Our composer, Ryan Holladay, writes: On a recent Sunday drive in East Los Angeles, I came upon an estate sale in my neighborhood of Mount Washington. As I rummaged through the items throughout the rooms, it became clear that this home had belonged to a meditation teacher as the house was full of Ram Dass LPs, bells, even a singing bowl. One item stuck out: a Magnus Electric Organ, which looked to be built in the 50's or 60's. It essentially pumps air like an electric accordion and allows you to play the notes like a keyboard. I purchased it for $30, brought it home, and set it up to record, running it through chorus and phaser pedals.

But as I was recording it, the machine began to fade — certain notes became unreliable, even disappearing altogether and melting into the sound of the fan. The organ was failing. And as I played it, it struggled to maintain the integrity of the tones. At the end of the recording, I turned it off for the last time. It wouldn’t turn on again. This is a recording of this humble machine, at the end of its life, offering its peaceful sounds one last time.

Original music from composer Ryan Holladay.

Meditative Story combines extraordinary human stories with meditation prompts embedded into the storylines — all surrounded by breathtaking music. Think of it as an alternative way into a mindfulness practice, through vivid stories and cinematic music and production values. Find Meditative Story wherever you listen to podcasts.