HEALING HARP
Samuel Taylor Coleridge who owned an Aeolian harp was inspired to write these words:
'And what if all of animated nature be but organic harps diversely framed, that trembled into thought as o'er them sweeps plastic and vast, One intellectual breeze, At one of the soul of each and God of all.'
One of the most healing instruments on earth is the harp. It has been written that in 500 BC Pythagoras played a three-sided lyre and through his playing transformed negative energies into peaceful ones. Pythagoras has been quoted as saying, 'Music heals.'
The Bible tells the story of David 's harp playing comforting the troubled King Saul In the Mesopotamian Royal Tombs of Ur harps were found buried with the deceased. The harps were held by the deceased ruler's personal attendants when they were entombed in the inner chamber. The harps and harpists were recognized as valuable in assuring the deceased ruler a safe transition into the next world.
The body truly listens when music begins. To hear harp music is to give your body the gift of listening to angelic tones - listening to music of the spheres.
Laurie Riley, one of the foremost contemporary players of the doublestrung harp was asked in an interview, 'What is unique about the harp as a therapeutic instrument?'
'The wide pitch range and range of overtones are significant. Cymatics has shown that our bodies are like an orchestra. Literally each part has a frequency or group of frequencies produced by its function (although the ears don't pay attention to those sounds). When our internal 'orchestra' becomes disharmonious, we become out of tune, out of balance. The harp, with its many strings, consistently generated a profound response in the listener...there are many effective healing instruments, but the harp seems to be the epitome of a healing instrument.' The Harp Therapy Journal Winter 1998-99
There is a new movement taking place in which the vibrations from harp music are used to promote wellness, relaxation, and reduced stress. People are researching the harp's therapeutic possibilities and Harp Therapy training programs have been created.
Earthly harpists are also bringing peace to the dying. Chalice of Repose is one of the groups providing that service. The founder, Therese Schroeder-Sheker had an encounter with a man she calls an angel and from that experience was inspired to provide for the dying a 'blessed death' with the support of harpists who play songs to ease pain and soothe the soul. For more information visit their website at www.saintpatrick.org. Their address is Chalice of Repose/554 West Broadway, Missoula, Montana 59802. Music Thanatology helps meet the needs of the dying through individually prescribed musical selections played on the harp. St. Joseph Hospital in Towson, Maryland offers 'Harp Prayer: a musical passage through sacred song'.
Experience your life as a living prayer. Experience oneness with St. Francis' words: 'Lord make me an instrument of Thy Peace'. Bring harp awareness into your life. Let yourself experience the vibrations of the healing harp. The harp is an instrument of peace that can transform you into 'an instrument of Thy Peace.'
