All posts by Alia Meira

Chants, Psalms

In the Mother’s Embrace

Im lo shiviti v’domamti nafshi
Graphic: In the Mother's Embrace in Hebrew
I am a child resting in The Mother’s Embrace (Psalm 131:2)
Is my soul not calmed and soothed?
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 131 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

The essential practice of finding inner calm and of soothing our restless hearts is inspired by the image of a child who has been weaned after being perfectly satisfied and sated by her mother’s nourishment and support. Remembering that the Great Mother is holding us, allows us to relax, find comfort and open to the simplest pleasure of BEING.

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click In the Mother’s Embrace PDF. For the musical notation, click In the Mother’s Embrace notation PDF.

Chants, Psalms

The Experience of Exile

Al-n’harot Bavel,
Sham yashavnu gam-bachinu,
b’zachraynu et-Tziyon
Graphic: The Experience of Exile in Hebrew
By the rivers of Babylon,
there we sat, and we wept,
when we remembered Zion. (Psalm 137:1)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 137 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

The experience of exile can illuminate and magnify the power of our longing. Zion represents the mind-state of belonging, safety, connection and the realization that we are at home in God. In exile we feel disconnected from the wholeness of life, and we mourn the loss of meaning that comes from that alienation. In remembering Zion, we receive the Divine promise of returning to the inner truth of our interconnection with all of Creation, remembering that we are home.

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click The Experience of Exile PDF. For the musical notation, click The Experience of Exile notation PDF.

Chants, Psalms

Undefeated

Raba Tz’raruni mi’n’urai,
gam lo-yachlu li
Graphic: Undefeated in Hebrew
From the time I was young, I have felt terribly oppressed,
but I have never been defeated. (Psalm 129:2)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 129 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

I heal the trauma of the past by acknowledging that wound with tender compassion, and then opening to the deeper truth that I am and will always be victorious over all the forces that rise against me. No one can take away my inherent holiness and unbreakable connection to the One. No one can extinguish the Divine spark within me.

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Undefeated PDF.

Chants, Psalms

Choosing Happiness

Ashrecha v’tov lach
Graphic: Choosing Happiness in Hebrew
You shall be happy and all will go well for you. (Psalm 128:2)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 128 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

When we walk in the ways of holiness and have reverence for the wholeness of Life, we will be blessed with the possibility of receiving the fruits of our labor and the manifestation of our dreams. Yet all the goodness of Life can only come to us when we choose to enjoy those gifts in humility and gratefulness.

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Choosing Happiness PDF. For the musical notation, click Choosing Happiness notation PDF.

Chants, Psalms

Who Builds?

Im-Yah lo-yivneh vayit,
shav amlu vonav bo
Graphic: Who Builds? in Hebrew
Unless God builds this house,
we just labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
[Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 127 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

We are the builders, the doers, the ones that are trying to make things happen. We think that with enough egoic effort and determined will, we can build this world to our exact specifications. And sooner or later we run into trouble; the world we are trying to build is not working the way we want it. Perhaps we didn’t or couldn’t see the whole picture or foresee the consequences of our actions; perhaps we encounter difficulties, resistances or misadventures along the way. It is then that we must surrender to the Divine force within us, and become the vehicle for that Great Power. We realize that God is building the house (this world) through us.

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

To download the PDF file for this chant, click Who Builds? PDF. For the musical notation, click Who Builds? notation PDF.