Embracing Non-Attachment in Medicine Music: Letting the Universe Be the Captain

In a world where art is often intertwined with performance, recognition, and approval, it's easy to lose sight of what music—and especially medicine music—is truly about. Medicine music, a genre deeply rooted in healing and spiritual connection, transcends the confines of traditional music-making. It invites us into a space where the music is not about achieving technical perfection or creating a polished "end product." Instead, it’s about transmitting what is alive within us or, perhaps, what wants to be expressed by the universe itself.

The Art of Non-Attachment in Music Creation

When we sit down to write in our journal, we don’t worry about grammar, structure, or what others might think of our words. We simply allow whatever needs to come through to flow onto the page. We release any judgment, expectation, or attachment to the outcome. In that moment, it’s less about creating something beautiful or profound, and more about honoring an inner process that needs expression.

Music, especially in the medicine music genre, follows this same principle.

When you approach music-making as an extension of yourself, there is a natural tendency to want to sound good, to be admired, or to prove something about your abilities as a musician. But this is precisely where we risk becoming disconnected from the true essence of the music. The more we cling to the idea of sounding "perfect" or seeking validation, the more we miss the deeper alchemy that music offers.

The more we cling to the idea of sounding "perfect" or seeking validation, the more we miss the deeper alchemy that music offers.

Music as a Vessel for the Universe

Medicine music is unique because it often carries the intention of healing, connecting us to something greater than ourselves. For this alchemy to take place, we must allow ourselves to become vessels, conduits through which the universe can speak. And just like in journaling, where we write not for an audience but to release what’s inside, in music, we play or sing to let the energy of the moment flow through us without worrying about how it will be received.

This practice of non-attachment doesn’t mean we don’t care about our craft. It means we surrender to the process, allowing the music to unfold naturally, without forcing it into predefined boxes of style, sound, or perfection. The universe, in a sense, becomes the captain of the ship, while we simply navigate the waters, trusting that the journey is unfolding exactly as it should.

Letting Go of Recognition

One of the biggest traps in any artistic endeavor is the desire for recognition. It's natural to want to be praised for our skills, admired for our voice, or acknowledged for the beauty of our music. But in medicine music, this attachment can stifle the very essence of what the music is trying to convey.

When we seek external validation, we start creating for others instead of for ourselves or the greater force that moves through us. We may begin altering our music to fit trends, impress certain listeners, or perfect it to match our ideal of what "good" music should sound like. In doing so, we become disconnected from the deeper, more personal process of music-making.

However, when we let go of the need for recognition, we free ourselves to explore more authentic expression. Just like in journaling, when you don’t care what others think of your words, the music becomes more honest, raw, and powerful.

The Alchemy of Music: Transcending Technique

Technical skill and practice are, of course, important in any art form. But in the context of medicine music, technique is only one piece of the puzzle. The real magic happens when you transcend the technicalities and allow the music to breathe on its own.

When we approach our instrument or our voice without the weight of expectation, something extraordinary occurs. The music that flows through us takes on a life of its own, often surpassing anything we could have consciously planned or composed. This is the alchemy of music: the transformation of sound into a healing force that touches both the creator and the listener in ways that are beyond words or intellectual understanding.

But this alchemy can only happen when we step aside and allow it. When we stop trying to control the outcome or worrying about how we’re perceived, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with the music. We become more in tune with what the universe wants to express through us, and the result is often something far more profound than anything we could have created by sheer force of will.

Becoming a Vessel: Surrendering to the Process

In the practice of medicine music, becoming a vessel requires us to be present in the moment, free from the shackles of ego, and open to whatever wants to flow through us. This process can feel vulnerable. It requires trust—trust in ourselves, trust in the music, and trust in the universe.

The more we practice this non-attachment, the more we realize that music is not about proving our worth or talent. It’s about channeling something greater, something that transcends the individual. In this space, the music becomes a healing force, not just for those who hear it, but for the musician as well.

Conclusion: Music as a Journal Entry from the Soul

In the end, music—like journaling—is a deeply personal act. It’s an opportunity to release what’s inside, to express the unspoken, and to connect with the universe on a profound level. By letting go of attachment to the "end product," we free ourselves to create more authentically, more spontaneously, and more in alignment with the energies that move through us.

As we learn to embrace this process of non-attachment, we become vessels for something far greater than ourselves. And in doing so, we allow the music to reach new depths, touching the hearts and souls of those who encounter it—not because it’s technically perfect or masterfully crafted, but because it’s real, alive, and infused with the very essence of the universe.

So, the next time you pick up your instrument or prepare to sing, remember: the goal is not to impress, to perfect, or to be admired. The goal is simply to transmit what is alive within you, to let the universe be the captain, and to trust that the music will flow exactly as it needs to.