What is Sound Meditation?
Everything You Need to Know About Sound Meditation
Have you ever wondered what is a sound meditation? Where did this tradition come from? If you’ve always wanted to try meditation but don’t know if “you’re doing it right?” Intrigued by what benefits this practice has on the body, mind, and energy? Let’s dive deep and explore together how sound meditation can truly transform our inner and outer worlds together here.
What is the History of Sound Meditation?
This ancient practice has a rich history across many cultures and regions. Honoring the origins of this healing practice allows us to enrich our connection to its teachings and benefits.
It’s hard to say where and when this ancient practice originated, but here are some cultures and regions that have built the foundation for how we understand and relate to sound in our modern lives:
Aboriginal people in Australia were some of the first people to use sound as a modality for healing over 40,000 with sacred instruments to include didgeridoos.
Ancient Egyptians and Greeks activated the healing powers of sound through specific vowel sounds inside of temples and sanatoriums that create acoustics that amplifies the vibrations. They believed that vowel sounds are sacred. Now, we’ve discovered that each chakra (energy center in the body) holds a note, color & vowel sound associated with it. Clues and discoveries formed through these ancient cultures and civilizations.
Tibetan Monks use singing bowls within their practice for thousands of years oftentimes accompanied by sacred chanting to interweave with the healing vibrations of the bowls. Across all of Asia and around the world, these instruments are present in tradition and practice.
Now that we’ve explored some of the expansive histories of the sound meditation practice, let’s dive into the modern-day experience…
Modern Day Sound Meditation
I like to refer to this experience as a “cellular massage of sound,” because quite literally that’s what’s happening. It’s pretty wild how deeply healing and visceral the experience can be. Especially for those that aren’t sure if they “can meditate.”
One of the cool things to consider about the practice is that listening is the only sense that requires no effort. So when we think of the act of participating in a sound meditation, we can consider the idea that all that’s required to receive the benefits, is just simply (be)ing. Doesn’t that just feel good reading? That you can be relaxed and no effort is required? Outside of sleeping when are we allowing ourselves to be still and relax?
You’ll often hear of this experience described as a sound bath or sound healing. Each practitioner brings their own style, energy, and intention into the experience. Each listener has an experience unique to them based on their emotional, anatomic, and energetic state. How cool is it to think that we can be hearing the same thing, yet each has a totally unique experience all our own. This is the mystery and magic available to us in this practice.
What Instruments are a part of a Sound Meditation?
Like you see in the first picture above, a sound meditation experience typically occurs in a lying down position where tools like yoga mats, blankets, bolsters and eye masks are present to support comfort. The sound practitioner uses instruments of their choice oftentimes including tibetan singing bowls (pictured above), crystal singing bowls, chimes, shruti box, drumming and tuning forks.
Each of these instruments holds a gentle, yet powerful healing property that supports the deep relaxation of the mind, body, and energetic state. We know from physics that everything in life has a vibration, so it’s no surprise how intuitively the human body responds to the healing vibrations of these instruments.
What are the Benefits of Sound Meditation?
They allow for a soothing break from the noise of our modern lives, Things like ambulances, email, text, phone, commercials on the televisions - all these sounds have become so normalized in our daily lives that we underestimate just how much stress they put on our nervous systems and peace of mind. When we hear these sounds, oftentimes our body intuitively releases stress hormones and it can contribute to anxiety and stress.
More than that, some profound benefits of Sound Meditation include:
Promotes Deep Relaxation
Decreases Stress
Uplifts your State of Being
Supports Clarity of Mind
Allows for an Accessible Transition into a Meditative State
Supports Neuroplasticity and Shifts in Consciousness
Empowers Positive Cognitive Change
Ready to explore the healing power of sound that can transform your life? Explore for yourself inside of The Atelier where each soundscape is attuned to support deeper sleep, healing, connection, and calm here.
WITH WILD LOVE AND GENTLE LIGHT,