Are you tonedeaf? Does it matter? [Well, it does to these people.] Music therapy is beneficial to health, if you are an active (musical) or passive (nonmusical) participant, according to a Los Angeles Times article today. It goes on to say not all studies on music therapy are clear, but brain studies show that the “ancient” part of the human brain that governs basic drives such as hunger, thirst and sex also ‘lights up’ to music.

Dr. Oliver Sacks, a scientist who became well-known from the film Awakenings, talks about his very recent book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain here – he introduces his personal musical background and discusses his work using music with a patient with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Sacks answered 10 questions for Katie Couric today, about himself and his new book as shown on Couric & Co.[written up by Nancy Ramsey.]

How about a wordless, melodic prayer? There is divinity to be found, if you have the intent but just don’t know what to say.

Or music as an act of compassion? The dictionary definition and social definition of harmony come together with the music of Mystic Chorale. Their mission, since being founded by musician, author and educator Nick Page:

Make music a participatory experience, creating a dynamic collaboration among the bold and the shy, the untrained and the trained, the audience and the performers, challenging all of us to be truly amazing.

(courtesy Scenic Blue, the UK’s first and only landscape gardening franchise)

With much support and help, I am delighted to take a figurative ‘load off’ and enter my new virtual Health Patio. It feels good to rest a moment, and be. 

I hope you can tap into the same feeling.

Recently, I was intrigued by a delightful flash presentation at the cool blog run by Rabbi Infinity. I do believe he is an imagined composite member of the clergy but this just adds to the charm, in my humble opinion. He is also an expert of kabbalah, and having mentioned that, I have now exhausted my entire body of knowledge of the study of kabbalah.

The blog entry encouraged me to create an opportunity to feel the experience of sitting there quietly while the world around you is going berserk. This “takes real fortitude.”

IRL, my real life clergyperson and I sat down together some months ago (before Health Patio came to be.) I was upset that day and I try to avoid getting upset, however like most everybody, my buttons got pushed. I remember as I opened my mouth to speak/rant, I looked at her body language, and I felt something change. Her physical presence seemed open and ready to listen. Her spiritual presence was what was remarkable, and I thought, wow, how does she do that??

While still being emotionally present with me, spiritually I felt an empty space, like the space that is made when you open your arms to hug a loved one. What is that space called?

If you have an answer or response, please tell me– I can’t get it off of my mind and it just has to have some name or description. Help!