Give
Voice
“We
often underestimate the power of giving voice, but it is real and
sustaining. It is the basis of all song. It is why prisoners break
into song. It is why the blues are sung, even when no one is
listening. It is the heart of all hymns and mantras.”
Mark Nepo
(The Book of Awakening, p. 115)
There was a little clip
on the news last night about the benefits of talking and singing to a
baby in utero. The sound of the mother's voice is calming, and the
baby is developmentally stronger in its first year outside the womb.
Something about singing, even when we are sad, raises us up to life.
One of my favorite film clips ever is of the Masai tribesmen singing,
dancing and jumping—you can see it on You Tube. There is so much
color, so much vigor, and deep resonate spirit in their call and
answers songs.
A friend of mine is
learning Bollywood dancing. Full body, full range of movement, lots
of almost yodeled lyrics in the vocals. No matter how sad the
Bollywood film may be, there is always dancing and singing that is
full of life. And, there are gospels and hymns that have sustained
people in peril, on battlefields, and in servitude for eons. The
rhythms giving strength and endurance; the words, comfort. The U.S.
National Anthem (“Star Spangled Banner”) is such a song; written
by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. It's hard to give up
hope when you are singing.
Singing unifies and equalizes. It moves positive energy through the body. Giving voice to one's joys and
sorrows through song is energetic healing on a cosmic scale. If
you're sad today, if you're happy, if you need a pick-me-up, turn on
some of your favorite music and sing along. Dance, too. Get your
whole body involved in the music. Your energy—and your spirit—will
soar.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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