Singing forms an integral part of life in the Sri Chinmoy Centre. Individual and group singing form a part of our daily spiritual pratice. Sri Chinmoy says that "in the spiritual world, next to meditation is music" and that music can have a very powerful effect on our consciousness.
Of course, there are many types of music. In contrast to most music you hear in the world today, we like to perform and listen to music that has a spiritual source - that is composed in a meditative state. Sri Chinmoy has written over 18,000 songs that reflect every aspect of the spiritual life. Each song has a unique quality - some embody tremendous power, some are hauntingly beautiful, while others are happy and joyful.
"Meditation and music cannot be separated. When we cry from the inmost recesses of our heart for peace, light and bliss, then that is the best form of meditation. Next to meditation is music, soulful music, the music that stirs and elevates our aspiring consciousness. It carries us into the Universal Consciousness and makes us feel that we are in tune with the highest, with the deepest, with the furthest."
Sri Chinmoy
More on Music - passages from Sri Chinmoy's writings on music
In the UK we have two music groups who regularly offer concerts and perform in meditation classes.