MUSIC, MOVEMENT TRAINING, MEDITATION, PRAYER PART 2

 

Meditation etc is a cerebral directed exercise that harmonizes and manipulates our physical bodies, emotions etc by learning to be more conscious of and more intentionally directing our human bioelectricity in desired ways for desirable outcomes. This practice is oftentimes more mental and intentional than physical, but there is a physical component as...for example...our breathing patterns and physical structural alignment, our nutrition etc has a direct impact upon our physical bodies which in turn directly impacts our minds and whatever Mind-Body connection we may have...and that Mind-Body connection directly determines the quality of our meditative state and any and all affect or effect our intended manipulation of our bioelectricity will have.

Prayer seeks to develop a primarily Spiritual connection with the creator that is the source of all things including the creator of our personal bioelectricity. It's more dependent upon Spirit-Mind connectivity, but recall that every other consideration will impact us in this endeavor. The noise level, the quality of air we breathe, our self care expertise or lack thereof, our emotional state, and every single physical and bodily reality. 

Here are four sources that explore the benefits of studying the Orisha tradition:

1. **"The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts" by Baba Ifa Karade**  

   Published: 1994  

   Bio: Baba Ifa Karade is a prominent Orisha priest and author known for his expertise in Yoruba spirituality. He has dedicated decades to the study and practice of Orisha traditions and is highly respected within the community.

2. **"The Way of Orisa: Empowering Your Life Through the Ancient African Religion of Ifa" by Philip John Neimark**  

   Published: 1993  

   Bio: Philip John Neimark is a scholar and practitioner of Ifa and Orisha traditions. He has written extensively on the subject, focusing on the spiritual and practical benefits of Orisha worship and its relevance in contemporary life.

3. **"Santería: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America" by Miguel A. De La Torre**  

   Published: 2004  

   Bio: Miguel A. De La Torre is a scholar of religion with a focus on Latino/a and Latin American religious traditions. His work delves into the socio-cultural aspects of Santería and its impact on individuals' lives.

4. **"Osun Across the Waters: A Yoruba Goddess in Africa and the Americas" by Joseph M. Murphy**  

   Published: 2001  

   Bio: Joseph M. Murphy is an anthropologist specializing in African diaspora religions. His research explores the multifaceted aspects of Orisha worship, including its psychological and emotional significance for practitioners worldwide.

These sources offer valuable insights into the emotional, analytical, and wellness-related benefits of studying the Orisha tradition, drawing parallels with practices like Zen Buddhism and highlighting the holistic impact of engaging with spiritual traditions rooted in African heritage.

Movement training is a Mind-Body and Body-Mind fusion which has far reaching benefits in primarily the Body-Mind/Mind-Body areas.

Music impacts every aspect of this inner-outer coupling, so does every aspect of physical environment. The smells, tastes, vibrations, feelings. The shape of the structure we're inside or lack of any structure like a building we're in. The weather in every glance. The presence or lack of smog. What quality water we bathe, shower, etc in or the lack of such. The quality of clothing we do or don't donate. 

If you were like me decades ago when I was a kid, you had an inner sense that spiritual study and practice helps, but neither you nor anyone around you could clearly define what our independent spirit *is*. Not some religion's interpretation of what "spirit" is and isn't, I mean an **OBJECTIVE** determination of what "spirit" is. Both in the secular sense of vigor and the more "seeking something greater than ourselves" sense. Not only is there not a clear cut general understanding of what "spirit" is, and how to discern "spirit" from "emotion+intuition", but there's no generalized clear understanding of what "spiritual training" and/or "spiritual learning" actually does that's distinct from other types of training. And most of all, there's no general understanding or comprehension of how to objectively determine what our "spiritual progress" is. How can we tell if someone or another person has authentically achieved a level of spiritual harmonious peace and sophistication or whatever that we haven't?

Even though that's a topic for another blog that I will address more thoroughly then, some of those facets of concern are inescapably part of the purview of this blog you're reading now. So, here's my take on the slice we must address now in order to move forward. Your spirit is the part of you that is not physical and that consists of your character and feelings. Spiritual learning offers comfort during difficult times and helps you find inner strength and resilience. It teaches us to embrace change and uncertainty and to recognize that life's challenges are opportunities for growth and change.

