The Dragon's Head Blog: Reflections on Chanting

Chanting has been an important part of my Taoist Tai Chi^® practice and so I was glad to join the Saturday sessions as we chant for the world. At first, I was very much aware of hearing my own voice superimposed over the voices of the leaders and this seemed a distraction to me, but as the weeks have progressed something different has been happening.  I no longer hear my own voice in that way.  It has somehow merged with the sound of the chant itself.  It is a very peaceful, yet powerful feeling.  

I have questions about this experience:  Is it the same as the way we can sometimes “lose our own” tai chi during a set which is deeply and peacefully felt by all? Is it because I am now able to hear and follow the pronunciation and tones better? Or, has the quality of my listening changed so that I have begun to “listen with the heart”, and so am more attentive to the feeling inside?

I do know that our chanting has a special poignancy at this time.  As my own voice has merged into the chant, I have become more aware of the one thousand others who are also chanting, even though I cannot hear them.  I can feel them, feel together and at one with them, and feel the power for good that we are together directing outward into the universe.    I hear and feel the beat of the fish, and as I lose my voice in the chant with all of the other voices, I feel that we all have become part of the beating heart itself of an organization that is very much alive and well, and is guiding us safely through.