by Karen Polimeni
Deep in the innermost being of every person there is a center in which lies the source of all strength, knowledge, wisdom, ideas, talents and abilities. Everything that is needed to allow life to be lived to the fullest already exists within.
When we can get in tune with this center, we get in touch with our creativity or “originality” which is simply the inner thoughts, ideas, and dreams that belong to us. There is a vital need in each person to express his or her creativity on all levels. This leads to experiencing complete aliveness and fulfillment.
Music can open people to the harmonic chords which lie deep within. There are many avenues of approach through music to realizing one’s authenticity. I would like to share with you one of these avenues.
Listening to inspired music can help us to connect or meld with this center (or creativity) within. Simply stated, inspired music is the intent with which the music is created. If there is a pure intent behind the music – if it is created to heal or is spiritually inspired, it will have an inspiring effect on the listener. For example, when Arthur M. Abell, who wrote “Talks with Great Composers,” asked Johannes Brahms about his composing, Brahms replied: “After contemplating the cosmos, I appeal directly to my Maker before commencing to compose… I immediately feel vibrations that thrill my whole being… These are the spirit illuminating the soul power within. In this exalted state… the ideas flow in upon me directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind’s eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.” Many great composers, both past and present, espouse the same process including Mozart, who said “God dictates, I write.”
The opposite side is true. If the intent behind the music is purely commercial or of a chaotic nature the effect will not be healing or inspired. From my research, different pieces of music have different effects on people. Along the same lines, people are often attracted to certain types of music or composers because of what that music or composer gives to them at that moment.
Wassily Kandinsky stated in “Concerning the Spiritual in Art,” 1947: “Musical sound acts directly on the soul and finds an echo there since music is innate in [humans].”
For people very responsive to music, one way into their creative self is to tune into a piece of inspired music – a particular section or movement that “feels” right at the moment. I personally find it most helpful to be in the same vibration of music or sound for, say, twenty minutes. Thus, the CD player is set to repeat on a certain track. It is important to be very still and imagine your whole body is an ear. Breathe in the music and fill your consciousness with it. Allow your whole being to resonate with the music and let it reach your very core, your creative divine Self. Be at “one” with the music and the cosmos, and let love or inspiration flow in. You will likely feel a shift in energy. After having been immersed in the music, thank the music and the composer who had let the music come from his or her own creativity.
Some examples of meditative music are: “Meditation from Thais” by Massanet, “Adagietto” from Symphony No. 5 by G. Mahler, “Angel Love” by Aeoliah, and the beginning of the original soundtrack from “The Mission” by Ennio Morricone.
It should be equally stated that listening to joyous music full of rhythm that resonates with you at a given moment, can release the inner you like a bird set free. Some examples are: “Water Music” by Handel, “Drum Medicine” by David and Steve Gordon, Caribbean or Reggae music, and any concerto by Vivaldi.
There are other means to the same end. Humming, toning, chanting, singing, dancing, drumming and improvising on an instrument are also very powerful in bringing us to our source. Books such as Chanting by Robert Gass, Toning: The Creative Power of The Voice, by Laurel Elizabeth Keyes, and The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell can further explain these techniques.
All that is ever required is an openness, courage, and trust at a higher level than where you are now – and to permit yourself to experience through music, the never-ending discovery of your divine creativity.
Read other articles written by Karen Polimeni:
The Higher Value of Music Lessons
Music as Medicine
