Sitting in bed last night with my iPod Classic next to me, headphones on, I was inspired and amazed at the wonder of this seemingly innocent piece of technology.
Most people take the iPod for granted but you have to admit that it’s pretty mind-blowing to be able to store your entire music collection on a device that fits in the palm of your hand.
Music is hugely important to me. Our collection is fair-sized and eclectic, ranging from hard-rock and metal through pop to classical styles.
As a teenager I loved few things more than being able to lay on the floor of my room with headphones on, close my eyes and enter the worlds that music can inspire in our minds.
Last night, for the first time in years, I did that once again.
Soul Music?
For those of us who accept the reality of the human soul, music is something that reaches us deep within. Many would agree with Plato, who wrote:
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
Music is a deeply personal thing, an expression of our identity and our inner world. It is close to our sense of spirituality. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to import every last tinkle from our entire CD collections onto that iPod. Without it we lose something special.
And yet we can take it for granted.
Sounds That Inspire
I don’t think I have ever met anyone who didn’t, at least at some level, enjoy music. Most religious people use music to express their response to God, the universe or their own experiences too. It’s a really important aspect of both our self-expression and our creativity.
Music can lift and it can bring us down. It’s a powerful mood-affecting, mind-altering tool. If we include lyrics in music then we also combine the magic of language with the wonder of harmony. Those sounds and words can literally rewrite our conscious experience.
And let’s not forget the dance either. We are willing to move our bodies in time with rhythm, expressing and inspiring good feelings and freedom. As I boogied and capered around our bedroom, headphones in my ears, I was left giggling with joy as the music combined with self-conscious fun.
Few have never experienced the power of being lifted and left smiling by a good “up” track while dancing?
And yet.
What Are You Listening To?
For quite a number of years I have been, quite honestly, “too busy” to dance. It’s become possible to go through the day with the music either not playing or merely left to the background. Recently that began to change.
Why is this important?
Music is primal. It gets down into you. It calls you to engage with emotion, imagination and expression. To my mind there are few things that are quite so visceral as music.
Without music my days become grey and easily fall prey to becoming drab. Routine. Ho-hum.
When I put on my headphones last night, for the first time in a very long time, I was transported back to a state of mind and being that reminded me of one of the hallmarks of humanity. Here it was, the music. Creative, expressive, soul-touching and fun.
Children and teenagers know what I’m talking about. Without combining alcohol or drugs to addle the effect they know how to enjoy their music. Often it seems that we just let it wash over us, like so many irrelevant details that surround us every day. Yet this is my call for us to re-experience what our children already know.
Something To Try
You don’t need an iPod to try this little experiment. You do need a little bit of space, time and at least one of your favourite songs.
Switch off the phone, go into a room where you can be alone (preferably at night), and keep the lighting low or off. Lay on the floor, on your back. Play your favourite song (preferably with headphones on) and close your eyes.
Listen.
Really… listen. Let the music affect you.
Then come back and tell us what you felt.
