Music is a religion to me and my friends.

"Music is a religion to me and my friends." – Grimes. These words, spoken by the artist Grimes, reveal a profound truth: music is not merely entertainment or background noise, but a spiritual experience that connects people on a deeper, more sacred level. Music, for Grimes and her friends, becomes something akin to worship, a divine force that brings them closer to a sense of meaning and transcendence. In this way, music becomes a conduit for the soul, allowing them to communicate with the ineffable, to seek solace, joy, or even understanding through sound.

In the ancient world, music and spirituality were inseparable. The Greeks, for example, believed that Apollo, the god of music, was not only the patron of the arts but also the god of healing, representing the profound connection between sound and the divine. The philosopher Pythagoras also saw music as a sacred art form, believing that the universe itself was governed by harmonic ratios, and that music was a reflection of the divine order. In Pythagoras’ teachings, music was a tool for spiritual enlightenment, and those who played or listened to it could connect with the harmony of the cosmos. Music was more than an art; it was a sacred science that elevated the spirit.

This view of music as something divine and transcendent has endured through the ages. Consider the example of the great Ludwig van Beethoven, who, despite his struggles with deafness, continued to compose music that transcended earthly concerns. Beethoven’s music became his religion, his way of communicating with the divine when words could no longer suffice. For Beethoven, music was not just a career or a passion; it was a spiritual act, a means by which he could connect with something far beyond himself. His symphonies were prayers, and his compositions served as a profound testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.

The same truth is evident in the lives of modern musicians, whose work serves as a form of spiritual expression. Just as Grimes describes her music as a form of religion, countless artists throughout history have used music to channel emotions, seek meaning, or convey messages from a higher plane. Consider Bob Marley, whose reggae music was not only a form of social and political commentary but a spiritual journey for both himself and his followers. Marley's music became a means of reaching the divine, and his belief in the healing power of sound and rhythm was central to his message. His songs, like hymns, were filled with calls for peace, love, and unity, transcending the mundane and reaching for the sacred.

When Grimes speaks of music as her religion, she is tapping into a long-standing tradition of using sound to connect with the divine, and her statement is a reflection of a truth that has always resonated in the hearts of many. Music’s power to heal, to inspire, and to elevate the human spirit is something that transcends culture, time, and place. In every culture, from the drumming circles of West Africa to the choral harmonies of Europe, music has been revered as a tool for spiritual connection and transformation. It is a force that unites people in ways that words alone cannot.

In our own lives, we are often separated from the sacred by the noise of everyday existence. Yet, Grimes’ words remind us that music has the power to bridge that gap, to return us to a state of connectedness with both ourselves and the world around us. In our busy lives, we often forget the divine rhythms that pulse through our own hearts. But when we immerse ourselves in music—whether through listening, creating, or simply experiencing—we reconnect with something greater than ourselves. Music, like a sacred ritual, can serve as a reminder of our shared humanity, of the beauty that exists in the world, and of the divine presence that we can tap into when we open ourselves to it.

Thus, let us remember the profound spiritual connection that music provides. Whether through the songs we sing, the instruments we play, or the rhythms we feel, let us approach music with the reverence and respect it deserves. Just as Grimes and so many others have shown, music has the power to connect us to the divine, to heal us, and to bring us together in shared experience. Let us embrace music as both a gift and a form of spiritual expression, recognizing that in the melodies and harmonies, we can find a deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to the greater mysteries of life.