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Music for Meditation
mugzy
Veteran
What do you think about using music for meditation? I know that some people are taught by their teacher or tradition not to use music, or prefer not to for whatever reason. Mostly I've heard it can become a distraction. Since I live in a loud area there's always noise drifting in from outside, it usually feels right to put on sounds that supports a meditative environment.
For me, it's much easier to meditate if I have music that fits the mood. It really helps me enter a relaxed state and I am able to focus my mind without focusing so much on the music. Since I have a problem with songs / lyrics getting stuck in my head, putting on chanting or new age type stuff helps to stop the "loops" by putting positive sounds in their place.
Any thoughts on this?
For me, it's much easier to meditate if I have music that fits the mood. It really helps me enter a relaxed state and I am able to focus my mind without focusing so much on the music. Since I have a problem with songs / lyrics getting stuck in my head, putting on chanting or new age type stuff helps to stop the "loops" by putting positive sounds in their place.
Any thoughts on this?
0
Comments
I have considered using peaceful music before, but I do not really see much of a point personally. Keep paticing and meditating with distractions, I use to hate it but see it as a chance to progress now. Just mak peace with them, realise you have no control over it and let it go, tom
then I listen to some meditation music for about 5 min....the song in my head stops...then I shut off the music....weird for some I am sure but it works for me.
It's not so much a worry of it becoming a distraction (there's plenty of those no matter what you do, that's the point), as it is of becoming dependent on it.
I should clarify that I don't always use music to meditate. I should also add that where I live is extremely noisy and chaotic, but I do meditate without music most of the time. I work in a very negative, disruptive environment and it's hard not to take that home with me. Having serene music helps me transition into a place where I am not so stressed and tense. I can use the tension as the object of meditation, but it's not always so productive as I spend most of the meditation "riding the stress" so to speak.
Sometimes it helps if I'm able to use music as an object of meditation, and for me calming, new-agey stuff is what helps me to relax. I suffer from extreme anxiety and sometimes it helps to be able to hear positive sounds that support a positive frame of mind. I know it's not all about relaxing, but there is an element of quieting the mind involved in meditation. Using sound as the object of meditation has been a very useful tool to me.
I do agree that it's wise not to become dependent on it. I'm only a novice practitioner and still learning. Some of my deepest meditation sessions have used sound of some kind (music, chanting, singing bowl, etc).
Hi Mugsy,
As a complementary therapist as well as a meditator, I'd like to gently point out that you are practising 'relaxation therapy' not meditation. Certainly if you have a hectic life then relax first with some soothing music. However, you need to switch it off to meditate. When we meditate, we gently accept noise around us rather than trying to block it out.
You might also try meditating outside somewhere - maybe in a park if you're in a city environment. Its also not always necessary to keep your eyes closed.
Kind regards,
Dazzle
.
Thanks for your input. I understand what you're saying and see how this method of practice differs from traditional sitting meditation. I will try your suggestion of first calming, then entering into meditation.
Many thanks to those who have already responded, even if I didn't reply. It's great to get some thoughts on this subject.
Thanks for your support
Pema Chodron say meditation developes 5 qualities...
1) Steadfastness to be with your experience (and thereby with you) no matter what comes up...
2) Clear seeing of what is coming up
3) A chance to be with your worst mental states (yes)
4) Being with the present moment as it is
5) A sense of no big deal (whether you see heaven or hell)
While I won't say you are wrong for practicing music with meditation I just wanted to inform you that meditation which cultivates maitri and equanimity is not about feeling good. It is about seeing your mind as it is and giving space for that experience. A light touch and an honest warm clear seeing.
The reason for #3 is that it is a chance to erode the whole underpinning of samsara. Normally we turn away from any experience that makes us feel so negative. By switching the habitual pattern we cut at the root of samsara. #3 is the dukkha of the 4 noble truths and usually we split the dukkha off into a self and other and then the next strategy (after that process of ignoring) is to crave, to be averse, or to dull out. This is the heart of buddhist practice to sit with negative states. But its important to learn gradually the courage and faith in the practice. The lightheartedness and warmth and spaciousness.
I would recommend listening to 15 minutes of music. Then do 15-25 minutes without the music. Then if you have time do 10 minutes walking with music. Then 15-25 sitting without.
By the way mugzy, I have never properly looked at your avatar. I mean I have looked at it but until now thought it was a meditation robot of some kind lol...
I have some incredible recordings of Lama Tashi chanting, you can buy it on iTunes or Amazon.com (hope that link works). Sometimes I listen to it mindfully and meditate on the sound of the mantras being recited - I was wondering if this is considered a form of placement meditation. Same with sutra reading, but that might be different. I'm not sure.
I haven't officially learned how to chant, but I have been taught certain mantras.
LOL!!! I AM A ROBOT BEEP BOOP BOP! INITIATE MEDITATION MODE
:om:
END SEQUENCE
That makes sense. I get what you mean with the training wheel analogy.
I'm glad that I started this thread, as it was very helpful to me. I have been practicing simple breathing meditation without any expectations or outside influence. When I do listen to calming music it is separate from the actual meditation.
the training wheel thing is ok but I think music actually helps you in mediation and improves it (???)
Maybe I need a meditation roboto! lol beeep beeep bop bop
Some kinds of chanting meditation are nothing more than concentration meditation with the focus of the concentration being the chant rather than the breath, etc. Chanting is very good at quieting and focusing the mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTVFBsggr3U
Nice, that's good input. It does feel different when I chant or recite mantras.
I would say it depends on the goal of your meditation if you want to listen to music.
- Ali Ijaz,
Meditation Teacher
that is ok but in this hectic pace of life..... complete silence and not letting thoughts to wonder is an extremely hard thing to do.
Relax the tendency to react to your physical sensations with thoughts. For example, a tightness in the chest could be interpreted as fear, to which you might habitually respond to with "What am I afraid of? Oh, it must be that upcoming talk I have to give. Oh crap, I'm not prepared for it! Should I stop meditating and go practice? etc." A simple physical sensation can lead you to a whole string of thinking. Just come back to the body. This is where you live and yet you rarely pay attention to it. Meditation is an opportunity to feel the raw experience of living in a body and mind. It's a "mental hygiene" -- like brushing your teeth or taking a shower is physical hygeine. By letting go of the past and future, by letting go of your automatic reactive thought responses and coming back to the reality of the body, it allows you to see what is worth worrying about and what isn't. It allows you to see which of your problems are real and which are just making things difficult for yourself.
In the words of Mark Twain: "I'm an old man. I have had many problems. Most of them never happened." Meditation allows you to be with what is actually happening.
great advice. thanks.