"Devotional singing is the spontaneous music of the soul. Nobody can resist the inspirational qualities of such music penetrating one's heart when it is sung with concentration and devotion." -Amma-
Amma says "to gain concentration in this age of materialism, bhajan is easier than meditation. By loud singing, other distracting sounds will be overcome and concentration will be achieved. Bhajan, concentration and meditation, this is the progression. In fact, constant remembrance of God is meditation. Children, bhajan sung with one-pointedness will benefit the singer, the listener and also Mother Nature. Such songs will awaken the listeners minds in due course.
If bhajan is sung without concentration, it is a waste of energy. Bhajan is a spiritual discipline aimed at concentrating the mind on one's Beloved Deity. Through that one-pointedness, one can merge in the Divine Being and experience the Bliss of one's True Self. It does not matter whether one believes in Krishna or Christ, Mother Kali or Mother Mary; a formless God or even a flame, a mountain or an ideal such as world peace can be meditated upon while singing. By letting the mind expand in the sound of the divine chanting, each one can enjoy the peace born of one's inherent divinity."
Bhajans are prayers in song form: rich in meaning and full of devotional content. To sing a bhajan wholeheartedly, completely forgetting oneself, and totally identified with the emotion of longing for the vision of the Divine, is an experience akin to blissful meditation. In this modern age with distractions galore, serene meditation and contemplation are not possible for everybody, but singing bhajans is. Amma recommends singing bhajans as a highly effective spiritual sadhana for all of us. When sung with innocence and concentration, bhajans awaken the sleeping child within us and then we feel the presence of the Divine in our hearts.
Bhajans vary in their content. Some are more devotional, while others, more philosophical, bring out the nature of the Eternal Reality, the unchanging substratum supporting the ever-changing world of name and form. Herein lies the secret of the universal appeal of bhajans. All kinds of people -- labourers, artists, politicians, engineers, homemakers, doctors, scientists -- have shown a keen interest in singing bhajans. The joy they derive from this practice indicates the aptness of Amma's advice.
About singing bhajans Amma says, "Children, try to sing bhajans with overflowing love and devotion. Let the heart melt in prayer. Unfortunate indeed are those who think that crying to God is a weakness. As the wax melts, the flame of a candle only burns brighter. Through crying to God, one gains strength. These tears wash away the impurities of the mind. If one cries for God for five minutes, it is equal to one hour of meditation. Such crying makes the mind easily absorbed in the remembrance of God."
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