Music has an almost magical effect on almost everybody. One piece of music can make us feel intense happiness, and another can give us focus when we’re trying to execute a difficult task.
Music, like meditation, has a wonderful effect on humans spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
So adding music to your meditative practices can help enhance the overall experience. Though some people believe meditation should be done in silence, it isn’t the only way, and we’re going to take a look at that right now.
Does Music Help You Focus While Meditating?
On a scientific basis, it’s been proven that music and meditation have similar effects on the body. One of these effects is an increase in focus. You can’t get the meaning of the song unless you’re willing to hone in on the composition itself.
Having music present during meditation can allow your brain to lock onto that and focus solely on the sounds that are coming from whatever musical device you are playing your song through.
Because you are focusing on that, your focus will be improved, and you’ll be better able to stay in the moment, which is what it is all about.
What Type of Music Should You Listen to?
Meditation is intended to allow you to relax and so it’s very obvious that upbeat music or heavy bass-driven music may not be a great idea. Types of music that you can listen to while you’re meditating:
- Classical music
- Nature sounds
- Chants
- Ambient music
- Traditional world music
- Zen meditation music
- Binaural tones
- Isochronic tones
- Ancient musical frequencies
- Chill out music
All of these types of music are designed to be relaxing and inspiring. Some, like the binaural and isochronic, are even designed to activate parts of the brain by mimicking frequencies our brain uses to relax.
What are the Benefits of Meditation with Music?
Music is a gateway to many different emotions, and when added to a meditative practice, you can take advantage of a wealth of benefits. Some of those benefits are:
Improved Concentration
Sometimes, the hardest thing to do, especially when you’re first starting a meditation practice, is to concentrate on the task at hand.
There are so many noises all around that can grab your attention. Having one thing to lock in on – the music – your concentration will improve.
Better Awareness
By being able to tune out the world around you to focus on your meditation, you are going to be able to be more aware of your body and thoughts.
Enhanced Breathwork
Every meditative practice focuses on some level of breathwork, and though we all think we breathe properly, very few of us do. By having music to guide your breathing, you can improve your breath work and therefore have better meditational practice.
What are the Things You Should Not Do During Meditation?
The key to a successful meditation practice is knowing what to do and what not to do. So here are a few things that you should avoid when meditating:
- Let distractions take you out of the moment
- Setting unrealistic goals
- Be hard on yourself
We know that there are some people who, when they talk about meditation, tell you should never lie down or even that you should not listen to music.
The truth is meditational practices are personal, and as long as you stick to the core principles of the meditation practice you choose, the way you execute it should be about what works for you.
What if You Find Music Distracting?
So we’ve talked about all the benefits that one can take advantage of if one decides to add music to your meditation practice, but what if music is distracting?
The key to meditation is that you’re trying to remove all distractions to allow your mind and body to connect better with the energy within and without.
So if music is distracting, then you should not include that in your practice. You might find other ways to help you focus, like mantras or even candles. Finding something that allows you to focus is the key when it comes to meditation.
Final Thoughts on Should You Listen to Music While Meditating?
Music can be a great tool to help during meditation practice. It allows your mind something to grab onto that can help it shut out all the excess noise of the world around you. So find the music that works for you, and then go with it.
We are sure that if music is something that works for you that it can only serve to enhance your meditation practice.