Upcoming singing events: September 2013

There's lots of singing opportunities available.  Here's my recommendations for the month!  -Conie
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Sun, Sept 8, 4-6p: Singing in the Light with Barbara McAfee. Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis.  Suggested donation of $10-20, but please don't let money keep you away!  More details here. 

Sun, Sept 15, 2-4p: Sing Heavenly Harmony Home (SHHH!) in the Library. Rondo Community Library, St. Paul. NOTE: this is during Open Streets St Paul so University Avenue will be closed between Hamline and Marion Avenues.  The library is open, but the parking ramp will be inaccessible.  Plan to park on the surrounding streets ... Or ride your bike or walk and be part of open streets before and after.  See more sing details here.

Sat, Sept 21, 9a-1p: Sacred Harp Convention.  The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee. This is the first morning of a two day gathering of shape note singers.  I plan to attend this portion of it and hope you will try it out with me!  Learn more about this annual event, other weekly events in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, and the basics of this unique American singing tradition made famous in the movie Cold Mountain at http://www.mnfasola.org/. 

Sun, Sept 29, 12n-1p: Dances of Universal Peace  (DUP)focusing on the Aramaic Lord's Prayer. Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Saint Paul. The Dances are simple circle dances while chanting the sacred words from the world's religious traditions. Lead by John Hakem Bushnell, this monthly series will examine  the 8 lines of Christianity's widely recognized Lord's Prayer in the language of Aramaic.  This language was commonly spoken during the time Jesus was alive and has many layers of meaning. Dive in with us. Come with open eyes to the various possibilities of Jesus' words.  Watch this space for details on this event and other DUP events.

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Upcoming October events:

- Sun, 10/6, 2-4p - SHHH in the Library

- Sat, 10/12, 7p - MN Community Sings

- Sun, 10/20, 12n-1p - DUP-Aramaic Lord's Prayer

- Sun, 10/20, 4-6p - Singing in the Light

Eat, dance, and pray together

I engage in a number of different spiritual practices.  I write morning pages (though rarely in the morning), sit for centering prayer, walk labyrinths (especially in the snow), sing chants with my shruti box (though not usually Gregorian or Anglican), and dance. 

I flit from one to another almost daily depending on my mood, anxiety level, ability to focus, need to move, available time, and the brain rats in my head.  The goal is always to feel closer to God and have a greater sense of peace.  Sometimes that means letting the brain rats have their say.  Most of the time it is letting myself be absorbed enough in the activity to lose the distinction of my separate self and to connect with my body, spirit, still small voice, nature, or the wholeness createdin community. 

It is my hope to write about each of the spiritual practices I groove to.  This first reflection will be about the Dances of Universal Peace. 

Tuning forks

It's been awhile since I've written an entry. Life has been busy and mine is no exception as I made a decision to leave an institution I had been with for 12 years. Why would I do such a thing in the economic climate that we are in? Well, it had more to do with the calling of my heart than security in money, homes or things.

A few years ago I was introduced to community singing in the aural tradition. No music reading ability needed as songs were taught by rote, line by line. Once we were secure in the 4-6 lines we were invited to sink deeply into beautiful poems and melodies and to play with harmonies in old spirituals. After so many years of singing in choirs and doing what the page and the director had in mind, I was ready to go out on a limb and try something new.

One of the first chants I learned was a blessing that many faith traditions call their own. It's pretty universal: When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so, that when you die the world cries and you rejoice. I don't know what was more influential, the words, the pseudo-Native American tune or the marriage of the two, but this song has become a personal tuning fork. Each time I sing it, it goes straight to my core and asks me: Are you living the life that will bring the most possible joy to the world? Like a tuning fork, singing it helps me remember my life's purpose and helps me recalibrate my actions so they resonate more fully, less dissonantly, with myself, with others.

So, I'm in the process of recalibrating my life. Over the last five years I have been releasing the hold certain activities had on my schedule and I just let go of the biggest one, a full-time job with benefits. What's next, my thoughtful and concerned friends ask? I'm hoping to develop more community development programs that incorporate singing and dancing. More details to come. J

Before I sign off, I want to ask you, dear reader and friend, what is your tuning fork? Is there a song or a painting or person in your life that has the effect of clearing the distractions and helps you focus on what's true in your world? Please feel free to share.

Basilica bells

I live in the Upper Midwest, the Twin Cities to be exact, and on occasion I can hear church bells pealing.  Not a recording of bells playing hymns (on different carillons no less):, but bells in real towers with ropes and someone pulling them from below.  When they get going, it's a joyful racket! 

 

Today was a lucky day in Minneapolis.  I was downtown and getting ready to leave when I started to hear them.  The irregular rhythm of larger bells oscillating slower than smaller bells.  It always causes me to pause and breathe -- to take note of what's around me.  In reflection, I imagine my European ancestors did the same and looked forward to the ringing of the bells as a means of telling time. 

 

Although today was a dreary wet day (and I'm not complaining -- we need the rain) hearing this peal added a little sunshine to my day.  At least it reminded me of the first time I had heard the bells of the Basilica.  It was in the Sculpture Garden a couple of years ago with a colleague of mine.  It was a warm sunny May day and late afternoon.  Even from across the highway its message was clear.  "Stop and smell the roses."
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Tapping in

Today is Memorial Day and in cemeteries, city parks, VFW and Legion Halls in big cities and small towns a familiar and sober trumpet tune will sound in the midst of silence. Even though I did not attend a Memorial Day service today, I can easily recall this moment from my youth. For the length of these 30-some notes the gathered community is present in the moment and listening together. Many closed their eyes and shed a tear remembering with gratitude family, friends and countless unknown soldiers who gave their time, energy, and for many, their lives for a cause they believed in.

This haunting melody clears a path to the center of my being. I relax the tensions in my neck and back. My ears and soul drink from the rising and falling of 4 notes in the overtone series. For me, it is a touchstone. What am I doing here? Am I giving back to the world?

The end result is not absolutely clear to me. I do feel I'm on the right path though. When I sing

"When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoiced" (Native American proverb)

I don't get the feeling that my actions are out of sync or avoiding my purpose on this earth.

How about you? What happens when you "Tap" in?