music and spirituality

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manytrailsonepath

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just wanted to hear some opinions from you all about the connection, if any, of music to spirituality. i for one do feel deeply that the two go hand in hand. this is not to say i'm right, simply what i've expierienced. music is a mystery to be embraced, enjoyed, discovered, and re-discovered. any thoughts anyone?
(am i posting this in the proper area mods?)
 
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Hi, manytrailsonepath--welcome to CR:).

I absolutely believe that music can and often does connect us to the spiritual. I actually believe that this is what real music is about!

Music touches my very soul--people ask me, "What kind?" I have no answer for them, because to me, music is music. It is up to me to decide whether a certain selection will be part of my life. (Well sometimes, there will be things--musical or otherwise--that will come uninvited, and then I have to deal....)

But music is my daily companion--In fact, it was there in my beginning.:)

What do you think?

InPeace,
InLove
 
My boyfriend says that I analyse music too much and that it spoils it. What I try to explain to him is that when I listen to music, each time I hear the same song, I pick out different patterns and sounds depending on the mood that I'm in. Music is also a link to how I was feeling in the past. I also listen to the lyrics (which he doesn't!) and have often found things that have made me think in them. So yes, music is spiritual for me... although it does dpened of what your definition of spiritual is!!!
 
Certainly agree that music is a very powerful human experience - I guess it's not accident that music - whether instruments or vocal - are often integral to religious practices.
 
Music has always resonated with me. As I grow as a person and come closer to my own spiritual truth(s), music has become even more important and powerful. I grew up, like most American kids, with rock and roll. When Nirvana and the "alternative rock" scene broke into the mainstream, I was very excited and explored these sounds that were new to me, yet very basic, emotional, and raw. In retrospect, it seems this was an important time for me in my appreciation for music, because suddenly I was exposed to a whole slew of artists who relied more on emotions and the sheer power of sound to create powerful music, rather than the more technical and formulaic pop music I had grown up listening to. Of course, to this point in my life I had chosen to focus on these more commercial forms of music, and had snubbed my nose at the classical music that my dad favored, and I had either chosen to ignore or had just not been aware of jazz. Since then, I have widened my tastes considerably, but it is still the emotional power of music and the playful nature of language through lyrics that resonates most deeply with me.

I am currently developing a radio show out here in the Palouse on a station called KRFP. The intention of my show is to "present MUSIC and WORDS that will stimulate your consciousness and your sense of being a whole, spiritual person. In fostering spirituality, the approach is universal, and pulls from many traditions, including science. The universal thread in all spiritual traditions is love—love for the divine, the human, the animal, the plant, and the planet; in other words, all of creation. Ideally, this radio show will foster connectedness in the community and a sense of well-being in the individual." I was hoping that people could help me out by giving some concrete examples of genres of music or, even better, specific artists, whom they feel evoke spiritual feelings. I feel like my particular brand of spirituality is pretty nebulous, inclusive, and even surreal; in addition to that, I recognize that listening to music is a subjective experience, so I'm finding it rather difficult to put my finger on what kinds of music might be "spiritual." Input from others would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to list artists or genres of music that you feel stimulate your particular sense of spirituality and perhaps also write a little blurb about the qualities you associate with that music (or why it is important to you), I would be grateful.

I'll start with some of my own:

selected Grateful Dead songs: Jerry's songwiritng and Robert Hunter's lyrics seem mysterious and point to an archetypal, inclusive, planet-based spirituality for me.
Neutral Milk Hotel: the lyrics overflow with the possibilities of the universe.
Ani DiFranco: although usually interpreted as a "political" songwriter, I feel Ani's songs encapsualte in an incredible way a very earth-based and community-oriented spirituality; it's as if she has an incredible gift for shining beautiful light on the crap and grime of the post-twentieth century world, at times illuminating the wholeness of creation in a styrofoam cup. When I listen to her song, "Little Plastic Castle," I hear a redressed creation myth, for example.
Paul Simon: I don't know, exactly. Post-Garfunkel lyrical quality is incredible, and he is an amazing musician and composer. Listening to his album Rhythm of the Saints always puts a smile on my face, and is a great way to start the day.

