Meditative Music

Moment:

The Precious Resource of Attention

Though a common saying suggests our main resources are time and money, attention is another resource that may be more primal than either of these.

The ability to focus is the only real tool a person has. Perception of the world is entirely encompassed by the mind. Understanding exists from the interactions between mind and world, while the only method of observation is through the lens of consciousness. When focused well, this lens is in a state of attention.

Whether reminiscing upon the past, considering the future, or living in the present, spending time in work or play, enjoying a book or time with a loved one, the main resource is that of attention.

Attention can be divided as when “multi-tasking” or focused onto a single work. Many allow their attention to be carried by the whims of the environment, addressing an e-mail or call when it shows, dropping and picking up their work or leisure without realizing a loss of immersion in the process.

Wielding control over attention comes from practice. The benefits of a strength of focus are described by athletes, creatives, or anyone who describes states of flow. A sharp focus allows a person the capactity to become involved in the world in a rich, lively, and dynamic state.

Without the ability to focus, one risks becoming lost in the torrents of the world’s worries. There is no anchor; there is no direction. Such a lifestyle is a viable choice, but perhaps better done if consciously made. Gaining the capacity to wield a solid state of attention allows for that consideration.

Strengthening Attention: The Practice of Meditation

Meditation, among other things, is the art of learning and moving with the natural contours and currents of one’s own mind. Learning the mind’s movements can present the conditions favorable towards a state of attention.

Its practice is simple. For most intents and purposes, the following describes the practice of a meditation:

1. Define an object.
2. Focus upon the object.
3. When the mind is found wandering, allow its return to the object.

The variations of meditation are seen in the first step of defining the object. Boundaries can be placed across dimensions of:

• Time (how long to meditate),
• Space (the edges of an object),
• Concepts (art, music, emotions),
• Activities (breathing, sport), or
• Anything around which lines can be drawn, abstract or otherwise.

Music and Meditation

Music reflects nature. A musician attempts to create an abstract space in medium of sound. As the mind exists as a part of nature, this space reflects the natural ebbs and flows of the world.

Improvisation is a meditation of movement towards creativity and away from anxiety. The continued growth in this understanding is reflected in the landscapes of tension and relaxation that unfold throughout pieces created.

Listening intently to music created in this mind state presents a view towards understanding and moving through the very ancient and powerful emotions which, ultimately, stem from the concern for survival and towards a feeling of relaxation.

Connecting these primal states to our conscious selves in streams common to all nature moves anxiety away from pain and towards ease.

Music, as itself is a primal communication, is able to speak these thoughts of great depth.

What is “Intensive” Meditation?

Defining meditation as done above means that it is not a focus solely upon relaxation. Much of meditative music is centered upon the peaceful aspects of mind. While this is of great importance, there is also strong value to focusing on all aspects of nature, be it peaceful or otherwise.

Nature is filled with forces much more powerful than man. Being able to bring attention to these is not necessarily an enterprise that will leave the observer in a state of immediate relaxation. It does, however, bring one to another understanding of the powerful forces existing within the mind. In so doing, the music invites co-existence with those forces towards achieving more thorough sense of peace may be achieved.

Therefore, to differentiate this type of music from the more frequent usage of the term meditative, the word “intensive” is added.

Consider for further reading on meditation:

• Books
• How to Meditate - Lawrence LeShan
• Mastery - George Leonard
• Effortless Mastery - Kenny Werner
• Zen in the Art of Archery - Eugen Herrigel

 

• Articles
• What Is Improvisation and Why Practice?
• What Is Meditation and Why Is it Useful?
• Revisiting the Importance of Play
• Meditation: Mind and Brain
• Meditation and Free Association
• Meditation Fear and Creativity