By Kristen M. Cole, MM, MT-BC. Director of Music Therapy, Mississippi University for Women (Email: kcole@muw.edu):

Having just made it through a devastating tornado that ripped across the South Central and Eastern United States, Amir's discussion on spirituality in music therapy (Fortnightly Column, Nov. 4, 2002) is quite fitting. Ironically on the evening of the tornado, I was singing "Four Strong Winds" (as sung by Canadian singer Neil Young) with a few of my friends. That song will now have an inherent spiritual connection for me.

I agree with Amir in that the discussion of spirituality in both the clinical and educational context must be addressed as it is inherent to music therapy. I believe that there is some connection made with my spirit when I am making music with a client. I can even hear it in the music making of others, through the Nordoff and Robbins case studies and with the music interactions between my students in class. The discussion of spirituality presents two difficulties for me as a music therapist and educator.

First, I believe that it is hard to discuss in an educational setting something that is mysterious and often times something that just "happens." What I find even more difficult is that I want to share the spiritual connection that occurs as a music therapist in a session with the client and yet I can only prepare my students to be ready and able to accept such a connection.

Second, I have found much difficulty in separating out the concept of "religion" from the overall term of spirituality. As an educator in a strongly Christian southern United States, spirituality is religion. Students equate being spiritual with being religious, and explaining the differences has presented me with quite a challenge. I do not deny that religion can be spiritual but I believe that in my dealings with my religious students, religion is far from a true "spiritual" experience and more of a formality, tradition, and even a hassle. It is hard for them to grasp concepts such as "life fulfillment," "life meaning" and "life value" when all those concepts are connected not to specific personal acts and experiences but rather to Jesus and their belief in his existence.

My solution to this ongoing dilemma is to encourage the self-reflective process from the beginning. Therapy involves taking care of yourself so that you can help others. Certainly when you have found a profession or you have engaged in an interaction that gives value and meaning to your life, you will exude that in your everyday interactions and music making. If I cannot explain this phenomenon through words, I can certainly model my strong spiritual connection to music therapy through my enthusiasm, my continued pursuit of learning, and my utter joy for the gift I have been given.