Why We Make Music

“Listening to music can be a wonderful meditation.”

“The practising of an instrument can be a wonderful meditation for many people because it really stops the mind.

There’s just the pure act of listening.

You know yourself as the consciousness that’s listening.”

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart plays the soundless flute, the equivalent of one hand clapping. 😉

Why do we love music?

If we just want to listen to it, we can simply use our favourite streaming app, the radio, TV, internet, whatever.

But what drives us to make music ourselves?
Why is it such a turn on?

It’s the same reason that rock climbing, surfing or racing are so attractive.

Because then, you have to be in the moment.

You can’t be thinking about anything else.
You are completely concentrated on what we you’re doing.

That brings you into complete and total Presence.

No other thoughts are going through your mind.
This is where flow happens.
Where everything falls into place, by itself, effortlessly.

It is so satisfying and fulfilling that we will actually risk our lives to experience it!

It is where you are no longer subject to an ongoing litany of thoughts running through your mind.

Of course, you don’t need an actual dangerous situation to become present.

Anything that involves your total concentration will do it.
Like playing music!

Unlike many of our activities, when you play music, it uses your whole brain. It also releases dopamine!

Meditation:
(from Eckhart Tolle)

Next time you play, when you stop, continue listening.
To what? Nothing…

This is how music can be a wonderful portal.

Any activity that brings you into presence,
stop the activity and become aware of presence itself.

For me, that stillness, after playing meditative music, is like honey! A nourishing balm for the spirit.

Let me know how it goes!

Musically yours,
Nandin

P.S. If you don’t have “The Beginner’s Guide To Meditative Music Making” yet, get it here!
P.P.S. If you know someone who might benefit from this, thanks for passing it on!