| 词条 | Draft:Message Music |
| 释义 |
Defining Message Music as a Universal GenreMusic has always been a way to communicate feelings, struggle, and the need for change. It is a way to communicate across racial, cultural, and social barriers. It uplifts and inspires. There are many historical examples of this and over many different music genres. Music brings people together in an effort to overcome obstacles and to transcend conditions that oppress, and it can be a vehicle that offers a commitment to social change. Music can also serve the function of healing, and finding a way to reach a state of transcendence. Whether found in a ceremony, rituals, or cultural celebration, it has always been there as a means of communicating and bringing people together to share emotions and connect to one another. Message Music is a collaboration of music from many different genres that are meant to communicate universality and bring about healing to individuals, couples, families, groups, and the community. It has a global message, that we are one. Finding its roots in an eclectic collection of folk, spiritual, gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, Motown, fusion, metaphysical or other genres "Message Music," transcends all genres and allows people to join in a universal quest to unite and find collective consciousness and a way of being together that brings acceptance and love. It has always existed, in some circles, it will be described as "the message in the music, or music with a message," but defining it simply as "message music" enables the listener to participate without creating the image of religion or affiliation to a social organization that defines the music. In this manner, the music allows one to rise above and engage in a personal journey that unites both the internal and the external experience. Music evokes memories with a range of emotions and social meaning. There are times music communicates messages that we do not have words to describe. Music happens within the context of culture and creates a time capsule of what was occurring at the moment the music was recorded. Because of this truth, it allows us to return to that previous time and re-experience the music sometimes with a memory and perception of related events, and sometimes with new experiences and views. When we join together in music we share a vision and connect to one another and for that moment set aside our differences, judgments, and criticisms; we come from a place of acceptance. "Message Music," is inspirational and uplifting. It can be found in all categories of music and the intent is to create a separate genre entitled, "Message Music" that recognizes the social value and the necessity to preserve this occurrence in music history and to recognize its contribution to music, social experience, social change, and cultural purpose and meaning. (C. Steffen, April 25, 2016). (1,2, 3, 4).Sharing the Vision of Message Music, Social Change, and UniversalityThe concept of synchronicity exists and this is indicated by the fact that a commitment to "Message Music" was occurring in other organizations such as Spirit2Spirit (Founded by Denny and Michael Jenkins, 2000) (5) in Maryland around the same time frame as Dr. Clare Steffen was actively involved in this development. They shared the same mission as Dr. Clare E Steffen, even though they never personally met. Both have acknowledged that "Message Music" can be influenced by secular as well as religious and spiritual music. Each in their own way, cross-country the Jenkins brothers on the East Coast of the United States and Dr. Clare Steffen on the West Coast they share the same vision of social change through music and a commitment to healing. The significance of a social change movement in music is documented in history, through The Peace Movement, The Black Power Movement and Women's Liberation of the 1960s and 1970s. During times of social discord and disharmony, music plays a role in assisting people in expressing the need to join together and promote change. Historical periods in which people were enslaved and oppressed yielded music that was meant to secretly empower and maintain individuality and spirit. Social oppression still occurs in many different forms, and music is still key to maintaining health and promoting healthy empowerment. Keith Martin, Founding and Executive Director of 2SaveSouls Records in Parkville, Maryland shares the vision by using his efforts as a social entrepreneur to promote Message Music, and to bring this and other genres to people globally. His organization has brought together a band of singers, song-writers, musicians, preachers, ministers, healers, teachers, and community leaders to spread the word of the mission to access community healing through music and education. Musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area such as Tony Lindsay, Ron E Beck, Eamonn Flynn, and others are writing and performing Rhythm and Blues, Funk, and Fusion music that is meant to bring a universal message of love and healing. Musicians who record on independent labels are frequently drawn to "Message Music." Spiritual and inspirational music whether inside the church or outside, has a long history of bringing people closer to their higher power by promoting a universal experience of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. World music brings together the elements of sound from around the globe and gracefully blends them to create a unified experience. All of these are examples of the vision of "Message Music," that respect the need for social change, and the recognition of universality. Music Brings MeaningNo matter what environment we work or exist in, we all want to know that we have meaning. A purpose in life drives us to achieve remarkable things, and create balance in our lives. It is our relationships that uniquely define us, and the contributions we make. The delicate balance between competing and creating evokes an internal tension, that when directed allows us to develop