Since ancient times, music has been used intentionally or not as a tool for healing physical and non-physical imbalances. In recent years we have seen a growing interest in using music to treat illness, improve health, and create well-being.
This use of music is not a surprise if we think that music is a natural way to connect with others, entertain and celebrate, and also express our feelings. It also lifts our spirits into higher realms of experience. In this sense, music has the power to remember that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
This post explains the main aspects of music responsible for its healing power and gives you some examples of healing music.
Music is a Universal Language
Evolutionarily, music came before words. As sequences and superpositions of frequencies and their consequent synergistic effects, it communicates and transmits meaning. Music is an emotional language par excellence.
A good example of this is when people can feel the message of a song even without understanding the language of its lyrics. Unlike the words, music has a universal reach.
Interestingly, you can think of the melodic sounds a baby produces as music. Later, these sounds are used to imitate words. Even languages have their music, in the form of accent, pitch, rhythm, and intonation.
Music is Vibration
Music is organized sound, and sound is vibration. Any matter on the Earth is impacted by vibration: rocks, water, and air. Of course, all living beings including humans are also affected, not just physically, but emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
Sound can bring comfort or discomfort. It can promote healing but also has the potential to harm, depending on the physical properties of a sound and how it interacts with the body. It is well known that exposure to certain types of vibration induces dysfunction and disease in the human body.
Experiments by Ernst Chladni and later by Hans Jenny demonstrate visual patterns created by vibration and how sound interferes with the organization of matter. It certainly makes us imagine the interactions sound has with our bodies.
Moreover, every physical object has its natural frequency. So, it makes sense to think of a natural frequency of the human body, an organ, or a cell. It is also logical to assume that interferences in our body’s frequency can be induced by tuning in to other vibrational frequencies in the environment.
So how do we take care of ourselves? And what are the characteristics of sound that lead us to balance?
Psychoemotional and Transcendent Role of Music
Using music as a tool for healing implies creating an experience of resonance and a feeling of harmony.
For example, the experience of a listener of music in a cathedral is felt with more intensity due to the acoustic properties enhanced by the architecture, such as high ceilings and domes. In this case, the sensation of spaciousness caused by reverberation refers to larger dimensions of existence. It is the resonance between the outer harmony of the universe and our inner being.
In addition, music affects our emotions. It has a lot easier access to the subconscious mind than words and is a great ally to stress relief, creating a sense of empowerment, and increasing focus, among other uses.
The beauty of music is being organized sounds that carry a sense of harmony, it has meaning to our ears. The harmony in music is recognized by our Nervous System as pleasant and is related to the inner harmony of well-functioning cells, organs, and systems, as well as thoughts and emotions. Psychologically, everything is in the right place.
Music is Also Rhythm, and So Are We
Music is also rhythm. How important is to find our own natural rhythm, such as bedtime, wake-up time, or the best time for meals, as part of a daily routine! A healthy life means keeping balance between work, play, and rest, and music can help us to navigate these daily activities. There is a relationship between honoring our internal cycles and mental health. Moreover, for overwhelmed minds, proper music can be a medicine to calm the heart, with a pulse that invites the heart rate to decrease, accompanied by a reduction in the respiratory rate. In such cases, healing with music is deliberately using it to help people to restore balance.
Underlying all human activities, there is an innate state of peace that comes from being connected with the universe, life force, All That Is, or the way you prefer to call it. Many people use music to help them find and keep that state of consciousness.
Examples of Music for Healing
Now I will share with you some healing music I’ve composed. Each of them has a specific intention.
1. Marimba and Harp to induce a calm and positive mood
This relaxing music will make you feel at peace. Calm instrumental background music, nature sounds, and rainforest scenery are a perfect combination for healing and stress relief.
2. Lullaby to induce sleep, bring comfort and tranquility
A lullaby is designed to bring physical and emotional comfort to a child. Of course, we can also use lullabies to comfort our inner children as well! In this lullaby, I use humming, an instinctive and easy way to connect with our hearts and create a connection.
I hope you found this content helpful – feel welcome to leave a comment below!
Credits for the images in this post: 1. flower and score: Michaela (Kranich17); 2. musical notes and galaxy: Fine Mayer; 3. blue surface with vibration: Gerd Altmann (geralt); 4. Monastery of St. Jerome in Granada, Spain: Enrique (ELG21); 5. drum: Manfred Richter (manfredrichter). All images by Pixabay.
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