Astral Projections

Too often in this fast paced world we get bombarded every day by a whirlwind of information. On many levels, we experience such an onslaught of data that our minds are constantly working overtime. I rush to complete my to do lists, and often don’t or can’t do just that. Frustration and dis-ease contribute to the strain of my already overloaded system. While being caught in the fray of the day, my tensions begin to build within the confines of my mind. I find it hard to quiet the many tracks of thought that are buzzing in my head: I forgot to pick up…, I need to…, does he like me…, what is the meaning of life…. and so on. One friend called that white noise in your head the monkey chatter.

Internal conflicts and self doubt have been invading my subconscious for most of my life. Way back when, as a stressed out teen needing some moments of clarity, I started delving more into Zen philosophy. At that time, I also began meditating. If you take just a few minutes to quiet your thoughts, it will help to release stress, ease your heart rate, and open your mind and soul. The music I chose helped to guide me to calm my thinking. Much of the my favorite music is incorporated in my Zen Playlist. For meditating or centering, I find instrumentals work best to usher me toward the essential ethereal place. During my pursuit of concentration and relaxation, music with little or no words make it easier to focus on just the sounds and my breathing

My first choice, and one of my favorite tracks to clear my mind is Chick Corea and Return to Forever’s Crystal Silence. This piece is one I have been listening to since my teens, and embodies how my being interacts and harmonizes with music. I start by concentrating on my breathe at the beginning of the song. Slow and steady at first, like the music, my breathing deepens as the tune intensifies. I find the complexity of it’s simplicity the beauty of this piece. Each musician is playing its part while interlacing together, sweeping me off on a melodic dream. The reflective atmosphere created here aids to calm the voices in my head. I could picture myself sitting on a rock at the beach, enjoying a sunset and the cool ocean breezes while all distractions fade away into the beauty of the moment. Nothing but nature’s elements and my spirit- letting go of everything else. By the end of this number, I am clearer, quieter, and more at peace.

(Note: I could not post the original piece, where the main instruments were keyboards and a soprano saxophone, due to Youtube copyright issues. This version is a more frenetic jazzy version, and between a piano and a xylophone, but the base melody is the same)

From here I would segue into Jean Michel Jarre and the piece Oxygene 6. This man is a most definitive master of musical meditative mixings. Oxygene 6 follows so well the mood created by the beginning piece. The opening sounds, like the waves crashing on the shore, continue my tranquil beach vision while smoothly following through to Jean Michel Jarre’s composition. His audio cues give me a great rhythm for breathing, and carrying me further into Zen-ness. As the dynamic melody takes over, clearer thoughts emerge from the mire of my crowded mind. Silencing the chatter allows me to escape from the chain of ideals that weigh me down, and free my thoughts to fly.

Next on my playlist would be 2 pieces from one of my favorite artists, a performer that I have also been enjoying to for many, many years- Jean Luc Ponty. It was hard to choose just one song since all of his music transforms me, in a way, to other worlds. I have chosen 2 of his more ambient tracks and have placed them back to back: Ethereal Moods, and I Only Have Eyes for You. Ethereal Moods transports me beyond this corporeal being in time and space, allowing my freed mind to explore deeper realms. I Only Have Eyes for You continues my journey with an almost joyful playfulness, embracing what makes me feel good in my head and my heart. As I am transformed by the impressions of Jean Luc Ponty’s brilliant harmonic composition in these numbers, I am moved within to a higher state. Here, I can maintain my reflective outlook, yet I am allowed to slip away from my tensions to a more open and positive place.

Continuing down my list, I come to the band, and man, who excels at merging rock and sublime orchestral stylings in his creations- Alan Parsons and the Alan Parsons Project. The song I Robot is an iconic instrumental by this artist. It starts out on that transcendental plane, escalating from soft subtle impressions to the full emergence of rhythmic interpretation. Throughout this piece, the slow build expands with the addition of musical layers, creating an extraordinary energy. The unique waves of sound feel as though they wash right over me. Each refrain takes on a mind of its own, yet they all still mix and meld together forging a perfect synergy. As I am winding through this tune, I begin the journey from the more heady spiritual regions back towards this temporal plane.

My final choice for this list is the only song with any vocals- Awaken by Yes. I find the lyrics of Yes to be positive and inspiring, almost spiritual in nature and message. The fairly orchestral quality of this piece, the complicated changes of key, tempo, mood and passage create moments of ingenious vision. While mentally meandering through this piece, I notice that each movement creates its own unique experience. Every instrument intertwines with the others to play their part, like symphonic performers interacting to reach the infinite whole. Every note infuses my brain with resonant tones, creating a color as paint would on canvas. These brilliant auras of energy infuse my soaring spirit as I begin to feel at one with the universe. This one final wondrous track takes me back to earth, passing through some celestial pathways on this course. My cerebral musical journey traverses many enlightened realms while guiding me home.

As I finish this piece, a rhapsody of melody returns me to my body and this world. I am left with a sense of calm, positivity, and joy that I can feel down to the core of my being. These sound wave vibrations have instilled in me the essence of Zen. Now I carry this feeling of wholeness with me wherever I go. I have just to remember the magnificent music that moves my spirit to a higher place when I feel the strains that can emerge from every day. Then, I can listen to my playlist once again to return to that inner peace.