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- Singing together when we’re alone - how Giving Voice is different from a choir
By Rachel Healey In this article I look at aspects of how Giving Voice (GV) differs from singing in a choir, even a virtual choir. GV is a personal resource for exploring our relationship with song and with ourselves, developing inner harmony and connectedness, as well as offering an experience of taking part in something universal and eternal, whenever and wherever we do it. Recently I took part in a virtual choir online – shout out to Becky Owen and her PopUp Choirs! Everyone except the leader had their sound turned off, due to problems with latency. But it was lovely seeing everyone and getting the feeling of singing together. Becky is so skilled, she made it seem easy. It was really fun and joyful, and we sang 2 songs in 3-part harmony. There was a sense of community, belonging, and feeling resourced. There are a lot of wonderful initiatives happening to keep people connected and taking part in singing together, as well as people sharing songs and tutorials. Before the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to social gatherings, we offered real-life GV groups. In the sessions we aimed to teach people how they can connect with songs on their own, away from the group, and grow through that very personal process. The ongoing groups were there for people to share and celebrate their discoveries, get support and input, as well as enjoy singing and being together. GV has always been offered to people remotely, as some of our participants are people who are isolated at home due to long-term illness, people who can’t drive or travel long distances, or people who have caring responsibilities. We offered individual sessions, and also group sessions, where some people or everyone took part from wherever they were, in the context of their own lives, being in touch with the group facilitator by phone. Initially we used cassette tapes for distance participants! Then CDs and emails, and more recently, personalised web links. Jill’s book: “Unlocking the Power of Song – A Companion for Challenging Times ” is designed to help people learn how to use the GV Process on their own in the context of their lives. Some extracts are available on our website , and in our Facebook group. I have used GV in my own life for over 20 years, with ongoing support from Jill. Now it has become a daily practice, in a way that meditation and other practices are for some people. In fact the GV Process is perhaps closer to meditation than singing in a choir. There are many types of meditation, including singing meditation. Many aspects of GV could be termed meditational or mindful, since it involves focus for example, and being present. And as with some forms of meditation, it facilitates growth in awareness. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of mindfulness, describes it as an adventure, involving “Paying attention in a particular way — on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally”. He described his original approach of “ethically-practised mindfulness” as "a radical act of love”. We feel the same could be said of GV . Yet it’s still different. One way is that the songs themselves can be like companions, and our relationship with them can have many facets. And the power of music is inherent in GV . As Jill herself says, "I used to get so much from singing with other people, I would never have believed what was possible on my own. It was only out of necessity that I discovered more than I could have possibly imagined: not only could I have the most all-consuming experiences when it was ‘just’ me and ‘just’ the song. Often the most profound experiences occurred when I wasn’t even singing aloud at all. This was an astonishing discovery for me. And over the years, many others have discovered this too – through this extraordinary phenomenon that I call the Giving Voice Process." Initially I was surprised that using the GV Process on my own gave me an experience of singing together. I reached a deep knowing that I’m interconnected with other humans and beings on this planet and in the whole universe. That might mean something to you – whether it’s about physics or biology, atoms and particles, or something you think of as divinity or “energy”. I discovered that it’s possible to experience myself as part of all-that-there-is. It’s awesome and it offers me an experience of connection at any time, in any context – and the more I do it, the easier it is to find it. The GV Process also offers an experience of harmony within ourselves - at home with ourselves. Depending on how and where we are, that can feel easy or challenging. But again, the more we do it, the more accessible that experience becomes. Developing and singing from a place of greater harmony within ourselves facilitates an experience of greater harmony in our singing – whether we are physically alone, or in the same physical space as other singers. All my life I’ve loved singing, and have tried lots of approaches, styles, groups and choirs. It was when I first did GV that I had an experience of coming home. It also felt like joining in with something eternal. I sometimes say in my group sessions that the songs are singing all the time, we just join in for a while. The GV Process teaches us to have a relationship with song that goes beyond our individual experience, that we can still have on our own. It’s really fulfilling and exciting, comforting, and filled with peace and joy. I recommend it! Want to know more? Head over to our Facebook page or explore the rest of our website and our other blog articles. If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, please give us a like.
