Greetings Friends! 

Experiencing the Easter Mystery 

This week the Christian world experiences the mystery of life and death and resurrection.  As you get to know me, you’ll see that I use these powerful images as metaphors for what we experience daily in our personal lives.  We all have experienced moments of being fully alive, embracing life.  And we have at times let go of something dear to us, whether a relationship, an experience, or a feeling within ourselves, and feel the empty space of the tomb.  But something happens that brings us back to life, returning us to a brighter and more joyful world.  It is hope itself that is kindled. 

Last Sunday in church I experienced just such a transformation from the tomb to my own resurrection.  It began with an image of a tomb, and ended with the unknowable mystery of fullness.  The opportunity for transformation came about through the choir performing Bach’s Final Chorale from St. John’s Passion, followed by silence.  

As the music began, I allowed myself to create an image of my own tomb, the one I know intimately which isolates me from the world.  Feeling alone and resting into peace there, I called forth to my Higher Self, whom I recognized was in the tomb with me.  As the music expanded and grew, I felt the presence of my greater self more and more as the music enveloped us with its soothing powerful sounds.  The chords reached me deeply, and began to enliven all that I am from my core Self outward.  I became one with my Higher Self, and we evolved toward something that felt like a radiant sun (scaled to my size!).  The tomb no longer existed, and I was experiencing the unbounded compassion and strength that is my essence.  

Try This for Yourself! 

Perhaps some of you would like to try this.  I listened to over 15 performances of the music on You Tube, and selected these two as the best I heard to help you create your own image of transformation.  The music actually does the guiding.  You only need to start with an image, and let the image change and grow as the music leads you. 

Prepare yourself by finding a quiet, comfortable place where you can be alone for 10 minutes.  Take a few deep breaths, and begin to bring in an image of your tomb.  Notice that you can breathe comfortably and peacefully there.  Then become aware of a kind benevolent presence resting with you.  It could be a higher form of yourself, someone who inspires you, or spiritual beings, religious teachers, or a form of God that has meaning for you.  You ultimately decide who is there with you, so invite someone who brings you to your fullest potential as a personal and spiritual being.  

When you are ready, play the music, and let your awareness flow easily to your image and the sounds of the choir.  Allow your images to transform, your perspective to change.  As I say to my clients doing the Inner Guidance Session work – “Allow the music to take you wherever you need to go.”  Breathe easily, and let the sounds embrace you. 

When the music has finished, take a few moments to notice how you feel, be aware of where the music brought you, and jot down some notes.  You might want to get out some paper and colors and do a bit of simple artwork reflecting your experience.  Another response is to play the music again and move with it any way your body chooses.  (These are all practices I suggested to you in my 3 Favorite Stress Busters, which you should have by now if you signed up for the Take 15 newsletter.)

The Music Recording 

Here are links to two You Tube performances that you can choose for your meditation.   The fidelity of the recordings are not the greatest, so be sure to listen to them on a headset if you can, earbuds if you don’t have a headset.  Last choice is your computer speakers, which typically do not have the range of sound that is needed to be effective.  This experience is meant to be done with your eyes closed, so the video is not needed at all.  

If you have access to a recording that will give you better fidelity with less distortion of sound, please use it if the timing shows that it plays for around 3 minutes.  Many recordings are too fast and will not give you the imagery you need. 

Bach, St John Passion

Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein

Choice #1:

Choice #2:

P.S.  As I was anticipating sharing this with you, I was told by a friend that the complete St. John’s Passion is going to be performed tomorrow evening (Good Friday) at 7:30 by several combined choirs at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.  Perhaps some of you can make it!  I’ll see you there.  I love when there is such synchronicity! 

Have a blessed weekend!