Western society is a goal-oriented society. Its languages, social institutions and artistic media reflect an image of controlled and purposeful motion. Styles of rote traditions in music tend to change very gradually over long periods of time. Today, many musics from rote tradition cultures have been converted into music notation systems by music scholars. Enjoyment and understanding of most musics is not dependent upon the ability to read and interpret written music notation.
Much music has no pulse.
To get a sense of how meter is created clap a steady beat with your hands. Begin clapping louder on one beat, and softer on the following beat. Repeat this pattern again and again. Try clapping two softer beats after the louder one. Try clapping groups of four, five and six.