Music can do what appears to be so many wonderful internal things. It can (appear) to make one feel all sorts of magical things. Peace, relaxation, joy, love, hope, among a plethora of other positive emotions, and it can even convince us that we are getting closer to God. Conversely, it can (appear) to bring forth feelings of anger, sadness, loneliness, and depression because, at times and for whatever reason, we actually wish to feel these things. For example, drop that Al Wilson in the car and watch me belt out, “OHHH-OHHH, SHOW AND TELL! JUST A GAME I PLAY, WHEN I WANNA SAYYYYYYYYY, I LOVE YOUUUUUU!” Suddenly, with nobody around, I “feel” loving. Another example is if I become discontent or sad due to whatever nonsensical scenario I’ve bought into, I’ll throw on Lily Kershaw. “DON’T CRY, MY ONE! WE’VE ONLY GOT SO MUCH TIME UNDER THE SUN…” Somehow, in that moment, I find myself enjoying “sadness.”
In other words, music can have the ability to make one feel better or worse about themselves than they deserve to feel. Contextually, how is music any different from a drink or a drug? I’m not suggesting that it is this way for everybody or even that anyone should stop listening to music. However, what I am suggesting is that music can be abused. I’ve come to understand this recently during my meditation practices. Observing or watching thoughts and simply allowing them to pass is something I feel that I don’t have too hard of a time doing; however, what plagues me in meditation is music! It is always some stupid song playing on a loop that puts me off! This is because I’ve abused music, or, as somebody else told me, I’ve “gotten off on it” in the past.
It’s not just music; it can be anything that pulls us away from the here and now, but music is something that virtually everyone holds so close to them. Music can be used as time travel for many people, permitting them to feel nostalgic and “remember the good ole days.” Again, this “time travel” is used to be anywhere but here. Now. Just be careful, is all. The music we listen to is also full of messages that we may not even pick up on.
Anyway, examine your music use. Are we listening to change the way we feel?
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