Songs in this playlist are spontaneous creations of intuitive artist Michael Stillwater recorded during Honoring Ceremonies, ChantWave evenings, and Personal Songportraits.  

Songs from 2022 & 2023 tours, retreats and online events, plus three from a Personal Songportrait in 2019.

Songs are all original voice/guitar recording together with orchestration by Michael (added after the event). Each song description includes origin date, event, location and recipient.

Words, Music & Arrangements by Michael Stillwater

Songs are born in response to participant themes- special thanks to those who offered their themes, intentions, heartfelt wishes and declarations of inner truth, as well as to all who participated in these events, holding space and clarity in which the songs emerged.

Video about the Honoring Ceremony and Intuitive Songmaking:
vimeo.com/455763823

For schedule of all events, including ChantWave Online and SongLife Training: 
innerharmony.com/events/

If you find this way of intuitive music inspiring for your own creativity, I invite you to join my SongLife Training, either Residential or Online. Three pathways, one creative pulse: guitar artistry / songwriting / intuitive songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; many choose to stay for more than one season.

see details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish to have a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Selected Intuitive Songs from Michael Stillwater

stillwater

There Is A Peace
Intuitive Song for Edith
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater
Recorded on veranda of Monastero San Andrea, Assisi, Italy
Honoring Ceremony, Song Sanctuary Retreat
hosted by Michael & Doris Laesser Stillwater

July 8, 2022

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded during an Honoring Ceremony, in which the music is created and recorded by Michael in response to participant themes.

For a schedule of all events, including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars and retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find this way of intuitive music inspiring for your own creativity, I invite you to join my SongLife Training, either residential or online.

A residential course is held in Melle, Germany, in October. Online courses offer three pathways with one creative pulse: Guitar Artistry / Songwriting / Intuitive Songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; some choose more than one course, or to stay for more than one season. See details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish to have a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Thank you for listening!

Lyrics:

There is a peace so deep in me
Beyond the games that used to be
There is a peace so deep in me
Beyond the games I used to play
So frequently
But now the drama doesn’t seem
So interesting to me 
I am loving this peace, I’m loving this peace
The drama’s not interesting anymore for me
I’m loving this peace I’m feeling deep inside of me
I’m loving this peace deep inside
I’m loving this peace, my O my
I’m loving this peace so deep inside
I’m loving this peace here I cannot hide from who I am
I cannot hide from who I truly am
I cannot hide from who I truly am
I’m loving this peace, I’m loving this peace  (repeat)
I feel deep in me, I’m feeling it now in me

There Is A Peace

A Simple Life
Intuitive Song for Bettina
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater
Original recording: May 13, 2019, Bielefeld, Germany
Studio arrangement: July 20, 2022, Helsinki, Finland

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded as a Songportrait, during which original music and lyrics are created, performed and recorded by Michael in response to recipient themes. Orchestration woven into the original recording.

Video about the Honoring Ceremony and Intuitive Songmaking:
vimeo.com/455763823

For a schedule of other events with Michael Stillwater,  including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars,  retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find intuitive song creation inspires your own creativity, you are invited to join SongLife Training Online, either online or residential. Three pathways, one creative pulse: Guitar Artistry / Songwriting / Intuitive Songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; many choose to stay for more than one season. See details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish for a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Thank you for listening!

Lyrics:

A simple life I’m here to live
A simple life I’m here to give to you
A simple life I’m here to live
Take the moment and be true

A simple life I’m here to live
With time to enjoy
The sunlight on my face and in my heart
Simple joys of living

And as I give myself the gift of simplicity
I’ve got more time for you
And I’ve got more time for me

A simple life to live in harmony
A simple life to live it true
A simple life to be with me
And do what I need to do

And as I live simplicity
I come back home and see
That everything that needs to be done
Is done more easily 

In this simple life
In this simple life

A simple life I share with you
I share with you to let it be
A simple life we live it true
We live it as our destiny

And as we live simplicity
We come back home to what feels right
And as we live simplicity
We feel it every day and night

A simple life that we can share
A simple life without a care
A simple life for me and you
A simple life we’re living true

And everything gets done that needs to
As we take the time for joy
Everything gets done that needs to
As we take the time to let it unfold

A simple life has been waiting now for us
A simple life it’s been waiting for our trust

To trust that it can be this good
Can be this good and fine
To trust that it can be the dream of yours
The dream of mine

A simple life that’s lived most every day
A simple life that we know
Walking the garden and smell the air
And let the breezes blow

A simple life that takes us where we need
Where we need to go
A simple life whether it be raining or even in the snow
A simple life, every day, every night,
Every time is right for us, right for us
A simple life is here taking care of us, taking care of us
A simple life

A Simple Life

Perfectly Me
Intuitive Song for Bettina
words, music and arrangement by Michael Stillwater
Original recording: May 13, 2019, Bielefeld, Germany
Host: Christina Gürtler
Studio arrangement: July 30, 2022, Helsinki, Finland

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded as a Songportrait, during which original music and lyrics are created, performed and recorded by Michael in response to recipient themes.  Orchestration is added in studio to the original recording.

