Suddenly this morning, I received a memory, sitting still in my kitchen and looking out at the fresh green grass and leaves. What triggered it? Unknown~
I thought back to grade school when I was seven years old. Our first class after lunch had finished when our teacher nourished us with "quiet time." No one wanted it! Rest was for babies and little kids.
We put away books, papers, crayons, and pencils. We spread our arms out on our desks and lay our heads down to rest. Silently I rebelled but managed to stay quiet without fidgeting. Just now I sat still and put my head down on the kitchen table to bring the images, sounds, and feelings alive again.
Our teacher played music for us! She introduced ten minute bits of music and briefly told us about the composer.
We heard soothing strains from the Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven. Most of us had seen Walt Disney's Fantasia in the theater. I easily pictured the flying horses. I slipped into a state of quiet restful alertness. Another musical memory was Largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony. We even heard the quieter introduction to Bolero by Ravel.
Over time the class music soaked into my soul. I felt better and less edgy. I asked my parents to buy me music played in class. They eagerly agreed and responded with a small RCA Victor "record player." I liked picture logo of the dog listening to "His Master's Voice" coming out of the megaphone. LP's were being pressed, replacing the large brittle 78 PM discs. We got some of the symphonies in a grocery store special!
Even as a college student, I still played LP's of Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and others on my little RCA Victor "time machine." Time meandered along its evolving creative path.
Looking back this morning, I found it profound that a teacher could have such insight and gentleness to introduce us to some of the world's greatest music through "Meditation." We experienced, against our will, the quieting and restorative powers of restful sounds.
In a flash music, then and now, became an integral part of my creative painting and writing process, opening windows of sound therapy: mental stimulation or quiet as needed.
Today more kids can experience "Meditation" early in their lives along with Tai Chi, Yoga, and creative play and dance.
As I write, I hear my song of the day: *Across the Universe and smile as the words roll by, "Nothing's gonna change my world...."
I marvel at how our world/worlds have changed and yet, at the core, remain the same in active motion and restful stillness.
* "Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box, they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe...."
Related Posts:
Wings of Light and Paint it Blue (May 2013)
Wander and Ponder (Oct 2013)
Tonal Vision (Jan 2011)
Resources:
Music Matters
* Across the Universe, John Lennon, Paul McCartney (various versions) this one is from Cd Beatles Anthology 2, vocal and guitar recorded Feb 3, 1968. Other versions of this song appear on Let it Be album, remixed by Phil Spector. The first master appeared in a charity compilation with bird songs and backing vocals.
Beethoven, Dvorak, Ravel and many others, adventure in sound.
Mindful Exercise
Yoga Kids International by Marsha Wenig, DVD for kids, teacher certification.
Tai Chi for Kidz, Tai Chi for Young Adults and much more for all ages by Paul Lam, M.D. Tai Chi for Health Institute, research, articles, free lesson on You Tube from Tai Chi for Beginners DVD.
Meditation
Chopra Center Meditation, Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Dahlis Roy Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Photos
Stop and Grow, Bridge to Tomorrow, note the small green and red markers at the bottom of the photo.
Liriope Hiding in the Shadows by Paul
