I just put up some songs I’ve written and/or composed. Feel free to check them out and download them if you like. Since I’m on the topic, I thought I’d write about music today.

Music plays an important role in our world. This divine art form can be so much more than a mere form of entertainment. It can uplift your soul and bring you to a higher state of being. Being a musician myself, I appreciate the gift of music. It has been an important part of my life. Here’s a quote I like:

The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted.

- Abdu’l-Baha

I like how this quote describes music as “the food of the soul and spirit”. There have been times in my life when I have been very immersed in music, playing for hours a day. After playing and/or singing for a couple of hours, I would feel like my soul was on a different plane. Music is a world of its own, and when you get really focused and deep into it, the feeling is amazing.

I have also used music for chanting prayers or sacred Writings. If you are into prayer and meditation, I recommend trying it out - you can just pick a verse and come up with a simple melody to chant. The harmony and repetition have a profound effect, and it can be a deep meditative experience.

Although music is a wonderful, profound art form, we should consider both the positive and negative effects of the music we are listening to. Here’s another quote I like:

We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.

- Bahá’u'lláh

Going with the ladder analogy, we could consider that a ladder can go both up and down. Music can uplift and inspire, but it can also increase anger and depression, promote sexism and materialism, or be used as a harmful propaganda tool. Music can be used in advertising to try to manipulate you to buy something you don’t need. It can influence young children to think that violence and irresponsible sex are cool. We can look around and see many negative uses of music in our society. It’s sad to see this
happening. I have seen the phrase “prostitution of the arts”, and I think that’s what’s happening around us in many ways.

I have come to the conclusion that it’s important for me to be mindful of what I listen to. I still can’t say that I’m perfect in this arena - I’ve given up a lot of music that I used to like, but even now probably not all of the music I listen to is 100% wholesome. However, I have found that as I become more spiritually centered, a lot of the more negative music that I used to enjoy is not longer appealing to me.

If anyone is out there reading this, please share your thoughts on the subject. What does music mean to you? What do you think about the possible positive/negative effects of music?

Once again, if you’re interested, you can find some of my music here.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.