- Shifting sands - being with uncertainty
Last year I took part in a guided walk across Morecambe Bay in Cumbria, UK. This is a coastal area where you can only walk with a guide, due to the uncertain tides and quicksand. People have died, caught out by the moving sands and water. There is a part of the walk where the guide says, ok, I will blow a whistle, and then we will set off and walk quickly for about ten minutes. We will be walking over quicksand and it's important that you walk fast and don't stop, for about ten minutes, until I blow the whistle again. If you stop you will sink and you might get stuck. Morecombe Bay and its shifting sands. We arrived at the start point, and the whistle blew. I started walking, and soon felt the ground shift under my feet. If felt like walking on a layer of set custard, with liquid custard flowing freely underneath. It was pretty frightening, but I knew what I needed to do was keep going. I kept walking quickly, constantly checking my fear and reassuring myself that it would be ok. Then after a while I felt myself on firmer ground, and the whistle blew again, and the rest of the walk was on normal sand. I was soon back on dry land, with a feeling of relief and accomplishment. Our recent Giving Voice New Year Retreat (it was called Creating Hope - using the Giving Voice Process , a life-enhancing tool), reminded me about this experience. The lead-up to the Retreat was full of uncertainty, with people expressing interest but then being unable to come, booking on but then falling ill, and people asking to come last-minute. Then Jill who was running the Retreat with Caroline and me (Rachel) was unable to come for health reasons. All of this felt like walking on shifting sands. At one point we thought about cancelling, but with the help of Unitive Kinesiology, and support and encouragement from our host Linda, we realised we needed to trust and keep going. The Retreat was about creating hope after all! We had to act quickly to keep responding to unfolding events, which now included severe weather warnings of snow and ice and travel disruption. We kept adapting our plans and expectations as the situation we faced kept changing, but we kept going. The Moon and Venus in the sky, offered an auspicious start to our Creating Hope retreat. Even during the Retreat itself we needed to continue flexing and changing our plans, whilst holding the group in safety and trust. Jill supported us at a distance and all participants had 1-1 sessions with her, which would not have happened if she'd been there in person. It felt like we really succeeded in offering an experience tailored to the people there and working with reality as it unfolded. It did feel like walking on shifting sands, with things flowing and changing underneath and around us, but our intention to bring our whole selves to our work as much as possible, to trust and honour the GV Process , guided us through. Participants said they experienced sweetness, connection, and growth, among other things. So often in the world and in day to day life it can feel like everything is uncertain. But if we keep going with purpose and trust we can get to a place of more solid ground. One of Jill's songs, the Transformation Chant (no. 2 in her book ), can help us develop our ability to keep going though tough times. Another of her songs, A Way Through Uncharted Territory , gives us a kind of "road map" to being with uncertainty. Regular practice with these and other songs using the GV Process can help us around living with uncertainty and developing our capacities – to find purpose and trust, and to create hope in ourselves and in the world. Rachel January 2025
- A Seasonal Song - Silent Night
In the winter 2024 edition of InterAction magazine , @ actionforme asked NFGV's founder Jill Rakusen to write an article about the role of song in her life*, and to choose a seasonal song. We’ll be publishing the article in December, but in the meantime, here’s an extract of what Jill said about her chosen song – Silent Night . Followed by s ome other recordings that she recommends as they carry a soul quality. "I chose Silent Night for several reasons: because of the profound nurturing restfulness it can engender, because of its history, and because it touches on something deeply universal. By Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber, it was born in Austria out of immense suffering, after 12 gruelling years of war in Europe which ended in 1818. Almost a century later, near the beginning of World War I, a German officer began singing it on Christmas Eve, first in German, then in English, leading to 'enemy' soldiers joining in and sharing other carols. Jill will also be sharing Silent Night online during the Christmas period, so if you would like to join her, do contact us at info@givingvoicefoundation.org.uk and we’ll be in touch Given our present-day wars, including, yet again, in Europe, and in the Middle East, ‘cradle’ of the world’s three Abrahamic religions, I feel it’s a song so needed now: not a saccharine version that can appear on the airwaves, rather a version that can be deeply held in the intimacy of our hearts, as we link with all who’ve suffered in the past, through to the present day. I was moved to tears recently on coming across a video of some Muslim girls singing it in Arabic – in Beirut – in 2017. I pray that they and their loved ones have found, and can continue to find, safety, and can take succour from it amidst the current ongoing destruction … And I trust that holding them in our awareness, and all who are suffering, will support them, and contribute to peace throughout the world as we connect with it deeply in our hearts." Some other recordings that carry a soul quality Sinead O’Connor’s simple, unadorned, uniquely idiosyncratic version. The Halle Choir singing ‘remotely’ – each in their own homes during the Covid pandemic lockdown: a metaphor of how we can be separate yet together (in this case, because of the limitations of technology, we can’t make music with someone else over the internet because of the time-lag, so each voice is recorded separately and then ‘joined’ together afterwards via the wonders of said technology). This beautiful arrangement is by Darius Battiwala. The King’s Singers’ live version in King’s College Chapel, sung in the original German, arranged beautifully by John Rutter, sung after lockdown, Christmas Eve 2021. Another German version, sung by young people from Bundesgymnasium Rein, again in 2021. They manage to sing with smiley faces throughout – which offers much to the music and the entire experience. Always good to smile – whether singing silently or aloud. And indeed at any time we choose! See our blogpost on Sound and Silence , where Jill and Sarah talk about Silent Singing. There’s also a chapter in Jill’s book about this. More about the history of this song can be found in this video of a lecture and at the website of the now closed Silent Night Museum *We’ll be putting up the article in December on here and on our Facebook page .
- Sound and silence: how music can be more powerful and transformative than we realise
