appearing as cover article for Yogi Times magazine, July/August 2004
by Lloyd Barde Copyright 2004

Sound is everywhere in our lives. You might even say that the world is an extremely noisy place. Music, which is sound manifest in intricate forms that rise out of the creative spirit, is one of the most enriching aspects of this universe that we can give to ourselves and share with others. As pure enjoyment, as treasures stored in our memory banks, as soundtracks for our very lives, music permeates our senses unlike any other form. And as a powerful tool or source for a varied array of intentional effects, music is unparalleled as far as what is possible to be done with it. Music can heal, and it can transport us to other realms of consciousness. It can provide respite, escape, and, as they say, "soothe the savage beast". It can help us get in touch with our feelings, enhance our sensitivity and receptivity, and enable us to tap into our true inner being. The power of music can be all encompassing, and while this is far from a new discovery, it may surely be a continual one.
In a recent speech aired on Public Radio, the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said spoke of how "Music creates a practical utopia" and that "It's a silent art; how it manifests in sound is separate from ideas or ideology…" In part he was speaking directly to how music has the ability to unite those with common backgrounds that are found solely in their shared love of the musical expression, even when their cultures, political views and life in general are as far apart as night and day.

A couple of years ago I was fortunate to attend the WOMAD Festival in the Pacific Northwest, a wondrous outdoor event with musicians from all over the globe. A personal and emotional highlight for me was at the stage where Yair Dalal, an Arab / Israeli master musician, had just finished a spirited set of music derived from three bordering cultures that seemed to be forever at odds. He then invited a group of Palestinian musicians, dressed in white muslim and turbans, to share the stage together, and they did so, with ancient ethnic instruments, and their common love of inspired interplay. The tears and joy that flowed from that stage were more than memorable; it was a snapshot of a diverse world at peace, taking into account what was most important in their lives rather than the deep-rooted differences. At the end of their songs, they all embraced at the front of the stage, arms intertwined, with sheer humility and love apparent on their faces. Yair spoke of how they would play "next year at the United Nations and not stop until everyone surrendered". Sadly that did not occur, but the idea of music as "practical utopia" was displayed in three dimensional, full color right there in front of me.

In viewing these possibilities, it is easy to see how another world is created through the power of music, an immediate model for a new attitude that can offer many profound new interpretations. Music shared together can uncover and lead towards bright new ways of seeing the world.

From the beginning of time and even before, music has been an integral part of human culture. In the beginning was "the noise". The pulse at the very heart of the universe While the Hindus call it the Nada Brahma, we prefer the big bang. Our fundamental knowledge of this universe tells us that everything in it is vibrating, is in motion, and has a rhythm. So it is a simple conclusion to arrive at the fact that music has always been here, there and everywhere. The oldest forms of communities were brought together by the call of the drum, and united through the voice, through chants and songs, and through the most rudimentary of primitive musical instruments. These included gourds, rattles, log drums, as well as frame drums and ram's horns as depicted on ancient wall paintings.

Music has always been part of traditional rituals, as well as to make hard labor more palatable. Then there are the well-documented bush telegraph communication systems, which developed through the tribal nature of various drum languages. Certain cultures were even defined by their music, and even now, the various world regions each have their own varied and diverse musical styles that can be easily identified by those who are familiar with them.

Whether to rouse the people or calm the energy, and at the extremes of waging war or endeavoring to create peace, music has always been present. It has the ability to soothe and quiet us as well as excite and inspire. As music came out of the caves and the villages into parlors and orchestra halls, it was discovered that the applications of music are equally found in the field of entertainment, high society, back rooms or bawdy venues. Music is also a powerful tool of great importance to provide healing and therapy for all sorts of ailments and physical and mental challenges. These days, using music as accompaniment in yoga classes is often an essential and integral part of the experience, and the instructors who are able to make careful and accurate audio selections are valued highly.

It has also been found over time that learning music during developmental years enhances memory, improves learning skills, and offers positive outlets for any age. Exposure to music is healthy for young people, broadening their horizons, connecting them to other areas of the world, and allowing for personal tastes to develop in whatever direction they might emerge. And music is known to be a great source of visual imagery. The composer first "hears" the music in his creative imagination through his "mind's ear," with imagery so fully at their command as to be able to feel and portray the effects of every detailed element. To a great degree, the composer creates a universe in which the listener can unfold his or her own musical worlds and forms in a true coming-into-being process.

With the emerging popularity of what came to be known as New Age music over twenty years ago, and the subsequent fast-growing interest in yoga and the healing arts, a number of artists found themselves at the forefront of this new genre. Paul Horn, Steven Halpern, Georgia Kelly, Kitaro and many others were acutely aware of the power of music on more than just vibrational levels. There was an understanding of body music, mind music and spirit music, and the lines in between became at once both blurred and crystal clear. Others came along that explored inner space as well as outer space music, such as Brian Eno, Steve Roach, Jonn Serrie, David Parsons, and Michael Stearns. Then artists that used their voice as primary instruments began to show up, like Sophia, Enya, Singh Kaur, Kirtana and many that followed. Loreena McKennitt took the songwriter arena to new heights. Now the chant style has reached what seems like an endless peak, led by Deva Premal, Dave Stringer, Krishna Das, Robert Gass, Rasa, Thomas Barquee, Snatam Kaur Khalsa, Jennifer Berezan, Patrick Bernard, Donna DeLory, Jai Uttal and many more. World music artists and those who borrow creatively from other cultural modalities are partly represented by Prem Joshua, Anugama, Stephen Kent, Deuter, Cheb I Sabbah, Shastro, Kirby Shelstad, Karunesh, Jonathan Goldman, Samite, Craig Pruess, Glen Velez and countless other artists.

Regardless of your own connection to musical sources, or your own musical repertoire, it is entirely possible to choreograph your own daily life with musical choices, including carefully applied silence. You may prefer to grow your own CD collection (through mail-order sources like Lloyd Barde Productions, 415-924-4848 or www.lloydbarde.com), frequent your local music outlets, download music to your I-pod or mp3 players, listen to internet radio (try www.pandora.com or www.radioio.com) or just party down with your friends at gatherings, yoga classes and other activities. Once you apply these principle to creating your own backdrops, you will find great satisfaction, leeway and freedom of expression.

The power of music is ultimately what you make of it. If you are able to suspend judgement in your listening, discover the connections between the artist and their own human instrument, and let these sounds find a place in your own stillness, then everyday magic can occur. Then your own practical utopia can be created, and taken with you wherever you go.