Category Archives: Chants

Peace Like a River: Hin’ni, noteh

02/20/2009 Alia Meira

Hin’ni, noteh ayleha k’nahar shalom.

Here I am extending Peace to her like a river. (Isaiah 66:12)

This is a practice of receiving through our receptive presence (Here I am) the Divine Flow, and then immediately giving that gift to the world that is before us. The gift that pours through us is given with “no strings attached.” We become an extension of the Divine River, flowing unselfconsciously into our world. In becoming fully present, we find our true generosity. Peace, a sense of wholeness, is received and given at once.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. To download a part, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Peace Like a River PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 310.

Chants, Liturgy, Scripture

Incantation for Hopefulness: Lishuatcha

01/07/2009 Alia Meira

Lishuatcha kiviti Yah;
Kiviti Yah lishuatcha;
Yah lishuatcha kiviti.
Incantation for Hopefulness Hebrew text
I wait/hope for Your Salvation. (Genesis 49:18, Bedtime liturgy)

As Jacob lies on his death bed, blessing each of his sons, he suddenly stops and cries out this line, then returns to his task of blessing. The bedtime liturgy takes his exclamation and turns it into a magic incantation of power and protection.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. To download a part, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Incantation for Hopefulness PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 240.

Chants, Scripture

Soul Light: Ner Adonay

01/04/2009 Alia Meira

Ner Adonay Nishmat adam Chofays kol-chadray-vaten.
Soul Light Hebrew text
My soul is the flame of God that searches the inner chambers. (Proverbs 20:27)

This practice from Proverbs defines the soul as an aspect of God that is Pure Awareness, which can be activated as a force of holy curiosity as we explore the inner landscape. This chant can be sung as a 4-part round to build the energy and intention for inner search and inquiry.

To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file

Soul Light

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Soul Light PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 261.

Chants, Psalms

Planting Seeds of Joy and Light: Or zarua

01/02/2009 Alia Meira

Or zarua laTzadik, u’l’yishray lev simcha

Plant the seeds of Joy and Light; Tend them carefully day and night,
In this soil so dark and deep, I plant the dreams that Love will reap. (Psalm 97)

I wrote this practice in honor of the winter solstice leading up to the passage of Chanukah. In preparation for this chant, recall the shining peak moments in your life that revealed to you a great joy or profound wisdom, moments of ecstasy or prophesy, delight or enchantment. Imagine those moments as seeds. Create an intention to plant those seeds and tend them with your loving attention as you grow a life of joy and light.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. To download a part, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Planting Seeds of Joy and Light PDF. For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 278.

Chants, Psalms

River of Bliss: V’nahal

10/22/2008 Alia Meira

V’nahal Adonecha tashkayn
Ki Imcha m’kor Chayyim. B’orech niray or

And from the River of Your bliss you will give them drink.
For with you is the Source of Life, In Your Light we see light. (Psalm 36:9-10)

The spiritual practice that I return to again and again is cultivating an awareness of that river which is constantly and continually flowing into me from the Source. The best way that I’ve found to drink from that River of Bliss, is to bring my attention to the breath.

I use my imagination to attune to the Reality of the Divine flow which is pouring in to this world. I imagine that river as Light pouring in through the breath. When I am fully bathed in that Supernal Light, then I am able to perceive that light everywhere. On the inhale, I drink from the River of Bliss. On the exhale, I spread this awareness into the world, sharing the Light.

To hear the various parts of the chant, use the audio players. To download a part, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.