This blogpost is part of a conversation between Sarah and Jill, during a short 2- session course on ‘Developing Inner Companionship through Song’ held online a week apart. It conveys Sarah’s developing relationship with one of the songs in Jill’s book . She starts with really enjoying singing it aloud, but with Jill’s facilitation she begins to explore a deeper relationship with the song and with herself, letting go of some of her initial assumptions and habits around music and singing. Sarah then discovers she can get so much more than she initially believed possible ... During the first session, each participant chose one of Jill’s songs to spend time with. Sarah chose I See Beauty – No. 3 in the book. Sarah Because of my musical background, (I also teach songs), I really had to let go and get into a [quieter] space. Gradually I was able to let go, and started ‘meeting’ the song as I got past all the heady bit. I can feel emotions/tears now. I hadn’t been letting myself before (it’s to do with what’s been going on lately). Beauty with all the grief and other stuff. After the first session, Sarah shared the following, which prompted a conversation with Jill: Sarah I felt very comforted by the song. Very soon I didn’t need to listen to the recording: I was just singing it myself out loud, and sometimes then in my head a bit (when I lost my voice). During the week I got different things from it at different times ... So if I was already in a very calm good space, it would accentuate that and make me feel more connected to things, and more aware of all the wonderful, beautiful things in my life. If I was feeling a bit down or stressed, it would begin to shift that mood, to remember that wonderful feeling. It only took a few minutes. [see below for what Sarah later realised] Jill Thank you Sarah. I have a question: you said sometimes you 'did it in your head'. Might you be aware of any difference between having a song in our heads versus experiencing it? It’s hard to describe what I mean by experiencing it; some of you might be able to find words, but basically we can't really experience it when it's in our heads. You could say, ‘it's in my heart’, but it might be more total even than that. When you weren't singing aloud, did you notice any difference? Sarah If I wasn't singing aloud – if my voice was going, or I got tired, or something – I was going through it in my head, hearing the absolute sound of it. Is that different from what you mean? Jill I think what I mean could incorporate that. However, it can be much wider and fuller than that. Sarah It was definitely more powerful to be actually singing it. Jill Okay, that's great. There’s just one bit of information I’d like to share, which you’ll find in the book (eg in the Silent Singing chapter, and elsewhere, too): people often find it's more powerful when they're not singing aloud! Sarah Oh! I felt the opposite. Jill Yes – and I would have said exactly the same before I embarked on this entire Giving Voice Process myself, 30 or so years ago! When we discover the power of the inner experience – and this is all explored in the entire Silent Singing chapter – then we can explore how to bring that incredibly powerful quality of experience into our singing. So I'm just planting that seed in case it's of interest at some stage ... [Sarah and other participants later had a chance to explore more on their own.] Sarah I’ve now read a bit of the chapter about Silent Singing, and I found myself silently mouthing the words (which I know can be an aspect of silent singing, though I know I haven't read enough of that chapter yet). Is that okay? Jill That's fine, absolutely fine. Yeah, it's a much more a whole body, whole being experience ... [Then participants had another chance to explore on their own] Sarah That was amazing! I decided to play the recording first (I haven't done that for a bit), and I was able to be really engaged with it rather than just listening to it. I guess I was experiencing it more ... I was with it ... Then, after the recording finished, I focused even more on the breath ... [Then Sarah explains she explored an aspect of Silent Singing ] I stayed with that for a long, long time, which was when I felt really amazing. Yeah, I found that I was smiling very much. I couldn't stop smiling! I had my eyes closed all the time, I didn't want to open them ... My body was moving. I then stood up, still with eyes closed, which showed how good my balance was managing, because, I've got M.E., and I don't normally stand up with my eyes closed. It was fine, so I stood up. My eyes were still closed, and I was still singing silently and swaying and moving my arms. It was a different sort of experience ... a whole body, experience, really whole body, like the song took over my whole body. It was wonderful. And of course what was so good about doing it here with you now is that I read some of those bits you suggested, and then you gave us the chance to engage with the song for those 20 minutes. That made a big difference. Previously I hadn’t been giving myself that time. So I'll now know, won’t I?! – about giving myself the time to experience that. Thank, you. Jill There's so much richness you've shared, Sarah. So much – in the way of discovering that you've encountered and given yourself. It was lovely to hear the gift you now know you can give yourself. And now you've had that experience, you've got more awareness of how you can shortchange yourself – and what you can do to avoid that. Thank you so much, Sarah. Sarah Yes, I have more incentive to give myself that time, because I know what can happen. Jill Yes, and yet you need to be prepared for it being different, and you could even call it disappointment. Or you could see it as okay ... Sarah Hmm! I know what you mean ... Jill ... The chapter on Personal Practice talks about that a little bit, and how to approach/ handle it. It's about not end-gaining, rather it’s about an honouring process: discovering how to really honour the song, and then broadening that honouring – of everything, including oneself. So it takes us beyond the self into something bigger – which is arguably even more important. Sarah Yes! This is in the book, but I know this from other practices – sometimes you kind of emotionally feel ‘Well, I didn't get that much out of that’, but in fact, part of you really has done, and it’s only later you realise ... Or you just have to believe, even know that it’s having an effect ... Jill Yes, and to get from A to B or X to Z or wherever, it can at times seem like we're in a fallow period. And then we make another leap forward into discovering more, becoming more ... In other words, we can't make a mistake. Sarah ... or a down period, where we feel like we've gone backwards. But we haven't really. Jill Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much for your sharing, Sarah. [At the end of the second session, participants considered 'What next?’] Sarah At the moment I want to stay with this song. I have no feeling at all of wanting another ... I realise there's still so much more I can get from this song that I don't need to actually change for a good while. Jill Yes. Each of the songs in the book has a lot of potential. Taking I See Beauty, the song Sarah’s been with: when we start to acknowledge beauty – maybe literally what we see with our eyes, or with our soul, or heart, or what we hear or feel – then the last line, “I create beauty wherever I go” – is so full of potential, as we start to realise our place – and potential/actual role – in the general scheme of things. Every moment we can be in that mode. The sky is the limit. And what a gift that is, way beyond ourselves. Sarah That's what I mean. It feels like that. That song’s good for me forever, you know. Because there's always more ... Caroline One of the things that Jill says is that maybe there’s only one song that you need – for the rest of your life! Sarah Yeah – totally! I experienced the song on all those levels with the seeing, the hearing, feeling, and then the creating it just seemed to embody all of it beyond words. Jill Yes, thank you for sharing that. It is beautiful to hear. The song gave me so much when I created it, and it’s always amazing, and humbling, to hear others experiencing something similar with it. Finally Jill It’s been very special to witness everyone this evening: your discoveries and new observations. Thank you so much. Sarah This evening has been really lovely. I really got a lot from the first session. So of course I wanted to [come to the second one]. However I was conflicted because of wanting to be outside enjoying the nice weather! I feel like you know what I mean. But I'd committed to doing it, and it's just been wonderful. I've loved it so. Thank you. [Sarah also said she’d begun to do what we call ‘personal practice’]: "I found it helpful to schedule it at the beginning or the end of having a rest. If I just assumed I’d remember to do it, this didn’t necessarily work". We now do a rolling programme of these ‘mini-courses’, for people who have Jill’s book . They’re free to people who have the book, and anyone who has a copy can attend one. As Sarah reveals, they can really help with getting the most out of the book. Contact us i f you'd like to join a forthcoming course.
