Earth blessing

Written and Arranged by Helen Yeomans

The Pavāmana Mantra is a soundscape that feels less like a performance and more like a grounding breath. As we dive into learning Helen Yeoman’s beautiful "Earth Blessing" this term, this ancient Sanskrit chant serves as the song's profound rhythmic and lyrical core. For anyone curious about why this piece feels so resonant, the secret lies in the roots of these Sanskrit phrases, a language where the sounds themselves are designed to create a physical vibration in the body, helping us find focus and clarity.

The mantra originates from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, one of the oldest philosophical texts of ancient India. It is built on three simple but deep requests: to be led from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. While these words are ancient, their broader meaning is about the universal human desire for authentic growth. It is about moving away from confusion or the "noise" of daily life and stepping into a state of truth and awareness. In a choir setting, this feels like the moment we stop being a group of individuals and start becoming a single, focused voice.

In "Earth Blessing," Helen Yeoman weaves this mantra throughout the entire song, allowing the ancient syllables to act as a steady pulse beneath a modern, accessible melody. By singing these pieces together, we are honoring the Earth and our place within it. The repetition of the Sanskrit serves as an acknowledgment that we are part of a larger, timeless cycle. We use our collective breath to send out a message of peace and respect for the environment that sustains us, connecting the wisdom of the past with our hopes for the future.

Because we sing in an oral tradition, the Pavāmana Mantra is particularly powerful to learn. By learning this song by ear, we can focus entirely on the percussive, rhythmic nature of the Sanskrit syllables. The language is crafted so that the sounds create a resonance that naturally calms the nervous system. As the deeper voices provide a steady foundation and the higher parts layer the blessing over the top, the music becomes a physical experience—a "vocal bath" that vibrates through the room and connects every singer to the person standing next to them.

Earth Blessing is a celebration of timelessness. It reminds us that whether a phrase was written thousands of years ago or recently in a modern song-writer, the intent remains the same: to find peace, to seek clarity, and to honour the world around us. Learning this song allows us to experience a deep sense of presence and intentionality. When we stand together, we aren't just making music; we are sharing a universal wish for the well-being of the Earth and everyone on it.

You can find out more about Helen and her community singing projects here: https://helenyeomans.co.uk/

The Lyrics

Sanskrit: asato mā sadgamaya tamaso mā jyotirgamaya

English Translation: From the unreal, lead me to the real From darkness, lead me to light