Next month, August 9-11, there will be a weekend of sacred chant, and if you have never participated in such a thing, the music itself transforms and uplifts the spirits of those who are there. So when I found out about this event, I felt like it was a good way to spend the weekend of my birthday. Music all weekend. What a great way to celebrate!
I will be there offering reiki healing and readings for people who are in attendance who might also feel that they flow of the music is opening the flow to other energies, and combine healing with live music. I will be sharing the tent with McKenna DeRue, who apprenticed with me for a full year. There is a photo of us below. McKenna now has her own practice, but we thought it would be fun to do our work in the midst of waves of music and in festival settings it can be fun to share the space. The web address is listed above to get a look at the complete program of events.
One of the joys of an event like this is that you can experience chant from many different traditions, so you can discover new music as well as old familiar sounds. In addition to vocal harmonies, there will also be sessions with singing bowls, flutes and drums, so you can experience the joys of sound in various ways that all contribute to healing and peace of mind.
Music has always been part of my life. I have played in bands, led drumming circles, sung in various chant circles and done shamanic drumming to help people access spiritual visions, as well as guided meditations.
In all of these forms, I have found that music can open up pathways to other dimensions. Traditions all over the world have developed music for spiritual practices and this event will let a person sample a lot of different kinds in one place, in one weekend. We all have favorite music and types of sounds, and we can enjoy that while also experiencing something new and different. And that can lead to adding something new to your own spiritual practices.
These kinds of music are for everyone to participate in, rather than going somewhere to watch others perform. One of the magnificent things about this is that a person can let go of any feeling of not being the best singer. It is when all those present join in together that a beautiful bigger sound is created. I have seen people who had thoughts about themselves not having a good singing voice let go of those thoughts and have fun joining in making a joyful sound.
The organizer of the event is Kimberly Braun, who is on the board of IANDS (International Association for Near Death Studies, who I met a several years ago when I volunteered to help at their annual national conference). She is offering a discount to those of you reading this newsletter. Ticket sales are through Eventbrite. Here is the code:
FLYER24 For a 15% discount.
In many spiritual traditions hearing is the sense that is closest to spirit, so that is why music is universally used as a tool to communicate with spirit.
Another saying is that when we are praying, we are talking to spirit and when we meditate, we are listening to spirit. So when we are singing in a chant circle we are both singing and listening at the same time, in alternating waves. Notice how chant uses call and response rounds to do this.
A saying in some African traditions is that the three things spirit likes best are drumming, dancing and singing.
Listening opens up new ways to experience music and the music brings us new messages from spirit.
I can tell you from having done a lot of this that you will find yourself enveloped in a very special feeling from having participated feeling that the music has enlivened and energized your entire being. I have sung with a number of the presenters on this program in years past, and they are excellent singers, musicians and leaders.
What new messages could you get from spirit by adding more music to your life? Use a tool that you always have with you. Discover the magic in your own voice.
I always love hearing from you, so if you feel like sending me a note, calling or coming to see me, please do!
If any of you has any idea you would like me to include in my newsletters, I will consider all suggestions.
Have a wonderful day! | 
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