a visionary focus. It is important to remain authentic to oneself, which can be very difficult in the demanding society in which we live. Social networks provide means by which we can communicate in a multi-dimensional manner, but it can also become a trap and disrupt our efforts at communicating on an intimate level. Some of our most profound moments come out of simplicity. Message music can be utilized to teach us how to align with the simple truths in life and can assist us in creating personal balance. Assisting individuals and groups in building an authentic foundation can guide them through life. Mindfully and intentionally we can create social meaning that promotes universality, acceptance, and connectivity to establish a oneness and harmonious message through music. (C. Steffen, 2002) (6). Committed to change, Dr. Steffen saw a way to integrate wellness and traditional or Western Medicine approaches to mental and physical health. Having a choice is key in establishing the freedom to change and to continued growth and development. Influenced by the works of Dr. Deepak Chopra (7), Dr. Daniel Amen (8), and Dr. Daniel Siegel (9) and having worked with individuals, couples, and families who experience trauma individually and inter-generationally, Dr. Steffen has provided treatment and designed educational programs that focused on promoting choice as a path to healing and social change. Believing that individuals can move beyond survival, and even resilience to create sustainability, Dr. Steffen designed programs to teach these concepts and train others to promote wellness and to tap into the creative way that moves the individual from automatic responses that perpetuate unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to metacommunication and ultimately transcendence. These same states of being can be paralleled through and in music. Dr. Steffen writes lyrics and songs with intentionality and a focused vision of bringing about healing and wellness. She is dedicated to overcome a "sickness model" of treatment and to bring a wellness model through integrating approaches that empower and promote self-healing. Understanding that Earth Medicine is not really an alternative and that it has always been with us, as has "Message Music," and to respect the idea that creating this genre allows us to return to purest form of acknowledgment. Healing music has always been of the people, by the people, and for the people. The ability to heal is within each of us, individually and collectively. We can work together to heal ourselves, our families, our communities, and with a global intention. "Message Music," is the expression of that intention. We are in need of healing, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. The integration of music and intentional healing can be advanced through the recognition of the marriage of music and social messages that unite and connect us in acceptance, and universality. Cultural Differences Within and Moving Beyond CultureThe concept of time is thought to be universal; however, it is not linear in respect to the way in which it is conceived. Indigenous people may tend to view time in a manner that is more relational as opposed to dichotomous. Blocks or periods of time may be recalled with a connection to a social event. In this regard, time is marked or defined seasonally and in rhythm with the earth's clock. Westernized cultures have imposed a discrete understanding of time that can be driven by social rules pertaining to productivity. Discretionary time for relaxation is earned and time to be social and relate to one another is set aside. Christian beliefs remind us there is a time for every season, "A time to be born, and a time to die." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (10). We frame life events around the structure of time periods including mourning, which culturally we have come to believe happens within a specified time frame to be considered "normal." Human emotions occur on a continuum and may or may not fit within the defined guidelines of what is considered functional behavior, and when they do not we experience isolation. Many individuals have begun to recognize that these delineated and socially defined expectations of time that dominate Westernized culture and have been perceived as superior and the "Gold" standard for the world may not always be the healthiest way to live. Groups of people have aligned with metaphysical beliefs that are based on Eastern Philosophy, Four Direction beliefs, African Religion, Whole World Spirituality, and New World Religion to experience freedom, transcendence, and to connect to heightened consciousness. The conduit for this movement and social change is frequently music that expressively communicates guided imagery, relaxation, and a relationship to a higher truth or more authentic way of being. The message is to slow down, remove stressors that evoke anxiety, and to make a universal connection. This transcendent experience can occur whether one is in a church praying, engaged in yoga, listening to music or having a cup of tea. In any environment, the music can be the vehicle that reminds us to slow down, listen to our bodies, breathe, and to connect to ourselves and others to build a relational connection. Music can be a personal experience in which we engage in an internal process and connect to our relationship to self. It can also be a shared experience in which we connect to others and collectively process emotions and unite. Music can bring about movement, on many levels; physical through gestures and dance, emotional as the sounds and words can evoke memories, mental as it can create new ways of thinking and perceiving, and social as music can become an indicator of alignment with a theme that symbolically represents a team spirit, a means to unite due to a shared pain or loss, recognition of oppression, and a movement that calls for the need to elicit change. Music can be the thread that binds culture or the thread that adorns it to decorate