Free online kirtan & mantra meditation

Looking for peace, connection, and meaning?

Join a warm, beginner-friendly practice rooted in sound and simplicity. Based in Chicago and Evanston, open to anyone, anywhere.

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Live and breathe the practiceWhat our community comes for

People gathered around a harmonium for a warm kirtan meditation session

come as you are
Discover a quiet space in the middle of life's noise.

A sound older than worry.

A practice gentle enough for a first night.

Join a kirtan

come as you are

Discover a quiet space in the middle of life's noise

A sound older than worry.
A practice gentle enough for a first night.

Join a kirtan

the practice itself

Three simple, beginner-friendly practices

Kirtan

Kirtan is a joyful, call-and-response style of chanting set to live music. You do not need to be musical or know the words. You are welcome to sing, clap, or simply listen and soak in the uplifting sound.

Japa

Japa is a quieter, personal form of mantra meditation. Using a string of beads called japa beads, you repeat a mantra softly to yourself, bead by bead. It is an easy way to focus the mind, calm emotions, and connect inwardly.

Gauranga Breathing

Gauranga Breathing is a calming breathing exercise with mantra. You think the sounds of the mantra while taking a deep breath, then say the mantra out loud as you exhale. You go at your own pace.

What a session looks like

We typically begin with Gauranga Breathing to settle the body, then move into kirtan to lift the heart. Everything is guided. There is no right or wrong way to participate.

How to join

Most sessions are held online over Zoom, with the live schedule on the Online Kirtans page. Sessions last about an hour. You are free to stay the whole time or leave whenever you need to. See the schedule.

Among the teachers who inspire our practice

Our community is grateful for the recorded teachings of Acharya das, whose clear, accessible talks have helped many students understand the spirit behind the practice. His talks are freely available at wisdom.yoga.
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Japa beads and a warm cup of tea beside a window in morning light
A person meditating quietly by a window with japa beads
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bring the long lasting magic

come as you areQuiet practices for a noisy world Life with Meditation Chicago

There are no beliefs to sign on to, no group to join — just simple practices of kirtan (group singing) and mantra meditation with and without japa beads which help you reconnect with peace, meaning, and joy. Join us online from anywhere, or in person in Chicago and Evanston.

Whether you are new to meditation or have practiced for years, whether you come seeking peace, insight, or simply a quiet place to be — you are welcome exactly as you are. Just try the practice and see what it does for you.

Free of charge, always   |   Online from anywhere   |   No labels, no memberships

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two ways inFind your way in Whether it's your first night or your hundredth

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New here?

If you're new to meditation - or new to our community - you're in the right place. There's nothing to prepare, believe, or already know. Just show up. Sessions are relaxed, welcoming, and beginner-friendly.

Start here
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Hands gently holding wooden japa meditation beads

Coming back?

Our weekly online kirtans are easy to join from anywhere. When it’s time, open the Online Kirtans page and click the Zoom link—no event registration is required. For optional reminders, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Meetup.

See the schedule

What keeps people coming back

  1. A real community
  2. A practice that’s free, with no hidden upsell
  3. A welcoming room
  4. A sound that lifts, week after week

where to find usOnline, with roots in Chicago and Evanston

We meet primarily online over Zoom, with the live schedule kept on the Online Kirtans page. The community is based in Chicago and Evanston, and many of our regular kirtan-goers join from across the Midwest. In-person events will return when the time is right – newsletter subscribers will hear first.
See the schedule

stay in touch

One sound can change a seasonJoin an upcoming kirtan, or stay close to the community with the occasional newsletter

Stay connected
Get reminders of upcoming events. We write only when something’s worth your attention.

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Reach out
Questions about a session, the practice, or how to begin? Send us a note – a member of our community will reply.

Contact us
gopala@meditationchicago.com

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Free, online kirtan and mantra meditation. Based in Chicago and Evanston, open to anyone, anywhere.

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