Well, this thread is for new practitioners. I'm not sure about the music comparison.
Fair enough. Let's try another analogy. Say meditation is like medication. Someone with a medical background might say: "Just take your medication. You don't have to enjoy it - but it is good for you!" But the good doctor also knows that some people are allergic to certain medicines, or just have bad reactions to them. And any doctor knows that people stop taking their medication if they don't like it, or it's too much effort. In these cases, some other solution may need to be found.
I feel its important to point out to people why the body scan and mindful movement are integral parts of the 8-week course. Remove those from the course and you're left with thoughts. Mindfulness is not just about relating differently to one's thoughts. It's equally about the body. It's about wholeness after all. Isn't it?
The bodyscan and mindful movement are integral to MBSR based practices; but they are by no means integral to meditation or mindfulness in a broader or general sense. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of alternative techniques and approaches — all of which have their particular benefits, their pros and cons and their usefulness for specific individuals. Traditionally, mindfulness of the body is just the first of the 'four foundations of mindfulness'. In that respect you might say it's good for beginners. But it's just the fist in a list, and the list could be rewritten in any order. Of course, the body certainly does appreciate getting some attention, and most people's bodies could do with a bit more.
But bypassing the bodyscan doesn't necessarily mean that someone will be 'just relating differently to one's thoughts'. They could tune into sounds, feelings, emotions, moods, mental states, the breath, a mantra (yes, you can repeat a mantra mindfully), actions and behaviors, movements (walking, talking, exercising, swimming, eating) and so on, and on. And they might gradually come around to the bodyscan, at a later time; a time appropriate for them.
And yes, I would agree that meditation is about wholeness. As a general rule, I believe a balanced, or whole meditation practice, is one in which you would give approximately equal attention to the body / breath, emotions, thoughts, moods and other sensory experiences (in other words, everything!)
I've replied at length because I really do believe this is a very important point. I've seen way too many people give up (or torture themselves in some way) because they thought they 'had' to do a meditation practice which wasn't right for them. A little bit of flexibility and freedom can make all the difference between someone struggling and someone thriving in their meditation practice.
