Singing Meditation

On Saturday morning I attended a Singing for Joy Workshop in Eau Claire. Led by Ruth Rosauer and Helen Gierke, it was indeed a joy.  Ruth has just released a book, Singing Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence, written with Liz Hill.  The songbook, Songs for Singing Meditation: Let Joy Fill Your Heart, was itself hot off the presses, having only arrived that very morning. Indeed, we were the first group to sing from the songbook - ever.

The singing was beautiful, and the silences between the chants filled the room with sweetness. What a delightful way to pass a Saturday morning! Several of those present had voices of great quality and power. Some were members of several singing groups in the area. Yet, even those of us with mediocre abilities could easily participate in the simple songs, chants, and rounds. There was no sense of inferiority or competitiveness, but of strong gratitude for each of the singers, and for the women who made the experience possible.

I bought the book, the CD, "Ephemerata," and the songbook.  My hope is to use Singing Meditation at home as a way to enter the Silence. Perhaps I will even find a way to introduce the practice to my local church as a form of prayer - which it certainly is.