MUSIC CAN BE MEDICINE ~~ NATIVE AMERICAN

 The Kokopelli

The above  image of the Kokopelli is Native American, found more in Hopi  folklore. As you have learned  in prior Native American posts, the flute and drums are sacred instruments to the Native Americans Example: When the flute is played it is believed that the spirit of the tree from which it was created comes through the instrument.  

Native Americans not only feel music is important in our life, but also that it is medicine.

 

The following "Elder's meditation" comes from my dear Native American friend, Tall deer,  who is the owner of a group called "Cherokee Place of Peace" on care2.com.

Elder's Meditation of the Day 

"Your power comes from the songs."

--Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN

If you do not know any of the songs, ask an Elder to teach you. Get yourself a drum. When you sing a song and play the drum, you'll be surprised how your mind, body, and spirit will react. Everything becomes calm and joyful. Our bodies love the songs. The songs allow us to touch the hand of the Creator. When we sing and touch the Great Spirit's hand, He gives us power. Songs are another way to pray.

My Grandfather, teach me a song today.

  

Below is a video about Charles Littleleaf on the Native American flute

Consider music as a remedy to re-connect with your Spirit when the everyday challenges life presents that cause stress.

Be well in Love and Life!

~~~ MUSIC ~~ SONG ~~MEDITATION ~~YOGA ~~~

This post honors and acknowledges one of the most spiritual women in the world. Besides her state of awakening, she has been given a gift from our creator, a voice of an angel. A strong advocate for Kundalini Yoga.  Her name? SNATAM KAUR. She is a Sikh who grew up nearby my residence in Southern California, in Long Beach. Her family  moved to India at the age of eight. She, with her mother learned  KIRTAN which  is the practice that involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the Harmonium and tablas.   

Snatam is quoted:  “Music is essential in my personal practice. It’s the core spiritual practice of Sikhs." 

 “I play the harmonium, guitar and violin, but my main instrument is my voice. It’s the way I communicate with my Creator

While I may not have a voice of an angel, I did Byzantine chants in the Greek Orthodox church, giving myself  chills which I associated with communicating with our creator. The creator can do that, ~~ you know.

Communication with our creator through music and meditation is a very powerful medium. I have music playing in the background when I work and write. It motivates me and inspires me.

As I have said times before, music can be so much more powerful then words. Plus ~~ you do not have to know the spoken  language of the audience you are communicating with to get your point across. It is the universal language of this world. Sometimes words get in the way of communicating your point. That is one reason why I like using images and videos to enhance the message I want to convey to you! The beauty of this is ~~ your interpretation may be different than others, yet the universal meaning is still the same to that end. As long as we reach the same destination of peace, Love and Light!

  

Many of the words which Snatam use in her songs are in Gurumukhi, the sacred language of the Sikhs.  

I have provided a translation of the words in this video below which is so inspiring. It is celebration of life and Mother Earth!

The translation:

 Listening, the siddhas (beings of spiritual perfection),
The spiritual teachers, the heroic warriors, the Yogic Masters.
Listening, the earth, it's support, and the akaashic ethers.
Listening, the oceans, lands, and peoples of the world,
And the nether regions of the underworld.
Listening, death cannot touch you.
O Nanak, the devotees are forever in bliss.
Listening, pain and sin are erased.

May your life be full of music, meditation and or prayer and yoga for spiritual and physical health.

Love and Peace to all!

TAOS PUEBLO ~~ NATIVE AMERICAN~~ SONG AND DANCE

 This photo is of the current Taos Pueblo Council between their people and  the US

In my travels within the South West states in the US my favorite state is New Mexico. The two cities I love the most in New Mexico are Santa Fe and Taos Pueblo. Although all of New Mexico is rich with Native American history, these two cities  inspire me the most when it comes to Native American heritage, especially Taos Pueblo. Arizona is another, primarily for Sedona the Native history and of coarse it's vortexes.

Native Americans have a detailed oral history which is not divulged due to religious privacy. Archaeologists say that ancestors of the Taos Indians lived in this valley long before Columbus discovered America and hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages. Ancient ruins in the Taos Valley indicate the Native Americans lived here nearly 1000 years ago. The main part of the present buildings were most likely constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D. The appeared much as they do today when the first Spanish explorers arrived in Northern New Mexico in 1540 and believed that the Pueblo was one of the fabled golden cities of Cibola. The two structures called Hlauuma (north house) and Hlaukwima (south house) are said to be of similar age. They are considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the USA.

The Pueblo Indians are about 90% Catholic. Catholicism is practiced along with the ancient Indian religious rites which are an important part of Taos Pueblo life. The Pueblo religion is very complex; however, there is no conflict with the Catholic church, as evidenced by the prominent presence of both church and Kiva in the village.

Often in Native American rituals and concerts references are made of ancestors and their traditional story telling and images carved in nearby caves, etc.

As my previous post made reference to Song, music and dance, the Native Americans shared their stories with their sacred flute and dance. Their dress was also intentional with their spirituality.

I share with you two videos with Robert Mirabal ( A well known Native American song writer and singer) singing a dong called "Ee you Oo"  from a painted cave and "little Indians"

Music and dance as an inspiration for one's soul is unsurpassed by most conduits in our everyday life. Both body and soul are charged with positive energy.

May we as one people with various backgrounds come together as one spirit for the good of mankind!

Love and Peace for all!

~~ SONG AND MUSIC~~THE COLLAGEN OF HUMANITY~~

If I had a church, it would  called World Peace and Unity. After all, ~~ is our "salvation" (in structured religions) also based on how we treat our fellow humans and living creatures? No matter how many "Hail Mary's" or how many "Jesus prayers" we say each day of our life, or Holy Communions we partake in, we must have Peace and Love in ourselves so that we can love and respect all life before one is "Saved". Or in my words ~~be in eternal positive energy in the afterlife. My Mantra is Peace, love, light and unity for all!

To me, ~~ music and song are the universal language. Regardless of where we live on this planet the beat of a drum or melodic sounds can inspire anyone, anywhere in the world without having to utter words in a language we grew up with and speak from our birth place. Music transcends worldly boundaries of communication.

Speaking for myself, while there are many conduits for spirituality, it is music that stimulates the spirit and soul! Music is a powerful one for me. Music with lyrics that are poetic hit me hard in my heart. I know that certain singers and song writers mean much more than they did when I was a child and evolving. I have a much greater appreciation and respect for  those song writers and musicians. 

"Like family, we are tied to each other. This is what all good musicians understand." ~~""I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music."

~~ Quotes by Billy Joel ~~

I am going to share with you a beautiful video on the effort for world peace through music. I live very close to The Santa Monica promenade where one of the musicians who helped start "Playing for Change"  whose name is Roger Ridley who started this movement in Santa Monica. In speaking with him, he explained the movement and it tickled my senses. I could not wait for the movement  to spread around the world!

Here is the video:

Please click on the below visit the web site. See the magic they make with their love and dedication for world peace. Donate if you care to or have the ability to!

http://playingforchange.org/

I pray daily with affirmations that produce positive energy for me, my beloved family and friends for my perceived to be enemies  and all living creatures.

Love and Peace to all! 

~~ A PUNJABI PRAYER~~ MUSIC AND SONG~~

Santider Sartaj is an Indian Punjabi singer and poet. He is also a spiritualist. I have provided a link to his web site and encourage you to visit it. 

http://www.satindersartaaj.com/

There are many things  I love about the Eastern Indian people. First and foremost is their passion for life! It is expressed in dance, song and music and of coarse meditation. Their passion is both loud and silent. The primeval Tabla which are  drums played in the video below is another expression of beauty. 

All their ceremonies are conducted in bright colors such as weddings, etc.  I consulted with my Indian friends about the bright colors in their clothing when celebrating and Saravana, my dear Indian friend, informed me it is symbolic of being alive. 

Have you noticed after each Bollywood or main stream movie made in India, they also end it with dance and music.

Please view the video below in full screen to see the translation of the powerful words written by Santider Sartaj.

May we all embrace life in such beauty! Another energy sent to the universe for strength, harmony, peace love and unity!

 

 

~~ SINGING AND MUSIC IN RELIGIONS ~~

Sacred music has its beginnings with King David playing his harp. He is known to be the first to write sacred music, some of which still today is used in churches  and temples. King David played for King Saul, the first king of Israel. King David would eventually become the second King.

