The intricate connection between mind and music came to the fore during the unique session on mind management, music and meditation hosted by the Art of Living Manipur on Sunday at its Happiness Centre located in Keishamthong, Imphal.
The programme was held as part of the Art of Living Manipur’s ongoing AnoubaYakairol campaign which seeks to spread wisdom about stress-free living and help people cope with the heightened level of stress prevailing in Manipur.
Laced with soothing and healing folk music by folk singer and songwriter Chaoba Thiyam and wisdom about mind management and meditation from the experts of the Art of Living, the event highlighted music, mind and meditation as three essential strings of life.
Chaoba not only rendered some of his best folk songs for the audience but also elaborated on the role music plays in the holistic development of a human being. He shared how he got inclined to the domain of meaningful songs and of popularising the rich folklore of Manipur.
He also shared some of the unique experiences and encounters he has had during his exciting musical journey. “Music, meditation and mind management skills complement each other as music calms the mind and calmness of mind is an essential ingredient of artistic pursuit like music,” he said.
Delivering the opening remarks, Brahmachari Dixon, senior faculty of the Art of Living, stressed on how music can be harnessed as an effective tool of silencing the chattering human mind.
“If we were to write a user manual of life, music, mind management and meditation will form the most important chapters. They not only form the cornerstones of a happy and stable life, but also have the power to uplift the human consciousness,” he said.
“Like the water of the old rivers renews itself every moment, life is renewed when we turn to music and meditation,” he added.
The programme came in the form of a short but powerful guided meditation conducted by senior faculty of the Art of Living Rajaque Rahman.
Rahman also highlighted the benefits of meditation and stressed on the need for integrating it as a lifestyle habit to cope with the rising level of stress in society.
Meditation not only brings the deepest of rest but also cleanses our system of toxins and stress, he said.
Stating that music and meditation are essential for the soul, he said the tradition of soulful music needs to be preserved and popularised.
He also shared many tips to help us experience meditation even amidst chaos.
Adventure sports mentor and Art of Living faculty Romeo Meetei also spoke on the occasion and shared how meditation has helped in his pursuits in life.
