Manuel, the more I read your letters, the more I like you :)
You are among the few that I read that bring balance and strength of mind to the conversation.
If we let the fascists make us continuously angry and depressed, they have won. We have given them power. We have lost the battle of the mind. Thank you for all that you write.
I listened to some of the Taize. I read about it. I love that it seems to be founded in a desire for peace. However, for me, anything that sounds like "church" is repellent. That's just my issue. A hangup, I guess.
I use other forms of music and sometimes just the sound of the wind and birds to calm myself, as I till the soil.
Keep writing. I think you live as far away from me as another American could be. But I am very impressed with how closely our world views seem to align. Peace.
"One song that I frequently repeat, mentally or vocally, is “Laudate Omnes Gentes”. I became a bit troubled by the fact that I would not accurately recall the second phrase, “Laudate Dominus”. I would unconsciously substitute “omnibus” for “Dominus”.
I thought I would investigate this a bit. It turns out that “omnibus”, in the original Latin, means “carry us”. Is that mystical or what?
I do not purport to be a mystic, but for this Latin ignoramus to discover that basic meaning of omnibus was impactful. Maybe I am being influenced by higher forces."
Love that you substituted omnibus and looked it up to find deeper meaning. I love the Taize chant and instrumentals too. It’s been a few years and I am enjoying the ones you shared. Everything you said here reminds me of this quote by Albert Einstein:
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
The Taize is a different consciousness, higher, I believe than the consciousness that is pushing Fascism on us right now. This is helpful.
Thank you for this, Manuel. Although I had a rough childhood and relationship with Catholicism, I was always drawn to the stillness of the church building itself AND to the solemnity of the music. I was liberated from Catholicism when I went to college but have never lost the appreciation for Latin chants and truly sacred music. I have now created a Spotify playlist to make it easy for me to access something that connects me with a higher consciousness.
Manuel, thank you for bringing a bit of calmness to my heart today. I listened to the Taize chant and instrumentals and I find it to be soothing even though as Bill Alstrom quoted I don't like anything that sounds like 'church' music.
Manuel, the more I read your letters, the more I like you :)
You are among the few that I read that bring balance and strength of mind to the conversation.
If we let the fascists make us continuously angry and depressed, they have won. We have given them power. We have lost the battle of the mind. Thank you for all that you write.
I listened to some of the Taize. I read about it. I love that it seems to be founded in a desire for peace. However, for me, anything that sounds like "church" is repellent. That's just my issue. A hangup, I guess.
I use other forms of music and sometimes just the sound of the wind and birds to calm myself, as I till the soil.
Keep writing. I think you live as far away from me as another American could be. But I am very impressed with how closely our world views seem to align. Peace.
Thanks for your support, Bill. This world is "church". Everything brings a piece for the puzzle of life. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Whoa. This is definitely a good sign.🥰
"One song that I frequently repeat, mentally or vocally, is “Laudate Omnes Gentes”. I became a bit troubled by the fact that I would not accurately recall the second phrase, “Laudate Dominus”. I would unconsciously substitute “omnibus” for “Dominus”.
I thought I would investigate this a bit. It turns out that “omnibus”, in the original Latin, means “carry us”. Is that mystical or what?
I do not purport to be a mystic, but for this Latin ignoramus to discover that basic meaning of omnibus was impactful. Maybe I am being influenced by higher forces."
Love that you substituted omnibus and looked it up to find deeper meaning. I love the Taize chant and instrumentals too. It’s been a few years and I am enjoying the ones you shared. Everything you said here reminds me of this quote by Albert Einstein:
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
The Taize is a different consciousness, higher, I believe than the consciousness that is pushing Fascism on us right now. This is helpful.
Thanks for your support, and meaningful comments, Jenny.
Thank you 🙏💙 We surely need some joy as a balm for our souls right now.
Thanks for your support, Diane.
Thank you for the links; I need more calming music these days.
Try le cygne by Saint Saens. 😎
Thank you for this, Manuel. Although I had a rough childhood and relationship with Catholicism, I was always drawn to the stillness of the church building itself AND to the solemnity of the music. I was liberated from Catholicism when I went to college but have never lost the appreciation for Latin chants and truly sacred music. I have now created a Spotify playlist to make it easy for me to access something that connects me with a higher consciousness.
I appreciate your pieces of joy.
Thanks so much for your constant support, Gracie.
thank you. I was completely unfamiliar with Taize. I listened to one of the links, and immediately felt calmer. What a laudable mission.
Manuel, thank you for bringing a bit of calmness to my heart today. I listened to the Taize chant and instrumentals and I find it to be soothing even though as Bill Alstrom quoted I don't like anything that sounds like 'church' music.
Thanks for your heartfelt words, Yvonne. They revitalize me.
We need to help each other throught this storm. Blessings.