Well, I feel "nurtured" just reading this thread! And inspired by other people's experiences of the sacred power of music in their lives. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way about music (I know I must have my biases, being a musician and music teacher myself).    So thank you very much, brucie and Two Bears et al ...

For me; it is playing my native American flute morning and evenings.

I can think of nothing more spiritual than turning the breath of life (a gift from the Great Creator) to play spiritual music to honor the Great Spirit.

I studied spirituality with an organization called Eckankar for a number of years. According to their (Eastern-based) traditions, it's no wonder both you and your audiences feel uplifted by your flute playing, Two Bears! Eckists teach that the single note of a flute is the Sound heard on the "Soul Planes" of awareness! (For Eckists, Spirit manifests in two ways on the levels of existence "below" the realms of pure Spirit -- through Light and Sound. So, each "level" -- or plane -- of awareness (ie physical, emotional, mental, soulful, spiritual) -- has it's identifying color and Sound).

And they teach that the Sound of the planes beyond the Soul levels (those of pure Spirit) is that of a thousand Violins!

In any case, it seems that playing and listening to flute music sure "takes me there!" Even more so than piano, or guitar -- and I do love both of those!

BTW thank you for the flute tabulatures you gave me the other day -- I've been practicing "Grandfather" and "The Warrior's Return". Almost got 'em memorized now ... I'll give you a "phone concert" soon (you've been duly warned!)   :-)

I also get spiritual sustenance by giving thanks for and blessing the food I eat.

Well, I've noticed that when I use your method of giving thanks to Creator and then blessing my food with life-force energy (or ch'i), it even TASTES better. Whether it's the power of my own mind or the power of the energy I raise, I sure like the effects -- and so does my body!

So Mahalo nui loa my friend ... (that's Hawaiian for thank you very much)

daylia