THE RAINBOW CHURCH
OF LIVING LIGHT
AN INTERFAITH CHURCH FOR THOSE WHO
HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THE SPIRIT OF
THE RAINBOW GATHERINGS
Rainbow Church of Living Light ministers currently facilitate Rainbow Circle Gatherings each Monday from 1:45 pm to 3 pm at the Middletown Community Room in downtown Middletown, California.
Everyone is welcome to join us in person or in spirit to pray for peace, make music as a community, and participate in other Rainbow Family-inspired traditions.
Please bring a drum or other percussion instrument to participate in this free weekly event. Some extras will be available.
If you do not live nearby, please contact the Church if you would
like it to sponsor a similar event in your locale.
RAINBOW CIRCLE GATHERINGS
1:45pm: Arrival and setup time with live or recorded ambient music (15 mins)
2pm: Call to Gather by Circle Facilitator (1 min)
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2:01pm: Optional Introduction to Drumming (5 mins) See instructions below.
2:01 or 2:06pm: Start of Drum Circle (43 or 48 mins depending on if an introduction was given). Live drumming can be accompanied by recorded drum tracks depending on the skill level of those present. See tracks below.
2:45pm: End of Drum Circle
2:46pm: Sing song: "Love is Everywhere" (3 mins). See words and music below.
2:49pm: Silent Peace Prayer Meditation then Om Chanting (3 mins)
2:52pm: We Love You! and Optional Group Hug (1 min)
2:53pm-3pm: Departure with live or recorded ambient music
Optional: Provide a sign-up sheet to collect emails for people who want to attend future Rainbow Circle Gathering events
Those new to drum circles can view a helpful article on the subject of drum circle etiquette written by drum circle expert Arthur Hull from Drum Magazine online here.
The facilitating minister can ask for a show of hands from the group attending the Rainbow Circle Gathering regarding their drumming expertise. If most of the people are inexperienced, then offering a brief introduction to drumming in a circle along the following lines can be helpful.
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Step 1: Ask everyone to pick up an instrument.
Step 2: Explore the sounds your instrument can make.
Drum: A drum makes different sounds depending on where you strike it and how. Try hitting the drum on its side and in its center. Try using your bowed hand in the center and fingers on the side.
Rattle: Rattles make several different sounds. For example, you can shake a rattle freely in the air or hit it on the palm of your hand. You can also rotate it for another sound.
Step 3: Give an example of each using your drum and rattle.
Step 4: Explain that the core of rhythm is the heartbeat. Note that a heartbeat is regular and does not vary much.
Step 5: Start a simple beat with a fairly slow tempo that everyone can achieve. Make the beats regular and even. Ask other people to join in to share the beat.
Step 6: Play a recording of drum music (see examples below). Find the beat yourself and help others to also find the beat and play along with you.
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Step 7: Ask others to also stop when you stop playing.
Step 8: Practice playing some simple beat ideas with one hand. You can use letters to indicate note length as follows: Q=quarter note, E=eighth note, S=sixteenth note. If a letter has a dot on top, that means the note is 1.5 times its normal length. Sample beats could include: QEEQ, EEEEQQ, QEEEEQ, Ä–SEEQQ, etc...
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Step 9: Explore adding the other hand.
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Step 10: Split up the room with newer players sitting closer to the facilitator and more experienced players sitting further away.
Step 11: Start drumming either using a beat you create or by playing along with a recorded drum track. Change beats periodically, with every few minutes being a reasonable time frame to devote to each beat. For a new group, you can just set the recorded drum tracks below playing. The player will automatically switch to the next track when the current track ends.
Love is everywhere.
It makes the world go ‘round.
It’s so precious when it’s found.
CHORUS:
It’s in the birds,
in the bees,
in the trees and in me.
God is everywhere
and lives in every heart.
Everything plays its part.
CHORUS
Love is everywhere
It makes life so sweet
In every heart it beats
CHORUS
Music is everywhere.
Just hear that joyous sound.
In every heart it’s found.
CHORUS
Peace is everywhere.
It happens when we love
Each other and God above.
