Chanting, the repetition of a sacred phrase, is a way of transforming the words of liturgy into doorways. They become entrances into expanded states of consciousness. From those expanded states, we can have access to the fullness of our power to bless and to heal, both ourselves and others. The sacred words become the lanterns by which our inner treasures, the unique medicine that we each carry may be revealed. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says, “It is only after we kindle a light in the words that we are able to behold the riches they contain.” We kindle a light in the words through careful and loving attention to breath, intention, meaning, sound, melody, harmony, tone, rhythm, and through the will to repeat a phrase long enough that a shift in consciousness can occur. Energy that is generated in the chant can then be focused and refined for healing.
The art of chanting in community requires a double focus — on the ever-deepening center of one’s being, and on the group energy that is emerging. With each repetition of the phrase, the chanter has an opportunity to strengthen and refine both these points of focus. By opening the heart, the chanter finds within herself more to give the group. And by becoming a servant to the group, the chanter is given access to the deeper realms of her own heart.
When the sound of a chant has ended, the most subtle, transformative and powerful part of the practice can begin. By entering into the silence after a chant, we can receive both the Divine influx and the gifts that bubble up from the soul. The silence after a chant is a completely different, yet complementary practice to the chant itself. At the end of a chant, the silence allows us to focus attention on the breath moving gently in and out of the heart. One surrenders to the power that the chant has generated, letting it do its work within. In the silence, the chanter notices everything possible, knowing that a heightened attention is necessary in order to enter in through whatever doors have been opened by the power of the chant. Awareness of a state magnifies its benefit.
The healing power of a chant depends on the ability to create a vehicle for energy. That vehicle can be understood to be like the Mishkan, the movable sanctuary which housed the Holy Ark, that was built during our wandering in the wilderness. Into that Mishkan we invite the Presence of the Divine to dwell. It becomes the nexus point between the infinite and the finite realms. The stronger, more spacious, and clearer the mishkan is, the more energy it can receive and transmit.
When we chant, we are building a Mishkan at 4 distinct, yet interconnecting levels. The Mishkan exists at the level of the group, in relationship, in the body, and in the heart. During a chant for the purpose of healing, we call on the fullness of our passion and generosity to build and strengthen the Mishkan at all 4 levels.
In Kabbalah, there are 4 worlds which correspond to the realms of:
- The physical world of action
- The emotional world of expression, feeling and creativity
- The world of knowing
- The spiritual world of Being and connection
The chant becomes a healing force when all 4 worlds within the chanter are engaged. The chant vibrates through the body, opening up and enlivening the physical world. The emotions are engaged through the building of intention. The world of knowing is engaged through learning about the content and context of the sacred phrase. And the spiritual world is activated in us as our sense of separateness dissolves and we open up to the One through expanded states of consciousness. Through the practice of chant we can activate all our disparate parts at once, and become the vehicle for God’s healing power.
© Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.