This is a little meditation for musicians who may be the sort to drift away with the rhythm.
Whether through the beat of a drum or the strum of the fingers or deep breath of the harmonica player,
This meditation is for anyone who plays or loves music.
Let's begin in any position you find comfortable,
Whether that's sitting or standing or lying down.
You might even like to have your favourite musical instrument at hand.
You can keep your eyes open or shut,
Whichever you prefer and you can change your mind at any time.
Perhaps take a moment to settle in by taking any movement you need to,
Whether that's wiggling your toes or stretching your arms.
Then,
If you'd like to join me,
Although feel free to do your own thing,
Maybe tune in to the natural hum and buzz around you.
Have a listen.
Take stock of the loud and quiet noises surrounding you,
Perhaps finding one with an appealing tone or rhythm to focus on for a moment.
If you like noticing pitch,
Volume or tempo,
Perhaps you're flirting between sounds,
Maybe birdsong mixed with the bass of passing traffic.
Would you like to move your fingers or hands to whatever sound or sounds you're listening to?
Perhaps conducting the orchestra of your current world or strumming in harmony.
If you're synesthetic,
You might be conducting an orchestra of light.
If not,
You can imagine a parade of colours accompanying the sounds.
Maybe oranges,
Purples and greens might match the Gs,
The Cs and the A sharps.
While your senses dance to the environmental hum,
What about your body?
Is it relaxed or excited?
Is your jaw slack or tight?
Does your chest rise and fall slowly?
Maybe you play a wind instrument,
A saxophone or blues harp or clarinet.
Or do you own a magic flute?
Your mouth might be relaxed as you think of joining the jam and your diaphragm pulling air into your centre and pushing it out again.
And so the harmony of your body might blend with the background concert.
You might feel connected to your fingers,
Diaphragm or feet.
Then maybe join me in strumming those fingers again,
Perhaps pulling on the strings of a guitar or forming the shapes of chords.
You might make more exaggerated movements like a conductor or drummer finding your own beat.
Perhaps wiggle your toes to allow the melody to flow right through.
What are those sounds around you doing now?
Is the same noise that got your attention before the loudest or was it the quietest?
What else is around you?
Are those sounds close or far?
In the same area as you,
The same room or outside?
Let your hands rest if they are still moving and just pay attention to what's around you again.
You might like to open your eyes if they are shut.
Maybe stretch out or move the head up and down or side to side.
When you are ready,
Let's come back to the day in hand.
Thanks for joining me in this contemplation for musicians.
Keep on until anon.
