Originally published October 18, 2009, under the title “Greenwood Tree: coda.” My CD Under the Greenwood Tree, had just been released, which accounts for the references to it in this post.

To me, true silence is settling down into a stillness that vibrates so intensely that it contains the universe in seed form — all song, all life, all possibilities: not manifest but completely present in the silence. Inner silence is our birthright, our nature.

Many people meditate to cultivate the experience of inner silence; I do too. I cannot give you a meditative experience because only you can give that to yourself. But I can create music that is born in the silence in my own heart, and you will recognize that silence because it is native to you.

Outside my meditation practice, I have many doorways to silence — actions or moments during activity that call me back to my true nature. At the top of my personal list:

• soaking up the beautiful vistas and sunsets here
• coloring!
• dreaming in the shade of a “greenwood tree”
• music!

Especially the music on this newest CD Under the Greenwood Tree.

So I hope you decide to give this music to yourself and your friends, because it has been my privilege and pleasure to offer it to you.

May you have music all your days,

Kathleen

2024 PS: I’d add
• tea on the porch
• breakfast in the mountains

to my list of silence portals. Just being outside quiet, listening to the wind in the trees, soaking up nature.