Coming Home to My Voice — Heather Houston

Coming home… ahhh… a simple mantra with simple harmonies.

 

Lyrics: 

Coming home to my voice x2

I am here to breathe

I am here to sing

 

Heather Houston

© 2022

Breath of Life — Heather Houston

This one dropped in while in deep meditation one morning. I often receive little medicine chants while in meditation, but don’t often record them. This one wanted to have wings, so I recorded it while still in a state of calm. If you listen closely, you can hear birds chirping in the background.

Heather Houston
© 2022

I Trust — Heather Houston

Opening to trust…

Lyrics:

Parts 1 & 2:
Oh I trust
in the flow
of the infinite,
the benevolent
Universe

Parts 3 & 4:
All things come to me
with ease and grace

© Heather Houston
October 2021
All rights reserved

SA TA NA MA – Heather Houston

A mantra from the Kundalini tradition. The sounds comes from one of the oldest mantras Sat Nam which means “my true essence” or “true identity” and are designed to be uplifting. There are many interpretations for each of the sounds, one being that there is no meaning to the sounds at all, but simply a vibration, and a stimulation of 84 acupressure points in the palate of the mouth which occurs when singing and whispering the words. Other translations of the sounds are:

SA is birth, the beginning, infinity, the totality of everything that ever was, is, or will be.

TA is life, existence, and creativity which manifests from infinity.

NA is death, change, and the transformation of consciousness.

MA is rebirth, regeneration, and resurrection which allows us to consciously experience the joy of the infinite.

SA Mudra
The connection of the tip of the thumb and the tip of the index finger (the Jupiter finger), held while chanting SA.

It is believed that the connection of the thumb and first finger brings us knowledge, expands our field possibilities and releases us from limitations.

The connection of the two is said to increase the air element within the body creating positive effects on the emotions, empowering the nervous system, stimulating the pituitary gland and the entire endocrine gland system.

Shuni Mudra – (Akaash Vardhak)
Ta Mudra
The connection of the tip of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger (the Saturn finger), held while chanting TA.

It is believed that the connection of the thumb and middle finger give us patience, wisdom and purity.

The connection of the two is said to increase the ether or space element within the body, creating positive effects on our thoughts and intuition. It is also believed to detoxify the body through elimination and relieve a variety of congestions.

Surya Mudra – (Ravi Mudra & Prithvi Vardahk)

Na Mudra (hand movement)
The connection of the tip of the thumb and the tip of the ring finger (the Uranus or Sun finger), held while chanting NA.

It is believed that the connection of the thumb and ring finger brings us vitality and aliveness.

The connection of the two is said to increase the earth element within the body while at the same time decreasing the fire element. This creates positive effects on our bodily tissues such as bones, muscles, tendons and inner organs. It is said to increase endurance, strength and vitality.

Buddhi Mudra – (Jal Vardhak)
Ma Mudra
The connection of the tip of the thumb and the tip of the pinky finger (the Mercury finger), held while chanting MA.

It is believed that the connection of the thumb and pinky finger aids clear communication.

The connection of the two is said to reduce the water element within the body. This helps to reduce challenges of excessive hormones, and water retention. It decreases watery eyes, runny noses and loose bowels.

Research also shows that by using the Hand mudras in conjunction with the sounds improves blood flow to areas in the brain that control motor sensory and memory.

Lyrics:

SA TA NA MA

© Heather Houston
01/2021
All rights reserved

Bird of Light — Heather Houston

I offer this chant as a powerful practice of presencing. In the dark, difficult, and uncertain times, one of the most powerful tools I’ve found is to chant mantra. Mantra, that which protects the mind, helps us to enter into a one-pointed concentration, thus quieting the looping stories and the fears.

Choose one part and stick to it throughout, and notice how you feel afterward. This is also a beautiful one to sing with a large group of people.

Hamsa so hum translates as “I Am That” in Sanskrit. In Vedic philosophy, it means identifying oneself with the universe or ultimate reality. The Soham mantra has been called the universal mantra because of the fact that its vibration is already a part of the breath, and everybody breathes. Sooooo… is the sound of inhalation, and Hummmm… is the sound of exhalation.

Hamsa means white swan. The swan, of course, is an ancient symbol of spiritual grace and purity. The mantra is called White Swan because when the in-breath and out-breath are freed and purified, they are like the wings of a swan helping our spirits to soar. The Hamsa mantra helps us find the grace within and carries us beyond our limited concepts.

Lyrics:

Hamsa so hum, hamsa so hum

I am that I am that I am, I am that I am that I am

So hum, so hum, so hum, so hum

I am this breath, I am this voice

I am a bird of light, I am a bird in flight

© November 2019
Heather Houston
All rights reserved

Love Moves In Me – Heather Houston

This song called me into a deeply meditative and prayerful space for hours on the Saturday morning of October 27th, 2018. Little did I know that as the song was pouring through me, the mass shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh was taking place. I can only hope that my space of deep love and prayer touched a broken heart or two. May this song invite us all to be a conduit for Love in every circumstance.

Lyrics:

Love moves in me
Through me, as me
Love moves in me,
Through me, as me

And I’m receiving each breath with love
And I am walking each step with love

© Heather Houston 2018
All rights reserved

 

 

Gayatri Mantra – Traditional Vedic Chant

One of my favorite morning chants from the Vedic tradition

Lyrics:

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha,
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi,
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracho Dayat

Meaning and History:

A prayer to the Divine Light Traditionally chanted in the morning as the sun is rising

The Gayatri mantra first appeared in the Rig Veda, an early Vedic text written between 1800 and 1500 BCE

Translation:

The eternal, earth, air, heaven
That glory, that resplendence of the sun
May we contemplate on the brilliance of that light
May the sun inspire our minds

Lokah Samastah

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit mantra which means:

“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

A mantra from the Vedic tradition, where mantras are chanted on only three notes. SA, RE, and NI. Over time, mantras such as this one have been turned into countless melodies and rhythms. I learned this particular one from Slivia Nakkach. She learned it on her travels in India.

I Wonder — Heather Houston

This song came through in a difficult time. One morning I took myself on a long hike and prayed and opened to the magic of the Universe. This song dropped in as a mantra: “I wonder how easy this can be?” Singing and opening to the mystery, I got myself in a place of surrendered calm. When I got home, a piece of guidance dropped in, and within minutes, my prayers were answered, and the result was much better than I could have dreamed. A way was made out of seemingly no way. Grateful for the deep knowing that prayer is a powerful thing.

You are welcome to sing and share this song!

Lyrics:
I wonder how easy this can be?

© 2019 Heather Houston
All rights reserved