I agree that meditation and the cultivation of self-compassion are essential in healing. But, because of childhood trauma, I could never stay with my breath and other sensations for more than a few seconds. Though I tried for years, I never got any better at it. Even that was useful, but so frustrating, and I would give up on it for long stretches of time.
Then I did some journeys with mushrooms and MDMA. Afterwards, I figured out that if I listened to a 30 to 60 minute section of the playlist I’d used, lying down with headphones as I had during the journey, I could have a “mini-journey.” To my surprise, the effectiveness continued, and I have been doing these sessions nearly every day for nearly five years. I “meditate” on my feelings, my body, and also on the music. It is usually very difficult, but the music supports me, and I am able to stay with my feelings much better than I could sitting on a cushion—perhaps the bed is supporting me as well. This practice has been the best practice I’ve ever found, and I write about it here, believing it might work for others.
I’m not sure if it is necessary to do the journeys first. I’ve been reading the Substack “Beddhism” which describes and recommends a similar practice, but without psychedelics or music. Just feel your feelings, he writes, while lying down.
Hi Zida, your comment is a magical synchronicity :)
Like you, I've found music to be an incredible container for integration, meditation, and emotional connection, and have gotten into the habit of using it as a "vehicle" for the journey inward. So much so that my partner and I are actually working on an idea that would make this type of music-guided inward practice more easy and accessible for people (he's a composer and makes incredibly moving music).
We're currently running a survey for this with friend and family, given your established practice I'd be incredibly curious to hear your thoughts - if you feel called. It includes a 5-minute listening practice with instructions (best enjoyed - as already familiar to you - laying down with eyes-closed and headphones). The whole thing takes around 10 minutes. In case you're willing and curious: https://forms.gle/4NVdoYzEHb68J4hY7
I love that you have established this practice - I think it's one of the most underrated inward practices that can support such profound self-awareness and healing. I'm eager to figure out a way to bring it to more people. I feel it is more accessible than traditional meditation and has the capacity to bridge the gap for those that struggle with more established techniques.
Hi Julia, I was glad to fill out the survey and I wish you luck with your project. I don't know if it's necessary to make this 'music meditation' more accessible--what could be more accessible when all you need is music, headphones, and a place to lie down? But maybe there are ways to make it more tailored to individual needs. Looks like you have lots of ideas! Good luck.
Yes - it‘s definitely not the same anymore… especially for Gen Z. Social media and the smartphone changed everything. We went from albums to songs and now 15 second TikTok videos that have changed how music is both consumed and created 🫠
Thanks for contributing! Well, the idea is to bring it to those people who don't realize the benefit of this practice to begin with. Nobody "actively" listens to music anymore with presence. You are an absolute outlier. Everyone loves listening in the background, but the benefits increase so much when listened with presence... we feel people need a container for that :) Plus AI would curate and personalize the selections for each user (but all music would be human-made). We shall see!
Mm. In my day (ahem!) people treasured their albums and really listened to them. But you would know about young people, and I think that as we age it becomes more difficult to focus. That's a big reason for doing psychedelics which re-ignited my ability to appreciate music, though not to the same degree as when I was in my twenties. But we're in complete agreement that "the benefits increase so much when listened with presence"--as is true for everything. So anything that encourages that. And I'm interested in the AI curating; please keep us informed.
I would be very upset if you left Substack and deleted your account. I look forward to your posts and you are among 4 people that I truly follow. You are the reason I am back in therapy with a therapist who uses IFS. I would get a paid subscription with you except I will be losing my job soon. Thank you and I love your writings!
Thank you Dee for the encouraging words. It means more than you know! I'm so glad to hear that you're doing IFS. I hope you're getting something out of it. I'm sorry about your job, please don't ever worry about the subscription... this is not why I am doing this :) Much love!
I agree that meditation and the cultivation of self-compassion are essential in healing. But, because of childhood trauma, I could never stay with my breath and other sensations for more than a few seconds. Though I tried for years, I never got any better at it. Even that was useful, but so frustrating, and I would give up on it for long stretches of time.
Then I did some journeys with mushrooms and MDMA. Afterwards, I figured out that if I listened to a 30 to 60 minute section of the playlist I’d used, lying down with headphones as I had during the journey, I could have a “mini-journey.” To my surprise, the effectiveness continued, and I have been doing these sessions nearly every day for nearly five years. I “meditate” on my feelings, my body, and also on the music. It is usually very difficult, but the music supports me, and I am able to stay with my feelings much better than I could sitting on a cushion—perhaps the bed is supporting me as well. This practice has been the best practice I’ve ever found, and I write about it here, believing it might work for others.
I’m not sure if it is necessary to do the journeys first. I’ve been reading the Substack “Beddhism” which describes and recommends a similar practice, but without psychedelics or music. Just feel your feelings, he writes, while lying down.
Hi Zida, your comment is a magical synchronicity :)
Like you, I've found music to be an incredible container for integration, meditation, and emotional connection, and have gotten into the habit of using it as a "vehicle" for the journey inward. So much so that my partner and I are actually working on an idea that would make this type of music-guided inward practice more easy and accessible for people (he's a composer and makes incredibly moving music).
We're currently running a survey for this with friend and family, given your established practice I'd be incredibly curious to hear your thoughts - if you feel called. It includes a 5-minute listening practice with instructions (best enjoyed - as already familiar to you - laying down with eyes-closed and headphones). The whole thing takes around 10 minutes. In case you're willing and curious: https://forms.gle/4NVdoYzEHb68J4hY7
I love that you have established this practice - I think it's one of the most underrated inward practices that can support such profound self-awareness and healing. I'm eager to figure out a way to bring it to more people. I feel it is more accessible than traditional meditation and has the capacity to bridge the gap for those that struggle with more established techniques.
Hi Julia, I was glad to fill out the survey and I wish you luck with your project. I don't know if it's necessary to make this 'music meditation' more accessible--what could be more accessible when all you need is music, headphones, and a place to lie down? But maybe there are ways to make it more tailored to individual needs. Looks like you have lots of ideas! Good luck.
Yes - it‘s definitely not the same anymore… especially for Gen Z. Social media and the smartphone changed everything. We went from albums to songs and now 15 second TikTok videos that have changed how music is both consumed and created 🫠
Thanks for contributing! Well, the idea is to bring it to those people who don't realize the benefit of this practice to begin with. Nobody "actively" listens to music anymore with presence. You are an absolute outlier. Everyone loves listening in the background, but the benefits increase so much when listened with presence... we feel people need a container for that :) Plus AI would curate and personalize the selections for each user (but all music would be human-made). We shall see!
Mm. In my day (ahem!) people treasured their albums and really listened to them. But you would know about young people, and I think that as we age it becomes more difficult to focus. That's a big reason for doing psychedelics which re-ignited my ability to appreciate music, though not to the same degree as when I was in my twenties. But we're in complete agreement that "the benefits increase so much when listened with presence"--as is true for everything. So anything that encourages that. And I'm interested in the AI curating; please keep us informed.
I would be very upset if you left Substack and deleted your account. I look forward to your posts and you are among 4 people that I truly follow. You are the reason I am back in therapy with a therapist who uses IFS. I would get a paid subscription with you except I will be losing my job soon. Thank you and I love your writings!
Thank you Dee for the encouraging words. It means more than you know! I'm so glad to hear that you're doing IFS. I hope you're getting something out of it. I'm sorry about your job, please don't ever worry about the subscription... this is not why I am doing this :) Much love!