There has been a steady, if not needed rise into mindfulness and its effects on our wellbeing. Mindfulness has a few elements to consider as to what it means to each of us.

Music and Mindfulness

Where to start? Always best in my view to start with a statement. According to web sources, mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment. It is a skill one develops through meditation or other training. Mindfulness derives from sati, a significant element of Buddhist traditions, and based on Zen and other meditation techniques

So there we have our starting point. How can music play its part in mindfulness? Music has for me, always given something more than just music. There is such variety in music and each of those styles reaches out to different people, emotions and feelings.

Mindfulness

So what sort of music aids mindfulness? Well I guess to a degree that depends on what each person wants or needs. Some music is perfect for mindfulness, calming tunes with no words wandering a path. Music can carry you into that space, needed to help you release the inner spirit. For me the best sort of music has no words, a piece that pure instruments. Again however, if you pick a brass band piece you might end up being a bit overwhelmed.

The other side of music and mindfulness is how it can affect the body. Calming music does soothe the soul. It has physical effects, lowers blood pressure, reduces heart beat and can help clear your mixed thoughts. Of course an upbeat rock track may well do the opposite and still give an uplift.

For me, to relax I like a certain style, instrumentals, soundtracks or classical. But, it has to be the right versions of those. Take the following works. Tangerine Dream are a band I have often spoken about. They formed in the late ’60’s as an electronic band from German. I first discovered them in the 70’s when I heard Encore a live album. Two tracks, Cherokee Lane and Monolight both made me think about mediation and how relaxing they were. I have often listened to them to aid my writing.

The right music

What is the right music? It is I guess anything that you find fits both your needs and moods. Is mindfulness just about being calmed or is it about lifting you into a better frame of mind? What might something like the Planet suite make you feel? Is there something new to try or something heard from the radio?

Over the past year or so, I have listened more to one station, Scala. It plays classical, soundtracks and more. OK so no pop but you can get that elsewhere if needed. It is veery good, it is uplifting and yes you can find mindfulness as you need. Sometimes all it takes is a simple tune to reach inside and leet your mind wander places it thought were lost.

Tagline: Let music be the food of the brain not just of love.