This practice is not intended to alter or change your religion or your spiritual belief. There are many definitions of Kirtan, but this is one of our favorite definitions:
Kirtan can be viewed as the central practice of Bhakti Yoga.
Bhakti is a term from the ancient language of Sanskrit that loosely
translates as loving devotion to God. The essential form of the
universe is vibration or sound. Through the practice of mantra
(“MAN” means mind and “TRA” means protect), the
subtler or mysterious aspects of reality- of ourselves, our
surroundings and our relationships with all of life become revealed
to us.
The repetition of mantra brings the individual clarity,
empowerment, purpose and connection. The repetition of mantra in a
group elevates the vibrational field of each individual and their
surroundings.
Mantras are sung, accompanied by instruments that include the
harmonium, percussion, flute etc. Kirtan is an invitation to engage
and experience the self and the community as creative, whole and
divine.
There is this beautiful statement from a teacher about Kirtan.
She said, “There is something powerful with repetition. It
solidifies a community. Sometimes, the repetition of mantra makes
one’s ego uncomfortable. The ego will say, “I don’t like this, it
is all repetition” but once you settle in and release
to that ocean of sound, it will lead to an open space of
connectivity to the source of divine.”