Harmonic Chant
Following the dream-like visit to Rome, I was on a high. I felt as though I was in two worlds; trying to balance my consultancy work in the Swiss Economic Cooperation Office in Berne on the one hand, and my deepening soul exploration. From Thonon I would cross the lake by boat and take a train from Lausanne to Berne through manicured vineyards terraced up from the lake and mountain countryside. It was a commutable distance if I got the first boat – even if I did not stay over and return the next day. Returning was wonderful, as I timed it for the paddle-steamer; one of three elegant turn-of-the century boats which were still plying the lake of Geneva in those years. Weather permitting, and it usually was fine, I had a chair on the deck for the return crossing to France with the gentle throbbing of the engines in my ears and vibrating in my body and exquisite snow-capped mountains circling Europe’s largest lake to feast my eyes on: the Jura, les Dents d’oche, and in the distance Mont Blanc.
During these times, I was devouring books on sound, frequency and vibrational healing. Music – Physician for times to come was an anthology edited by Joseph Campbell and particularly interesting. A month or so after my visit to Rome, I read an article on my way back from Berne which resonated deeply with me. It was by David Hykes, who had been a leading pioneer in the worldwide revival of sacred sounds since 1975. His approach –universal sacred music called Harmonic Chant blends spiritual cosmology, music, meditation, sound yoga and healing harmonisation.
He had founded the Harmonic Choir in New York in 1975 and introduced the Western world to modern ‘harmonic singing’ and ‘overtone singing’. I was enthralled and felt a strong desire to connect with this man and his world.
The address of the Harmonic Presence Foundation in New York was given at the back of the book. I thought I might even have to consider finally making my first trip to the US! But then I noticed another address for the Fondation Chant Harmonique in Pommereau, France. France? I could hardly wait to get off the boat. Disembarking at the little port, walking quickly through the historical fishermen’s buildings and up the steep incline to my front door, and then three flights of stairs, I entered breathless. Turned on my computer and googled ‘harmonic chant’. Up came 165 entries, and the first at the top of the list was “David Hykes, Pommereau, Harmonic Chant Retreat, 20-21 October 2005.”
I looked again. These dates were for the coming weekend! The day was Tuesday. The retreat would happen in three days’ time. I had not missed it! It was yet to come! I found out how I could get there – TGV from Thonon to Paris, change stations and then a further two hours by train to Beaugency. Pommereau was a dot somewhere in the countryside – not on the map.
When I finally got to speak to David, having left a message on an answering phone, his American accented voice was gentle, and he sounded welcoming. It was ‘en route’, and I was going to a Harmonic Chant weekend retreat in Pommereau. It would be in French ,and he would collect me at the station on Friday early evening.
As an indication of just how important this retreat felt, and how imperative it was that I got there, Ronald was returning on Thursday from Angola for a short ‘home visit’. And here I was contemplating leaving him on the very first weekend! But equally, an indication of how we interacted and supported each other’s priorities, was clear in his response when I told him.
Does this ‘feel like a wave that you have to catch now? It’s all about timing’. The fact was that this indeed felt like a wave, which if rode at the right moment, now, would carry me further to where I needed to be in my exploration. This made total sense to him. So, on Friday morning after our coffee and croissants in the little town square he saw me off at the station and left with his newspaper.
I travelled through beautiful early autumn French countryside to Paris on the TGV and then more slowly arrived in the Loire where David met me at Beaugency station. It was still light, but the sky was turning into pinks and golds as we drove the half hour through the woods to the retreat centre; an isolated, converted rambling farmhouse and barns on the site of an ancient Cistercian monastery. There was a light mist bathing the scene in an ethereal cloak as we arrived.
A couple of people were inside in the warmth where a huge open fireplace held several big logs and a convivial fire. Oh yes. This felt very good. There were musical instruments all around, many Indian stringed instruments, percussion instruments, and an old baby grand piano in the corner. (I thought it looked too close to the fire) There were rows of lovely, intriguing books, some of which I recognised from my own shelves. And in the background tanpura music was playing gently as a foil to our quiet exchanges.
David was visible in the kitchen area off the main open living and dining space. It was all one volume, and he was preparing our welcome dinner with the assistance of a participant, who clearly was a regular at these retreats. The aromas were wholesome. From the conversation, I gathered that quite a few of the group had been to Pommereau before. It was interesting for me to be among these French people. Around the long table twelve or so of us were getting to know each other, and I was expressing myself in French. It was adequate, but every so often David and I would share something in English. I got by but was quieter than I felt, and I listened intently.
That night, snuggled up in my small single cubicle under the roof, I breathed out in gratitude and appreciation and marvelled at this unfolding in the space of three days! I retraced my steps from the initial reading of David’s article on Tuesday afternoon on the lake, to my being in a sleeping bag under his roof that night. Deeply aware of how the universe conspires to assist us when we are clear in our desire or intentions.