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| does anyone else use music while meditating? i do, but i'm wondering if this is holding me back. i mean, it helps me to lessen the number of thoughts that invade my quiet, but am i using it as a crutch?
the kind of music i'm talking about is new agey, wordless, repetitive. like this: www.fitpod.com, click on Whispers of the Dharma.
i'd love to hear your thoughts.
Edited by yoginny 2006-07-22 12:18 PM
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| One of the most profound meditations I ever had was with drumming music. We are all so unique. I love experimenting with it all.....no set fast rules seem to work for me very long.....so much to explore. Judamom | |
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Expert Yogi
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| I think drumming (good, traditional drumming as in aboriginal or Indian) is a whole other experience. It penetrates to the core being and maybe to the heartbeat of the Universe itself. | |
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| I love drumming, but it's an external, not internal influence. | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| Intellectually I agree GJ. Drumming is external. But the vibrations are so primal, so profound and the effect so deep, I sometimes feel as though it ocmes from within. One of our philosophers can probably explain it and another can probably refute it.  | |
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| Has anyone hear the sounds of the Tibetan Singing Bowls? It produces a powerful harmonic resonance when played. It can be struck like a gong or played by running the striker round the rim. My Yoga teacher uses it during relaxation and it brings me into a “higher plane”, I always felt my mind cleared and wonderfully rejuvenated after the class. Namaste | |
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| ystan--I have owned Tibetan Singing Bowls in the past (always gave them as gifts). The very first time I ever heard one I felt my Chakra's all balance instantaneously. At that time I did not know that they have that capability--I discovered that in writing later. Explore, when you hear one again and see if you can feel your energies all balance out.........when you state "it brings me into a "higher plane", I always felt my mind cleared and wonderfully rejuvenated after class".......you could be feeling the same balancing that I felt. It is so nice when we have tools to assist us on our paths! Huh? | |
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| One of the local teachers was using a CD of the singing bells a while back. Very cool. | |
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| Judamom – at this moment I can only feel one of my Chakras, my heart! I’ve read about it but have had hard time feeling / visualizing them. When I practice “OM” and allow the sound to resonate along my spine, that is the closest I get to feel the energy moving through the Chakras, but not the turning of the “wheels”. Hence, I would not be able to tell what is the feeling of Chakras balance out. However, recently, on a few occasions during my short meditation, I saw a big wheel turning. It is white, transparent, beautiful and turning at constant speed. I appreciated its beauty and let it passed. Namaste | |
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| Ystan--if you care to explore the chakras, start by feeling them on another person. All you have to do is hold your hand about 6 inches above someone lying on their back. It may take a minute but you can start to feel heat of various degrees as you move up or down the body. There are seven obvious ones. No real need in telling you even where they are except one is at the top of the head and one is at the pelvic area and five inbetween. If you are sensitive to them it is a fun area to explore. As you learn to feel them on another person you will become familier with where they are in yourself. Just another avenue of learning what a miracle these bodies are and how to understand them better. Judamom | |
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| Hey if it helps go with it. Most of the techniques are used to help reach a good meditation stage. Many meditation things like Mantras are designed to do just that. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 258
| Music is vibrations. Anything that has to do with vibrations resonating with our bodies is good for us, is calming us, is "cleaning" us, is somehow "showering" our body cells, like when we shake the sheets of our bed outside the window every morning. That's how I feel. Chanting the Aum is the best, the premium way to deeply feel this. I presume singing-balls were "invented" for this reason by the Thibetan monks. Also the drumming, which affects you deep inside (as tourist is rightly pointing out) is THE main and most important healling technique that shamans all over the world have been using for thousands of years.
