Music Medicine

In rhythm, we find that drumming turns off the thinking mind and allows us to feel the primal knowledge in our bodies. In melody, we find that sounding our deep emotions transforms pain and despair and helps heal the heart. In harmony, we find that harmonizing with others turns off the “I” and activates the “we,” transcending ego and filling the soul with unity. In silence, we find that quieting the mind deactivates our thinking about the past and future and allows the activation of peace and quiet. (Location 313)

Health means being of “sound mind and body.” The Chinese word for medicine, yao, is derived from the word for music, yue. (Location 330)

The four directions in the medicine wheel relate to the four elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, and silence. The fifth element is the center, the direction that is within you. This model also mirrors the seasons of life. (Location 440)