As I have referred to in previous posts, song and music play a significant role in religions as song and music can be very inspirational, if not for the words, for the melody. Classical  composers would be commissioned to write music for the church in Europe such as Johann Sebastian Bach. Choirs were introduced in churches in Europe. In the Christian churches Gregorian Chanting was common, while in the Eastern churches Byzantine Chanting was more common. 

Chanting goes goes back to the ancient religions. In Hindu Temples in India, Holy or sacred music is called Carnatic music. They have the Pujari (Priest) chant the Archaka, or otherwise known as praying. The musical instruments commonly used in a Hindu Temple  ceremony include, but not limited to the Nadasaram (a flute like instrument) and the Harmonium which in appearance looks like a small piano.

The harmonium is used in classical, semi-classical, and devotional music. Just to name a couple of the instruments used. 

In the ancient tradition of Judaism and Greek Orthodoxy the "conservative" forms of these religions do not use instruments in their ceremonies  or liturgies. Only voices and in the both religions, only male voices.

As to Greek Orthodoxy, this is because when one enters the Church, one enters the celestial world where there are no three dimensional objects such as statutes and there are only voices, generated by the gift God bestowed us.  Heavenly made, not man made!

Only the "Old Calender followers" still follow these traditions. 

In  main stream Orthodoxy, there are pipe organs which accompany a choir composed of male and female singers. Pipe Organs have been used in churches from the 14th century. In the Catholic Church Guitars are used as part of the service. 

I encourage you to view the video below for a short Orthodox chant with a byzantine icon of the birth of Christ:

In North America especially in the south in the "Bible Belt" including Texas where the Baptist Christian church is prevalent, Gospel hymns and songs are the main activity of the day in church. You cannot even imagine a service without a choir singing  their heart out and using their hands in inspiration. 

Below is a video from the world renown Soweto Gospel Choir.

The Native Americans believe that the flute is a sacred instrument and that the spirit of the tree from which it was made projected through the flute. The flute has been used in prayers by our first people.  It is considered a sacred instrument.


I am in favor of any conduit that brings you closer to our creator. When certain sounds are heard whether from Mother Nature, song or instrument give you goose bumps, ~~ that is the energy and power from above that can take you from your worries of everyday life and inspire you to open your heart and become one with all. From the time of King David to the time of Soweto Gospel choir combined with ancient chanting one thing is constant, we are inspired to love and give to our fellow man for the betterment of all!

MUSIC OF INDIA~~GATEWAY TO THE SOUL

I am certain by now most of you know of my passion and respect for India's Spirituality. I end my posts with a Namaste. When I was 16 years old I went to my first Ravi Shankar concert at the university of California in Riverside. Words cannot express what feelings and connection I had with his music and my spirit and soul was caressed by it. Who knew that decades later I would return to this connection.

What has attracted me to Indian Music is the feeling that life experiences of the musician are coming through the instruments. Just look at the expressions of the musicians. Ancient instruments expressing ancient Spirituality.

One Love | Playing For Change | Song Around the World

I highly recommend you also watch the up next video connected to this one when it ends!

Another beautiful expression of unity through music and song. 

Never underestimate the power of music as an universal language. This world does not belong to you or me. It belongs to all living creatures!



Be well my fellow humans in Peace, Love and Light!

THE WORLD UNITES IN MUSIC AND SONG

I am in love in so many ways. My passion runs deep and tears are in abundance when people are together, regardless of race creed and cultures In song and music for a humane cause. Ask those who are successful in the music industry to come together for the best of mankind. You will rarely hear them say "no".

One of the most inspirational and spiritual experiences is seeing  unity in music and song, regardless of the form or background of their music for  humans in need around the world. What passion and compassion you see on the faces of these incredible artists. Just feel the love!!

Tissue please!

MUSIC CAN UNITE US

I am a very audio and visual soul. I really believe that when it comes to music and songs, all racial and culture barriers can be broken. Music and song can stimulate the Spirit and Soul. Move you to a peaceful place.


This video holds a special meaning to me as I know Roger Ridley who is the first singer in this video. I have seen him at the Santa Monica Promenade on many occasions. I live just a few miles from Santa Monica California.


Music can  bring out the passion in humans. This is true in Gospel music, classical, pop, etc. It can stimulate your spirituality!


May you be inspired by musical messages.