|
Welcome
to the
En~chanting
Beyond
website
|
 |
Vocal music
used to support
the
journey
through the major
life-passages
of birthing
and dying 
Victoria, B.C.
|
En~chanting
Beyond
offers
Bedside Singing
(see description below) services
to support those who are going through either of the
two primary life-passages
giving birth (for mothers during labour
and delivery) or dying (at home,
in a hospital, hospice or other care facility). These
services are free, except where travel expenses are
required.
Vocal
music to ease major life passages
It has often been said that "music is the universal
language".If
the new concept of "vibrating superstrings"
is the right metaphor for a Grand Unification theory
(i.e. foundation to all existence)
in physics, music may be the natural language (at
least, metaphorically) of the Universe!Ever
since the dawn of our species, we have used music
to support the passages in and out of life
beyond the world of the Womb, and then beyond the
world of manifest life towards the Tomb.Perhaps
this is part of our instinctive heritage, for some
of the larger mammals also use vocalized sound (though
we might not consider it music) to stand
witness to their dying or dead
whales and elephants, in particular.
In fact,
in ancient times, the village Midwives cared for both
mothers giving birth and those who were dying
the two primary passages of life.Many
aboriginal cultures still use special chants and drumming
to aid the birthing and dying processes.Although
Western culture has mostly lost this tradition, its
remnants are in the chants and hymns that are sung
to support the soul's journey beyond this world at
funeral/memorial services.Still
for those who particularly enjoy singing, or know
that their loved one particularly enjoys listening
to it
it is often intuitive to sing to a dear one who is
dying, even if it isn't part of one's cultural practices.
Lullabies
are able to calm babies and young children when nothing
else can: it is surprising how many of them are actually
songs about death, suggesting that our ancestors recognized
the profound similarity between birth and death!Mothers
often sing to their unborn children
they have always done so instinctively
but there has been recent confirmation that children
in the womb can hear the world beyond them.These
little ones are then comforted by the same songs,
once born into the world.
Recently,
pregnant mothers have started using toning
as one of their labour and delivery techniques.It
acts as a form of meditation, helping them to release
tension and deepen their breathing.Teachers
of this practice claim that the "open throat"
of the vibration helps to open the birth canal.It
is likely that this is not an entirely new practice,
but rather the reclaiming of older ones in a more
modern situation.
Music
has the ability to connect with an individual long
before, or after, verbal communication is possible.In
both the dying and birthing processes, music can speak
to an individual's emotional/spiritual needs
offering a sense of a loving presence, cradling their
being, etc.; and in this sense, helps to enchant/transition
them beyond the pain and fear they might be experiencing.In
the language of modern Spiritual Care, it is a way
of "journeying with the patient" without
distracting them from that journey; while, at the
same time, being able to support or redirect it in
a positive way.
Overview
of Bedside Singing
This
is a particular kind of vocal music, which is usually
unaccompanied (a cappella) and
done by one or two singers at a patient's bedside
(or other comfortable place).It
is not intended as entertainment
although it may provide some distraction from pain
or fear: on the other hand, familiar songs from one's
past may help to focus attention on poignant life
memories.More
often, Bedside Singing
is used to ease physical pain/restlessness/tension
and support whatever emotional or spiritual issues
the individual is journeying through
including apprehension about the dying process and/or
concern for those left behind.Although
recorded music can help in a similar way, it can't
provide the same kind of caring presence as Bedside
Singing; nor make the momentary adjustments
that a singer can in response to a loved one's reaction.
The
repertoire of Bedside Singing
includes songs and chants that reinforce a sense of
peace and readiness to journey beyond
whether moving into the role of parent (for
birthing mothers) or coming to terms with their
death (for dying patients)
and the life issues that either evoke.The
imagery of the chants used draws upon simple metaphors
which are spiritual but generally not religion-specific,
unless hymns or other favourite songs are requested.Short
chants are most often used, as they can be sung or
hummed repeatedly as a form of meditation (lullaby-like)
helping the person to rest into the cradle of
the imagery, and/or continue whatever inner journey
they need to take.
Especially
with dying patients, the Bedside
Singer reads subtle signs in body or facial
language in order to assess whether the chosen melody
or imagery is appropriate, if/when they is not able
to communicate verbally.The
singer will also discuss the patient's particular
journey with the family members (when
available) or institutional staff (if
the patient is in a hospital or care home)
in order to determine what song/chant imagery would
be most supportive, or should be avoided.Sometimes
especially if the patient is sleeping or in a coma
the songs/chants chosen may focus more on offering
support to the family and friends, in their own journeys
as they come to terms with the imminent death
or birth.
The
Bedside Singer may work
with the patient in hospices, hospitals, long-term
care homes or at home; and in partnership with a Birthing
or Death Midwife or doula, nurses or counselors, chaplains
or alternative health-care practioners.
Please
visit Bedside Singing for Birthing
Mothers or Dying Loved Ones
for more specifics on the use of Bedside
Singing, in Victoria, B.C., Canada,
for both the birthing and dying life-passages.
Our
thanks to
Skeena hosting services
as well as
GRsites
for on-line graphics services and backgrounds
"txt2"
for other backgrounds/textures
Musicgraphics
Galore for additional backgrounds and graphics
En~chanting
Beyond, and its sister-site
E~merging
Beyond, are
sponsored by VIBES
(Vancouver Island Beyond-the-Everday Services)
|
