If you are a seeker, To Be Enlightened by Alan J. Steinberg, MD may inform and inspire you. The theme is reminiscent of Somerset Maugham’s novel, The Razor’s Edge*, which was made into a movie, twice.
In that story, Larry Darrel, traumatized from the war, postpones his marriage to travel, study, and find himself. He goes to Europe, and eventually India, where he meets a guru who prepares him for a profound experience of transcendence. Transformed, he returns to the world he left behind. The post-war economic recession had impacted his friend who is psychologically distraught. His former fiancee is now married to him. Larry later gets involved with an old friend who has suffered much and tries to save her. His ex is not content to have let him go and stirs up trouble. Complications lead to tragedy. In the end, Larry is free to live his life on his own terms; in the world, but not of it.
In this story, the main character, Abe Levy, a philosophy professor, already meditates. Unlike a greater part of the previous century, meditation and yoga have become ubiquitous in the west. But Professor Levy is not content with his twice-daily meditations. He is in a rush ‘To Be Enlightened’ and may risk his marriage and job to try and achieve it. The story has some surprising twists and turns along the way, enough to have kept this reader turning pages.
From the book description:
To Be Enlightened is a cosmic love story that follows Professor of Philosophy Abe Levy as he grapples with what it means to love both his wife, Sarah, and the ocean of silence within. It is also an intellectual exploration of the most intimate of subjects: our consciousness.
Abe Levy’s long tenure as a philosophy professor has motivated thousands of students to ponder age-old questions in light of New Age ideas. Though Abe is passionate about his teaching, he is obsessed with a powerful childhood dream of heaven. To return to that heaven, he must reach enlightenment in his lifetime. Day after day, Abe settles into deep meditation, reaching the very cusp of his goal but unable to cross the threshold. Desperately, he commits to doing whatever it takes, even if it means abandoning his wife for a more ascetic life—a decision that sets off a cascade of consequences for Abe, Sarah, and those he loves the most.
I found it interesting that the theme of each chapter was prefaced with a relevant profound quote from the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, reputed author of the Tao Te Ching and founder of Taoism.
This is Dr. Alan Steinberg’s debut novel, and it is a worthy one. I recommend it for anyone who doesn’t know much about meditation, as well as those with a meditative practice.
The classroom discussions reveal interesting perspectives between western philosophy and the Vedic knowledge brought out by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. And Abe’s and his wife Sarah’s experiences in and out of their TM practice are very relevant to the story’s unfolding.
You can download the first chapter at his website Alan J. Steinberg, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Dr. Steinberg publishes articles on meditation in Psychology Today. Visit his linktr.ee for links to articles, book reviews, and more.
UPDATE: Alan’s book won a 2022 Nautilus Book Awards, a Silver Winner (Cat. 1-10; 07 B – Fiction; Large Publisher, or Large Hybrid Publisher). Inviting imaginative storytelling that includes evolving human capacities, and can involve visionary positive futures and the resilience of the human spirit.
I may be a little late to have discovered this unbelievable musical phenomenon, but Angelina Jordan continues to impress and inspire me daily. The more I found out about her, the more I wanted to hear her sing and uncover more of her story. This would account for the length and breadth of this new post. I don’t remember the exact date I started listening to Angelina, but it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. I went down the rabbit hole, began writing about her, and published this blog post on May 7, 2021. There’s enough here to keep you informed, inspired, and entertained at your own pace. I continue to add the latest developments in chronological order. Scroll down to see her new songs and concert videos. She’s great, and just keeps getting better and better!
I want to sing for the whole world. Singing is as important as breathing to me. I just love to sing.— Angelina Jordan
I recently discovered and am thoroughly enjoying listening to an amazingly talented young artist—Angelina Jordan Astar from Oslo, Norway. Born January 10, 2006, this musical child prodigy started singing very early in life.
Thanks to her maternal grandmother, Mery Zamani, Angelina began listening to classic American jazz artists when she was a very young child. She started singing around 18 months and by 3 knew that’s what she wanted to do with her life—become an international singing superstar. (The full clip was later posted on TikTok.)
Luckily, her family has supported her in that direction. As a young child, Angelina attended the Oslo Waldorf School and participated in the Oslo School of Music and Performing Arts after-school program where she received vocal training.
In addition to singing, she also learned how to play 4 instruments—piano, violin, guitar, and flute—and she paints! She also writes regularly in her journal, part of which was later turned into a book. More on that below. She speaks several languages. For years she has been covering other artists and is now starting to record her own songs.
Enters Norway’s Got Talent at 7 years old and wins
In these earlier videos, it is totally incongruous to see such a small young child performing old American jazz standards on Norway’s Got Talent. For her audition she sang Billie Holiday’s version of Gloomy Sunday. The judges could not believe what they were hearing. Some were at a loss for words; others were teary-eyed. After Angelina finished singing, the audience and judges rose to their feet applauding wildly. As they sat down and the judges started interviewing Angelina, we hear music playing softly in the background. It’s the beautiful song, How Long Will I Love You?. That’s the moment Norway, and, when the video went viral, the rest of the world, fell in love with Angelina and her amazing voice.
After Angelina auditioned for NGT, one of the judges concluded her remarks with this statement: You ARE music! The other female judge said: I think that you are born to sing, and added in front of everyone that “we have a superstar.” Afterwards the judges said they were blown away, that Angelina was the best they’d seen.
Here is a major jaw-dropping, mind-blowing experience. It’s how I first discovered this child prodigy during the Covid pandemic staying home watching Netflix and YouTube videos. Listen to Angelina, now 9, belt out I Put A Spell On You in a studio with musicians, and later, live on Germany’s Little Big Stars.
Often covered in the past, this 1956 song was written and composed by Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins. His own recording of it was selected as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. You have to wonder how she discovered such historically significant artists. Watch him sing it and you’ll understand how she honors him (he’s on the candle she first holds up to the camera) by staying true to the original, yet creating her own version of it (see the conductor nodding at the written directions of her arrangement).
Angelina has recorded over 130 covers from 80 different artists that she’s posted on Facebook and YouTube over the years. She arranges her own versions of popular songs and directs musicians how to play them. This video ranks as one of the most outrageous mind-blowers, with hundreds of reactor videos and millions of views! I love to see reactors try to respond in disbelief when they hear her sing this song. It’s a double enjoyment for me—reacting to their reactions, as well as my own, again!! For example: Soul Reacts, a songwriter who cannot comprehend what he is hearing; and joethemaster‘s over-the-top reaction.
Pontus Österlin at PO Talks put together a brilliantly edited 8-minute compilation of a range of many reactors’ reactions as Angelina belts out I Put A Spell On You. During the credits listing them, he included footage of Jay Hawkins screaming out his song, with parallel clips of Angelina. This is definitely worth watching!
(Later inserted) The following year I replied to a question on Twitter as to which black and white film I thought was the best and most watched in 2001 and I said this one directed by Per Heimly adding his Twitter address. He liked it and we started a DM. I was thrilled and surprised and told him the world owed him a great debt for what he did for Angelina and her family, especially her grandma Mery Zamani. He messaged back: It’s a Family Of Great Genius . 🤘❤️🙏
She also gave an amazing performance of Dinah Washington‘s version of What A Difference A Day Makes. English subtitles were later added to the opening interview where she says she’ll be traveling to the USA for some singing engagements. She did sing Fly Me To The Moon on The View in 2014 when she was 8 years old.
At 12, Angelina Jordan came out with her first album of jazz and pop cover songs, It’s Magic. She is backed by The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces. The CD also includes 2 of her own songs, Oslo and What Is Life. You can hear it on YouTube. See her powerful 2018 performance of “It’s a Man’s World” with the military band.
That year Angelina was invited by Quincy Jones to sing Fly Me to the Moon with his orchestra at his 85th birthday concert in the London O2 Arena (27.06.2018). She opened the show with the same arrangement Quincy had written for Frank Sinatra. When she first sang privately for him, he said her talent reminded him of a young Michael Jackson.
America’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer
Angelina appeared on America’s Got Talent: The Champions 2020 when she was 13 years old. She told Heidi Klum that she had waited 10 years to sing for Simon Cowell. And it was on the biggest stage in the world! This was her moment. She auditioned with her own spellbinding version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which won her a Golden Buzzer from Heidi, who could hardly contain herself. After the show had aired, Angelina posted a tweet thanking them all for having her and for the Golden Buzzer, which is included there.
Reflecting on that moment, Angelina said: “When Heidi stood up it felt like time stood still. I can’t believe it. The confetti felt like millions of gold stars were falling on me. It was really the best moment of my life.”
As the judges and audience members were on their feet applauding wildly, I heard an excerpt of Eva Cassidy singing Over The Rainbow playing in the background and thought, how appropriate! One amazing angelic voice honoring another as her dream finally, really did come true!
Talent Recap posted Angelina Jordan: ALL Performances on America’s Got Talent Champions, which includes the introduction. Kaleidoscope RMX posted 3 videos: Part 1, the AUDITION INTRO; Part 2, the AUDITION; and Part 3, the FULL GOLDEN BUZZER MOMENT, which started with the 3 judges’ reactions and concluded with an overwhelmed Heidi Klum who stood up and hit the Golden Buzzer, then went on stage to hug and kiss Angelina on both cheeks. The other judges joined them, a first to have all four congratulate a contestant on stage at the same time. Simon also hugged her and said: “I don’t think you know how good you are. Really!” The camera segued to Angelina’s family: her thankful uncle Michael, sister Juliette’s happy tears, mother Sara and grandma Mery hugging.
Angelina later returned for The Champions Season 2 2020 final round to sing her unique take on Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. She blew the judges away again, and the crowd went nuts in joyful disbelief.
