meditation music?
Apr 30, 2008 by kimyost51 | Posted in Religion & Spirituality
does anyone know any music that is ideal for meditation?
I can only speak from the Tibetan form of Buddhism which I practice.
The only "music" I listen to / perform is the chanting of mantras but that is before meditation never during it. Mantras, however, do not generally fit into the category of music although some less traditional recordings do have instrumentation in the background. For those unfamiliar with the term, "mantras" are chants, usually in Sanskrit words or syllables, used in ceremonies that act as a conduit for the individual saying the chant. Sometimes repeating a mantra is referred to as "japa yoga". The vibrations of the sounds in the mantra help the practitioner clear his or her mind in preparation for mediation. They are frequently repeated using a mala to count the number of times the mantra has been repeated. Mantras usually have two meanings: one is a literal meaning of the words and the other is more esoteric and usually explained by a teacher.
"A meditation technique used a great deal in Tibetan Buddhism is uniting the mind with the sound of a mantra. The definition of mantra is 'that which protects the mind.' That which protects the mind from negativity, or which protects you from your own mind, is mantra. When you are nervous, disoriented, or emotionally fragile, inspired chanting or reciting of a mantra can change the state of your mind completely, by transforming its energy and atmosphere. How is this possible? Mantra is the essence of sound, the embodiment of the truth in the form of sound. Each syllable is impregnated with spiritual power, condenses a deep spiritual truth, and vibrates with the blessing of the speech of the buddhas. It is also said that the mind rides on the subtle energy of the breath, the prana, which moves through and purifies the subtle channels of the body. So when you chant a mantra, you are charging your breath and energy with the energy of the mantra, and so working directly on your mind and your subtle body." (Sogyal Rinpoche from "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying")
When I'm preparing for meditation and reciting the mantra aloud I am very conscious of pronunciation and the resonance (vibration) of the syllables. There are many examples available both on the Internet in mp3 format, on YouTube.com, and on commercial CDs as well. I follow a CD that was recorded by Thomas Ashley-Farrand who has recorded many mantras. When I follow his pronunciation I do experience a definite "cleansing" (for want of a better term) in myself.
The following is from an article that originally appeared in Snow Lion Newsletter (Volume 18, Number 1 Winter, 2004; Ithica, NY).
"Tibetan Buddhist mantras are words originally spoken by a Buddha while deep in meditation. Reciting them helps to replace the endless, internal chatter of the mind with calming syllables that purify karmic imprints, bring beneficial energy, focus the concentration, and offer protection and blessings.
"Chanting a mantra cannot by itself liberate a person from cyclic existence. While chanting, one also must transform and focus one's thoughts. To engage the mind in this way requires preparation -- receiving teachings from a qualified master, reflecting and contemplating on those teachings, and engaging in skillful meditation practice.
"Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche ...shared some basic guidance regarding the use of mantras and malas (Tibetan rosaries) in Tibetan Buddhist practice. While the information Rinpoche provides here relates specifically to his tradition in the Kagyul school of Buddhism, much of it also holds true in other traditions as weII. Mantras are customarily an important aspect of Tibetan Buddhist practice. They usually correspond to specific deities; each deity has one or more mantras associated with him or her. Therefore, the reason for reciting a specific mantra is the wish to achieve the qualities associated with that specific deity. If someone wishes to develop discernment, they might meditate on Manjushri and recite his mantra. If purification is the main emphasis in practice, meditation on Vajrasattva and the recitation of his 100-syllable or six-syllable mantra is recommended. The most commonly practiced mantra is OM MANI PADME HUM, the principal mantra of Ayalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all buddhas. The development of impartial love and compassion is the essence of spiritual practice; in the same way, this mantra is, the essence of all mantras. Its six syllables prevent rebirth in the six realms of samsara, and contain the essence of the buddhas who liberate the six realms, and also the essence of the six perfections practiced in the mahayana.
"[Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche stated,] 'The fundamental reason for the use of mantras in meditation on deities is that a deity's mantra is no different than the deity him or herself. You can regard the recitation of mantra as calling a deity by name, and indeed, many mantras are phrased in that way. But really, a mantra is more than the deity's name—it is the deity appearing as sound. For that reason, the written form of a mantra is regarded as a type of nirmanakaya buddha.... According to our tradition, all Buddhist mantras were first taught by the historical Buddha or his emanations. Since many Tantras describe the use of malas, and we believe them to have been taught by the Buddha, we also believe the use of malas dates back to his time.'"
Listening to music (even mantra chanting) during actual meditation would, in my opinion, interfere with the process of meditation itself. Chant mantras (or listen to music for that matter) before -- in preparation to -- meditation; but during and even after meditation -- nothing.
Hope this helps.
May all be at peace.
John
John P (I'm only a bug) | May 03, 2008
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