CHORUS
Love is everywhere.
It’s part of everything.
Just let your heart take wing.
Love is everywhere.
Love is everywhere.
Love is everywhere.
CHORUS
Love is everywhere.
(Repeat in variations until end.)
The sacred syllable of the universe, known as Om or Aum, holds significance across various spiritual traditions and faiths, with variations in spelling and interpretation. Arising in Hindu and yoga practices, this universal mantra is also traditionally chanted by the Rainbow Family during the National Rainbow Gatherings at the peace prayer circle held on Interdependence Day each year.
Meaning of AUM Mantra Components:
When the mantra is represented as Aum, it appears to have three parts, but the mantra actually has four essential components, one of which is silent. They are:
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The A: The "A" sound signifies the force of creation, representing the origin of the universe and all its elements. This primal vibration symbolizes the beginning, serving as a connection to one's sense of self. As you chant, visualize the expansive creation and feel the resonance starting from the throat and spreading to the lower abdomen.
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The U: The "U" sound embodies the energy of preservation. As you pronounce it as a prolonged "oo," imagine the continuous unfolding and sustaining of the universe. The vibrations move forward along the upper palate, creating a resonance in the throat. This phase reflects the ongoing preservation and continuity within the cosmic order
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The M: The "M" sound represents the force of liberation. Pronounced as a prolonged "mmmm," with the front teeth gently touching, it symbolizes the transformative energy that leads to liberation. Feel the vibrations in the top of your mouth as you chant. This phase signifies the dissolution or merging, indicating the liberation of the self from worldly attachments.
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Silence: The last syllable is the deep silence following the audible sounds. It represents the Infinite, a state beyond verbal expression. This profound silence symbolizes the transcendence of individual consciousness into the universal consciousness. As you transition from the "M" to the deep silence, visualize the ascent of intelligence from the depth of this infinite stillness.
Correct Pronunciation of Om or Aum:
A: Pronounced as a prolonged "awe," starting at the back of the throat, stretching out to feel vibrations in the solar plexus and chest.
U: Pronounced as a prolonged "oo," with the sound rolling forward along the upper palate, causing vibrations in the throat.
M: Pronounced as a prolonged "mmmm," with front teeth gently touching, leading to vibrations in the top of the mouth.
Silence: The last syllable represents the deep silence of the Infinite, symbolizing the rise of intelligence from profound stillness.
Symbolic Representation:
The three letters of the AUM mantra collectively embody the divine energy of Shakti, encompassing its three fundamental aspects of creation (A), preservation (U), and liberation (M). The silence that follows encapsulates the ineffable, representing the boundless and eternal nature of the Infinite.
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Understanding the symbolic meanings of each component enriches the chanting experience, allowing you to delve deeper into the profound spiritual significance of the AUM mantra.
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To properly chant Om, understanding the specific tradition it arose from can help you access the true power and contemplate its meaning. Acknowledging the tradition you follow also deepens the chanting practice and facilitates a profound connection with the sound of the universe.
Om Chanting Benefits:
Chanting Om invites the ultimate reality of creation into your awareness, fostering a connection with emotions and subtle mental impressions. Studies indicate synchronization of breathing and heart rates during Om chanting, showcasing the profound impact of sound vibration on mental, emotional, and physical states.
Chanting Om aligns individual frequencies with the universal frequency, a vital aspect of spiritual practices. This alignment, along with synchronized breathing, facilitates elevated consciousness or samadhi. The practice also slows down the thinking mind, reducing absorption in material concerns.
Furthermore, chanting Om promotes a well-balanced autonomic nervous system, fostering overall balance. This alignment allows individuals to attune to thoughts and beliefs, introducing peace and tranquility to the mind.
Ultimately, the chanting of Om serves as a transformative practice, shifting both the mind and the nervous system toward spiritual awakening and fulfillment.
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying,
a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth
from many colors, classes, creeds, and
who by their actions and deeds
shall make the earth green again.
They will be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Meade
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying,
a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth
from many colors, classes, creeds, and
who by their actions and deeds
shall make the earth green again.
They will be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow.
When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow