| The Law of Rhythm is basically indicating an | | | | group, music is often played to set the rhythm so that |
| expression of habits. A habit is something you do | | | | rhythm then sets into your mind a habit so it stays in |
| consistently, therefore it has a rhythmic movement to | | | | your mind much deeper and more rooted than if it was |
| it. | | | | just the words. There are other, more profound |
| The Law of Rhythm shows you your habits and those | | | | reasons that music is used in Zhikr, but here we are |
| of society and the planet. For instance the planet is in | | | | examining the benefits and danger of music in practice. |
| the habit of going from season to season, that is the | | | | This is an advantage of applying music or melody to |
| rhythm of nature. | | | | spiritual practice, however the downside of using music |
| Words are merely trying to convey the concepts for | | | | in this way is that it may become so automatic as a |
| you to achieve a realisation of the principle behind the | | | | habit that it is done without conscious awareness and |
| outward actions. Please take these words very | | | | therefore defeats the purpose of the practice which is |
| precisely and loosely at the same time knowing they | | | | to make you fully conscious and present at all times. |
| are trying to create a picture for you to grasp what | | | | The danger is that you can be mislead to believe that |
| cannot be expressed in words. | | | | you are doing a worthwhile exercise which becomes |
| The law of rhythm is an expression of habits. Habits | | | | an unconscious habit and loses its potential to help. As |
| are expressed within rhythms. Habits are limiting. Even | | | | all things have a benefit and a danger, the practice of |
| if they are beneficial, they limit you to within the | | | | a melodical addition to any practice you want to make |
| confines of that habit similarly with the rhythm you are | | | | a habit is good to know. |
| limited to the reach of the swing of the pendulum. We | | | | You can use this principle of adding a melody and |
| are trying to go beyond those limitations even if they | | | | rhythm to secure and anchor a thought or word into |
| are benefits, we are interested in improving our | | | | your mind at all times if you are following the concepts |
| capacity for yet greater benefits. | | | | of Napoleon Hill and creating a magnetic centre |
| Applying rhythm in the musical sense, melody is also | | | | towards a particular goal. |
| rhythm. To establish the power that melody has to | | | | Repeating words without emotion will not build a strong |
| form our habits, you will notice that often a song plays | | | | magnetic centre and attract your goal as the Law Of |
| around in your head and you cannot stop it. This | | | | Attraction teaches. Emotion is the rocket fuel that |
| shows how we can get in the habit of a melody and | | | | gives simple words intense power. Often music can |
| cannot break out of it. | | | | create that emotional aspect to simple words. |
| The danger is when we do any spiritual or personal | | | | Of course you have to find some music that does not |
| growth practice using music, it may turn into an | | | | have lyrics already. I love a short piece called 'Carol Of |
| automatic mechanical process and destroy any | | | | The Bells" It is very uplifting, energetic and does not |
| potential it had for your spiritual growth. | | | | have lyrics. This is exactly what you need to make |
| The Sufi Zhikr for instance is a good example. The | | | | your goal statement or short mantra more powerful |
| modern so called Sufis play what they call Sufi music | | | | and take a life of its own in your mind. |
| which has nothing to do with the original intention of | | | | The more often you repeat your goal statement, the |
| what the Sufi practice is, this is applied to Zhikr which is | | | | more powerful it becomes, if emotion is involved. Find |
| the remembrance of God. Zhikr is the practice of | | | | a piece of music that relates to your goal, play the |
| repeating certain words to inundate your mind with the | | | | music as you repeat your goal out load so you hear |
| thought of God at all times. | | | | the words and music together. This will give that music |
| Zhikr is to be practiced constantly on your own, much | | | | those lyrics and it will pop into your head when you |
| like a mantra, or in a group, known as Sama. In the | | | | have forgotten to think about it deliberately. |