Thoughts on relaxation/instrumental music?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#1
#1
What are your thoughts on relaxation/instrumental music? I'm talking about instrumental music (but not the traditional full orchestra classical type) used for relaxation/meditation purposes. Soothing calm music that you might hear at a yoga studio, which sometimes has a mix of instruments and nature sounds, etc. If the music is made using foreign instruments (for example, sitar, or Tibetan bamboo flute, etc), would you associate the music with another religion? What about traditional Chinese, Indian, Thai instrumental music in general?

There are also other categories of instrumental music called "lounge" or "chill-out" music, and also "techno" music (usually European in style). Any thoughts?
 
Mii

Mii

Well-known member
#2
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,329
113
#2
Let's make it a symphony instead. Does that change anything?

A string quartet or some Bach.

No? Then I don't think it much matters. This is my preference and it'd be nice to see churches roll with a meditative atmosphere some times. If the purpose is glorifying the Lord (whatever your hand finds to do) could this not be used for this purpose?

From my perspective, the heart of worship matters tremendously. When that is set on worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth, there are many ways to do that which don't always have to be praise songs.

Some music promotes thanksgiving. I am thankful for good music that doesn't have words and the way it delights me causes a better spiritual atmosphere at times...jamming with a group of other believers with the sole purpose of mutual edification and delighting in the tools the Lord has given us? Sounds legitimate.
 
Gregoryp

Gregoryp

Banned
#3
Jul 20, 2019
1,228
882
113
#3
This is what I listen to, I downloaded it and it sure helps me relax via headphones.
 
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#4
#4
I'm talking about this type of music for relaxation purposes (not necessarily devotional), perhaps thinking about a to-do list for the week or future goals, etc. I think we can also use this music for personal devotional time. It is the type of music you find at a massage parlor or yoga studio. I think some Christians would find an issue with this because they link foreign with another religion.




I think unless foreign music is explicitly religious (for example, if the song has a lot of "Allah" in it), then it is fine to listen to it.
 
T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#5
#5
Pay no attention to the images in the video, as I have no control over that, just the song.
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#6
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,427
113
#6
I have found relaxation music helpful for feeling calmer. I like the music that goes with nature scenes. Some relaxation music I have liked better than others. I find I like some of the music from the YouTube channel soothing relaxation which features music composed by Peder B. Helland.
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#7
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,427
113
#7
I like the channel OCB relax music too. Lots of peaceful nature scenes.

I like instruments such as the harp( very beautiful sound), flute, piano, and violin.
 
Mii

Mii

Well-known member
#8
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,329
113
#8
TheIndianGirl said:
Pay no attention to the images in the video, as I have no control over that, just the song.
Click to expand...
I think we are talking about the same thing. I mentioned classical. It's the idea of "music for music's sake"
Breathing is something we all do...for some it is the breath of God and to others a "clock" and still to others singly (solely) a human process with little beyond that.

Music I think and feel is most likely similar. Perhaps it is as natural as air but also who you give the glory to for its existence. The heart of worship doesn't have to be conscious the same way that breathing isn't always. To drift in music is not sinful if done in faith...I'm still working out what that means but we all still need to be careful.


I don't want to talk about deeds done in darkness, but there are some instrumental pieces that aren't made with a right spirit. Can the Lord redeem that in a believer's life? I think so, but that's a deep discussion. Most pieces aren't demonically inspired directly and only as a byproduct to one in bondage which would mean they were simply "breathing" and it wasn't intentional.

In other words, most instrumental music (music to lyrics aside) is what you make of it. A very small amount feels wicked and I'm sad that I've come across some in my wanderings but I do at least know that it's there. Just guard yourself and listen to the Holy Spirit when you are "breathing" music, because there is some stuff that is just wrong but I'm also extremely liberal according to the law of liberty with instrumental music (including eastern music) or even experimental music that I have at some point come across pieces that work something foul in me. These are rather rare, just a fair warning and something to mindful of.
 
