ChantWave is a practice of singing to remember who we really are when we 'get out of the way'. This results in feeling connected to the source of life, to ourselves, and to each other. The practice is vocalizing chants and songs of sacred or healing lyrics, to shift from a 'head consciousness' to a 'heart consciousness'.
ChantWave allows participants to experience a sense of peaceful communion within themselves while feeling connected within a community of individuals.
Hosted by Inner Harmony founder Michael Stillwater, the ChantWave often includes other musicians and songleaders skilled in the art of supporting community singing experiences and is held in community centers, concert halls, churches, schools, and other places where people gather.
The 'wave' in ChantWave refers to the way in which feelings may be less restricted, and to an energetic dynamic encompassing both the shadows of our soul and the radiance of our light. ChantWave is also part of a greater 'wave' sweeping the world in the early 21st century, as more people are finding the power of chant to be undeniably healing and heartfully appealing.
The Power of the Chant
The word 'enchantment' has its roots in 'chant'. We are enchanting ourselves when we chant, and thus it's important to be aware of what you are chanting, and deciding if you really want to be enchanted by the power of those words.
If not, perhaps continue chanting, but make the chant your own. You can do this without disturbing the harmony of the gathering- but in a way which allows you to feel empowered and connected with others at the same time, altering the words to yourself. If the message is so contrary to your soul that you cannot bear the energy, it would be good for you to find chants which suit your heart, and a community where they are sung.
Discovering Your Own Song
This is not a bad thing; it is simply an expression of the phenomena that we are all descendants from different lineages, or SongTribes, and need to honor our roots and our frequency. Discovering one's frequency can be a lifelong pursuit, but once you know it, you can go anywhere and find others who are in your frequency. Both ChantWave and SoulVoice are designed to accomodate people from different SongTribes, being a place where they can find their way back to their song through free harmonic association. They also may find other people who are kindred spirits.
One Spirit by Many Names
At ChantWave, the words we sing are aligned with a universal spirituality, an honoring of all traditions returning us to the One Spirit by Many Names. Beyond any desire to be 'enchanted' by incantations of this One Spirit, we chant to awaken from any dream of separation, and to have a living experience of our innate mystical connection with the Beloved.
There are two basic categories of ChantWave music- those songs which acknowledge our underlying Self as One, the experiential acceptance that our individuality and the great I AM are not separate- and those songs which refer to a devotional, loving relationship with the Great Spirit, with Thou.
We honor the human in us, with verses acknowledging the pain and suffering we pass through, often driven by an underlying resistance to a Greater Plan for our lives. The recognition of such a Plan, or even desire for the peace that such a Plan could provide if we believed in it- is a chorus we return to.
Background Story
Beginning in 1974, Michael Stillwater cultivated the art of western contemporary chanting. Drawing from the practice of eastern Bhajan, he adapted this form for westerners. Together with Maloah Devi he offered The Miracle Singing Experience and The Heavensong Celebration from 1978 to 1989 in California and Hawaii.
An authentic contemporary musical form of contemplative practice, community fellowship and participatory universal worship, ChantWave encompasses a wide range of dynamics and reflects both reflective and up-tempo aspects. Stillwater's ChantWave offers a way of singing with an ever-evolving litany of chants that has touched thousands of lives and hearts throughout the world.
ChantWave moves between song and silence, with occasional words of inspiration, poetry, and sponteanous healing songs. Humor and compassion are woven throughout. It is reflective of the energy of those who are participating.
Currently, ChantWave is being hosted in various locations, led by Michael Stillwater. Frequently featuring guest artists, including Emmy-award winning composer Gary Malkin and others, ChantWave is an experience of musical healing and celebration. (see schedule)
"I was one of the lucky people in the audience of your latest
Portland visit. Since then, I have been deeply moved
by listening to your music.
The more familiar I get
with each song the more profoundly I understand the message in each of the carefully chosen words.
My children and I
have each embraced your songs.
Hearing my little boys sing,
'Mother, Mother ocean heart shine your love on all the world',
the more thankful I am to you.
Your gift has reached this heart and has helped it through so many struggles over the past months."
-A.M., Portland
Your chantwave music is incredible. Recently as I was listening to Shanti Allelujah I had a very blissful and profound experience of feeling at one with God, which was opened by some very releasing tears.
Thank you so much for that gift!"
C.C., San Diego
"I see music as a way to bridge the barriers of the heart, and as a method for delivering information crucial to our survival.
Music is a transportation system ideally designed to shift us from a linear fixation to a wider perspective, a view which includes our intellect but goes much further, accessing the genius and the starfields, the wonder child and the ancient sage. All aspects coexist within us, yet often live in hiding. Music coaxes our whole self out to play, so we can once again learn how to truly live
our full radiance."
-Michael Stillwater
Pictures from Art of Presence Retreat, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, summer 2005.
