Thursday Satsang In Person and via Zoom
July 2, 2026
“Meditation and Music”
A viewing of a prerecorded talk by Rolf Sovik (February 19, 1978)
7:00-8:30 p.m. CT
New start time, 6:00-7:00 p.m.: In-Person Gentle Yoga with Michael Snodgrass
7:00-7:15 p.m.: Guided Meditation
7:15-8:30 p.m.: “Meditation and Music”
A viewing of a prerecorded talk by Rolf Sovik (February 19, 1978)
8:35 p.m.: Evening Chants
8:40 p.m. Tea
In this compelling talk, recorded in 1978, Rolf Sovik, a lead teacher and administrator of the Meditation Center at that time, spoke on Nada Yoga, the yoga of sacred sound.
In this talk Rolf guides students through the subtle body using breath awareness and the So-ham mantra.
In this practice, with the changes of pitch and subtle vibrations, the body becomes an inner instrument for sound and music.
Rolf also talks about the origin of scale notation in Western music (circa 1025) coming originally from a prayer/hymn to St. John the Baptist, whereas in other cultures, such as India, different musical scales are used, with more pitches, based on a musician’s inner experience.
See Swami Rama’s description of subtle sounds in PATH OF FIRE AND LIGHT: ADVANCED PRACTICES OF YOGA (1996), pp. 106-108 and pp. 132-133.
Both Swami Rama and Swami Veda have taught Baka Mudra, where subtle sounds can be heard. Swami Rama wrote, “Anahata nada is the celestial sound heard by the mental ear of a yogi” and it is “the very basis of all music practiced and played all over the world. In all the music of the world, there are only seven key notes. The Sama Veda explains extensively the origin of music and its effect on the minds and hearts of the sadhakas. It is said that music also could lead the aspirant to a state of ecstasy and samadhi, but such musicians are rare, and they devote their whole lives to practicing music as the only method for attaining samadhi.” See Swami Rama’s CHOOSING A PATH (1982), pp. 172-173.)
To support the work of The Meditation Center and register you can donate here or make a general donation by clicking on the “donate” button on the “Support TMC” website page. Or donate through PayPal.
There is parking available for TMC visitors in the St. Boniface lot across the street from the Center.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
