Saturday Music Club: The Prayer Cycle

Happy Saturday, and forgive this late post as I am still somewhat "enjoying" my Friday night. Today's look into the world of my music will be taking a cue from yesterday's story installment. I am by no means a religious man, in fact I believe that organized religion is responsible for about a third of the world's problems. The remaining two thirds being money, greed, and nationalistic and ethnic stupidity. But I am a very spiritual person, a Deist if you wanted to sit down and define me, with a sprinkle of Pantheism and maybe a dash of injun Paganism.

But I also believe that at the root of all organized religions was an original thought or intent that was so beautiful, but at the same time so easily corrupted by people who sought power. And I always be sure to pay proper respect to every religion for their original intent and not the people who lead it. And that brings me to this week's feature artist, Jonathan Elias and his incredibly beautiful and transcendent project called The Prayer Cycle.

This is a nine part choral arrangement featuring artists and vocalists from all over the world, each representing one of the major religions of the world. In these nine tracks you will hear the voices of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and more all singing together in unison for one of the most gorgeous musical experiences your years will ever absorb. It came out in the year 2000 to commemorate the new millennium and the possible promise of a new age of humanity. Well, as it turns out we are getting better but we're still pretty dumb... But on the upshot, kickback and listen to the samples I've posted below of this incredibly beautiful musical composition and the message of hope behind it...

 

Each of the nine compositions represent one of nine tenants that each major religion shares. As the previous one was "Mercy" (yes, that was Alanis Morrisette), let's take a listen to "Forgiveness" and my absolute favorite on the album, "Compassion".

 

See you next Saturday for music you may not have ever heard before, but really appeals to this weird guy hanging out in the middle of the jungle... I leave you this quote from Jalaluddin Rumi to ponder...

 I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He
was not there; I went to the Temple of the
Hindus and to the old pagodas, but I could not
find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched on the mountains and in the valleys
but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I
able to find Him. I went to the Ka'bah in Mecca,
but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosophers but
He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there
where He dwelled that I saw Him; He was
nowhere else to be found.

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone (Lord knows I am!)