| Contents |
The psycho-energetic approach to music. Observing energy ; Inborn spiritual qualities: the key ; Energy fields and their functions ; Consciousness growth ; Musicality and consciousness ; The effects of musical and other sounds on our energy fields ; Five factors determining the effects of sound -- The five elements in music. Qualitative observation ; Thousand-year-old traditions ; Earth ; Water ; Fire ; Air ; Space ; The five elements in Chinese and Tibetan traditions -- Neuro-musical thresholds. A long-term observation ; Some notions about our brain ; Biological roots of musicality ; Pathologies and evolutionary disharmonies ; Sound and autism ; The elementary thresholds: axes of work in childhood ; The major neuro-musical thresholds ; Permanent goals in (musical) expression ; Parallel changes in the general behavior of the person -- Teacher, musician, therapist or shaman? Therapy and development: two approaches, one axis ; Three levels of teaching: shamanic, tantric and essence ; Improvisation: some basic rules ; Feeling ; Consciousness, listening and guidance ; Lucid trance ; Inspiration and visionary work -- Appendix 1. Musical instruments ; Appendix 2. Qualitative research ; Appendix 3. Exercise for centring oneself ; Appendix 4. Genevieve Haag's assessment scheme for autistic children ; Appendix 5. Levels of experience ; Appendix 6. Music therapy evaluation chart ; Appendix 7. Improvisation techniques in music therapy. |
| Abstract |
This book offers an accessible and original theoretical approach to a holistic music therapy based on the notion of musicality as an expression of self, with the power to energise, balance and harmonise. The author considers neuroscience and psychobiology to identify analogies with the potential of musical expression to bring about therapeutic change, as observed during his work with children with autistic spectrum and pervasive developmental disorders. The author also explores the five elements--earth, water, fire, air and space--as means of connecting nature and human spirit. Taken together, these two approaches are instrumental in bridging the gap between music and life and fostering the expression and development of personal energy and spirit in a range of contexts, from arts therapy, music education, performance, and personal and spiritual growth. This book is a key text for music therapists, art therapists, sound healers, music teachers and musicians. It will be of particular interest to those using music therapy with children on the autism spectrum. |
