Namo Avalo
By Chris Davis © 2025
I sit with my suffering
I breath with my tears
Transforming the pain
And calming my fears
Bring peace to myself
Bring peace to the world
The sangha is waiting
Come feel the connection
Experience healing
Love and compassion
I listen to you
You listen and we heal
(Chorus)
Namo Avalo-kitesh-vara
Namo Avalo-kitesh-vara
Namo Avalo-kitesh-vara
People are suffering
Just look in their eyes
With no one to listen
So sangha arise
Bring peace to yourself
Bring peace to the world
We sit and we listen
With arms open wide
To help all who suffer
Make their burdens light
Bring peace to ourselves
Bring peace to the world
(Chorus)
Listen, deeply we listen
With one intention
Calming the fear
(Repeat)
(Chorus)
Song Inspiration
2025 brought me through a particular hard time with a family crisis. I had not suffered like this in years. As my sangha surrounded me with compassion and loving kindness I found myself drawn to sitting with the Plum Village monastics singing the Avalokiteshvara Chant. Early that year we watched a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh explaining the meaning of the chant but also why he held his hands a certain way with the chant (See videos below).
I found so much comfort and healing just by holding my suffering in my awareness as I breathed in and out listening to the chant. I didn’t try to dissect, solve, or heal myself. I just said silently, “I know I am suffering.” Then, I would do the same for my family members who were suffering, as well as all human beings. Practicing with this chant and my sangha truly got me through this hard time and this song was born from this.