"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."
We are surrounded by a constant stream of voices; the opinions of others that are directly piped into our ears and minds 24/7. This seemingly never ceasing barrage keeps our minds in a state of hyper-alertness, inhibiting our ability to tap into deeper, more intuitive levels of thought.
Our hypothesis is profound yet straightforward: our technological culture has pushed us towards listening to others talk more, and listening to wordless music much less.
Consciously generated music and sounds have the power to open our subconscious mind. And the subconscious is the the birthplace of insights, inventions, and genius-level ideas.
Allowing our subconscious mind time to "space out" lets us "zero in" on universal knowledge and intuitive knowing. This intuitive knowing is the channel through which the universe and the divine communicate with us.
The Beta Brainwave Trap
Constant exposure to others' opinions keeps our brains in beta brainwave mode.
Listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, and browsing social media videos keeps our brain in beta brainwave mode. Beta brain waves, characterized by active, alert, and focused thinking, are essential for daily tasks and problem-solving but are also linked to stress, anxiety, and fragmented thinking. This state often feels like the constant buzz of activity in our minds.
Good for "getting things done," and less than optimal for tapping into the divine pipeline of intuitive knowing that comes from deep immersion in the present moment.
The Alpha-Theta Brainwave State
In contrast, listening to consciously generated music, especially music without words, helps shift our brains into alpha and theta brainwave states. Alpha brainwave mode is linked to relaxation, creativity, and meditative thinking.
Theta waves, present during deep meditation, connect us to our subconscious mind, where our deepest insights and creative ideas reside. This state is more dream-like and intuitive, connecting with the “spiritual” self.
These states are characterized by feelings of being "in flow" or "in tune" with yourself and your surroundings, which incredibly is a phrase borrowed from musical instruments and their play.
The Power of Music
Music without words, such as instrumental music, ambient soundscapes, and nature sounds, transports us into these meditative brainwave states. This type of music and sounds open our subconscious mind. Without the engagement of the language centers in our brain, instrumental music allows our minds to drift and explore, unlocking the doors to our subconscious.
Consider the works of composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach. Their music, free of words, transcends language and engages our minds in a dance of pure, intuitive understanding. Many find their greatest moments of inspiration and clarity while immersed in such music. This music communicates and creates emotion and feeling despite it lacking the words filling modern pop music.
Why without words? Frankly, because music has the ability with it’s hypnotic melodies and rhythms to lull us into a receptive state of mind, where we essentially “become programmed” with whatever lyrics we are hearing.
Do you feel confident that the artist to whom you listen should be programming your mind with their ideas?
Scientific Support
Scientific research supports the idea that music and meditative states have profound impacts on our mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that listening to music can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood.
More importantly, it enhances creativity and problem-solving skills by facilitating a relaxed and open state of mind.
Meditation, aided by music or silence, increases grey matter in the brain, particularly in areas associated with memory, empathy, and emotional regulation.
Regular meditation also decreases the size of the amygdala, the brain's fear center, reducing anxiety and promoting inner peace.
In the incredible words from Frank Herbet in Dune, “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
Spiritual Connection
From a spiritual perspective, listening to music or engaging in meditation is a form of communion with the divine. Allowing our minds to loosen through meditative states, like listening to consciously generated music, opens this pipeline to the divine - which can be spoken of in terms of "following your intuition" or "listening to your gut."
One can only listen to their gut, if the podcast volume gets turned way down.
Many religious and spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of silence and meditative practices to connect with the higher self or God.
Christianity, for instance, values "silent prayer" or contemplative prayer as a way to quiet the mind and open oneself to divine inspiration. In Buddhism, mindfulness and meditation are paths to enlightenment, transcending the noise of the ego and connecting with the true nature of reality.
The Sufi mystic Rumi beautifully stated, "The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
When we quiet external noise and enter a state of receptive stillness, we attune ourselves to the whispers of the universe and our inner guidance.
Practical Steps to Reconnect
In our hyper-connected world filled with everyone's ideas and opinions (often except your own), it's essential to find practical ways to reconnect with consciously generated music and sounds:
- Listen to Instrumental Music: Dedicate time daily to listen to instrumental music. Classical music, ambient soundscapes, and nature sounds can shift your brain into a more meditative state. The sounds of Himalayan or Crystal Singing Bowls are incredible to listen to.
- Engage in Mindful Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation, focusing on your breath or a simple mantra. Become fully present, letting go of the constant stream of thoughts and external opinions.
- Take Nature Walks: Spend time in nature, listening to the sounds around you. The rustle of leaves, chirping birds, and flowing streams can be profoundly calming and centering.
- Create a Sacred Space: Designate a space in your home for meditation and music. Fill it with objects that inspire tranquility and introspection.
- Limit Exposure to External Opinions: Be mindful of how much time you spend consuming media. Set boundaries and make conscious choices about what you listen to and watch. You become not only the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, but also you become the ideas and opinions of the public personalities to whom you listen to the most.
By consciously choosing to limit our exposure to the constant opinions of others and immersing ourselves in the rich, meditative world of music and sound, we open the door to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universe.
In this state of relaxed awareness, we tap into the wellspring of intuitive knowing, where insights, inventions, and genius-level ideas reside. Creating space for our subconscious mind helps us tap into divine potential and universal knowledge.
