Music -- Is it best to use?

[Melchior]

I've been listening to music in an attempt to have an OBE. I usually listen to music I know all the lyrics too, and I just think the lyrics and nothing else. Is this a good idea, or could music be helping to prevent me from having an OBE?

[Xanth]

Whatever you can do to remove awareness of your physical body is fine. 

I don't do it anymore myself, but a tip is to try to not only listen to the quietness BETWEEN the music... but try to put yourself there too. 

[Tiny]

Dear Melchior,

it is not a good idea in the long run due to it causing you to be dependant on it.

Practicing passive meditation is the ultimate and best way in the long run.


kind regards,

Paul

[Xanth]

it is not a good idea in the long run due to it causing you to be dependent on it.

I concur.
You don't want to become dependent upon tools.

[Fresco]

I briefly tried meditative music, but I didnt like it. 

I prefer absolute quiet

[Xanth]

I briefly tried meditative music, but I didnt like it. 

I prefer absolute quiet

I listen to my iPod.
I have a nice selection of instrumental-only meditative music.
I keep it on really low though, so as to provide a "white noise" kind of effect.

[Stookie]

I can't stand new-agey, meditation music, and rarely use music when meditating. I prefer silence.

But several years ago I had an AMAZING consciousness-expanding universe-traveling meditation while listening to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaMTK3X_8k0

I tried it several more times with that song but couldn't repeat it - I'm sure it had to do with the state-of-mind and appreciation for it at that time. That's the way it goes.

[personalreality]

There are some songs that have a strong emotional effect on me, you know those ones that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Those songs have produced altered states for me but not anything necessarily conducive to OBE or deep trance. 

Though, i have used shamanic type drumming for shamanic journeying and for trance induction.  It has similar effects as binural beats.

I still have to back up the "don't become dependent on it" sentiment though.  You'll be a better projector if you can project in any circumstance.  It's like magickal practice, you'll be more effective if you can do what they call instant magick, which is basically just learning to create all of your tools mentally and not requiring a specific setting or situation to practice a ritual.

[Xanth]

I remember an experience I had once while I was meditating.
I was between classes in college and I had a really long break (3 hours or so).  What I usually did in those long breaks is just go home.

So I went home... decided I wanted to meditate a bit.  I jumped on my bed, sat down and put on "Return to Innocence" by Enigma (don't laugh!!  hehe).  Anyways, I started meditating while just focusing on the music and I had a massive experience which has been, as I recognize it now, my fuel to keep going to this very day.

I believe I had, what I recognize now, as a Kundalini rising.  It felt as if an electric shock of pure ecstatic emotion flew straight up my body.  It was so fierce that my back arched and I was shaking pretty good.  I haven't had anything of the sorts happen to me since then... but it was something I'll *NEVER* forget.

I've tried to re-create it by listening and focusing to that same song... but I could never get it to happen again.

[TNAstral]

I listen to New Age music every night. I started having OBE's when I started listening to it (or at least remembering the OBE's) so I just continue to do so. I have had experiences without it, but I find it relaxes me it's just a nice way to go to sleep. I keep it on the entire night- I usually listen to skyfm new age or accuradio textures new age.

[SaschArt]

I few examples of music which help from what I know:

- David Parsons, maybe the best composer in this case, look at Maitreya The future Buddha album, Inner Places and Earthlight

- Iasos Angelic Music album

- Indra Sideral Music album

- Steven Halpern

- Roland Baumgartner Celestial Harmonies album

Also very good are binaural beats, look at sounds made by Robert Monroe Institute.

[Xanth]

I few examples of music which help from what I know:

- David Parsons, maybe the best composer in this case, look at Maitreya The future Buddha album, Inner Places and Earthlight

- Iasos Angelic Music album

- Indra Sideral Music album

- Steven Halpern

- Roland Baumgartner Celestial Harmonies album

Also very good are binaural beats, look at sounds made by Robert Monroe Institute.

I can personally vouch for anything by Stephen Halpern... dude is awesome. 

[Tiny]

I love Steve Roach's Structures From Silence. I used to listen to it every night while falling asleep.

It would remind me of something like purple-colored surf waves made of sound rolling in and washing over me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8siLR1jltM

The original is 30 minutes long

[SaschArt]

Nice Steve Roach, I like it, thanks for sharing Tiny