Charles Fillmore, the co-founder of Unity, was a man of his time in many ways, yet a man ahead of his time in others. In the quote above, Fillmore postulates that music has healing power, a theory which modern neuroscience is now proving to be true. According to a paper published in Nature Neuroscience, a team of Montreal researchers discovered that music triggers the release of dopamine in the areas of the brain associated with the feeling of pleasure. Music has also been found to boost the immune system, lower stress and decrease the heart rate in cardiac patients. Additionally, researchers at Cal State University found that children who are hospitalized were happier during music therapy than during other play activities. This research shows that music affects the brain, and that the effect is most often a greater sense of happiness and emotional well-being.
Studies, such as the one conducted by Carnegie Mellon University Psychology Professor, Sheldon Cohen, show people who are happy, lively, calm or exhibit other positive emotions are less likely to become ill when they are exposed to a cold virus than those who report few of these emotions. There are many studies that show the correlation between emotions and physical health and healing.
It follows, that since music produces a neurological response in the brain which promotes the feeling of happiness and the feeling of happiness contributes to physical well-being, then music, whether directly or indirectly, contributes to physical as well as emotional health thereby proving that Charles Fillmore’s postulate was correct.
Fillmore also said,
“The spirit of music is within all of us. When we have developed and brought it forth; when the quickening, harmonizing life has entered the physical, by the union of God with man, then we will realize that there is a power in us which will produce harmony. And harmony is health. Bring harmony into your life by singing and praising. Everybody should play and sing. We should rejoice in the divine harmony. We should sing songs of joy and of love and of peace and of the unity of the Spirit.”
Tomorrow afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00 our new Praise and Worship Team Director, Kath Robinson, will present a workshop entitled Singing From The Inside Out in which she will explore singing as a spiritual practice. Even if you do not consider yourself a “singer” you are encouraged to come. Join in the energy of song in community and experience the healing energy of the vibration of music.
Next Saturday, October 22, is “World Singing Day,” the brainchild of Scott Johnson from Boulder, Colorado. His premise is simple; music has the power to heal and help join the world together in peace. His invitation is to join others from all over the world in a day of singing. It involves no sponsorships, endorsements or commercialism, just a joining together of people in the joy of music and singing. Events are being held around the world. There is an event planned in Boulder and another in Loveland. If you would like more information, please visit www.worldsingingday.org.
Let us affirm as Mr. Fillmore stated, “The spirit of music is within us all,” and let us bring “harmony into our lives by singing and praising.”
Yes, choir is a Need.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like "Music" to bring subjectivity into focus; and nothing like being in a 50 voice chorus backed up by a 35 piece orchestra singing "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" in 8 part harmony.
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