Importance of Music in Spiritual Practice

It begins from within — the rhythmic thump, thump of the heart. Music guides us right from life’s inception, starting with the rhythm of our mother’s heartbeat echoing around us within the womb.

Music triggers our pleasure centers, releasing ‘feel happy’ chemicals in the brain. In addition to making us feel joyous and elated, music has also been associated with an increase in physical wellness. Music is truly universal in a way that connects us to each other and to Spirit. When created from the heart and with truth and pure intention, it is a spiritual expression of the most universal nature and the highest order. It precedes and transcends culture, religion, and genre, and is a powerful vehicle that carries energetic frequencies to break through the myriad of barriers that separate us.

I have always been passionate about music and sounds, and how they interlace to move the soul. Each beat, lyric, and instrument symbiotically intertwine to give life to the sounds of the Universe. Music has been my constant companion, elevating my life state to higher realms, aiding in my spiritual work, and tenderly moving me like gentle, flowing water.

Music has played a significant role throughout time and continents — Buddhist and Gregorian chants, shamanic journeying, battle chants, rituals, celebrations, and more — it has always been present. I often play a variety of sounds and songs during my rituals, classes, celebrations, and events here at SG, and I have heard from many of you how much you, too, appreciate and connect with the music.

I’ve learned to appreciate music from all over the world, even if I don’t always understand the words being sung. I open myself to the melody and energy in the singer’s voice, or tempo and vibrations of the instruments, allowing them to work their magic on and through me. When I close my eyes, I’m immediately transported into the time those sounds were created. Sometimes I’m dancing in the forest with my Celtic sisters. Other times I’m sitting in a circle with my indigenous American ancestors, as my heart echoes the rhythm of the drums. Music just has that effect on me. It’s my lifeline to the spirit world, to my spiritual work.

Music in spirituality has to move me. It has to transport me to different realms. It has to activate and ignite my emotional body. I find that songs filled with negative lyrics can lower my vibrations. The opposite is true of songs of love, kindness, and connection, that carry high frequencies. While I don’t want to impose my musical preferences on you, I do encourage you to experiment within your spiritual practice — expand your mind to experience new rhythms and sounds, and open your heart to the cultures that created them.

Many of you have asked me about the playlist I use in my classes, events, and personal spiritual work. Well, here it is. I also have several playlists on SoundCloud. I’m opening my musical library and sharing with you music that accompanies me throughout my spiritual journey. These lists are still growing as I evolve and my knowledge of new sounds expands. I’m always seeking new rhythms that contribute to my growth and spiritual evolution. I hope my playlists inspire you in your own spiritual work.

In the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, “Music should be healing; music should uplift the soul; music should inspire. There is no better way of getting closer to God, of rising higher towards the spirit, of attaining spiritual perfection than music, if only it is rightly understood.”

And so it is.

Are you ready to breathe magic into your life? It’s time to unlock your power and your possibility. Join my Living Magic program to bring magic to your everyday life. Each month, we’ll embark on a journey of experiential sessions that cover ways to practice everyday magic, including crystal wisdom and healing, astrology, and sound healing.

Do you love harnessing the energy of the Moon in all her phases? Join my Astrology & Moon Magic community on Facebook, where we share educational tidbits on working with Moon energy, learn about astrology, and engage in lively, wild conversations with other like-minded people.

Are you curious about the medicine of gemstones and crystals? Join my Gems & Crystal Magic community on Facebook, where we share tips and tools for harnessing the magic of gemstones and crystals, educate you on the properties of the most popular stones available on the planet today, and engage in lively, wild conversations with other like-minded people.

Are you a perfume lover like I am? Do you know the healing magic of the oils that are used to make all of our perfumes? Join my Perfume & Aromatherapy Magic community on Facebook, where you can learn about the properties of certain essences, discover how to work with certain blends to manifest your intentions and engage in lively, wild conversations with like-minded people.

I absolutely love and encourage all magical feedback from my readers! However, I do not regularly moderate comments on the Sage Goddess blogs. So if you have a specific question or query that you’d like us to answer, please contact us via our Facebook page.