This composition is the second in my ‘Mountain Series’ – part 2 of last year’s Composer’s Choice ‘Shambhala’. I have had reoccurring dreams of living as a Tibetan monk since I was a small child. In these dreams nothing much happens – just everyday life in a monastery – but its consistent and vivid every time. And yes I do think this is past life recollection. I don’t come away from these dreams with any great conscious insight but I do take away a lasting feeling of peace and happiness. It always feels like Ive been “topped-up” with peace. I have composed Northern Lands fresh from one of these Tibetan dreams. I have included a header image by Bireswar Sen. Sen was a master miniature watercolorist, influenced by Nicholas Roerich (as mentioned in my Shambhala blog) and the teacher of my teacher Frank Wesley. All of these artists painted the Himalaya for its deep religious and spiritual associations. Then there’s Krista Rodin who mentions in her book “Mantra and Metaphor in Nepali & Indian Himalayan Communities” the deep connection between the mountains and the beginnings of language and associated vibratory tones developed in Hindu and Buddhist mantras from the region:Northern Lands – by Stephen Fearnley
Shambhala – by Stephen Fearnley
“For many, the most symbolic aspect of a mountain is the peak because it is believed that it is closest to heaven or other religious worlds” This painting by Nicolas Roerich was the starting point for this month’s composer’s choice. Its called Vanishing Ice and if you google search his images you will find a huge list of paintings by this enigmatic artist. Roerich is a complex character being an adventurer, a spiritualist, a writer, an archaeologist and painter. He moved in high political circles in the USA, UK and India and was connected to the theosophical movement and produced a vast amount of magnificent oil paintings in the field , travelling extensively through the Himalayas, India and the rest of the world. He spoke many languages and wrote a book called Shambhala ( not to mention the set designs for Dhiagelev, the setting up of art and yoga schools in New York and perhaps a spot of spying…) Shambhala is a mythical kingdom from Tibetan and Hindu Tradition – mythical in italics because in the modern sense the word implies not real ~ Shambhala points to many cultures’ stories of a place where enlightened humans have created aShambhala – by Stephen Fearnley