Based on Simone Weil’s book, “Waiting for God”

Renunciation (Simone Weil’s “Waiting for God”)

Based on Teresa of Avila’s famous silkworm vision from “The Interior Castle.” Written to be a “work song.” Thanks to @gracethebabbler (IG) for allowing me to use the sounds of her spinning wheel!

Teresa’s Silkworm (Teresa of Avila’s “The Interior Castle”)

Based on Evagrius’ book “Chapters of Prayer”

Prayer Is An Ascent (Evagrius’ “Chapters on Prayer”)

Based on “The Cloud of Unknowing” by Anonymous.

Cloud Meditation (“The Cloud of Unknowing” by Anonymous)

Based on Octavia Butler’s book “Parable of the Sower”

Change (Butler’s “Parable of the Sower”)

For Rula and her family, especially J. The day before she died, she was agitated, so I began singing to her, and this song emerged. As I sang and sang, she calmed and drifted off to sleep. I decided to finish the song as a gift to her family, in memory of their faithful companion.

Rula's Song

A live improvisation on a Native American text.  Anne Baltz, piano.

Stephanie Hollenberg