How Eastern Mysticism Influenced Psychedelic Rock
Contents
How Eastern Mysticism Influenced Psychedelic Rock is a new blog series that explores the mystical origins of some of our favorite tunes.
Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s. It is characterized by distorted guitars, sounds, and feedback, and is often associated with drug use, particularly LSD. The subgenre is also known for its social commentary and counterculture statements. Psychedelic rock was influenced by Eastern mysticism, particularly the work of Meher Baba and Timothy Leary.
Origins in Eastern Mysticism
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a diverse style of rock music inspired, influenced, or representative of psychedelic culture, which is centred around perception-altering hallucinogenic drugs. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD. Many psychedelic groups differ in style, and the label is often applied spuriously.
Psychedelic rock originated in the mid-1960s with the Beatles’ album Rubber Soul and the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, both of which introduced Eastern musical influences and themes more explicitly into Western pop music. Psychedelic influences can also be found injazz music during this period. Influenced by the 1968 single “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix’s recording of the song became one of the most influential recordings in rock music history, and further popularised Dylan’s status as a counterculture icon.
Development in the West
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psyrock, is a diverse style of rock music distinguished by the use of psychedelic Lord Sitar – Indian sitar music psychedelics, such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and DMT. Psychedelic rock began in the mid-1960s with the British band The Beatles and their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Inspired by Eastern mysticism and Hinduism, The Beatles’ sound ushered in a new era of Western music that was marked by an increased focus on inner experience and expanded consciousness.
Over the next few years, bands like Pink Floyd, The Doors, and The Grateful Dead further explored the possibilities of psychedelia through their music. By the early 1970s, psychedelic rock had reached its peak popularity with groups like Jefferson Airplane and Nirvana releasing some of the genre’s most iconic albums.
In the 1980s and 1990s,psychedelic rock experienced something of a resurgence thanks to popular bands like R.E.M., The Pixies, and Nirvana who incorporated elements of psychedelia into their own unique styles. Today, there are many different subgenres of psychedelic rock being produced by artists all over the world.
Characteristics of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that emerged in the 1960s and was inspired by the use of psychedelic drugs. The style is characterized by a number of musical elements, including extended improvisation, feedback, and distorted guitars.
Psychedelic rock bands often explored mystical and metaphysical themes in their lyrics and sought to create an “otherworldly” or “transcendental” experience for their listeners. The use of drugs such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin mushrooms was believed to help induce these experiences.
Psychedelic rock reached its peak of popularity in the late 1960s, but the style continued to influence musicians in subsequent decades. Some of the most notable psychedelic rock bands include The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and Parliament-Funkadelic.
Eastern Mysticism
Psychedelic rock, also called acid rock, is a style of popular music which originated in the mid-1960s. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD. It often uses new recording techniques and effects, and sometimes incorporates elements of other genres, such as folk, dub, and electronica.
History
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as acid rock, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Inspired by psychedelic culture, the Beatles, and the love drug LSD, psychedelic rock bands sought to replicate the experience of a bad trip. This style of music is characterized by distorted guitars, drug-related lyrics, and extended improvisation.
The history of psychedelic rock is closely linked to Eastern mysticism. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, American jazz musicians began experimenting with LSD. These jazz musicians included saxophonist John Coltrane and pianist Thelonious Monk. While many of these jazz musicians were not directly influenced by Eastern mysticism, their use of LSD was inspired by Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception. In this book, Huxley described his experiences while under the influence of LSD.
Jazz musician George Harrison was also influenced by Huxley’s book. Harrison was so impressed with The Doors of Perception that he decided to read more about Eastern mysticism. He became particularly interested in Hinduism and eventually visited India to study with guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Harrison’s interest in Eastern mysticism led him to create the band sitar-based sound that would become known as “raga rock.”
Lead singer of the Doors Jim Morrison was also influenced by Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception. Morrison was particularly interested in Buddhist and Taoist philosophy. He incorporated some of these philosophies into his lyrics for the song “The End.” In this song, Morrison sings about reincarnation and ultimate reality.
Psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane was also influenced by Eastern mysticism. The band’s lead singer Grace Slick was introduced to Taoist philosophy by her then boyfriend Jerry Slick. Taoist philosophy would later be incorporated into Jefferson Airplane’s song “White Rabbit.” In this song, Slick sing about taking drugs to escape reality.
Beliefs
Eastern mysticism is a broad term used to describe the various spiritual traditions of the East. This includes the diverse beliefs and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other eastern philosophies. While there is no one eastern mystic tradition, there are some common themes and ideas that are found across these different belief systems.
