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Rarely does an individual get an opportunity to spend several hours with two of the leading research scientists of our time in history all within the space of 48 hours. I am delighted to report that that honor was bestowed upon me last week, while I was in Los Angeles for the final annual conference of the National Association for Music Therapy. If you've read this newsletter for the past several months, you are aware of some significant issues that have exploded onto the national scene with respect to music. (If you need to be refreshed, please check our website [address below].) As I pointed out in my immediate and admittedly passionate response, there are several major problems with the scenario. Intuitively, I knew I was right. Objectively, the response of audiences across the country confirmed my individual response. But most of all, speaking with one of the scientists who actually did the research that is being trumpeted around the world validated the perspective I shared with you. You read it here first. Let me give you some specifics: Dr. Gordon Shaw and Dr. Frances Rauscher are the internationally acclaimed researchers at CalState Irvine whose research in 1993 with 34 test subjects was heralded around the world with screaming headlines like "Mozart Makes You Smarter." Dr. Shaw was a featured presenter at a pre-conference institute entitled Music and the Brain. Imagine my surprise and delight when he announced in his presentation that he and his research associates "were not happy with the way things have transpired. We made no such claims, and it is professionally irresponsible for anyone to make such broad assertions. "Furthermore, it undermines our scientific credibility. It is way too early to promote Mozart as a panacea --- and we certainly never suggested that one should listen to Mozart during study or test times. The music would be much too distracting!" Well, bless my soul! We were clearly on the same wavelength. Their studies do indicate that there are patterns of neurons that fire in sequences, and that there appear to be pre-existing sites in the brain that respond to specific frequencies. Not only that: this response appears to hold true for other mammalian brains, like primates. More about that later. Since I'm running out of room, let me summarize a few key points: 1) Not any Mozart will work. Don't try "The Marriage of Figaro" and expect to get good results. 2) It's not only Mozart that will work. Some Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Beethoven, and yes, Halpern and other contemporary composers will work as well. 3) Mozart is probably turning over in his unmarked grave. Tune in next month for a recap of my dinner with Dr. Valerie Hunt and the latest on her explorations of human energy fields. To give you a mere hint of the scope of Dr. Hunt's work, consider that world-renowned scientists like Dr. Candace Pert (of neuropeptide fame) now agree that a conceptual model based on molecules is several levels removed from the source. In other words, if you've recently read Dr. Pert's book, the information is already somewhat dated; she now acknowledges that the neuropeptides are an expression of field effects. Just look at the chapter headings of Dr. Hunt's book, Infinite Mind: The Mind Field, The Human Aura, Field Transactions, Lifehoods. For your own direct experience of this work, I would recommend that you contact Malibu Publishing and request a catalog of their audio, video and lecture tapes. It will blow your mind! Call (310) 457-4694.
Copyright © 1997, Steven Halpern Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists. With over three million units sold, he celebrates his 20th anniversary by revisiting his World/Jazz roots with Afro-Desia, also featuring Suru, medicine man and healer, and a special guest appearance of Jai Uttal. For free in-store play, contact your sales rep or: Steven Halpern's Inner Peace Music®, phone: 1-800-909-0707 / fax 415-485-1312 / e-mail: innerpeacemusic@innerpeacemusic. com. Visit his World Wide Web site at www.stevenhalpern.com. Next Article |