The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice [Paperback]

Ana Hernandez (Author)

Book Description

Series: Preparing to Practice | Publication Date: October 2004

Wake up your spiritual life with a practice that stirs the soul! More than a how-to guide, THE SACRED ART OF CHANT uncovers the meaning behind this often intimidating ritual, offering inspiration to incorporate chanting into your spiritual journey. Weaving her own exploration of spiritual chanting with some religious background and much helpful advice and instruction, Ana Hernandez provides the inspiration and education you need to begin your own chanting practice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The newest installment in SkyLight Paths' series on sacred practices opens the door, and the mouth, to chanting. The author is a composer and performer of sacred music who also conducts workshops on the subject. All the basics are here: instructions for warm-up through meditations and vocal exercises, 21 straightforward chants and a simple explanation of what happens to the body during chanting, based on Eastern traditions' teaching about body energy. The book cruises religious traditions, since chant is an important practice in the world's religions. Christianity yields taize and liturgical chant; there is mantra chanting, Jewish and Hindu devotional chant and a Zuni sunrise call. Although Hernández writes that "beautiful and fun aren't usually the first words I think about when I think spiritual discipline," this call to practice is indeed inviting. Some may find the author's breezy writing style a little too girlfriendishly casual ("If God were normal, that would be the end of it, right?"), while others will welcome her informal approach to a subject so often associated with high-raftered solemnity. Minimal musical notation is included with the basic chants, which may be useful for those who read music and unintimidating for those who don't. With a helpful bibliography of text, CD and Internet resources, this is a fine cross-traditional introduction for those exploring a profound and ancient practice.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In this folksy yet practical guide, composer-musician Hernandez describes chanting as a spiritual practice that intimately involves music. One can chant just about anywhere, in a group or singly, and Hernandez maintains that chanting helps one develop powers of intuition and can be an excellent means for transforming relationships by changing oneself. She discusses her own practices--chanting variations of mantra, plainsong, and chants from various traditions five days a week, 30 to 75 minutes a session; suggests ways to bring chant into one's life; and recommends the best situations for chanting, namely places that encourage peacefulness and clarity together. And she describes how to chant, using sound, music, meditation, and breathing to achieve the most effective results. She also describes various kinds of chants: those of devotion and gratitude, and for peace and healing. In addition, she features more than 20 examples of sacred chants, complete with notation and pronunciation keys, and a list of CDs recording various traditions and styles. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594730369
• ISBN-13: 978-1594730368
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #949,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, December 9, 2010

By 

LeeAnne Watkins - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Sacred Art Of Chant: Preparing To Practice (Paperback)

What a great book! It has helped my personal prayer life, I've recommended it to friends, and have begun teaching chants to the teenagers at my church. I've also attended several workshops Ana has done, they have been truly wonderful. And there is a new Christmas album she's just put out - really lovely!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sacred Art of Chant, January 12, 2011

By 

Lisa Lee (CHICAGO, IL, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice (Paperback)

As a teacher of voice and chant I highly recommend this book.
This book will give peace to those experienced at chant and those afraid to start.
It gives permission to those who "can't sing."
Chant from the core not just the intellect.
It will open your heart.