In my Spiritual Jazz and Meditation Jam sessions, I guide participants through a journey where meditation and jazz flow together, creating an exploration of the self and the music. We begin by anchoring ourselves in a virtual session, sitting comfortably in our physical spaces. Starting with breath awareness to cultivate calmness, we shift focus to sounds, observe thoughts, and become aware of Awareness itself. We apply this technique to explore spiritual jazz, enhancing emotional regulation and mental clarity and fostering liberation, freedom, and empowerment in meditation and life.
In my Spiritual Jazz and Meditation Jam sessions, I guide participants through a unique journey where meditation and jazz flow together, creating an exploration of the self and the music.
I draw on the tradition that any “object” can be an “object of meditation.” The basic instruction is to choose an object—the breath, sound, or mantra, for example—and bring the mind back to it when it wanders. We do that over and over and over. That is the meditation. It is recognizing a wandering mind, returning it to our object of meditation, and noticing what happens in the mind/body.
Anchoring Ourselves
We begin by anchoring ourselves in a virtual session where everyone sits comfortably in their physical space. They may or may not have their eyes gently closed.
Our Breath
We begin with the breath as an object of meditation. I ask everyone to focus on breathing, to feel the air entering and leaving the nostrils. This simple act cultivates calmness, setting the stage for deeper exploration.
As the calm settles in, I guide them to shift their focus to the sounds (another object of meditation) around them.
The distant hum of traffic, the soft rustling of leaves, maybe even the faint notes of jazz playing in the background.
They listen without judgment, just letting the sounds come and go. In this space, they connect the meditative state with the jazz flow.
Our Mind
Next, we move to the mind (another object of meditation).
I encourage everyone to observe their thoughts (the content of their consciousness) as they arise and pass away, much like the improvisational nature of jazz.
They learn to watch their thoughts without getting caught up in them, developing “the skill of moment-by-moment awareness.” There’s a dance between a focused and non-focused mind, between a non-active and active one.
Awareness
Finally, we arrive at a state of Awareness. We are aware of being Aware (another object of meditation). We note the process of noting. We note who or what is doing the noting. We observe The Observer or witness The Witness.
The magic happens here.
Participants rest in the pure awareness that underlies all experiences, realizing the deep connection between their inner selves and the music that moves through them.
Applying the Technique
Then, we apply this technique of moment-by-moment awareness to exploring the sounds of the spiritual jazz artist, making the object of our meditation cover art, instruments, rhythms, beats, movement, and the total listening experience.
The Present Moment
Through this practice, we use meditation and Jazz to abide in the present moment.
Making Liberation, Freedom, and Empowerment Happen
Moment-by-moment awareness enhances our emotional regulation and mental clarity, fostering a balanced approach to life’s experiences.
In these moments of deep focus, we experience what it means to make liberation, freedom, and empowerment happen—in meditation and every aspect of their lives.
Our journey through meditation and jazz is more than just a practice; it’s a transformative experience that deepens our spiritual and musical understanding, bringing us closer to our true selves and creating a world where we can live authentically.
The Meditativist is Jerome Paige, who combines meditation and activism to create “Meditativism.” This approach integrates mindfulness and Yoga Nidra to achieve mental clarity, emotional calm, and purposeful societal contributions. Meditativism uses its insights to actively engage in social change, promoting a just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
Meditativists practice regular meditation, share knowledge of techniques, and highlight meditation’s benefits for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They use meditation to investigate the nature of existence and the universe, fostering interconnectedness and wise actions for community and planetary well-being.
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