Steinways and Health

About 13 years ago, my wife and I headed off to visit our dear German friends, Heidi and Jürgen, in Munich.  They were both music lovers and were aware that I was in the market for a new grand piano.  On the last day of our trip they took us to visit Steinway-Haus in Munich. 

It was a remarkable dealership.  The outer room had pianos from other makers, but the main room was filled with 17 Hamburg Steinways of every size.  And on the white walls hung reproductions of some of our favorite art of the 20^th century—masterpieces by Kandinsky and Klee. 

Even though the salesman knew we were Americans and were headed back to the US the next day, he still invited me to try out each of the Steinways in this chapel-like atmosphere.

I had told Jürgen beforehand that each piano has a unique personality—a unique quality.  Though he could readily accept that each different brand of piano would have a recognizable sonic signature, he could not believe—even though he was a sophisticated concert-goer—that any two Steinways of the same size would have a completely individual sound.  At least not until I sat down and demonstrated it.

And then he heard it.  It was a revelation to him, so audible were the differences. 

We’ve all had experiences like my good German friend.  Our preconceptions about so many ideas and avenues of life often lead us into disbelief, false conclusions, and even unwarranted criticism.  And unfortunately we may end up ignoring or dismissing some really important ideas—ideas that could not only benefit us but others.

So much attention today is focused on the latest developments in western health care that it can be all too-tempting to dismiss other approaches.  Even in the face of good results. 

But there is hope.  A 2011 article on Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ("Medical Student Attitudes toward Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine") indicates that 84% of medical students agreed to some extent that CAM contains beliefs, ideas, and therapies from which conventional medicine could benefit.

And an increasing number of medical studies as well are pointing to the positive influence of thought—and especially spiritually-centered thought—on health and well-being.

I’ve found that spiritually changing my thinking has not only been revelatory, but health-giving as well. 

Comments

[David Crandall]

'Spiritually-centered' thought -- what an appealing idea! Some of its qualities, I believe, are gratitude, inspiration, tenderness, grace, harmony, love of whatever is good, and love for one another, all tending to counter the harmful qualities of fear, self-doubt, criticism, pain. We all can experience the benefit of thinking which is more spiritually based.

[Sharla Allard]

Interesting, your point about the difference between one Steinway grand and another, since I'm a pianist myself. And great that your German friend was open to having his preconception about them changed. I've heard a lot of people say "Have you ever known anyone who's really changed?" Habits are hard to change. But my feeling is that we've all changed a lot--mostly for the better!--since we were children. So here's to progress, which can't really come about without a change of thought.

[David Crandall]

I came away with two points from Ken's article: (1) The CAM paper above is an interesting read, and (2) I would have liked to hear Ken bring out the personalities of those Steinways!

[Christian Science in Massachusetts]

Thanks, Dave, for posting both of your comments. Nice to include what you consider "spiritually-centered thoughts"! Glad that you found the CAM paper interesting, and as to hearing me demonstrate the 2 Steinways, well... :)
Ken

[Christian Science in Massachusetts]

Good points about people changing for the better, Sharla. Thanks!
Ken

[Tad]

How interesting, Ken! I never would have guessed that each piano would have a different sound. But as I think about it make so much sense. Anyway, I really liked the point that preconceptions can blind us from seeing (or hearing about) other options. It is SO important to listen, discover, find out more—I've learned to forget and discard opinions and dig deep to get the straight facts for myself.

[Christian Science in Massachusetts]

Hi Tad,
It's the individuality--the wood, grain, strings, construction, and even the individual voicing to bring out the unique characteristics of the particular instrument--that make the differences. And, yes, preconceptions can lead to a "passel" of trouble! :)
Ken