Music and Meditation

July 1, 2009 at 10:14 PM ·

I have been meditating for the past year, and think it has been one of the most positive changes in my life. Each day I set aside 20-40 minutes for inspirational reading and silent reflection, often with some journaling at the end. Not only does it benefit me spiritually, but it has helped me be much less stressed, with a more steady, positive, consistent mood. I can't say it has directly impacted my music, but certainly removing stress and heightening my awareness can only help.

July 1, 2009 at 10:52 PM ·

I've been meditating on and off for many years now.  It has never failed to be of help.  I like to take 10 minutes and bond with my violin a bit before I practice.  I get calm and centered, and I belive more productive in my practice sessions.  I hightly recommend it.

July 2, 2009 at 12:18 AM ·

I do not meditate, but I did, years ago, and found it helpful to get closer to the "core of me." It also was an effective way to overcome (or at least attenuate) some painful painful afflictions including headaches and severe back pain -- and hiccups. But it also went a lot deeper at some times in my life.

If meditating helps you find yourself it might help you with your music - but I think that will depend on what kind of help you need. If it is musical expression you want help with, then it will depend on what kind of things you are trying to express.

Thinking and listening to music may help more for musicians. But meditation may help them become better people.

Andy

July 3, 2009 at 02:31 AM ·

Focus of attention is involved in almost every human endeavor, especially learning and mastery of skills (such as playing the violin). Focus of attention (or lack of it) can even impact our perception of experiences such as pain. Ever had a paper cut and not know you had it? We all have. You're walking around all day with a paper cut, which physiologically causes pain messages to be sent to the brain. But, no pain - until you notice the paper cut, and then it hurts like heck. That's the power of focus of attention. What you notice is experienced more intensely; what you don't notice simply isn't part of your experience of the moment.

Meditation is a very specialized, extremely useful, and often enlightening form of focus of attention. I believe that if you keep in mind - always - that the way in which and degree to which you focus your attention will determine the impact of what you learn, experience, and accomplish, it can exponentially increase the impact of whatever you do - meditation, yoga, exercise, reading, playing the violin, learning, anything.

Sandy