On the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The text of Be Still is taken from The Vision of Enoch from the Essene Gospel of Peace.

The Essenes were unusually progressive for their time. Women were admitted into the high order, and their scripture speaks of the Divine Mother as often as the Father. This mystic sect also shunned slavery, commerce, and the slaughter of animals for food.

The all-pervasive nature of God through space and time is represented by past, present and future tense sections in Enoch's vision, which bade him listen for the voice of God in every aspect of creation.

The readers of Be Still are placed throughout the performance space among the audience. At one point, past, present and future tense text may be heard simultaneously from every direction. Mystics report an overwhelming, yet deeply comforting experience during their visions. The saturation of the space with this literally timeless text symbolizes this rapture.
 

The Vision of Enoch
From the Essene Gospel of Peace

I speak to you.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you when you were born.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first sight.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first word.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first thought.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first love.
Be still
Know I am God.

I spoke to you at your first song.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the grass of the meadows.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the trees of the forests.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the valleys and the hills.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the Holy Mountains.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the rain and snow.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the waves of the sea.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the dew of the morning.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the peace of the evening.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the splendour of the sun.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the brilliant stars.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the storm and the clouds.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the thunder and lightning.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you through the mysterious rainbow.
Be still
Know I am God.

I will speak to you when you are alone
Be still
Know I am God.

I will speak to you through the Wisdom of the Ancients.
Be still
Know I am God.

I will speak to you at the end of time.
Be still
Know I am God.

I will speak to you when you have seen my Angels.
Be still
Know I am God.

I will speak to you throughout Eternity.
Be still
Know I am God.

I speak to you.
Be still
Know I am God.

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