www.bahaichant.org

Workshop at Desert Rose Baha'i Institute in Arizona

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Drum circle in Wrangell, Alaska

What is chant?

Chant:  To sing prayers using melodic vocalizations and musical tones
Intone:  To utter or recite in singing tones, or prolonged monotones 

Most cultures have traditions of group singing and chant for worship. Chant includes a wide variety of musical styles, from lively to serene. Robert Gass describes chant as "The worship and celebration of the sacred through melodically simple vocalization."  
 
What is your definition of chant? Talk to us in the forum

The Baha'i Chant Survey

Many thanks to everyone who took the Baha'i chant survey in August-September 2011.  Over 400 Baha'is and their friends from 32 countries responded. 95% want more chanting, intoning and singing prayers in their Baha'i gatherings and core activities.The Baha'i Chant Project is providing information, products and services to help you do just that!

About the Baha'i Chant Project

The Baha'i Chant Project is a grassroots, voluntary community service program, managed by Nancy Watters in consultation with the LSA of Oak Bay, British Columbia.  Want to contribute ideas, photos, links, funds?  Drop Nancy a line . . .

The Baha'i Chant Project helps you:

• DISCOVER the delights of group chant
• DEEPEN loving connections with God and with each other
• BUILD loving friendships between people of all faiths

• EXPERIENCE group chanting in various musical, spiritual and cultural styles

• LEARN simple ways to create new chants together
• EXPLORE Baha'i teachings about chant

Have you ever wondered how to . . . 

• Create a joyful, spiritual atmosphere that quickens souls? 

• Add immeasurably to the vitality and unity of your community?

• Find harmonious ways for people of all faiths to connect heart-to-heart?

Chanting does all that and more.  Most faith traditions recognize the importance of chant, including The Baha'i Faith. 'Abdu'l-Baha says, for example:

• "If they chant supplications together in a good and effective voice, that is very good." Tablets of ‘Abdul-Bahá, p. 464 

• "It would be good to sing prayers in unison, if this could be done with a sweet melody that touches the heart." Compilation on Music, p. 3  

•  "I am straining my ears toward the East and toward the West, toward the North and toward the South that haply I may hear the songs of love and fellowship chanted in the meetings of the faithful." Abdu'l-Bahá - The Centre of the Covenant, p. 405

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