At the core we are all vibrations, musical compositions in motion, and that is why we resonate in communion with the world of music. The human voice is the only instrument that sounds from within, and our singing voice is deeply connected to heart and soul. In the timbre and tonal nuances of the voice we can perceive subtle soul messages – way beyond words. The sound of the voice mirrors the movements in the depths of psyche, and this touches us profoundly. To liberate the voice is to liberate psyche. To free the sound is to free the soul. Singing requires deep listening, instinctual attention, pure vocal presence, and the song is a musical alchemical vessel for psychospiritual transformation. Music is a magical magnet, a sacred gift from the Muses, so that our songs may sound the mana of the Mysterion. Lena Måndotter’s lifelong voyage with soul and song can inspire us all to reclaim our instinctual singing voice. C.G. Jung wrote that “music should be an essential part of every analysis.” This book shows why and is a testament to the healing power of song.
Lena Måndotter is a singer, song-therapist (dipl. RSA London, IAVMT) and a Jungian psychoanalyst (dipl. ISAP Zürich, IAAP). She is also involved with photography, art, poetry, and film. Her performances and artistic works have been shown at large exhibition spaces of contemporary art and she has also released a series of music albums and toured extensively. Lena has given many photographic exhibitions and published travel books and poetry. Lena gives lectures, seminars, and individual sessions. She is a teacher at ISAP Zürich and in the past she has taught at The Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Arts & Communication at Malmö University, at Jungian organization’s and many other events. www.lenamandotter.com
C O N T E N T S
The Song of the Soul – Prelude
Chapter 1 – The Transpersonal Dimension of Song and Sound
Angels and Spirits
Holy Spirit and Duende
The Prayer of the Heart
Chapter 2 – Sound and Psyche
Performance and Ritual
Jung and Music
Sounding and Wording
Chapter 3 – Hermes – Guide of Soul and Song
Chapter 4 – Serpent on the Soul’s Horizon
Serpent Resonance
Serpent as Symbol
Tuning into the Serpent
Chapter 5 – Musical Mirror Neurons
Chapter 6 – Archetypal Musical Healers
Chiron, Asclepios, and Instinctual Musical Empathy
Orpheus – The Singing Shaman
Orpheus as Saviour
The Many Myths of Orpheus
The Orphic Hymns and Jung’s Incantations
Chapter 7 – Song Therapy and Creativity
Let the Song in
Creative Song Writing
Sounding the Mana
The Song of the Soul – Postlude
Bibliography – Author Biography – Acknowledgements – Index