True Face: Harini

Harini et marayich; Hashmi-ini et kolaych
Ki kolaych arayv u-maraych naveh
True Face in Hebrew
Let me see who you really are; let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet and your face is radiant. (Song of Songs 2:14)

The normal way of being is to live inside our thoughts about the world. We see what we expect to see. We’re busy trying to figure out how to use the world or protect ourselves from it. We are identifying threats or allies. We are comparing and categorizing. We are planning our next step. When those thoughts quiet down or cease being the focus of our attention, suddenly the world appears.

Surprisingly, it is more bright and beautiful and radiant than anything we could have imagined. Colors delight. Our curiosity is kindled. We can engage with what is before us and receive its gift, enjoying both the blessing and the challenge of this world. When we are paying attention and can become receptive, God’s true face appears as this world. In a moment of inner stillness, we can relax, enjoy and open as the sounds of this world become music.

To view context from Shir HaShirim through the Love at the Center project, click Shir HaShirm (Va’eyra).

To hear the chant, use the audio players. To download a chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

To download the PDF file for this chant, click True Face PDF. For the musical notation, see True Face Notation PDF.