Songs of Oneness, Part 1 of 2

As humanity faces the calamities and challenges of our time, we need to keep our spirit of oneness and work together. During the 2020 World Unity Week conference, Supreme Master Ching Hai reminded us: “It’s good that we have this opportunity to express our unity spirit and gratefulness to Heaven and Earth for our world really needs it, needs earnest prayers and sincere effort to unite all beings on the planet. Because we are all nourished from Earth and blessed by Heavens. We are brothers and sisters including all non-human beings on Earth. It is the negative force that tries so hard since time immemorial to divide us and to make us hurt each other. But with pure prayers and sincere effort, we will win. However, just prayers and talk are not good enough. We have to act. We have to change our way of life to more benevolent, compassionate, loving and kind towards each other, regardless of race, species and nationalities.”

Since March 2021, India has experienced the 2nd wave of COVID-19 cases. With a sharp increase in the number of cases, hospitals sent out an emergency call for help, as the country slipped into a state of crisis. With this backdrop, the “Song of Unity” was born. The singers are volunteer members, and supporters of the foundation and recorded the performances from their homes during lockdown. This is their way of “spreading the message of love, positivity, and unity.” “When my tune and your tune merge, they become our tune! Rivers of tune from every direction flow to meet the Ocean.”

Our next piece is a folksong called “Circle of Song,” written and performed by folksinger Tony Turner from Ottawa, Canada. “Come join with me in the circle of song The young and the old, the weak and the strong Singing with one voice though we may speak different tongues In the circle of song we are one.”

The last song today is called “How Good It Is for Brethren to Dwell in Unity,” by Janet Morrison, with lyrics from Psalm 133 of the Holy Bible. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment Like the dew upon Zion For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.”