Marcy Westcott is a Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Instructor with advanced certification in MMI Mindfulness@Work through the McLean Meditation Institute of Sedona, Arizona and Santa Barbara, California.
Related link:
www.thestillstatemeditation.com
In today’s noisy world, we need to be much more in touch with the sacred. Music can teach us to appreciate the sacred and beautiful.
I started playing drums in fourth grade but it wasn’t until I was in high school that I had a soul-rattling experience with music. Dr. Walter Chestnut directed the Central Massachusetts District Concert Band. We played the “Chorale and Alleluia” by Howard Hanson. Although the entire piece is enthralling, it was the silence after the final climactic note that affected me so strongly. The conductor savored the space between the ending of the piece and the moment he dropped his hands - indicating to the audience that the piece was over and they could applaud. The conductor alone held that power. I never saw anyone take the helm of music’s intensity before. Dr. Chestnut taught me how music can be sacred and transcendent.
Corporate America may call this type of awareness “soft skills.” I think it’s more. I can say with firsthand experience that we, as a society, are sorely lacking in the appreciation of the sacred.
I lead music therapy groups and constantly have to remind staff that something special is going on in the music group. I deal with a lot of interruptions: staff chitchatting, clanging chairs, and yanking group members from the group while the music is happening. I’ve been in the middle of leading “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” with 100% engagement from my group members and “Brrrrrrrrrrr!” - a staffer runs a food processor in the middle of our special moment! That’s a lack of awareness of the sacred. While I’m leading a music therapy group, I’m focused on using the music to connect group members and create moments. When a meaningful music therapy session is taking place and I’m a staff member, perhaps I can wait until after the session to open the door and fling a soda can in a recycling bucket in the room. Sacred!
I’ve played drums for musicals and some audience members in the front row have their feet on the stage. During a performance, that stage is sacred - just ask Madeline Kahn! I guarantee people that prop their feet up on a stage during a show have never been on stage in a performance. They couldn’t - no performer would do that to another performer. We must learn and teach what is sacred.
The martial arts do an admirable job teaching the sacred. The first thing you are taught is to remove your shoes and bow before stepping onto the training mat - this is to honor the martial art, instructors, and history.
Let’s increase our awareness of the sacred. Here are some strategies:
Become aware of special moments and consciously savor them.
Journal about the magic moments in your day.
Meditate and savor being in the moment.
Breathe deeply. Remind yourself to increase both inhales and exhales.
Begin a habit of waiting to speak after someone speaks to you.
Be on the lookout for special things that are happening all around you. I remember being at a wake for an individual who lived at a group home and the sister of the deceased wanted to thank the staff in a very heartfelt way. However, the house manager was five feet away and couldn’t get the hint that this was a sacred moment and he should probably come closer to hear what this woman wanted to share.
I don’t mean to come across negative but our awareness of the sacred seems to be dwindling. We all need to work on this - myself included!
Schedule time each day to simply think in silence. Feel free to jot down notes while you do.
Brainstorm 3 quality questions for each of your 16 roles and do it with a positive mindset.
Take time to dictate your experiences of the day in an audio journal.
When you finally lay your head on your pillow at night, smile and review a few good things that happened - no matter how small.
Listen deeply to music that speaks to you with your complete attention.
Explore music that is out of your comfort zone. For example, give classical and jazz music a try. Most of the pop music I hear, seems to be designed to get you tapping your toe. It’s usually not created to give you a soul-rattling experience. Here’s a piece to take your breath away - if you’re brave enough to let it.