The Sound of Music

DeAnna Willman photo Matthew Lancaster@unsplash

And YHWH planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. Genesis 2:8

Today we will finish up our exploration of things that help and heal the brain. The first we will look at is nature. God created nature- the earth, sky, water, and all that is in them, both plant and animal. Within that nature, God placed all that we would need for life; food, water, oxygen, sunshine, plants, even the earth itself. God put man in a garden, not a cubicle or house. He created our bodies to respond to and need the natural environment, not the artificial environments man has created.

Our thyroid, hormones, mood, and sleep cycle are regulated (in the brain) by the sunrise and sunset. How many of us actually see the sunrise, or are outside to see the sunset each day? Walking on the grass and dirt barefoot-called grounding- reduces inflammation within the body and can eliminate jet lag when one travels. It also helps improve sleep. When was the last time any of us waked outside without some sort of shoe? Working in a garden and getting your hands in the dirt improves the microbiome of your gut as well as feeds the body with its yield. Who here spends a lot of time getting their hands dirty, let alone growing their own food? The senses were created for the sights, sounds, feel, taste, and smells that God created for us to enjoy. How many bird songs do you hear while in your house or amidst the noise of city life? How many flowers do you stop and smell during your commute to and from work?

Being isolated from nature, we are also isolated from the frequencies God placed within nature. Now, I am not one to spend much time thinking about the frequencies of things as many people in “new age” religions do. Those people are not simply being in nature and reaping what God has to offer through it. They are manipulating frequencies all around them to try to increase their own frequencies and get in touch with the universe. You will often find this in their music which has one note or chord (frequency) playing throughout the whole song/melody. Unfortunately, this has found its way into churches who will do this very thing or have a frequency going during prayer time.

I am not saying we are to manipulate frequencies, but I do know that there is within nature frequencies that benefit the body. This has been scientifically recognized and studied by many. The results are impressive enough that doctors in Japan now recommend and practice Nature Therapy for their patients long before they will prescribe a drug or counseling. Those are seen as last resorts for one’s health. Depression? Take a 2 hour walk in forest. High blood pressure? Spend a lengthy amount of time outside in the sunshine. Arthritis? Sit on a large rock or warm spring and gently manipulate your joints. The list goes on and on. And it works! Dimentia? Guess what! Being in nature helps restore memory and slows cognitive decline. Go figure that something God intended for our bodies to receive actually works!!! Yes, the hills are alive with music (frequencies as well as sounds of nature) and that music was put there for our health!

Choose to spend some time in nature!

And all the Levitical singers… with cymbals, harps, lyres stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; and it was the duty of the trumpeters, and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to YHWH…”

2 Chronicles 5:12-13

God had music placed within the temple services! Yet, He created music long before there were instruments. There is music within His very creation. But He also placed within us a desire to play or enjoy music. And our brains respond to music. Music can uplift the mood, a reaction of the brain to what it is receiving. Moving the body to the music does even more to stimulate the brain and uplift the mood.

It has been known for a long time now that the brain is stimulated and deeply engaged when listening to classical music. It enhances better brain development and function. Every region in the brain is stimulated by classical music. Most music today, while not necessarily bad, does not stimulate the brain the same way. Most genres of music have a very predictable beat, rhythm, and sound. The brain latches on to that pattern very quickly, leaving very little of the rest of the brain stimulated or engaged. That’s not to say that the music can’t be enjoyed or isn’t even beneficial. A lot of music will cause the brain to stimulate the vagus nerve which puts the body into rest and recovery. Especially if you are the one playing the instrument or singing the song.

We have talked about how the parasympathetic system is within the vagus nerve and it calms the heartbeat, slows breathing, and allows the body to return to homeostasis (balance). This is good and healing. But keep in mind that the effect can be negative, as well. The faster the tempo of the music, the lower the threshold for wise decision making and self-control. Stores are aware that music will influence your decision making and how much you will purchase. Offices are very aware that music will influence how long you are willing to wait to be helped/seen. Restaurants know that certain tempos and genres will cause you to eat faster and leave sooner. And the louder the music/voice, (think heavy metal and screaming lyrics) the faster the amygdala will decide the body is in danger and signal the brain to put body in fight or flight mode. At this point, decision-making and delayed gratification are greatly inhibited. The brain and body are seeking escape from something, but the mind has told it to “stay put.” That’s a great deal of stress placed upon the brain and body. CHOOSE wisely!

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Proverb 18:1

In the very beginning God made it clear that it is not good for man to be alone. He created woman, then told them to build a family together. He created us for relationships. First with Him, second with family, and third within the Body of Messiah. Healthy relationships create healthy brains. The medical field recognizes that those with healthy community will be healthier, live longer, and will heal faster when faced with illness or surgery. Insurance companies know that married men usually make better decisions and therefore less cost to the company. We all know that healthy families are needed for healthy people, and that starts at the dinner table. Children whose families spend at least 4 nights a week eating dinner together have proven to be more resilient, make better choices, and do better in academics and social situations. Family is where we first build healthy relationships, but we also need healthy communities.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us how God created and put us together to create community. We have been put into local congregations of the larger Body of Messiah for learning, teaching, serving, growing, and even healing. It is within this community that we learn to become self-sacrificing, learn to have healthy boundaries, uplift others, rejoice and weep with others (empathy), bear one another’s burdens, teach one another, and operate as a whole while doing the work of the kingdom. Those relationships within the local Body are meant to be a blessing to you, to those around you, and to bring God glory. We have been given gifts specifically for the edification of the Body. Knowing and operating within one’s gifts within the Body allows one to be at peace, be content, to better empathize, and helps guides one’s day to day decisions. It gives a sense of belonging and having purpose. This type of mindset strengthens the regions of the brain that increase delayed gratification, social skills, and learning. It also empowers the regulation of emotions within the brain.

These are the last of the brain helpers we will discuss in this blog. As with all things, be mindful with them, and take them back to the Scriptures. This week take time to listen to some good music, perhaps while reading a physical book or writing a note of encouragement. Get out in nature multiple times, beyond getting in and out of your car. Exercise while outside! And be sure to praise our God for what He has done in creating nature to benefit our brains and bodies! Eat supper/dinner with your family most nights this week. Spend time with each member of the family sharing and listening.

Pray, forgive, empathize, and express gratitude to those within your community. Use your gifts to edify the Body of Messiah. Share with someone in that community the changes you have made and how they have blessed your health. Continue to take all thoughts captive to the obedience in Yeshua Messiah.

We have looked at practices that will benefit and even heal the physical brain. But information is not enough. You must consider all probabilities and choose to act upon these things to receive the benefit. Either way, you make a choice and there is a consequence in your brain and body.

Next, we will begin looking at the spiritual leg of our stool and how it connects to mindfulness and our thought life.

Until then…

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity… Practice these things, immerse yourself in them so that all may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:12-16.