It's a pleasure to be in contact with you through this exciting new community. I'll be sharing my ideas, perspectives and suggestions that can help you get more out of life by getting more into sound and music.

You don't need any prior experience or musical training- just a willingness to listen with 'new ears' and an open mind.

Most of my recorded music is related to evoking experiences of relaxation and healing, but I've always been especially interested in 'magic moments' and the 'chill factor', when you listen and get goose bumps on your skin. I invite you to send me the titles of the music that thrills you in this way. Of course, we'll also point out those special places in my own recordings as I suggest ways to have the music take you deeper into the magic, and 'into the gap' ...the place of infinite potential, so eloquently described by Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer.

It's an ideal way to access higher states of consciousness and have fun at the same time.

Until next time, Stay Tuned,

Yours for Inner and Outer Peace

Steven Halpern
 

One of the most popular areas of interest for individuals involved with yoga, meditation, spiritual growth and physical well-being concerns chakras. This word refers to the seven main energy centers of the electromagnetic energy body, or subtle anatomy. These centers are traditionally said to be located along the spine, with the first chakra at the base of the spine and the seventh at the top of the head.

In most esoteric knowledge traditions, each chakra has a characteristic vibrational makeup, which also relates to psychological issues. The most important thing for you to understand is that chakra energies respond to sound, color and intention. Therefore, by learning how to self-orchestrate your chakras, you can assist your “human instrument” to function at a higher level.

One of the easiest ways to tune up and balance your chakras is by “serenading” them with sound. I'll show you how to do that in future posts.

Until next time, Stay Tuned,

Yours for Inner and Outer Peace

Steven Halpern © 2007  

Although different cultures around the world may correlate slightly different characteristics with each center, there is general agreement that the energy of each chakra relates to the area of the body surrounding it.

When I first was introduced to this concept, I had the same question as you may have now: Which tones go with each chakra?

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that many traditions related each tone of the familiar musical scale with a particular chakra. The secret was starting with the right keynote frequency.

I had the honor and privilege of working with several world renowned scientists, including Itzhak Bentov and Dr. Andrijah Puharich, who allowed me to use their proprietary measuring instruments to ascertain that the chakra energies of the first chakra resonated at the basic frequency of the keynote C. The other chakras resonated to ascending keynotes D, E, F, G, A and B. To hear musical examples, visit: http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/albumdetail.asp?pid=2

There indeed seemed to be a relationship between the seven notes of the scale and the seven chakras. I'll explain more next time.

Until next time, Stay Tuned,

Harmoniously Yours

Steven Halpern © 2007  

The secret of balancing chakra energies with music is so simple and yet so profound. It is grounded in one of the primary ways that we respond to sound vibrations.

In fact, all atoms, molecules, cells, muscles-and chakras- have their own characteristic frequency at which they naturally vibrate. The phenomenon of resonance describes how every structure naturally responds (resonates) when it is stimulated at its own natural frequency.

It's automatic. You don't have to think about it. That's why when you play the first song of my landmark recording, CHAKRA SUITE, it automatically engages this balancing and healing effect. To hear, and experience, what I am describing, go here: http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/albumdetail.asp?pid=2

Balancing the first chakra is a good beginning, but to receive maximum benefit you need to bio-resonate all the chakras. You can do this by listening to the entire sequence of this recording.

One of the questions I'm most often asked is, “How do you know the audio affirmations are working?”

It's the same principle, whether the affirmations are written or spoken.

Obviously, some results are quicker and more easily detected. Here's an example.

If you're interested in reducing your stress, take a moment to become aware of how you are breathing? Deeply and slowly, or rapidly and shallowly?

How fast is your heart beating?

Now, read these words aloud: "I am relaxed." Become aware of any changes in your breathing or heart rate.

In my last post, I suggested an easy way to begin to fine-tune your awareness, so you'd be able to more easily measure whether a particular approach to reducing your stress was working for you.

This time, I'd like to suggest a variation. Using the same basic process, tune in to your current state of being.

Now, instead of speaking the affirmation aloud, just think it.

Notice any physiological changes.

I bought the Jan/Feb issue of Psychology Today for the cover article, so imagine my surprise when I got to page 59, with its headline: “Health in Harmony: Music fights stress and keeps you sound of mind-and body.”

So far, so good. Then I read the text, and was amazed that there was no accurate information on reducing stress. What they did have were some of the same old clichés and misinformation that continues to be perpetrated on an uneducated public.

Let me give you an example, and you'll soon know more than the writer of this article: "Just half an hour of iPod time not only lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts feel-good endorphins..."

What's wrong with this picture? I'll answer that in my next post.

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007  

Making a statement as the one in Psychology Today that “listening to music lowers your stress level” is meaningless without appropriate recommendations as to which music to use. As the old saying goes, “the devil is in the details”

Most music has been proven to be an ineffective choice to reduce stress for a number of reasons. Here's just one example that you can verify for yourself. It's the physical phenomenon of rhythm entrainment.

Simply put: your heartbeat will automatically change its speed to match the tempo of the music you're listening to.

I've spoken with many writers who've written articles about music, and whose words indicated to me they did not understand the subject. I'm a musician as well as a researcher; they, on the other hand, are neither, but were assigned the topic by their editor.

There are so many books and articles on the market now that promote misinformation about choosing music to reduce stress. I've written extensively about this in my monthly newsletters over the past 20 years. (You can find recent newsletters on my website at www.innerpeacemusic.com,  with archived years coming soon.) I encourage you to pay attention to the way your own body responds to music, and that way, you'll be able to assemble a collection of music that works for you.

Using music to meditate is as old as the art of meditation itself; audio frequencies provide a rhythmic beat to help focus the mind and breathing. The choice of music is a personal thing, based on what resonates with you. Your audio files could also include a variety of music to suit different moods and meditation techniques.

Some time ago, in the post “Sound Advice for a Sensual Valentine’s Day”, it reminisced about how it used to be a big deal to make a special “mix” tape to give to someone special. Technology these days makes it even easier to put together a personalized soundtrack. With your computer you can download audio files, often for free. Making your own personal meditation CD is a snap.

If you are new to meditation, you might consider websites offering free audio downloads. This will allow you to explore the world of meditation music while deciding what you like.

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