Contemporary Ecstatic Chanting (March)

Since time immemorial, humans have gathered in spiritual communities to sing and chant together. Community singing is, in essence, community building—opening us to our sense of shared humanity, and to Spirit, Source, the Divine (whatever language you choose) through voicing a common purpose and intention together.

Leah Hokanson will lead a monthly Contemporary Ecstatic Chanting gathering. The chants are “Diamond Chants”—original musical compositions, written by Leah, to be accessible to all regardless of singing ability.

Playfully referred to as “ecstatic pop,” Diamond Chants blend the simplicity of the chant form, the wisdom and inspiration of ecstatic poetry, and the eclectic groove and tunefulness of popular music, including jazz, R&B, pop ballad, gospel, funk and world music. Lyrics are drawn from both original texts as well as wisdom teachings from many spiritual traditions, including such luminaries and mystics as Rumi, Hildegard of Bingen, Hafiz, Walt Whitman, Julian of Norwich, Kabir, Thomas Merton and others.

We invite you to visit leahhokanson.bandcamp.com/album/diamond-chants-the-heart-3 to hear a variety of Diamond Chants recorded with a community choir.