I quite often bump into a paradox when making sacred music for OML :
Im very conscientious of composing music that feels like a journey or perhaps a landscape or a space that can embrace a very singular intention- such as love or peace or wellbeing or even a specific chakra or even a colour . At the same time – and heres the paradox – this soundscape has to be pared down in detail so that it doesn’t get in the way of your own experience. More like a sandy path that provides a direction – to stop you wandering just enough to keep you in a place that is intrinsically aimed at deep thought- so you can reach alpha brainwave states without trying.
This month’s composer’s choice is called Evening Prayer – a universal practise that is found in all religious and sacred rituals. You will notice this universality in the instruments I’ve chosen, even including some slightly detuned Indonesian bells primarily to keep your mind present so you don’t drift off too soon… Ive even referenced ( not sampled) a rhythmic sequence from a song called “ Teardrop” by Massive Attack (1998). I found the lyrics going around and around in my head like a mantra while I was composing :
Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Fearless on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Fearless on my breath
One last point here is a reference I discovered called the Phos Hilaron. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible and is still in use today.
Phos Hilaron basically translates from Koine Greek to mean “O Gladsome Light”. Isn’t this beautiful ? As with all evening prayers it is an invocation to the light itself to return the next day. It is also a gentle reminder that when things are dark in our own lives that the light will return.
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