The Beat Generation was a literary and cultural movement in 1950s and 60s America, which included writers Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs, among others. They focused on individuality, unbridled self expression and a vehement rejection of the mainstream societal structure. In a post-WWII America, where society was focused on rebuilding and emerging as a superpower, the Beats felt suffocated, seeing only rigid norms and stifling conformity.So they established this counterculture movement, which was led by literature and poetry. These writers, in a bid to expand their mind and access greater truths, relied heavily on drugs and alcohol. The substances were their connection to a broader reality and a way of attaining a higher consciousness. So they believe in the process of “getting high.”In 1969, Ginsberg sat down with Prabhupada in Columbus. The poet had a thought on his mind. He’d heard from a friend that “LSD was a Christ of the Kali-yuga for Westerners,” meaning that as kaliyuga unfolded, and as material attachments became deeper and more intense, that salvation would also have to become easier. And that LSD was the path to achieve it.

Instead of dismissing the idea, Prabhupada gently explained to him that one cannot achieve salvation from the material world by depending on a material object like the chemical. “That is risky,” he said, exhibiting compassion and patience. But he also agreed that in kaliyuga, salvation is easier. And that the way to achieve it is stated clearly in the Srimad Bhagavatam — kirtan.

Kirtan, or the congregational chanting of the mahamantra, is more than just singing and dancing. The sound is spiritual and non different from Krishna Himself, giving us His association. The vibration is pure and cleanses the heart of our material contaminations and conditionings. And the sense of community and joy one feels at being part of something bigger than their self and having a higher purpose is palpable. “Chant and be happy,” as Prabhupada is known to say.

In this sense, kirtan is much like a drug — addictive and causing anxiety if you go too long without it. But it’s a spiritualised process, backed by scripture and leading to a higher consciousness in a sustained, scriptural, spiritual sense. A very sincere way of “getting high,” one which pleases Krishna.

– Aarushi Agrawal
(Aarushi is an independent culture journalist with an interest in reading, writing and spending time with her cat.)