Preparing yourself

Could I enter this experience with a defined purpose while simultaneously releasing any preconceived expectations or desires for how that experience should unfold?

The music you’re about to experience has been purposefully crafted for therapeutic journeys within altered states of consciousness. Consequently, you might notice that some of the compositional elements differ from your everyday musical preferences. For instance, certain pieces in your session may extend for durations of up to 20 minutes or more, while others may introduce novel qualities that may initially feel unfamiliar.

We encourage you to maintain a sense of curiosity throughout your evolving experience, and to release any preconceived expectations or desires for things to unfold differently. Cultivating an attitude of openness and curiosity to your evolving experience will pave the way for your therapeutic journey to unfurl organically and expansively.

You could think of your upcoming session as a journey to a foreign land and culture, akin to exploring a place where you may encounter unfamiliar foods with exotic spices you’ve never experienced before, or wonderful animals and plants never seen before. Just as you approach this new land with a commitment to connect with it more deeply, with an openness and patience, your therapy session invites you to embark on an inward voyage, exploring the depths of your own being. Whatever you encounter within yourself, no matter how initially unfamiliar it may seem at first, is a part of you waiting to be understood and embraced. Here, the music is like a transportation vehicle, transporting you from one place to another.

Am I willing to welcome and embrace any emerging thoughts, sensations, emotions or images that surface, without the urge to resist or push them aside?

While not all experiences evoked by the music may adhere to conventional notions of pleasantness, it’s important to understand that every facet of your journey in this therapy session is embraced and valued. There’s no requirement for you to alter or suppress your current emotional state—your entire subjective experience, with all its nuances, is both welcomed and acknowledged. 

Throughout your session, you might encounter emotions that you may typically find challenging. Maybe these are feelings of sadness, grief or anger. Or maybe these are experiences of joy or bliss. Whatever you experience has significance, and by allowing your experience to unfold naturally, you may find that their meanings become increasingly resolved, insightful and integrated. 

You may encounter experiences that range from the profoundly impactful to the exquisitely subtle. Unexpected forgotten memories, as well as entirely new or long-dormant experiences, may surface, each with the potential to foster your personal growth in valuable ways.

Consider your upcoming session as an activity you’ve never attempted before, but one for which you’ve diligently prepared, guided by experienced mentors. Picture it as akin to your very first scuba-diving expedition, a surfing lesson, a novel strenuous physical challenge, or an adventurous journey into the heart of a jungle—choose whichever metaphor resonates most with you. In this novel experience, you’ll encounter a spectrum of emotions, each an integral part of your personal journey. Here, the music functions as your steadfast companion, providing soothing and deepening support for these processes. At times the music will be like a warm, comforting blanket to wrap yourself in, offering reassurance that you’re in safe hands. At other times the music may be like a telescope or camera, enabling you to perceive and understand more than you typically would in this unique exploration of yourself.

At times, you may or may not find yourself experiencing an aversion to the music during your session. When these moments arise, it’s essential to recognize that your disliking of the music is entirely valid, just like any other experience you encounter. In line with our previous discussion, it’s perfectly okay.

However, before seeking to change the music, we encourage you to first explore the nature of your dislike a little bit more. There can be various reasons behind these feelings, and we invite you to approach them with curiosity initially. There may be an unexpected value hidden beneath this aversion — a memory or emotion seeking your loving attention. 

Take a moment to explore how this aversion manifests within your body. Notice the accompanying thoughts, feelings, or memories that emerge alongside it. Observe how it ebbs and flows, shifting in tandem with the changes in the music.

When you have in-person support available, don’t hesitate to seek assistance during these potentially challenging moments. 

When you ever feel overwhelmed, if the music persists intrusively for an extended period, or if it begins to hinder rather than enhance your exploration of your inner self, it may be a good time to reach out to your care provider and ask for more supportive musical options.