- Finding Peace in the Covid-19 Crisis
This blog post is about my experience with A Song About Finding Peace , created by Jill Rakusen, founder of Giving Voice . I take you through my process, step by step, in a kind of poem. Then I’ve written a bit about the Giving Voice Process, unlocking the power of song, and using it to help ourselves through this particular time of global crisis. The song is No. 1 in our book . By Rachel Healey Here’s what I experienced... Old Man, walking, pacing steps of peace … As I start singing and being with this song, I can feel myself dropping, Into layer after layer, Each more peaceful than the last. I’m breathing more deeply, My focus is coming in to the present moment, My emotions of anxiety and fear are subsiding. Instead I’m noticing feelings of calm and spaciousness. My physical sensations are of softening, My face and belly relaxing, My shoulders dropping, My spine uncurling. I’m becoming aware of a peaceful yet enlivened space around my heart. New thoughts and sensations Are gently coming in to this space. The wonderful thing about the thoughts is that I’m less attached to them than usual – I can feel myself as witness, saying, Ooh Look at that thought, that’s an interesting thought. Is it true? Is it useful? For example, I’m thinking, how much peace do I want? Do I want to continue with this practice, Dropping through more layers, Letting go of the fear and anxiety I’ve been carrying Since the start of this coronavirus pandemic? Or am I quite attached to the fear and anxiety? Is there a sense of community in participating in it? If I let go of that, will I be even more isolated – Who will join me in this non-anxious state of being? Will I be alone in my semi-peaceful state? Then I drop into more layers, Where my anxiety about that subsides, And I start to experience myself as part of something, Just by the fact of being human, Being here Being aware. It’s such a relief! I know that I don‘t have to do anything, I don’t have to be in any particular way – Just allow the song to be there with me, For me and the song to be here Together. Old Man, talking, speaking words of peace … This is a peace that has eluded me for days now! Yet it only took a few minutes connecting with this song to find it. Why on earth have I been depriving myself of this? Old Man, listening, hearing sounds of peace … There’s so much around me that I could be enjoying, Drawing on. The wind outside, the odd bird, The sounds of my breath and my singing - I could be enjoying them more! Old Man, watching, seeing signs of peace … The softness of the daylight, Colours in my environment, Spring buds on trees And in the earth. The song continues to resonate. I’m enjoying more. Relaxing more. My mind becomes quiet, As I unlock the power Of this song. -—o0o—- I’ve learnt how to do this through something called the Giving Voice Process, developed by Jill Rakusen . I’ve had years of practice developing this skill; at the same time, it reminds me of what it was like the first time I came across it, and many other times in between. I felt present, relaxed, gently focused, enjoying each moment, feeling part of a greater whole. At my first Giving Voice event, I experienced myself as part of an eternal singing community, stretching into the past and into the future. I felt part of a line, a chain, a movement. This process isn’t all about being with other singers and doing something together in the same room: it’s an inner experience and something I carry within myself, always. It feels as if it’s always been there, I just needed to learn how to unlock it and let it out! I’m drawing on the power of song so much in this time of crisis. So are other people already involved in G iving Voice, who are engaging with this and other songs in their own lives and homes, like me. Knowing other people are engaging with this special song at this time adds an extra dimension: it reminds us we are interconnected and part of a greater whole, and that, simply by doing this, we can offer something to others, just through being open to what it offers. And by affecting the ways of being of those who sing or listen to it, in turn this can impact on others around them too. There’s more information available in our book about this song and how to begin to unlock its power. You can also visit our Facebook page, and join our Facebook group. Here is a link to Giving Voice for Peace . If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please give us a like, or leave a comment. Rachel
- What does our Giving Voice approach offer during the Covid-19 pandemic? –
– over and above the exhilaration, the joy, the beauty, that can be experienced though singing? Here Jill Rakusen, founder of Giving Voice (GV) , reveals aspects of what this approach offers, including in daily life, and particularly when isolated. She gives some examples, and summarises ways in which we at the Foundation offers opportunities – so people can develop skill in using it, regardless of health status or perceived singing capacity. GV opens up unimaginable possibilities (before I discovered it, I couldn’t imagine these possibilities either!). It can be helpful in so many ways, particularly when times are challenging. For example it can help us: build our capacity for rest and renewal establish and draw on resourceful coping mechanisms maintain connectedness – so useful when obliged to be on our own find ease and release from stress learn better how to live with uncertainty It’s been used in extremely stressful situations, including during danger or its aftermath. Marie , for instance, found herself harnessing it whilst stuck in her car, when wondering not just when, and how, but whether she could be freed from it after a serious accident. It helped Sandra recover from a traumatic bereavement, and Arlene drew on it during and after being held at knifepoint in her home. Arlene has described not only finding strength and courage during her ordeal, but also compassion for her assailants. It’s got a lot to offer when we’re in enforced isolation – as I was when I developed it, living with chronic illness and often confined to bed. In fact, when we’re alone it has most to offer us. It’s not dependent on anyone else (it’s available to draw on in virtually any situation), and it involves a process that's unique to each person’s needs in the moment – very useful when living in unprecedented times. And we don’t have to be in good health to do it. Often, believe it or not, the most profound GV experiences happen when we connect with a song in silence. Children as well as adults can find it helpful – in fact they often take to it like ducks to water. There’s a whole report about this and I’ve recorded my Song About Finding Peace especially for children, which can be accessed by joining our group from our Facebook page . It’s rooted in something I realised early on, that what a song offers is profoundly affected by how we approach it. This is one of the ‘key elements’ involved in how to ‘unlock the power of a song’ – the title of my book . Obviously the choice of song is important too. Most of the songs used in GV have been born out of challenge, and people often discover greater depths in the songs, and in themselves, because they are facing significant challenges. At such times, we tend to shed any cynicism, ambivalence or embarrassment – knowing that that familiar self is no match for what we are facing. We in the ‘civilised’ world are learning about aspects of life that the rest of humanity has known for millennia: life is precarious; we are all connected – to each other, to the earth, and everything on it; and song can play a profound role in deepening our awareness and facilitating our growth. That’s what the GV Process is designed to do. It helps us perceive the present more clearly, act with more courage, care and compassion, and shape the future – not just our own. Alongside the entire global