- Settle an anxious mind with live Arabic oud improvisation
- Use music as your mindfulness anchor — just listen and notice
- Explore a new maqam and emotional theme each week
- Build calm and connection with others — no talent required
al-kindi.com — scan to learn more & join
Music-Guided Mindfulness
Live oud improvisation and mindful listening to calm anxiety and come back to the present.
- FormatIn person at our Arlington, MA office
- Length8 weekly sessions
- GroupSmall group
- Investment$350 for 8 sessions, per person
Music-Guided Mindfulness is an 8-session, in-person group at Al-Kindi Counseling Services in Arlington, MA that pairs live Arabic melodic improvisation on the oud (taqaseem) with mindfulness practice. Participants simply listen, notice and reflect, using the music as an anchor for attention. The group is designed to ease anxiety, support emotional regulation and build a sense of presence and connection. No musical experience is needed.
Why music — and why the oud?
Al-Kindi, the 9th-century philosopher our practice is named for, was one of the first thinkers to write about how melody and rhythm move the human soul. He linked the four strings of the oud to the temperaments of the body and taught that the right music, at the right moment, can restore balance. Physicians in the Arab and Ottoman worlds later used music in their hospitals for the same reason.
Modern research points the same way. Mindfulness practice is associated with lower stress and better emotional regulation, and music engages the brain's emotion and attention networks, making it easier to stay present. Improvised music is especially useful: because it has never been heard before, it invites you to listen moment by moment instead of predicting what comes next.
How this group helps
Each session is designed to reach all four HIKMA© domains — Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual (PEMS):
Physical
Slow melodic phrases invite slower breathing and a calmer nervous system; you notice where the music lands in your body.
Emotional
Each maqam carries a mood. Feelings are welcomed and observed without judgment, building regulation and tolerance.
Mental
The music becomes an anchor for attention, gently interrupting worry loops and rumination.
Spiritual
Shared listening creates a quiet sense of belonging, awe and meaning that many people find restorative.
Curious where this comes from? Read the story of Al-Kindi and our HIKMA© method.
Eight weeks, eight maqamat
Each session follows the same simple rhythm — arrival and check-in, a short introduction to the week's maqam and intention, about 25 minutes of live oud improvisation with mindful listening, and a closing reflection.
- Session 1
Maqam Bayati
Grounding and awareness.
- Session 2
Maqam Rast
Strength and stability.
- Session 3
Maqam Hijaz
Emotional depth and reflection.
- Session 4
Maqam Saba
Vulnerability and expression.
- Session 5
Maqam Nahawand
Balance and transition.
- Session 6
Maqam Kurd
Release and acceptance.
- Session 7
Maqam Ajam
Expansion and integration.
- Session 8
Maqam Huzam
Closure and reflection.
Is this group right for me?
A good fit if…
- You live with everyday anxiety, stress or a busy mind
- Silent meditation has felt hard or frustrating
- You're curious about music, culture and the mind–body link
- You'd like a gentle group that doesn't require talking a lot
Maybe not right now if…
- You have significant hearing loss (the group relies on listening)
- You need crisis care or intensive individual treatment right now
- You're looking for music lessons — no instruments are taught
“Where reason meets resonance — healing the whole human being.”— Inspired by Al-Kindi's writings on music and the soul
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play an instrument or know Arabic music?
No. You won't be asked to play or sing. The facilitator improvises on the oud and you simply listen and notice. Many participants have never heard Arabic music before.
What is taqaseem?
Taqaseem (taqsim) is free, unmetered melodic improvisation within a maqam — a traditional Arabic melodic mode. Each maqam has its own character, which makes it a natural guide for mindful attention and emotion.
Is this music therapy?
It is a clinician-led therapeutic group that draws on music therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. It is not a performance or a class.
Where does it meet?
In person at our office at 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476 — easily reached from Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Lexington, Belmont and Winchester.
How much does it cost?
$350 for 8 sessions per person, paid upfront to hold your place on the waiting list.
Groups are intentionally small. Request a spot and our team will follow up about the next start date, fit and next steps. Individual therapy with us is in-network with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, MassGeneral Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
or call (978) 996-8033
In crisis? This group is not an emergency service. If you or someone you love is in danger, call 911. For immediate emotional support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
Other groups at Al-Kindi
Last updated September 2026 · Al-Kindi Counseling Services, Inc., 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476.