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Category: The Arts

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November 15
2011

Music that Raises — or Lowers — the Emotions

Alan
united states

Question

Why is it that I get easily moved by some secular music, like soft rock and others, but when I listen to spiritual hymns, chants and kirtans I don’t feel very moved by it? Does this mean that I am not really very spiritual?

David Eby

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Alan — what an excellent question, and a very important one! The fact that you are wondering if you are spiritual indicates that you have a high degree of spirituality — even to want to know God takes very very very good karma!

As far as spiritual hymns go, I must confess that, growing up in a Presbyterian Church, I never found the music to be as moving for me as it was for many others. As for chanting and kirtan, there is a lot out there, not all of it inspiring.

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May 24
2011

The Power of Uplifting Music

Billy
Earth

Question

Did Yogananda ever say anything about music ?

was he against people listening to music ?

David Eby

Ananda Village

Answer

Yes, Yogananda wrote quite a bit about the power of music! A great place to start is in Chapter 15 of the Autobiography of a Yogi. Don’t let the title of the chapter throw you off: The Cauliflower Robbery!

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December 29
2009

How to hit the right note

Jaya
U.A.E

Question

I am an aspiring singer. I put in a lot of hardwork for my music. In addition, during meditation, I use the prayer demand from the whispers of eternity which says " Every sound that I make let it have the vibration of Thy voice" to get the Lord’s grace. Will it help? Also whenever I am not able to sing the right notes (and this happens often) I am completely devastated. It puts me off for an entire day. How can I detatch myself from the results and not expect too much ?Please help.

Jaya

David Eby

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Jaya — perhaps my article on The Sacred Art of Singing would help! I’ve written about how to tap into Divine Inspiration as you sing.

Our egos love to get in the way and make us feel poorly after making mistakes — don’t buy into it! Unlike skiing blunders, you haven’t hurt yourself or others, and the best way to improve is to allow yourself to make mistakes, but keep your aim ever high!

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December 15
2009

Meditation and Music

Jaya
U.A.E

Question

Dear experts,

My life has never been the same after i came in touch with Yogananda’s teachings. I am a beginner in meditation and use the basic meditation technique on your site. Of now I do around 30-40 minutes every evening. I am also an aspiring singer with a good voice and vocal range but am struggling to hit the right notes. My question is if I sit on the chair, that I use to meditate while practicing music will the vibrations help me in improving my music?

Thank you so much

Jaya

Guest Minister

Answer

Dear Jaya,

Try it and see!

I would imagine that it would indeed help, especially if you meditated for even just a few minutes before practicing.

The meditation will give you more centeredness, relaxation, and better concentration, which cannot help but improve your singing.

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January 29
2009

Space, light, and harmony

priyal
India

Question

Namaste,

I am an architect and have been wondering, if spaces have an aura (positive or negative vibes) about them.

If so, how is it possible to design spaces with certain postive aspects.

Maria

Answer

Priyal, you bring up a very good question. The yogic teachings state that everything is this universe is conscious, including the so-called inanimate objects. Thus, buildings and dwelling places have a certain “feeling” about them, generated, among other things, by their design.

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