One of the most important ideas in eastern mysticism is the concept of enlightenment. This is the belief that it is possible to reach a state of complete understanding and knowledge. This state is often described as a kind of awakening, where someone becomes aware of their true nature and reality. Enlightenment is seen as the ultimate goal of many eastern spiritual traditions.
Another common theme in eastern mysticism is the idea of reincarnation. This is the belief that after someone dies, their soul will be reborn into another body. This cycle will continue until the soul reaches a state of enlightenment.
Many eastern mystic traditions also emphasize the importance of meditation and mindfulness. Meditation is seen as a way to calm and focus the mind, which can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding. Mindfulness refers to being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment.
Eastern mysticism has had a significant influence on various aspects of western culture, including literature, art, music, and film. One example is psychedelic rock music, which was heavily influenced by eastern mystical ideas during the 1960s and 1970s. Many psychedelic rock bands used Eastern-inspired imagery and themes in their music and artwork. Some famous examples include The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and The Grateful Dead.
Practices
Eastern Mysticism has had a profound influence on Psychedelic Rock, with many early bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones incorporating elements of Eastern religion into their music. Practices such as Transcendental Meditation and yoga were popularized by these groups, and the use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD was also inspired by Eastern philosophies. Eastern Mysticism continues to be a major influence on Psychedelic Rock, with many contemporary artists exploring similar themes in their music.
Influence of Eastern Mysticism on Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the late 1960s. It was influenced by Eastern mysticism and the use of psychedelic drugs. The music is intended to replicate the experience of psychedelic drugs, and often has lyrics that discuss hallucinations, altered states of consciousness, and drug use.
Themes
Eastern mysticism refers to the various philosophies and religions originating in Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. These beliefs and practices played an important role in the development of psychedelic rock during the 1960s and 1970s.
Psychedelic rock is a genre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. Its sound is characterized by distorted guitars, extended improvisation, and a use of feedback. Psychedelic rock was influenced by Eastern mysticism and psychedelia, both of which emphasized altered states of consciousness.
Eastern mysticism teaches that reality is not what it appears to be, and that there is more to existence than what can be seen with the physical eyes. This belief ties in with the psychedelic experience, which often involves altered states of consciousness (such as those induced by drugs). Many of the earliest psychedelic rock bands were influenced by Eastern mysticism, particularly The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The Beatles became interested in Eastern mysticism after meeting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967. Maharishi was a guru who taught meditation and other spiritual practices from the Hindu tradition. The Rolling Stones also met with Maharishi in 1967, and they later travelled to India to study with him. These experiences had a profound effect on the music of both bands, as well as on the broader genre of psychedelic rock.
The Beatles’ 1968 album The Beatles (also known as The White Album) includes several songs with overt Eastern influences. “Revolution 9” is a avant-garde track that features sounds inspired by Indian music, while “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” prominently features sitar playing by George Harrison. Harrison also played sitar on The Rolling Stones’ 1967 single “Paint It Black”; this was one of the first instances of an Western pop song incorporating elements of Eastern music.
In addition to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, other major figures in psychedelic rock were also influenced by Eastern mysticism. These include Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Santana, and Led Zeppelin. Each of these artists incorporated elements of Eastern music into their work, helping to solidify Psychedelic Rock’s status as one of the most eclectic genres in popular music history.
Sounds
Instrumentation became more exotic, and music became increasingly reliant on extended instrumental passages and improvisation. Influences from Indian music were particularly significant during the psychedelic era. Ravi Shankar’s influence can be heard in George Harrison’s sitar playing on “Norwegian Wood”, and the use of the tambura in a number of Beatles’ songs including “Within You Without You”.
Visuals
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture, which is itself often inspired by Eastern mystical traditions. Psychedelic rock can be traced back to the bluesy, improvised jams of the late 1950s and early 1960s, when musicians would experiment with mind-altering drugs such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and peyote. The first wave of psychedelic rock was led by bands such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Grateful Dead. This wave reached its peak in the late 1960s with the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock.
In the early 1970s, Eastern mysticism began to have a significant impact on psychedelic rock. This was due in part to the increasing popularity of yoga and meditation in the West, as well as to the popularity of Indian music and culture (thanks in part to Ravi Shankar and George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”). Bands such as Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake & Palmer began to incorporate elements of Eastern music into their own psychedelic sound. This trend would continue into the 1980s with bands like Massive Attack and The Orb incorporating more overt references to Eastern culture into their music.