Angelina was later joined by amazing sand artist Kseniya Simonova and talented young violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa for an exciting group performance of Someone You Loved in the AGT Champions Finale.
Variety Media later created a must hear compilation of Angelina Jordan’s 6 Different Stunning Magical Voices! Angelina may emulate these artists, vocally and emotionally as she inhabits their songs, but she interprets them in her own unique stylistic way, oftentimes better than the original! Like any great jazz artist, she is developing her own sound, finding her own voice, and now performing her own music. We are all in for many surprising treats.
When she was 10 years old Angelina was asked to record a song by Brandon Lowry, aka Sterling Fox or Baby FuzZ. Angelina’s version was a demo, not meant to be released. She said she would never record it again because it deals with suicide. Nothing happened with his song, which he had written and recorded with some Norwegian friends. Someone later “leaked” the audio. Rusty Shackleford provides an explanation in this comment. He includes Baby Fuzz’s comment—an attempt to clear the air about it after he had heard it. Angelina’s version of I’m Still Holding out for You could easily have become a Top 10 hit.
Worldwide online reactions
Besides her impressive vocal skills, what gives listeners goosebumps and moves them to tears are the powerful soulful feelings she puts into each song. How can someone that young, who has not yet experienced life’s ups and downs, express such emotions and understanding? It boggles the mind! There is no doubt that Angelina is an old soul in a young body—something the judges at NGT and AGT said, as well as others who have commented on her performances.
She has 2 billion Facebook views and over half a billion on YouTube. There are many compilation channels of her music and 100’s of reaction videos of people responding to some of the many songs she’s posted. Most of them are visibly moved, jaw-dropped at a loss for words.
One of the more qualified reactors is Spanish-speaking vocal coach Ceci Dover. She explains things in detail, sharing valuable advice. See this one she posted of Angelina covering Lana Del Ray’s Born To Die.
In this enjoyable video (select English subtitles), Ceci uses excerpts of Angela singing between ages 7-13 to give us an informed overview of the evolution of her amazingly talented voice.
Creatively collaborating with Stargate, signing with Republic Records
After turning down many requests to sign Angelina, the family eventually settled on what they felt was the right record company that would allow her to create her own style of music, and not mold her into something artificial for commercial gain. When she was 14, they signed with UMG’s, (United Music Group) Republic Records.
Angelina released her first singles on the Republic Records label: “Million Miles” in November 2020 and “7th Heaven” in March 2021. Both songs are co-credited to the multiple Grammy-award-winning Los Angeles-based Norwegian production duo, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, aka Stargate. Read how this creative collaboration came about in these postings by this Angelina Jordan Fan Club – The Shield on the WIKI: Angelina Jordan and Stargate.
Partnering with Stargate and Republic officially launched the career of this young teenage artist. She is now getting to create and produce her own material. There is no question this original artist will evolve into the international superstar she dreamed of becoming ever since she was 3!
RECENTLY ADDED: Republic Records later produced and Angelina Jordan Official posted on July 15, 2021 a new video of Angelina Jordan singing 7th Heaven in a club setting with an audience. The story line includes a waitress listening to Angelina and the band rehearse, working in the kitchen dreaming of what her life could be, then at the live performance. It includes footage of her and Angelina horsing around in the kitchen. Very funny and cute.
The Barefoot Princess / Jazz Queen
You may have noticed that Angelina sings barefoot. There is a reason for that. While living abroad with her family in the Middle East she came upon a poor young girl, her own age at the time, around 6 years old. She was weighing people to earn money to feed her orphaned brothers and sisters. Angelina discovered this when she spoke to her. She also noticed that the girl was barefoot and had scars on her feet.
Angelina asked her what she wanted to become. She replied, a doctor, but didn’t think it could happen. Angelina strongly told her to never give up her dreams. She took off her favorite green shoes and gave them to her. The girl resisted at first, then thanked her, and said she would pray every day for her to fulfill her dream to become a superstar and sing for the whole world. Angelina told the story in this Variety Media interview.
So, in honor of and inspired by that girl, Angelina always performs barefoot and still thinks of her, and the many homeless and shoeless children everywhere. Angelina actually went on to raise millions of Euros for children and families in need. Talk about putting yourself in other people’s shoes, or in this case, giving your shoes to someone in need! Angelina’s empathy and compassionate heart are expressed through her actions as well as her amazing voice!
Angelina’s empathy and compassionate heart are expressed through her actions as well as her amazing voice!
Publishes “Between Two Hearts“
At 9 years of age, Angelina became Norway’s youngest author when she published a book about this story. Between Two Hearts is illustrated by her grandmother Mery Zamani, herself a child prodigy who became a famous poet and painter at a very early age. Mery exposed Angelina to jazz before she could read or write, and is responsible for her desire to become a jazz singer. They create art together, and design and make her own clothing. Mery tapes the many videos of Angelina singing. She also paints the backdrops for some of them, including images in the animated sequence for the lyric version of Million Miles. Some of her images were made into clothing that Angelina wears, like the colorful pant suit she wore in her first appearance on AGT, when she sang Bohemian Rhapsody. See this short Angelina Jordan book release video.
In a Book Talk podcast posted by Angelina Jordan’s publisher, Cappelen Damm, in 2015, Erling Kittelsen, a Norwegian author and poet, and friend of the family, talks with Angelina about her book. When he was first shown her diary containing that episode with the barefoot girl, he said it should be made into a book. English subtitles have now been provided by her fan club. In between we hear excerpts of Angelina singing and small extracts from “Mellom to hjerter” (Between Two Hearts). It is very moving and gives us a glimpse into who Angelina really is. For her, “Love is very … Love means everything.” Angelina’s book has been translated into English and is available for purchase as an eBook on her website: https://www.angelinajordanofficial.com/book.
(See a footnote below that I added after ordering and reading the eBook.)
The week her book came out, Angelina Jordan was interviewed by Anne Lindmo on the NRK TV show “Lindmo” (Nov 14, 2015). Ms. Lindmo asked Angelina to share the story of why she sings barefoot and to tell the story of how she met a poor barefoot girl when she was 6 years old. She then brings out Angelina’s actual diary for her to read what she wrote after that encounter with the girl. That Norwegian interview has now been translated with English subtitles. Click on the CC to watch it here. After the interview, Angelina sings Unchained Melody.
The whole family nourishes and supports Angelina in her career. In fact, her uncle is her manager, her mother handles publicity, and her grandmother is her stylist. They have been very protective of Angelina, wanting her to still enjoy her childhood and complete her education as she pursues her dream to become an international star. Throughout it all Angelina remains unpretentious and is happily focused on manifesting her musical destiny. In a reactor video, GEB Endeavors comments on how Angelina’s uncle became her manager and eventually paved the way for the family to move to LA to pursue her career in music. It’s happening!
It is interesting to note that instead of bowing when an audience applauds her, she curtsies. She always comes across as dignified yet humble, respectful and loving. A rare talent and a very special soul.
Revealing insights into Angelina’s inner world
When Angelina performs, she is in her element. She is calm and fearless. It is natural for her to powerfully project the emotional content of a song. She appears extroverted on stage, yet is in her own world. But ask her questions in an interview, and she gives short answers. She seems shy, introverted. She’s not comfortable expressing herself personally. However, it seems to be easier for her the older she gets.
I think she may be an introvert by nature and inhabits a rich inner world. She comes from a deep place. We get a glimpse of that world when she sings, and are transformed by it. Here are a few hints I’ve noticed in some interviews.
I want to sing for the whole world. Singing is as important as breathing to me. I just love to sing. — Angelina Jordan
Angelina is quite young in this interview when she said: “I close my eyes and go in a different world.” Her mother Sara said: “I came home one day when my mother looked after her. She was well eighteen months, and sang a Whitney Houston song in bed. I was almost shocked. It was so beautiful! We quickly realized that she had very great interest in music. It is she who is first and foremost musical in the family. Neither my husband nor I are particularly musical.” This video, Angelina Jordan – The Evolution, includes that clip of Angelina singing as a baby.
I close my eyes and go in a different world.
A young Angelina to an interviewer asking her about her singing.
Angelina was 1 of 10 finalists in America’s Got Talent: The Champions 2020, and the winner was going to be announced that night. In this Short Interview from LA in Norwegian TV2 Monday Feb 17, 2020, the interviewer asks Angelina about the public’s response to her singing. She told the interviewer that “it’s absolutely incredible that there are so many people who send so many millions of messages,” and quoted a few.
Q: How do you prevent this from getting to your head?
A: I take it all in…and use it to spread love to everyone all over the world.
I take it all in…and use it to spread love to everyone all over the world.
Angelina Jordan’s response to a Norwegian reporter in LA asking her how she prevents all this attention from going to her head.
She doesn’t hesitate to answer, “Singing and writing,” which is what you’d expect from an introvert. He confirms her answer by asking, “Singing and writing is easiest? Not speaking?” Smiling and chuckling, she shyly nods her head in agreement.
They then switch to speaking in English.
Q: My first question is, when I see you on stage, I wonder, who do you feel that you become?
A: Like, full of happiness, and, I love… It’s amazing!
Q: Many people say that you don’t sound like a 12-year-old. Do you feel like a 12-year-old?
A: I feel like a 12-year-old when I look at my passport.
When I sing I go to another world. In the world, it’s like, endless. It’s amazing. … Like, full of happiness, and, I love … It’s amazing!
Angelina Jordan answers Skavlan’s questions about what happens to her when she sings on stage.
He mentions a song that she’s written and will soon perform, and asks her what it’s about. She explains, “It’s about someone you love, wherever you are, it’s a strong love, protects you.”
