A Supple Advent Journey Week Four: Finding Light in Wakeful Stillness

As we arrive at the final week of our Supple Advent Journey, the world outside grows quieter. The nights are longer, the air is still, and we’re invited to pause and turn inward. This is a time for deep listening—a quiet that is not sleepy or dull, but awake, spiritually alive, and filled with purpose.

This week, we explore the power of Wakeful Stillness: a state where the body is calm and dreamy, yet the soul is fully present and listening. It is in this stillness that we connect to our higher selves—the I AM—and prepare to receive the light of renewal that comes with Christmastide and other festivals of light that brighten this sacred season.

For those celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights begins on Christmas night this year, a beautiful overlap of traditions where both honor themes of light and renewal amidst the darkness. And for those honoring Kwanzaa, the focus on light, unity, and cultural reflection begins soon after. Whether you celebrate Christmastide, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or hold space for your own unique rituals of light, this is a time for all of us to cultivate warmth, connection, and hope.

Singing has always been a way for me to feel connected—not just to others, but to something greater. Just as the flickering light of the Advent candles grows brighter each week, so too does our capacity to listen, to be present, and to uncover the truth of who we are. The voice becomes a bridge in this journey—leading us toward balance, harmony, and a deeper sense of self.

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Together, we’ll begin with the Listening Verse, a simple yet profound guide for entering this state of quiet inner wakefulness:

Be Still!
Listen to the Silence.
The silence which is sounding
creates in us the 'Will' to listen.
We listen with our ‘Will’
and thereby touch the universe.
The universe resounds in us,
bequeaths to us our 'Listening Will'.
✺Passed through Channa Andriesse Seidenberg (1939-2020)✺

May this week’s practice lead you to a supple place of listening and being—a place where your voice flows with grace, and your soul finds its light. Whether you are singing Still, Still, Still or simply engaging in the exercises, I encourage you to trust this gentle journey.

Singing is more than entertainment; it is a way to connect deeply—to ourselves, to one another, and to the light that guides us forward. Whatever tradition you honor this season, may your inner light shine brightly into the world, reminding you that in wakeful stillness, we are never truly alone.

A Personal Message for Advent Week 4

This week, as we enter the quiet stillness of Advent 4, I invite you to pause, to breathe, and to listen—deeply.
In this video, I share reflections on the importance of wakeful stillness.

Discover the beauty of wakeful stillness in this final week of our Supple Advent journey. Inspired by the serene snowfall and the quiet of the season, this video sets the tone for a reflective week. Together, we’ll explore the profound calm that allows us to pause, listen, and connect to our inner light.

Join me as I share peaceful moments from my snow-covered garden, reflections on the meaning of stillness, and an introduction to the gentle vocal practices and the serene Austrian carol Still, Still, Still. Let’s embrace this sacred time to release tension, renew our spirits, and prepare for the light of the coming year.

May this week’s offering bring you grace, calm, and the warmth of connection.

Singing Exercises for Advent 4
Inner Stillness

Singing exercises

This week’s exercise video focuses on refining our connection to breath, tone, and stillness as we prepare for the festivals of light. Together, we explored MF exercises to move our air with ease, revisited the MM twofold exercises, and practiced the BamBö. We also introduced a new variation of the twofold exercise featuring a special "L" sound, designed to bring greater suppleness to the voice.

Additionally, we worked on Ning Ning Ning to stream the cosmic tone smoothly, without any sense of "up" or "down." To close, we practiced the La Oh exercise and Mo Ah Oh, two quiet, meditative exercises that invite connection to your angel or a loved one who has passed.

These practices are gentle yet powerful ways to cultivate wakeful stillness and create space for inner listening. Perfect for deepening your Advent journey or preparing your voice for Christmastide.

Song Practice

This week, we bring our supple singing journey to a peaceful close by immersing ourselves in the timeless beauty of the carol Still, Still, Still. Together, we explore how to let go of tension and connect deeply with the meditative stillness of this song. Through thoughtful exercises and subtle adjustments, we discover how to make each note a reflection of inner calm and ease.

