This was an excellent read Christine. I’m a big fan of Taize and of Gregorian chant. When I’m moved to do it, I love listening to Taize as an audio divina exercise; I can really get drawn into a contemplative state after a few moments listening to the music. Thank you again for sharing.
Don't know if I can embed Spotify here but this is my go to Taize playlist. I don't use audio divina with my directees but my wife and I have a small group that I'm always introducing contemplative exercises to so I do share with them.
Your lovely farewell story of Phil and Marie just got me weeping. How much beauty can be found even in the most painful moments of our lives. Very moving writing, Christine. And so well wiven together with the practice of chanting.
I love the monastic chants and to participate in their daily prayers when ever I stay at a monastery. Do you know them?
Thanks for your kind words. I could probably put a disclaimer on at least half my posts warning "this might make you cry!" But glad you also can see the beauty in it. And I want to hear more about the monastic chants!
It is a great art to move people to tears in a good way. So I am looking forward reading all those other moving stories :-)
Your photo for the post is from a monastic choir, isn't it? They mainly chant psalms 3-5 x a day depending on the monastery and their schedule. Most have morning, noon and evening prayers, some also a very early and a late prayer. In many monasteries guests can participate in the sung prayers and we love to do so when ever we happen to be close to a monastery :-)
I remember seeing the Tina Turner movie where she turns to chanting at the end of her marriage. I believe in the power of shared voices and the hum of repetitive tunes. This post is so important 🙏🎵
I got my first AirPods for Christmas this year and the other day I was listening to something and singing along, and both dogs thought I was crying and came over to check out if I was okay. So...I might be in the same no-tune boat, but I love this encouragement to chant. Thanks, Christine!
I love your reflection here, Christine, both on a heart level and from a little bit more of a scientific lens. Your explanation of chanting is so relatable and the story offers the simplicity, depth, and emotionality to your thoughts.
I absolutely agree that there's a nervous system/ vagal toning component to this practice. So many ancient contemplative practices that engage body in some way (voice and vibration here), were wise before we knew anything about neurophysiology. But just to appreciate your point further, I did a quick search and found a research paper from 2019, "The neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting." The authors used EEG and MRI to look at brain related parameters of the Buddhist religious chanting and found in conclusion that "Compared to the resting state, religious chanting increases the stability of cardiac activity, reflecting enhanced stability in the regulation of cardiovascular tone and the parasympathetic modulation of cardiac function."
I know for myself with nervous system retraining, early on when walking for even short distances was super difficult, I used chanting in the form of mantras ("I am okay even though I don't feel okay"), humming, and vooing (a technique from Somatic Experiencing practice) to help me stay grounded. It made the difference in being able to complete my very effortful daily activities and progress.
Oooh, I knew you would be able to help delve into the nervous system/vagal toning component more fully. Thanks for the article, looking forward to reading it (especially as someone who has EEGs about every other year! 😂) And what a powerful mantra you came up with, thank you for sharing it. And now I want to also know more about vooing, I haven't heard of that yet!
Yes, so many ways to engage chanting! I cannot take credit for the above mantra - it was offered in my nervous system retraining program called Primal Trust. I found it so helpful, and still do on days when I experience more turbulence in my body.
And, I think if you go to youtube and look up "Peter Levine," "somatic experiencing," and/ or "vooing" I bet you can find an example of the technique.
Oh gosh so much goodness and truth here. Although I also love music but can’t sing. I’d still love to be a Broadway star but not in this life.
Yup, very much a calling I will never be equipped for! 😂 But consider this an open invite to come to NJ and take in some Broadway musicals with me!
This was an excellent read Christine. I’m a big fan of Taize and of Gregorian chant. When I’m moved to do it, I love listening to Taize as an audio divina exercise; I can really get drawn into a contemplative state after a few moments listening to the music. Thank you again for sharing.
Thanks so much and now I'm curious what your favorite Taize songs are and if you use them with your spiritual directees!
