There are many mediums that have been used to lift up consciousness: art, architecture, poetry, but none is more powerful than music. Last night we gathered and sang Christmas songs, and what a lovely feeling there continues to be from the power of song focused on the sacredness of life.
Once God gave me a vision in which I saw the angels gathered about God’s throne as song filled the air. I had never really been attracted by descriptions of this before; I did not understand the appeal of sitting on a cloud strumming a harp. Mother once quoted Master saying that this idea did not appeal to him either, he said, “My God, how boring!” And that is how I felt about it. However, in this vision, how do I describe it, the angelic music was definitely music, but also variations of bliss. And those angelic souls were like meditating yogis, enraptured with the ever-new bliss that also manifested as music. It was so unusual, and absolutely magnificent. How I wish everyone could sit at the throne and experience the power, the unbelievable beauty and the always fresh and pure feeling of it.
Songs to God here on earth are expressions of this same principle. There are so many truly lovely Christmas songs, and it makes it special that, like the yearly ritual of putting up the Christmas tree and excavating for those treasured ornaments and decorations, it makes it special to keep those songs only for this time of year. And, like those angels about God’s throne, songs to God can be holy, filled with varying vibrations of infinite bliss. And this is what I continue to feel this morning.
Bliss is a most interesting phenomenon. It is always identifiable as bliss, a common signature that you know it when you experience it. Yet, within that unity it is constantly changing, ever-new. All the world looks for what is new out there, throwing away things of the past and focusing on the latest and greatest. Yet, residing right in our own beings is this tremendous source of power, light and ever-enthralling bliss. The name of God in India is Sat-Chid-Ananda, and the last, Ananda, means Bliss. It is one of the eternal verities of the Infinite.
This world is full of divisions. However, underlying all divisions there beats the unifying rhythm of bliss that ties everything together in perfect harmony. Certainly this world is here for us to enjoy, and part of that enjoyment is the variety of variegated expression. To bring all of these multifaceted creations under one roof requires a universal principle, and that is the presence of God that weaves a musical theme of bliss throughout all creation. So, during this season when we sing out the promise, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will toward men,” (Luke 2:14) let us find the bliss within that makes this promise a reality—even now, even now.