Heart’s presence

We have fallen in the arms of love where all is music.

— Rumi

Maybe it was the collective stories of pain, struggle, and profound Love that each member of the audience brought to the theatre. Maybe it was the wise and compassionate opening words of Janie Brown from Callanish Society as she talked about the need to not only hope for a cure, but also, keep on Loving when there is no cure for cancer and death is near. Maybe it was the humble and honest way Shari Ulrich talked about her life experiences and welcomed us all to share in her music. Maybe it was the arms-wide-open and Heart-shining choral direction of Kathryn Nicholson as she shaped our choir’s sound into a form that could be used by That-Which-Brings-Grace-and-Healing. Maybe it was the professional and polished talent of the band, along with the gorgeous embellishments and dedication of accompanist, Diane Lines. And maybe it was the total surrender and devotion of each member of the Universal Gospel Choir who offered her or his voice as a gift for the good of all. Most likely it was some magical combination of all of the above that led to the sustained and palpable Presence of Heart — a pure, beating, loving Heart — that nourished and delighted us all at Saturday night’s benefit concert for people –and their families — who are  journeying through their lives with cancer.

The songs we sing
are like foam on the surface of the sea of being
while the precious gems lie deep beneath.
But the tenderness in our songs
is a reflection of what is hidden in the depths.

– Rumi

I was deeply honoured to have had the chance to be part of the “tenderness in our songs” and the co-creation of the precious gems of healing that came with everyone’s Heart-felt offering and receiving of music. I am grateful — thank you.

Today, may you find some music that helps you dive below the surface of your Being and brings alive what is hidden in your depths. Namaste.

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*******       bright heart singing                              credits and links             *******
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Poem credit: Poem excerpts above are by Rumi, translation by Azima Melita Kolin and Maryam Mafi, HarperCollins, Publishers Ltd, 2001. I found this poem on Raza Rumi’s web page http://www.razarumi.com/2008/04/29/open-the-window-of-your-heart/

Concert links: Callanish Society http://www.callanish.org/ Shari Ulrich http://www.shariulrich.com/ Universal Gospel Choir http://www.universalgospelchoir.ca/

Photo credit – photo by jamm @ brightheartsinging.wordpress.com

bright heart singing, copyright 2009 – jamm. Creative commons attribution, non-commercial sharing only (translation: feel free to quote me in context or use this entry but please always credit me for my work, thanks.) https://brightheartsinging.wordpress.com