Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

solution through a message, and in the postlude INLA stated the she could contain the
doubleness or ambiguity. In the interview she maintained that a process of integration
had taken place.
Another narrative structure included in this material is the death-rebirth cycle, already
suggested in session #1 (the maple tree), but fully unfolded in session #7. INLA was
confronted with another version of the ambiguity problem, here presented as two sub-
personalities that could be united. Images of conflict, death, fire and purification were
succeeded by images of resurrection, empowering, and a new beginning. And like a
phoenix of the ashes the powerful eagle heralded the rebirth. – Here are the scenes of
the myth as it unfolded in INLA’s session #7. The music program was Peak
Experience:
1. I turn a round, see myself. Wearing a red blouse. Wings. The first ‘me’ reaches
out in joy, the other “me” observes.
2. A dragons jaw. The ‘other’ is consumed by the flames. I thought we should be
united, but it was cleansing first. A jolly puppy. Powerful music. Sunrise.
3. Resurrection. Someone holds the globe. A crocodile – wanted to eat somebody. A
small bashful sparrow on its nose. Sad music (< cresc.) Power. I want to conduct
the music, and I do it.
4. Music from God, through a tunnel to me. Light up to him.
5. A Concorde races by. The eagle! Carried by the winds. I both see and I AM the
eagle. Forgotten by its surroundings. Very self-confident. That’s’ what I need. A
little sad…. on my way home to where I am supposed to be. Tired, torn, of course.
It was a long way. I bow my head.
According to An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols (Cooper 1978) life
is renewed through the cleansing by fire. The dragon (snake) and eagle are
antagonists, but each contributing in its own way to the image of death and rebirth.
The crocodile is also a death-rebirth symbol, and as a creature living both in the water
and on the ground it represents the double nature of the human being. The humorous
detail of the humble sparrow on the crocodile’s nose is another element of contrast in
INLAs powerful transformation process.
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