(56) Meditative Music

Segal came to Edna’s to escort us to meet her friend Ramon. She explained that he was recording his meditative music at home and that we should meet him. We arrived at his door and knocked. “Just a minute,” replied a voice inside. Shortly, the door opened. Ramon greeted us with his long black and white peppered beard and dressed in a flowing white outfit that contrasted with the dark, cluttered room. The sweet smell of good bud mixed with incense wafted through the open doorway. “Come in. Come in,” he said with a smile as he led us deeper into his home. 

He motioned us to sit. “Would you like something to drink? Water or tea? Tea, I think, yes,” he said, answering himself.

Meeting each other

We sat on the sofa. It took a moment for our eyes to readjust to the low lighting. The house was clean but very lived in. It was slightly cluttered with any items he may want, all within reach. Ramon returned with a tray of small cups and a teapot. “So, Segal tells me you play guitar.”

“Yes,” I replied, “and she told us you are recording your music here.”

“Yes, along with two other friends. We are playing a type of music that we hope will help people reach a deep meditative state. I’ll play you some! First, we should prepare ourselves,” he said as he pulled out a pipe and began to fill it with some sticky bud. “Our problem,” he continued, “Is that we can’t find the point in the recordings where the meditative state begins and where it ends. We start simply with improvisation, searching for the right flow.” He lit the pipe and passed it to me. I took a good hit and began to pass it. 

“No. Take your time. Keep it for a minute,” he said. “Before you pass it, smoke a bit more. We’re not in a rush here!” He smiled. I held on to the pipe for a few more minutes. Taking a few more draws on the pipe, I felt the warm glow of relaxation begin to wash over me. I passed it to Donna, who did the same.

Meditative Music

While discussing music, we all agreed that music is the beginning point of “Creation,” or the “Big Bang,” as scientists call it. Everything in the universe is a vibration, i.e. music. Light, color, sound, solids, liquids, trees, tables, chairs, and people are all vibrations. Without the vibration nothing would exist. We agreed that in many theories of acoustics, theta waves are a type of vibration present in beatific sleep and meditation. These waves have a 7-14 Hz wavelength in the upper range of alpha waves. Characterized by feelings of serenity, relaxation, calmness, security, well-being, and fitness- all positive emotions- these waves dominate when someone is most relaxed.

He explained that, keeping these concepts in mind, his group slowly built the music. He wasn’t interested in adding other musicians as he was happy with their accomplishments. Before long, Ramon said, “Okay. I think we are ready. Sit back. Close your eyes and try to determine where the music begins to take you into the meditative state.” He turned on the recording. 

The music was simple, with a nice mix of guitar and hammer dulcimer playing gently. Soon, a flute joined in, weaving a dreamy texture. As a result, more time had passed than I was aware of. I wasn’t asleep. I had been in a deep state of meditation. Coupled with the smoke, his music had succeeded. 

Ramon’s Problem

“So,” Ramon inquired, “at what point did you fall in, and when did you come out of the meditative state?”

“I’m not really sure,” I said.

“Me either,” said Donna.

“I have no idea,” agreed Segal.

“Yes. This is my problem!” Ramon exclaimed. “The tapes can go on for hours, but I need to edit them down to the most effective parts. Perhaps you would like to help me with this task?”

“I quite honestly don’t believe I could find those points either!” I said. “The music you are making is extraordinary.” It was true. Granted, we had smoked some good weed, but as a result, his music was like a drug all by itself.

“Let’s listen to another, but this time without smoking,” he said.

One more time

We all agreed to try and find the beginning of when we slid into the trance-like state. He put on another tape. The tune was very different yet similar in relaxation to the first one he played. The gentle strumming of the guitar and sporadic plinks and plunks of the hammer dulcimer was like a massaging of the soul. I’m unsure when I realized I was floating, drifting in my mind yet not thinking of anything. I wasn’t asleep, but I was certainly somewhere near it.

I was part of the music, and the music was part of me. After some unknown amount of time, I began to realize my surroundings. The music had done its job. I couldn’t help Ramon with beginnings and endings. We had spent several hours at his home. It was getting late. Time to leave. Thanking him for the experience, we wished him good luck on his editing task. He said he would send us a tape of his meditative music if he succeeded with his editing. 

Segal accompanied us back to Edna’s, where we thanked her for the introduction and amazing experience with Ramon. She said the gig with her was coming up in a few days. I told her we would be ready!

Next: Segal Sings