Healing Ceremony

 
The healing qualities of music restore the integrity of the body by clearing the mind and releasing the natural flow of emotions. Certain performances can induce trance states that allow the listener to actively participate in the resolution of inner conflict. Surviving traditional cultures have developed and preserved music designed specifically for this purpose.

This New York based group of instrument makers and musicians known as the The Listeners have been comparatively studying world healing music since 1988. They have studied with master musicians and healers from Siberia, Uzbekistan, Buriyatia, Thailand, Rajastan, Baluchistan, Iran, Georgia, Egypt, Morocco,  as well as traditional healers from Native North and South America. They have discovered that, among these widely separated cultures, specific ceremonies and performances share fundamental principles. They have identified the commonly sought physiological effects and delineated the techniques used to create them. They play powerful trance inducing music on a mixed consort of ancient world instruments that they build themselves. The New York Times called them "fascinating and unique meditative improvisors".
Ceramic Water Drum

Nature has given an adaptive advantage to species that prioritize community goals over self interest. Without an integrated vision of both community and individual wholeness, conflict is inevitable. When we internalize this conflict we suffer from depression, stress, anxiety, and alienation from ourselves and others. This leaves us afraid of our feelings and consequently out of touch with our body's natural healing power. Restoration of the passions to the self, and the self to life, are the common goals of all traditional healing practices. The ancient concept of mental, physical and emotional health is based on the individual's capacity to integrate experience. Ceremonies of initiation and healing can help us evolve out of restricted selves, perceptions and relationships.

If you would like to help yourself through this music or learn more about the school, contact Ben at (718) 484-8424.

 

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