Top of the (spiritual) pops

At this time of year, it's traditional for radio stations to count-down the top 10 Christmas carols, or the top 100 hits of all time. In that spirit (and in no particular order) I'd like to share this play-list of hymns, chants, and uplifting contemporary songs with a focus on oneness or universal love.

• Ubi Caritas   A Taizé chant which translates as, "Where charity and love are, there God is".

• This Little Light of Mine - Odetta   Jesus is recorded to have said, "I am the Light of the world". We all have the Light in us, but are we going to hide it under a bushel or, as this gospel song puts it, will we let it shine?
• Stand By Me   I remember Ben E King's version of this song from my childhood days. The link is to the Songs Around the World cover produced by Playing for Change, an organization which promotes peace through music.
• The Christ In You - Waterboys   The Waterboys are probably best known for their hit single The Whole of the Moon, but they also performed this song about seeing the Christ in one another, or 'looking with the eyes of Love'.
• Lord of the Dance    I recently rediscovered this hymn, which I remember singing in primary school. I struggle to sing the lyrics of many Christian worship songs, but the words of Lord of the Dance resonate with me: "'I am the life that'll never never die; And I'll live in you if you'll live in me. I am the Lord of the dance,' said he."

• Providence - Lisa Mitchell   I'm not sure of the story behind this beautiful song by the talented Lisa Mitchell, but for me it's about living in the moment and, as Quakers might put it, 'waiting on God'. It gives me goose bumps whenever I listen to it. 
• Love Shine A Light - Katrina and the Waves   A winning Eurovision song contest entry from Great Britain. "Love shine a light, in every corner of my dreams. Let the love light carry. Let the love light carry. Like the mighty river, flowing from the stream. Let our love shine a light, in every corner of my dreams." Amen to that! 

• The River is Flowing   While on the subject of rivers!... I've sung this as a round at Young Quaker gatherings a couple of times.

• Lord of All Hopefulness   Another hymn from my primary school days which I'd love to sing with other people again.
• Caravan of Love   "We'll be living in a world of peace. And the day when everyone is free. We'll bring the young and the old. Won't you let your love flow, from your heart..." Why don't they sing this in churches? (Or maybe they do?)

• Hymn - Vangelis   No words in this one, just beautiful instrumental music which recalls my mind to peace. (Could be played at weddings or funerals alike.)
• Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas and U2   I hesitated before including this one, but it's a relevant message and a great tune, so why not?

Bonus track. Here's a piece of piano music (including rain sounds and binaural beats) which I find works well in place of a mantra at the start of a period of meditation. For the last few weeks I've been listening to it for 10-15 minutes a day, and - whatever the science - it certainly seems to put a smile on my face.