I personaly don't like to listen to music from CDs while I practice yoga or meditation. But one kind of meditation I often like to do is to close my eyes and concentrate on the environmental music around me. There are soooo many sounds that are there, but we don't hear them : the refrigerator, the dogs barking at a distance, the cars far away in the highway, the birds, the children's voices, the whoooole of the living world around you fills your ears with joy !! | |
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| Judamom - Thanks for the tip. Come to think of it, when I channel energy to another person, it is the different charkras that I usually aim for. Now I need to go deeper and feel the vibrations. Thanks ! Namaste | |
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| Kristi - well said! Let's get into the rhythm of mother earth, and fill our hearts with joy. Namaste
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| I want to come along! | |
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| Judamom, today during relaxation, my Yoga teacher played a music that has the sound of bells ringing, it lasted for about 3 minutes. I felt vibrations in the air, towards the end of the music, I heard sounds of bubbles popping, and yes, the vibration is strong above my chakras (it is weaker around my 5th & 7th Chakras though). It was a wonderful experience; I felt a sense of serenity and calm after the class. Thank you for highlighting & bringing this awareness to me. I shall explore further. Namaste. | |
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| ystan--the chakra world is fascinating--another facit of our miraculous "beings". I do not want to abruptly change the subject but I found the Sutra that I thought might be helpful to you as you try to explore your 'thinking process'. This is from Patanjali Yoga Sutras and they take some "thinking time". Maybe they will assist you in clarification........{This is book III, Sutra 9. The sequence of mental states is as follows: the mind reacts to that which is seen; then follows the moment of mind control. Then ensues a moment wherein the chitta (mind stuff) responds to both these factors. Finally these pass away, and the perceiving consciousness has full sway. 10. Through the cultivation of this habit of mind there will eventuate a steadiness of spiritual perception. 11. The establishing of this habit, and the restraining of the mind from its thought-form-making tendency, results eventually in the constant power to contemplate. } Maybe this will assist you----and maybe not. I will keep looking for additional information. Also----Sutra 6 says This illumination is gradual; it is developed stage by stage. Namaste Ystan | |
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| Is anyone using any type of visual aid? I ask because I've been looking at mandalas lately, I haven't meditated using them though. I'm amazed at their beauty, and know they are intended as meditation tools. | |
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| Judamom, I can see 11 described me exactly. My thoughts / thinking lacks control, and this is a behavior of a Monkey brain. I need to work to restrain my mind, and develop the habit of one-pointedness, and better contemplation. Thank you! Namaste. | |
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| Ystan--keep bringing your mind under control (gently)--it gets easier as you proceed. I had gentle teachers all along my path except I was the tough one to please. One day I realized I learned faster and easier if I would be a little easier on myself and stop along the way to acknowledge my accomplishments and growths. Now I automatically see how some of us are just expecting too much too fast----although a worthy goal----it will come. If we do nothing-----it will come (evolution alone will make it so). If we move slowly----it will come. If we stress ourselves out completely trying so hard---it will come. The Sutras speak of the different approaches and I will watch for that one next....just for fun. With you, your enthusiasm will get you to wonderful places and you will appreciate them so much when they arrive that you will want more. Namaste | |
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| yoginny - 2006-07-22 12:15 PM
does anyone else use music while meditating? i do, but i'm wondering if this is holding me back. i mean, it helps me to lessen the number of thoughts that invade my quiet, but am i using it as a crutch?
the kind of music i'm talking about is new agey, wordless, repetitive. like this: www.fitpod.com, click on Whispers of the Dharma.
i'd love to hear your thoughts.
Hi yoginny
There should be no music during meditation. It hinders the progress to higher levels of meditation. Music can relax you a bit and make you feel good, but that's it. Deep relaxation and tranquility of mind comes in higher levels of meditation.
Metta
Metta | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| Welcome MP - your position on music is correct (IMHO) but not very popular This statement often causes a bit of an uproar with the music lovers  | |
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| tourist - 2006-09-07 10:52 AM
Welcome MP - your position on music is correct (IMHO ) but not very popular This statement often causes a bit of an uproar with the music lovers
Hi tourist.
Thanks. I realy love music myself, but each thing in its place  .
Metta | |
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| This confusion comes because the definition of meditation differs. For example, there are yoga circles where perfecting a pose is called meditation, and there are where relaxation is called meditation, and there are others where Kirtan is called meditation. In one particular definition of meditation, music has the greatest place, that is 'focussing on music'! | |
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| kulkarnn - 2006-09-07 12:57 PM
This confusion comes because the definition of meditation differs. For example, there are yoga circles where perfecting a pose is called meditation, and there are where relaxation is called meditation, and there are others where Kirtan is called meditation. In one particular definition of meditation, music has the greatest place, that is 'focussing on music'!
Hehe... I see.
I usualy understand meditation to mean the cultivation/abiding of/in samadhi, specialy in non buddhist circles. Cultivation of samadhi is a very specific thing in buddhism and music hinders the entrance in the first level of samadhi and the remainance there. In order to reach the first level (first jhana) you have to be quite withrawn from sensual desires and unskilfull mental qualities. Since that when you hear music you are craving for it (a sensual pleasure) I don't think it can be good.
