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For a long time I thought about how the songwriting process and the teachings of Buddhism are remarkably similar and could intersect in the middle somehow, so I thought why not explore the concept a little further and therefore, in this post, I explore the similarities between songwriting and Zen. 

While one is an ancient philosophy and the other a modern creative pursuit, they share common principles like mindfulness, simplicity, and self-awareness. 

My goal with this is not to turn songwriters into Zen masters, but rather it’s to uncover the shared lessons between these two paths to enhance creativity and depth in songwriting. 

  1. Impermanence In Songwriting

Impermanence, a key Zen principle, plays a significant role in songwriting. In my experience, a song is like a snapshot of fleeting emotions and moments, much like life’s transient nature. 

Writing a song is an exercise in embracing change – melodies evolve, lyrics transform, and initial ideas often take new shapes. This mirrors life’s impermanence, which teaches me to appreciate the beauty in change and to let go of the quest for perfection.

  1. Mindfulness In The Creative Process

In songwriting, mindfulness means being fully present with my emotions, thoughts, and experiences. It’s about observing the world with attention and translating those observations into music. This process requires a heightened awareness, akin to the mindfulness practised in Zen. 

For me, it’s less about forcing creativity and more about letting it flow naturally, being open to where the song wants to go.

  1. Simplicity And Essence

Zen teaches the beauty of simplicity, a lesson that’s valuable in songwriting too. I’ve found that the power of a song often lies in its ability to convey a message or emotion clearly and directly. In my songwriting, I always try to focus on the essence of what I want to express, stripping away the non-essential to reveal the song’s true heart.

  1. Self-Expression And Self-Understanding

Zen’s journey towards self-understanding mirrors my process of songwriting. Each song is a step in my journey of self-discovery, helping me express and understand my own emotions and experiences. This introspective process is not just about creating music but it’s also about learning more about myself and where I am placed in the world.

  1. Non-Attachment In Creative Evolution

Non-attachment, a crucial Zen principle, is essential in songwriting. Over time, I’ve learned not to cling too tightly to initial ideas or emotions in my songs. Being open to change and letting the song evolve naturally leads to more authentic and resonant music which reflects my acceptance of life’s ever-changing nature.

  1. Embracing The Void

In Zen, ‘Emptiness’ or ‘the Void’ signifies potential and space. In songwriting, it teaches me the power of silence and space. Not every moment in a song needs to be filled with sound.

Silence can be as expressive as notes and lyrics, giving the listener space to absorb and reflect. As Robert Fripp once famously said…

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.”

  1. Direct Experience And Authenticity

Zen values direct experience, and in songwriting, this translates to authenticity. I feel that my songs are at their most powerful when they’re true to and aligned with my experiences and emotions. 

This authenticity makes my music relatable and powerful, connecting my personal stories to universal themes.

  1. Beginner’s Mind And Innovation

For me, adopting a ‘Beginner’s Mind’ in songwriting means approaching each new project without preconceptions. This mindset encourages me to experiment and innovate, keeping my approach fresh and open to new possibilities. It’s all about maintaining a sense of curiosity and playfulness in my creative process.

  1. Meditative Aspects Of Songwriting

I’ve always maintained that the craft of songwriting is a meditative practice. When I’m deeply immersed in the songwriting process or in the zone when performing on stage, I enter a state of flow similar to meditation. 

This focused and absorbed state aids in tapping into deeper levels of creativity and self-expression, much like the introspective and calming effects of meditation.

  1. The Interconnectedness Of All Things

In songwriting, I see the interconnectedness of all elements – lyrics, melody, rhythm, and the audience. Each component interacts with the others, creating a cohesive whole. This interconnectedness extends to the relationship between me, my music, and my listeners, forming a shared experience that reflects the interconnected nature of our lives.

In exploring the parallels between songwriting and Zen, I find a profound connection between these two seemingly distinct practices. The principles of Zen – such as mindfulness, simplicity, non-attachment, and interconnectedness – are not just abstract concepts but can be actively experienced in the creative process of songwriting.

Songwriting, much like the practice of Zen, is a path to deeper understanding and expression. It’s a medium through which we can explore and express our innermost thoughts, emotions, and experiences and by embracing the principles of Zen in songwriting, we open ourselves to a world of creativity that is not only artistically fulfilling but also personally enlightening.

What do you think? Can you see the parallels between the songwriting process and Zen Buddhism? How do you approach your own songwriting process?

No matter how we look at it, all roads lead us to a song.

Peace,

Corey 🙂

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Since the mid nineties I have had a very keen interest in studying meditation. Around that time I was exposed to a number of philosophies of mainly the new age kind through the bands I was in and through the company I kept.

This created a healthy environment of wonderment and questioning about what life is about and what makes human beings (especially me as I point the finger inwards) do the things that they do.

Out of all the books I read, the people I had spoken to and the philosophies I was exposed to, it turns out that for me, Buddhism was the only thing that really made sense.

Now, there were periods of time where I was right into the study and other times where I had let it lapse but if I was ever asked what religion I adhered to, I would answer Buddhism. However, there was always one thing that confused me about Buddhism and my relationship to it.

I have never seen Buddhism as a religion but more of a method of living.

Now, some schools of Buddhism seem to have a more religious or doctrinal approach to them while others not so but all I wanted to do at the end of the day was practise this method of living without any of the superstitious or religious overtones.

It wasn’t until very recently however, that I discovered that my “Buddhism without the religion” actually has a name… Secular Buddhism.

Now when asked about my religion (mainly through other religious people who knock at my door from time to time) I can reply “I don’t have one, but I am a Secular Buddhist” (much to the amusement or confusion of the questioner). According to Wikipedia, Secular Buddhism is…

“… a broad term for an emerging form of Buddhism and secular spirituality that is based on humanist, skeptical, and/or agnostic values, as well as pragmatism and (often) naturalism, rather than religious (or more specifically supernatural or paranormal) beliefs.”

It’s also referred to as Western Buddhism or Buddhist Atheism. Once I found a name for my rediscovered path, everything else just started to make sense.

Therefore, my Buddhist study would be of a secular nature and my meditation and mindfulness study would come from the disciplined Zen Buddhist tradition of Japan.

In future posts, I’ll be writing about what I discover on this particular path but in the meantime I’m just happy to “be” in this very moment.

Peace,

Corey 🙂