There’s no doubt “mindfulness” has become a buzzword over the last few years – and for good reason. The movement started mostly in the late 70s, but its resurgence points to the fact that our instant gratification-crazed culture is looking for a cure for their stressed out and anxious MO.
And it’s not hard to see why: our society’s value on our ability to achieve goals as quickly as possible can make the struggle for mindfulness all too real. When you’re conditioned to believe that happiness lies somewhere in the future, attached to reaching some goal, it can be hard to find it in the present moment.
I’ve learned that MUSIC is a great analogy for teaching us about mindfulness and savoring every moment of life.
The British philosopher, Alan Watts, explains this concept brilliantly in one of his many famous lectures, called “Music and Life.”
“In music one doesn’t make the end of a composition the point of the composition. If that were so, the best conductors would be those who played fastest, and there would be composers who wrote only finales. People would go to concerts just to hear one crashing chord; because that’s the end!”
In music, you don’t listen to a song just to hear the last note, and so it is in life. The process – the ups, downs, challenges and triumphs – is what makes everything beautiful, worthwhile and fun.
In honor of this month’s editorial theme, July’s playlist is all about appreciating every note. I’ve kicked it off with a sampling of Alan Watts anthems that have recently been appropriated into countless popular music compositions, as well as other songs worthy of savoring. So dive in, soak it up, cherish every moment — and go ahead and sing and dance along the way!
Find this month’s playlist below and follow our entire music channel for the coolest playlists curated around theme and activity.
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featured image by chelsea rochelle
Jamie Pabst is the CS music editor and NYC-based DJ and tech entrepreneur.