The song sounds like a religious prayer, which could also serve as the theme song for a Bond movie. Skavlan said it reminded him of the Bond films and asks her if she’s familiar with them. She tells him that she got the inspiration for her song from the Bond films. He asks if she would sing a little bit of her favorite Bond song, and she does, acapela, Diamonds Are Forever.
Listen to her sing her song Shield with the band. It is powerful! Skavlan posted it Nov 12, 2018. There’s a video of her performing this song with a band in an open air concert the following year in Norway, Jul 12, 2019, when she was 13.
Describing her destiny
In this Feb 4, 2021 People (Magazine) article, Alyssa Johnson asks her: Where do you hope to see yourself in five years from now?
A: I’ll have an important name in the music industry and to make timeless music that can live forever. Also to give the best music experience to people and for them to enjoy and feel emotional or dance or make memories with the music I make.
I’ll have an important name in the music industry and to make timeless music that can live forever. Also to give the best music experience to people and for them to enjoy and feel emotional or dance or make memories with the music I make.
Angelina Jordan’s answer to a People (Magazine) reporter asking her where she hopes to see herself in 5 years.
Angelina is definitely following her bliss and manifesting her purpose in life! True to her name, Angelina Jordan Astar is an angel and a star sent here to fulfill her destiny and awaken a range of emotions in our hearts and touch our souls with her incredible voice!
Andy Schnell, another knowledgable fan, usually informs new reactors to Angelina’s music with a brief comprehensive history of her accomplishments. Here is a recent one.
See the first time vocal coach Fairy Voice Mother ever listened and reacted to Angelina sing. She gave an excellent explanation and analysis of how Angelina was creating the sounds in her voice while singing Bohemian Rhapsody on AGT, and was moved to tears listening to such a rare talent.
Also see Wikiwand’s page for Angelina Jordan. Gary Rogers posted a long list of Angelina Jordan interviews, clips and everything else about her.
In this November 4, 2023 reaction video, Angelina Jordan Matures, Alan Papier posted a comment: I could not make a video like this without the help of this site listing virtually every AJ performance. A wonderful reference tool for AJ fans www.dimlylit.net/aja.
Another source is AJ Playlists – by most2dot0, and his newer AJ Index channel featuring Links to 1000 performances. And his latest collaboration: AJ Playlists & AJ Index Channel Introduction, and link to the Angelina Jordan Wiki. Their goal is to provide an extensive overview about Angelina’s early career, starting from a child prodigy up to and including her teenage years, so essentially from age one to 19. You will find an even more extensive index, which will also get updated for performances past her 20th birthday, at the Angelina Jordan Wiki, run by fellow angel Donald Lancon Jr., at www.angelina-jordan.net/wiki.
This YouTube channel posts many personal videos usually from Grandma Mery’s TikTok: H S@HS-ol4zl.
Added footnote: I just bought and finished reading the eBook of Between Two Hearts. I was just as moved by her story and the way she tells it of why she sings barefoot as I am when I hear her sing, even more so. What an evolved soul for such a young girl! Through the eyes of a child, Angelina innocently makes us see and understand the suffering of a homeless little girl, and why she was moved to do something about it in her own small way. This was definitely a life-transforming experience for Angelina that continues today. (And probably for that homeless girl as well.) I understand why she went on to raise money for homeless families. If they publish a hardback copy in English, I would buy it again. Her grandmother’s childlike artwork adds a lot to the book.
More updates: On July 31, 2021, Angelina posted an original slowed-down, jazzed-up cover version of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. Check out the colorful sets. An amazing production! On August 26, 2021, she followed that up with a similar treatment of The Beatles song, Yesterday.
On October 14, 2021, after a 6-year absence, Adele posted her new song, Easy On Me. The next day, Angelina’s Fanclub posted a TikTok clip of her singing the song. The day after that Angelina premiered her amazing cover of the song: Angelina Jordan – Easy On Me (Adele Cover) Live From Studio! Republic Records produced the in-studio black and white video of Angelina at the mic with just her piano accompanist. Angelina pours her heart and soul into this song. Her voice continues to mature as well as her vocal dexterity. Surprisingly, she sounds even better! I posted a comment on the quality of the silence I felt at the end of the song. There have already been many videos posted on YouTube reacting to Angelina’s cover of Adele’s song. See this most effusive reaction from Adam Straughan.
June 22, 2022: Angelina Jordan honors Elvis Presley a day before the release of Baz Luhrmann’s film, Elvis, singing a slow melancholy version of Suspicious Minds. The song was written by Memphis singer Mark James, an old friend of Elvis. When he heard the demo, Elvis told Mark he wanted the song and the female background vocalists. It went to #1 and relaunched his career.
In this video, Angelina wore a beehive hairdo like Priscilla, dressed in a black leather jumpsuit carrying a red guitar over her shoulder like Elvis in his televised ’68 Comeback Special. Rob Christie arranged the music and accompanied Angelina on piano. Rob’s red jumpsuit matches the guitar color and is what Elvis’ musicians wore in that ’68 Special.
Her uncle and manager, Michael Astar, arranged everything. His two young daughters and Angelina’s sister Juliette make brief appearances in the video. Grandma Mery Zamani was the executive producer. Cole McCarthy directed the video in the same location that Angelina sang My Funny Valentine—an LA antique furniture and chandelier shop. This is an amazing performance and production!
Summer Concerts in Norway
June 22, 2022, Allsang på Grensen
Angelina will be performing at various venues in Norway this summer. At her first appearance she paid tribute to Freddie Mercury and Whitney Houston. She sang Bohemian Rhapsody in a vibrant red pant suit and I Have Nothing in a stunning ice blue gown, both televised by TV2 Norway. Angelina Jordan Vlogs captured part of Bohemian Rhapsody, and I Have Nothing twice from the actual event. They also posted excerpts from the other upcoming concerts. Phillip (pa1189j) later provided with the best audio version so far with a clean music intro.
July 1, 2022, Kurbadhagen
Angelina gave her own full concert at Kurbadhagen. Andy Schnell posted the playlist (14 songs + 3 encores). She looks so happy and relaxed in front of a live audience again. And her band swings. Instead of singing in one spot, she moves freely about the stage, and interacts with the audience in between songs—a new development for her, and us. The lucky fans are thrilled, and she’s loving it!
Before singing Amy Winehouse’s song, Tears Dry on Their Own, Angelina delivers her quintessential message: “I’m probably repeating myself but, the most important thing is just to be yourself, be kind to each other, and just be happy. That’s all that matters.” (Applause)
An audience member shouts out, “You make us happy.”
Visibly moved, Angelina replies: “Oh, that means so much.”
The most important thing is just to be yourself, be kind to each other, and just be happy. That’s all that matters.
Angelina Jordan to her concert audience at Kurbadhagen
Kathrine Angeltveit shared these songs, which were later blocked. But I saved this beautiful and succinct comment about Angelina Jordan posted by Shodan Rich after hearing her sing “Suspicious Minds”, the 3rd and final encore of the show.
This young woman continues to impress with her class, artistic talent, attention to detail, dedication and most important, her HUMILITY. NO top-rated singer that I have seen in my 66 years exudes the humility of this girl. Watch her at the end of all of her performances. Her eyes and facial expressions consistently say, “thank you for allowing me to be here and do what I love for you”. Watch her at the end of the AGT Champions performance of her stellar arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, in front of a roaring crowd, applause the likes of which I can’t remember ever hearing. Feet together, soft smile, hands folded in front of her. Her curtsy after this and her younger live performances. Her tribute to the divas of old, that literally raised her with their music, with her style hair, dress. No one, and I mean no one, embodies artistic passion like this emotionally empathic gift to the entertainment world. God bless you, Angelina. He has already blessed us with you.
Rusty Shackleford posted a video of House of the Rising Sun from Hege of “The Shield” fan group. He later posted a multi-cam video of Suspicious Minds that he created from footage provided by many members of the “The Shield” fan group.
July 7, 2022, Kongsberg Jazz Festival
Rusty later posted a clip from Øyvind Skogstad of The Shield Fan Group of Angelina opening the concert with an amazing new cover of Labrinth’s Mount Everest. Rusty Shackleford later audio-corrected and video-edited Chris Walker’s 4K footage of Angelina surprising everyone with her version of Mount Everest, especially her falsetto riffing with the guitarist.
Alan Papier posted The Kongsberg Concert Interviews with fans that came from around the world to listen to Angelina Jordan sing. He wrote: “Thousands of Angelina Jordan’s fans around the world wish they could have attended her recent concerts in Norway. In today’s video, we try and recreate the atmosphere from her concert at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival for those who could not attend.”
July 10, 2022, Kurbadhagen, Sandefjord
There are several posts from this concert. Steinar Hatlen’s closeup recording of Angelina’s powerful rendition of her song, Million Miles was posted by The Shield. Angelina introduced the song saying it is very meaningful to her (about her grandpa) and wanted to share a special message about losing someone you loved: “I don’t want anyone of you to think that, you know, that they left you. They’re always going to be with you no matter where you are. So you’re never alone,” a reference to the repeated line, “I’m never alone,” in her song.
Kathrine posted I Have Nothing, which included Angelina’s introduction. “I want to dedicate this song to a very special person—my grandma. (Applause) She couldn’t personally come this time because as you guys know, she’s been sick, but she will be better soon. And I…I miss her so much. I miss every single second that I’m not with her. And…you guys enjoy.” That powerful song concluded the concert.
Mattias Axelsson recorded the Kurbadhagen concert in 4K. In his first video, he posted sound checks for At last and I Have Nothing, ending with visuals of people lined up to get in. He then posted all 18 songs in the order they were performed, starting with Mount Everest and ending with I Have Nothing. This seems to be a complete quality compilation.
