In the drawing Music Meditation by artist Kaethe Kauffman, musical notes surround the meditating figure. She sits in repose, her hair in a casual ponytail. What is the importance of melodies to this meditator?
In temples across the globe, one of the traditional offerings to buddha consciousness is music which can suffuse the performers and the listeners with joy, peace and a communal experience of oneness.
A worldwide movement of Buddhist composition has grown since the early 1900s. This eclectic array is inspired by Asian and Indian folk tunes, pop numbers, jazz, western hymns and classical compositions. Composers are constantly contributing new exciting works. International symposia feature the latest scores.
Kauffman sings in a Buddhist choir that regularly performs these songs in a temple in Honolulu. It’s very exciting for the artist to be part of this creative fusion of old and new, Asian and Western traditions.
Frequent practices and performances ensure that refrains stay constantly in her thoughts throughout the day, inspiring her and helping her to stay centered and calm, come what may – a music meditation. Flowing steadily through her thoughts are phrases such as “…this I owe enlightened mind, the wondrous gift of peace.” The words provide mental comfort hour after hour each day.
Moved by Buddhist music, the artist draws people in meditation with musical notations near them. When practicing herself, she becomes aware of the movement caused by breathing, a beating heart, the tingling nervous and circulatory systems. All together, these pulses create inner rhythms. In Music Meditation a highly textured surface simulates this awareness of on-going bodily sensations – embodied music.
For the artist, singing creates an endorphin high that lasts for hours. The lyrical vibratory experience within the body is said to massage acupuncture meridians and create better health. Textures that symbolize music’s vibrations fill and surround the meditator in Kauffman’s drawing.
The artist studies voice with a teacher and learns how to project her tones, opera-style. When performing in the temple, the artist’s sound seems to reverberate against the high ceiling beams. In accord with other choir members, she enjoys the profound satisfaction of sharing her breath and intonations with others.
In Kauffman’s drawing, the meditator is pink, a color associated with heartfelt emotions. A smaller meditation figure sits in the heart center, emphasizing a focus on the positive within. The viewer might imagine feelings of compassion and delight flowing in the musical notes streaming around the rosy meditating figure.
Singing in the temple, the artist offers her voice, music resounding in physical space, a bright vibratory experience both within and outside of her.
