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Halleluyah! Praise God in His Sanctuary;
praise Him in the firmament of His power;
praise Him for His mighty acts;
praise Him as befits His abundant greatness;
praise Him with the blast of the shofar;
praise Him with lyre and harp;
praise Him with drum and dance;
praise Him with organ and flute;
praise Him with clanging cymbals;
praise Him with resonant trumpets.
Let all souls praise God, Halleluyah!

Psalm 150
The Stone Edition Tanach
Mesorah Publications, Ltd.

__________




Chanting and singing can...lead to ecstatic states of consciousness.
I have seen this in Gregorian chant -- the way it pulls you into your
center as a recollective practice, into the divine. In India, people are
fond of bhajans, popular hymns or songs sung in a sacred context.
These songs are simple, but they are hypnotic, even ecstatic. Some-
times people in temples and ashrams will stay up all night singing
only one bhajan!  They completely lose themselves in their singing,
becoming absorbed in the spiritual impulse of the song and transfixed
by its rhythmic power. It is extremely seductive and effective in altering
consciousness, and can be a compelling form of contemplative experience.

From "The Mystic Heart"
by Wayne Teasdale
New World Library, 2001

"Angels Playing Violins"                         William Adolphe Bouquereau



(A) story about St. Francis illustrates (music's) power:
One day, an angel appeared to St. Francis, holding a violin.
The angel looked at Francis, then gently stroked the strings
of the violin with his bow. The music was so heavenly in its
ethereal beauty and sweetness that it sent the saint instantly
into ecstasy. Such is the mystical power of music --
when it is the right music.

From "The Mystic Heart"
by Wayne Teasdale
New World Library, 2001

________



COMPOSERS SPEAK:

The aim and final end of all music
should be none other than the glory
of God and the refreshment of the soul.

Johannes Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

_____






Music is the mediator between
the spiritual and the sensual life.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

_____







The Church knew what the psalmist knew:
Music praises God. Music is well or better
able to praise him than the building of
the church and its decoration; it is
the Church's greatest ornament.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

_____

I can truly say that my mass has
been more prayed than composed.

O God of Truth, make me one
with you in endless love.

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

_____

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from
God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's
eye, but they are clothed in the right forms,
harmonies, and orchestration.

Johannes Brahms (1883-1897)


_____________

Integrating music and art into contemplative practice,
or making them practices in themselves, is another way
of allowing spirituality to become more holistic -- to
affect the whole person, each one of us in our expanded
integrity. Art and music have special qualities that permit
us to soar to heights far beyond the range of intellect
intuitive and supra-rational experience. In time, and with
guidance, they can become precious means of accessing
mystical dimensions previously little known or experienced.

From "The Mystic Heart"
by Wayne Teasdale
New World Library, 2001

Totally Random Bonus Quote:

I can't listen to that much Wagner.
I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.

Woody Allen
American film director and actor