The use of sound, including instruments and voice, has been prevalent throughout history and across all cultures. Ancient scriptures reveal that early civilisations used chanting, which has evolved over time to incorporate a range of different instruments in various ways. In the 1940s, sound was used in the rehabilitation of soldiers returning from World War II, and in the present day, this modality is increasingly being investigated by science as we become curious about its many benefits.
In spiritual philosophy, the universe is made up of certain laws that allow for our existence to be as it is, determining the order of things. One of these laws is the law of vibration, which suggests that everything is in a constant state of movement, of vibration.
It is theorised that everything emits a vibrational frequency, and this can be measured and recorded. For example, the electromagnetic field of the heart can be read using magnetocardiography, which measures the magnetic fields generated. It provides information about the heart's electrical currents and can be used to study the heart's function, diagnose certain cardiac conditions, and monitor changes in the heart's electromagnetic activity. Research suggests that the current emitted from our heartbeat is the largest and furthest reading that can be picked up on the human body. The theory suggests that we receive this feedback not only from physical matter and objects but also from thoughts and emotions. The differences in these vibrational frequencies determine the nature of things, and this is where the intentional use of sound can become a powerful tool.
The two ways that we receive sound:
- Accepting that everything is some form of vibration includes the frequencies that sound emits. With any sound created, vibrational frequencies are sent into the space around us. Although we cannot see the vibrations travelling with the human eye, we know that they do expand outward and fill the space. We know this because as we listen, we can hear a door slam, a dog bark, or the breeze in the trees from a distance away. This is the receiving of the sound through the auditory nerve in the ear, which communicates vibrational sound signals to the brain.
- The other way we receive sound is on a psychoacoustic level, where we absorb the vibration into the water in our body. Water is known to be an excellent conductor of sound, and as humans, we are composed of 70-80% water at any given time. This means that when the vibrations reach the physical bodies lying in meditation, they are absorbing the frequencies on a physical level. Making living beings excellent conductors of sound.
There are numerous benefits to the practice of Live Sound Meditation, these can include:
Stress Reduction
Sound meditation can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm by providing space away from these challenging experiences. As the soothing sounds calm the mind and promote relaxation, any activation in the body has a chance to settle, slow down, and pause. These gentle, soothing sounds can act as a natural stress reliever, both mentally and physically, leading to the dissolution of existing tension within your body and the unwinding of your mind.
Improved Sleep
Incorporating practices that promote relaxation can further enhance the quality of our sleep. Allowing our bodies to transition into the state of rest-and-digest, rather than remaining in a high level fight-or-flight mode, makes sleep feel more accessible. This not only makes falling asleep easier but also encourages high-quality sleep throughout the night.
Enhanced Concentration and Focus
Meditating on the sound requires you to bring your awareness to what you can hear and continually bring your attention back whenever it wanders. By focusing the mind's attention, we start to reduce mental chatter, negative self-talk, or habitual patterns. Over time, as your practice develops, immersing yourself in the sound can lead to an experience of calm and clarity, resulting in greater focus for the rest of your day.
While we are gradually learning more about how sound can impact our lives, the only way to truly understand is to experience it for ourselves. Each sound meditation is beautifully unique, providing us with the exact nourishment we need.
