Listening to meditation music can be a great way to enhance your meditation experience if you respond positively to sound. I for one love meditating with music - I feel like it adds a whole other layer to my meditation and helps me access deeper meditative states.
However, choosing the right song for meditation is important, since certain songs can equally provoke negative feelings in you as an individual. I’m sharing with you some of the best songs for meditation in this post from a variety of different genres so you have plenty to choose from next time you meditate!
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How to Meditate with Music
Meditating with music doesn’t have to be a super complex thing, you can start your meditation as you normally would but simply with your music playing in the background.
I find it helps to select meditation music based on its length - doing so can replace the use of a timer. If you wish to meditate for 5 minutes then pick a 5 minute song, if you wish to meditate for 15 minutes then pick a 15 minute song, etc etc. You can then naturally come out of your meditation when the music fades out, rather than being alerted by a timer, which is never pleasant!
It’s up to you whether you like to have your music playing out through or through headphones. I personally like listening through noise cancelling headphones, since they block out all distractions, which is handy when you live with other people or pets!
I also find listening through headphones just helps me to get more immersed in the music, and this is definitely an option you’ll want to go for if you’re listening to binaural beats, which work with headphones to deliver different sounds to each ear to shift your energy frequency.
Can you meditate with any music?
While you technically can meditate with any music, certain styles will be more challenging than others, and I would always recommend music that makes you personally feel meditative.
We all respond differently to different styles - for example, piano music is super calming for some whereas it makes me feel really anxious and on edge (don’t ask me why!).
I would also generally advise against using music that has lyrics, since words are naturally distracting and can cause us to lose our focus. The exception to this rule would of course be mantras, for which you can specifically meditate to the meaning of the words.
Use your own judgment - there is no right or wrong. If you find you access your deepest meditative state by meditating to Eminem, go for it by all means!
But for this post, I’m going to focus on the best songs for meditation based on some of the most common styles. This means that most people will find peace meditating to some of these songs at least.
If you’re an exception to this rule, that’s okay - you can use any music that you feel comfortable with, or even no music at all.
The Best Songs for Meditation
With that being said, here are some of the best songs for meditation!
Binaural Beat Music
Binaural beat music provides two slightly different tones to each of your ears, which when listened to at once can help shift your brain to a different frequency.
The most commonly used frequency for meditation is theta waves, and this is the style of music I used to first get into meditation. Listening to this music can help you access a deeper meditative state much easier.
To experience the benefits, you should listen to binaural beats through noise cancelling headphones so the beats can be delivered to each ear effectively.
Here are some great binaural beat songs for meditation:
Theta Wave Meditation Music
Self Connection Binaural Beats Meditation Music
Happiness Frequency Binaural Beats Music
Relaxing Meditation Music
This simple serene style is designed for stress relief and has that “spa-like” feel. This is perfect for people who are meditating to relieve stress and anxiety.
Here are some of my favorite relaxing songs for meditation:
Beautiful Relaxing Music for Stress Relief
Soothing Music for Meditation
Instant Relief from Anxiety and Stress
Relaxing Meditation Music for Stress Relief
Relaxing Tibetan Flute Music
This style of music is a traditional buddhist style, which is perfect for zen meditation. Flute music can be really calming while also honouring the roots of meditation practice.
Here are some of my favorites:
Tibetan Meditation Music
Tibetan Flute and Singing Bowl Meditation Music
Bamboo Flute Relaxing Music
Indian Flute and Tibetan Bowl
Hindi Meditation Songs
Hindu meditation music has roots in India and yogic tradition. Indian meditation music tends to be rhythmic, often including drums and mantra.
Here are some of my favourite Hindi meditation songs:
Yoga Meditation Music
Hindu Meditation Music
Shiv Mantra Meditation
Ancient Chants from India
Shiva Shambo Mantra Song
Om Meditation Songs
Om is a sacred sound in Hindu tradition representing the sound of the Universe. It is often used in meditation to heighten consciousness and is the bijou mantra for the crown chakra.
You can listen to Om meditation songs in the background of your meditation or you can choose to chant in time with them. Here are some of my favorites:
Om Chanting to Remove Negative Blocks
10 Minute Om Meditation Music
Tibetan Flute Music and Om Chanting
5 Minute Meditation Songs
5 minute meditation songs are great for when you don’t have much time to practice and you’d like to be gently released from your meditative state by the music coming to an end.
Here are some of my favourite 5 minute songs for meditation:
5 Minute Meditation Music with Earth Resonance Frequency
5 Minute Meditation Music for Positive Energy
5 Minute Relaxation Music for Yoga and Meditation
5 Minute Relaxing Music for Panic Attacks
Best Meditation Music for Sleep
Meditation songs designed for sleep can really help you to unwind and achieve a deeper state of rest.
When I’m struggling to sleep I love to listen to one of these and they never fail to help me drift off!
Sleep Music Delta Waves
Deep Sleep Music
Tranquility Music for Deep Sleep
Nature and Relaxing Water Sounds
Getting out in nature is so relaxing and the sounds of nature are a huge contributor to its healing effects. Unfortunately for most of us, we don’t live in nature.
Listening to nature music can help us to connect with Mother Earth and experience her relaxing benefits.
Zen Meditation Music with Nature Sounds
Relaxing Music with Waterfall Sounds
Rain and Native American Flutes
Ocean and Forest Nature Sounds
Best Meditation Albums
If you love listening to meditation music, it can be a great idea to invest in a meditation album that combines multiple songs for meditation! Having an album means you can have a variety of different meditation songs at your fingertips.
These are some of the most popular meditation albums on Amazon…
Hopefully this post has given you plenty of songs for meditation to choose from next time you meditate!
As an added bonus, I’d also recommend reading some of the comment sections on the above YouTube videos… I think you’d be pleasantly surprised by the amount of compassion, positivity and encouragement in one place on the internet! Just a suggestion if you’d like a little boost!
And if you found this post helpful, please do share it with others!
About Esther
Esther is the founder of Through the Phases. Her mission is to guide others to grow to their full potential and create their dream life using spiritual and personal growth practices. Read more about her story here!