Kirtan Brisbane – ASMY West End
About
Kirtan Brisbane – ASMY West End is a regular devotional music and chanting gathering held at the ASMY (Australian School of Meditation & Yoga) centre in West End, Brisbane.
Kirtan is a call-and-response chanting practice rooted in the Hair Kristner Bhakti (devotional) yoga tradition. When my friend first invited me I was a bit hesitant, I didn't know much about Hare Kristeners, but I was worried what it might look like for an agnostic person like me to attend. It was actually really lovely - they don't push their faith at all, but it is worth knowing that all the words you sing and repeat - they all mean "god"! These evenings are welcoming, inclusive, and suitable for anyone just wanting to sit down and relax. You do not need to know the words or have any musical experience — you simply listen, repeat, and let yourself be carried by the sound. It's donataion based, but I feel like at leat $15 feels right because they serve delicious hot chai, and usually a healthy vegetarian desert at the end.
ASMY hosts multiple Kirtan nights throughout the week (most commonly Wednesdays and Sundays), each with slightly different facilitation styles and community vibes, but all sharing the same intention: connection, presence, and devotion through sound.
What is Kirtan
Kirtan is a form of devotional music where a lead singer (or group) chants short sacred phrases or mantras, and the group responds in repetition. The sound gradually builds, often accompanied by harmonium, mridanga, kartals (hand cymbals), guitar, or other instruments.
Rather than focusing on musical perfection, Kirtan emphasizes:
- participation over performance
- feeling over technique
- collective resonance over individual expression
The practice is deeply meditative, even though it is outwardly expressive. Many people describe Kirtan as calming, grounding, emotionally cleansing, or quietly joyful.
You are welcome to sit, sing softly, sing loudly, close your eyes, or simply listen.
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What's Special About This Event and Venue
ASMY West End has a long-standing reputation as a warm and grounded spiritual community space in Brisbane. The atmosphere during Kirtan nights is gentle and non-performative, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and ease.
Unlike some high-energy festival kirtans, these evenings tend to feel:
- intimate
- steady and grounded
- accessible for newcomers
People often stay afterwards to chat, share tea, or simply sit quietly together.
See Also
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Links
Sincerely,
Andrew Noske
