The Power of Chanting, Bhakti Yoga and Singing from the Heart with Kirtan Artist Jai Uttal

According to Jai Uttal, singing enlivens the heart and the power of kirtan can uplift us and inspire us. Psychological science supports this sentiment with research showing that when you sing in a group it benefits your mood, reduces stress, and stimulates your vagus nerve. In this episode, Diana talks with Grammy-nominated Kirtan singer, Jai Uttal about the power of chanting and of Bhakti yoga. Throughout the episode, you will hear Diana’s favorite songs as well as a sneak peek at Dust and Tears, Jai’s latest album.

Listen and Learn:

• The science behind the benefits of singing in groups

• What is Kirtan?

• How Jai Uttal came to sing Kirtan

• Who is the goddess Durga?

• Diana’s favorite chants from Jai Utall

• Collaborating with musicians around the world

• Who is Ram?

• Jai’s recovery story

• How Jai met his wife and how they collaborate today

• How Dust and Tears album came about

• Songs from Dust and Tears

• Why buy your music on vinyl

• The beauty of collaborating with family and friends

• What is Jai’s daily chant?

About Jai Uttal

Jai Uttal, Grammy-nominated sacred music composer, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist, combines influences from India with influences from American rock and jazz, creating a stimulating and exotic multi-cultural fusion that is truly world spirit music. Having traveled extensively in India, where he met many great saints and singers, Bhakti Yoga became his personal path. Jai has been leading, teaching, and performing kirtan around the world for close to 50 years, creating a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices. His newest album is Dust and Tears.

Related Resources

• Become a MORE Life in Process member to support the show.

• Find out what kind of Striver you are and get your free Skillful Striving Toolkit

• Want to learn more about ACT? Take Diana's on-demand course Foundations of ACT

• Download Jai Uttal’s new Album Dust and Tears!

• Learn more about Jai Uttal

• Learn more about Deva Primal and Mitten

• UCLA Study on the benefits of Kirtan Kriya

• Playlist from today’s episode:

  • Jaya Jagatambe (chant to Durga)

  • Radha Rani 

  • Campfire Sri Ram

  • Psalm

  • Cover Me With Your Feathers

  • Such Is My Fate

  • Sita Ram

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Thank you to the team Craig and Ashley Hiatt. Thank you to Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Remember when you become psychologically flexible, you become free.