Day 27: Come Into Being as You Pass Away

Chanting is at the heart of all traditions. Many Christian churches chant the psalms as part of their service. Tibetan Buddhists chant many prayers, the most recognizable being, "Om mani padme hum," the mantra of Chenrezig, considered to be the embodiment of compassion. Hindus, Muslims, many others...join breath, tone, and intention in an effort to praise, or toward union with God.

I have participated and led retreats where some time was spent chanting. On my own, I have chanted...for clarity, for comfort, to praise. The merging of breath, tone, and intention has carried me away from the chatter inside my head and toward the Silence.

Our Western brains like to "figure out" the way to God. However, it is in the experience where we find glimmers of the glorious Light.

While worried or in pain, I have called on Julian of Norwich's prayer, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." Each time, ease and well being settled in my soul.

Cynthia says, "I can attest to the power of this practice to awaken the heart and support the emergence of the 'unitive imagination.'" "The unitive is that deeper, luminous vision in each of us that can perceive the world as meaningful pattern and synchronicity, that knows how to 'see heaven in a grain of sand.'"

Would you like to give it a try? Here are abbreviated instructions...sit comfortably in silence for a few minutes, choose a psalm, one of the chants below, or something of your own. Create an intention for your time, and begin to chant the material. If you like, you can use a single note for the entire psalm or saying, or you can create a melody if you like. There is no "right" or "wrong" here. However, stillness, intention, and attention are beneficial. If you are chanting one of the phrases below, simply repeat for at least five minutes...longer if you like.

Relax, enjoy, and remember...breath, tone, and intention...the three core elements of the earth.

"Come into being as you pass away." From the Gospel of Thomas
"Om mani padme hum." Tibetan Buddhist Chant for Compassion
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well." Julian of Norwich

Namaste
For more detailed instructions I suggest you read Cynthia Bourgeault's, Wisdom Jesus and/or Chanting the Psalms. Also, J. Philip Newell has a beautiful book and accompanying CD with chants, Sounds of the Eternal.