Fondren Unwrapped and an evening with Girish!

Every year about this time, the merchants of the historic Fondren District host their grand Holiday Open House. It is a delightful way to begin the holiday season and I always enjoy strolling from shop to shop, listening to festive music, and sampling all the amazing cuisine throughout the business’.  This year’s Unwrapped was no exception! We had an amazing turnout and I could smell the holiday spirit in the air.

My very favorite part of the evening, however, was attending Kirtan at Butterfly Yoga.

The amazing artist, Girish, graciously came to Jackson, MS and I can not even begin to describe what a treat it was (for those of us that were there).

You may be stopping at this point and asking, “What on earth is Kirtan?” and “Who on earth is Girish?” .  Well, let me tell you.

Kirtan, also known as sankirtan, is the call-and-response chanting inspired and popularized by the great saint Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The roots of kirtan go back over 500 years to Renaissance India. During this period the influence and style of kirtan became the focal point for the upsurge in religious expression in Bengal led by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This joyful mood quickly spread throughout India, where today kirtan is accepted as one of the surest paths to enlightenment. The singing is accompanied by the ancient musical raga musical tradition with a rhythmic drumming style that transports the chanters to profound spiritual realms. In its religious fervor, it has been likened to modern American Gospel music, and in its heartfelt expression it compares to profound states of deep meditation.

Yes, Yes, I know it sounds weird and maybe even scary to some of you who are not active in the Yoga community, but I have found so much solace and comfort in the chants and mantras and this experience was one that produced deep gratitude and spiritual rejuvenation. I never in a million years thought I would ever enjoy it so much. But I did.

The musician who traveled to be with us and who made the occasion so amazing is none other than Girish.

Girish is an eclectic artist with roots in jazz, world, and sacred music. His musical talents find expression in a wide array of instruments – including tablas, world percussion, guitar, harmonium, and voice.

We listened, sang, hummed, some of us danced while some of us just swayed to the delightful melodies and beautiful words. As I looked around the room, I was overwhelmed with the sense of goodness. I was surrounded by people that I love and hold dear and who play a very active part in my daily life. I must confess I got a little teary when we all sang, “ All Good”.  

All in all, Fondren Unwrapped was a very special evening for me and I was reminded (thanks to Girish) that it’s true, “we are all diamonds shining in the sun”.

I’ll leave you with one of my all-time favorite mantras:

LOKAH SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTU

Translated means:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

As Always,

Jennifer