Music can be an integral part to a person's meditation routine. The lack of visual sensations when the eyes are closed can amplify the other senses, and the auditory sense is certainly no exception. Yet, not all meditation is aimed at the same goals. Different music is best for different types of meditation.
Classical Music for Meditation
Today, European classical music is though to be calm and soothing music, though it certainly was not viewed that way at the time it was composed. Unfortunately, many associate it with "elevator music" or commercials now, so it has begun to lose some of its appeal as soothing music. It should only be used as soothing music for meditation by those who appreciate it and enjoy it. In general, classical music played with only the piano sounds sadder and more relaxing, while music played with the full orchestra sounds more upbeat and exciting.
Ambient Music Meditation
Ambient, or sound based music can be very useful and very popular for relaxation. There exist numerous online radio stations that contain ambient music. The website Newgrounds also has tens of thousand of homemade audio tracks for free download, and an entire section devoted to Ambient music. Like classical music, Ambient music can have different associations for different people. Some associate it with calm introspection, others see it as wild party music, and still others think of it as nothing but strange noises.
Ethnic Music Meditation
Ethnic music is the music from native cultures around the world. This can include native North American traditional music, music from the early Irish culture, African rain dance music, music from rural India, or ancient Chinese instruments. There are literally dozens of genres of music to explore and even more instruments and styles of playing. Some of these are exciting, others relaxing, and still others inspiring. Each new foray into the sounds of the ancient cultures can produce a new kind of meditation experience.
Heavy Metal Music Meditation
While heavy metal is rarely used for traditional meditation, many who attend heavy metal concerts often experience something akin to meditation. The music itself is often devoid of clear notes and lyrics, only displaying its rhythmic sounds. The individuals quiet their minds and engage in repetitive physical behavior - in this case, jumping up and down or moving their heads or fists up and down. The lights are often very dim, minimizing visual sense as in other meditation techniques. And "crowdsurfing," common at heavy metal events, is a display of a classic trust building meditative exercise.
Different kinds of music can produce different kinds of meditation. This is especially true considering that most people have biases and preconceived notions about certain genres of music before they listen to it. Listening to different kinds of music during meditation can broadened the meditative experience, and even broaden the very definition of the meditative experience itself.
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