East Coast Chant
"This is the purest nectar to the soul"
~ Audience Survey ~ 18 replies ~ 19 people present ~
from The Arlington Center, Arlington MA
1. Would you like to attend East Coast Chant at this location [The Arlington Center] again? If yes, x per month x per year
2 people said 2 times per month; 9 people said 1 time per month; 1 person said “???”; 2 people said 6 times per year; 1 person said 4 times per year; 3 people said 2 times per year
2. What did you enjoy the most?
• The healing chant • All the interaction, the music, the chance to dip our hands in the water • Dancing and singing together and calling to awake the soul • The water bowl • Everything, the pictures on the wall [nature slides and animated Sacred Geometry images] • The totality of the experience was fulfilling. I really enjoyed Tonia’s voice and presence. • I so enjoyed the whole evening – the energy, the music, the lyrics, the variety, the openness, the healing opportunity • Moving to the music, the chanting, the sacred geometry • The chant where we let go – Run Mary Run • Permission, the depth, so healing • The Tree of Life ritual and singing, planetary healing and song • Music, freedom to move and sing • Great, everything, participation is the best • Beginning to end • Singing/chanting along • The ritual, singing along • The letting go ceremony • Run Mary Run
3. What surprised you?
• The numerous chants • That I became more relaxed • The personal ritual • Songs were familiar • The beautiful pictures • That this experience was very familiar and welcome to me • How consistently good everything was! :) • How easy it was to go into deep meditative state • That I could connect and enjoy it • How easy it was to release into being held by you • I did not like the camera and video. I felt extremely violated. Probably the very healing issue I needed to come up but you should ask permission first. • You have a great voice, very positive and healing • Healing ritual • Many people dancing, everyone involved • How easy you made this
4. What did you wish for?
• Present day song or two • For my healing to be expedited • Expected something more “conservative” and was happily disappointed • I asked self-pity to be gone • Let go of longing • That this happen closer to home – Boston – Roxbury • I wish for more of this. I would make a real effort to come 1x a month • Simplicity • More rhythm songs like “day light comes” [reference to calypso song "Day-O" originally sung by Harry Belafonte] • Perhaps even more time though it didn’t feel rushed • I’m not sure. It’s been a positive experience overall. • To let go of being small and feeling unloved • Love • more
5. Did you have a healing, realization, or personal experience? If so, and if you’d like to share it, please use other side of this form.
11 people said “Yes”; 1 person said “I’m not sure”; 6 people did not reply to this question.
• How much trust it takes for me to surrender to the moment, to let the worries go, to let the tension go. This kind of event is very important and necessary for my being. • I felt a connection to my positive resource and a stronger sense of self and a more serene and joyous presence. • Felt mesmerized by the pictures. Focus on soul. Beautiful music too. Love the mama energy. Feel soothed. • I felt a release from sadness, anger and fear and I observed various forms of release/healing/transformation in others. • I gave myself permission to sing, which I rarely do, having been told to mouth the words when I was little. • Very healing, lovely. Email me and I’ll describe it at more length. • Around the cameras and around letting go of doubt and God’s unconditional love. • Saying goodbye to fear was pretty hard but rewarding and relieving work. Quite moving and freeing. Thank you!
Additional Comments: • I really enjoyed the spontaneity, the spirit and the openness of it all. The intention was also strong and vibrant. Do you do these kinds of metamorphosis with a variety of communities? Would you like to? I would like to assist/participate in some way. • Thank you. This was an unusual and unexpected experience but a bit churchy and too religious. It belongs in a beautiful chapel. • That the “healing process” can be fun and inspired with group energy support. • You have found a wonderful rhythm here and the perfect backup duo – they get you and each other – it’s great – the best I’ve heard you so far. Love, Peace, Love!
Testimonial from participant:
It was so organic. I was so ready to be healed and right from the opening notes I felt like you guys took us all with you. All of it was just beautifully modulated. The thing I felt the most was you took the time to let each chant sink in. I spent a lot of time with my eyes closed and let myself be carried off. Each piece worked as a healing and the whole evening worked as a beautifully orchestrated ride.
Each piece, washed over me, took my anxiety away. The experience was of being held in love and wrapped in healing sound and being given ample time to let go of the negative energy and anxiety I carry with me. There was nothing else to do but be in the love and release the tension and feel the beauty of being alive. It was simple.
The part about letting go of something and bringing in something new allowed a really deep release of what I’ve been holding, which for me was fear. Letting go of the fear of making a mistake, and I brought in something like self-possession, self-love, enough-ness.
For me the simplicity of the words made them accessible without having to come out of the bliss to sing right or decide if I was for or against what I was being asked to sing. It was just simply beautiful and musically whole. It felt like with your intent, not just musical grace but actually healing grace and timing and contours and articulation. There was enough time to rise to a pitch and stay there since the goal was healing. I felt like it could just go on and on like a flowing river.
I felt there were more than just good vibrations. It was real art in the orchestration of the 3 of you together. It was intricate enough to carry you somewhere while being subtle enough to not overpower you. It wasn’t about performance... it was about creating a channel for the flow of healing energy. You guys are so good. It’s hard to believe that it was improvisation.
-- Johnny Lapham, Artist and Activist, Arlington MA