Category Archives: Chants

Trusting: Shavti

04/27/2007 Alia Meira

Shavti b’veit Adonai
Trusting Hebrew text
I place myself in Your care. (Psalm 23:6)

I place myself in the context of an intelligent, loving universe that holds me in compassion and supports my work. I trust in the whole, and allow myself to be nurtured and embraced by a great mystery.

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

Trusting

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 287.

Chants, Liturgy

Oh Pure Soul: Elohai n’shama

04/25/2007 Alia Meira

Elohai n’shama she’natata bi t’hora hi.

Oh Pure Soul, in you I see endless possibility! (Liturgy)

A rabbi-friend who is a hospital chaplain asked me to write a chant that she could sing to the tiny babies who were born prematurely and were struggling to come fully into their embodied life. When I imagined singing these words to them, I realized that there is a tiny, fragile baby inside of me who also needs encouragement in order to be fully realized. When I sing to her each morning, I am calling forth her potential and gently welcoming her into form.

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

Oh Pure Soul

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 240.

Chants, Liturgy

Medicine for Overwhelm: Tachanun

06/20/2006 Alia Meira

Medicine for Overwhelm (Tachanun) Hebrew text
Tachanun is a petition for grace that is part of the daily morning and afternoon service. It is omitted on Shabbat, Festivals, during the month of Nisan, or at a house of mourning.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I don’t function very well; I forget my practice, I forget to open to God’s help; I don’t have access to the vast treasures of spiritual resources that are in me. I use this prayer as an antidote to Overwhelm. If I can remember at the moment of feeling overwhelmed, to take refuge in God, in the ultimate Compassion of the Universe, then I will not fall victim to the curse to Overwhelm.

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.

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 246.

Chants, Liturgy, Psalms, Scripture

Balancing Will and Surrender: Ozi v’Zimrat Yah

06/16/2006 Alia Meira

Ozi v’Zimrat Yah Vayahi li lishuah
Ozi v'Zimrat Yah Hebrew text
My Strength (balanced) with the Song of God will be my salvation (Psalm 118:14, Exodus 15:2)

In this practice I find and express my strength, my will, my effort and desire when I chant “Ozi.” When I chant “v’zimrat Yah,” I open and surrender to the God-song and let it be sung through me. Then in the last phrase, “Vayahi li lishuah,” I balance those two aspects of my practice.

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

Ozi v’Zimrat Yah

For the musical notation, see The Magic of Hebrew Chant, page 245.

Chants, Shir HaShirim

Building the Intention for Love: Sham etayn

09/26/2005 Alia Meira

Sham etayn et dodai lach
Sham Etayn Hebrew text
There I will give you my love. (Song of Songs 7:13)

This is a practice of strengthening and refining our deepest and finest intentions to love God through each moment and detail of our lives. Before the chant begins, imagine before you the landscape of your life — all the small details that make up your day. Then when you chant the word “Sham” (there), focus the force of your love into a particular detail or relationship of your daily routine.

Imagine bringing the power of Love (a love that embraces the mystery of the Whole), to everything you do: getting out of bed, making tea, greeting your family, doing your daily practice, cooking and eating breakfast, cleaning up the kitchen, approaching your work, acknowledging strangers and friends. See and imagine each moment as an opportunity for loving God through whatever is before you.

Each time you chant the word “Sham,” direct its energy towards another relationship or situation or detail of your life, charging up your intention to love God through “this.”

This practice can also be done as a walking meditation, when you’re on your way to do something that may require your clear, strong and loving intention. With each step you can build this intention and expand your awareness of the precious opportunity that awaits you.

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

Building the Intention for Love