In our Spiritual Jazz and Meditation Jam Session on August 21, 2024, we used three meditation techniques—moment-by-moment awareness, breath, and stillness—to unlock the transformative power of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”
My recent meditation jam session centered on John Coltrane’s transcendent music. I hosted the Zoom session, during which we explored deep connections between Coltrane’s spiritual jazz and mindfulness. We took a journey into the heart of both music and meditation.
As we experienced, John Coltrane’s music is more than just a collection of notes; it’s a spiritual experience. His compositions in “A Love Supreme” are imbued with a sense of seeking, a quest for higher understanding and divine connection. This makes his work an ideal companion for meditation, where the goal is often to transcend the mundane and touch something deeper within us.
Adding another dimension to our session, we drew inspiration from Kurt Elling, a contemporary jazz vocalist known for his profound, soulful interpretations of Coltrane’s works. Elling’s approach to jazz echoes Coltrane’s spiritual quest, as he often incorporates profound lyrical content and improvisation into his performances. His rendition of Coltrane’s “Resolution” provides a modern voice to Coltrane’s spiritual exploration, making Elling a powerful bridge between traditional spiritual jazz and contemporary jazz meditation.
We began the session by establishing and maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of the sounds, lyrics, and words in Coltrane’s music, and practicing this moment-by-moment awareness allowed for a more profound immersion into both meditation and jazz. We used specific sounds, rhythms, and lyrics as our object of meditation; much like Elling, we channeled the spiritual energy of Coltrane’s music.
We shared our experiences and insights throughout the session, revealing how the music guided our meditation. One participant noted, “I found it challenging to keep my breathing steady with the changing rhythms, but once I focused on the bass line, it became easier to stay grounded.” Another shared, “Coltrane’s saxophone felt like a voice leading me through my thoughts, helping me to release tension and find peace.”
As the session concluded, we reflected on their key takeaways. Many found that Coltrane’s music offered them a new perspective on meditation that could be more dynamic and emotionally engaging. One participant remarked, “I realized that meditation doesn’t always have to be silent. The music gave my mind something to focus on, which helped deepen my practice.” Another takeaway was the idea of using music as a tool for emotional release, with a participant noting, “The session taught me that I could use Coltrane’s music to process my emotions, not just to calm my mind but to understand and transform what I’m feeling.”
These reflections highlighted the unique power of combining Coltrane’s music with meditation. By the end of the session, it was clear that our practice offered more than just relaxation—it provided a pathway to deep spiritual connection and self-discovery, demonstrating the profound impact of engaging with music in a mindful, intentional way. Kurt Elling’s influence further enriched our exploration, showing how contemporary interpretations can continue the legacy of spiritual jazz, guiding us toward greater inner peace and understanding.
The Meditativist Says
The dance between mindfulness and melody offers peace and a profound dialogue with the divine. Let the notes guide you inward, where true transformation begins.