The technique of meditation to reach that state of mind the VIVID DREAM is a phenomenon not exclusive to earlier times during the eras of Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms as referred to in my earlier posts. I was very much heartened one night watching TV a few years back when there was a program on Leonard Bernstein. And the part that really delighted me was when he was asked about his compositional technique. He stated that he received his compositional inspiration while reclining on his couch. He added that he almost goes into a trance.
This parallels the techniques used by the earlier composers to whom I have referred. Leonard Bernstein’s words were something to the effect that “ideas, impressions” manifested themselves during this “letting go period”. Before I heard this witnessing by Leonard Bernstein I thought that I was much alone in this practice in these modern times. Though it is not unique to successful creators who, as Mozart said, must have also mastered their craft so that they can faithfully bring into manifestation the inspired ideas.
During my early days of composing which have long passed, I received many strong melodic ideas which began to be heard even when I was not praying and meditating. I could hear the instruments and the orchestrations quite clearly. They would come at any time unexpected and it was a thrill to realize what was happening at that precise moment. These days, when my conscious orchestrations are determined by a far greater strength, I could expand all these melodic ideas into symphonies. One observation I made over time was that the process is like building muscles that in the early development must be worked on relentlessly and having being established at the required level merely requires regular maintenance.
When writing these days some ‘knowing’ gives me a nudge when something may not be strong enough or is OK but needs to be joined by, preceded by or followed by other elements.
One must be confident in a level attained but be ever vigilant against being deluded by the ego, the Achilles heel of all true dilettante.
If results do not satisfy a requirement remember the secret of the VIVID DREAM.