Chanting—the repetitive singing of a few words or sentences—is very similar to prayer. In fact, many chants that we sing at Ananda are prayers set to music. Adding
melody and rhythm to a prayer makes it more powerful.

When chanting, the same rules apply as in praying: Concentrate deeply, chant with your whole being, and try to get behind the words into the essence of the chant. Yogananda said, “Chanting is half the battle.” It is also one of the very best ways to open your heart to God to express your love.

There is a beautiful story of Yogananda chanting in Carnegie Hall in New York. That night, he led an audience of several thousand in singing the following chant, O God Beautiful, written by Rabindranath Tagore, for nearly two hours! Many, he said, went into a state of ecstasy that night. Others were healed of serious illness.

O God Beautiful
(each phrase is repeated)
O God Beautiful, O God beautiful,
At Thy Feet, O, I do bow!
O God beautiful, O God beautiful,
In the forest thou art green.
In the mountain thou art high.
In the river thou art restless.
In the ocean thou art grave.
O God beautiful, O God beautiful,
At Thy feet, O, I do bow!
O God beautiful, O God beautiful,
To the serviceful Thou art service;
To the lover Thou art love;
To the sorrowful Thou art sympathy;
To the yogi Thou art bliss.
O God beautiful, O God beautiful,
At Thy fee, O, I do bow!
O God beautiful, O God beautiful!

You can chant silently at any time: while working, driving, or while otherwise wasting time standing in line. Regular chanting will awaken within you love and devotion and keep your meditations from becoming dry.

At Ananda’s centres, we chant together at the beginning of most group meditations. Then we carry the chant into the meditation, trying to open our hearts more and more completely to God.

This technique will bring you to a state of deep calmness and focus. Bathe yourself in that vibration. Don’t allow restlessness to creep back into the mind. Stay in the calm inner poise of your soul for as long as you can, letting it fill your whole being. When you are ready to leave your meditation seat, carry a bubble of peace and joy with you. Let your activity spring from that state. Speak from that state. Work from that sense of inner freedom and see how it will transform your life!