“And tears are heard within the harp I touch.” 

Petrarch

Music.

It can captivate, motivate, inspire, or deepen emotions. In fact, it can do all of these things and more.

There’s a reason why great movies have great soundtracks. Music accents the energy in scenes and moves them along. For example, an actor might simply stare at the camera, but the music played as he stares at the camera can turn that stare into a wide range of emotions. The musical underscore could portray fear, expectancy, fortitude, love, anger, or angst. Suddenly what started out as a simple stare turns into something so much more.

The underlying currents of each person’s mind have a musical score playing. What’s yours? Bach? Beatles? BTS?

Melodies come in many forms, just like the thoughts in our heads. They weave in and out
like a violin concerto – fortissimo, pianissimo, loud, soft, steady, staccato. Sometimes the music of the mind builds to a crescendo and bursts through into actions. Other times the notes simmer into deep reflections or quiet ponderings.

As you strum your fingers across a table, are you strumming the musical beat of your thoughts? Do they shift and change with each tap? What might you be pondering, ruminating, or questioning as you strum through life?

I happen to strum the harp. It quiets my busy mind. I’m not a professional harpist. I just enjoy playing this instrument and listening to the eloquent sounds of the plucked strings. It’s considered a percussion instrument because of the plucking of those strings. Whatever the classification, playing it sure does elevate my moods and thoughts. After some time with my harp, I find the turbulence of the day shifts into quiet reflections.

First developed in ancient Egypt around 3000 BC, it’s one of the oldest instruments in the world. At first, it was used only by priests as a way to communicate with the Gods. In those times long ago there were only a few strings to it. Over the many years since it developed into the multi-stringed harps of today. Take a listen to one sometime. Perhaps the soulful sounds of the strings will resonate within you too, encouraging you to gently caress and elevate your thoughts and visions.

Or maybe for you, it’s the Guitar that strikes a deep chord within you? Or a Piano? Violin? French Horn? Harmonica? So many instruments to choose from and so very many minds to calm.

Pick one solo instrument and listen. Just listen.

Listen to the sounds of your soul.

Harp meditations can be heard on the “Yoyoga Meditation” Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/GP6sC1Bs85A