Benefits of Word and Music
in Spiritual Community

Regarding frequent worship:

 "People who regularly attend church have a 25 percent reduction in mortality - that is, they live longer - than people who are not churchgoers.  This is true even after controlling for variables intrinsically linked to Sundays in the pew, like social support and healthy lifestyle.  While the data was culled mainly from Christian churchgoers, says Linda H. Powell, an epidemiologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. 'This is really powerful.'"  

Regarding prayer and meditation: 

 "70% of Americans say they pray often for the health of a family member.that praying to God can cure someone - even if science says the person doesn't stand a chance, " according to the Newsweek Poll.  Just 5 % say they pray for world peace and 27% say they pray for financial or career success," says Powell.  She reviewed about 150 papers dealing with how.faith provides comfort in times of illness.  Using brain scans, researchers have discovered that meditation can change brain activity and improve immune response; other studies have shown it can lower heart rate and blood pressure, both of which reduce the body's stress response."

Regarding confession and forgiveness:

 "In a recent survey at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, Neal Krause, found that people who forgive easily tend to enjoy greater psychological well-being and have less depression than those who hold grudges.  'There's a physiology of forgiveness,' says Dr. Herbert Benson, head of the Mind/Body Institute. 'When you do not forgive, it will chew you up.'"  -  Newsweek, November 10, 2003, "Faith and Healing," pp, 44-56

Benefits of live music can:

          Reduce blood pressure

            Accelerate physical healing

            Stimulate memories      

            Relieve anxiety and fear of the unknown

            Provide a way to release emotions

            Provide an expression of feelings

            Provide an opening to verbal communication

            Aid mental focus

            Provide a channel for grieving

            Relieve mental tension

            Provide distraction

            Provide companionship and time for contemplation

            Stimulate digestion and a sense of well being

            Boosts the immune system

            Facilitate the transition process of dying