Vidar Enerud also uploaded the Full Playlist of 15 songs plus 3 encores, including a poster listing them.
The words to the song—I have nothing, nothing, nothing, if I don’t have you—are true on two levels—her grandma and her audience. Without Mery Zamani introducing Angelina to jazz at a very early age and lovingly supporting and recording her God-given talent—she, and we, would have nothing. And without devoted fans, a singer has nothing.
Angelina’s career is all based on giving and receiving love. She even gave the heart sign twice while singing All of Me. The love and appreciation the audience showed Angelina moved her to tears, just as her love and singing did for them, and us.
As you could see from the videos, everyone on and off the stage was very happy. It was a huge lovefest.
July 11, 2022: An Angelina Jordan Bonus Podcast Episode of Wrapped in a Warm Blanket with co-hosts Alan Papier and Pontus Österlin from Kurbadhagen in Sandefjord, Norway. Alan and Pontus finally met there in person and shared their reflections on Angelina’s concert. They also met Sara Astar, Angelina’s mother. Nice to see such dedicated AJ reactors and podcasters looking fulfilled after seeing and hearing Angelina sing in person. She created a magical atmosphere beyond their expectations.
July 24, 2022: Angelina Jordan – I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston Cover). Angelina just premiered this cover song in black and white, filmed at the same LA antique furniture and chandelier store where she sang My Funny Valentine and Suspicious Minds. This is 3 years after she had recorded her Whitney Houston tribute mentioned above. As great as that recording was back then, the depth and dexterity of her maturing voice now is absolutely phenomenal! And she is only 16 years old!
August 18, 2022: Chris Walker later created a multi-camera edit of Angelina Jordan’s emotional performance of Elvis Presley’s song “Suspicious Minds” at Kurbadhagen, Norway, on July 10, 2022. The edit uses video shot by fans from five different angles.
August 25, 2022: Rusty Shackleford later cleaned up and edited together footage from 4 fans’ cameras of Angelina’s powerful emotional version Million Miles at Kurbadhagen on July 10, 2022.
September 16, 2022:Boris Palenovski posted the September 13th visit of Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett, Michael Jackson’s drummer since 1979, to a Republic Records studio especially to hear Angelina Jordan sing. Sitting cross-legged on the edge of a small stage, Angelina sang all of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”, (on Boris’ YouTube), and part of “Billie Jean” for him (on his and Angelina’s TikTok). He wrote: “You are SENSATIONAL!!!! ⭐️” and also answered someone’s comment with: “Why compare to Michael? This is her own version and tribute. And she sounds FANTASTIC!” He also told Angelina: “I can feel that it touched Michael’s spirit. You delivered, you delivered.” It touched her heart.
Much to my surprise, co-hosts Alan and Pontus had seen this blog post and invited me on their podcast to talk about my experiences with meditation and listening to Angelina to see if there were similarities, and to shed more light on this topic. We had a long animated conversation, and it was later edited down for Season Two, Episode 4: It’s All Mind – Meditating on Angelina Jordan with Ken Chawkin. Watch the Premiere with Live Chat on Thursday, March 24 at 3pm London time (10am Central Daylight Time). It will then be available at this same link: https://youtu.be/YSyu6aAwLI4. Appreciated the positive reactions, especially the amazing comment from Jim Donaldson.
December 8, 2022: Kaleidoscope RMX posted this stunning blended video: Angelina Jordan “My Funny Valentine” Jazz Arrangement 🎼🎶. I don’t know the jazz trio M2 posted, but they are perfect in this mashup—how Angelina is meant to sound singing this jazz standard.
December 14, 2022: Using Zoom Pro and other software tweaks, pa1189j created an enhanced audio livestream, My Broadcast, of Angelina’s 1-hour July 10th concert at Kurbadhagen. The sound quality is pristine. You can now hear every nuance of Angelina’s amazing voice! He said he will try to separate and title each song before Christmas.
January 13, 2023: With yesterday’s sudden and unexpected passing of Lisa Marie Presley (54), Angelina Jordan posted an emotional tribute with this message of condolences—You will never be forgotten Lisa Marie❤️Rest in Peace❤️—and an Elvis Presley cover of Can’t Help Falling In Love, to Priscilla and the Presley family on her Instagram and YouTube.
February 12, 2023: Kathrine Angeltveit translated a June 23, 2014 TV2 interview with 8-year old Angelina after she had won NGT asking her what she was going to do with her winnings. Angelina’s reply reveals her selfless compassionate heart: “I will use them on children who are all alone, and who don’t have any shoes nor clothes. I want to make them happy and I want to sing for them.” When asked when she is hoping to do this, she replies: “Forever.” As we know, Angelina went on to do just that—sing to raise millions for such charities! In addition to her beautiful soul-stirring voice, she also has the heart of an angel, a saint!!
February 27, 2023: The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2022
Angelina Jordan and RedOne wrote and performed “We’re The Best,” the official song for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 in Paris, at 1:24:01 into the celebration. It’s also on the FIFA YouTube Channel at 1:28:21. It was televised live to an audience of over 300 million. Angelina posted a photo on her Instagram with some of the best footballers in the world. One person commented that “there were about 695,000 watching on YouTube when you started singing!” Angelina later posted her performance on Instagram.
The next day, May 6, Angelina did a Livestream with her fans, sang part of the song live, and answered questions about the album and touring. Her sister Juliette joined Angelina towards the latter part of the 15:30 video, posted in Angelina Jordan Archives, a YouTube channel dedicated to archiving the videos of Angelina Jordan in one convenient place for the fans to enjoy in the years ahead. Angelina cued up the song and starts singing at 4:13 for 80 seconds until 5:33.
In May she announced her first American concert at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Friday, Sept 22, 2023, An Evening with Angelina Jordan.
June 9, 2023: The Hollywood Reporter
Angelina was featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s article, Young, Gifted and Fly: Music’s 18 and Under Club Is Exploding. Republic Records and Sony Music Nashville are among labels focusing on the teen set, as THR talks to the emerging artists in music’s next wave, from Ramón Vega to Luh Tyler to Angelina Jordan and more.
July 10, 2023: The U.S. Sun: Entertainment:TV INTERNATIONAL STAR
July 20, 2023: Angelina Jordan – Now I’m The Fool (Official Video)
Tonight Angelina was on her Angelina Jordan Official YouTube channel interacting with her Angels before releasing Now I’m The Fool. It was soon followed by the Lyric Video. Other songs on the EP, Old Enough, include Love Don’t Let Me Go (previously released), Fire And Rain, All My Fault, Good In Goodbyes, and Diamond. Angelina texted in the live chat: “Much love, enjoy everyone! On Tuesday I will have a channel where we all can have a listen to the whole EP.” When Super Fan Andy Schnell submitted a question, “About how many songs have you written?” she replied that she chose the 5 songs on the EP from more than 100 she has written!
July 21, 2023: This Friday her EP, Old Enough, is released.
The six-song EP, Old Enough, is available on Spotify, on YouTube where the first 2 songs include videos, and other online platforms listed at https://angelinajordan.lnk.to/oldenough. Everyone of these songs is a stunner and could easily be a Billboard Hot 100 hit! Whether based on reality or not—since Angelina is such a great storyteller—there seems to be an evolution in the sequential presentation of the songs pertaining to matters of the heart—from an abstract desire for love, to being a heart-broken hapless victim, to growing self-knowledge and self-love, to ultimate self-empowerment. Her attention to the light over the darkness is also unique and inspiring. It would be thrilling to see her sweep the Grammys with best new artist, best song, EP, and album (if released in time to qualify)!
August 2, 2023:Live with Angelina Jordan ‘Old Enough’ Listening Party 7:00PM EST https://www.stationhead.com/angelinajordan. Apparently, due to copyright rules, she wasn’t able to stream the whole EP from the Republic Recording studio with her sister Juliette. Angelina Jordan fanverse posted two excerpts from the earlier livestream: Angelina Jordan IG Live Stream Parts 1 & 2. Maineology posted the full video in three parts 1, 2, 3.
August 30, 2023: Angelina posted this video clip and comment on her Instagram: When your jamming with the legend behind this masterpiece @dianewarren ❤️ (Only Love Can Hurt Like This) I can’t believe this is happening❤️🥺🙏🏻.
September 22, 2023 American Debut Concert in Portsmouth, NH
Although we were asked to not take any pictures or videos, some attendees posted clips from An Evening with Angelina Jordan, her American debut concert in The Music Hall at The Historic Theater in Portsmouth, NH, on September 22, 2023. Here are a few while they last: I Have Nothing, and part of Killing Me Softly with His Song.
Spellbinding, her slowed down version put me into an immovable deep zone of marveled attention. That alone was worth the price of admission. Chris Walker (BigAngieFan) later posted a complete final version with new footage of Angelina Jordan’s stellar performance of “Unchained Melody”.
September 26, 2023: Steve Ackerman shared a beautiful story of Meeting Angelina Jordan. He and a small group of fans/angels waited around outside The Music Hall hoping to catch a glimpse of Angelina. He also shared a story from one of them, Patricia, who had flown in from Peru for the concert. She met Angelina and her family on the plane to LA. They recognized her and sent her treats from first class. Sara actually went to the back of the plane where she was sitting to talk with her!
October 26, 2023: Republic Records, a division of United Music Group, (UMG) release Our Time. It reminds me of Angelina’s cover of Mercy for The Hating Game in December 10, 2021. Sounds like they’re wanting to attract a younger demographic with these more upbeat pop songs. Thanks to Steve Ackerman and Joey Farr for adding subtitles. Elsewhere, Made Laca commented that it “was used for a SoFi (Social Financial Inc.) commercial and their SoFi Stadium (70,000 seats!!) in Inglewood, CA.”
