Law of Attraction Gateway

The Spiritual Significance of Music

  The visual on the left is made up of thousands of photographs of musicians who dedicate themselves and their music to uplifting humanity and changing the world a song at a time. (If you look really, really closely with a very powerful magnifying glass, you might find my picture...) Law of Attraction brought these musician together through Justin St. Vincent, a musician from New Zealand, who has dedicated himself to bringing the music and the intention forward into the world.

Justin's website, Music and Spirituality.com, features hundreds of musicians answering the same question: What is music’s spiritual significance? I'll share my answer below, but be sure to check out other responses here too.

Here's my piece of the puzzle: 

Music is the first language of the earth – the sound of the wind in the trees, the melody of birdsongs, a bubbling stream, the rhythm of the rain – and it touches an ancient and eternal place within us, beyond the logic of the mind. We are all hard-wired to respond to music, beginning with nine months of listening to the “drumbeat” of our mother’s hearts and the sound of her breathing. Music enables us to express all kinds of feelings and fears, passions and pain, even when words cannot. It reduces stress, elevates moods, helps us move through grief and fear, and enables us to express joy, peace, and love. Music can literally change the way we feel – emotionally, mentally, physiologically, and spiritually. Whenever I wonder where music comes from, I remember that all of creation arose from sound. Music is the Creator’s voice. It is always there, in the background, whispering to us, singing to us throughout our lives, and beckoning us to soar to unimaginable heights on the wings of a song.

Music As Medicine - Docs Use Tunes as Treatment

As my loyal readers know, I'm an advocate for the healing power of music. So I was delighted this morning to read an article on msnbc.com about the ways that physicians are now using music for surgery, recovery and rehab. I was especially thrilled that the article featured my dear friend and therapeutic harpist, Tami Briggs. I've witnessed Tami's music soothe agitated patients, help kids fall asleep and assist the stressed into a place of relaxation.

Music heals. End of story.

Health's Angel Tami Briggs Heals Hearts

One of my dearest friends in the world came to me as a result of Law of Attraction. I was presenting at the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization conference in 2001. It was my first really big healthcare conference that I was attending with my guitar in hand. While cruising the exhibit hall on the first evening, I met a musical earth angel named Tami Briggs. She and her harp make the sweetest, most heart-opening sounds I've ever heard.

We became fast friends. Over the years, Tami and I have shared our music and life journey, appreciating our deep connection and communication. Even though we live in different parts of the country with VERY contrasting climates, we manage to nourish our friendship with hours of phone time and numerous emails. (In fact, when we actually DO see each other, it takes me a few minutes to get used to talking face to face!)

Tami plays her harp in hospitals and hospices for patients and their families. Even more importantly,  she educates healthcare professionals about using music as a healing modality. Lucky for me, her conference schedule sometimes brings her to my neck of the woods.

This week, Tami came for a visit (and some warm weather) and offered to play for some of my friends. The guest list was created from my Abraham group,and I set the stage with more candles than Yankee Candle displays in their retail stores!

My favorite part of the evening was the vibration of love that increased exponentially as she played. We all moved into a completely different "zone"...and didn't want to leave. Even now, the lingering energy fills my home and heart.

You too can enjoy Tami's healing music. She's recorded 13 albums, all available on her website, Musical Reflections. My favorite is called The Healing Journey. That and a cup of hot tea are even better than chocolate...almost.

 

New Album, New Website, New Day

Hooray! My newest album, REACH UP, is finally here. It says so in the Press Release and is being celebrated with a brand new website devoted to, um, me.

The good folks at CD BABY, the largest, most reliable, most fun and friendly site to buy independent music, have taken all three of my albums and conveniently put them all on one page. How cool is that? Very! Plus, you can listen to music samples, buy the CDs or download MP3s directly from the site, and write reviews of the music, which of course, would be VERY helpful to me. (Hint, hint.)

So read the release (if you're so inclined), listen to the music samples, get a FREE DOWNLOAD of one of my favorite songs from REACH UP when you visit SandiKimmel.com. The song is called "For Goodness Sake," and it was inspired by the teachings of Abraham, as shared by Jerry & Esther Hicks. There are a number of songs on the new album that I call  Law of Attraction Music, written to help you "stay tuned" to a positive vibration. If you like it, please "play it forward" (as in, tell all your friends about this music that will help you keep your spirits up...even in challenging times!)

Is this shameless self-promotion? Well, here's the thing. If I don't tell you all this great news, how will you know??

Song Sprouts

There's a new website in town designed especially for indie musicians. Song Sprouts "brings together a world audience hungry for some new free music, your next set of favorite independent artists, and the desire that new fans like you have to support them once they're discovered!"  They offer FREE DOWNLOADS and a chance to hear some great music you might not otherwise know about.

Today is a special day for me on their site - I'm a Featured Artist. (It sort of feels like "Queen For A Day!" Does anyone but me remember that show??)

Support the music that supports your journey. Check out Song Sprouts and the Positive Music Association for an uplifting day!

Music Soothes the Not-So-Savage Beast

I've often heard that animals love music, and have tried out the theory on many an unsuspecting pet. In fact, I was house-sitting some years ago for a friend who had MANY pets, and each evening, I'd take my guitar out onto the porch and sing little songs in the cool evening air. On the first night, after about ten minutes, all of the animals (which included a rabbit, three ferrets, a pigeon and a very sweet Golden Retriever named Oliver) found their way onto the porch, surrounding me and the music. Each night thereafter, my "audience" would gather as soon as they saw me take my guitar out of its case!