This session is about more than just singing a carol—it’s about using music as a pathway to connect with the season’s quiet magic and find serenity in the midst of holiday busyness. As you engage with these practices, you’ll notice how they invite your voice to flow effortlessly, transforming the act of singing into a sacred and joyful experience.

Step into the stillness with us and let your voice become a vessel for peace and light.

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Sing-a-Long and Reflect

Once you’ve warmed up with the exercises, sing along.

Still, Still, Still (Universal Lyrics) - A Lullaby for Peace and Stillness - Traditional Austrian Carol

Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the timeless Austrian lullaby Still, Still, Still, reimagined with universal lyrics that invite peace, stillness, and reflection. This karaoke track pairs the gentle melody with stunning visuals of snow-covered landscapes, creating a tranquil experience for singing or quiet contemplation.

Perfect for this season of stillness and renewal, the song's message transcends traditions, offering a moment of calm and connection for all. Let the soothing tones and poetic lyrics guide you into a place of rest, wonder, and light.

Whether you're singing along or simply enjoying the peaceful imagery, may this lullaby bring warmth and serenity to your heart this winter season.

Key of C

Pianist: Shane Shag

Arranged by Brian Dean with a repeat of the last verse.

Reflecting Together

As we conclude our Supple Advent Journey, let’s reflect on the stillness we’ve embraced this week and the ways we’ve opened ourselves to deep listening and inner peace. This is a time to honor the quiet, to let the light grow within us, and to prepare for the renewal and joy that await in the days ahead.

I’d love for us to share our journeys:

• How did singing Still, Still, Still help you connect to wakeful stillness and inner calm?

• What did you discover about yourself through the exercises this week?

• Did you find moments of true inner stillness—a calm lake within where your soul could listen deeply?

Please share your reflections in the comments below or message me directly by clicking here. Your journey matters to me, and I’m here to support you as you continue to uncover your voice and yourself.

And stay tuned for a special Christmas Eve gift—a heartfelt gift of song from me to you. I’ll be sharing two meaningful songs that carry the spirit of this season, along with a beautiful duet sung by two of my young students. It’s my way of saying thank you and celebrating the light we’ve shared together during this journey.

Thank you for being part of this Supple Advent Journey. May the stillness, light, and connection we’ve cultivated together carry you forward into Christmastide, the Holy Nights, and beyond.

With love, light, and a supple voice,
Shannon

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Bonus Section

As we close this week’s Supple Advent Journey, I’m delighted to share a bonus section featuring three beautiful performances of our chosen songs. These recordings offer a variety of ways to experience the themes of peace, wonder, and connection that we’ve explored together.

The first is a stunning rendition of Still, Still, Still by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, capturing the gentle lullaby-like serenity of this timeless carol. Their voices echo the stillness and reverence of the season, creating a truly moving experience.

The second is an instrumental orchestral version of Still, Still, Still, perfect for those moments when you’d like to reflect or relax with the music itself. Without the words, the melody takes on a new dimension, offering space for quiet contemplation.

I hope these performances bring you inspiration and joy as we prepare to carry the light of this journey into the days ahead. Feel free to share your thoughts or reflections in the comments below—I’d love to hear how these songs resonate with you.

The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square perform the Austrian carol, "Still, Still, Still," and arranged by Mack Wilberg.

"Still, still, still" is an Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby. In German its first line is "Still, still, still, weil's Kindlein schlafen will" ("Hush, hush, hush, for the little child wants to sleep") The melody is a folk tune (authorship unknown) from the State of Salzburg. The tune appeared for the first time in 1865 in a folksong collection of Maria Vinzenz Süß (1802–1868), founder of the Salzburg Museum. The words, which run to six verses in German, describe the peace of the infant Jesus and his mother as the baby is sung to sleep.

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