Metta | |
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| Modus.Ponens - 2006-09-07 7:33 PM
kulkarnn - 2006-09-07 12:57 PM
This confusion comes because the definition of meditation differs. For example, there are yoga circles where perfecting a pose is called meditation, and there are where relaxation is called meditation, and there are others where Kirtan is called meditation. In one particular definition of meditation, music has the greatest place, that is 'focussing on music'!
Hehe... I see.
I usualy understand meditation to mean the cultivation/abiding of/in samadhi, specialy in non buddhist circles. Cultivation of samadhi is a very specific thing in buddhism and music hinders the entrance in the first level of samadhi and the remainance there. In order to reach the first level (first jhana ) you have to be quite withrawn from sensual desires and unskilfull mental qualities. Since that when you hear music you are craving for it (a sensual pleasure ) I don't think it can be good.
Metta
Interesting. My senior yoga brother attended a Buddhist Meditation in an Authentic Tibetan Monestary, where they meditation to the sound of brass bowls. And, the singing bowls produce sound which facilitates their meditation. Cultivation of samadhi is NOT specific to Buddhism. Samadhi is a non Buddhist word, similar to most of the concepts they borrowed from Vedic philosophy, later showing that they are different. Without debating, using music for meditation is NOT a sesual act. The sensuality is defined by the purpose. Using an object in a meditation leads to automatic withdrawl of senses. If music is used for entertainment, then it is sensual only if the nature of entertainment is sensual, such as in pop music. But, when music is used for meditation, it is opposite. For example, when a beautiful statue of Buddha with gold and gems, and beautiful figure is worshipped in Buddhist monastery, it should be considered a devotional or meditational act, and not sensual. However, if Marilyn Munroe's picture is hanging in a dormitary room or even in a temple, it should be considered a sensual act.
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| Dear Metta:
I just wanted to specify my logic. I did not mean to offend you in any way. If you felt that way, I apologize. | |
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| kulkarnn - 2006-09-07 10:06 PM
Interesting. My senior yoga brother attended a Buddhist Meditation in an Authentic Tibetan Monestary, where they meditation to the sound of brass bowls. And, the singing bowls produce sound which facilitates their meditation. Cultivation of samadhi is NOT specific to Buddhism. Samadhi is a non Buddhist word, similar to most of the concepts they borrowed from Vedic philosophy, later showing that they are different. Without debating, using music for meditation is NOT a sesual act. The sensuality is defined by the purpose. Using an object in a meditation leads to automatic withdrawl of senses. If music is used for entertainment, then it is sensual only if the nature of entertainment is sensual, such as in pop music. But, when music is used for meditation, it is opposite. For example, when a beautiful statue of Buddha with gold and gems, and beautiful figure is worshipped in Buddhist monastery, it should be considered a devotional or meditational act, and not sensual. However, if Marilyn Munroe's picture is hanging in a dormitary room or even in a temple, it should be considered a sensual act.
Yes, samadhi is a practice that existed well before the Buddha's time. As for the rest of the concepts, IMO there's a simple explanation: it wasn't borrowing, it was seeing what others had seen before with a clearer vision. Of course, this is what I believe and I respect what others believe.
Tibetan Buddhism is quite far from the original buddhism teached by Sidharta Gotama. In tibetan buddhism (as in other tantric traditions) it's encouraged to do sex as a means to arise a state of mind conductive to enlightenment _ someting that is completely out of early buddhism; in fact there's a story of a monk who was excomunicated (temporarily, I think) just for holding the view that the tuch of a women was just as the tuch of a soft pilow: I guess he tought there was nothing wrong with it as long as you didn't attached to it. I guess the Tibetan bowls could be a similar concept in both ways, but I'm not realy sure. I can imagine that it's possible to meditate on sound/music as long as you're realy free from sensual desire for that sound/music. This question is beyond my knowledge but my opinion is that if it is
1- Regular music, wether jazz, pop or indian classical music, it won't work.
2- A repetitive sound or other sounds not conceived for sensual delight it might work but there are a lot other objects that are more apropriate such as the breath.
