Some Of My Favorite Music For Healing

It occurred to me when I was talking about music for healing - criteria for music, and how to really feel what works for and what doesn't - that some examples might be useful. I paused for a moment, because I don't often track what I use very closely; I just go for the right feel.

Having raided my music collection, I found many artists. Each artist has their beauty, but no one is perfect for every case. I present them here in no particular order, with some explanation and examples.

There's a lot on this page, so here's a quick navigation guide:

• Dagda
• Kitaro
• Enigma
• David and/or Diane Arkenstone/Ah Nee Mah
• Adiemus
• Kodo
• Krishna Das
• Llewellyn
• R. Carlos Nakai
• Richard Maddux
• A few more.

First, we have...

Dagda

I heard and enjoyed Dagda long before I knew who they were. Some of their music appeared in a meditation mix I was using, simply called "Celtic Trance". An apt description, as it was the title. (Return to top)

Kitaro

I've listened to Kitaro for almost all of my life. A great composer and multifaceted artist. Not all of his works are great for meditation, as the mind can get too wrapped up, but as music for healing goes, a little Kitaro rarely goes wrong in my book. (Return to top)

Enigma

Enigma is more main-stream than most "new age" type music, but that also means that they're pretty accessible. They're very good for getting attention, and setting the stage, but sometimes I like something a little more intricate. (Return to top)

David and/or Diane Arkenstone/Ah Nee Mah

Almost unfair to combine this way. Each is a talented musician independently, and they work great together as well. Great ambience, and is very descriptive with the melodies and instruments they use. On occasion, I want something a little more challenging though. (Return to top)

Adiemus

Adiemus I just found out about in the last few years. I first heard them during my Reiki training, used by my teacher. They use soaring and powerful vocals without (in most cases) being recognizable lyrics. This is good; it doesn't trip you up when you're trying to avoid words clogging up your thinking. (Return to top)

Kodo

The big name in Taiko drumming. In comparison to some other artists, I've actually found them a little too challenging on occasion. I don't use them much for meditation, but when you need to work with primal emotion, drumming is known to bring it out, and they're among the best. (Return to top)

Krishna Das

I confess I'm cheating a little here; I don't use the music in the first video. I refrain only because there's some English lyrics in there. Doesn't stop it from being one of my favorites!

The chants used here feel really great to me; sometimes I'll just pick one and follow along, letting everything else fall away. (Return to top)

Llewellyn

Excellent at ambience, yet attention-getting at times. Gets kinda spacey for me on occasion so I don't use much of them at present. Still, they're certainly worthy of inclusion; they may be just the music for healing for you. (Return to top)

R. Carlos Nakai

I first heard about Nakai as being similar in spirit, if not style, to Kitaro. A very apt description. Carlos Nakai's flute-work is wonderful for spending some peaceful and regenerative alone-time. (Return to top)

Richard Maddux

Again, more ambient than challenging, but in some cases that's no bad thing at all. Even more so in this case. (Return to top)

A Few Honorable Mentions

• Rasa
  • I'm really favoring this group recently. A wide range of emotion. Smoky and mysterious, peaceful and serene, vibrant and energetic. Highly recommended.
• Bodhi
  • Great flute work. More ponderous and playful, where Nakai is more descriptive and visual.
• Delerium
  • Similar in style to Enigma, the problem (for English speakers, anyway) is that the great majority of their work uses lyrics, which can throw everything off.
• Bruce Hathaway
  • Here's another artist that's great at setting the stage and keeping you in that zone. Can be a little heavy on the drums for some (though nowhere near Kodo or other Taiko drumming groups!).

What you use for your music for healing is up to you. Remember to pick something beautiful, and something that feels right.O

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For further reading:

• Explore how healing music can be.
• Get the right feel in your beautiful healing music.
• Find out what kinds of music work best for energy healing and meditative purposes.
• Return from Music for Healing to the main Energy Healing page.