Music...the voice of the soul
There is a beautiful story about God and music. Apparently, God became very unhappy with the earthlings because of strife, wars and general anarchy in the world. He came to earth and told earthlings that He will destroy them. However, God wanted to give earthlings a chance so He asked them to give a single reason why they should not be destroyed. "We have produced great beings like Mohammed, Christ, Buddha etc. who have given us great teachings", said earthlings. God retorted that maximum number of human killings have taken place in the name of religion. Earthlings then recounted the great technological inventions that mankind has produced to which God replied that there are still some 3 billion people living in tremendous hardship and poverty despite these inventions. The reasoning and response of God stumped the earthlings.
Then somebody said, "we have produced great music".
"Let us hear it", God replied. The world music including Indian ragas, Bach, Beethoven etc. was played. After listening to the profound music, tears started flowing down the cheeks of God. "Enough", He said, "you have earned your freedom and right to live".
Great music affects humans and God alike in a deep way. Music affects brain at different levels. Our moods change with different types of music. However, at a very deep level its effect is similar to that of deep meditation. Probably it is a reason why all great religions have stressed music as a means for praying and meditation. When we hear soul stirring music, we again get a feeling of well being. Thus, the soul stirring music and deep meditative thought has similar characteristics. As we evolve intellectually and spiritually, we become increasingly tuned to emotionally satisfying music, since the brain becomes supple and is able to focus on a single thought for a long time. Then singing and poetry may become the major activities of vocal chords with speech being their by-product!
People often ask me what kind of music is more spiritual: Is it Vedic mantras, Gregorian chant, the great symphonies of Beethoven, traditional Gospel hymns, indigenous drums or even rock and roll? I usually respond by saying any music that helps reconnect us to our essence — to our inner and divine nature — is spiritual.
The spiritual nature of music cannot be defined by religion, culture or genre. Music precedes and transcends all of those frameworks. To even compare music and spirituality as if they were independent concepts feels a bit odd to me. Music is, at its essence, the sound of spirit. When created from the heart and with truth and pure intention, music is a spiritual expression of the most universal nature and the highest order.
Just as music has helped rescue me from some of the lowest points of my life, it has been the blissful soundtrack for my many of my most loving memories and the rhythm that continues to propel me forward. For me, spirituality and music will never be separated. The more music continues to awaken my higher aspirations and light the path of my inner journey, the higher I am inspired to reach and the deeper I long to delve into those realms of the magical unknown that awaits me. If words are the limited language of my mind, music is the limitless calling of my soul.
Music is the secret of Love and Love is the secret of God. In the house of lovers, the music never stops. The walls are made of songs and the floor dances. We have fallen into the place where everything is music. The strumming and the flute notes rise into the atmosphere, and even if the whole world’s harp should burn up, there will still be hidden instruments playing.
Then somebody said, "we have produced great music".
"Let us hear it", God replied. The world music including Indian ragas, Bach, Beethoven etc. was played. After listening to the profound music, tears started flowing down the cheeks of God. "Enough", He said, "you have earned your freedom and right to live".
Great music affects humans and God alike in a deep way. Music affects brain at different levels. Our moods change with different types of music. However, at a very deep level its effect is similar to that of deep meditation. Probably it is a reason why all great religions have stressed music as a means for praying and meditation. When we hear soul stirring music, we again get a feeling of well being. Thus, the soul stirring music and deep meditative thought has similar characteristics. As we evolve intellectually and spiritually, we become increasingly tuned to emotionally satisfying music, since the brain becomes supple and is able to focus on a single thought for a long time. Then singing and poetry may become the major activities of vocal chords with speech being their by-product!
People often ask me what kind of music is more spiritual: Is it Vedic mantras, Gregorian chant, the great symphonies of Beethoven, traditional Gospel hymns, indigenous drums or even rock and roll? I usually respond by saying any music that helps reconnect us to our essence — to our inner and divine nature — is spiritual.
The spiritual nature of music cannot be defined by religion, culture or genre. Music precedes and transcends all of those frameworks. To even compare music and spirituality as if they were independent concepts feels a bit odd to me. Music is, at its essence, the sound of spirit. When created from the heart and with truth and pure intention, music is a spiritual expression of the most universal nature and the highest order.
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” — Plato
Just as music has helped rescue me from some of the lowest points of my life, it has been the blissful soundtrack for my many of my most loving memories and the rhythm that continues to propel me forward. For me, spirituality and music will never be separated. The more music continues to awaken my higher aspirations and light the path of my inner journey, the higher I am inspired to reach and the deeper I long to delve into those realms of the magical unknown that awaits me. If words are the limited language of my mind, music is the limitless calling of my soul.
" My soul writhes with every string of guitar though strings stop vibrating but my soul can't "
Music is the secret of Love and Love is the secret of God. In the house of lovers, the music never stops. The walls are made of songs and the floor dances. We have fallen into the place where everything is music. The strumming and the flute notes rise into the atmosphere, and even if the whole world’s harp should burn up, there will still be hidden instruments playing.
We rarely hear the inward music,
but we’re all dancing to it nevertheless
directed by the one who teaches us,
the pure joy of the sun,
our music master.
Regards,
Yashal Jalil
What a beautiful piece. You have portrayed the value of real music in such a simple yet profound manner that even reading it tugs at the strings of my heart. May your words reach millions and touch them also.
ReplyDelete