This beautiful, layered chant by Ana Hernández is one of the best-known pieces in the MMC repertoire. The text is adapted from a Chinese mantra to Guan Shi Yin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion.
Leaders in the MMC community teach the song differently. Some begin with Part I, then move to Parts II and III. Others reverse the order to great effect. No matter how you teach it, be sure to tend the beautiful dissonance on the word "heart" and keep inviting the community to deeper listening. Additional parts can be improvised and you can also support the voices with guitar or keyboard accompaniment.
Ana suggests using the chant during Communion, in Taize services, underneath prayers, or to shift the energy of a tense situation. It can also be sung in Spanish and French.
Open my heart.
Abre mi corazón.
Ouevre mon coeur.
You can purchase sheet music or a license to use Ana's music from her website.
Sheet music can be found in Music By Heart, MMC's first collection of paperless music. It is also available for purchase on Ana's website.
Here's Ana leading the chant at the 2019 Annual Conference of The Hymn Society in Dallas:
Here's Paul Vasile leading Open My Heart in Houston in 2011:
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