What is spiritual rhythm?

The great Kriya Yoga Master, Swami Sri Yukteswar once shared, ‘When a human being takes an action with specific intent, with all of their soul, mind and body going in the same direction… that is a Kriya.”

I recently bought a buffalo drum. I was guided to sit quietly and pulse a simple steady beat about the speed of my resting heart rate. “Where is the Kriya in music rhythm?” I asked. “What is rhythm, really? How does developing music rhythm lead to spiritual transformation?”

Any music teacher will share the frustration of working with a student who has no “sense of rhythm”. It’s such a difficult thing to get across in the beginning. But there are ways to do it. I tend to allow students to work things out at their own speed, rather than try to get them to follow something outside themselves immediately, but that’s a story for another blog post.

When you back up to the very essence of creating a rhythmic beat, you come face to face with willpower. The human spirit’s ability to act. In this case, to set energy in motion.

Good rhythm manifests when the beats happen at regular intervals. For that to happen, both the right brain and the left brain participate and cooperate. One sees the trees and can place them in the forest.

There is a multitasking aspect to good rhythm, a higher order of processing. One can feel the space between the notes. Mozart once said, the real music happens between the notes. There is a link between artistic expression and a good sense of rhythm.

Some of my students had breakthroughs in their rhythm about the same time they figured out fractions in their math class. Good rhythm is relational. That relational ability turns on at different times for different people, especially children. The light bulb of rhythm occasionally just turns on one day. It can be precipitated by effort too.

Every single music student I’ve ever had took a leap forward in self-confidence and self-esteem when they had a breakthrough with their music rhythm. Performing at recitals was an important part as well.

Sometimes the opening to higher levels comes with considerable tears and frustration. I remember throwing my violin bow across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs once while trying to learn a piece. (Bach’s double concerto in D minor. Suzuki was definitely not my favorite human at that point in my life.)  

It prompted my father to come knock on my bedroom door. He basically talked me out of quitting music forever. Something I remain grateful to him for, more than 50 years later.

In the same way that one can do physical exercises to gain strength or balance; it is possible to gain self confidence and personal power by developing music rhythm.

Oddly, one of the main reasons people shy away from practicing regularly or remaining dedicated to playing a musical instrument or singing is because they are backing away from their own spiritual power.  

In the metaphysical world, the power center, the center of authority is in the throat chakra. One’s “voice” is strengthened there. Both melody and rhythm are influenced by the power center. Eventually, the soul voice can also be heard or opened up by playing a musical instrument or singing.

There are many paths to “good rhythm”. It is baked into every music method, and every style of music out there. For most people, that growth happens accidentally or unconsciously as they learn. Simple persistence yields results.

But in the music class through the CircleOfChi.com, we approach transformation with music deliberately. The spiritual aspect of playing an instrument or singing is met head on. The foundation comes from a conscious connection to the chi, which is the fuel of artistic, soul expression.

The core music fundamentals are shared there as well. Note reading, scales, exercises, improvising. The core curriculum includes 36 songs in 12 lessons with help videos for every song and exercise. They are online, on demand for piano, violin, guitar; with the help of Lisa, cello and now voice as well. Not accidentally, the core warmups address rhythm from the very first exercise.

While it sets “opening of the power center” front and center; it also yields tremendous, quick progress for those who are serious about learning to sing or play a music instrument. Learn more by visiting www.circleofchi.com/david