Butterflyyy

Butterflyyy

Well-known member
#9
Oct 31, 2019
1,609
1,317
113
#9
TheIndianGirl said:
Pay no attention to the images in the video, as I have no control over that, just the song.
Click to expand...
Hi I know from experience that opening yourself up to this kind of music will allow demons in. Have nothing to do with it, and repent to God. The Bible says we must be holy (separate unto Him), and also to have nothing to do with seducing spirits.
Hope I have been a help🙂
 
Butterflyyy

Butterflyyy

Well-known member
#11
Oct 31, 2019
1,609
1,317
113
#11
This is good played on slightly faster speed. x
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#12
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,427
113
#12
@TheIndianGirl , I would listen to what type of relaxation music makes you feel good and helps you relax. If a particular music video or song makes you uncomfortable listening or gives a bad impression for you, I wouldn't listen to it.
I have an example of this though it is unrelated to instrumental relaxation music. One time while I was at a group therapy class we were doing this loving kindness meditation. At first it seemed ok, I think it was just about sending love( or loving thoughts) to people you know like family and friends. Then the part at the end of the meditation gave me a weird vibe. The group leader spoke about sending love to the universe. After it was over, one or more people commented about that part. That indicates to me that I was not alone in feeling something strange about that last part.
 
Butterflyyy

Butterflyyy

Well-known member
#13
Oct 31, 2019
1,609
1,317
113
#13
CherieR said:
@TheIndianGirl , I would listen to what type of relaxation music makes you feel good and helps you relax. If a particular music video or song makes you uncomfortable listening or gives a bad impression for you, I wouldn't listen to it.
I have an example of this though it is unrelated to instrumental relaxation music. One time while I was at a group therapy class we were doing this loving kindness meditation. At first it seemed ok, I think it was just about sending love( or loving thoughts) to people you know like family and friends. Then the part at the end of the meditation gave me a weird vibe. The group leader spoke about sending love to the universe. After it was over, one or more people commented about that part. That indicates to me that I was not alone in feeling something strange about that last part.
Click to expand...
Hi Cherie
That weird feeling was because you were taking part in telepathy which is demonic and not of God.
The Bible tells us that Christians should have nothing to do with evil, and Yoga is evil. We are also told that Satan comes as an angel of light, that he is a deceiver, and that if we need wisdom we should ask God and He will give it to us for sure.
Take care x
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#16
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,427
113
#16
Butterflyyy said:
Hi Cherie
That weird feeling was because you were taking part in telepathy which is demonic and not of God.
The Bible tells us that Christians should have nothing to do with evil, and Yoga is evil. We are also told that Satan comes as an angel of light, that he is a deceiver, and that if we need wisdom we should ask God and He will give it to us for sure.
Take care x
Click to expand...
Hi Butterfly, that was during a time I was still in school. It was years ago. It is not a type of meditation I would participate in again.

With that said, I'm not against all types of meditation. For example there are some Christian meditation that has you focus on a particular portion of Scripture. One youtube channel that does this is called Abide. They have one where it reads from Psalm 23 in the KJV and later in the Amplied Bible.

I am not against yoga if it is done for only physical stretching and exercise. There is however one yoga magazine edition that had yoga poses one can do along with a prayer to a particular deity. That is not something I would participate in because it was a exercise in praying to a false deity, which is clearly idol worship. I ended up throwing that magazine away.

I agree with you that it is good to ask God for wisdom.
 
Butterflyyy

Butterflyyy

Well-known member
#17
Oct 31, 2019
1,609
1,317
113
#17
CherieR said:
Hi Butterfly, that was during a time I was still in school. It was years ago. It is not a type of meditation I would participate in again.

With that said, I'm not against all types of meditation. For example there are some Christian meditation that has you focus on a particular portion of Scripture. One youtube channel that does this is called Abide. They have one where it reads from Psalm 23 in the KJV and later in the Amplied Bible.

I am not against yoga if it is done for only physical stretching and exercise. There is however one yoga magazine edition that had yoga poses one can do along with a prayer to a particular deity. That is not something I would participate in because it was a exercise in praying to a false deity, which is clearly idol worship. I ended up throwing that magazine away.

I agree with you that it is good to ask God for wisdom.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind reply Cherie...
Even yoga done just for stretching is subtly a way of demons getting in and is also a form of demon worship even though someone may not realise....
xxx
 
up

up

Banned
#18
Oct 8, 2019
4,175
2,469
113
#18
like to nap, sometimes, when can get the chance in this busy hectic life we all live, just saying
xoxo
 
SoulWeaver

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
#19
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#19
I'm not bothered by what instrument is used or what culture the music comes from. There are Christians in all cultures now, so...
I only avoid if made with religious intent. Such as, I might listen to Tibetan bowl, but I won't if it's specifically made to align chakras and such.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.