environmental emergency, the virus has given us a wake-up call. GV can help us grow in our ability to rise to it. Oh, and GV is a resource that’s open to us 24/7. At the Giving Voice Foundation we’re committed to helping people discover how to unlock the power of song – and to develop this skill in their day-to-day lives. Since we can’t currently teach it face-to-face, we've been exploring new ways of doing this, such as running events online (please see Recent and future events ). Of course, our approach isn’t a panacea, nor is it for everyone, and it’s definitely not a replacement for mental health care for those of us who need it. Also, to achieve lasting change, some commitment to what we call ‘personal practice’ is necessary. Many of our blogposts reveal what others have found through engaging in the GV Process . Here's a flavour: “The pain dissolved. And I don’t even ‘do’ music! The peace and joy I can now access is unbelievable.” “I let the song nourish me, just soaking it up. Eventually I experienced a massive surge through my body. I felt I was experiencing my own power. I felt a sense of wonder.” “I [was] full of rage with a silent scream. By the end of the song the anger had gone ... I felt at peace.” “I’ve got a lot of strength – to carry on. I’m more aware, and I feel I have more power over my life ...” For how people have made discoveries like the above, and how you can too, please see my book – Unlocking the Power of Song: a Companion for Challenging Times . It gives step-by-step guidance, and much else besides. And do remember, you can harness a song's power without even singing a note! Want to know more? Purchase Unlocking the Power of Song – a Companion for Challenging Times Join our 'Unlocking the Power of Song' Facebook group Contact us or comment below Thanks for reading, and whatever you do, it's worth remembering that the power of song can be greater than we might imagine – when we know how to unlock its power.
- Impact on daily life
An important aspect of the Giving Voice Process (GV) is how we can draw on it in daily life – regardless of how 'musical' or 'unmusical' we believe we are. And we don't need anyone else – not even a recording – to enable this to happen. Below are some examples of people's experiences following a short course where they learnt the basics of how to do this. NB our book provides step-by-step guidance on these basics, as well as more advanced aspects of the process (please see Unlocking the Power of Song – a Companion for Challenging Times ; it's carefully designed for the general reader, and requires no expertise or experience around music or singing). After Learning the Basics “I feel so lucky … The benefit has been unbelievable. I’ve been given a goldmine!" ( Sandra after the course had ended) “I’ve learnt skills I’ve never learnt anywhere else that I can use in my life.” “I’ve been surprised by my capacity to learn and grow from my experiences [including] in everyday life.” “I used GV to go through and beyond, when a crisis threw me into panic and despair.” “I feel I have got my life back.” “I can’t imagine life without [GV]. It’s a challenge, an inspiration, a way through to the ‘real’, ‘deep’, ‘true’ part of me, and a source of connection to others.” “I gained in many ways. [After three years], I’ve regained … connection. It was like breathing in fresh, clean air. I would like to express my utmost gratitude … it was of paramount importance to opening doors for the rest of my life.” “I definitely feel much better about myself as a whole. I’m sure it’s connected with the course – there’s nothing else I’ve been doing that could have had this effect.” “Through GV some pain released and then I slipped into a deep stillness like a healing sleep. This profound experience left me refreshed, lighter.” “I have learnt to let go of fearful habits and replaced them with habits that help me move forward ... I have found GV helps me to (access) painful feelings and helped me to express myself ... and nurture myself ... the songs enable me to feel more powerful.” I feel more able to cope with all my difficulties (which remain the same).” “I’ve tried to stop smoking before and it hasn’t worked … I really feel that [GV] helped me succeed. [Using GV] during cravings meant I actually enjoyed having them and beating them!” Elly (over six weeks after the end of the course she was still happily free of smoking) Here's an additional sense of the breadth and depth participants have experienced, eg in relation to: increased capacity ( “I can cope with my hearing loss") increased self-valuing activity (“ I’ve started to nurture myself!") increased creativity of various kinds, (“ my creative block’s been blown away!") help with sleep ( “GV is particularly helpful before sleeping") preparation for a job interview (she got the job!) weight loss ( I no longer feel the anxiety that led me to eat inappropriately") “I could feel GV helping to heal me inside. I respect myself more and the course has given me a good reason to want to stop smoking.” “I have successfully used song to calm myself when agitated or upset ... I've sung myself through some very upsetting times.” “I woke up feeling really good. I’ve never done that before.” (Kieran, aged 10) “Since the course I have felt more ‘peaceful’, and although there are negative thoughts they are not as often. Peace is coming slowly, along with accepting myself … I still have a drink (I drank through boredom), but a lot later in the evening.” “Now I try to find other ways of alleviating stress rather than drinking or smoking.” Observations whilst attending one of our courses “The pain was transformed into joy laughter, lightness, confidence." "In the first part of the session, I found the answer to a problem that I’d virtually abandoned trying to solve … Thank you! I felt so high about it, I didn’t really pay attention to the rest of the session." “I feel more joyful and very nourished in a way that nothing else does for me!” I am generally more confident and happy … (My) self-respect is growing daily.” “My tiredness becomes manageable.” (someone who lives with chronic tiredness) “I've experienced peace when feeling quite stressed/depressed. And I've been able to transform anger and fear into “patience/self-acceptance.” ”[I've been using GV] regularly at home to allow time and space for myself – surprisingly my small children respected that (they don’t usually leave me alone!)” Effects may continue long after an event “[It] was lighthearted and fun and yet deep and moving, energizing and yet tiring, thought-provoking and at times confusing but yet clear and so incredibly easy, peaceful and yet stirring ... like feeling a breath of fresh air whilst experiencing and enjoying a warm whirlwind ... being and feeling ALIVE. I’m still riding high and glowing inside - and it’s weeks afterwards !” Residential participant as quoted in Positive Health Magazine “I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation … my father’s experience touched our hearts, my experience blessed us all. I can’t thank you enough.” (the writer's father had previously attended a residential; his experience led the writer herself to attend a subsequent one.) “ I really enjoyed the day but it did take me a while to recover! I shifted some deep stuff so obviously had some repercussions. I'm now exhausted but in a positive way.” “I have to say that [the next day] I have actually felt ‘different’. I can’t put my finger on it quite, but I like the feeling!” Meanwhile, after attending a GV residential weekend, Patricia effortlessly stopped smoking. Three years later she was still not smoking. She'd been getting through 40 cigarettes a day. Patricia's experience is described further in Unlocking the Power of Song – a Companion for Challenging Times . See also Sandra's Story ; Justine's Story ; Some abuse survivors' stories ; Physical effects ; Handling disability at home or at work ; Rest.
