23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

diverse changes, at times they listen in silence to the
statement of other themes. All the while, the themes are
weaving together interactively amid an environment of
complex dynamics. It is the quintessential example of
unity in diversity, of a healthy balance between
individuation and togetherness. What most humans
seek is a sense of individual uniqueness in communion
with the whole. Music draws the listener in to experience
that individual and collective wholeness at an existential
level.
It has been my observation that such inner experiences
also help chemical dependents to clarify feelings about
themselves and their addictions, provide insights into
different behavior, and offer a barometer of attitudinal
changes that have already occurred in their treatment.
For example, using the same harpsichord concerto in
another session I asked participants to see a symbol of
their addictions in one hand and a symbol of recovery in
the other. One man said, "In my left hand I saw the bowl
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I use for my drug. I kept running away from it. I used to
pawn my sister's stereo to get money," he explained. He
continued, "Then the music jumped in and scared me. It
was like my dope man. I locked my left arm and called
on my right hand for help. I don't want to do that (drugs)
again."
This man's experience revealed that he had within
himself not only the compulsion that drove himto do
shameful things, but also the means for overcoming the
compulsive urges. Calling on his right hand for help was
symbolic of focusing on the strongest and healthiest
part of his nature.
Niles, in the same session, said, "I saw my right hand
grabbing hold of the penitentiary bars. In the
penitentiary there would be certain times of the day that
I would just hate." He added, "Then, I had an image of
the sun reflecting everywhere, and I felt a lot of heat. In
my left hand I saw my little girl. That brought a pleasant
feeling."