Music is nothing but a sequence of fleeting vibrations that arise and subside. Why can something so insubstantial thrill us, pacify us, or even make us cry? Because, says W. A. Mathieu, whether it’s a cantata or a blues jag, a harmonica solo or a symphony, music always reveals the sacred, making a bridge across the space between us and others, and uniting mind and heart within us. It’s truly a mystical path, and you don’t even need to listen that deeply to discover it. Mathieu’s lively and delightful essays lead you to question what music is, how it works, and what it’s for. And he shows you how to make music a spiritual practice, to understand its value in your life and in the creation of family and community.

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