Composing and recording the kind of meditative and healing music that I do requires that I get into a deeply relaxed state of being. It’s not just a matter of playing the right notes. I need to play from my heart and from my deepest place of peace. To do so means that I open my heart to the vibration of unconditional love. I embody the peace that I wish to share with my listeners. This is something some musicians learn, yet many do not.

The heart has its own wisdom. When you get into the right brainwave state, in deep alpha (8 Hz) or theta range (4-7 Hz) you naturally attune to and synchronize with the dominant energy of the earth itself, which further opens your heart.

A case in point was the recent celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela. The role of music—of singing songs of revolution and social justice—played a central role in the transition from apartheid to freedom for all. It is also the case that music—from folk to rock to R&B to rap—has always been a part of the civil rights movement in this country.

On a more theoretical level, research has shown that there are certain biological realities that are hardwired into our nervous system. Some forms of art and music tap into naturally occurring relationships of tone, color, and shape that support harmony and peaceful feelings. Other forms create dissonance and disharmony. Knowing this, you can make wiser choices to bring more uplifting music and art into your life.

When I started out in the music business, I played in bands as a trumpet player and guitarist. I practiced a lot, and there was a lot of ego in showing off how good I was on the bandstand. In other words, the music was about me, rather than the listener.

When I shifted into my role as a sound healer and creator of uplifting, relaxing experiences for the listener, it was no longer just about me or how well I could perform. It was how well the music I recorded assisted the individual in feeling more at peace, more relaxed, and more in touch with their spiritual essence. This is something we all share, at the core of our being. However, it is not something our culture really values or teaches.

Therefore, my creative life transformed my life on many levels. It allowed me the opportunity to touch the hearts and souls of many millions of lives around the world. It allowed me to make a more positive contribution to people worldwide than I had done before. It also allowed me to become part of the community of many artists who seek to uplift our audience as we uplift ourselves with our art.