June 10th, 2022

Chants for leading a gong session

 
"The gong is very simple. It is an inter-vibratory system. It is the sound of Creativity itself. The gong is nothing more, nothing less. One who plays the gong plays the universe. The gong is not an ordinary thing to play. Out of it came all music, all sounds and all words. The sound of the gong is the nucleus of the Word.”
— Yogi Bhajan
 
Taken from a few sources, this article reflects on the usage of Kundalini chants to enhance your gong playing...

The gong practitioner should align themselves with the power of the gong before a session. This connection will allow the gong player to play the gong and for the gong to play the practitioner.
 
In Kundalini Yoga, this connection is made with three mantras which center the practitioner. The chant can be repeated silently, allowed, or involving the participants. Involving the participants allows them to become active in creating the aforementioned connection.
 
The first mantra, Mangalacharan Mantra, allows you to lay aside your ego before the timeless teacher and asks that you be guided by the wisdom which has been through all ages. It celebrates the qualities of God. It is a Bhakti mantra, a projection of devotion, gratitude, and acceptance for the teacher that is life itself.
 
Ad Gurey Nameh
                  (I call upon the teacher who exists at the Beginning)
Judad Gurey Nameh
                  (I call upon the teacher who teaches through all times)
Sat Gurey Nameh
                  (I call upon the teacher who teaches from the Truth)
Siri Guru Dev A Nameh
                  (I call upon the unseen subtle teacher of us all)
 
The second mantra, Adi Mantra, links shakti, the feminine, creative power which rules all sonic expression, with the sound of creation. It links teachers throughout all time, allowing the practitioner to become a conduit.
 
Ong Namo
                  (I call upon the Infinite Creative Energy)
Guru Dev Namo
                  (I call upon the divine trancendant teacher)
 
The third mantra, Bija Mantra, brings the mind to where the sound exists in the eternal moment of truth, beyond all polarities. This raises the energy into mind with ether where sound and energy are as a subtle seed.
 
Ad Such
(The truth before all beginnings0
Jugad Such
(The truth through all ages)
Haibhee Such
(The truth at this moment)
Nanak Hosee Bhee Such
(The truth that is ever true)
 
With proper intention, the practitioner plays what is needed at the moment and not from any place of ego. It is said that the karma of playing becomes dharma, elevating the practitioner and listener to the threshold of infinity. You become a vessel of pure consciousness.
 

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Benton, Mehtab. Gong Yoga: Healing and Enlightenment Through Sound. Bookshelf Press, 2013, pp. 25–25.

Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D. and Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D. “The Art of the Gong in Kundalini Yoga .” Kundalini Research Center , 2000, pp. 2–3.