Finaly, if the music/sound is not the object of meditation but instead the background music/sound (the situation I was originaly imagining) then I think it's defenetly a hindrance.
Metta | |
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| kulkarnn - 2006-09-07 10:15 PM
Dear Metta:
I just wanted to specify my logic. I did not mean to offend you in any way. If you felt that way, I apologize.
No problem
I atempted to clarify this the last time but it seems I didn't explained it well: when I finish the message with "metta" it means that I am sending positive and kind toughts to that person and the others reading the topic, wishing for their hapiness (even if it's just for a fraction of a second...). Similar to finishing the message with "Best wishes". "Best wishes" is not anybody's name though  . I think I will change to something diferent
Peace
Edited by Modus.Ponens 2006-09-07 11:36 PM
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| Metta: Finaly, if the music/sound is not the object of meditation but instead the background music/sound (the situation I was originaly imagining) then I think it's defenetly a hindrance.
===> I agree with that. Also, as for you previous comment on Indian Classical Music, the comment is valid only when that music is one of Entertainment style. In fact, Indian Classical Music is used for Meditation. And, Indian Classical Music finds its roots in Saamaveda, which is nothing but 'Vedas - Rigvedas, chanted in a singing style'. Breath or music or any other object will work according to the constitution of a student.That is why the great Sage Patanjali says:
Chapter 1: yathaabhimatadhyaanaadvaa... by meditation on anything felt appropriate by the meditator in terms of focussing the mind. | |
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| kulkarnn - 2006-09-08 9:29 AM
Metta: Finaly, if the music/sound is not the object of meditation but instead the background music/sound (the situation I was originaly imagining) then I think it's defenetly a hindrance.
===> I agree with that. Also, as for you previous comment on Indian Classical Music, the comment is valid only when that music is one of Entertainment style. In fact, Indian Classical Music is used for Meditation. And, Indian Classical Music finds its roots in Saamaveda, which is nothing but 'Vedas - Rigvedas, chanted in a singing style'. Breath or music or any other object will work according to the constitution of a student.That is why the great Sage Patanjali says:
Chapter 1: yathaabhimatadhyaanaadvaa... by meditation on anything felt appropriate by the meditator in terms of focussing the mind.
Did you read my last post? My name/nickname is not metta lol .
Anyway, positions established
Peace (which is not my new nickname, it only means I'm wishing you peace ) | |
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| Any music I like is ok when I do meditation, for the music make me in good mood.
I suggest you to try these music: world music from Nonesuch Label, minimum(such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Terry Reily), tibetan music(there's some record called tibetan meditation or tibetan buddism), Glen Veles(two of his records suggested here are Handance and Rhythm of Charkas), Japanese traditional music. | |
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Regular
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Location: Montana, US | I frequently listen to the music given in the link below while performing meditation.
http://www.tenmillionclicksforpeace.org/index.php/empowerment/meditations/beautiful-meditation-video-from-tony-samara | |
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| Either you are meditating or you are listening to music, unless the music itself is the focus of your meditation.
Meditation and listening to music both require your complete attention.
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Regular
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| Music and specially singing mantras or prayers before meditation prepares mind for focused meditation. However music during the meditation can truly be distracting. | |
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Member
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| I do agree that meditation hinders furthers progress in deeper state of meditation. However using meditation music to first start meditating is a great tool.
When I first started to meditate 4 years ago, I had a lot of mental chatter and thoughts to calm down. I found it very difficult to meditate. I started listening to Binaural beats in the first 5 minutes of meditation to help calm my thoughts and then move further into silent meditation.
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New User
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| Specific music can take you to a place. In fact going deep into a beautiful piece of music is meditating. | |
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Member
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| yoginny - 2006-07-22 12:15 PM
does anyone else use music while meditating? i do, but i'm wondering if this is holding me back. i mean, it helps me to lessen the number of thoughts that invade my quiet, but am i using it as a crutch?
the kind of music i'm talking about is new agey, wordless, repetitive. like this: www.fitpod.com, click on Whispers of the Dharma.
i'd love to hear your thoughts.
Yes it helps a lot. During my session i love to hear some unfamiliar music those soothing type of music such as classical. Just some tip don't eat a heavy meal before you meditate. This will induce sleepiness. A snack consisting of fruits will do just fine. You can also take a shower first before meditating.Wear loose cotton clothes to make you feel comfortable. | |
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music while meditating?