Music revealing religious/spiritual truth?

I haven't used these forums in a while, so I want to start back by discussing something dear to my heart.


Many times when I am playing music, or listening to 'good music', I get certain feelings in the bottom of my stomach. Sometimes I think I am understanding something greater than myself; that I am branching out and gaining some form of wisdom by opening myself up to the truth that is music.

But I don't think the music itself is the answer. I think the feelings you get when you listen to good music touch on something greater... and you can call that God, or spirituality, or whatever, but I think the music is just a vehicle to get you to that higher place.


Has anyone thought about this at all?

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No stream rises higher than its source. What ever man might build could never express or reflect more than he was. He could record neither more nor less than he had learned of life when the buildings were built.

FLW

Personally I don't get as deep as you've described. I do get tingles whenever I hear a good P&W song, a well played guitar solo or bass line.

Music has great power to stir emotions on a deep level.

I think certain arrangements, instruments, melodies etc evoke certain feelings and when the lyrics hold meaning to the listener the combination can create powerful emotional responses. A good musician or lyricist can convey emotion and meaning through their instrument or lyrics.

As a non-Christian I would find a spiritual/emotional connection in certain songs by certain artists or bands. My interpretation of their lyrics added to the sense of connection and significance. The music/lyrics would unlock emotions and meaning for me.

Music has amazing power to move and inspire a variety of responses (negative and positive). It is also a powerful way to lock a message into ones memory. Think of the many lines of lyrics you can remember from songs compared to the number of bible verses you remember ;-) Anyone remember the Scripture in Song stuff? :-) ~ alot of those songs seem corny now but they got alot of scripture into my memory attached to their melodies.

As a Christian I have wondered whether the feelings of spiritual/emotional connection to God that are touched by 'praise and worship' music are just an human response to music or if this is truly 'spiritual'. At this point I've concluded that human beings are designed to respond to the spiritual power of music and you see it at secular concerts as much as in churches (eg joy, pleasure, arms raised etc). So we are seeking a spiritual experience and music is a vehicle for it whether we are seeking God or not.

Some might say it is being emotionally self indulgent, or seeking a feel good experience through music. Anything wrong with that? Music certainly can sooth the soul.

It will be interesting to read the thoughts of others on this subjective experiential topic. There could be all sorts of interesting ideas about the spiritual origins of music; the power of music to inspire or corrupt; who and how (or should) we judge the merits of music; are some genres 'evil' or is it lyrics that make a song positive or negative (e.g. if it sounds like grindcore but has 'christian' lyrics is it ok? or is it more important for it to be relevant to the listener regardless of genre? etc ...)

Whatever one's beliefs, I think everyone who can hear is grateful for a world with music.

Great reply.

I think you can get a sense for the morality, demeanor, and mood of a song in instrumental ways, many times much stronger than any lyrical way.

Music that has a tempered melody and shows respect for all the sonic ranges and tonal sensibilities can be deemed to be 'good' just for these reasons. And if you look at the lives and personalities of people who know how to temper melody, you will see a connection to positive morality.

Interesting stuff to think about. Could a song with no lyrics whatsoever have more of a divine connection than one with lyrics talking about praising God? Perhaps...

__________________
No stream rises higher than its source. What ever man might build could never express or reflect more than he was. He could record neither more nor less than he had learned of life when the buildings were built.

FLW

Good point about instrumental music. I find certain pieces by Bach and Mozart particularly moving and I could add to that Joe Satriani and Steve Vai :-)... and the list goes on...

Is the ability to feel moved by music due to the deeper psycho/acoustic/spiritual nature of music? And how much of this response is connected to our cultural conditioning to certain sounds, instruments and melodic/harmonic devices? Having said that, I have felt moved by music from unfamiliar cultures. It amazes me how something in the sound can have that effect on the mind and emotions.

And that's only the musical arts. We also respond to visual art, dance, poetry etc. We are made in the image of a creative God. And for those who don't believe in God, the pleasure and joy of music and other art is still a wonder of existence.

I like your point about getting the mood etc in instrumental ways. I find that too. I think the composer of a piece is very happy to know the music has done that to a listener.

I thought of JS Bach when I read your second paragraph.

Regarding the divine connection without lyrics, I think it can. People throughout all time from all cultures and faiths have experienced this. This desire to make a spiritual connection (especially through music and other creative art) is an amazing innate aspect that the human race share

You are absoultely right.

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“And Jesus said to love the children and be like children. And He said, ‘Whoever humble yourself like this child is the greatest among me’. And He always surrounded himself with children. And that’s how I was raised to believe and to be like that and to imitate that. I don’t know what you’re trying to make out of this.“ - Michael Jackson