title: Opening to the sacred: intentional use of music to engage the spiritual dimension.
abstract: Music is a patterned temporal art characterized by its pulse, rhythm, and melody. It can be intentionally used as a vehicle or gateway to the nonrational as contrasted to an irrational dimension of human experience. This realm of experience frequently provides access to the sacred. The indissoluble unity of body-mind-spirit has been a tenet of creative artists for centuries, and is now gaining the attention of health care professionals. This article explores the conceptual and applied potential of integrating music as a spiritual practice in skilled and compassionate health and illness care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Updike
mesh_terms: D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010327:Pastoral Care; D012068:Religion and Medicine