I have been thinking about New Age music, and just different kinds of music in general. In case you don’t know, New Age music originated as calm music intended to be listened to while doing things like meditating, relaxing, or yoga. Ever heard of Yanni? Enya, who did some music for the Lord of the Rings movies, is a Celtic/New Age musician, too. In their music they sometimes use unusual electronic noises to create a calming wash of sound. While some of these musicians do have New Age spiritual beliefs, many do not. So, I have been thinking. Is music wrong if it is often used for ungodly purposes, such as New Age spiritual practices?
Here is a song I like:
What did you think? My first reaction to it was thinking that it was beautiful and also a strong desire to find the music so I could play it. When I played it for my mom, she also enjoyed it. So has everyone else I have showed it to.
But for some strange reason, when I mention that “River Flows in You” is written by Yiruma, a New Age composer from South Korea, peoples’ reactions change slightly. “New Age.” That must mean it’s bad. But does it really? Is it possible for one piece of music to be bad, simple because sometimes people use it for bad purposes? Somehow, I don’t think so. Knives, for example, have been used as instruments of murder and violence countless times, and yet it is perfectly alright for me to use a knife to cut up vegetables for dinner every night. The knife itself is not evil, but the person using it can use it for evil things.
I enjoy listening to New Age music. Yiruma has written many pieces that are gorgeous and relaxing. New Age music, I think, is like knives. It does not have to be used for ungodly purposes, and it is very beautiful when used appropriately.
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3 comments:
I agree with you. In my opinion, it's not the genre that defines whether music is good or bad, it's the content. There are plenty of rock bands that have far more New Age spirituality in their songs than this one - actually, this one didn't have any, unless a beautifully composed piano piece is considered a New Age concept.
I think it's unfortunate that the name of a religion has become conflated with a style of music. After all, Christian music is called that because of the lyrics, not because of the style.
I agree with you and Matt. There is nothing wrong with this particular song, it just a relaxing beautiful piece. My only hesitation when it comes to New Age music, is like Matt said, the content. A good friend of my family lives as a missionary in Ireland and she was told me how much of New Age music lyrics are actually incantations. That has made me a little wary, because me not being a New Agist (is that what they are called?) I don't know what the purpose of the incantations are. But I do love the music, so I think if you fully understand the lyrics, and sometimes if you understand the artist, and know that it will not effect you spiritually in a negative way, go ahead and listen to it!
I agree also. No style of music is inherently good or bad; it's how it's used that determines such things. Take Celtic music, of which I happen to be a fan. Within this single genre there are songs like The Minstrel Boy that honor courage and sacrifice in defense of the homeland, and The Jolly Beggar Man, which is a somewhat bawdy ballad that celebrates trickery and lust. Yet neither song redeems or condemns Celtic music as a whole.
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