Ascension

THE ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLISM OF DREAMFLIGHT III

Dreamflight III completes The Dreamflight Trilogy. At the risk of oversimplification, Dreamflight facilitates relaxation; Dreamflight II facilitates meditation; and Dreamflight III facilitates inspiration. (The step beyond inspiration is the facilitation of exaltation — the goal of a follow-on album which is currently in progress.) Of course, the goals of these albums do overlap, in that elements of relaxation, meditation, inspiration and exaltation can be found in each album. The thread that unites them all, though, is the uncompromising pursuit of beautiful melody, balance and intuitive heart-feeling as a direct expression of contact with the Higher Self.

Dreamflight III opens with "The Enchanted Dance," a graceful, yet powerful, waltz symbolizing the eternal dance of Life (i.e., the interaction of forces of opposite polarity, resulting in all the manifestations and experiences encountered in Life). The vigor of the music abates near the end, letting the dancers catch their breath — providing a moment to reflect on their Life journey as they prepare for their next experience.

"Crystal Echoes" is a kaleidoscopic flash of musical light, full of high-frequency chimes intended to stimulate the higher "Life Force" centers (i.e., "chakras") of the body, in preparation for experiencing the rest of the music on this album. (Headphones are highly recommended to facilitate this "opening"!)

"Prima Materia" is in reference to the "prime material" of the Universe: Love. It starts out powerfully, grandly, but somewhat darkly, in a minor key, before it awakens to the beauty of its own divinity. As the music continues, a transformation occurs: There is a shift of tonal forces from a minor key (i.e., focusing within) to a major key (turning outward) as the "awakening" begins. The gentle love energy opens to full expression in the unfettered sweetness of the flute's song as the "material of the Universe" achieves its "prime" expression.

"Song of the Rose" opens with a flute, continuing the feeling expressed in the previous selection. However, the music becomes more and more powerful, the melody being carried by an impassioned piano. The rose symbolizes the unfolding soul expressing itself in a physical world, being met with all the challenges that that endeavor implies. "Song of the Rose" is dedicated to all people who have suffered and sacrificed in the pursuit, protection and perpetuation of Truth. It is significant to note that the music ends with a quiet, peaceful grace that affirms that, in spite of all obstacles, Truth, being in harmony with the Universe, cannot be stopped.

"Ascension" follows from acknowledging Truth. The faraway choir comes ever closer, suggesting that awakening to one's divinity is imminent. The music bursts forth in a roar of cathedral organ and a "breath-of-fire" cleansing wind sound as all doubt, fear and struggle is swept away in the transfiguration process. But how does one "ascend"? By being free of the encumbrances of negative emotions and limiting belief systems. And how is that achieved? By…

"The Freedom of Forgiveness"! This song begins quietly but gains momentum and confidence as it progresses up the keyboard, finding joy in its ever-increasing freedom as negative emotional shackles are released. It is important to realize that there is a self-interest in the forgiveness process. Many people believe that they should forgive others — AND THEMSELVES!! — simply because it's the "right and moral thing" to do, and that they should "let bygones be bygones." This often results in only repressing grief, guilt and anger, in turn resulting in unhappiness and ill-health. The real value of forgiveness lies in the freedom of the heart and mind that results when the grief, guilt and anger are at last relinquished. It is not necessarily easy, often taking years of effort and processing — but the freedom is worth it.

The freedom of forgiveness is symbolized in the sparkling, free-spirited joy and enthusiasm of "Shimmering Wings," the chime timbres once again stimulating the higher Life Force centers.

"The Monastery" provides a respite in the journey of The Dreamflight Trilogy to awaken to one's Inner Power. (The chant sung in this piece is the same one heard in "Voyage into Silence" on Dreamflight!) The intention of the reverent music is to prepare the listener to receive...

"The Song of the Soul." This piece, played only once as a freeform improvisation, came straight from the heart without any thought to composition, musical structure, or intellectual conceptualization. It is the quintessence of what The Dreamflight Trilogy is all about: an intuitive expression of joy when one experiences attunement with the Higher Self, or the God Within.

Esoterica: Approximately 75% of the music on Shirley MacLaine's double audio cassette "Going Within" was music by Herb Ernst and most of that was from Dreamflight III: "Prima Materia," "Ascension" and "Song of the Soul." (It also included "The Light of Forever" from Dreamflight II.)