Music and happiness

"Passing through the alley, hearing the music, one knows there are virtuous people!" This ancient saying remains true in every era. Where there is music, there is Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The person playing music in that alley is unlikely to be evil. A village with many virtuous people playing music radiates peace and happiness throughout the community.

Both Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism believe that the origin of the universe is sound, and the fact that the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" begins with "Om" (or "Aum") is no coincidence. It is the primordial sound from the time of the Big Bang, still present in the universe. In the Bible, the Word is always a concept associated with the origin of creation. We come from sound. And of course, we live amidst a world of countless sounds.

Musician Vo Thien Thanh (left) and singer Bao Lan (from the band 5 Dong Ke)

The most refined and deliberately arranged essence of sound, emanating from the soul, is music . The soul is the original frequency from which, through instruments and vocals, music is transformed. Therefore, music is the sound that has the most significant, rapid, and powerful impact on our souls. This explains why, alongside songs that bring joy and positive moods, there are also songs that leave us feeling depressed and unmotivated. Or there are stimulating pieces of music that lead to mental chaos. Conversely, classical music often brings holiness and peace to the soul, stimulating the mind towards wisdom.

"Passing through the alley, hearing the music, one knows a virtuous person is there!"

Where there is music, there is Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The person playing music in that alley is unlikely to be evil. A neighborhood with many virtuous people playing music radiates peace and happiness throughout the village. A nation where everyone loves music, where beautiful melodies are heard everywhere, and where the percentage of people who know how to play and sing is high—how could that nation not be happy!

Clearly, alongside economic growth and development, education and the popularization of music in society play an extremely important role in Vietnam becoming a happy nation. Because a truly happy nation must encompass both elements: economic growth and the happiness rate of its people.

From left to right: singer Hoang Quyen, musician Vo Thien Thanh, musician Do Bao

PHOTO: DAI NGO

My childhood was spent during the difficult subsidy period, but it was filled with happy memories of music. We played music in extremely limited and even life-threatening conditions. Once, when we were all enthusiastically performing on stage, an amplifier exploded. Another time, a microphone suddenly caught fire, terrifying everyone. The cause was that these devices were homemade by a self-taught electronics technician using old parts from abandoned jeeps from 1975. Music was precious in such circumstances. And the simple happiness back then was huddling around the radio to listen to a new song.

There's a little girl out there peeking through a crack in the wall, listening to the sound of my guitar.

Out there, a little boy is climbing a tamarind tree branch, his eyes wide open, listening intently.

What song was I singing that made the little girl laugh so strangely?

What song was I playing on my guitar that made the little boy sit there lost in thought?

Music is like sweet nectar flowing from the most endearing and simple things, from the joy of living, from caring for those around you without ever complaining or blaming fate, even when surrounded by hardship.

Happiness is so simple, I never imagined it in my life.

Each night the little girl waited as if waiting for a dream.

(Little Sunshine - Tran Tien)

It is the core essence within the soul of each artist and each citizen, with a foundation of education in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty—where beauty, love, compassion, and awareness of bringing happiness to others and the community always outweigh personal gain—that creates lasting happiness for ourselves, our community, and our country.

My friend, a renowned choreographer who lived and studied in Japan for a long time, once told me a story. There was a Vietnamese couple who were making a living and studying in Japan. They rented a room from a Japanese woman. When they asked how much it would cost, they received a surprising answer: "You don't need to pay rent! But I hope that in the future you will offer free accommodation to someone in need, just as I have offered free accommodation to you."

The purpose in life of that Japanese woman is truly admirable. She wants to spread and develop this purpose of living for others within the community and society. Even after she is gone, her good deeds will be continued by others. And in that way, why wouldn't society, the country, and the entire planet be happier!

Musician Vo Thien Thanh (seated, middle row) with the Cadillac backing vocal group.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE MUSICIAN

My choreographer friend also told me about Japanese women who came to Vietnam to do community work and lived in minimalist rooms, without any extra amenities or comforts. In their free time, they listened to classical music and jazz.

Looking back at our society, alongside the remarkable progress in the economy, growth rates, and material living conditions, the people's access to music has also steadily improved. Events involving international music stars are now easier and more frequent. While fifteen years ago we could only invite bands that were "once famous," now we can see globally renowned superstars like BlackPink, Charlie Puth, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, and Kenny G in person. Furthermore, the desire to bring Vietnamese music to the world is a burning aspiration among Gen Z artists. Modern technological trends, digitalization, and the AI ​​era are also being kept up-to-date.

However, all of that is only one side of the scale. The other side must be a foundation of education based on Truth, Goodness, and Beauty—education about beauty, love, and compassion. Once that scale is balanced, the nation will be stable! How? Through art and music!

I once felt that happiness when I donated an electric piano to a poor school. The piano was placed right in the school hallway. Watching the students take turns playing the pieces they had learned in music classes, with radiant smiles on their faces, filled me with joy. I was happy that music is now more widely accessible, and more students know how to play the piano. This means a new generation of aspiring artists, eager to reach the world stage, is growing ever larger!

Late at night, the sound of the guitar stirs the tamarind trees (Young City - Tran Tien)

Isn't that lovely? A strong Vietnam where all its people are happy. That's our dream!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/am-nhac-va-hanh-phuc-185250828182244079.htm