When listening to Far Bradley’s lecture she talked a lot about embracing her environment and surroundings to create experimental music. The way she spoke about using space and public surroundings she inspired me to look into the idea of Sonic Meditation.
I took some time to read up about Pauline Olivero and her sonic inspiration after watching a Vietnam War Protestor kill himself. She began her career as a pioneer for electronic music during the 60s and 70s. After witnessing such a brutal and horrifying turn of events she felt the urge to isolate herself and found no impulses to play music. As humans, this is an instinct to hide and protect one’s self against fear or pain.
After a year of silent retreat in 1971, she published a series of experimental works named ‘Self Meditation’. Her work was heavily based on the centre of her physical being and body movement. She began Thai Chi lessons where she found a love for spatial and body. I found this extremely beautiful as it suggested to me a sense of alertness towards a relationship with one’s soul. Centrality and awareness are important parts of overcoming emotions which we face. By facing and understanding how we feel and move we can overcome and build bonds within ourselves. We will find ways to react to our turmoils however we want. Pauline’s work reflects this to me and shows me a true sense of self-understanding. By projecting her newfound perspective centred around her body she was able to compose what sonically became her meditation and road to self-awareness.
Although not everyone makes music and composes sound, I do believe that sonically we can meditate every single day. Attaching yourself and your body to music or sound that we hear in our daily life; allows a pathway for the brain to understand what pressures we have on our soul. Using and connecting to sounds around us connects our self-being and will aid us in conquering everyday mediation.