and celebrate life. The message is not only in the words, and within the meaning of the words; it is within the culture, and music happens within the context of culture. We define culture in terms of a host as the dominant and sub-cultures as a means of labeling and categorizing people and society. With the development of the internet and infra-structures to support that technology in more parts of the world, it has become a more global place. As that occurs, our definitions have been influenced and respectively, they change. The meaning we ascribe to experience has also changed. We have more exposure to the rites, rituals, and social mores from around the world. We can share in one another's experience and learn about the history that defined each culture. We have the ability to appreciate the differences and respect and share in an effort to learn more about one another. We do not have to impose a Westernized viewpoint as the "Host Culture" on the rest of the world and assume that our way is better or the best in any given culture. Our differences may not be as significant as our shared human emotional experiences. Learning to understand one another can help us reduce fear that drives hatred and prejudice. When we operate from a place of fear we feel anxious and defensive, and may tend to make unhealthy choices because we fail to listen to one another. A safe starting line to connect and hear one another can be music. There are six emotions that are considered universal; anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise (Ekman, 1999) (11). Robert Plutchik (2002, 2011) (12, 13) continued to explore the concept posed by Ekman on basic emotions and found that perhaps emotions may be more complex that Ekman suggested. He proposed that beyond simply experiencing these biologically driven basic emotions they can also be experienced in a positive and negative basis, and thus, he developed the wheel of emotions. Music in its eclectic format expresses all of these emotions and life experiences. It is not defined by linear time but instead dances through time weaving and connecting us in a beautiful tapestry that unites and promotes strength and empowerment. The Rationale to Consider Message Music as a Universal Genre"Message Music," represents the cultural changes that are occurring globally. People of all nations strive to have purpose and meaning in life. All people long for acceptance, forgiveness, and love as a path to healing the pains of trauma and loss. Every one of us wants to feel empowered to make healthy choices and to live a healthy life. At times we find these subliminal and metamessages that empower us in the lyrics of a song, or through themed music, or by rising our voices in song. Collectively, we connect and rise above the socially driven limitations within culture that define and suppress us. Message music is the universal consciousness that is the spirit of oneness and is the universal truth that we are all deserving and worthy of love, and that we share a oneness. Message music is not defined by one genre, the meaning can be found in many places across space and time, as we collectively become one voice of healing, sharing, supporting, empowering, and uniting in strength and love. Perhaps it is not a new genre so much as a way to promote a higher purpose and meaning with the suggestion that the desire to belong is universal and that we can make the choice to unite together and commit to a ministry to improving our communities locally and globally and to recognize the messages and calling have always been present and are within us through the music. It is bigger than any one genre and is not owned by anyone group and is more powerful than any host culture. It is a united force that resonates around the world, the message in in the music. It has always existed and always will. Putting a label to it as its own genre simply acknowledges the movement to collectively unite, empower and support universal healing through a conduit named, "Message Music." The ability to heal is within each of us, individually and collectively. We can work together to heal ourselves, our families, our communities, and with a global intention. "Message Music," is the expression of that intention. We are in need of healing, physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. The integration of music and intentional healing can be advanced through the recognition of the marriage of music and social messages that unite and connect us in acceptance, and universality. References: 1) Steffen, C. (1999). Dancing Through the Darkness: The Cognitive Treatment of Shame. IL: Realizing Potentials Press. 2) Steffen, C. (2001). ADHD: A Guide to Natural Healing. IL: Realizing Potentials Press. 3) Hope's Healing Light (CD), Written and Produced by Steffen, C. (2000). IL: Realizing Potentials Press. 4) Angelic Awakenings (CD), Written and Produced by Steffen, C. (2000). IL: Realizing Potentials Press. 5) Jenkins, D. (October 14, 2015). Spirit2Spirit (Message Music) Radio Interview: 2 Save Souls Radio Interview with Keith Martin. 6) Steffen, C. (2016). Introductions to Cognitions of Choice: A Philosophy for Living. OR: Choice Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxoc_B72p4g&t=32s 7) Chopra, D. (1989, 2015). Quantum Healing. New York: Random House Books. 8) Amen, D. (1998, 2015). Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. New York: Harmony Books. 9) Siegel, D. (2018). Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence. New York: Penguin Random House. 10) Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (New International Version). 11) Ekman, P. (1999). Basic Emotions. Handbook of Cognition and Emotions. San Francisco: Wiley & Sons, LTD. Retrieved from: https://www.paulekman.com/wp.../07/Basic-Emotions.pdf 12) Plutchik, R. (2002). “Nature of Emotions.” American Scientist 89: 349. 13) Plutchik, R. (2011). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plutchik-wheel.svg. |
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