Singing Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence

By Ruthie Rosauer and Liz Hill

Introducing the interfaith spiritual practice of Singing Meditation, this book invites singers and those who consider themselves non-singers to join with others in singing and sharing silence. It provides specific instructions to potential facilitators of Singing Meditation for starting and leading a group, including everything from publicity to music choices. An appendix includes 10 sample songs with music and words.

Skinner House, Boston
ISBN 978-1-55896-557-7
$12.00

Order this book from Skinner House

Reader Comments:
“Singing Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence offers the church musician a powerful tool to help people reclaim their singing voices. The book clearly lines out the steps to begin and sustain a Singing Meditation group. This interfaith spiritual discipline helps people with diverse faith backgrounds experience the essence of other faiths through their sacred music. Singing Meditation will take its place alongside church choirs and drum circles as a way for “just folks” to participate in a rich musical tradition."

-- Barbara Miller, Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, who has been leading Singing Meditation sessions since March 2009

"In a culture that often severs musical and artistic talent from all except a few anointed ones, this book is restorative. Following Hill and Rosauer's text is like having an ancient time traveler accompany the reader through the roots of the Tree of Life, one that grows thousands of branches of music, and musicians. This work is filled with gentle, supportive explanations reminding: Yes music is part of your soul, the legacy you were born with and born to."

-- Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D., author of Women Who Run With the Wolves; editor and columnist for The Moderate Voice and columnist at the National Catholic Reporter

"Ruthie Rosauer and Liz Hill have written a thoroughly inspirational reference book for all singers interested in this very ancient yet very new practice of singing meditation. What can this ancient practice of sacred singing bring to the 21st century? Community, centering of mind, body and soul, grounding into the now and a connection with the divine spirit. Many of the things we are all seeking, but which often seem elusive in this changing world we live in today. A heartfelt gift for our turbulent world."

--Gianna Drogheo, director of ReJoySing, a choir in Anchorage Alaska dedicated to spreading a culture of peace through song. Gianna has been singing and teaching singing for 30 years. She has sung repertoire from Monteverdi, Mozart, Puccini to Gershwin, Ellington, and Bob Dylan. She believes passionately that everyone can and must sing for the well being of ourselves and the planet.

“Your book is tremendous! You've done a great job of presenting this intriguing concept. People are hungry for a more mystical/spiritual experience of worship and prayer, and are seeking to develop their own relationship with God on a different plane than contemporary churches typically dwell.”

-- Helen Gierke, Th.D. in liturgy and theology, and Masters in Sacred Music, Boston University; member of the editorial board for revised hymnal of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.

"The authors conjure the ancient magical dance of music and stillness that leads to inner peace, then teach the rest of us to summon it as well."

-- Kenn Amdahl, author of Joy Writing: Discover and Develop Your Creative Voice (Clearwater Publishing)

“In a world hungry for creative and sacred expression, Singing Meditation is a wonderful invitation to connect with a sweetness inside you. This book sets a safe space and outlines everything you need to know---and pretty soon you may just want to drop everything around you, and start singing your way to freedom.”

-- Tama J. Kieves, bestselling author of THIS TIME I DANCE! Creating the Work you Love www.ThisTimeIDance.com

"Timely, deliberately practical, and joyfully informative, this book is an enthusiastic invitation to experience a transformative spiritual practice through song. It will be warmly appealing to those who long to find the Universal Heart within all spiritual pathways, and pleasantly disarming to those who are simply interested in experimenting. The book itself is an echo of the Sacred Sound it extols, and readers will find it engenders deep gratitude for the Spirit it honors, embodies, and shares."

-- Steve Spina, Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire

"In this ever louder, ever faster time in which we live, this invitation to combine contemplative silence with communal singing and dancing provides a desperately needed balance. The historical setting, glossary, and specific recommendations for implementation are most welcome. To paraphrase the authors, silence is a taste more people need to acquire."

--Joyce Gilbert, a founder of the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network

What Is Singing Meditation?

Singing Meditation is an interfaith spiritual practice combining song and silence in equal measures. Combining the two practices, which are often engaged in separately, results in a synergy that enhances each component.

Songs from a variety of sources and traditions are alternated with silence. Everyone is welcome to participate in this practice, even if they believe they can't sing! It's not a performance or a rehearsal for a performance; it's a group spiritual practice.

For more information about the practice, its facilitators, and a CD and song book of singing meditation songs, see the Singing Meditation web site.