“Music is my Religion, my Expression and my Language”
– Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
“Raga Sagara Celestial Message” is an attempt by Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji to alleviate the pain of the suffering soul through musical concerts across the globe. It is an effort to explore the divinity in Sound. It is an endeavor to unravel the Celestial Message. It is a venture to be one with Mother Nature and forget all pain and fear.
After nearly three decades of intense study of the effect of Music and Musical notes on the plants, animals and humans Sri Swamiji in 1996 came up with this unique concept of Raga Sagara and has conducted many such ‘Raga Sagara’ concerts all over the world, healing thousands of people.
Based on the ancient Ragaragini Vidya (science of Ragas and Raginis) and principles of Nada Chikitsa (Principles of Healing through Sound), this concept ably brings out the therapeutic dimension of Music in addition to its entertaining ability.
This ‘Raga Sagara Celestial Message’ website depicts a few glimpses from the voluminous work done by Sri Swamiji to prove the therapeutic efficacy of Music.
Research evidence shows that listening to appropriate music …
- Lowers BP
- Stabilizes heart rate
- Relieves depression
- Reduces pre-treatment anxiety
- Enhances concentration and creativity
- Lessens the need for sedatives and pain killers (during and after surgery)
- Reduces nausea after chemotherapy
- Manages pain
- Improves stability of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Physical effect of appropriate music
- Brain function physically changes in response to music
- The rhythm can guide the body into breathing slower, deeper patterns that have a calming effect.
- Louder and faster noises tend to raise both heart rate and blood pressure; slower, softer and more regular tones produce the opposite result.
- Music can also relieve muscle tension and improve motor skills. It is often used to help rebuild physical patterning skills in rehabilitation clinics.
Levels of endorphins are increased and stress hormones are decreased. This improves immune function.
A 1993 study at Michigan state university showed that even 15 minutes of exposure to music could increase interleukin-1 levels, a consequence which also heightens immunity.
Mental effects of appropriate music
- Sharpens mental acuity or assists in relaxation
- Memory and learning can be enhanced
- The term “Mozart effect” was coined after a study showed that college students performed better on math problems when listening to classical music.
Emotional effects of appropriate music
- Creates feelings of calmness, tension, excitement, or romance.
- Lullabies have long been popular for soothing babies to sleep.
- Music can also be used to express emotion non-verbally.
Precautions
Patients undergoing music therapy should not discontinue medications or therapies prescribed by other health providers without prior consultation. Music Therapy is not a substitute for standard medical care.
Maximizing with Music Therapy
- Try taking a 20 minute “sound bath”.
- Choose music with a slow rhythm
- Music that has repeating or cyclical pattern is found to be effective in most people.
- Focus on your berating, letting it deepen, slow and become regular.
- Concentrate on the silence between the notes. This keeps you from analyzing the music and makes relaxation more complete.
- If you need stimulation after a day of work, go for a faster music rather than slow calming music.
- When going gets tough, go for a music you are familiar with – such as a childhood favorite or favorite oldies. Familiarity often breeds calmness.
- Take walks with your favorite music playing on the walkman. Inhale and exhale in tune.
- Listen to sounds of nature, such as ocean waves, or the calm of a deep forest, can reduce stress.
Nadopaasana leads to Moksha (liberation)
The inner light is shining constantly. It reveals itself through a mirror called “mind”. Defect of the mind blur the light within, but actually, that light remains unaffected by the modification of the mind. One should ignore the limitations of the mind and concentrate on the inner light. This inner light is God. To seek God should be aim in ones life. There is an intimate relation between music and God. But this relation is established only when nada is approached with reverence and devotion.