November 19, 2023: Angelina sang a spellbinding version of Adele’s When We Were Young at a small private music group! She begins about one minute in after a short introduction. Grandma Mery posted it on TikTok and later on YouTube Dec 17, 2023. Check below on that date.
November 20, 2023:The Angelina Jordan Reaction Compilation YOU DIDN’T ask for. Arab Man Reacts (Boudy Boustany), covers highlights from throughout her career. I enjoy his passionate incomprehensible and inexpressible appreciation for the beyond-superlatives Angelina Jordan!!!
November 21, 2023: James Thiel took 250 hours to produce this 14-minute video, Angelina Jordan WHITNEY HOUSTON INFLUENCE – I HAVE NOTHING – PORTSMOUTH & ‘ The ANGELINETTES Choir ‘. He said: “I created this specifically for Angelina’s ANGELs.” In his notes, James explains how he got the close-up footage of Angelina at her Portsmouth, NH concert. He was sitting in the front row center seat of the center section, which offered him a unique perspective. He decided to take out his phone and film it from his lap! He added, “I slowly angled it up at Angelina, who was already at an elevated position relative to my seat – the video that resulted is like no other.” See his later remix posted December 10, 2023.
James reacted to my comment on his video and then discovered my blogpost on Angelina which now included his wonderful video. In his reply he mentioned a video he had premiered the previous month, Oct 20, 2023: Angelina Jordan ‘SONG FOR A’ by Nico Cartosio with LYRICS w ‘MELTING’ Intro & Orchestral video. It’s a beautiful video and includes background information on how, when and where the recording came about. Classical composer Nico Cartosio had created this song specifically for Angelina Jordan. Song for A is based on a poem by Robert Burns, and is the only vocal on his instrumental debut album, Melting. Definitely worth listening to!
November 29, 2023: James Thiel did a beautiful job of putting together ANGELINA JORDAN’s le Bal des Debutantes Experience Nov 22-25, 2023 3. He said: “This is an Attempt to sort of wrap-up Angelina’s 4 days in Paris, France on Nov 22-25, 2023 where she was Participating in ‘le Bal des Debutantes’.”
Angelina posted some pictures on her Instagram from the photo shoot and wrote her appreciation: Le Bal 2023✨🧚♀️👑what an absolute honor to be part of this special night in Paris. Feel truly so blessed, to be connected with lovely people through my music. I want to thank especially Ophélie Renouard for having me, she is the magic behind @lebal.paris and her wonderful team❤️
December 1, 2023: Angelina closed out the November 25 evening by singing Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’. There were a few clips online. AJ Playlists – by most2dot0 posted several versions editing together different sources from the rehearsal and actual performance. See the notes for details. Enjoy Angelina Jordan – Le Bal 2023 – Complete Song Mash-Up With Lyrics – Can’t Help Falling In Love – v3.
December 10, 2023: James Thiel did a massive re-edit (6:21) of the ANGELINETTES from his WHITNEY HOUSTON INFLUENCE video (Nov 21, 2023) and Removed Whitney and the 13 and 15yo Angelinas – the remaining are Singing I HAVE NOTHING simultaneously – all 6 at one point. See his notes and listen to Angelina Jordan ANGELINETTES remix Age 16, 17 Only I HAVE NOTHING by Whitney Houston – 6 ANGELINAs.
A Nobel Peace Prize concert was created for honoree Narges Mohammad, a women’s equal rights political activist imprisoned by the Iranian regime. Her twin son and daughter, who have been living in Paris with their father, came to Oslo to receive their mother’s Nobel Peace Prize and speak on her behalf. They were interviewed, along with their father, as part of the program.
Angelina’s grandma Mery Zamani is from Iran and Angelina grew up in Oslo, home of the Nobel Prize. She won Norway’s Got Talent at 8 years old and later that year (Dec 10, 2014) sang What a Wonderful World to award recipients Kailash Satyarthi and 17-year old Malala Yousafzai, the world’s youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize! Now 17 herself and an international star, Angelina returned to Oslo to sing her moving rendition of Unchained Melody with the KORK orchestra. Appropriate for the occasion, this famous song is about a prisoner longing to be reunited with his love. It was first introduced in the 1955 prison film, Unchained.
Angelina is introduced at 20:28 into the 1-hour Nobel Peace Prize program, which was live-streamed from NRK1 to 350 million people in 100 countries. I don’t know of any other artist who was invited twice to perform at a Nobel Peace Prize event.
December 17, 2023:*NEW* Angelina Jordan: When we were young (2023, FULL VERSION). This private performance filmed last month by Grandma Mery is now posted on her YouTube channel. Even though the pianist missed a couple of notes, Angelina’s spellbinding performance of Adele’s song would move and impress even her!
Angelina met Mariah Carey and posed for a 5-second TikTok together!
December 24, 2023: James Thiel created a comprehensive background video introduction to Angelina Jordan’s performance at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize concert. It will give viewers a significant perspective as to why Angelina specifically chose to sing this song. See Angelina Jordan NOBEL PEACE PRIZE TRIBUTE story UNCHAINED MELODY DEC 11, 2023. Jim wanted us to have this on Christmas Day, which is when most will discover it since he posted it 10 minutes before midnight on Christmas Eve. He wrote: “I wanted to drop this so a bunch of you can get a good CRY going for yourself on Christmas day should you watch it then. One thing for sure is you won’t anticipate the ending narration ;-)” He’s right. Watch it to the end and you’ll be in for a special surprise. Worth sharing!
December 30, 2023: Grandma Mery Zamani posted short behind-the-scenes videos (Part 1 & Part 2) of Angelina in rehearsal with the KORK orchestra singing Unchained Melody for the Nobel Peace Prize concert.
Many reactors are posting their love and appreciation wishing Angelina a happy birthday. Pontus Österlin, aka PO Talks, posted compilation videos on Angelina’s 16th and 17th birthdays with those number of reactors. This year he posted 18 Reactors First Time Hearing Angelina Jordan. Pontus and Alan Papier, co-host Wrapped in a Warm Blanket, a monthly podcast about Angelina Jordan. Tune in Thursday, January 11, 2024 for Season 3 Episode 7: Where do we feel?
January 20, 2024: Grandma Mery posted footage from the viewer’s perspective listening to Angelina Jordan singing Unchained Melody at the December 11, 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Concert.
February 8, 2024: James Thiel remastered and uploaded Angelina Jordan’s cover of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” with Forsvarets Stabsmusikkorps, the Norwegian military band, in Oslo 16 06 2018. He “applied some stabilization because the camera was pretty shaky and also adjusted the contrast, brightness, vibrancy and sharpness.” I had referenced this powerful performance earlier on, but it’s worth repeating here. Hard to believe Angelina was only 12 years old at the time. She is relaxed and happy on stage, but belts out the song like a seasoned pro!
February 13, 2024: Chris Walker, aka, BigAngieFan, created this short video to introduce Angelina Jordan to people who have no idea who she is or have just discovered her and what to know more. It was also made for existing fans to enjoy some footage they may not have seen before. And it’s also a way to help promote Angelina’s upcoming concerts in Las Vegas. Enjoy watching Who is Angelina Jordan?
February 21, 2024:Boris Palenovski posted rare footage of Angelina Jordan singing Bohemian Rhapsody accompanied by Jon Batiste on piano for an intimate audience of Hollywood elite: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Margo Robbie (Barbie), J.J. Abrams, Laura Dern, and a few others not recognized. They were all impressed. Rami was so blown away by Angelina he went up to hug her afterwards and they later talked. On June 27, 2025, HS posted a video with a more footage from that time.
February 22, 2024: Wrapped in a Warm Blanket – Beautiful Minds with James Thiel – Episode 10 Season 3 – Podcast about Angelina Jordan.
February 23, 2024: Chris Walker posted another video promoting the concert, but he added some behind the scenes footage with translation where needed of Angelina preparing for her Nobel performance of Unchained Melody.
March 9, 2024++: Angelina posted some highlights from both concerts on her Instagram: Made memories for a lifetime❤️Thank you Vegas. And this second batch, which includes one from Heidi Klum. She also replied to some fans’ comments. Grandma Mery continues to post clips of rehearsals and concerts on her TikTok and YouTube. Several angels already posted songs from both concerts. Andy Schnell was first to post 6 videos for all of us to get a flavor of what it was like. Others posted many songs and later compiled them into playlists: AJ Playlists – by most2dot0, Knut Hegland, Merrilee Gaines, MegaBoogiemann, AngelinaJordanVegasFans, Hopediamonddeezy, and Joey Farr, which includes her thanking everyone for supporting her before concluding with Whitney Houston’s Somewhere in Time. Chris Walker (BigAngieFan) and a few others collaborated with James Thiel who is committed to producing the highest quality video recordings from the concerts. They were there and captured most of it together. James feels strongly that this is how Angelina deserves to be seen and heard to be fully appreciated, other than being there in person. I agree, and will list them in the order James posts them, not sung. He started with Angelina’s covers of Mariah Carey’s HERO, Adele’s WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, Duffy’s MERCY, Shirley Bassey’s Bond song DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, Nancy Sinatra’s cover of Cher’s BANG BANG, then Angelina’s own arrangement of Elvis Presley’s version of SUSPICIOUS MINDS, Nina Simone’s FEELING GOOD, Adele’s ALL I ASK & (15 & 18 DUET LAS VEGAS & Official Video: 3yr Anniversary), Whitney Houston’s ONE MOMENT IN TIME (Notice the editing @4:13 in the video!), Elvis Presley’s CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE. James later posted the debut of PRINCESS OF RUINS from the first show, followed by ONE MOMENT IN TIME from the second show. He later also posted a two-camera and audio production with the help of Wayne Denning of WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. They “were about 3 seats away from Center Stage in the Front Row, so we had nearly Equal (but opposite) viewing Angles; that is why the two images seem to be mirror images. Wayne’s video is static – no zoom. My video is mostly Zoomed 2x or more, so the two videos complement each other nicely.” James edited NOW I’M THE FOOL using his video plus three audio-visual files from Ken Gehl, Damien Poulain (megaboogieman), and Kenneth Macphee.
