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Listening to music is a unique way to
enhance essential aspects of your meditation practice. Music connects us
to our emotions, which is key to getting closer to our core personality.
Music meditation is about feeling.
You can combine music meditation with the meditative techniques
described on this site, focusing on the body’s energy.
How Music Affects the Energies in the Body
The following is based on subjective observations from my internal
body laboratory. Your experience in music meditation may lead you to
different results that will be your personal truth.
As a general rule, the more dominant the rhythm, the more it activates
the body’s lower physical energy layers. For example, rhythmic music
might make you want to move in time with the beat. Deep bass tones seem
to anchor music in the lower part of the body, from the pelvic area up
to the solar plexus.
As rhythm fades, music rises higher in the body, focusing more on the
chest—where it seems to speak to the heart. The Indian sage Ramana
Maharshi pointed out that most people gesture toward their chest when
referring to themselves. Mid-range tones in music tend to communicate
with this heart space, connecting to the core self. All solo
instruments, including the human voice, predominantly resonate in this
mid-range, where they communicate directly with the heart.
Higher frequencies in music resonate with transpersonal energy centers
in the throat and head. High-frequency sounds, like those from Tibetan
temple bells, are particularly good at activating these areas. Music
exclusively at this level often feels more like a soundscape than
traditional music. You can find inspiration at Music4meditation.com,
where alpha wave meditation tracks and soundscapes with Tibetan bells
are available.
Can Music Be Used in All Forms of Meditation?
Some forms of meditation transcend the body, time, and space, where
it’s not ideal to listen to rhythmic music like rock. For these,
floating new age music or silence may work better.
However, before venturing into meditations that transcend space and
time, it’s good to become familiar with the body’s pulsating and vibrant
inner universe. Here, music is an excellent catalyst.
What Music Should You Listen to in Meditation?
You should listen to the music that resonates most with you. There
is no universal guide to determining whether certain types of music are
more meditative than others. The key is that the music connects with
your emotions—and only you can truly know what does.
Music Meditation is Best with Headphones
When meditating alone, it’s a good idea to use headphones. This
personalizes and intensifies your experience of the music.
Position and Symmetry Are Important
Sit or lie down symmetrically with your eyes closed. If lying down,
it’s essential to lie on your back. Symmetry matters because the
coherence patterns of brain waves are closely linked to body posture. To
optimize energy flow between brain and body, ensure your spine and head
are aligned as straight as possible. Let your body become still,
avoiding any sudden or unconscious movements.
The Music
Turn on the music with slow, deliberate movements. Don’t listen to
the music in the usual way—allow your attention to explore how your body
responds.
Let me repeat this key point: Don’t listen to the music—listen to your
body’s response to the music.
Breathing
The body and emotions are closely tied to breathing. Let your breath be
deep and natural. Occasionally, pause briefly between inhalation and
exhalation. For a few minutes, breathe out through your mouth. If it
feels comfortable, continue breathing through your mouth for the
duration of the meditation. This will help you sink deeper into the
body. Let your breath and the breath of the music merge.
Feel All of Your Body’s Inner Emotional Reactions as Neutral Energy
Now, use your innocent, natural "aha-awareness." Don’t distinguish
between positive and negative feelings—just feel everything as pure
energy playing within your body’s inner universe, without judgment or
interference.
Kind regards,
Gunnar Mühlmann
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