It rained pretty good this morning, then cleared up enough in the afternoon that I was able to go for a nice walk.
When I got back home, the mist was rolling in and I ended up sitting on the patio just listening to the stillness, watching the changing view, and remembering how much I love this kind of weather (partly because it reminds me of foggy San Francisco).
I also found myself humming the beautiful song, “Mist,” by Swami Kriyananda (from the Mystic Harp CD). It was the perfect soundtrack to my afternoon.
Rest and sleep (lots of it). Increased meditation (8 or 10 times more). Silence. Stillness. Watching the sunrise. Moving my body more (a lot more). Beauty. And the time and space to appreciate it.
We had a particularly wonderful ensemble rehearsal last night. We were working on two songs that get sung a lot throughout the Ananda world — Life Is a Dream and Home Is a Green Hill.
There have been moments when I’ve heard someone say that they get “bored” singing these songs, but I can’t for the life of me understand how that could be. It’s not just that the songs are beautiful in and of themselves; it’s the profound meaning in the lyrics and the deep consciousness that they convey.
As we worked on details and dived into subtleties — with various singers offering insights and making suggestions — it seemed that each song gradually yielded up its secret treasures.
And then it happened — that exquisite moment musicians live for: when the music itself takes over and you feel like you’re slightly outside yourself, observing the music happen through you. At least, that’s how it felt to me. I can’t speak for the other singers.
When we reached the end of that particular run-through of the song, there was only silence and stillness. No one moved for a glorious, blissful, eternal moment in time.
And that — to me — is the absolutely best kind of rehearsal.
Below are the beautiful lyrics to Home Is a Green Hill, followed by a recording of Swami Kriyananda singing it.
Home is a green hill, home is a wind Blowing betrayal, far, far away. Home is the knowledge heaven is near, Home’s the end of the fray.
Home is my heart’s land, home’s where I am; Nothing can dim the light of my soul. Home is forever, home is today, Home’s a heart that is whole.
Often I dream that life is a play: Laughter forever and skies never gray. But when I’m silent, freed from all care, I discover my home’s everywhere.
Home is a green hill, home is a wind Blowing betrayal, far, far away. Home is the knowledge heaven is near, Home’s the end of the fray.
I spent a good portion of this Sunday afternoon basking in the sunshine and the quiet.
It was so peaceful that I decided to take a short video to capture the stillness of the scene.
Only one problem — I was evidently so relaxed that I forgot to switch from photo to video mode! Hopefully some of the peace and quiet will come through the photo.
I received a couple of emails today that triggered quite a deep inner process around questions of race and racism. The emails themselves were very positive and geared towards healing, but stuff definitely got stirred up inside me. I wanted to write about it, but I’ve been feeling like the above photo… turbulent, roiled up, agitated…
So I’m writing instead about the process. About choosing to wait, so the troubled waters can settle down. Hopefully I’ll feel much calmer about it all tomorrow, which will allow me to write from a place of clarity. The photo below helps me remember the goal of getting back to the stillness at the center of my being. Deep breath…aaahhhh!
Today’s Inner Renewal Week class was on “The Inward Path to Self-Realization: the Meditative Arts & Discipleship” and we were guided to start out with the perfect song: In the Temple of Isis. Jyotish even referred to the lyrics in connection with the need for stillness in order to meditate.
Isis is the Mother aspect of God in the ancient Egyptian religion; Swami Kriyananda wrote the song after meditating at the Temple of Isis, in Aswan. Below are the lyrics and also a recording of this inspiring song.
Still your mind if you want to pray. Send all cares faraway. Sing, then: Love’s ever near: Isis comes, await the day. Isis comes: await the day! Mother comes: await the day!
Still your heart if you want to pray. Send all cares faraway. Sing, then: Love’s ever near: Isis comes, await the day. Isis comes: await the day! Mother comes: await the day!
Still your soul if you want to pray. Isis comes, await the day. Isis comes: await the day! Mother comes: await the day!
