
Soul Song
“From the writings of the ancient philosophers of all races, from the songs of the great poets of all peoples, from the preachings of the prophets of all religions and times we can gather traces of this illumination which has come to them – this unfoldment of the spiritual consciousness. We have not the space to numerate these numerous instances. One has told of it in one way, the other in another; but all tell practically the same story. All who have experienced the illumination, even in a faint degree, recognize the like experience in the tale, song, or preaching of another, though centuries may roll between them. It is the song of the Soul, which when once heard is never forgotten. Though it be sounded by the crude instrument of of the semi-barbarian races or the finished instruments of the talented musicians of today, its strains are plainly recognized. From old Egypt comes the song from India in all ages – from Ancient Greece and Rome from the early Christian saint – from the Quaker Friend – from the Catholic monasteries from the Mohammedan mosque – from the Chinese philosopher – from the legends of the American Indian hero prophet – it is always the same strain, and it is swelling louder and louder, as many more are taking it up and adding their voices or the sound of their instruments to the grand chorus.” ~William Walker Atkinson
Writings of the Philosophers
Actually, many of the great spiritual philosophers of times past didn’t write down much, if any, of their teachings. They were passed from master to students orally. Fortunately for us, a few of those students did write down some of it, but because of their pledges of secrecy, it is always codified in legends and allegorical tales. Yet enough has survived of the philosophies of Pythagoras, Plato, Rumi, and others to let us know that the path of enlightenment does exist, though it is a long and sometimes perilous journey.
In Songs and More
The writings of the philosophers and their early students are not the only place where one can find guidance on the path to illumination. The Soul Song is found in music, poetry, paintings, statues, architecture, and even in modern movies. Sometimes it was put there intentionally, but often it wasn’t. Sometimes the musician, sculptor, screenwriter, etc. is inspired b a spiritual muse without even realizing it.
It is hidden in simple folk songs like “You are my Sunshine” and rock songs like “Age of Aquarius”. You expect to find some of it hidden in movies like “Father Sun, Sister Moon,” the film about the spiritual awakening of St. Francis, but not in an animated film about cavemen like “The Crudes,” yet there it is if you know enough to recognize it.
To most viewers, The Crudes is a simple comedy about a more primitive family of cavemen who are forced to learn some new ways by a young caveman from a more advanced tribe. But it also has these, spiritual lessons, and more. First, the primitive cavemen are always hiding in their cave from a big cat that chases them. When circumstances force them to abandon that cave, they learn that their assumption was wrong. The cat didn’t want to eat them, it was lonely and wanted someone to play with! They also learn that going to new places and learning new things is not so bad after all, even when it does include learning about the cute little pink birds, which turn out to be like flying Piranas that attack animals in a swarm leaving behind nothing but bones. And they are reminded regularly by the advanced caveman (spiritual guru) to “Go forward, go toward the Light, toward the Sun, that is where you will find safety.” A valuable lesson for all, if we but understood the allegory.
Once Heard, Never Forgotten
Yes, we are inspired by songs, poems, legends, and myths with hidden spiritual meaning, and that is why they tend to stick with us, even if we haven’t figured them out yet. But more importantly, as Atkinson says, even those who have had but a faint glimpse of the spiritual world, a single listen of the soul song, they remember it and began to recognize it in unexpected places. That will keep happening until they make the soul song their theme song and devote themselves full to spiritual growth and illumination. The soul song does indeed lead us to higher and higher levels of consciousness until we achieve the highest level and become one with God, one with the All.
Original article posted at SOLAR WIND by HAROLD BOULETTE on June 2, 2021