Studies have proved that meditation can calm us down and in so doing help us think more clearly, reduce blood pressure and generally relax. So why isn't everyone doing it?

It takes time and many of us don't understand what to do. But not all meditation is sitting in a lotus position staring at a candle flame, or imagining a bright light flowing into your head and around your body. There are many who just can't get anywhere with those forms.

But singing that could open up meditation to a whole new group of people.

That's the aim of organisers of next week's Kirtan. They have brought in American devotional singer David Newman to conduct an evening of devotional chanting, and the public is invited to watch or participate.

"Kirtan is a call-and-response form of chanting divine names," said organiser Shanell Vaughn. "It is a Sanskrit-based mantra practice that has its roots in an Indian tradition called Bhakti yoga."

She explained that while having its roots in the Hindu religion, the Kirtan is complementary to all spiritual practice.

"Kirtan is not a religion, it is a spiritual practice," she said. "It aims primarily to generate a deep feeling of love in the individual love for who they truly are, love for God of their understanding, and love for that part of each of us that is connected to everything and everyone, the oneness of life.

"In this sense, the essence of Kirtan finds commonality with the essence of all the major world spiritual paths, including Christianity, which is love self, love each other, love God."

Ms Vaughn said that sacred mantra chanting in this tradition allows us to experience the best qualities of who we are and of what we can be.

"In this way, it transcends the outer appearances of differences and separation, and fosters a sense of unified consciousness," she said. "This practice asks no one to relinquish his or her existing religious or spiritual (or even non-spiritual) beliefs in order to participate and to enjoy the experience of chanting."

She said the practice is a form of meditation.

"The repetition of mantras necessarily quiets the mental chatter by slowing down our brain wave patterns therefore creating the conditions for chanters to connect to their higher consciousness."

No previous training or knowledge is required to take part in the chanting and Ms Vaughn noted that it's suitable for people of all ages.

"I've gone to Kirtans where parents bring their babies, and toddlers are dancing and running around. It is ideally suited to the elderly also, because they can sit or even lie down if they wish and either chant or simply listen," she added.

Typically, the group sits on the floor facing the chant leaders, but chairs are brought in for people who do not or cannot sit on the floor, she said.

"The Kirtan environment is one that welcomes and embraces everyone. The atmosphere is generally very light, supportive, and conducive to spiritual practice," she added. "Also, it's important for people to know that Kirtan is not about how well a person can sing or not it's not about ability, it's about sincerity."

Ms Vaughn said a genuine curiosity drew her to attend her first Kirtan when she was living in Ashville, North Carolina, in 2004. David Newman led that session. She was so moved by the experience that she visited his yoga studio in Philadelphia and in February 2008, took part in a week-long 'Kirtan College' with him in Florida.

Mr. Newman is a singer, songwriter and a practitioner of the ancient practice of Bhakti yoga the devotional side of yogic practice often referred to as 'yoga of the heart'.

He performs throughout the world and has produced a number of recordings of his work including 'Lotus Feet', 'All Things Considered' and 'Leap of Grace'.

"It has been my wish to begin a regular Kirtan group in Bermuda since I returned in 2007," added Ms Vaughn. "It's my hope that after the public Kirtan event, enough people will have been exposed and beneficially affected by this wonderful spiritual practice who want to start a group it only requires a musician or two and some willing hearts and voices."

n The public Kirtan to be held at 'Spirithouse' in Devonshire, on Saturday May 2, 2009 at 7.30 p.m. Entrance is guaranteed only through Shanell Vaughn: onekaya@hotmail.com or 236-7985 $25 paid upon entry.