Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

The experiences of three participants (INLA, WIFU, SAAA) are dominated by visual
imagery related to death and dying and by related emotions, thus confirming the
observations of the GIM group on image potential of Mein Jesu. The fourth
participant (ANHO) also experienced visual imagery related to the death theme,
however she did not want to explore these images or go into the emotions.
After preliminary reflections and observations on the music, described as a funeral
march or requiem type, INLA explored a new self image, the dying elephant. The
imagery was charged with emotion, and the metaphor was explored further, enabling
INLA to experience what Ricoeur called the “tension between identity and difference
in the interplay of resemblance”. The elephant had, like INLA herself, lost “the battle
about managing everything”, and acknowledging this brings feelings of sadness.
However, as a possible resonance of the comforting and reassuring qualities of the
music, the image of a lotus appears and brings the sequence to a positive and safe end.
Before the Bach experience WIFU was already deeply involved in well-known core
images related to her fear of death. The metaphor of the grey garden was explored in
an intense emotional atmosphere during Komm süsser Tod leading to a positive
attitude towards death as an opportunity for growth. During Mein Jesu Death was
personified and a friendship was established, enabling WIFU to let go of her fear.
SAAA brought a new theme to her last session, and her relationship with her mother
was explored in a surprising and quite dramatic way. During Komm süsser Tod SAAA
was able to identify what her itching fingers wanted to do, and she reported that she
had choked her mother in the imagery. Emotions of guilt and shame were provoked
and the music allowed SAAA to relate them to her childhood and youth, when the
mother had never found SAAAs performance good enough. During Mein Jesu the
complex combination of negative childhood memories and the fear of “not reaching
the other side” in adult life were addressed. The therapist encouraged SAAA to stay
with the mixed emotions, and during a repetition of Mein Jesu the issue seemed to be
resolved or “lived through”.
ANHO had the sensory experience of being cold during Komm süsser Tod. Like in
daily life it caused irritation, and she did not want to stay with the experience. Mein
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