by Ann Harrison
The fact that music is a powerful tool that connects us to God’s gift of spiritual healing from within ourselves has been widely ignored for many years.
Music has been a vital part of spiritual and healing rituals for centuries in every nation and culture around the world. Most of the music that was created by composers, throughout history, was used as a source of healing. Composers also used music to preserve the history of their native cities and towns, through song. As Western music has evolved, many people have used popular music as merely entertainment, whether by attending concerts, using music as a backdrop for an event, or in a private setting.
This phenomenon is changing, however. People are beginning to discover the greater gifts that music offers, by delving deeper into the melodies and rhythms this art form provides. Many books and articles have been written about the spiritual healing powers of music. Music is not only a source of emotional healing, music has also been found to be therapeutic for cancer patients, stroke victims, and people who suffer from varying degrees of mental and physical injury or illness.
Let me share with you my own story about learning to use music as a source of divine healing. First of all, when I was a child, one of the house parents at the school for the blind I attended, used a jingle bell to guide me from the cottage to either school, or the dining hall. Although this was thought to be the wrong way to teach me how to familiarize myself with the area, little did I know that this would be the beginning of my love of music.
Throughout my school years, when I would get angry at someone, or I simply wanted some time to myself, I’d turn on my favorite music and bask in it. When I came back to live with my parents after being emotionally and verbally abused by my ex-husband and his family, I turned to one artist in particular. I played his music repeatedly for several months, until I began studying a series of tapes called Understanding the Language of Music, and trying to teach myself how to play the piano. Once I was introduced to instrumental music (particularly classical), I began to open up and let the music resonate through me. This is how I discovered that allowing myself to feel the music, has helped me to let go of the pain I suffered throughout my marriage. To this day, I still turn to music for healing when I need it, and for inspiration.
The next time you are listening to your favorite piece of instrumental music, or popular song, close your eyes (unless you’re driving), and allow the music to resonate through your body. When you delve deep into the heart of the rhythm, melody, harmony, and/or words of a song, you will discover that the music has a richer meaning than you first thought. You may find (as I have), that the words may tell one story within the song, but the music tells a different story altogether. For example, a sad song may have a soothing accompaniment, so don’t rule it out, until you have taken the time to discover the hidden gems within.
About the Author
Ann Harrison is a totally blind author, who grew up in the small town of Rochelle, Georgia, and has moved back to her family home after living in North Georgia for several years. Ann has written many articles of general interest for a number of clients since June of 2010, including the Cordele Dispatch. She has also published a short story entitled “The Big Climb” in Awethology Light. Ann also published a story entitled “The Woods” in December Awethology Light Volume by The #Awethors. She is currently working on several novels, and a self-help book. To read more of Ms. Harrison’s inspirational writings, visit her blog at www.wwannwrites.wordpress.com.
