I have always been fascinated by the amazing sound projection, clarity, and power of sacred chanting. During my undergraduate days at Houghton College, my exposure to this style of chanting began with an initial exposure through coursework in religion and theology as an example of spiritual practices exercised by the church throughout the Dark Ages and rise of Catholicism. At that time, I thought very little of it, and credited it as simply a form that a particular group found to beneficial to their community. The following year, the Fransican Friars of the Renewal (Bronx, NY) came to campus and conducted not only discussion on practice, but also guided mini-retreats dedicated to prayer and meditation. Chanting was a key part of the retreat experience.
During my final semester at Houghton, I participated in a 12-day excursion to Israel for study, and had first-hand experience of group chants in an Armenian Church located within the walls of the Old City. The church was built from stone, and was filled with the scent of candles and incsnes as the choir stood in a horeshoe in the center of the room. Numbering close to 20, the choir chanted for nearly 40 minutes, echoing throughout the expansive catherdral ceiling. The sound (and experience) was nothing short of breath taking. Since that time, I believe the only form of chanting I allowed to come back to my ears was that from the Monty Python Group.
I sat down this afternoon after doing a search for meditation in YouTube, and this video was one of the first to be displayed in the que. Just out of curiosity, I decided to try it as the form of background for my meditation time. I began the meditation without the use of the video in order to bring myself to a place of relaxation before engaging with the sound of voices. By focusing on the breath for approximately 5 minutes, I came to a place where my body was able to be relaxed. I noticed that areas of discomfort throughout my body began to drift away, and that many of the concerns that I held regarding them drifted away. After that time, I engaged the video chant, and sat through its duration, focusing on the clarity of voice that came forth. It was beautiful, enchanting, and refreshing.
During the meditation time, I focused on a concept that was cited by Rick Hanson in the "Buddah's Brain" text. On pgs. 93-94, Hanson talks about the concept of "finding refuge" as a means of finding a place of peace and security. In Hanson's words, "Taking refuge pulls you away from reactivating situations and concerns, and then fills you with positive influences" (p. 94). This is something that I desperately sought as I prepared for entry into the upcoming week. My meditation time centered around this concept and brought a deep sense of refreshment and power that I was safe from what would occur in the upcoming days. The use of this sacred chant was related to the spiritual community that I find myself linked with, as well as referencing my chosen refuge. The chanting flooded back memories of the that time I spent within the Armenian Church. Recognizing this memory, I focused upong the emotional state that I was presently feeling, and allowed that to bring me to my place of peace. I felt safe in the presence of my refuge, and it's a place that I will continue to seek in the coming days through many different forms. Sacred chants will play a role in the facilitation of that journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment