Eyes of the Garuda + Prayers for Peace
The one thing we need more than anything in this world at this time is peace. Unfortunately, the calculation and mastery of division, war, tension, and dissension is leading us on a path to destruction. We see it in national and international conflicts. Corporations. Between individuals. In families. And even amongst our inner self, all fighting to find a space of black and white.
This piece of music was made with the ideology that if we pray, vibrate, and radiate the thought of peace internally and outwards, then maybe that vibration will begin to catch on and override the harm that war causes. It’s with the intention of thinking of a peaceful planet for even 3 minutes through a piece of music, that we begin to morph and change our reality.
Inspiration Behind the Music
This piece was inspired with the G20 Summit that was taking place in Bali in 2022. One of the key discussions was to bring the ideology of peace between Ukraine and Russia to the forefront. I wanted to have a vibrational relationship to that key moment that could have possibly brought a different outcome.
This music also holds a special place in my heart. I spent over 6 months in Bali and fell in love with the landscape, the people, and the sense of peace that it brought to the world. The island vibrates with the ideologies that hold true for peace, as well as the preservation of the wisdom of the ancient world. The inspiration was one that I was able to reflect on through both my personal relationship and the political landscape at the time.
Musical Instrumentation
To merge the idea of peacefulness into a piece of music, I started with sound bites. I wanted to bring together a sense from specific instruments that were also symbols of the idea of peace.
The Hiroshima peace bells are heard from the beginning of the music. You may notice that these are creating more dissension in the music than harmony. This works symbolically to highlight the conflict of war and to make a statement through the instrumentation of how we’ve learned our lessons of war, and yet, we continue to move into the same state of conflict.
The bells are layered with a sample of bells that played in the Netherlands at a church. At the beginning of the war between the Ukraine and Russia, these were played to honor the refugees and to begin to vibrate with the ideologies of peace.
The sound bites also include the landscape of Bali, tying together the beauty of the natural state as well as the symbol of the Garuda – the symbol over Indonesia that signifies a state of peace. Instrumentation is also inclusive of the Gamlean bells often played in Bali, tying together the fusion of world and classical music.
Musical Context
The piece is designed to evolve from the state of conflict to the state of peace. While the bells have an undertone of peace based on their symbology, the beginning highlights the minor key and the counterpoint sections and alternative rhythms. This is designed to continue to heighten through the middle of the piece.
We never start with peace – we can only end with peace. While we can all pray for the outcome of coming to a resolution, there is a sense of dissension that takes place first. The alternative perspectives, motives, and decisions that take place have authority over this decision.
At minute 2:37, there is a change with the instrumentation counteracting each other. This builds into the symbology of realization, where there is hope to end the state of war and move into a resolution. This is the moment of prayer.
At this moment, the bells that are associated with war (Hiroshima) disperse and in it’s place is a harmonious and hopeful version of the piece. Instead of the conflict, we find realization and peace, echoing the same melodic and harmonious concepts but in a way that is not conflicted within itself. The organization of the piece and the representation of harmonies is designed specifically to transport us through the process of finding a state of peace and resolution by the end of the music.
The Myth Behind the Music
Behind the musical association is the Eye of the Garuda. This is the national symbol of Indonesia, but is also a symbol of protection and enlightenment. The musical movement is designed to reflect these concepts, but also to highlight the Garuda as the centerpiece.
When everyone feels a sense of protection – we feel a sense of peace. And when realization happens – we can drop our alternative agendas and move toward peace.
The Garuda is the symbol of Vishnu, the king of birds. The mythology states that he is there to bring heaven’s nectar to earth and to destroy evil by bringing balance to the land. This myth works through the disharmony to find a state of peace, showcasing the perfect symbolism in relationship to the ideologies of peace, the land of Bali, and the symbolism of the music that takes place.
Peace... Anyway...
I believe that peace is not only possible, but it’s a necessity. But, it also isn’t an end game. It’s only the beginning to craeting a new and prosperous world.
The Garuda myth doesn’t focus on peace – so why choose it? Because it stands for balance and harmony. That is the step beyond peace.
War and conflict is a base-level, lower vibrational approach in our lives. It does nothing and solves nothing but only leads to more violence and war. In any environment I’ve been in, I’ve found that approaches and agendas that use conflict only continue to escalate and no one wins. It leads to a poor outcome filled with destruction, sadness, and loss.
As more evolved souls, we can bring peace as a first state. When we speak our own realizations and truth, when we have empathy for others, and when we remain in balance and in harmony, we find more peace.
Peace is a stalemate. If you look at the symbolism, it shows two pillars crossing each other. In the ancient European symbol, it is two swords that cross each other with equal force. As a result, it stops the conflict and war.
If we can stop and observe the environment around us – look at the vast landscapes and the beauty we are surrounded by with all it’s gifts – look at the humanity and the people who we are in touch with every day – then we will wish for nothing else but peace. We will desire to end the conflict and the division and conquering we use. And, we will be able to take the first steps toward harmony, balance, and a Golden Age.
All it takes is for us to stop the conflict and to reach the realizations that we can live in a state of harmony.