If one can focus one’s heart on music, it is just like warming something, which was frozen: the joy of life depends upon the perfect tuning of both mind and body.
(Hazrat Inayat Khan)

Every sound we make creates a new universe of itself. Music is one of the most powerful forms of meditation working with the emotions and psychology, with spirit and the soul. It is also a profound means for healing and is something, which everyone relates to very naturally.

Music can be a direct connection to the Divine and to the healing energy that is the source of our being. This connection has been a primary healing force for all cultures through the ages, and an unfailing source of spiritual renewal and inspiration. It is for this reason that music has evolved into an indispensable element of worship.

Indian musical traditions trace the origin of music the Sama Veda. It is a compendium of melodies, prayers and rules required for the recitation of sacred hymns. Vedic prayers are set in a musical pattern, collectively known as Samagan. Vedic chants were sung at three positions Udatta (raised), Anudatta (lowered) and Svarita (level), which then evolved into seven-note system.

The great masters have time and again said that the sound of God is within each of us, Inherent in every being and non-being are the sound vibrations. When one dives deap into this holy stream, one is rewarded with pearls of peace and bliss. Relating to each note of the sound with an attitude of surrender invokes the divinity both within and without.

Sufis believe that everything is created with and from sound, which is vibratory in nature, and our bodies and the world around us are also composed of vibrating items, so it is possible to harmonize with the universe. When this is achieved the individual is filled with peace. The use of music takes the Sufi to the door of enlightenment.

A spinning dervish is of the opinion that his swirling brings him into closer union with God. As everything in the Universe has a circular moving pattern, Sufis feel that turning is one way of relating to the Universe around them. They consider that this is a way of remembering God.

India has a long list of Sufi saints who have from time to time emerged on this great soil and have played their part on spreading the message of love and brotherhood amongst those who needed it the most. It is rather difficult to name all these great Sufis but there are some who need to be mentioned. Hazrat Bulle Shah (1680-1758), Saint Kabir (1398-1448) and Hazrat Amir Khusro (1253-1325) deserve a mention about all. All these great Saints have preaches the message of love in their own individual significant ways but one thing was common in all of them and it was music. Each used music as their main medium for teaching. Hence if we say that Sufism and classical music are two sides of the same coin, it would not be wrong at all. This statement can be verified by looking at their respective collections in which they have clearly mentioned raga and tala. To respond to the almighty music is the easiest and the shortest way. It is said that the devotion and music are always two souls of one body.

Though there is a very long chain of Sufi Saints in India there is no doubt that Hazrat Inayat Khan) 1882-1927) was the last of this chain who, like this predecessors, used music extensively to spread the message of love and communal harmony throughout the globe. His services to Sufism/Music and the entire human race can never be forgotten. He was the composer and vina-player who beautifully combined two main streams of music in India. North-Indian music and South-Indian music. He chose for his music one of India’s oldest musical instruments, the vina, which can be traced back to the Vedic period. The beautiful and unique melodious sound of the vina is believed to be able to course tremors in hard stone, let alone in human hearts. When one listens to the compositions of Hazrat Inayat Khan, even in todays hi-tech world, one reaches the conclusion that Sufism is Music, or that Music is Sufism.