The Spiritual Dimensions of Music: Altering Consciousness for Inner Development

by R.J. Stewart

'This handbook of musical alchemy looks at music as a "genuine power that effects changes in consciousness.": These changes can range from ephemeral mood shifts to dramatic and permanent transformations of consciousness.

Musician, composer, and author, R. J. Stewart goes beyond mere scholarship to present a practical theory of consciousness expansion. He explores how chanting, harmonics, and sustained notes in certain relationships can cause measurable changes in emotion and vitality. He also draws in the works of hermes Trismegistus, Pythagoras, Dr. John Dee, and the Qabalists and discusses the musical implications of the Tree of Life, the Chakras, and the Four Elements.

The author emphasizes the importance of using music consciously (rather than passively) to bring about desired conditions of body and mind. Combining intuitive vision and practical discipline, his method of using music for inner development can be applied by the novice and music enthusiast as well as the composer, musician, or scholar.'

-Taken from the book's blurb.

Genres: Music

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

Robert John Stewart (Bob Stewart) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father came from a Gaelic speaking family originally from the Western Highlands. His mother was Welsh, from a Welsh speaking family from the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, with a tradition of singing and playing the Welsh triple-harp. He is known today as a composer, author, and teacher, with 40 books in publication, translated into many languages worldwide. He is widely experienced in theater, film, and television, and is a skilled performer and presenter.

Reviews

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book that explores how music and magic can be brought together from a musician's perspective. The author discusses how you can use your voice, but also touches on musical theory and even types of music and instruments best suited for music magic. If you don't have a background in music some of the material will go over you head, but there's still a lot you can get from this book that can be applied to your magical practice. The author also provides some useful exercises that help implement the theories he presents. If you are a musician who practices magic I recommend this book, but if you also want a different perspective on magic this book will open your eyes and ears!

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book as both a magic practitioner and a music lover, hoping to glean insights into incorporating the music that moves me into my magical life. I was very quickly disappointed.
The author's snobbery was evident very early on as he looked down his nose at all but a very small bit of sound that he sometimes called "primal music." With this I was tempted to either abandon the book or forge on with the likely intent of writing a scathing review. Obviously I chose the latter.
As I continued reading, my opinion began to soften as I realized that I was probably not the intended audience for this book. Slogging through his dense text, it was obvious that Stewart was writing for those who knew quite a lot about the technical side of music, not just people who liked to listen. Then I hit upon a few genuinely insightful elements and I thought that I might finish the book and leave a matter-of-fact, but not glowing, review.
But, it wasn't long before the snob reared it's ugly head an topped itself. The author's arrogance in dismissing generations of talented composers and songwriters, and their fans who've been genuinely moved and inspired by their songs, completely overwhelmed any magical insights I might have picked up from him. And I am certain that those few useful tidbits have been covered in other, far better written books.
If you're looking for a book to inform you on how to meld your love of music with magic, this isn't it.