- GV's effects on relationships and attitudes to others
Here some participants share about how GV has impacted on their relationships and attitudes to others, and how some have harnessed one particular song – The Time Has Come (No. 14 in our book) – to effect change in this respect. “I have changed and developed my outlook of how I see other people and their circumstances.” “I’m more loving and accepting of myself – and therefore of others … I have no self-consciousness about relating to anybody any more, even young terminally-ill people [in the hospice where I volunteer] which I found difficult before.” Alison “Feelings of overwhelm and being put upon change very quickly … (if) I access the song within my heart.” “I feel more able to stand firm in the face of criticism.” “I found a sense of ease, trust, intimacy and authenticity with others which I’m still experiencing.” (a week after an hour’s introduction to GV)" “It’s helped me to be more at ease with people.” "GV helps me to realise how much ‘How I am’ affects my work, my neighbourhood, and the wider world. It’s given me a tool to use to BE the CHANGE. Once, it helped me deal with a noisy neighbour. And he stopped being a problem!” "I've already smiled at more people than usual!" (participant commenting near the beginning of a remote learning day. Through attending the day they reported feeling “more connected and less alone”. “GV helps my relationship with myself and others – for example to be aware of deeply-felt feelings, but not always to take action from them – rather to be aware and just accept them. It helps me relate better to all life forms, heightening my observation of them. It enables me to experience the powerful support of the universe.” “I have felt LOVE in abundance which has dominated my whole experience. I will end up writing an essay so I will summarise key words and hopefully people will understand … Contentment Courage Clarity Beauty Compassion Passion" * It’s a song by Osibisa and can be found on the album Woyaya Other examples, together with how people have unlocked the power of a song in order to effect change – and how you could too – can be found in our book.
- GV – Some professionals’ comments
Of the many professionals that Jill has worked with, some have made a point of sharing their experiences as professionals. Malgorzata, for instance, writes as a mental health services manager. She requested that Jill run a celebratory event for survivors of domestic violence – "Jill facilitated all the audience to sing together, and to many survivors this was a reaffirming experience, enabling them to reach the core of their existence, and providing them with renewed belief in the value of peace, harmony, joy and freedom. GV is unique in its potential to facilitate integration, harmony and respect in our often overburdened and stressed communities, schools, organisations and family lives. It can enable us to transform and translate a negative state of existence into a positive, wholistic and harmonious state … It can enable us to transcend difficult circumstances into life and energy-releasing co-existence, which is essential for any community progress, change, transformation and growth”. Mary, a Nurse/counsellor, having engaged in GV for quite a while wanted to share how she saw it in relation to health care as well as other contexts – “GV has to be part of Primary Health Care - for me it is - in my heart it's like coming home. It is not feel-good nonsense: it can be integrated with medical knowledge and is integral to an holistic approach. It's a response to illness and is responsive to it. It's holistic in itself but perhaps more importantly, being truly holistic, it can be integrated into other areas and disciplines - whether medical, spiritual or artistic. It can meet us where we are, and take us to a new vision.” Tony, a therapist, writes after learning to draw on GV internally when working with clients – “It’s useful in so many ways. It’s a transformative tool … I work with a lot of severely traumatised people, and I have v little time with them. GV has been really helping. I’ve noticed how even in just 10 minutes with a client, a huge amount could be achieved. I realise I've been trusting that through my intention, something can come out of the chaos. One client started laughing, and went out smiling. A first!” NB Tony doesn’t teach GV to clients – to do that he would need considerable training (for Rachel and Caroline, for instance, it involved approx three years). If you are interested in learning more, do contact the Foundation. Meanwhile, Ilona, a nurse/therapist whose work involved palliative care, writes – “I have found that those in most need (including the bereaved and the dying) have found amazing peace and acceptance through listening and absorbing the tape [now a CD ] Thank you.” And Tracy, a mental health nurse and trainer, speaks personally as well as professionally – "I just want to say thank you again … I am so happy to have taken so much away with me ... I may not have understood how this approach fully fits into my journey at first but I think I do now ... I also feel I want to comment at the inclusiveness that features strongly in your work ... I am a Mental Health Nurse and I also train people in person-centred working and looking differently at disability and I see you do this so wonderfully whilst promoting respect and dignity.” Here a range of other professionals comment on their personal experience of GV with Jill – “I find it impossible to describe just how much you’ve helped me … and I learned such a lot just being in the group/experiencing your way of leading it.” Psychotherapist “I enjoyed myself immensely – got the peace and the exhilaration I hoped for. I began to find a new voice.” Musician “Words fail me. I’m so delighted with what I’ve discovered.” Teacher “Thank you from my heart. This weekend was fantastic and you brought a lot more than I’d expected … Everything we did was utterly appropriate. I’ll be feeding off this weekend for yonks and yonks.” Photographer “A new dimension!” Therapist “I feel I have truly turned a corner. Outside my (very restricted and restricting) comfort zone, life no longer seems a wasteland coloured by my feelings of self-consciousness and self-hate. I have simply let go of many attitudes that were making my life miserable. And I am sure this is only the start.” Music teacher “I felt I moved a long way ...” Dance teacher "Very enlightening" Sikh Spiritual Healer “I work in a healing centre and have experienced many workshops – Jill’s was completely transformative. It is without doubt the highlight of my time here.” Therapist “A gorgeous day-long massage!” Head Teacher “I feel a doorway to my heart has opened a little more.” Trainer “I’d like to celebrate the part GV played in my internal evolution. Part of my voice has been silent and repressed, and I realise I can claim it. The actual allowing myself to go to a VOICE WORKSHOP was a BIG step – and you were the person I needed to find there ... You’re a shifter of Jinxes!” Therapist "GV is the involvement of every aspect of myself – body, soul, now and ‘other’." Christine, Artist “I feel I have ‘found’ my voice and have much more confidence about singing. Awareness also of the links between sound, posture, relaxation and breathing and spiritual connectedness.” Therapist