James later created a playlist of all 20 songs from LAS VEGAS, Feb 29, 2024 that he and Chris Walker produced under their partnership arrangement. James did 12, listed above, and Chris did 8 listed below.
Princess of Ruins (New song based on “Between Two Hearts”)
Angelina also shared a new unreleased song she wrote, Princess of Ruins, based on the story of the orphaned girl she met when she was 6 and gave her shoes to, which she wrote about in her diary and later published in a book when she was 9, Between Two Hearts. Alan Papier combined them both into a video highlighting the story and song with images from the book painted by her grandma Mery Zamani. Angelina Jordan- The Song of The Book Princess of Ruins + Between Two Hearts.
March 29, 2024: Originally from Norway, Kjersti Flaa, a Los Angeles Entertainment Reporter and Multimedia Producer, interviewed Angelina in Las Vegas and produced: Angelina Jordan – 10 Years In The Making. This excellent 16-minute report premiered on Angelina’s YouTube channel at noon EDT. 👏👏👏👏👏
Angelina Jordan | “Unchained Melody” | Live in Las Vegas 2/29/24 | Two-Camera Edit. Chris put this edit together using video from Ken Gehl and Merrilee Gaines, and audio from Ken Gehl. They include her opening remarks (:38), dedicating the song to Elvis, and her closing comments (6:10), where Angelina thanked everyone for coming from great distances, for believing in her, encouraging her, and for her supportive family, who have her back making it possible for her to fulfill her dream to do what she loves with all her heart, that she’s humbled and honored to be there. Very precious. Worth listening to.
April 22, 2024:Arabian Moda Magazine‘s Special Paper Edition — The Festival Issue features Angelina Jordan. The Los Angeles-based American and Norwegian singer emerges as a voice of her generation. Click title or photo to read the cover article: Angelina Jordan and the Route to Stardom, which includes a 30-second video. I added the intro to this interview because it’s the best piece of writing I’ve seen describing Angelina. Her mature answers are clear and informative. She knows where she’s going in her own way at her own pace.
Angelina Jordan: A Voice of Her Generation
Los Angeles-based American and Norwegian singer Angelina Jordan emerges as a voice of her generation. With her soulful voice that belies her age she effortlessly navigates through a diverse range of musical genres captivating listeners across demographics.
Beyond her vocal prowess, Angelina utilizes her platform to address pressing social issues, embodying a spirit of compassion that resonates with contemporary youth. Angelina’s journey from a young talent show winner to an internationally acclaimed artist serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance and authenticity in achieving one’s dreams.
From Paris, we spoke to the rising star about her ability to transcend boundaries of age and culture and her unwavering commitment to both music and social change.
Performed May 16 2024. Posted May 18 & 20, 2024: May 16, 2024, Toby Gad was invited to join other songwriters on ‘Jesse and Friends’ at the famous Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. He surprised everyone by inviting Angelina Jordan to join him to sing a song he had co-written with BC Jean, If I Were a Boy(Piano Diaries), which was a hit for Beyonce. James Thiel also posted IF I WERE A BOY. Toby then introduced a new song slated for release in a few months, saying, “It is the story of your worst possible Valentine.” Bad Valentine is the opposite of My Funny Valentine. Both are powerful in their own way!
A newer better quality video was produced by James Thiel of the live performance of Bad Valentine, the 2nd segment from a Live Stream of ‘Jesse and Friends’ podcast presented on THE HOTEL CAFE website on May 16th, 2024. James later released it June 8, 2024 with permission from Toby Gad, the copyright owner. Scroll down below to see it.
May 20, 2024: Thanks to James Thiel for capturing and posting this: Angelina Jordan IG LIVE Palladium Theater Backstage TOBY GAD Piano Diaries IF I WERE A BOY 5/20/2024. This Instagram Live Stream from Angelina Jordan occurred only moments before Toby Gad and the Team of Vocalists seen in this video took to the stage at the famed PALLADIUM Theater in London. Angelina was providing Vocals for Toby Gad’s IF I WERE A BOY; Angelina also lends her Talents to the same song on Toby’s ‘PIANO DIARIES’ Project.
May 21, 2024: James Thiel then posted the performance with video from Alan Papier, host of Wrapped in a Warm Blanket, and JUMPIN SOUNDS, with audio from Douglas Switzer, Alan Papier, and JUMPIN SOUNDS: Angelina Jordan IF I WERE A BOY Toby Gad LIVE London Palladium CONCERT The Other Singers 5/20/24. Toby Gad introduced her with these prophetic words: “What’s better than seeing the best superstar in the world perform a song with me is to see the next best superstar that the world hasn’t discovered yet. Please welcome Angelina Jordan.”
What’s better than seeing the best superstar in the world perform a song with me is to see the next best superstar that the world hasn’t discovered yet. Please welcome Angelina Jordan.
—Toby Gad introducing Angelina Jordan at the Palladium Concert in London, May 20, 2024
May 28, 2024: Toby Gad posted a music video preview of Angelina singing “If I Were a Boy” on his Instagram. It was filmed near Brick Lane in London. He answered a question saying they are releasing two versions: one Piano Diaries version and one version with drums and instrumentation, which sounds like this one. Another video clip shows a different part of the city. The video comes out Friday, May 31.
Working with Angelina has been nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to channel profound emotion through her voice adds a whole new depth to the song.
—Toby Gad quoted in PM Studio article June 3, 2024
June 6, 2024:Angelina Jordan interviewed on live TV in Norway. Angelina was on Good Morning Norway (God Morgen Norge). Looks like the same host from Norway’s Got Talent who spoke to her after she won 10 years ago. Thanks to Kathrine Angeltveit for the English translation.
June 8, 2024: James Thiel received permission from Toby Gad to release the higher quality video he prepared last month: Angelina Jordan BAD VALENTINE Live TOBY GAD Hotel Cafe JESSE & FRIENDS May 16, 2024. The 1st segment of the Live Stream includes her IF I WERE A BOY performance. The beginning of this 2nd segment of the Live Stream is formatted to be the continuation of the 1st segment. James included his best attempt at the Lyrics in the Closed Captions. Select Subtitles/CC (2) English (United States), not the auto-generated or auto-translate. Slated for release later this summer, “Bad Valentine” could become a big hit for Angelina, it’s that powerful! BTW, Hotel Cafe is where Adele was discovered. Angelina continues to perform at all the right places.
Click to enlarge close-up cropped images from photo and video.
tobygadmusic posted a short video of the same event with an audio clip from the song on his Instagram with the message: Thank you for all your support!! 🧡❤️. On the video Toby wrote: thank you for all the love & support we’ve received on “If I Were a Boy”!
Thank you Toby! Angelina finally found someone she can partner with to make outstanding music and have fun doing it. You both seem to share the same youthful creative mentality and talent. This is a great team! We are very happy for Angelina and looking forward to seeing what more exciting music you both come out with to bless our ears and touch our hearts.
July 27, 2024: Angelina Jordan approached pianist Aurelien Froissart while in the London Tube at St. Pancras Station to ask if he could play “Back To Black” for her. He starts playing it and she asks, “Can I sing?” Aurelien posted it today on his TikTok. James Thiel then posted it on his YouTube. What a great surprise for everyone! Love it!
Did you notice the blond lady seen filming them @1:15 for 2 seconds? That’s Sara Astar, Angelina’s mother! She hears then turns to see someone playing a saxophone who joins them. That’s Mickey Miller.
August 3, 2024:@HS-ol4zl – Angelina wrote: “14M views in 5 days… wow! Thank you so much for the love and support! More to come!!”
August 30, 2024:Steve Ackerman posted: Angelina Jordan & Toby Gad | Chronology to Debut of IIWAB and Bad Valentine | Hotel Café | 5-16-24. Steve wrote: “This is a short chronology of the collaboration between singer/songwriter Angelina Jordan, and songwriter/producer Toby Gad, leading up to the worldwide debut of 2 songs, performed by them, at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles, California, on May 16, 2024: 1) If I Were a Boy, originally co-written by Toby, and popularized by Beyonce. This arrangement / re-interpretation by Toby was part of his Piano Diaries I project, with the single released on May 31, 2024. 2) Bad Valentine, co-written by Angelina, Toby, and Charlotte Jane. This event feels like it could be historic, in the sense that Bad Valentine may well be Angelina’s breakthrough hit.” Read the rest of his notes in the video description.
At 16:10 towards the end of the video, Steve includes Toby’s comment he posted 3 hours after the show: “this live video shows the very raw natural talent of Angelina, not only is the texture of her voice absolutely unique and memorable but her expression and control, her authenticity in her live performance makes her a once-in-a-decade artist”.
I posted this comment: ken_chawkin Love the opening with the loud inhale followed by a powerful musical exhale! Mastery of breath control. @angelinajordana and @tobygadmusic, this song is meant to be a number one hit. Excited to see and hear you sing Bad Valentine in person @thealex_theatre September 20!!! ❤️
September 8, 2024: The next day, @dojo.switzer posted this request: Sing it like you did at Hotel Cafe. Please!👏 . The following day, Sept 9, I replied: ken_chawkin@dojo.switzer I’m with you on this one, Douglas. This version is popularized for the markets. It’s got a great beat and sound, but I loved that slower original version with Toby on keys, the violin and cello, and Angelina’s incredibly powerful voice!
