C O V E R S T O R Y
YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi
by Lloyd Barde
photography by Jasper Johal
In a recent speech aired on Public Radio, the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said spoke of how "music creates a practical utopia" adding that “It's a silent art; how it manifests in sound is separate from ideas or ideology…" In part, he was speaking directly to how music has the ability to unite those with common backgrounds based solely on their shared love of musical expression, even when their cultures, political views and lives in general are as far apart as night and day.
A couple of years ago I was fortunate to attend the WOMAD Festival in the Pacific Northwest, a wondrous outdoor event with musicians from all over the globe. A personal and emotional highlight for me was when Yair Dalal, an Arab/Israeli master musician, had just finished a spirited set of music derived from three bordering cultures that seemed to be forever at odds. He then invited a group of Palestinian musicians, dressed in white muslin and turbans, to share the stage together. And they did so, using ancient ethnic instruments and their common love of inspired interplay. The tears and joy that flowed from that stage were more than memorable; it was a snapshot of a diverse world at peace, taking into account what was most important in their lives rather than the age-old differences. At the end of their songs, they all embraced at the front of the stage, arms intertwined, with sheer humility and love apparent on their faces. Yair spoke of how they would play "next year at the United Nations and not stop until everyone surrendered." Sadly, that did not occur. But the idea of music as “practical utopia" was displayed in three-dimensional, full color right there in front of me.
By shining light on the possibilities, it is easy to see how another world can be created through the power of music, an immediate model for a new attitude and a profound new interpretation of how we relate to each other. Sharing music together can uncover our similarities, generate respect for our differences and lead toward bright new ways of seeing the world.
From the beginning of recorded history and even before, music has been an integral part of human culture. In the beginning was "the sound." The pulse at the very heart of the universe. While the Hindus call it the Nada Brahma, we know it as the Big Bang. Our fundamental knowledge of this universe tells us that everything in it is vibrating, is in motion, and has a rhythm. So it is a simple conclusion that music has always been here, there and everywhere. The oldest examples of human communities were brought together by the call of the drum and united through the voice, through chants and songs, and through the most rudimentary of primitive musical instruments. These included gourds, rattles, log drums, as well as frame drums and ram's horns as depicted on ancient wall paintings.
Music has always been part of traditional rituals, even being used to make hard labor more palatable. Then there are the well-documented bush telegraph communication systems, which developed through the tribal nature of various drum languages. Many cultures were even defined by their music, so that now, the various regions of the world each have their own varied and diverse musical styles that can be easily identified.
Whether to rouse the people or calm their energy, whether for the purpose of waging war or endeavoring to create peace, music has always been present. It has the ability to soothe and quiet us as well as to excite and inspire. As music came out of the caves and the villages into parlors and orchestra halls, it has become clear that the applications of music are immensely diverse, encompassing everything from the entertainment in both high society, or back rooms and bawdy venues, to providing healing and therapy for all sorts of physical and mental challenges and ailments. These days, musical accompaniment has even become an essential and integral part of the experience in yoga classes. Those instructors who are able to make careful and accurate audio selections are highly valued.
It has also been found over time that learning music during developmental years enhances memory, improves learning skills and offers positive outlets at any age. Exposure to music is healthy for young people, broadening their horizons, connecting them to other areas of the world, and allowing for personal tastes to develop in whatever direction they might emerge. And music is known to be a great source of visual imagery. The composer first "hears" the music in his creative imagination through his "mind's ear," with imagery so fully at their command as to be able to feel and portray the effects of every detailed element. To a great degree, the composer creates a universe in which the listener can unfold his or her own musical worlds and forms in a true coming-into-being process.
With the emerging popularity of what came to be known as New Age music over twenty years ago, and the subsequent fast-growing interest in yoga and the healing arts, a number of artists found themselves at the forefront of this new genre. Paul Horn, Steven Halpern, Georgia Kelly, Kitaro and many others were acutely aware of the power of music on more than just vibrational levels. There was an understanding of body music, mind music and spirit music, and the lines in between became at once both blurred and crystal clear. Others came along that explored inner space as well as outer space music, such as Brian Eno, Steve Roach, Jonn Serrie, David Parsons, and Michael Stearns. Then artists who used their voices as primary instruments began to show up, like Sophia, Enya, Singh Kaur, Kirtana and many that followed. Loreena McKennitt took the songwriter arena to new heights. Now the chant style has reached what seems like an endless peak, led by Deva Premal, Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, Girish, Robert Gass, Rasa, Thomas Barquee, Snatam Kaur Khalsa, Jennifer Berezan, Patrick Bernard, Donna DeLory, Jai Uttal and many more. World music artists and those who borrow creatively from other cultural modalities are represented by Prem Joshua, Craig Kohland, Anugama, Stephen Kent, Deuter, Cheb I Sabbah, Shastro, Kirby Shelstad, Karunesh, Jonathan Goldman, Samite, Craig Pruess, Glen Velez and myriad other artists.
Regardless of your own connection to musical sources, or your own musical repertoire, it is entirely possible to choreograph your own daily life with musical choices, including carefully applied silence. You may prefer to grow your own CD collection , frequent your local music outlets, download music to your I-pod or mp3 players, listen to internet radio or just party down with your friends at gatherings, yoga classes and other activities. Once you apply these principles to creating your own backdrops, you will find great satisfaction, leeway and freedom of expression.
The power of music is ultimately what you make of it. If you are able to suspend judgement in your listening, and let these sounds find a place in your own stillness, then everyday magic can occur. Then your own practical utopia can be created, and taken with you wherever you go.
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