I was once asked to list my favorite sacred music. What the person had in mind was music specifically composed for spiritual or religious purposes. I couldn’t do it. To me, all music – any music – can be sacred. All music – any music – can evoke ecstasy, elevate one’s feelings to the sublime, bust open the heart to the divine, break through the mind’s curtain to the transcendent, at least for someone, at some time.
Having said that, here are some personal favorites—some composed with spiritual messages or moods in mind, and some that just do something to me. Any one of them, listened to at the right time in the right setting, can open the gateless gate to the Holy.
Songs:
“If It Be Your Will” – Leonard Cohen
“Calling All Angels” – Jane Siberry
“God is God” – Joan Baez
“Open” – Mike Scott and the Waterboys
“When God Made Me” – Neil Young
“Ring Them Bells” – Bob Dylan
“Sand and Water” – Beth Neilson Chapman
“On My Way” – Mavis Staples
“God is the Light” – Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens)
Longer pieces and albums:
“The Prayer Cycle” – Jonathan Elias
“St. Matthew’s Passion” – Johann Sebastian Bach
“Devotion” – Cheb i Sabbah
“All-Night Vigil” – Rachmaninov
Jazz:
“Cristo Redentor” – Donald Byrd
“A Love Supreme” – John Coltrane
Hindu-style bhajans and kirtans:
“Chants of India” – Ravi Shankar
“The Essence” – Deva Premal
“Pilgrim Heart” – Krishna Das
And if you need a quick laugh at God’s expense: “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin
Of course, a lot depends on what you bring to it. Come to music dull, with sleepy senses and a hyperactive mind, and Bach will sound like a kid’s music box. Come to it wide awake, with senses attuned and your mind at peace, and bubble gum pop can make you feel like you’re hearing angels.
Thank you Philip….i love your list! i'm inspired to check these songs out….i truly agree with your introduction, and very much appreciated that you mentioned Janis Joplin's Mercedes Benz tune!!! i was singing it a few days back!
rock on,
constanza
"To me, all music
I forgot to mention a great album. Long before there was something called New Age Music, jazz clarinetist Tony Scott traveled to Japan and recorded an album with classical Japanese musicians, called "Music for Zen Meditation." It is sublime, and still the best album when you need calming, soothing, meditative sounds.