Customer Reviews

Music for Zen Meditation & Other Joys

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hesitated to order this, as I do not practice Zen meditation, but did so based on listening to the samples. And I am so glad I did! This music is wonderfully relaxing and works as either background music or the focus of attention. Some of the selections have almost a Native American quality to them, and all of them can transport one to places of spiritual peace or renewed energy. Wonderful meditation tool for anyone!

I don't currently meditate seriously. (Though I do sit and stare into space with a blank mind at times, it's not quite the same thing!)

I put this into my portable CD player as I was going on my daily walk, and it was remarkable what it did. Instead of drawing my attention to the music, it focussed my attention outward. The familiar scenery seemed to take on a new and mysterious beauty and the sounds of wind and birds seemed to harmonize with the music, giving me the feeling of being on a strange and mystical journey. Wonderful as a change of pace and as atmospheric music, and I look forward to attempting meditation with it.

When you sit (zazen) the music you listen to should not have any kind of melody.This is because you would start listening only to the music and not "just sitting". "Music for Zen Meditation"is perfect for just this. It fills the gap of silence which is very important for beginners. I have sat to this music every day for close to 20 years. First on a record ( which I wore out), now on CD.

This is absolutely one of the finest works of music for meditation and spiritual work that has ever been released. It is also very nice for traditional Japanese music. I am excited to see the remastered work on CD. The tranquility of the music has the ability to transport one's mental focus to higher planes of consciousness, and open the creative mind. I highly recommend it to all who want to open their minds and calm their spirits. A gentle breeze moves the leaves in the trees, as a small pebble breaks the surface of the pond. The water ripples with tiny waves, moving out in all directions. Peace.

This is a really nice CD, with shakuhachi-style music. A couple of things that may not be apparent from the description:

-- The CD is from Verve, as the artist comes from the jazz tradition. This didn't come up for me explicitly in the music itself, but I thought it was an interesting way to make sense of the performance on the album.

-- Most of the CD is improvisational. This wasn't an 'issue,' but it does emphasize that the music on the album is primarily non-melodic and spontaneous.

Overall, a nice album if you want to foster a calm mind.

I hesitated to order this, as I do not practice Zen mediation, but I did so based on listening to the samples. And I am so glad I did! This music is wonderfully relaxing and works as either background or the focus of attention. Some of the selections have almost a Native American quality to them and they all can transport one to places of spiritual peace or renewed energy. Wonderful meditation tool for anyone!

If someone would ask me about the most prefered CD in my collection - the answer is clear.Music for Zen Meditation gaves and gives me so many relaxed hours that i can`nt miss this sound longer than a few days.After listening this music a few hundred times the last ten years, it is still like a medicine after a hard working day and many others occasions.

I had this album in vinyl in the 60' or 70's. A person came into my house and was pacing like a caged tiger. He was very agitated, so I walked over ot my stereo and put this album on. Within a few minutes, he took a deep breath and just sat down and relaxed! It was amazing. The compositions are marvelous for meditating or just relaxing. It's old music, but fits right into the "new age" genre. I highly recommend this album! I love it!

Whether you 'think' you are meditating to this recording or not may be redundant. The Koto playing here is both transcendental and historical.. it marks the first known improvisational effort by a koto master, as there is no concept of improv in Japanese music. The results are profound. This is by far the best koto playing I have ever heard..many other koto pieces by traditional players are shrill and hyper. This is the ultimate koto performance- cool, calm, and creative. The clarinet and shakuhachi swirl and play around the koto parts like breezes and butterflys.. meditate or not.. but buy this CD. Your mind and spirit will love the liberation.

The CD title is silly, the song titles too for that matter, but this is a great CD. I've listened to it for years. Like a lot of practictioners, silence is the only meditation music for me. I'm sure there are those who like music in the background, who knows. What matters is that the music on this disc sets a standard that's not been equalled in New Age music. Tony Scott's jazz background gives him a rare originality and freedom, and these players find an authentic musical unity in a disc of rare improvisation. Koto master Shinichi Yuize and shakuhachi player Hozan Yamamoto share full measure in making a lasting recording that never tires, and asks nothing it doesnt return ten fold. Once you hear this recording, you'll want it always nearby. It's a real treat.(4/07 note: musician Tony Scott passed away last month. THANKS for a great CD, Tony!)