Healing Journeys with Suzie Daggett
Sweet sounds of devotional music, straight from the heart are what Angelika, an internationally known performer, songwriter and recording artist gives to her audiences. Angelika uplifts, inspires and heals through the gift of her angelic voice and the power of sacred music. Upon meeting her, the first thing you feel and see is her sense of peace, joy, love and contentment – all which radiate in her transformational music.
What were the circumstances that lead you to be a creator of Sacred Music?
I never planned to be a musician and was not even trained, only self-taught. My first introduction to sacred chanting was during a Yoga retreat at Ananda Village. My mind reacted with its usual rebellion to something it does not understand and had trouble with the repetitive aspect of the music and the words. However, it did not take long to let the mind slip away and get into a state I would describe as blissful. I realized that this is the music of my heart and soul. Songs in different languages just started to pop into my head and, I began to record them. In the midst of a major life change, I sat in a garden asking, “What should I do with my life?” with an intensity I had not known before. What I heard was a clear, all encompassing voice answering: “healing through music”. I asked, “What does that mean?” but there were no further instructions – only a vast silence. Within 2 weeks, I enrolled in a graduate program for music at CSUS. My musical development seems to go hand in hand with my spiritual journey.
How does the music come to you? How do you transpose the guidance into a chant or music?
I often make no effort at all to compose a piece. The music comes spontaneously into my mind, which bypasses the logical/ intellectual mind. Sometimes words and music all at once, but more often I simply look at words or use a Mantra/Prayer that I already know in English, Sanskrit, and a melody just comes into my head. At other times, I simply close my eyes, go into a deep inner state of stillness, play my custom made tamboura/monochord string instruments and start chanting. In a very magical Kyrie Eleyson piece on my CD: BENEDICTION, I played and recorded a monochord instrument on two different tracks with my digital hard drive recording equipment. Then I listened to these tracks with headphones, went into deep meditation, after setting up a beautiful altar in front of me, closed my eyes and started to sing, while recording my voice. 11 minutes later, I seemed to wake up from this beautiful altered state, I cannot explain exactly what happened. Then I repeated the process 2 more times, listening to what I had recorded before and adding another improvisation over the previous ones. It is amazing to me that they fit together so well without planning or composing it. It is a co-creative process with the Divine Presence.
What is the common theme that is woven in all your music?
Healing, calming, remembering, oneness, well being - music is a universal language that can bypass the opinionated, judgmental nature of the mind and go straight to the heart and the intuitive faculties. I use this music to build bridges between cultures, religions, and different ways of worship to point to the one source we all come from. Music has an effect on our nervous system, every cell of our bodies. The combination of these deeply therapeutic musical string instruments, like tamboura and monochords, the Sanskrit and other ancient healing languages, voice and the power of prayer and clear intent turns this music into a sacred tool.
You indicate you are divinely guided - how does this guidance assist with your music?
I often say that my employer is the Divine. What I do is a divine assignment, because I never planned this myself. I had no confidence, terrible stage fright and no training. However, it seems that an invisible hand guided my life, sweetly and gently always to the next step, for example being able to travel with a woman saint, who very effectively healed the stage fright. She showed me how to let the Divine take over my consciousness completely, to relax and trust. The inner guidance has gotten stronger and clearer over the years, simply because I trust more, I have gone more deeply into gratitude and realize there is no limitations for the Divine, if we just surrender and say yes. It can take us to amazing places. Most of us argue for our limitations and hold on tight, but I learned to let go and let God.
What are the benefits of sacred music to you as well as the listener?
I feel a deep inner resonance, harmony and joy, a calming effect on my nervous system, a deep sense of relaxation, trust and meditation and so do listeners. The common factor is the vibration of the music - how it makes us feel. I am often surprised how many different uses people find for my music, anywhere from hospice to calming upset children and animals. The “boss” is keeping me busy, sending me all over the world to play for many. Life is a joy!
Angelika will be performing at a spiritual retreat, New Paradigm Intensive in March, www.newparadigmintensive.com and you can contact her at www.angelikahealingmusic.com or (530) 292-3830
Healing Journeys is a column written by Suzie Daggett for the Grass Valley Union newspaper. Suzie interviews a variety of health practitioners most Fridays in the Wellness section. Click here to read past articles. Enter "Suzie Daggett" in the search box to get listing of all articles. |