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Don't know if I can embed Spotify here but this is my go to Taize playlist. I don't use audio divina with my directees but my wife and I have a small group that I'm always introducing contemplative exercises to so I do share with them.
It came through - thanks, I will check it out!
Your lovely farewell story of Phil and Marie just got me weeping. How much beauty can be found even in the most painful moments of our lives. Very moving writing, Christine. And so well wiven together with the practice of chanting.
I love the monastic chants and to participate in their daily prayers when ever I stay at a monastery. Do you know them?
Thanks for your kind words. I could probably put a disclaimer on at least half my posts warning "this might make you cry!" But glad you also can see the beauty in it. And I want to hear more about the monastic chants!
It is a great art to move people to tears in a good way. So I am looking forward reading all those other moving stories :-)
Your photo for the post is from a monastic choir, isn't it? They mainly chant psalms 3-5 x a day depending on the monastery and their schedule. Most have morning, noon and evening prayers, some also a very early and a late prayer. In many monasteries guests can participate in the sung prayers and we love to do so when ever we happen to be close to a monastery :-)
Ah yes, I wasn't sure if you were referring to certain chants in particular, but yes, I have had that experience - but it's been quite a few years!
That is what I thought that you would know. btw I also answered your lovely email. Just in case you did not see it yet :-)
I remember seeing the Tina Turner movie where she turns to chanting at the end of her marriage. I believe in the power of shared voices and the hum of repetitive tunes. This post is so important 🙏🎵
Ohh, I never saw that movie, I will have to add it to the list to watch.
This is beautiful Christine in so many ways. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading and responding Amanda!
I was very touched by the heartfelt story of Phil and his wife. It was such a beautiful image. Thank you.
Thank you, it was a powerful image that had stayed with me and glad it resonated with you.
I got my first AirPods for Christmas this year and the other day I was listening to something and singing along, and both dogs thought I was crying and came over to check out if I was okay. So...I might be in the same no-tune boat, but I love this encouragement to chant. Thanks, Christine!
I'm happy to be in the same boat with you! And I'm impressed with your empathetic dogs!
Yeah, that part is pretty remarkable. My previous one (all of them are/have been rescues) used to run away when I was in distress. 😂
I love your reflection here, Christine, both on a heart level and from a little bit more of a scientific lens. Your explanation of chanting is so relatable and the story offers the simplicity, depth, and emotionality to your thoughts.
I absolutely agree that there's a nervous system/ vagal toning component to this practice. So many ancient contemplative practices that engage body in some way (voice and vibration here), were wise before we knew anything about neurophysiology. But just to appreciate your point further, I did a quick search and found a research paper from 2019, "The neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting." The authors used EEG and MRI to look at brain related parameters of the Buddhist religious chanting and found in conclusion that "Compared to the resting state, religious chanting increases the stability of cardiac activity, reflecting enhanced stability in the regulation of cardiovascular tone and the parasympathetic modulation of cardiac function."
I know for myself with nervous system retraining, early on when walking for even short distances was super difficult, I used chanting in the form of mantras ("I am okay even though I don't feel okay"), humming, and vooing (a technique from Somatic Experiencing practice) to help me stay grounded. It made the difference in being able to complete my very effortful daily activities and progress.
Loved this!
Oooh, I knew you would be able to help delve into the nervous system/vagal toning component more fully. Thanks for the article, looking forward to reading it (especially as someone who has EEGs about every other year! 😂) And what a powerful mantra you came up with, thank you for sharing it. And now I want to also know more about vooing, I haven't heard of that yet!
Yes, so many ways to engage chanting! I cannot take credit for the above mantra - it was offered in my nervous system retraining program called Primal Trust. I found it so helpful, and still do on days when I experience more turbulence in my body.
And, I think if you go to youtube and look up "Peter Levine," "somatic experiencing," and/ or "vooing" I bet you can find an example of the technique.
Perfect, thanks I will look him up!