Soundscapes in which Music operates in a Worship Setting - Essay Example

Order Ref: 141963 6060 Order: Choose two soundscapes in which music operates in a worship setting (you may choose traditions from your own experience, class lectures, or the book). Describe each in terms of sound, setting and significance, paying particular attention to how all three factors work together to: Shape and order the rituals that celebrate belief; Enact and convey ritual's symbolic power and meaning; Empower the ritual experience for participants; and/or Sustain belief while incorporating change. With regards to these issues, what do the two soundscapes have in common What is different What generalizations can you make about the role of music in worship Date: 25th November 2006 Choosing soundscapes as part of the experience of worship is becoming a more frequent and enlightening experience for the worshiper. In this respect the aide to worship brings together the beauty in creation to afford a more rounded and spiritually enhanced experience to participants. The two soundscapes chosen are different in the approach used to focus worship: one is called "Tao Meditation" the other, "Healing Spirit". They are both worthy of the experience that is created to enhance worship and ritual for their specific enjoyment and spiritual experiences. The "Tao Meditation", is used to convey the worshiper into a deeper and more peaceful state of worship and spiritual growth. The music is focused in soft Tibetan sounds, with wind chimes, gongs, bells and gentle natural sounds to convey a deeper sense of inner peace and a desire to enter into the inner reaches of ones spirituality. The covey of the simple music allows for the worshiper to find a peaceful oasis of relaxation and stress relief from the business of life, to tap into the inner energies of spiritual awareness and silence. The music is supported by a series of screen based gentle pictures of colorful fountains, waterscapes that draw one into the depth of the music and the ritual of simply being spiritual and at peace. The setting, that I experienced was a simple room, lots of natural light where the worshipers like myself sit in simple seating set in a semi circle, with a screen at the opening of the circle that provided the features that impact upon the sight sensory experience. The leadership by a competence alternative worship leader gently brought one into a sensory but spiritual experience. The significance of the experience is the fulfillment of the inner spiritual finding release in the gentle art of meditation. There was no specifically set ritual, just a simple group desire to come together to enjoy and experience a deeper and more meaningful spirituality. The ritual if any; or indeed order, was the gentle leading of the group by the leader into the peaceful state of meditation. Gently listening to the noises and sounds of the music and visualizing the scenes being shown on the screen, before us, invoked this. The meditation allowed each of group of worshipers to concentrate on their own personal spiritual journey and belief structure. The simplicity of the meditation enacted a sense of restfulness, peace and an inner desire to enjoin with the God force or life force within each of us. This was drawn out by viewing the many simple and colorful shapes that were sometimes floated, phased in and out on the screen before us then melting into the distance of the landscape on the screen. The group were able to discuss the experience after its conclusion in a facilitated discussion led by the worship leader. Many of the participants were able to explain that it allowed them to tune into the higher self or as some put it, the "God force" within us. What I enjoyed about the experience was that it allowed one to maintain ones own identity and individuality, without placing formal belief structures and dogmatic systems before the simplicity of simply and gently worshiping and enjoying peace with God. The second experience was completely different in its setting and style. The setting was a Methodist Church, which was holding a healing service as part of its cycle of worship. This involved a normal stayed style of traditional worship with hymns, readings and dialogue for the major part of the service. The room was a normal Victorian style Church with worshipers seated in pews in rows facing the pulpit or sanctuary area where the worship leader, a minister in clerical wear conducted from the normal service book the general morning service. This was in parts boring but afforded one the experience of being part of ritual traditional worship. Towards the end of the service, there was a period of silence that led into the healing section of the service; this is the part that provided the soundscape experience. On a screen we were provided with the views of countryside, hills, woods, valleys, flowers and water. These were supported by biblical text being phased on and off the screen as the pictures changed. This was also supported by Christian contemporary music, sometimes loud and bashful and other times soft and gentle. The worship leader invoked each of the worshipers to focus on the beauty of creation and become part of the healing forces with the natural environment. At a mid point in what seemed about quarter of an hour, the Minister invited members of the healing group to join him at the front of the Church. Once these persons had taken their places, those in the congregation that wanted to have prayer for healing were asked to come forward, or if infirmed raise their hand to ensure that a healer could attend them where they were seated. The music and landscape invoked through a serious of hill pictures and refreshing water in streams, lakes and rivers showing the refreshment and contentment of Gods healing love. Love became the word that focused the readings on the screen, which were sung by a rather American choir of gospel singers. The disjointed mix of formal to the informal was in itself not an experience that seemed to merge successfully. This perhaps was that reason why the healing part of the service although somber and solemn was not so well understood by the worshipers like myself who did not expect this period within the traditional content of the worship session. The soundscape did allow for a minimal experience of power and meaning for healing through the love of God and his refreshing creation being played out on the screen before our eyes and yet being gently enforced by the music and singing of simple but powerful scriptures. Watching the recipients of the healing session was an experience in itself as many seemed to glow with a peace and a contentment once returning from the sanctuary at the front of the Church. The ending of the session brought together a beautiful and symbolic union between the worshipers, healers and the soundscape in that the final part of the soundscape showed the gentle lifting of an eagle from the pine trees into the air above towards snow caped hills with icy blue waters below and the awesomeness of the skyline around. The music was upbeat, focused on healing scriptures, which were phased on and off the screen praising the powerful restorative joy of God for his children. The session ended in a simple congregational prayer which all seemed to know, said by the worshipers as the music phased away. The energy within the building seemed to resonate a sense of well being and thanksgiving. The two soundscapes have common themes that run over and through the rituals and worship in that they invoke and create a development of focusing beyond ourselves to the greater perspective of the faith base and/or God within us. The meditation experience encouraged one to focus on the inner depth of spirituality to be still and know the force of life within us and to acknowledge our oneness with the Divine being who ever or whatever we acknowledge them to be. Even though music and sights were used to invoke that inner peacefulness, it did draw one into ones own spiritual path of enlightenment that is a comfort zone within. The Methodist worship experience was formal to the point of dogmatic that gave a sense of God above us, who demanded attention and worship. When the service moved to the healing period it become more simple and focused. The dogmatic system of ritual gave way to the peaceful enduring quality of God's abiding and comforting presence. The visual nature scenes on the screen, the words of scripture being panned across the screen and the music, which was sometimes upbeat, and other times slow and mellow supported this. Viewing the persons who went forward for healing prayer also enhanced this. If preference was important in this assignment, I would choose the first experience as it allowed me to make my own way in a spiritual journey and to experience with the enhancement of pictures, sound, and reading the simplicity of worship and inner peace. Whether this invoked or brought me to a greater awareness of my inner spirituality will be a thought for the future. The generalization that I can make toward using music in a worship setting is positive. I feel that music is a key aspect of any good worship session it allow one to invoke, welcome and enhance the experience of the Divine within our everyday lives. Thus allowing us to find peace and solace whenever we need that time of refreshment. Cited: Use of class lecture notes. Read More