We can best find out more intuitively and objectively what "spiritual" matters are, what our "spirit" is, by a "process of elimination" style approach. If we identify, isolate and integrate the other aspects of our Self, the remaining facet that we haven't directly addressed but can now accurately intuit due to our development of the aspects around it...will lead us to the "spirit". Reminiscent of the way scientists discovered black holes, lol. I think the individual study AND SYNERGISTIC COMBINATION ACTIVITY AND STUDY OF Emotional Intelligence, Music, Movement Training, Meditation and Hypnosis, as well as Prayer will lead us indirectly but inexorably to our goal while furnishing enough objective data to validate our approach and results. 

So. With that said? Let's definite the parts of this whole and list some of the benefits derived therefrom:

Emotional intelligence (EI) enhancing activities, such as mindfulness, meditation, and reflective journaling, can significantly contribute to understanding and cultivating our spiritual dimension. Mindfulness and meditation foster a deepened awareness of our internal states and the transient nature of our thoughts and emotions, thereby enhancing our connection to a sense of something greater than ourselves. Reflective journaling allows for the exploration and articulation of personal values, beliefs, and emotional experiences, promoting a clearer understanding of our spiritual journey. Engaging in these practices can help in discerning the nuanced differences between spirit and the amalgamation of emotion and intuition, offering a pathway to objective spiritual growth. Moreover, these EI activities encourage the development of empathy, self-regulation, and the ability to navigate interpersonal relationships with a heightened sense of compassion and understanding, all of which are indicative of spiritual progress.

Emotional Intelligence:

Research by Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso (2004) has shown that emotional intelligence, which encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, can be enhanced through activities like reflective journaling and meditation. These practices promote self-awareness and emotional regulation, leading to improved overall well-being.

Reflective Journaling:

Studies by Pennebaker (1997) suggest that reflective journaling can have therapeutic benefits by facilitating emotional processing and cognitive restructuring. Regular journaling has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental health outcomes. This combination of benefits helps make our goal of integrating the mind, movement, meditation etc all the more clear and grasped in progressions, which in turn makes our understanding of how to approach directly and consciously locating and engaging our "spirit" all the more easily understood and doable.

Meditation:

Research by Tang et al. (2007) has demonstrated that meditation practices, such as mindfulness meditation, can induce structural changes in the brain associated with improved attention, emotional regulation, and cognitive function. Meditation has also been shown to promote neuroplasticity, which enhances learning and memory. This activity amplifies and reenforces all of the previous benefits and therefore is indispensable.

Musical Benefits of Jazz and Hip-hop:

Studies by Limb and Braun (2008) have explored the neural correlates of improvisation in jazz musicians, revealing increased activity in brain regions associated with creativity and self-expression. Similarly, research by Wu et al. (2014) has shown that listening to hip-hop music can activate areas of the brain involved in reward processing and emotional expression. All of this provides the stimuli to the requisite creativity we need to intelligently grasp, envision and engage our spiritual sides as well as prevent us from giving up.

Benefits of Movement Training on the Brain:

Movement training, such as that offered by Njia Uhuru Kipura, can have profound effects on brain function. Research by Ratey and Hagerman (2008) has highlighted the cognitive benefits of physical exercise, including improved attention, memory, and executive function.Cerebral executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes that allow individuals to plan, organize, execute tasks, solve problems, and regulate behavior in order to achieve goals effectively. These functions are primarily controlled by the prefrontal cortex of the brain and encompass abilities such as decision-making, working memory, cognitive flexibility, attentional control, and inhibition. Executive functions play a crucial role in various aspects of daily life, including academic and occupational success, social interactions, and overall adaptive functioning. Dysfunction or impairment in executive functioning can lead to difficulties in goal-directed behavior, impulsivity, poor decision-making, and problems with attention and memory. Movement-based activities like martial arts and dance have been shown to enhance neuroplasticity and promote the growth of new neurons in the brain (Hanna, 2012), thereby enhancing executive function and every primary aspect of brainpower. 

Once these things are done, we'll be able to perceive the outlines of the "spirit" in the same sense that completing every piece of a puzzle except one piece makes clear the size, shape, and location of the missing piece. Now that we know exactly what we're looking for, what it looks like and where it should be plugged in? We can and will be able to locate and utilize the spirit in a more well informed, intentional way that's beneficial to all.