On another occasion, some friends in Canada told me they use my CDs in their barn because it calms their water buffalo before milking! I like to say they are soothed by the MOO-SIC!

So how can I resist sharing this video I came across yesterday? It's called Puppy Lullaby and it's sure to bring a smile.  

Sneak Preview

 Every once in a while, I have an opportunity to break some REALLY BIG NEWS here on my blog. Today is one of those days! Here, at last, is the soundtrack for your spiritual journey. It's my third CD called REACH UP, filled with positive messages, ancient wisdom and sing-out-loud songs!

Based on Law of Attraction, Reach Up re-minds you that life is a wonderful adventure...and YOU'RE in charge! (Check out the lyrics & turn your speakers up for a sound sample of For Goodness Sake, a positive musical affirmation song about making your own movie.) If you're like me, you know deep inside It's Time for a New Song.  Happily, I believe in the power of Grace (Let It Flow) and know when you're in the Flow, you know it!

Order REACH UP now and be the first on your block to sing 10 new Law of Attraction songs to help you stay tuned to a high, pure, powerful vibration. Find out which songs were inspired by Abraham-Hicks, Jerry & Esther Hicks, Eckhardt Tolle, and other self-empowering authors and teachers.

More to come about this new CD. It's being manufactured as we speak. For the next month, the pre-release price is $15...with FREE SHIPPING!

Thank you for supporting the positive music movement in America.

INVITATION TO SLUMBER

Are you one of the millions of people who have trouble falling asleep? Staying asleep? Unwinding at the end of the day? Of course, by Law of Attraction, the more you stress over your stress, the more of it you attract. (Or as Abraham-Hicks says, "Oh, come to me this thing I do not want.") What would happen if you replace those worries with beautiful images and soothing music? You'd be sleeping like a baby in no time!

Imagine how excited I am to introduce INVITATION TO SLUMBER,  the new Sterling Heart DVD collaboration between nature photographer and director (and my husband),  Patrick J. Murphy, and our dear friend therapeutic harpist and composer, Tami Briggs. Their 20-minute movie soothes the sleepless and relaxes the restless. Check out the 3-minute YouTube clip of this "effective non-narcotic solution to sleepless nights:"

Sleep experts suggest that preparing for bed is one of the best ways to ensure a good night’s sleep for those with sleep disorders. INVITATION TO SLUMBER is perfect for creating a peaceful environment, signaling to the body that sleep is on its way. Photographs of sky, clouds, water, mountains, oceans, trees and flowers from some of America’s most beautiful locations including the Pacific coast, redwood forests, Mt. Shasta and the Adirondack mountains were used in creating INVITATION TO SLUMBER.  The photographs are relaxing, soothing, restful and easy on the eyes, and are set to a calming composition featuring harp, flute and violin. 

Oh. One more thing. Don't drive or operate heavy machinery while watching!

Sing Like No One's Listening

While browsing through a Soft Surroundings catalog today, I found one of the best new products I've ever seen! It's sure to lift the spirits better even than chocolate! This CD has track after track of the songs we love to sing when there's no one around...or at least when we THINK no one is around!

As I've said before, singing out loud is one of the best stress reducers, spirit uplifters and heart openers you can find. Just a few minutes of singing even helps your breathing...after all, how can you sing without some good, long deep breaths?

This new CD has the right idea:"Whether you are a secret chanteuse or you roll down all the windows and really belt it out, we think you'll find our new 13 track CD something to sing about! Songs include:  Rita Coolidge - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher  - Jody Watley - Looking For A New Love  - Diana Ross - Upside Down  - Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before - Yvonne Elliman - If I Can't Have You - Donna Summer - On The Radio - The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - Kool & The Gang - Celebration - Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On - The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams - DeBarge - Rhythm Of The Night Listen - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Heatwave  - The Mamas & The Papas - Words Of Love"
All this for only $15.99. But you'll have to supply your own mic!

Singing Yourself Into Harmony

Whether you're working on raising your vibration, or healing from an illness, you can soothe deep and eternal places within you with the sound of your own voice. The New York Times recently ran an article about a man who re-learned how to talk after a stroke by singing. The article is an amazing testament the healing power of music. Read it here

On the same subject, Daily OM shared another view of singing:

Harmonizing with the Universe - The Benefits of Singing

Singing is an act of vibration. It takes music from the realm of the unformed-- whether that is in your mind or from that magical space of inspiration--and moves it from within to without. From the first breath singing moves the energy in a circular way inside your body. As the breath fills your lungs, it brushes against the second and third chakras—the centers of creation and honoring self and others. Instead of merely exhaling, pushing the air past the fourth and fifth chakras where heart charka and the center of will and intention reside, singing engages both the heart and mind. Sound vibrations from vocal chords resonate in the sinus cavities, filling the head with motion and sound while the brain lights up with the processing of the mathematics of music. This marriage of activities brings the third eye into play and opens the door for inspiration from the crown chakra before sending the sound out into the world.

Once the vibration begins, it is sustained with each note, moving throughout your body and the space around you. This can help you to harmonize your frequency with the world and with the divine. The use of the voice can bring about catharsis, a cleansing from the expression of emotion, which is why we feel better after singing certain types of songs. All of this occurs even if we are not conscious of what we are singing, but when we really connect with an intention, the power of the voice and music together are powerful tools in creation.

Even if you are not a singer by nature or talent, you are not left out. If you have a voice, it is your birthright to celebrate life with song. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel you have a nice voice. Chanting or humming, singing solo or with others, your voice is yours to enjoy. Whether you sing along to the radio or use vocalization as part of your meditation time, singing and harmonizing are healing activities that bring your body’s vibrations into alignment with the universe.