At this time, the Coronavirus continues to spread, and containment strategies challenge our most fundamental freedoms to live and work the way we wish. The sanctions may protect our physical health, but are wreaking havoc with our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Many of us are barred from going to work or even going outside to exercise or breathe fresh air.
PEACE INSIDE PANDEMONIUM
Looking out on a chaotic world that cannot assure us that escalating rates of COVID-19 will slow or that companies will be back in business soon, we see an uncertain future and grave implications of this global pandemic. How can we cope with an external world in despair?
Sam Hanser, my son of blessed memory, wrote:
“To be human is such a twisted blessing. We have an embodied existence with all the horrific and ecstatic feelings that come with it. But as we learn to find presence within the range of all of it we can discover a power to change our destiny. What can seem like a curse of pain can transform into an experience of empowerment.” (Hanser, Samuel (2009). Growth & Grace: Human Becomings)
This is a remarkable vision of how healing empowerment resides in the presence found within us. But how can we access this precious presence? Sam would say that we need to find our inner healer to guide this process. I would add that we can find the creativity within us to explore the inner healer. In doing so, we have the capacity to create a sense of peace within.
MUSIC EMPOWERS
Each of us holds enormous power to change how we perceive the world. But when we are surrounded by threats, we may need an extra source of inspiration – a power song – to remind us of our highest ideals and values, our potential to overcome adversity. “Power songs” are part of both ancient traditions and contemporary practices to transform the way we approach life.
When we play a piece of music that speaks to us, that expresses something we didn’t even know we felt, we can explore the range of our feelings while finding a sense of empathy in the music – yes, that’s just how I feel!
Berklee College of Music students sang out their heartfelt message of “What the World Needs Now” with their virtual orchestra. There is an endless supply of great music to experience. We can find our own sources and power in existing music and we can also create our own.
WHAT IS YOUR POWER SONG?
A power song doesn’t need to be mighty and commanding. It could just as well be peaceful and calm or simple and sweet. If it has the power to transform your feelings, consider it your power song.
*Make sure you find time on a regular basis to sing it out, dance to it, hum it, listen to it, accompany it, or play it on an instrument you know or always wanted to learn.
*Record it, harmonize it, embellish it, and find a new way to re-create it in your own way.
*Start a “power club” to share your power music mixes and playlists, and ask your friends and loved ones to contribute their own.
*Listen together with friends or trusted others so that you can process your feelings.
*Find a music therapist to help you process the underlying feelings generated by your power music.
*If you play an instrument, play your heart out or improvise what you want to communicate.
I find my power when I play piano. “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” by Debussy empowers me to find inner peace. I hope you enjoy my interpretation!
Here is an animated film created by the talented Berklee Online team designed to demonstrate how someone with a severe heart condition and diabetes copes with her anxiety and chronic pain – enough to get a good night’s rest. Perhaps the lesson is important for you, too!
You can read more about power songs in Integrative Health through Music Therapy.
