A lot of research has been coming out lately about inheriting the memories of our forbears and how they might be affecting positively or negatively our genetic and psychological make up. This research goes way deeper than just the expression of body shape, facial similarities, hair and eye colour – it is investigating how we receive the experiential memories of our ancestors and therefore passing on our own memories to our own children. Just google “transgenerational epigenetic inheritance” and you’ll find a host of articles.
This month’s composition Ancestors Rising was inspired by the recent and particularly strong sensation of the presence of my Grandmother Amy – who died in 1987. Over the years she has “popped” in and out in ways that are synchronistic (e.g.: Thinking of her and someone on the TV saying her name – simple things like that) to the physical sensation of her in the room with me, the smell of her favourite flower – gardenias, even when there are none flowering – as well as her touching me on the hand or shoulder.
On many occasions, when in a meditational state, I’ve traveled in my mind’s eye to places, landscapes, seen faces, and had experiences that feel familiar – like memories – when I consciously know I’ve never seen or been there before – or alternatively forgotten about them – filed away somewhere in my subconscious. You can also play at automatic writing where you think of a dear one and ask them for advice. Nothing spooky – just ways of tapping into the subconscious mind for what actually could be real memories and advice from potentially ALL of your forbears.
And then of course there is meditation. I kind of see it as scuba diving into my deeper mind – going on an adventure to see the strange fish and landscapes – following trails, focusing on people or faces that pop up – and engaging them with questions or just allowing them to impart information.
Although I’ve been meditating now for over 30 years I don’t see this as advanced practice in the slightest. I was doing this scuba diving thing from the very onset and I think its why I kept doing it because it was fun. Often, when I’m feeling in need of guidance, I will stick close to home – so to say – and meditate on my relatives who have ‘died’. I have a few places – one is an open meadow with a path and I see them walking up to me. We embrace and chat. They will always offer advice that is loving and kind.
“Ancestors Rising” is simply a meditative musical piece composed with the intent of helping you make that bridge between yourself and those beloveds who have moved on…
Steve Fearnley
Stephen Fearnley is an award-winning filmmaker, artist and composer. He composes transformational soundscapes for the meditation journeys guided by Naomi Carling and facilitated by Naomi Janzen for One Mind Live – a unique worldwide online group meditation community. To sample One Mind Live, go HERE
I enjoyed reading this Stevexxx