Okay, your turn. Thanks in advance! :)
 
cool pathless! I too feel the power of music that is raw and based more on the naked sound and depth of emotion behind it. Also, it is my opinion that what an artist is feeling at the time of recording/writing/performing music permeates the sound of a song, inadvertantly. Without that basic (or sometimes complex) factor of emotion underlayed within the song i think the song misses it's potential mark. Being a singer/songwriter/musician myself, I've found that a song can be written and not have much "feel", however once vocals are added that come from the heart it takes on a whole new feeling. Also, I've written songs that to me were so basic and simple that i was afraid to share with friends, yet when i did show them they felt the same intense emotional thread or wht have you. Mysterious?! (for the record, above , I was not suggesting that a song must contain lyrics/vocals to have potency)

some bands/artists that I feel have deeply spiritual content in their music:
Dave Matthews Band, U2, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Enya, Foo Fighters, Jeff Buckley, Wallflowers, Bob Dylan, Porcupine Tree, Neil Young................... and now as it is forced to think my mind draws a blank.
 
manytrailsonepath said:
some bands/artists that I feel have deeply spiritual content in their music:
Dave Matthews Band, U2, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Enya, Foo Fighters, Jeff Buckley, Wallflowers, Bob Dylan, Porcupine Tree, Neil Young................... and now as it is forced to think my mind draws a blank.
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Awesome, thanks for the reply/input. I often play U2 on my show (this week it will be Bullet the Blue Sky off of Rattle and Hum); I agree that they stimulate the spirit. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews band--absolutely. I am not familiar with Porcupine Tree. I'm actually planning to play some Descendents this week; usually I shy away from punk music on the show b/c it tends to express a lot of anger. But I am realizing that anger and moral outrage, when harnessed correctly, can actually be powerful spiritual tools.

On a personal note, I guess if I could express my current spiritual quest in terms of musical genres, it would be a synthesis of flowery hippy-dippy idealism with ballsy, righteous punk rock politics. Although really I don't care for politics. :cool: Oh, and as an afterthought I would throw in some spiritual/political hip-hop and reggae into the mix.

Peace Out,
P.

;)
 
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pathless,

i can see why you would shy away from punk music in general. i certainly agree that moral outrage and a strong sense of aggression can be an under tone in much of the genre, if not a strong over tone. however i would urge you to explore various punk bands ( social d, bad religion, green day, etc) with an open ear to the lyrics. not that they would neccessarily be right for your radio station, but i do know that they have a great "folk prayer" ( as mike ness puts it) quality to many of their songs. examples would be songs such as, ball and chain by social d, sorrow by bad religion, i walk alone by green day, when the angels sing and angels wings by social d. well i guess you've figured out that i'm a social d fan.
growing up in southern california amid the late 80's/early90's punk scene i know first hand that much of that music is anything but spiritual in the sense of positive feelings, but here and there oozing through the cracks of punk rock defiance and non conformitty, comes a message of hope and truth that to my ears and soul is like the voice of god pulling me toward therealm of what's good and seems right in this world.
truth be told i can't claim to be a punk rocker from way back, i have always loved just about any type of music, for myself i judge what good music is by the feeling i get from it. it is only of late that i have re-discovered punk music, after a long and regretted period of writing it off as hollow, empty---- a bunch of kids rebelling against society.
i must say that it is very encouraging to here from someone that,from what i am gathering, has the same deep passion for music and all that it is.keep on postin'!

sorry for the grammar and punctuation in this post.......... in a hurry!
god bless!
 
manytrailsonepath said:
growing up in southern california amid the late 80's/early90's punk scene i know first hand that much of that music is anything but spiritual in the sense of positive feelings, but here and there oozing through the cracks of punk rock defiance and non conformitty, comes a message of hope and truth that to my ears and soul is like the voice of god pulling me toward therealm of what's good and seems right in this world.
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Absolutely, manytrails. :) In my previous post, I didn't mean to say that punk music cannot be spiritual, but I see how that was not clear. I agree with you that punk rock 'oozes' a certain quality of hope and truth. I think that quality is inherent in punk music and is in its very roots. At its best, punk rock, in its raw expression of dissatisfaction with dominator culture, is an attempt to tear down dysfunctional cultural norms and replace them with basic, community-oriented values. The ska-punk pioneering Operation Ivy is, to my mind, one of the best expressions of the values of punk music.

Enjoying the dialogue. Keep 'em coming. :cool:
 
hey pathless, just a quick one here. new band for you to check out: "Del Bombers"

the wife and i went to a social d show and they opened for 'em. let me say very good show.info@delbombers.com is thier e-mail, i thought you might be interested with them for your show. i've spoken with them via e-mail and they would love to be considered for some air time, as a side note they seem really cool as far as one can tell through e-mails. hope you enjoy! you can listen to a few of thier songs on their site as well www.delbombers.com
 
Carlos Santana either started or is working with a program in California to provide drums and initiate "drum circles" in the California public schools. Some of his music can be a bit spiritual (if not most of it.)