Overall, the comprehensive training provided by Mwalimu Mtaalam Ras Fletcher in Njia Uhuru Kipura incorporates elements such as music, meditation, and movement, all of which have been scientifically linked to enhanced cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being. Through these practices, individuals can experience improvements in brain structure and function, leading to enhanced self-defense skills and overall personal development.

Mwalimu Mtaalam Ras Fletcher stands as an unparalleled authority, boasting over four decades of hands-on experience, complemented by the pursuit of three doctorates in pertinent fields. Unlike many classes that integrate music superficially, his Njia Uhuru Kipura method embodies a unique fusion of street-tested realism and scientifically grounded expertise. With his unmatched combination of skills and knowledge, Mwalimu Mtaalam Ras Fletcher offers an unrivaled opportunity for holistic growth and self-defense mastery. Like, comment, and share this blog, and follow my social media links below for more insights.

1. **Cognitive Function**:

   - Schellenberg, E. G. (2005). "Music and cognitive abilities." In S. Hallam, I. Cross, & M. Thaut (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology (pp. 457-469). Oxford University Press. 

   - Bugos, J. A., Perlstein, W. M., McCrae, C. S., Brophy, T. S., & Bedenbaugh, P. H. (2007). "Individualized Piano Instruction enhances executive functioning and working memory in older adults." Aging & Mental Health, 11(4), 464-471.

   Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the effects of music training on cognitive abilities.

   Dr. Jennifer A. Bugos is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of South Florida. Her research explores the cognitive and emotional benefits of music instruction, particularly in older adults.

2. **Learning**:

   - Furnham, A., & Bradley, A. (1997). "Music while you work: The differential distraction of background music on the cognitive test performance of introverts and extraverts." Applied Cognitive Psychology, 11(5), 445-455.

   - Ho, Y. C., Cheung, M. C., & Chan, A. S. (2003). "Music training improves verbal but not visual memory: Cross-sectional and longitudinal explorations in children." Neuropsychology, 17(3), 439-450.

   Dr. Adrian Furnham is a Professor of Psychology at University College London. His research interests include personality psychology and the effects of background music on cognitive performance.

   Dr. Agnes S. Chan is a Professor of Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on the cognitive and neural effects of music training in children.

3. **Fluid Intelligence**:

   - Schellenberg, E. G. (2004). "Music lessons enhance IQ." Psychological Science, 15(8), 511-514.

   - Moreno, S., Besson, M., & Särkämö, T. (2017). "Musical training and cognitive aging: Multiple benefits and future directions." Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11, 442.

   Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Toronto. His research investigates the cognitive effects of music training in children.

   Dr. Sylvain Moreno is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto. His research explores the cognitive and neural effects of music training across the lifespan.

4. **Kinesthetic Intelligence**:

   - Iwanaga, M., Kobayashi, A., & Kawasaki, C. (2005). "Heart rate variability with repetitive exposure to music." Biological Psychology, 70(1), 61-66.

   - Fritz, T. H., Hardikar, S., Demoucron, M., Niessen, M., Demey, M., Giot, O., & Leman, M. (2013). "Musical agency reduces perceived exertion during strenuous physical performance." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(44), 17784-17789.

   Dr. Masanori Iwanaga is a Professor of Health Science at the University of Tokyo. His research focuses on the psychophysiological effects of music on human performance and well-being.

   Dr. Thomas H. Fritz is a Research Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences. His work explores the effects of music on physical performance and perceived exertion.

5. **Emotional Health**:

   - Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). "The effect of music on the human stress response." PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156.

   - Linnemann, A., Strahler, J., Nater, U. M. (2016). "The stress-reducing effect of music listening varies depending on the social context." Psychoneuroendocrinology, 72, 97-105.

   Dr. Urs M. Nater is a Professor of Clinical Biopsychology at the University of Vienna. His research focuses on psychobiological responses to stress and the effects of music on stress regulation.

6. **Absorbing and Applying Self Defense Skills**:

   - Fritz, T. H., Hardikar, S., Demoucron, M., Niessen, M., Demey, M., Giot, O., & Leman, M. (2013). "Musical agency reduces perceived exertion during strenuous physical performance." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(44), 17784-17789.

   - Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). "Music in the exercise domain: a review and synthesis (Part I)." International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44-66.

   Dr. Costas I. Karageorghis is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at Brunel University London. His research focuses on the effects of music on exercise performance and psychological responses to physical activity.