Well, I was looking forward to this blog and at the same time I was not.
I am not very religious… but I am very spiritual. I practice a faith that is very down to earth, loving of nature, and not very interested in the magic that is Harry Potter (Not that we do not like Harry Potter).
We do not get into big groups (though there are the louder ones that do, I do not tend to mingle with them) because we individually answer the questions inside.
To make up for my lack of a “church” I have had to find other ways to be spiritual in public. I adore chants if I can join in. Anytime a large group of people are united in a thought there is a powerful feeling of joy inside of me. I have the chance to be a part of something big.
Performances are very important to me too. Solos are nice and all, but I would much rather be part of a small ensemble. I want to be able to hear the sounds meld and complement each other. Everything should balance (ideally).
Music is very important to me. It is not like I go out of my way to practice my faith, so music is very much a part of practicing my faith. (I am rambling aren’t I?) There are songs that are directed to my faith in particular. I like finding the songs that speak to me instead of using the same songs over and over. There are a few traditions we keep. Those I have spoken and compared with also played a flute (wooden in my case) with some ability and we almost all can keep a steady beat.
Okay… Long story short (too late), music is very important for me spiritually.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I completely agree with you, in the way that you view music. There is nothing like getting an entire mass of people together and singing, or playing an instrument for that matter. I think that that is why I'm so drawn to band...Have you ever thought of going to a unitarian church? It's very spirtual, and although it still has the technical name of church they accept people and religions from all over. Just a thought. Enjoyed your blog!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading you're blog, and I found it very fascinating how your particular religion and music are intertwined. When I read you're blog I felt like there was a real sense of spirtuality, and that music only enhances that experience.
ReplyDeleteI, too, believe that music is tool that can be used to enhance one's spiritual exerience or experience of being- regardless of religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the feeling of joining in and making music with others is completely different than solo work.
Thank you for your unique insight. I know it takes guts to talk about religious and political ideas with honesty.
I feel the same way, and it's so refreshing to find someone else who can understand at least a little bit of how I think about this. As you said: I knew there was a reason that we got along so well!
ReplyDeleteI really liked what you said about the unifying nature of music. It is wonderful to see how people of different backgrounds can come together and share a common experience through music. One thing I like about church services (at least in my experience) is that they do not focus on the individual performer, but rather unite the people in one voice and one purpose.
ReplyDeleteI can easily relate to your being spiritual and not religous. I grew up in a very religous family and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who questions their faith. I think that even those who don't have faith can have a spiritual experience through music. You just have to find what speaks to you. Don't you just love those word verification things. galtersh hahaha
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading your blog. It made gain more understanding on how each person differ in percieving the spiritual world/realm. Some apprehend it through religion. Others, through art. Some, through developing individual beliefs. Others, through obseving other's philosophies. etc. It could also be through a mixture of everything. But, different as they all may seem to be, if you look closely, they are all one in their objective. That is to go closer to unravelling something that is beyond human comprehension.
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly something to be said of the spirituality of both music and nature. Both have tremendous power and can evoke deep spiritual meaning, feelings, etc... I also agree that a group of people gathering together for a common purpose, regardless of the purpose, can create a powerful bond and really help one tap into his/her inner spirituality. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete