Midnight came not with the striking of a clock, but with the blowing of a conch-shell. The auspicious sound rang through the temple room of Radha Govinda Mandir and announced that a new year had come. Everyone began to dance as the kirtan started.

It soon became a kirtan where no one led and the leader would simply rotate to whoever had the microphone for that specific mantra. There was joy and excitement in the air, ushering in this New Year that everyone had high hopes for. People danced back and forth, in circles and with their arms raised. Everyone sang as loudly as they could. We prayed for the blessings of our spiritual masters so that we would be able to carry on this year and be the best that we could.

Some rededicated themselves to what they held dearest in their lives. I took another look at how blessed I truly was just to be able to do kirtan all the time, even if it wasn’t everyday or what I was able to do for my full-time job. It was clear that people were ready for 2009. I hope that we all make plans to live more, love more, show our joy more fully and engage in kirtan completely.

Live your kirtan!
Acyuta Gopi

Acyuta Gopi is a member of As Kindred Spirits and a powerhouse kirtan leader in her own right. Browse the Downloads page for some of her transforming kirtans.

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• 01 Ananta Govinda – New Years Kirtan (572)
• 02 Srikanta – Nrsimhadeva Prayers (624)
• 03 Gaura Vani – Hare Krsna (490)