Is It Okay to Listen to Music Like Bon Iver, The Head and The Heart, etc. While Meditating?

Nathaniel839

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is it okay for me to listen to other music besides meditation music, as long as it's soft and peaceful, while I'm meditating?

I_AM_THAT

I know this may be a little extreme for most, but I have listened to Marilyn Manson and other load and obnoxious music while meditating; sometimes I need assistance in blocking out the external world and blasting hard rock can do that, along with the cob webs in my mind... of course I have ear buds in so the rest of the world isn't being tortured... lol

Sometime you need to mix it up, to shake it up, in order to step into the void...

Nathaniel839

Lol, just the thought of listening to Marilyn Manson while meditating sounds crazy. Well, I guess that answers my question... Thanks man. :nyah:

I_AM_THAT

lol... my favorite is "This is the new s**T" on the Lest we Forget album... this one "Wakes me up" and sets me right, if you know what I mean... :crazy:

person

Maybe it depends upon the person. I'm used to meditating in silence so even a "meditation" cd would probably be distracting.

In general I'd say meditation would be more productive without, but experiment for yourself and see what works.

Nathaniel839

Thanks guys for your opinions. I'm going to experiment with meditation a little bit and find what I prefer most. I might even try listening to music like Linkin Park or something (although the volume will be very low so the screaming won't be distracting. :om:

mindatrisk

Find what works for you! End of! And Bon Iver is amazing! :D

how

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is it okay for me to listen to other music besides meditation music, as long as it's soft and peaceful, while I'm meditating?

Can you describe what your meditation or practise is?

Sabre

Wouldn't recommend it, really. Won't get you nearly as peaceful as meditation without music can. But on very rare occasions I've sort of meditated on Sigur Ros. But not with the intention of meditating. It's just music that asks for it as soon as you listen to it, really. :p As Bon Iver also does.

So if you decide to do it, keep also a practice without music going is what I would recommend.

lamaramadingdong

I prefer the wind in the trees, the birds, my own heartbeat. Lots of my friends love Bon Iver, and I've tried, but I just cannot being myself to listen to them. Really gets on my nerves in short order.

TheBeejAbides

How about meditating while playing guitar or another musical instrument? You find a chord progression you like and just stay with it and soft focus your eyes on something... I usually stop when a length of drool splashes my arm or my leg, but up until then it's really quite interseting. :lol:

Victorious

Nathaniel839 said:

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is it okay for me to listen to other music besides meditation music, as long as it's soft and peaceful, while I'm meditating?

No and skip the meditation music too.

how

It depends if you want the meditation to be about the auditory stimulus
or you.

Nathaniel839

Hey guys, sorry I didn't respond to any of you, school has just started back up and I've been a little bit busy. I didn't expect this thread to get as popular as it is and I would like to thank all of you for your very helpful comments and tips on meditating. I've decided that I'm going to stick with meditation music since that seems to be what I'm good at and maybe every once n a while listen to some of Bon Iver's soft songs like Holocene. Anyways, I think everyone is pretty much done commenting on this thread so I'm not going to respond on this thread anymore. Once again, thanks!