Chanting

Chanting is the new ‘in thing’. Buddhist monks from the Sherab Ling monastery in the Indian Himalayas were nominated for a Grammy award for their album ‘Sacred Tibetan Chant’.

You don’t have to join a monastery to enjoy the benefits of sacred chanting. Find a quite, warm space where you can create a sense of the sacred. Sit, kneel or stand with your eyes closed (optional). Turn your palm upward so that they face the heavens, set a length of time that you intend to chant- anything from a couple of minutes to half an hour or more, entirely your choice. Repeat the following ancient Buddhist chant for your chosen length of time: ‘Nam-myoho-renge-kyo’ pronouncing it something like, ‘NAM ME YO HO REN GAY KEY OH’, letting it all flow like a single long word. Focus on drawing your voice from the base of your stomach and make it last for as long as you breathe out.

The rhythm of the phrase will raise you above your normal thought process and create a feeling of joy. The chanting helps normal breathing, relieve stress and encourage lower blood pressure. A good time to chant is first thing in the morning, as it will set you up nicely for the whole day. Nightly chanting can help clear all the clutter from the day’s events and help you have a more peaceful sleep.

Below is a typical spring chant, but it can be used at any time of year when you need an extra spark of hope to keep you going or an extra burst of energy when you need to get a project off the ground. It is best sung in the morning, ideally at dawn while looking at the sunrise or a flower; or when you are waking up properly, say in the shower or at breakfast. Close your eyes for a while and visualize the young goddess in all her glory, with bundles of energy and self-confidence. Then chant:

‘Lady of the morning
It is to you I sing,
Maiden full of grace
As I gaze upon your face
New beginnings let me see,
Hail and welcome be!

Or try this much longer chant:

The Charge of the Goddess, adapted generally attributed to Doreen Valiente.

'Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Ceridwen, Diana, Arionrhod, Brigid, and by many other names: Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who is Queen of all the Wise.

You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be natural in your rites. Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings. Mine is the secret that opens upon the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the Cauldron of Ceridwen that is the holy grail of immortality. I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before. Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of all things and My love is poured upon the earth Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, whose body encircles the universe: I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

From Me all things proceed and unto Me they must return. Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold-- all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.'