Music as a Mirror of the Soul: A Path to Inner Connection with Integrative Therapist Barbara Gorecka

In an era where therapy often revolves around conversational techniques and cognitive models, Barbara offers a unique approach by placing music at the center of the therapeutic process. For her, music is more than a means of expression; it is a path to deeper self-awareness and a connection with the spiritual.

As an integrative therapist and experienced musician, Barbara intertwines music with transpersonal therapy to help clients explore their inner world. In this discussion, she shares how music acts as a mirror of the soul and how she creates a safe space where clients, without words, can be touched and experience themselves.

The Invisible Layers of Spirituality in Music

For Barbara, spirituality is an integral part of her therapies, especially in music therapy. She explains: “Spirituality is what connects us to something greater than ourselves. It is a dimension that we cannot physically perceive but can feel. We call it the higher self, the soul, or the source of life. There are countless names for it, but ultimately it is what connects us deeply within.”

Barbara’s background in psychosynthesis, a form of transpersonal psychology, enhances her ability to incorporate this spiritual dimension into her work. “In psychosynthesis, art is embraced as a way to explore the inner world,” she says. “That’s why I call myself an integrative therapist. Music therapy is just one part because, in essence, everything I do is a synthesis of different forms.”

Transpersonal Work: The Conductor and the Orchestra Within

Barbara views the human psyche as an orchestra with many different musicians, each playing its own role. “Within us, there is one conductor who can lead the orchestra to play harmoniously,” Barbara explains. This conductor, or the observing self, is the part of us that guides us through observation and self-reflection. “The conductor allows us to look inward, without judgment, and helps us understand the different ‘voices’ in our minds. We learn to recognize our fears, desires, and emotions without identifying with them.”

Music, Barbara explains, is a tool that helps clients discover and understand their inner orchestra members – emotions, thoughts, beliefs. “Music helps to tell the story from within, without words getting in the way. It is a language that connects us to the unconscious and to that higher self,” she explains. “This makes music therapy a unique tool, as its non-verbal nature opens dimensions that words sometimes cannot reach.”

The Power of Non-Verbal Expression

One of the most valuable aspects of music therapy, according to Barbara, is that it imposes no predefined form. “Words often suggest a form or expectation. But music lets go of that. Each piece of music can be experienced anew and feel different – even for the same person at different times,” Barbara says. “This is incredibly healing because it provides an experience where clients don’t need to interpret or rationalize anything.”

Music therapy, Barbara further explains, acts as a mirror for the unconscious. “When people listen or play, feelings and memories often surface that were previously hidden. This is because music directly touches the heart and soul. People discover emotions and beliefs without engaging their rational minds. They simply feel what is alive within them.”

Finding a Deeper Connection with the Higher Self

Barbara’s work often revolves around what she calls ‘transpersonal qualities,’ attributes that transcend the everyday, such as beauty, peace, and love. “Music can activate these qualities. When clients discover these aspects within themselves, they feel a deep satisfaction and connection. They experience their own light, their own worth,” she says.

Barbara illustrates this with a beautiful metaphor: “Music, like the universe, is a miniature form of harmony. Every human is a part of that harmony, carrying harmonious and disharmonious chords within them. The vibrations in their heartbeat, their rhythm, and tone reflect who they are. When people become aware of this, they can live in harmony with themselves and the world.”

Music as a Mirror of Life

Barbara provides clients with the space to not only hear music but to feel it, bringing them closer to their own truth. She explains: “When clients listen with their eyes closed, they go inward and connect with their core. They experience emotions, bodily sensations, and thoughts that lead them to a deeper understanding of themselves.” This introspective experience helps them look beyond their conditioning, the patterns and roles they have adopted from past experiences.

“A song or sound can build a bridge between our conscious and unconscious. Sometimes music even acts as an anchor for forgotten memories,” Barbara says. “Music can evoke memories, both pleasant and challenging, helping them connect with who they are or who they once were.”

The Rhythm of the Universe

Music reminds us of a universal rhythm, a timeless interplay of tones and silences. Barbara explains how music therapy works with breathing, tempo, and the pauses in between. “The pauses in music are just as important as the notes. They give us time to go inward, to feel, and recalibrate ourselves. Claude Debussy once said that the pauses in music are even more important than the notes,” she says.

She compares this to life itself, where everything is interconnected in a kind of symphony. “We humans are like instruments, each vibrating at a unique tone. We can find harmony when we tune into our higher self and listen to that inner voice that guides us, just like the conductor in an orchestra.”

A Place to Be Yourself at Oh My Mood

At Oh My Mood, Barbara creates a safe space where people can discover who they truly are. “Music brings us to ourselves without words, without judgment. It invites us to listen to our higher self, the part of us that knows who we are and what we need.”

Barbara emphasizes the importance of an environment where clients feel safe. “It’s about them feeling seen, feeling connected to themselves and others. When people experience that connection, they come closer to their core and discover an inner peace that goes beyond words.”

Gratitude and Inspiration

Barbara’s insights strike deep chords in all of us, inspiring us to see music as more than just sounds. It reminds us of who we are and what connects us. “Music is a source of light and harmony. It’s a way to heal ourselves and connect with something greater than ourselves,” she says with a smile.