I find music rather spiritual (except for gangsta rap and quite a bit of muzak.) Much of my spirituality is tied to dance, so I "see" music from a slightly skewed POV (choreographing a routine for Learning to Fly by Pink Floyd and another to Souls of Rage and Sorrow by Appocalyptica [I think that's how the group spells its name] was a bit enlightening to me, making me think as well as feel the music.) :eek:

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
 
Hi Pathless--

I have been looking around on the site, but haven't had as much time to check it out as I would like. I will get back to it. Kudos to you. Looks interesting.

Just a quick response here, though, for the time being. Have you introduced much Celtic music into the mix? I have a difficult time remembering artists' names in this particular genre for some reason, but there is some awesome stuff out there. Also, I find Yiddish music enlightening and entertaining, and then, ya know, there is always good 'ol Beethoven! Oh, let's see--Miles Davis, Chic Corea, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, even? And back to the 60s/70s--Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Heart, (the Wilson sisters have really done some great covers of Joni's stuff)--and yes, of course Simon & Garfunkel. Even the Beatles. A bit later on there's Suzanne Vega, Iris Dement, even Sting (the Police could get spiritual, as well). And don't forget country--not the Nashville brand--but like "Hill Country" music from Texas and then there is the old folk stuff from the Ozarks and Appalachia. Some of it is just excellent, and so raw. Native American music is beautiful, and then there is the stuff from Brazil--Ivan Lins, maybe? Classic rock, too--how about Tull and even Fleetwood?

Well, there ya go--I would probably be the perfect candidate to listen to the program you are working on. I am sure there are artists I will wish I had mentioned, but I will try to not think about that, lest I come back and bombard you over and over! And I have even heard some fairly decent Christian music lately--thank God! (I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen again!) Speaking of that, while it isn't new, it is good--have you ever heard John Elephante's "Corridors"? (He used to be the lead singer for Kansas.) Really spiritual lyrics, and excellent music and production.

Then there's always Seals and Crofts, and how about the "Negro Spirituals" (not being politically incorrect here; this is what they are called) like "Wade in the Water" and stuff like that?

Okay, well--keep us "posted" on the project, okay?

InPeace,
InLove
 
Hi Phyllis and InLove,

Thanks for the responses. Phyllis, I'd be interested in hearing more about the choreography; Learning to Fly is a great song. More generally, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the spirituality of dance. I think that dance is a very powerful tool for spiritual experience. I have very fond memories of dancing collectively to kiirtan (devotional songs) at spiritual retreats, and often experience a 'high' when I'm out dancing to good music at a show. Locally here, there are regular 'trance dances' (not raves) organized for intentional spiritual work. I'm looking forward to checking one out when my partner and my schedules allow. Drum circles, too, are very powerful.

InLove said:
Have you introduced much Celtic music into the mix?
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Funny you should ask. :) I've recently gotten into a bit of Celtic music. One of my favorite songs currently is called River by Susan McKeown with Natalie Merchant. Played it on my show last week, in fact. Spiritually, the Pagan traditions are calling me quite strongly these days, so I've been exploring tribal music and contemporary tribal interpretations as mcuh as possible.

InLove said:
Also, I find Yiddish music enlightening and entertaining, and then
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I've not been exposed to much Yiddish music--but there is one current Hassidic Jewish Reggae artist out there who blows me away. Or at least the one song I've heard by him. I wish I knew his name. Maybe someone out there can help me out? He sings about singing songs of hope and joy to his God (and doesn't put the dash in G-d, which I guess would be hard to do in lyrics ;) )

I resonate, too, with a lot of the classic rock stuff that you listed. Even as a kid, I had a strong attraction to 'hippy music' and the era of flower children that had fizzled only shortly before I was born.

InLove said:
I am sure there are artists I will wish I had mentioned, but I will try to not think about that, lest I come back and bombard you over and over!
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Please do!

InLove said:
--have you ever heard John Elephante's "Corridors"? (He used to be the lead singer for Kansas.) Really spiritual lyrics, and excellent music and production.
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Haven't heard it, but would like to check it out. I like Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas alright. :)

InLove said:
how about the "Negro Spirituals" (not being politically incorrect here; this is what they are called) like "Wade in the Water" and stuff like that?
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Certainly something I would like to explore more. I've been getting into some contemporary African music--Baba Tunde Lei (I think that's his name), and have also been enjoying an album by an indigenous spiritual and political activist, Joy Harjo (another website here). Letter From the End of the Twentieth Century is the album I've been listening to a bit.

