29. Rim Banna, The Mirror of My Soul - Al Muta’ali (The Most Exalted), Palestine

According to my source the 77th Name Al Muta’ali is the means by which you connect to God/Allah through what is called the higher self, the soul or ruh. With Al Muta’ali there is an elevating journey, which is like an ascending flight of the spirit. Its divine quality is the invitation to pure transcendence. It offers a path of the wayfarer to travel from immanence to transcendence. In this way, you progress to the centre beyond the beyond, higher than the high. You are moving towards pure transcendence.

I have been wanting to write about Rim Banna who blows my mind. She is a singer from Palestine and you can learn more about her here. Her album The Mirror of my Soul helps make the connection with Al Muta’ali. You can youtube her and there are so many songs she has done. But years ago I was sent an album by her label KKV and so am starting with this. Ive managed to find the songs on youtube I wanted to share, but they are not the official owners of the music, so can be pulled down at any time, but I felt it was important for you to sample this music.

The first song that really moved me is called Sarah. I didnt know what it was about, I just listened to it loads as it drew me in. After learning more about it - it broke my heart. I didn't want to write about Palestine and what we already knew about the war. But maybe this is my ego. Or fear. Or denial. I feel this is on the path to reaching Al Mutaali.

You can find out about the song lyrics and peoples comments here. Please listen you dont need the translation for it to move you.

من البوم مريا الروح للفنانه الفلسطينيه ريم بنا from album the mirrors of soul for the palestinian singer Rim Banna

Then next song is called The Voice, the fragrance and the figure:

Lyrics:

Rim Banna is a Palestinian singer whose songs took many influences from Palestinian folklore and culture. This is the last track of album 'The Mirror of the Souls", and in my opinion, is the most romantic song in the album.

Oh root of my roots, I will surely return, so wait for me

Wait for me in the cracks of the rocks and the thorns

In the olive blossoms, in the color of the butterflies

And in the echo and the shadows in the mud of the winter

And in the dust of summer in the tracks of the gazelle

And in the wings of every bird

The thorns of the storm are in my path

And the call of the land is victorious in my veins

I am coming back, so keep my voice, my scent, and my form for me, oh flowers

Ya Jammal : Arabic Song by Rim Banna - English translation below:

The Jammal made my heart miserable
When he chose to go
I said, "Jammal, be patient"
He said, "my patient has dried up"

I said, "Jammal, what's your destination ?"
He said, "the desert of the south"
I said, "what are you carrying with you ?"
He said, "Arabic gum and essences"

I said, "tell me what is your sickness"
He said, "Longing for the one I love"
I asked, "have you visited the healer ?"
He said, "ninety healers"

I said, "Jammal, take me with you"
He said, "no, my burden is too heavy"
I said. "Jammal, I will walk"
He said, "no, my road is too long"

I said, "I will walk one thousand years
I will follow after your eyes"
He said, "hey, little pigeon, bitter like myrrh
is the living of the migrant"

The Jammal made my heart miserable
When he chose to go
What he left behind are tears
That stream over my cheeks

Which Rim Banna songs do you like? From above or from your own research. Lets use this space to draw from her as an inspiration. Lets cultivate song ideas related to your own responses, in thoughts and emotions to her lyrics.