Ruth Cunningham is a classically trained musician and a sound healing practitioner who adores performing improvisational sacred music in liturgical and concert settings. She is on vocals, flute, and harp for this CD. Ana Hernandez provides vocals, guitar, and various percussion instruments. She also produced the album.
This is a lovely collection of multifaith chants. It begins with "Arise, Shine" from the verse in Isaiah 60: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you." This can be seen as an intentional call to worship and a serious contemplation of the light.
Mystics in all spiritual traditions have been intrigued by the light and its many meanings and incarnations. The traditional song "This Little Light" is given a fresh and reverent interpretation, reminding us of the necessity to shine our light everywhere we go. How do we do this? Through the regular practice of kindness or, as Rabbi Sheur Zalaman of Lia reminds us: "An infinite light is hidden in every good deed."
The Hindu mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" takes us one step further on our journey to spiritual maturity by honoring the Divine within us.
It is followed by "Brother James' Air" which offers a paraphrase of Psalm 84 to reveal the joy and contentment that comes with nearness to God.
The final selection is "Be the Peace" a mantra which challenges us to "Be the peace you wish to see in the world." Hernandez and Cunningham's voices intertwine in this ethically charged song. Bringing peace into our daily activities is one of the best ways we can share our inner light with others. This CD beautifully fosters the inward exploration and the outward expression of Divine Light!
