Why I Chant
Hi, I’m Richard.
And if I’m being real with you, I never thought I’d be leading kirtan—let alone writing about it.
When I first got into yoga back in 2015, it wasn’t because I was chasing bliss or trying to “wake up.” I was just curious. I started with asana, and it’s been a winding path ever since—sometimes inspired, sometimes resistant. But one thing kept calling me back: mantra.
A Moment That Stayed With Me
I first heard Krishna Das in a yoga class. Later that year, I went to see him at Yogaville.
Was it a mystical, out-of-body awakening? Not exactly. I was distracted—thinking about the words, my voice, whether anyone else felt awkward. But somewhere in the middle of all that static, something unexpected happened.
Just for a minute, during the Maha Mantra, I felt completely at peace. No effort. No noise. Just stillness. And that minute… stayed with me.
Chanting Isn’t Performance. It’s Prayer.
Over time, chanting has become a steady presence in my life.
It helps me express emotions I don’t always know how to speak.
It brings me back to center when I drift.
And sometimes, when I’m lucky, it feels like communion.
These days, when I lead kirtan, I’m not trying to impress anyone.
I’m not here to look enlightened or sound perfect.
I’m just sitting down and singing to God—however I understand God in that moment—and letting others join in if they feel moved.
All Are Welcome Here
If you chant with me, I hope you’ll feel this too:
You don’t need to sing if you don’t want to.
You don’t need to be “spiritual.”
You don’t need to know the words.
Your presence is enough.
This is a space where you can come as you are—with all your joy, grief, questions, resistance, and longing.
Why I’m Writing This
Honestly? I’ve battled a lot of imposter syndrome around sharing publicly. There’s still a part of me that says, “This is silly. You’re not enough.”
But the truth is, the practice has given me so much. And in the small conversations I’ve had—after a chant, a message online, or a quiet thank-you—I’ve realized it might be worth it to share more.
So this blog is where I’ll do that.
I’ll share poems, personal stories, maybe some chants or raw reflections. Not to teach or preach, but to connect. To offer what’s real.
If that resonates, I hope you’ll stick around.
With heart,
Richard