Archival photo of traditional Crow sweat lodge.

September. The first hints of fall color touched the trees. Pale golden cornstalks stood ready for harvest in the rolling fields as I drove through Southern Illinois towards the gathering place. About a dozen of us would gather in the sweat lodge our Medicine Woman had built for us.

Her son had spent the day heating large stones-The Grandfathers-in a fire. Tending the stones for the lodge is a holy thing. We thanked him for his work.

Some of us were there to start a moon-long cycle of inner and outer healing. One man was seeking Divine help with a cancer his doctors told him was hopeless. Another was a young man seeking blessings for his tour of duty in Iraq.

We left our offerings of food for the communal meal on the table. Out of deference for the water pourer’s tradition, we…

Sitar player Imrat Khan of India will appear at Saturday's Festival of World Sacred Music. Photo courtesy Gitana Productions.

“There is something in music that transcends and unites. This is evident in the sacred music of every community . . . music that expresses the universal yearning that is shared by people all over the globe.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Music from many of the world’s faith traditions will be played at Saturday’s St. Louis Festival of World Sacred Music,  Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd. in the city’s Central West End neighborhood.

The festival begins at noon. The last performer takes the stage at 7 p.m. Artists appearing include both local favorites and musicians with worldwide followings.

“Every culture creates music that is sacred, music that
expresses universal emotions. The Festival of World
Sacred Music reflects our commitment to global healing, by bringing
together international and local musicians who represent diverse
spiritual and religious interests,”…