Meditation with music and/or chanting

MaryAnne

I've been reading quite a bit on this site about (Buddhist) meditation; the questions newbies have, the advice long-time practitioners offer, etc... and I noticed no one mentioned using music and or chanting for beginners - or even the more experienced.
I'm wondering why not? I've been meditating with some regularity for many years, although not on a Buddhist path, but while on a Pagan spiritual path, and for all sorts of reasons. I used mediation for healing, for relaxation and de-stressing, for emotional 'purging' and to regain balance afterwards, to figure out solutions to personal problems or family situations, etc. I used to meditate by sitting quietly on the floor, or bed. I used to meditate while walking, or even while "dancing" (which was more like stretching and doing yoga to music, really)

But I've always used music to help me get to that 'special place' of focus and concentration. I have also used marijuana - in very small amounts - to help me relax and trigger that focus on breath and quieting the mind.
Now that I'm thinking of returning to a regular practice of meditation, focusing on the Buddhist path, I'm wondering if I can do it as effectively without my chants or music --- or if it's even necessary to try to do it without them?
I haven't meditated for any reason in quite a while (a couple years, maybe) but I do remember how wonderful and balanced I used to feel when I did. I'm just hesitating because I'm not sure if the way I used to meditate is still 'appropriate'.
I have badly damaged knees due to injury and arthritis, so I'm not ever going to be sitting on the floor, full lotus, half lotus or ANY lotus! LOL I'm a straight-back chair kind of gal these days, or else moving slowly and rhythmically to my music.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Theswingisyellow

Chanting is beautiful.
Music is beautiful.
Both can be quite calming and relaxing.
Intoxicants only cloud the mind, personally I would not use them especially in conjunction with meditation.
Posture is no big deal, no torture test here.
For meditation I don't use music.
I will chant on occassion before I meditate as this is like a kind of soothing balm to me.
For me meditation means being mindful of the breath (Vipassana) or I do loving-kindness meditation.
All the best,
Todd

LostLight

I do use music for some meditation (on rare occasions) , but those are simply musicians that I like. For the majority of the time I will play nature sounds during meditation, since I live in a noisy household and I find the sound of water or wind soothing and relaxing as well as an active countermeasure to the noisy environment.





Videos like these are great, and they have almost any sort of nature sound possible. I'm not sure if this is for you, but if it is enjoy!

federica

The point of Meditation is that you are able to achieve samadhi and mindfulness, whatever the circumstances. Music, no music, lotus, no lotus, incense, no incense, candles, no candles, chanting, no chanting.
all things are additions, but should neither be focus, nor distraction,

Rodrigo

The point of Meditation is that you are able to achieve samadhi and mindfulness, whatever the circumstances. Music, no music, lotus, no lotus, incense, no incense, candles, no candles, chanting, no chanting.
all things are additions, but should neither be focus, nor distraction,

Wise words.

DairyLama

Now that I'm thinking of returning to a regular practice of meditation, focusing on the Buddhist path, I'm wondering if I can do it as effectively without my chants or music --- or if it's even necessary to try to do it without them?

Why not just try "basic" meditation for a few weeks and see what happens?

MaryAnne

Why not just try "basic" meditation for a few weeks and see what happens?



That's exactly what I plan on doing.... I think I'm going to start an early morning meditation routine, maybe even tomorrow! I'll let you know how it goes.