r ef l ec t i o n s
On becoming more peaceful...through music
by Ryan Zepp
I
magine a stone being tossed into a
pond. As it breaks through the surface
of the water, a series of ripples are created that spread far and wide. Every
day, as people who exist interdependently
among other beings, we are constantly affecting change in our environment, casting
our own stones in the form of thoughts,
speech and actions. Therefore, I believe
that the discussion of peace should necessarily begin with addressing inner peace
of the individual. Before we can initiate
change on a local, national, or global scale,
we need to establish a basic sense of mindfulness in order to act compassionately
towards others.
Throughout the course of history,
music has been used to bring awareness
to injustice, raise money for good causes,
create social and political change, help end
wars, and so on. But what about its capacity
to foster self-understanding? Before addressing its more explicitly wide-reaching
effects, it only seems appropriate to begin
the discussion of a music/peace relationship
by turning to the function of music as an
aid to being a peaceful person.
During my early teenage years I fell
head-over-heels in love with music, specifically with that of the Virginia-based rock
outfit, Dave Matthews Band. Their music is
generally laced with joyfulness and lyrics
that promote living life enthusiastically.
When my high-school basketball coach
was senselessly murdered in the streets of
Baltimore, Maryland, I found my 15-yearold self profoundly affected by the loss of a
great mentor. I had supportive family and
friends, but I also learned that I could seek
16 IMAGINE l Autumn 2015
out music to empathize with my sadness and
comfort me in the midst of being blindsided
by the existential inevitability of death.
I have also been able to use music as a
tool within the more ordinary moments of
daily life. Music offers a space to enter, so as
to come away better understanding our emotions, thoughts, and actions; it is able to spark
moments of clarity and offer insight into
our surroundings. It may help uncover and
articulate a particular thought or emotion
words cannot convey. It serves as a similar
vehicle of self-understanding for the artist
making mu ͥ