The Spiritual Practice of Music

This year we are continuing our focus on a spiritual practice the last week of each month. This week we will look at how music an be used as a spiritual practice connecting us with the divine.   

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
​flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” – Plato

Music​ has a way of connecting to our inner being much like silence. It moves us beyond words and expressions to feel and communicate something that ultimately cannot otherwise be stated. Our bodies begin to move and sway to the beat without even thinking as a natural rhythmic way of connecting. We are transported to a higher dimension of connection with ourselves and God.  


Even with my inabilities in making harmonious melodies and constantly fumbling on rhythm, I'm still enlivened at the sound and feeling I get when something connects with me. It makes me aware of the spirit that is moving within me at all times. Often I have a joyful response to the sound I hear, while other times it causes me to introspectively think and search my innermost thoughts and feelings. Both responses open me up to understanding how God is moving in my life in ways I may not have experienced before.  Let's examine closer ways music can be used as a spiritual practice.  

Ways to Use Music as a Spiritual Practice

The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”   - 2 Chronicles 5:13

There are many ways to use music to help you connect spiritually with the divine. Here are a few ways that might be beneficial to you and your spiritual journey.  

1. Freeing and Healing - If we allow ourselves to experience music it can be cathartic. We can have a physical and emotional response. This alone can cause us to release tension, stress, and emotional baggage that has built up over life's overwhelming circumstances. There have been many study's which show the healing power of music, aka "Mozart Effect". So allow yourself to hear the music and move your body in whatever way it is speaking to you.  

• Sing along to your favorite songs
• Make a playlist of music with positive messages for you
• Dance by yourself or with others and withhold your judgment
• Write your thoughts and feelings after listening

2. Introspection/ Meditation - Music can be an incredible way for us to become aware of our true feelings and thoughts. The music can carry us to our own sacred place away from the hustle and bustle of the world.  We can let go of the noises around us and the constant jib jab in our head to focus on the sound and the stillness within. Find yourself a slower tempo song which will decrease your brain activity and create more calming effects. You can utilize many meditations on youtube, or sounds that relax you. 

• Start small with 5 minutes a day of sitting with music
• Focus your thoughts on a particular phrase or question
• Pray with music in the background 

3. Playing/ Creating/ Developing - Playing music can also bring about spiritual connection. Sometimes this is through connecting with others they play with. Sometimes its about giving the talent so others can connect deeper with the divine. The act itself can be balancing and allow musicians spirit to speak. Playing ultimately can lead to creating something original that speaks about you and your God. If you haven't played for awhile pick up your instrument and allow yourself to play. If you don't know how I suggest you start taking lessons to develop a new skill.  

• Set your instrument out to remind yourself to play
• Join a choir or band
• Attend a drum circle where all are allowed to play
• Find a local music store and ask about lessons​​

4. Praying -The lyrics we sing can be our prayers we carry to the world. So when we speak of justice, love, and peace we send our voices out to God. Allow yourself to see this time as a way of praying to God with the words that are before you.  

• Find songs that speak the words you want to pray
• Use Community of Christ Sings and focus on the lyrics
• Attend a hymn festival or show and focus on what is being shared
• Participate with faith communities in chanting​​

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Let's end today with a praise song which really is a prayer to God!  

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Thank you to all those who continue to support this blog and share it with people they know.

This week use music to connect deeper with God.