February, 2010

Music, Spirituality & Vibration

Ever wonder what part music may play in spiritual, religious and ceremonial gatherings? Can music really raise the spiritual or vibrational levels of a listener? And what is vibration anyway? An observation by author Robert Lewis of the Rosicrucian Fellowship states: 

“The overtones of all musical sounds progress from the physical world into the spiritual world. This is why music is practically always a part of religious services. Wether it be a Hindu Mantra, the chant of a Jewish cantor, the call to prayer of a Muslim muezzin, a simple Christian hymn or a Bach Cantata, the purpose of music is to raise the vibratory rate of a congregation through a series of overtones to a spiritual level.” (Lewis 1986).  

All sound is vibration measured in frequency and wave length. All matter is vibration which can also be measured in frequency and wavelength. When vibration slows in three dimensional space, it begins to manifest itself as various forms of matter. Very slow vibrations can become dense with a lot of mass. An example of this is may be granite rock. As the rate of vibration speeds up, density and mass begin to dissipate accordingly. A high rate of vibration is found in violet light. Thought is also vibration happening at a high rate.

Could it be the overtones and pitches found in our musical scale may be those refined vibrations which have the ability to effect physical, emotional, mental and spiritual change in an individual? Sound has been used to break up kidney stones, sketch the underwater terrains of oceans and photograph pictures of unborn children. Can the refined sounds of music be used as a conduit to shift and lift earthbound souls closer to the unseen higher realms of spirit? This seems to be the case during reported gatherings involving transcendent ceremony and ritual.  At very deep and profound levels, these participants tend to move into altered and shamanic states which seem to transform consciousness.  

Music which intends to spiritually motivate and uplift to higher states may be the catalyst needed to effect shifts in the physical vibrational field which then translate to the emotional, mental and spiritual fields as well. An example of this may be “ ...a Hindu Mantra, the chant of a Jewish cantor, the call to prayer of a Muslim muezzin, a simple Christian hymn or a Bach Cantata...” or tribal rituals used to induce a trance state in order to receive higher understanding.

Joy usually brings about a feeling of lightness, depression usually brings about a feeling of heaviness, and peace usually brings a feeling of blissful centeredness. The high register sound of a woman’s choir or a harp is normally considered light and airy. The low register oscillating notes of an organ, double bass or piano are normally considered dark, scary and heavy. The middle registers of any instrument is considered its center point or home base, the place to which you always want to go out from and return.  

In a very real sense, music has the ability to alter the vibratory rate in either direction of those within its field if that is the intention. For some reason, well placed musical notes can cut through the clatter of incessantly busy minds long enough for it to be stilled. In this state of mental calmness, mind is able to receive and listen. In this calm state, it becomes a two way channel for enlightened information.

When one walks into a sacred space, change or altered state is brought about through environment. If a scared space is enhanced with a sacred music written in a sacred manner with the intent to elevate, again they are altered.

Music can also work in the other direction to lower vibration in order for one to connect with lower thought forms. It is very important to choose your music wisely. The effects can carry very real and subtle consequences. This kind of music is often accompanied by messages and life styles which promote separation, fear, anger and self destructive attitudes. 

Music of a higher vibration will tend to reflect an attitude oneness, positive motivation, love and open mindedness. Somewhere in the middle is the music which sedates and causes a lethargic attitude of non involvement, complacency, close mindedness and laziness. Which kinds of music do you listen to? Why?

I have been very fortunate to train with a master level musician who has brought these subtle aspects of sound and music to my attention for examination over the years. My instrument of choice for lifting vibration is called the Imratguitar. It is the only guitar designed to date which access these overtones and higher vibrations. The use of sympathetic strings, wood resonation, perfection of tuning, perfection of note, technique and a well trained ear allow the shift to occur. The Imratguitar allows the musician to go straight to the heart of the vibrating note and sound and lift the musician, listener and environment to a higher vibrational level.  

Thanks for all the support and learning I received from every one over the past year. It was a joy and honor working with old friends and meeting new ones. I am very thankful to all who have crossed my path and shared a piece of themselves with me.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.” Albert Einstein

Some of my music intentions for the coming year.

1) Mosby Open String Studies for Guitar is finished and edited. This is a songwriters guitar manual. It is for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of open string chords, scales and theory in order to move beyond the standard G, C, F, D, A, E chord progressions. It will hopefully be ready for internet launch in February. 

2) Mosby Music Moments is a monthly music blog starting in January with room for feedback. These are short informational essays on interesting music topics. The goal is to stimulate conversation and helpful insight about how we find music placed in our lives and thoughts about its potential effects. I will also cover ways to creatively bring various aspects of music into our lives for healing, uplifting and general enjoyment.

3) April 17 is a concert with my Guruji Ustadt Imrat Khan, his son Shafaat on tabla and myself on Imratguitar at the Ethical Society. I hope to focus my performance efforts on more community based concerts of the highest standards to raise awareness for planetary and humanitarian causes. 

This concert will benefit the homeless with hopefully all ticket sales proceeds going to Community Alternatives. This is an organization which helps the homeless population dealing with heart disease, mental illness and other acute ailments. 

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Okay, what are some of your 2010 intentions or goals? The simple act of writing them out will increase the likely hood of it happening 10 fold. Please share if you like. Thanks again for your time and good thoughts and I hope to see you at the next concert.

HNY - Todd