be convinced that Lord Sai is presiding. He has said "Wherever My glory is sung, I install Myself there."
2) Do not look at others or smile or say "hi" or "hello" during Bhajans, thereby disturbing their concentration.
3) Sing familiar Bhajans, so that all can share bliss.
4) Any devotional song, in any language can be sung as long as all can follow.
5) Never be ashamed to sing the name of God or to do Bhajana. Be proud that you get the chance. Be glad that your tongue is put to the best use.
6) The Bhajanas must be sweet to the ear.
7) Bhajans have to be sung and offered to God in an attitude of utter humility; they are not to be taken as exercises in an exhibition of talents and as a competition for mastery of musical skill. They have to please the Lord, not your fans.
8) Bhajans must be a felt experience. Do not sing with one eye on the effect the song makes on the listeners and the other on effect it makes on God. Let your heart pant for God; then the Rag and Thal will automatically be pleasant and correct.
9) Do not monopolize the time in Bhajans, by singing one song for six or ten minutes, repeating the same line often. Repeat each line only twice and no more. Have only two speeds, one slow and the other, fast. In this way you can have in one hour Bhajan, more songs on more forms, more tunes and more variety, giving more people the chance.
1 comment:
Very nice, Gopa; always chuckle over that "Craig Sastry"!
My own take on satsang:
They sat and sang ;-)
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