September 9, 2024:angelinajordana posted another sequential video clip from Bad Valentine on her Instagram: Roses are red violets are blue, and you are a fool to try❤️🔥 . I posted this comment: ken_chawkin Great beat and chorus with your powerful voice!! This iconic song reminds me a bit of an arrangement for one of the early songs by The Rolling Stones, only better!
I posted this reply to his question, which he liked: ken_chawkin Yes, see you there! This will be such an historic concert and a pivotal moment in @angelinajordana‘s career thanks to you @tobygadmusic❤️!!!
H S posted a video clip filmed by Grandma Mery: NEW: Angelina Jordan – Rehearsal time, part 1 of Bad Valentine, part 2 of I’d Rather Go Blind, part 3 of BV. She, Mosarzm, posted the new rehearsal footage on TikTok of Angelina singing the Etta James hit, I’d Rather Go Blind, with someone who played with her—Jimmy Z on blues harp! His buddy and ‘angel’, Steve Evans, also filmed some rehearsal footage early today.
I later posted this comment, which Toby liked: ken_chawkin Loved that story!! In a way, Toby, that “rejection” of Bad Valentine making it on Angelina’s EP created a “crisis moment” for you, which forced you to become more self-empowered and self-reliant to create your own label, Kite Records, to promote your own music and the songs you created with Angelina to feature her. You both share a collaborative creative chemistry that will bring much needed joy and inspiration into the world. Thank you for reaching out to Angelina again and all that you are doing for her!!! Toby Gad posted the premier live performance of Bad Valentine (Angelina Jordan and Toby Gad Live at The Alex Theatre).
October 4, 2024: This slower melancholy jazz version of BAD VALENTINE on Toby Gad’s Piano Diaries is Angelina Jordan’s trademark sound, augmented by Toby’s piano playing, musical arrangement, and production values. She has arrived!!! I posted on X. Toby was finalizing an accompanying video. It’s on Spotify. Toby wrote that Spotify listed their song Bad Valentine in the Notable Releases category from around the world for this month. Looked like it was #4. Toby Gad also wrote: “Bad Valentine (Piano Diaries) is out less than a day and already on the iTunes Charts!! Thank you, Angels!!” The video showed that it was at #11. One fan commented it was “7th on USA Jazz right now! And 1st overall in Norway.”
October 7, 2024:Toby Gad posted this about Bad Valentine on YouTube Shorts: “Number one on iTunes in Norway. OMG I can’t believe it. I just saw it. That’s amazing!”
October 9. 2024: Angelina Jordan posted a secret video of her and Toby Gad reacting to their first listen back to the recording of Bad Valentine. Fun!
October 10, 2024:BigAngieFan Chris Walker and fellow angels posted a multi-camera, edited video of Angelina Jordan performing her new, unreleased original song “What Am I to You” at the Alex Theatre, Glendale, Sept. 20, 2024. Before the performance she talks about her favorite high school teacher, and he makes a surprise appearance. Angelina Jordan | New Original Song “What Am I to You” | LIVE Sept 20 2024 | Multicam | 4K.
Conclusion:Fill my heart with song and let me sing for evermore
September 22, 2021: During the Autumnal Equinox, as I was listening to Angelina Jordan (8) – Fly Me To The Moon – The View 2014, these words from the song caught my attention: “Fill my heart with song and let me sing for evermore.”
I realized it echoed her quote at the top of this post: “I want to sing for the whole world. Singing is as important as breathing to me. I just love to sing.” Singing is her raison d’être! She wants to fill the world with song and love.
(On Dec 21, 2023, the Winter Solstice, I included her quote from the top.)
Best-selling author, world-renowned researcher, psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, MD prescribes poems to his patients, publishes Poetry Rx, donates book sale proceeds to benefit veterans. Virtual book-signing at Prairie Lights in Iowa City, Iowa, a UNESCO-designated City of Literature. Read the book description and connect to this upcoming event.
Poems, I now realize, thanks to Dr. Rosenthal, can be a literary panacea for the pandemic. —Jane Brody, Personal Health Columnist, New York Times
VIRTUAL BOOK SIGNING: The David Lynch Foundation and Prairie Lights Bookstore cordially invite you to “POETRY RX: How Poetry Can Heal and Bring Joy to Your Life” featuring world-renowned psychiatrist, Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., Prairie Lights Bookstore owner and published poet Jan Weissmiller, along with moderator Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation.
SPECIAL OFFER: 100% of the author’s book sale proceeds will go to the David Lynch Foundation’s Resilient Warrior Program to help reduce the epidemic of suicides among U.S. military veterans.
OVERVIEW: Imagine your therapist writing a prescription for “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson or a Shakespeare sonnet or “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas—before prescribing an anxiety medication…
Dr. Norman Rosenthal is that therapist! World-renowned for his pioneering NIH research on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and for developing the light therapy intervention to treat it, Dr. Rosenthal’s new book, Poetry Rx: How 50 Inspiring Poems Can Heal and Bring Joy to Your Life (G&D Media, May 4, 2021), delivers potent medicine—without side effects.
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has closed down in many ways, depriving us of joy, companionship, love and adventure,” says Dr. Rosenthal. “Against this backdrop of loss and hardship, we are seeking novel remedies, and poetry is a surprisingly powerful remedy, not just for the moment but for our entire life. Poetry can serve both as a balm and a vaccine for the soul.”
Poetry Rx published on May 4 during Mental Health Awareness Month, and on the cusp of National Poetry Month, which marked its 25th annual celebration in April.
Newsmax:When the Doctor Prescribes Poetry. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and a leading psychiatrist has just published a groundbreaking book filled with powerful poetic prescriptions to help strengthen mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
ADVANCE PRAISE Dr. Rosenthal, a renowned psychiatric researcher and clinician, has given us a gift with Poetry Rx. He takes us on a journey through the varieties of human experience and shows us specifically how poetry has the power to help us understand ourselves and to heal. The wonderful effect of Rosenthal’s humanity and lucid analysis is to make us feel that our own experiences are universal and that we are not alone. —Richard A. Friedman, M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Director of Psychopharmacology Clinic, Weill Cornell Medical College
Poetry Rx is a great read, entertaining as it teaches. These are, after all, poems the doctor ordered. But what a doctor! And what poems! —Peter Sacks, Professor of English, Harvard
Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School and was the psychiatrist who first described seasonal affective disorder and pioneered the use of light in its treatment during his 20 years at the National Institute of Mental Health. He has researched other innovative psychiatric treatments and is the author of several books including the New York Times bestseller Transcendence: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation and the national bestseller Super Mind. He currently maintains a private clinical and coaching practice in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. His work has earned him national and international attention in the world of psychiatry and psychology, as well as in the media.
Choice Magazine: Britain’s leading independent magazine for women and men over 50. The October 2021 issue published an article for their print edition, filed under Health. It will probably be archived online the following month. For now, click the title, which will take you to a PDF of the article: The healing power of poetry. Can poems act as a form of medicine? David Hughes seeks the answers…
I gave the book a 5-star rating on Amazon and goodreads. In my review I share Norman’s introductory story of how he discovered the healing power of a poem (One Art by Elizabeth Bishop), how it led him to develop the practice of prescribing poems for his patients, and how he came to write this book. Here is the conclusion to my review of Poetry Rx.
Anyone can benefit from and enjoy reading this book. Dr. Rosenthal guides the reader, showing us how to get the most out of a poem. He explains each poem, points out takeaways, and gives us a backgrounder on the poem and the poet who wrote it. It’s like having a friend of the family over for dinner that shares his enthusiasm for poetry, and in the process, entertains and enlightens us. I highly recommend this book.
In that review, I also mention the poem, ‘Love After Love’ by Derek Walcott, which Rosenthal includes in his collection on page 48. He reads and comments on it in his blog. I had posted the poem around 7 years ago after a friend had sent it to me. It reminded me of an experience I had had about 20 years earlier, about getting over a breakup and reclaiming yourself. But it was more than that.
Donovan celebrates his 75th birthday with the release of a video single ‘I Am The Shaman’ in collaboration with David Lynch and launches an appeal for teaching Transcendental Meditation to students in Ireland.
Photographer : Jamue Caldentey : c Donovan Discs 2021
Donovan, world famous singer songwriter, who shot to fame with his extraordinary folk music in the 1960s and spent time with Maharishi and the Beatles in Rishikesh, India, now celebrates his 75th birthday on May 10th 2021. To mark the occasion Donovan is releasing a new video single with iconic filmmaker David Lynch.
At the same time Donovan is launching an appeal for teaching Transcendental Meditation to students in his native Ireland. If you would like to contribute: paypal.me/donovanleitch.
Donovan, who was inducted to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, says: “David and I are compadres on a creative path rarely travelled, and we bring Transcendental Meditation to the world. Thanks for all your support!”
How it happened
“It was all impromptu,” Donovan explains. “I visited the studio and David said, ‘Sit at the mics with your guitar Don.’” He continued, “He had asked me to only bring in a song just emerging, not anywhere near finished. We would see what happens. It happened!”
Donovan said he “composed extempore … the verses came naturally. New chord patterns effortlessly appeared. He added, “On another day David ‘sound sculpted’ my Ferrington acoustic guitar ‘Kelly’ and he played his unique Modal Chord Ferrington Guitar textures with ‘effects’.”