Video about the Honoring Ceremony and Intuitive Songmaking:
vimeo.com/455763823

For a schedule of other events with Michael Stillwater, including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars, retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find intuitive song creation inspires your own creativity, you are invited to join SongLife Training Online, either online or residential. Three pathways, one creative pulse: Guitar Artistry / Songwriting / Intuitive Songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; many choose to stay for more than one season. See details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish for a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Thank you for listening!


Lyrics: 

I try to be perfect
Keep trying to work it
Want things to be 
Perfect as they can be
But sometimes it doesn’t look that way

So I’m learning to let go
Learning to let down my perfect,
My perfect demand upon my life
And upon the world I see
My perfect demand upon my life
And upon the world I see

Takes a lot of energy
To keep things lined up perfectly
To keep things like I want them to be
It takes energy, sometimes I just want to let down
And want to be found by peace

I’m here to let peace find me
Just the way I am
I’m here to let peace find me
Now I understand

That not everything needs to line up straight
Not everything needs to turn out great
Not everything needs to be the way I want it to be

And when it is just the way that it is
And I let it now live the life it lives
And I learn to let things be 
Then peace it comes to me, peace it comes to me
Peace it comes to me, peace it comes to me
Peace it finds me just as I am
Peace it finds me now I understand

And somewhere in my heart I remember
Somehow things are perfect the way that they are
Sometimes I just remember
Sometimes I remember to see
Sometimes things are simply perfect
That’s all they need to be

Just the way they are
Don’t have to look very far
It begins with me, I let perfect and let perfect be

Just the way I am, just the way I am
I let perfect be just the way I am
I’m perfectly me, I’m perfectly me, 
I’m perfectly me, don’t need to be anyone else,
Don’t need to be anyone else,
‘Cause I’m perfectly me, 
Yes, I’m perfectly me
Yes, I'm perfectly me
I am perfectly me

The Honoring- Bettina van Amerongen

Perfectly Me

Let Your Love Come Back
Intuitive Song for Brigitte
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater
from Honoring Ceremony during Song Sanctuary Retreat
hosted by Michael & Doris Laesser Stillwater
Katve Retreat, Kirkkonummi, Finland
September 15, 2022

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded during an Honoring Ceremony, in which the music is created and recorded by Michael in response to participant themes.

For a schedule of all events, including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars and retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find this way of intuitive music inspiring for your own creativity, I invite you to join my SongLife Training, either residential or online.

The residential course is held in Melle, Germany, in October. The online course offers three pathways with one creative pulse: Guitar Artistry / Songwriting / Intuitive Songmaking. Each course is a seven week 'season'; many choose to stay for more than one season. See details here: innerharmony.com/songlife-training-online/

If you wish to have a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Lyrics:

There comes a time when nothing else will do
Than simply letting in the love, the love for you

Simply letting in, simply letting in
Simply letting in the love for you (repeat)

And as you let this love pour in to every part of you
The past it falls away and only this moment shines through

Let the love pour into you
Let it find its way to your heart
Let this love pour into you
This moment is the time to start

Let this love pour into you
Let it flow into your heart
Let this love pour into you
And now is the moment to start
Just letting it in, letting it in
Letting it in, letting it in

You know so well how to let your love
Flow out upon this world
Now's the time to let it 
Come on back to you, come on back to you
Come on back to you, come on back to you

Let it come back to you, let it come back to you
Let it come back to you right now
O come back to you, come back to you
Come back to you right now (repeat)

Your love come back, come back to you
O let your love come back to you
O let your love, let it come back to you
Let your love come back to you

Let Your Love Come Back

Words by Doris Haberkorn
Music by Michael Stillwater
Performed & Arranged by Michael Stillwater
Recorded by Evelyn Schmelzer

from SongLife Training Online, Season Nine
Intuitive SongMaking

Lyrics:

Hold on my little angel, hold on
Hold on my little angel
Spread your wings
Don't be afraid to fall

Hold on my little angel
Spread your wings
And don't you be afraid to fall

There's no falling out of this universe
You are held by the love of God
There's no falling out of this universe
You are held, you are held
You are held

There's no falling out of this universe
You are held by the love of God
There's no falling out of this universe
You are held by the love of God

Hold on my little angel
Spread your wings, don't be afraid to fall
Hold on my little angel
Spread you wings, don't be afraid to fall

There's no falling out of this universe
There's no falling out of love
There's no falling out of this universe
Don't be afraid you're gonna fall
Don't be afraid to fall
Don't be afraid to fall

Don't Be Afraid To Fall

There Is A River
Intuitive Song for Karin
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater
during Honoring Ceremony/Song Sanctuary Workshop
May 6-7, 2023 at Kirche der Stille, Hamburg, Germany
hosted by Irmgard Nauck/translation by Raaja Fischer

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded during an Honoring Ceremony, in which the music is created and recorded by Michael in response to participant themes. www.innerharmony.com

Thank you for listening!

Lyrics:

There is a river, a river in me that’s flowing
There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love

And I know, I know what to do
In every moment I’ve got a clue
I know just where, where I need to be

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love

And it’s always, it’s always true
It knows what’s good for me and you
It knows just when to flow on to your heart

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love

And I am trusting more and more
Every day an open door
That lets me see right in, right into my heart
Yes, I am trusting more and more
Every day's an open door
That shows me where I need to go today

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love

Wherever I am, I am at home
Wherever I am I’m not alone
Wherever I am I feel the wind of life
Blowing through me and it soothes me

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love
Of love, of love, of love (repeat)

I can see you as you truly are
And from me I now open up my heart
I can see you as you truly are
And from me I now open my heart

There is a river, a river in me
It’s always flowing onto the sea
There is a river, a river in me of love
Love, love, of love (repeat)

There Is A River (original)

Healing Rain
Intuitive Song for Maui Ohana and Aina
words & music by Michael Stillwater
recorded during ChantWave Benefit Online
August 19, 2023

As a former Maui resident, my heart is moved to honor the spirit of Maui, the Ohana (family), and resilience of the community in moving forward.

This song, Healing Rain, was spontaneously created and recorded during an online program including participants from Hawaii, mainland US, UK and Europe.  

Some orchestration was added to the recording after the event.

Donations appreciated to Maui Strong Fund
https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

For more music and calendar of upcoming events, visit www.innerharmony.com

Lyrics:

Let the rain, let the rain fall
In your heart
Let the healing rain fall right now
Upon every part

Let the healing, the healing rain
Fall upon you now
Let the healing, the healing rain
Fall upon you now

Alway here, always with you
Every day and night
Always here, always with you
Always in your sight

Let the healing rain
Let it fall on down
Fall upon your face
Let the healing rain now
Fall upon and fill you with grace

Let the healing rain fall on down
Let it fall upon your face
Let it comfort you and bring you peace
And fill you now with grace

Let it heal you and comfort you
Let it find you in your place
Let it be the rain that soothes your soul
And fills you now with grace

Let it be the rain that soothes your soul
And fills you now with grace
Let it be the rain that heals you now
And fills you up with grace

Healing Rain

Let Go And Be Free
Intuitive Song for Brigitte
words, music & arrangement by Michael Stillwater

from the Honoring Ceremony, SongLife Weekend
hosted by Anne Clement
Recorded at MorgenAbendLand, Bern
Center of Brigitte Schildknecht

September 23, 2023

(Scroll down for Lyrics)

This is a spontaneous, intuitive song recorded during an Honoring Ceremony, in which the music is created and recorded by Michael in response to participant themes.

For a schedule of all events, including ChantWave, Song Sanctuary seminars and retreats, and SongLife Training, visit: innerharmony.com/events/

If you find this way of intuitive music inspiring for your own creativity, I invite you to join my SongLife Training, either residential or online.

If you wish to have a personal songportrait with Michael, visit: 
innerharmony.com/songportraits/

Thank you for listening!

