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Another Way of Meditating

Introducing you to Ludovico Einaudi (and Taylor Swift)

By Asterion AvocadoPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Another Way of Meditating
Photo by Catalin Sandru on Unsplash

“Music is the mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the spirit” — Ludwig van Beethoven

Mindfulness, meditation, yoga. All good. But, Einaudi? Better.

Naturally, you could listen to any contemporary composer and reach enlightenment. But, I am Italian, and although that usually does not mean anything, it does for some things. In other words, there are some things that I am still proud to be associated with, one of these being Ludovico Einaudi’s music.

How is contemporary/classical music related to meditation and mindfulness? Well, guys, I don’t have any scientific basis to answer this question. But, I know how I feel, and what I think when I listen to the genre.

My Experience

When I listen to Einaudi — particularly his album Elements — I can manifest images without the need for eyes. It inspires me and drives me to contemplate the complexities of thoughts and feelings of our days.

His music is a tender and gentle overlap of sounds and images. If you hear him with your eyes closed you might even perceive smells. Good ones, mind you. Like when you smell the air very late at night, or very early in the morning.

By Joshua Newton on Unsplash

My favourite Album for Meditation

Elements is an overlap as well. It's a curated juxtaposition of natural elements and artificial tools. I close my eyes, or I read/study while being transported by the music as well. The notes speak to your consciousness about Time, History remerging from the earth, vibrating under the steps of lovers. The wind is gentle. It’s a trip back to where we have never been. The past, a primitive world made just of nature and emotions.

There are a few pieces of research that back up this theory. One study discovered a link between listening to music (particularly, certain music) and meditative states. Furthermore, researchers generated and evaluated the influence of auditory stimuli of increasing complexity (script, rhythm, harmonic progression, and melody) on mindfulness meditation, as well as participants' preference for and impression of the music's utility in supporting this mindfulness practice. The two simplest stimuli (Script and Beat) appeared to be at the right degree of complexity to assist meditation, while the most complex (Harmony and Melody) were the most favoured and beneficial, according to participants. Importantly, music absorption was a major mediator of the musical stimuli's effect, and other characteristics such as mindfulness meditation experience and musical competence may have influenced our findings. More study on these variables is required.

Music has been discovered to inspire other profound moods and sentiments (but we already knew that, didn't we?) For instance, nostalgia. Nostalgia, if you're not sure, is a feeling that is frequently connected with personal and socially significant experiences. It has a predominantly pleasant valence and is easily elicited by music. It's also a unique experience that differs from person to person depending on their emotional characteristics.

That is definitely something that I experience often. And not only (but very much so) with music by Einaudi. Other examples of choices for nostalgia and/or meditation are:

  • Unbreak my Heart, Tony Braxton
  • Everything Lana Del Rey. Specifically, Cherry, Video Games, Blue Jeans, Shades of Cool
  • Ni Hao Bu Hao, Eric Chou
  • The live version of Unknown, Jacob Banks
  • Ottolenghi, Loyle Carner
  • Girasole, Giorgia
  • Dancing, Elisa
  • Come Sei Veramente, Giovanni Allevi
  • Lacrimosa, Mozart
  • Forbidden Colours, Ryuichi Sakamoto
  • Lover Boy, Phum Viphurit
  • The Archer, Taylor Swift
  • Love Yourself, Justin Bieber
  • Malibu, Miley Cyrus
  • July, Noah Cyrus

Hey, there was another one, but I forgot after I wrote the Bieber one. I have internalised shame for that, and don’ know why.

My point is, mindfulness is being present. Music (or anything else for that matter) can do just that for you.

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About the Creator

Asterion Avocado

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