The video was released today, May 10 for Donovan’s 75th birthday, in hopes of raising money to help him “give students TM Meditation.” Transcendental Meditation is a type of meditation that is taught to students one-on-one. Lynch is another major proponent of it, and organized a livestream festival benefitting his Meditate America initiative for the David Lynch Foundation. Donovan stated, “David and I are ‘compadres’ on a creative path rarely travelled. And we bring TM Meditation to the world.”
One day I walked on the mountain and the flute song went through me. That’s all. I became the reed and the wind went through and I wrote it down in my journal.
I include an excerpt from one of her entries that the publisher edited down to put on the back cover. The four-sentence paragraph starts: “Talking to paper is talking to the divine.” I include that paragraph and the full eight-sentence journal entry from which it was taken. Together they represent the essential message of this inspirational little book.
A 4-line poem by John O’Donohue says a similar thing—how he was amazed by each revelatory moment and turned them into poems.
Veterans with PTSD who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique showed significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity, according to a new study published today in Journal of Traumatic Stress. Fifty percent of the meditating veterans no longer met criteria for PTSD after three months compared to only 10 percent of controls. The randomized controlled study also showed significant reductions in veterans’ symptoms of depression and anxiety, and sleep difficulties.
Fifty percent of veterans who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique for three months no longer met criteria for PTSD compared to only 10 percent of controls. Meditating veterans also showed significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, and sleep difficulties. This figure shows the unadjusted mean change in PTSD symptoms, based on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), for the Transcendental Meditation group compared to the treatment-as-usual control group (all P values <.05) over the three-month intervention period.
Veterans with PTSD who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique showed significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity, according to a new study published today in Journal of Traumatic Stress. Fifty percent of the meditating veterans no longer met criteria for PTSD after three months compared to only 10 percent of controls. The randomized controlled study also showed significant reductions in veterans’ symptoms of depression and anxiety, and sleep difficulties.
“Transcendental Meditation is a non-trauma-focused, easy-to-learn technique that was found in this study to improve PTSD symptoms, likely through the experience of physical rest,” said Mayer Bellehsen, Ph.D., director of the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and their Families, Northwell Health, and study principal investigator. “In contrast to commonly administered therapies for PTSD that are trauma-focused and based on a patient’s recall of past traumatic experiences, this intervention does not require extensive review of traumatic history, which some individuals find difficult to engage in. This intervention may therefore be more tolerable for some individuals struggling with PTSD.”
The randomized controlled trial, conducted at Northwell Health in Bay Shore, New York, assigned 40 veterans with documented PTSD to either the Transcendental Meditation (TM) group or treatment as usual control group. The TM treatment provided 16 sessions over 12 weeks, with twice-a-day daily home practice. PTSD symptom severity was assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), and patient self-report with the PTSD Checklist for DSM -5 (PCL-5).
The results showed large effect sizes, indicating a strong TM treatment impact in reducing trauma symptoms for both PTSD measures. Other factors associated with trauma, such as depression and anxiety symptoms and sleep problems, also showed a strong impact of TM treatment.
“This trial corroborates the findings of a large clinical trial published in The Lancet Psychiatry,” said Sanford Nidich, Ed.D., Director of the Center for Social-Emotional Health at Maharishi International University Research Institute, and study co-investigator. “The current study further supports the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation as a first-line treatment for PTSD in veterans. The availability of an additional evidence-based therapy will benefit veterans, both by offering them a greater range of options and by serving as an alternative treatment strategy for those who don’t want to engage in trauma-focused treatment or who aren’t responding to a previous PTSD intervention.”
The authors point out in their research paper that TM may positively affect trauma symptom severity through the reduction of hyperarousal symptoms. Previous research has shown that TM practice decreases physiological responses to stressful stimuli. In addition, recent research indicates that TM may improve resilience and positive coping strategies, providing further benefit to both veterans and active military personnel.
Many science and international news outlets posted the news, including this excellent report in Medical News Today (PDF). And Jim Dwyer MD produced and tweeted this 60-seconds MediBlurb: Transcendental Meditation for PTSD in Veterans, which airs on regional radio in Arizona.
Enjoy this profound blog post by Deborah J. Brasket: Like Flowers Falling Everywhere: A Poem. Click on the title to see an accompanying painting by Odilon Redon. This beautiful little poem, aptly titled “Morning Prayer,” is soft and mysterious, filled with an intimate silence that just might leave you feeling sanctified.
“Morning Prayer” Deborah J. Brasket
Everywhere I look I see you, I see us. This fragile hand, this blue pen, this yellow pad.
These fingers gently folded, Embracing the eagerness of your movements across the page.
This tender paper accepting All we write. These words that rise up and lay down, so simple.
You are what I feel. This beating heart, this circling breath, this wide sphere of silence that enfolds us. Your soft sigh.
The day waits. It pours out of us whole and clear, unending. How kind you are. Kindness like flowers falling everywhere.
* * * * *
I asked a writer-artist friend who she thought is speaking in the poem, and to whom. She nailed it with this reply: “It sounds like the poet is speaking to herself about her writing life, and the love she feels for it.”
This reminds me of what B. Nina Holzer wrote in her lovely book, “A Walk Between Heaven and Earth,” A Personal Journal on Writing and the Creative Process. This edited journal entry is on the back cover:
Talking to paper is talking to the divine. Paper is infinitely patient. Each time you scratch on it, you trace part of yourself, and thus part of the world, and thus part of the grammar of the universe. It is a huge language, but each of us tracks his or her particular understanding of it.
Louise Glück was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature 2020 “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal.” She served as Chancellor for the Academy of American Poets and was the Library of Congress’s twelfth poet laureate consultant in poetry. Click on her name to read her biography filled with many publications and awards.
In The Red Poppy, Glück shows us the glory of the heart, but from a different perspective. She does not use the word, love, but the opening and closing to it is powerfully implied.
The Red Poppy
Louise Glück
The great thing
is not having
a mind. Feelings:
oh, I have those; they
govern me. I have
a lord in heaven
called the sun, and open
for him, showing him
the fire of my own heart, fire
like his presence.
What could such glory be
if not a heart? Oh my brothers and sisters,
were you like me once, long ago,
before you were human? Did you
permit yourselves
to open once, who would never
open again? Because in truth
I am speaking now
the way you do. I speak
because I am shattered.
Glück’s conclusion to this beautiful poem, “I speak because I am shattered,” may be due to a deep loss of connection with the Divine, her “lord in heaven called the sun,” where she permitted herself “to open once, who would never open again,” brokenhearted, “speaking now the way you do.” From the flower’s perspective, it is like a death. In another flower poem, The Wild Iris, death is not the end: “whatever returns from oblivion returns to find a voice.” See her read that poem on YouTube. Both poems were from a May 11, 2016 Lannan Foundation Literary Event.
This loss is reiterated in her quote from a human perspective: We look at the world once, in childhood. The rest is memory. As humans, there may yet be a chance for illumination and grace. Rumi wrote: “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” Leonard Cohen sang in his song, Anthem: “There is a crack in everything/ That’s how the light gets in.”
It seems to take a generation for scientific truths to be accepted as facts. Even in today’s political arena, science and its findings are either accepted or rejected depending on vested interests. Each group holds on to its version of the truth and is threatened by opposing views. Same thing occurs in the scientific realm.
What is it that turns the tables from non-truth to truth, from fiction to fact, from illusion to reality? Time, and the evolutionary growth of knowledge and understanding, which becomes the conventional wisdom.
This phenomenon is known as a paradigm shift, a concept identified by the American physicist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn. It is a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline. Even though Kuhn restricted the use of the term to the natural sciences, the concept of a paradigm shift has also been used in numerous non-scientific contexts to describe a profound change in a fundamental model or perception of events. (Wikipedia)
Throughout the ages, now famous scientists and philosophers experienced this kind of repression during their lifetime. Since their findings could potentially shake up the status quo, challenge current authority, like the church, they were threatened, and their work was not allowed to see the light of day. Here are a few wise quotes about this unfortunate situation in the history of human thought.
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. — Galileo Galilei (1564–1642)
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. — Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
A scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it. — Max Planck (1858-1947)
Two versions of understanding and living life by Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
It is perfectly true, as philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
I later found and added this very appropriate quote from one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein (1879-1955).
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.
Understanding the physical universe with consciousness
When it comes to the unseen yet measurable influence of large group meditation on stressful societies, the same resistance shows up with many scientists not accepting this phenomenon, even when demonstrated by a growing series of scientific studies.
This all depends on their worldview, whether they see consciousness as the epiphenomenon of physiology, or the other way around, with consciousness being primary. Same with the natural extension of the different ways we can influence our surroundings.
In his comprehensive review of a new book, An Antidote to Stress: Evaluating the Evidence, by authors Barry Spivack and Patricia Saunders, David Orme-Johnson, Ph.D., concludes his comments with a description of how knowledge progresses, challenging the current worldview, in this case, The Maharishi Effect, and its ability to reduce negative trends in society. He writes:
The Maharishi Effect is not everyone’s cup of tea, and this is how it should be. Science advances through a dialectic between conservative forces that try to hold on to the prevailing worldview, and evolutionary forces that try to expand knowledge to a more comprehensive framework that encompasses more of reality into a consistent picture, in this case integrating our understanding of the physical universe with consciousness.
Wendell Erdman Berry (born August 5, 1934) is an American novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer. He has published more than 50 books. Berry is an elected member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, a recipient of The National Humanities Medal, and the Jefferson Lecturer for 2012. He lives in Port Royal, Kentucky. Click here to listen to him read this poem, and 5 others posted at the On Being website.
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
The Uncarved Blog 