Mindful Moment #44 - The Beat Goes On

The Beat Goes On

It is always a strangely magical experience when a piece of music stuns me. How does a collection of instruments and voices become something so powerful that my mind can be shifted into another realm of understanding? A song can move my body as much as my mind. It can send me soaring into the atmosphere with my imagination. It can bring tears to my eyes with joy as often as sadness. It can put me in a trance if I let it. And when no one is listening too closely, it can make me a singer as talented as any pop star.

I chase that experience, looking for the magic, hoping to find the next stunning song that will open up my mind like a rusty old lock that finally got oiled…turning the tumblers to a different space in my psyche where I can be awestruck or inspired or simply moved in a new way. If I can ever grasp how to harmonize with someone else, I know that some new piece of my brain will delight in the ensuing chemistry.

I mention music this week because I was stunned by a song I happened upon by accident. This piece gave me a strange sense of hope in the face of all of the continuing troubles we have been experiencing as of late. It made me feel like dusting off my mom’s old keyboard and taking up my old songwriting hobby again. It made me look up my old favorite albums to hear them anew with this inspiration in my heart. It made me hear songs I usually ignored coming from my kids’ devices in a differently delighted way. And yes, I have become an informed parent who understands that *every* song my little one is hearing might be as delightful to her as these new songs are to me. I’m so excited for her and will totally be her deejay every time we take a ride in the car.

Perhaps it was the skill of the musicians who performed that song that touched me so deeply, or perhaps it was recognizing something deep within myself that aches for the ability to communicate and connect with others so deeply. I have a long history of aching for better communication skills. I’ve defaulted to writing because I am sometimes so choked in my ability to verbalize ideas and concepts that I find myself quite secluded from other humans. That’s why most of my closest friends are also writers. We get each other. But life often demands us to speak up—for ourselves and others.

How can we take the gift of song and transform it into a voice lesson that applies to our interpersonal relationships? Let’s try something that focuses on (you guessed it) the throat chakra.

Since it is the center of communication in your body, both internally and externally, it is important that you spend some energy focusing on maintaining the throat chakra. When it is blocked or out of alignment, you probably find yourself struggling to express yourself. Your creativity may be dulled or stagnant. You may have anxiety about speaking up for yourself. You may avoid social interactions. You may find it hard to listen to others or even yourself. You may also have physiological symptoms related to your throat or thyroid.

For our meditation, please find a comfortable place to sit or lay down. If you’d like to listen to something, the frequency 741hz is recommended for the throat chakra. Blue is the color associated with this chakra, so you may want to hold or wearany blue stones you might have (lapis lazuli, sodalite, aquamarine, or turquoise, to name a few), light a blue candle if you have one, or wear something blue. Of course, you can also simply imagine it. And if you want to do any out loud singing out of earshot of others, maybe sit in your car?

Drop your shoulders, close your eyes, and soften your face. Breathe deeply, hold for a count of five, and release. Repeat at least four times. Continue to breathe deeply while you focus on the base of your neck where the neck meets the collarbone.

I want you to hum softly to activate your vocal cords. Feel the vibration in your throat. If you can match pitch with the 741hz frequency you may be listening to, try holding that note with a long slow exhale. Envision the vibration of your voice creating pathways along your nervous system. Feel the vibration extending down your arms, down to your heart chakra, solar plexus, sacral, and root chakras. Envision a blue light pulsing along your nerves all the way down to the soles of your feet and up to the top of your head. Bring the energy back to your throat and send it out again. If you have a favorite song you know by heart and love to sing, please sing it. Feel how your body receives the notes you are singing.

Beyond your body, I want you to envision the frequency of your voice extending into the environment around you. You are sending your energy out to become part of the song of the universe. You are a member of a choir that includes everything from the chirp of a cricket to the sound of the wind whipping through treetops. Your voice is joining the crash of ocean tides and the sound of icicles dripping from the eaves. Receive the echoes of the universe back into your throat chakra as a source of energy you can use to power your own voice.

Consider the following affirmations and say them out loud:

• I hear and speak the truth.

• Creativity flows in and through me.

• I am safe and trust others to allow me to express myself truthfully.

• I listen to my body and feelings.

• I cherish my role as a member of the universal choir.

• I speak with clarity, honesty, and confidence.

• My words are valid, as is my silence.

• I honor my truth and embrace my voice.

• I understand when to listen.

Continue to breathe deeply while you take a few minutes to listen to the sounds around you. Sing another song if you like. Go forward into your day keeping your intention focused on your voice.

Remember that your voice matters, friends.

As always, namaste.

Amy

INSPIRATIONS THIS WEEK

We’re feeling inspired by these incredible and thought provoking pieces:

The Truth About Aliens Is Still Out There
What were those three “aerial objects” downed following the Chinese spy balloon?
What Drives Children to Choose Compassion?
Children constantly assist others every time they need help if there is no personal cost to helping, a new study reports.
Earth-size exoplanet spotted just 72 light-years away
Researchers hope to discover more exoplanets in the K2-415 system.

That’s all for today, y’all – remember, taking time to focus on you is an act of love.

We hope you found this helpful – don’t hesitate to reply with any feedback on how we can improve future Mindful Moments! We can’t wait to hear from you.