- Promoting Peace with GV
While many songs used in Giving Voice (GV) promote peace, two particular ones have been used a lot for this purpose. And they have formed the bedrock of Giving Voice for Peace.* "A Song about Finding Peace" This was the first song Jill had ever created. It has been shared widely over many years, in a variety of contexts. She describes it as offering the opportunity to experience peace. Diane, for instance, a childhood trauma survivor, reports – “Listening, I have the strangest sensation of watching something on the surface yet being aware of a stillness underneath at the same time. It makes me feel very settled inside, peace and contentment spread through me ... I feel everything is OK, there is no need to worry about anything. It gives me a really lovely good feeling. Thank you very much." "It helped my dearest friend die in peace” Netta, referring to Jill's studio recording “Tonight I spent time with the ‘old man’. I felt a terrific sense of sadness ... and then deep peace.” Hannah "I need this song as I struggle/emerge into this new phase of being. I need to sing it too.” Janet, childhood abuse survivor “At first it seemed so simple and as the verses flowed on, subtle layers of meaning overlaid each other like lacy wings, and I found the cumulative effect magical and evocative. Each verse reminded me of experiences from my own life”. Nuala, trained singer “The Time Has Come” Also by Jill, this song offers a powerful means to transform negative attitudes and beliefs about the ‘Other’. Rachel wrote the following as she was training as a GV Teacher – “I found this song difficult at first … It took me a while to fully take it in … Since September 2001, I’ve used the song in a variety of contexts:- In November that year, I was in a place of deep grief, about Dad [who died 5 years ago], and about the world, the attacks on New York and the bombing of Afghanistan. I was numb and in shock from it all, bewildered, angry and overwhelmed. It was about 10pm, and I felt I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Then I got into bed, switched all the lights out, and listened to the tape of this song, which I had just received. It cut through all the pain, anger and … numbness and brought me to a place of peace … I drifted off to sleep and had the most sound, rejuvenating sleep I’ve had since September 11th. I was unusually alert the next day … Thanks to the song, I’ve found it easy to keep my attention on finding love, acceptance and respect for myself, during many difficult encounters. Such a difference from my usual ways of being! Sometimes I’ve been so surprised by what it offers me, it just feels miraculous … I used it during the 2003 war in Iraq … so that I was able to really face the extent of the horror (as far as it was being conveyed by the media) without cutting off or feeling completely overwhelmed and depressed. It really worked …” … gradually, I’ve experienced a deepening of my awareness and acceptance of its meaning. This song is all about how I am ... my own fear and resistance to love ... my own limitations and prejudices ...” Lynne's first experience with GV involved this song: "It was truly life- enhancing ... The thought that flashed into my mind in the silence that followed was: ‘ 'love is the only thing that remains behind the paradoxes of life’. 'The Time Has Come' holds together life's paradoxes of pain and beauty … What helped me discover this was the song, the blend of voices, and Jill’s sharing of the song’s history, together with her congruency. By 'congruency' I mean her authenticity in everything she said and shared. I am so aware of paradoxes and contradictions in myself and life. I utterly believe love is the only answer, yet living and trusting and believing it as a possibility is another matter so when the thought flashed into my mind of its 'own' accord, it was a profound moment." In her response to Lynne, Jill shared why the song came to exist – which was so that she herself could address the painful paradox described, in a situation where she would otherwise have ended up shirking it: the lack of trust/belief in the possibility/reality of love in its most profound sense, in the context of being roundly confronted with the horror of our inhumanity – past and present. She went on: “It enabled me to address this, and continues to enable me to do so - to move through many uncomfortable feelings, and many limited/ limiting beliefs, to a state of KNOWING (which perhaps the ‘congruency’ referred to reflects). What propelled me to 'find' (i.e. create) the song was the knowledge that, if I myself couldn't move beyond judgement and all the rest of it, how could I expect anyone else to? And if I couldn't start addressing this, then I had no right to expect or hope that human ‘inhumanity’ could ever stop. Learning to live without negativity is infectious. It can change the world!” Giving Voice for Peace* Here two participants describe the impact of engaging in GV for Peace. Both did so 'at a distance': "The issue I worked with completely dissolved. It was astonishing! The issue was to do with a particular person, where I was being really judgemental and negative about them (and had been for a long time). I hadn’t been able to do anything about this at all. But the next day, when I saw her, I experienced none of this negativity at all." Meg Comment from Jill: the facilitation through the song led to Meg realising, understanding, and changing. The change came about through the depth of her understanding; this was such that she was able to experience and realise – i.e. make real – the change: something which is not possible unless understanding is of sufficient breadth and depth. "Screaming baby daughter … aware of being pulled away but kept bringing myself back to the song (one which I had previously avoided)… After c 15 minutes I started to experience peace, despite what was going on in the other room. Sensation a bit like when I meditate … Lovely. Worry-free!!" Deirdre Deirdre's experience illustrates to some extent one of the things we know through GV – that an initial negative reaction to a song can ultimately prove to be the precursor of some profound learning. More about this is revealed in our book, Unlocking the Power of Song: a Companion for Challenging Times, together with additional information about the songs mentioned, insight into how people have unlocked their power, and guidance on how you can do this too. * Giving Voice for Peace currently takes place on the third Thursday of every month