Here are some lyrics from that album:

Creation Story
I'm not afraid of love
or its consequence of light.

It's not easy to say this
or anything when my entrails
dangle between paradise
and fear.

I am ashamed
I never had the words
to carry a friend from her death
to the stars
correctly.

Or the words to keep
my people safe
from drought
or gunshot.

The stars who were created by words
are circling over this house
formed of calcium, of blood -

this house
in danger of being torn apart by stones of fear.

If these words can do anything
I say bless this house
with stars.

Transfix us with love.


-*-*-*-*-+++-*-*-*-*-
Peace,
Pathless
 
Originally posted by Pathless
I've not been exposed to much Yiddish music--but there is one current Hassidic Jewish Reggae artist out there who blows me away. Or at least the one song I've heard by him. I wish I knew his name. Maybe someone out there can help me out?
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Matisyahu? He has a website and a video out (there was a discussion about him on another list I belong to.) Anyway, "Yiddish" music is called klezmer. There are a few klezmer bands around and Itzhak Perlman had an album out (In A Fiddler's House)

Originally posted by Pathless
More generally, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the spirituality of dance. I think that dance is a very powerful tool for spiritual experience.
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True story: A gentleman I know online wrote me after the infamous 9/11 tragedy. He was roughly three blocks away from the Towers when they went down and the shock was so bad that he had difficulty accessing his "spiritual side". I suggested that he just start dancing, letting his body speak for him instead of trying to find words. A few weeks later, he wrote me back, telling me about being in the middle of a rave when he heard a voice, the voice of his angel. He was so happy he cried.

Another anecdote: roughly 14 months ago, I attended the Holiday Folk Fair (as I try to do) although I was a bit hindered due to my ankles. The Guest Group was the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, a dance group that performs traditional Aztec dances, and one of the dances they performed used an interesting lamp (one miscalculation from one of the male dancers would've brought a whole new meaning to "chestnuts roasting on an open fire". :eek: :p)

Anyway, I feel that dancing is more spiritual because there isn't the propblem of trying to convey feelings into words. You're naked when you dance (not physically, but...) A good energetic dance is far better with getting in touch with the PTB, whatever you wish to call It (Him/Her/Them/Whatever.) The feelings expressed can be rather haunting.

Originally posted by PathlessI have very fond memories of dancing collectively to kiirtan (devotional songs) at spiritual retreats, and often experience a 'high' when I'm out dancing to good music at a show.
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I know the feeling. I have to have my dance instructor take notes when I choreograph because I "drop out of reality". I will do something and not know whatthefook I did even a second after I did it (my first final project for that dance class was a solo to Pretty Maids All In A Row, and I didn't know what I did, even while doing it.) The same cannot be said with some of my other dance experiences (I try desperately to forget them [like the stuff I had to do when I was a little girl in dancing school, but that's a whole different topic], but they "creep up". :mad: *grrr*)

Anyway, why wait for your next opportunity? Throw some tunes on and just "let go". :D

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
 
manytrailsonepath said:
just wanted to hear some opinions from you all about the connection, if any, of music to spirituality. i for one do feel deeply that the two go hand in hand. this is not to say i'm right, simply what i've expierienced. music is a mystery to be embraced, enjoyed, discovered, and re-discovered. any thoughts anyone?
(am i posting this in the proper area mods?)
Click to expand...

Music is the language of the soul. It is universal in its appeal. If we can't communicate with any other form, we can with music. Even animals use music, or song, or rhythm to express themselves. And we can understand what they are saying, or at least, how they feel. Plants can sense the soft vibrations of sound, as well as the harsh, and react accordingly. Music doesn't neccessarily have to be heard to be appreciated or understood. It can be felt, or read, and some say tasted or smelled (I'm not that in tune to it). ;)

Even the military and rescue agencies appreciate music of a sorts (such as morse code, IFF, and LORAN C emmisions).

Our own bodies produce a kind of symphony of music, the pulse of our heart, the sound of our blood passing through our arteries (since I have Tinitus, I can hear mine 24/7 in my right ear, and the pitch is a high C about 5 octaves above Mariah Carry's ability :D ), the frequencies emmited by our brain.

In short, when the "music" stops within the body, we are no longer here, and there is just a silent shell...

Music is much more than we realise, and much more than we give credit to.

my thoughts (or should I say, my refrain):rolleyes: :cool:

v/r

Q
 
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