Image by Randy OHC via Flickr
Over at Lucy's site this week there was a post regarding being transported in time through memories, memories translated into joy and sometimes into unexpected exuberance when recalled. I highly recommend you visit her site for a read. I responded to the post about music having transported me in time as well, and I share my expanded thoughts of that transport here.
An album that I purchased and downloaded this year from ITunes is "Chant - Music for the Soul" by the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz. I knew I loved the music the first time I heard it but as I've played it again and again, I realized the why of my enchantment with "Chant."
The memories, brought to me by the Cistercian monks, are those of worship participation some years ago at a seminary in New York City. The music recalls the rich intonations and enhancement of strong, worshiping voices echoing back and forth across the chapel. The memory doesn't make me want to go back in time - just to remember and to feel that aura of a blessed moments there in worship.
The gift of memory is truly an amazing one and I don't take it for granted. Participating in worship in many places during my life, I feel blessed that some mornings as I make the bed or brew my decaf, I find music in my presence, in my mind; a hymn of unknown origin greeting me, simply, unconsciously. The memory of the last place I heard the music is not so important as the reminder that I'm receiving another gift besides just the tune. I'm receiving something holier and more blessed than perhaps my human mind can comprehend. I'm being reminded of worship some time, some place - either near or far - making me aware of the gift and of the spirit for which I yearn regularly. The gift and the spirit or there just for the asking, or the remembering, or just for the humming.
Do you speculate or consider right now your memory of blessed music, or a memorable sunset or site, to be a gift?......... or have you never thought about not having the memory of the music, the site? A blessing to have all. I try to remember that point regularly and Lucy's post reminded me of those blessings today. Did you need to be reminded also? Maybe?
Photo - General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church - The Good Shepherd Chapel - by Randy OHC via Flickr
An album that I purchased and downloaded this year from ITunes is "Chant - Music for the Soul" by the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz. I knew I loved the music the first time I heard it but as I've played it again and again, I realized the why of my enchantment with "Chant."
The memories, brought to me by the Cistercian monks, are those of worship participation some years ago at a seminary in New York City. The music recalls the rich intonations and enhancement of strong, worshiping voices echoing back and forth across the chapel. The memory doesn't make me want to go back in time - just to remember and to feel that aura of a blessed moments there in worship.
The gift of memory is truly an amazing one and I don't take it for granted. Participating in worship in many places during my life, I feel blessed that some mornings as I make the bed or brew my decaf, I find music in my presence, in my mind; a hymn of unknown origin greeting me, simply, unconsciously. The memory of the last place I heard the music is not so important as the reminder that I'm receiving another gift besides just the tune. I'm receiving something holier and more blessed than perhaps my human mind can comprehend. I'm being reminded of worship some time, some place - either near or far - making me aware of the gift and of the spirit for which I yearn regularly. The gift and the spirit or there just for the asking, or the remembering, or just for the humming.
Do you speculate or consider right now your memory of blessed music, or a memorable sunset or site, to be a gift?......... or have you never thought about not having the memory of the music, the site? A blessing to have all. I try to remember that point regularly and Lucy's post reminded me of those blessings today. Did you need to be reminded also? Maybe?
Photo - General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church - The Good Shepherd Chapel - by Randy OHC via Flickr
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"The memory doesn't make me want to go back in time - just to remember and to feel that aura of a blessed moments"
ReplyDeletei love this line...i think it is about remembering blessed moments not about "going back." i had a couple of responses to my post that came from people longing for "the day." when i read them i realized, no, i don't want to go back in time (well...a few extra years might be nice), but rather to feel the essence of those memories again and i can do that right here and now if i am present to my surroundings, don't try TOO hard and allow surprise to happen.
yes, it is about being reminded. thank you. xoxoxo
L- thanks so much -
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Thank you for this. It brought me back also.
ReplyDelete