Lyrics:

Deep in my soul I hope I’m ready
Deep in my soul I hope I’m ready to let go

Let me let go of control
Let me let go this I know
Let me let go of control and be free

Let me let go and be free
Let me let go this part of me
Let me let go, let go of control

Let me let go and be free
Let me let go this part of me
Let me let go so that I may know who I am

Now I let go and I’m free
Now I let go this part of me
Now I let go so I know who I am
I know who I am, now I know yes

Now I know just who I am
When I let go I understand
Now I know, I know just who I am
As I let go, I let it go, yes

Now I know who I am
This is how I understand
Now I let go of control and I’m free

I let go now and so I see
That I have always been quite free
Behind the veil of my control

I let go now and see that
Truly I’ve always been free
Behind the masquerading in me

I choose, I choose to let go
I choose, I choose to let go
And know that I am free
I choose to let go that part of me
That believed I was truly in control

Let go and truly be
The one who has come as me
I let go to be the one that I am

I let go and all is fine
As I let go I know that I’m mine
I’ve always been, I’ve always been here with you

As I let go I come back home
As I let go I’m not alone
As I let go I’m connected with everything

As I let go I come back home
As I let go I’m not alone
As I let go I’m connected with everything

As I let go I truly know
As I let go I come back home
As I let go I know that I’m the one who came as me

I let go and come back home
I let go, I’m not alone
I let go and know that I’m always free

Let Go And Be Free

Background tracks for SongSourcing experience, imaginative improvisation, intuitive explorations, story making in song.

SongSourcing Trackpack One, released in 2008, contains 31 tracks in folk, jazz and rock styles.

SongSourcing Trackpack Two, released in 2021, contains 30 additional tracks in various styles including world music.

SongSourcing II- Discovery I

Michael Stillwater is an innovator with music, words, and images.
An award-winning songwriter, recording artist and filmmaker, he provides
artistic and transformative reflection upon core societal issues, catalyzing
creative expression in people of all ages.

musical artist / songwriter / filmmaker / intuitive musician / educator / producer


MUSICAL ARTIST/SONGWRITER: Stillwater’s interfaith chants and healing songs are enjoyed in singing circles, gatherings, churches and communities worldwide, with multiple recordings by other artists as well as himself. An interfaith minister through the Chaplaincy Institute, he ministered through Heavensong, a
non-denominational church based in California and Hawaii, from 1978 through 1990.

FILMMAKER: Through Song Without Borders, the nonprofit creative arts agency he co-founded, Stillwater produced films and other programs applying song to personal and societal transformation. He created his first film, Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen (2012) together with his wife, Doris Laesser Stillwater. Acclaimed ‘a heartening rarity’ by the Wall Street Journal, the film received four Best Documentary awards at US film festivals and enthusiastic response from a global audience, including Europe and South Africa. The movie tells the story of the life and music of National Medal of Arts
recipient Morten Lauridsen, recognized as the most performed choral composer of recent times.

The Stillwater’s second film, In Search of the Great Song: Fifty voices. Twelve countries. One question. (2016), received two Best Documentary awards, including at its US Premiere, Moondance Int’l Film Festival in Boulder, CO. Providing an existential and metaphorical context, the film serves as a conversation starter for exploring our inherent creativity and essential spiritual unity. With interviews recorded worldwide, including at the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, the film was screened at the Parliaments in both Salt Lake City (2015) and Toronto (2018).

Their third film, Beyond the Fear of Singing: Unlock Your Voice, Release Your Song (2019), winner of three film festival awards, focuses on the inhibition so many feel about their singing voice, together with healing pathways for overcoming limitations and the rewarding discovery of expressing one’s voice.

INTUITIVE MUSICIAN/EDUCATOR: Stillwater’s unique intuitive recording artistry provides a way for people to feel seen and supported at an essential level. His intuitive songportraits demonstrate empathic connection, while Song Sanctuary seminars and retreats combine a variety of interactive elements in a
one-day, two-day, or longer program. SongLife Training serminars, both local and online, provide anyone with a forum for unlocking their musical aspirations individually and with others.

PRODUCER/AUTHOR: With Emmy-award winning film composer Gary Malkin and Swiss contemplative psychotherapist Doris Laesser Stillwater, he co-authored Graceful Passages: A Companion for Living and Dying (over one million readers/ listeners) and Care for the Journey: Messages and Music for Sustaining the
Heart of Healthcare, created for reducing stress in healthcare and palliative care practitioners. 

Since 2020 he has published a monthly column in Meer, an international online magazine. Together with his wife Doris he leads Song Sanctuary Retreats in Europe and America, providing support through contemplative, creative and personal growth practice. A resident of Europe since 2005, he now lives in the Alps of Switzerland, travelling frequently, offering online and local musical events and creative educational programs.