The Living Room

Mystical fervor

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Michaela

Tomás Luis de Victoria is a Spanish composer who lived at the same time as St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. As he was from Avila himself and later settled in Madrid as an organist and priest, it is very likely he knew and was influenced by the mystical fervor of the great Spanish mystics.

The following is a simple Motete: O Regem coeli, Natus est nobis

The city walls of Avila

Tomás Luis de Victoria: O Regem caeli, Natus est nobis

Posted in Musica Sacra | Tagged Avila, Doctor of the Church, John of the Cross, Teresa of Ávila, Tomás Luis de Victoria | Leave a comment

Soar joyfully upward

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Michaela

J-S. Bach Cantata BW 36 ” Schwingt freudig”

Continue reading →

Posted in Musica Sacra | Tagged Johann Sebastian Bach | 1 Comment

The wisdom of rock stars

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Michaela

“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”
Bono & Mick Jagger – or the makeover of the senex ( the archetype of the wise old man).

Continue reading →

Posted in Zeitgeist Music | Tagged Mick Jagger, Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of | Leave a comment

A day of Silence

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Michaela

A day of Silence
Can be a pilgrimage in itself.

A day of Silence
Can help you listen
To the Soul play
Its marvellous lute and drum.

Is not most talking
A crazed defence of a crumbling fort?

I thought we came here
To surrender in Silence,

To yield to Light and Happiness,

To Dance within
In celebration of Love’s Victory!

From: “I Heard God Laughing: Renderings of Hafiz: by Daniel Ladinsky.

Posted in Books & Poetry | Tagged Hafiz, Mystical poetry | Leave a comment

Entre le boeuf et l’âne gris…

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Michaela

I came across this French Christmas carol and it made me ponder the symbolism of ox and ass in a nativity scene. It is said that the ox knows it’s owner and the ass knows it’s master. Words coming to mind are strength and resilience, patience and humility. The ox dragging the plow and the ass carrying the load. Farm animals both of them, indispensable for people to till a field and bring the fruit of their labour to others.

Or what do you think ?

Lorenzo Monaco "Nativity" (ca 1405) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Entre le boeuf et l’âne gris

Posted in Musica Sacra | Tagged Christmas, Christmas crol, Nativity scene | Leave a comment

A teacher who is not interested in himself

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Michaela

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche from Bhutan is one of my favorite teachers. He also goes by the name of Khyentse Norbu and he is an inspired film-maker. Have you seen ” Travellers and magician” or ” The cup” ? Unfortunately one does not find too many of his teachings – so I am really happy to share this enquiry about the value of spiritual teachers.

Enjoy