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Elvira Clare From Song to Stillness: A Contemplative Meditation A simple and direct method of opening the Heart to the contemplative experience through singing. The main purpose and goal of contemplative and meditative practice is to gather the scattered energies of our thoughts, mind, emotions and body and to redirect and merge those energies inwardly into a single stream of intention and awareness, culminating in Contemplation.
From Song to Stillness is primarily a devotional practice aimed at the Contemplative experience. Singing with intention, purpose and feeling is a simple and effective way of softening and opening the inner Heart to deeper levels of awareness and Presence. Singing and repeating a sacred word or musical phrase begins as an external form of spiritual expression, gradually deepening to subtler dimensions of the Soul’s outpouring, where the Singing merges into Silence.
Description of program: Title: From Song to Stillness
Each participant will be given a hand-out which will include the words to several passages. These carefully chosen one-to-two line passages are mainly derived from various inter-spiritual and inspirational sources. Each session will include periods of singing followed by periods of contemplative silence and meditation. Short periods of walking meditation will also be included.
What kind of people might want to come to this program?
People of all backgrounds and traditions are welcome. A musical background is not required.
What value would it add to their lives?
The opportunity to learn a form of contemplative practice based on singing and to carry on that practice, if one so chooses.
Elvira Clare is a singer- songwriter and writes songs and chants that are descriptive of the spiritual journey. These songs reflect the meeting point of music and the contemplative experience. For a number of years she has facilitated retreats Wordlwide; in Egypt, Ireland, Spain the US and Canada, especially, combining music with contemplative practice and meditation.