Original chant by Elizabeth Combs taken from the last two lines of Rumi’s Zero Circle.
Be helpless, dumbfounded,
Unable to say yes or no.
Then a stretcher will come from grace
To gather us up.
We are too dull-eyed to see that beauty
If we say we can, we’re lying.
If we say No, we don’t see it,
That No will behead us
And shut tight our window onto spirit.
So let us rather not be sure of anything,
Besides ourselves, and only that, so
Miraculous beings come running to help.
Crazed, lying in a zero circle, mute,
We shall be saying finally,
With tremendous eloquence,
Lead us.
When we have totally surrendered to that beauty,
We shall be a mighty kindness.
~ by Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273)
translation Coleman Barks
From Elizabeth Combs:
I have been chanting and singing my whole life, and it is the practice that most grounds me in my heart, mind and body. I remember singing Southern Baptist hymns as my first prayer of breath and vibration. I found my way to Wisdom chant through Cynthia’s work with Darlene Franz, after many years chanting Sanskrit mantras in the yogic tradition. I enjoy creating chants — which is more like receiving chants from the atmosphere or the imaginal or wherever it is that chants come from. Some of my inspirations are sacred texts from many traditions, Teilhard’s works, poets ancient and modern, old Baptist hymns and spirituals, as well as direct from Spirit and Earth. I like to play my crystal bowls and shruti box outside in the Trees. At other times, I can be found caring for clients in my energy balancing practice, crafting herbal remedies or hanging out with my son Jack. I endeavor to be at home wherever I am, mainly in Bellingham WA and Winston- Salem NC. Singing every day reminds me that, really and truly, it is all about LOVE.
Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.s.combs@gmail.com or 360-319-2164 or www.elizabethcombs.com