- GV, spirituality and religion
GV's potential for universal appeal Many people have revealed how GV offers a profound experience, regardless of religious or spiritual conviction. Each person tends to draw on GV to a level they're comfortable with; often people are surprised at the depth to which it takes them. GV participants alienated from religion and spirituality “GV is the only thing that connects with my soul and my being.” Judith “I felt at one with the Universe.” (following a day event) anon GV can provide a refuge for those of us who feel challenged by aspects of religion or its interpretation; likewise if we carry some cynicism or distrust of organised religion, or its adherents, or indeed towards anything ‘spiritual’. For a short while this may sometimes cloud how we perceive our experiences with GV (as indeed was the case for Jill to some extent). However, our perceptions can quickly change. Sandra, found, for example: “GV has made me closer to ‘god’. Normally I don’t ‘do’ god!”* GV was enabling Sandra to claim, or reclaim, her spirituality. Others have found this too. For example – “I used to find lots of ‘spiritual’ stuff difficult, but GV helped me address my needs in a ‘wholesome’ and inclusive way.” “Deep sacredness is hard for me to experience … [yet] I felt this deeply.” “GV provided me with a ‘holding space’ – something I realised I’d only rarely experienced through church, and not for a long time.” This kind of experience often starts with the recognition that we’ve “come home”. This was the case, for example, for Robina – “…[the song] helped me realise that as a small child, I’d wished I’d died. It would have been the end to all my pain and suffering. I’ve been looking for a way to ‘get back home to the universe’ all my life. I could have chosen extreme sports and finished the job off! Thank God for GV. It enables me to be at home here in the world with my family and friends. Hopefully now I won't have to create any more illnesses in order to ‘come home’.”** Participants who follow a religion We may find GV deepens our relationship with a religion we follow – “Following the residential I’m able to connect with my prayers more than I’ve ever done before. And now in the [Sikh] Temple I can actually listen!” Danni “I wouldn’t have thought anything other than what I was doing at church could influence how I feel about church. I am so much more connected and involved, + giving better lessons. People have commented … I’ve always imagined myself as a spiritual person, but through GV I’ve found a way of actually being spiritual (I now realise I hadn’t actually been connecting with my spirituality before). GV is totally to do with my Christianity. I think it’s compatible with spirituality of all kinds, which is one of its incredible strengths”. Deirdre “GV is re-birthing me – healing me alongside and entwined with my Christian faith and daily work, bringing a new joy, peace and creativity …” Abbie "It's like reading my holy book [the Quran], except when I do that I feel sleepy. With Giving Voice it makes me feel refreshed.” Rehana GV’s role in strengthening or clarifying our convictions While GV can help us gain greater clarity and depth of awareness, it can do much more than that. Engaged with regularly, it can help us increasingly expand our awareness – of our interconnectedness with all nature, for instance. In this way, it has the potential to inform and enhance our entire lives, including our political activities – eg through engaging in GV for Peace and Building the world we want, or exploring ‘Applied Giving Voice’ and ‘Beyond Personal Empowerment’ as described in our book. “That song is so special to me. After singing it I wrote the following affirmation from my heart: ‘My life is now ruled by love, not by power or by might of others. Love that is within my soul – both for me and radiating from me. I am letting go of all need to control or be controlled. I am letting go with love.’ The song also brought healing and resolving love to an issue I’d been struggling with.’” Denny "For the first half of my life I was always searching for Truth. This seemed the most important thing: my truth, others’ truth, truth in the world at large. Some time in my mid-forties, I experienced a change. I found myself more interested in love, and in kindness. Love is the new foundation for the second half of my life. This is my intention and my commitment. Truth is still needed, not as an end in itself, only in service to love. GV is helping me to consolidate that and live by it." Rachel -------- Please also see Justine's, Sandra's and Abuse Survivors' blogposts – as well as our book – for more about the depth and breadth of GV’s potential. * Sandra had attended a GV course and was exploring how to unlock the power of a song on her own. Our book offers a step-by-step guide on how to do this. See also courses and events. ** Robina too had attended a course that focused on exploring GV in daily life. For more about this please our above-mentioned book.
- Some participants' poetic contributions
1. Anna, an award-winning poet, wrote this poem in response to experiencing Jill's song The Time Has Come (Song No. 14 in Unlocking the Power of Song: A Companion for Challenging Times; the song is also on our 'Peace' recording) Giving Voice or, Sound - Health for Peace Tonight I trudge from a barren place me to myself alone sounds dumb until, deeply-focussed Your voice intones an old old song: Now is the time To sing of love Listening voices rise, responsive each to each falling they melt above – below each into each as we expand the dehydrated air until, between us resonates this structure of pitched sounds: an intangible texture, our transport unbounded awestruck We’re now beyond known bounds — Later we note: each intentional ear composes our harmonised we For in joining together and giving voice in concert we recreate, are always this song: Now IS the time To sing song of love … Shantih shantih shantiiih © Anna Taylor, March 2006 2. Carolyn was inspired to write a Haiku in response to her experience with the same song – Sing a song of love Spread the sound through space To reach the silence Carolyn Cable 3. Carolyn was drawn to create another haiku – in response to engaging with Jill's Being Chant (No. 6 in Unlocking the Power of Song – a Companion for Challenging Times.) The ever changing moon Seen behind a misty cloud Yet turns tides by being Carolyn Cable 4. Gytau wrote this after a attending a GV group with Jill –