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

Both can be traced back to ancient times as part of the
history of healing and music as a meeting- point.
In all the rituals so far described the major therapeutical
factor is imagination (generally guided by the Healer),
Imaging, visions, and dreams, transport the patient
through experiences which differ from his day-to-day
existence and release him, monentarily, from routine
struggles, awarding him the chance to experience
something out-of-the-ordinary.
In some cases this could be described as "Rebirth" (as
in the Salish tribe), or as a journey of spiritual
purification and catharsis.
Very similar phenomena can be observed when
employing the technique of Guided Imagery in music
which in some ways resembles that of the hypnotic ritual
Guided lmagery also involves collective symbolism
(such as animals, structures, water, etc ), as well as the
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possibility of eliciting threateningly-laden personal
matters.
Collective symbols appear both in Hypnotic ritual and in
Guided leagery however the music therapist
encourages the awakening of personal issues, whereas
the traditional Healer stresses the collective material.
Traditional healing deals with the body, mind and soul
as if they were one single entity This is in fact a
comprehensive therapy: suggestive stimuli provided by
music, song and the word, affect body and mind
together, Energetic movements exert their influence on
both internal and external systems.
Traditional healing rituals serve as the historic roots of
music therapy. Despite the differences of concept, and
in the therapeutic Rationale which exist between the
Shaman and the Music Therapist, their basic
therapeutic activity appears to be remarkably similar.