Sound Bath Meditation:
Stress is something that we all deal with in our daily lives. It’s easy to let our stress build throughout the week, allowing it to get the best of us at some point. However, it’s good to take a little bit of time to ourselves so we can heal our minds and bodies. This can be achieved with certain mind-body practices. One such practice is sound bath meditation.
At this point in time you’ve probably heard or come to the realization that stress is not beneficial for our health and well-being. Making, or setting aside time to relax your body and mind has become crucial and a necessity.
In all actuality, there’re many different ways you can go about relaxing your mind and body. Personally, there’re not many better ways to accomplish both at the same time, while simultaneously building a connection within ourselves, then with meditation.
In regards to this post, we’ll discuss specifically, sound bath meditation.
Meditation in general can be great for overall stress levels. However, when you add peaceful and healing ambient sounds to your meditation, you may further benefit from your practice.
What Is Sound Bath Meditation?
Let’s discuss what this type of meditation entails, prior to it’s benefits. The term “sound bath” meditation is a relatively newer type of meditation practice. However, the art of using sound itself for healing practices, has a long history.
Healing sounds have been used in meditation for thousands of years. From music, to Tibetan bells, to many other tools. Sounds have played a significant role in meditative traditions, and can vary from culture to culture.
Sound bath meditation in particular builds on the healing properties of sounds. This meditation style adds to your practice with a calming atmosphere and a plethora of healing tones. Furthermore, ambient noise is played throughout your session with live instruments and various objects.
Practitioners usually attend a class to do this type of meditation. A teacher or instructor will use a combination of gongs, crystal bowls, symbols, voice, and other tools to create the tones and sounds necessary to be “bathed” in sounds. The length of these types of classes can vary.
The sessions can be more individualized or include a group of practitioners at once. Generally, lasting for about 15 minutes, to an hour.
Any number of meditation tools and instruments can be used. The harmonics of the instruments are said to create healing effects. If you can’t attend a live class, it is possible to take a class online or use online videos to simulate a sound bath meditation class. You can even buy your own Tibetan bowl or gong and have your own at home sound bath meditation session(s).
The Benefits of Sound Bath Meditation:
I. Relaxation
It’s difficult for some getting into a fully relaxed mindset during meditation. Oftentimes, thoughts about the future or our stressful day can get in the way of winding down. Alternatively, it may be the difficulties remaining in meditation “type” positions.
This is why sound bath meditation can be so effective. The positioning is often times, as simple as lying on your back.
With the addition of a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful sounds, you may be able to let go of stress more quickly and seamlessly. Thus, into a more meditative state. One in which clears distractions and negative thoughts from the participants energy fields.
The goal is to play sounds in a way that let’s your mind fully relax, without a rhythmic-type beat, like in popular music today.
For those that practice meditation without the use of sound, sound bath meditation may be a helpful variation that allows your mind to relax in different ways.
Although the “music” or sounds in sound bath meditation are very different then conventional, music (in general) has a wealth of touted benefits. Hence, for both mental and physical health. For example, helping to reduce pain and stress levels, through various studies. It has also been known to ease anxiety, pain and diversion, during chemotherapy or hospital stays.
II. You Can Focus More During Your Meditation
In addition to helping you achieve different states or levels of relaxation, sound bath meditation may enable you to focus more effectively. Certain sounds are great for concentrating your mind on the present moment. In addition, thought to remove negative energy from the practitioner.
The goal is not to wander aimlessly through your thoughts. Unfortunately, this can happen with a more “silent approach” within the practice. The healing tones of sound bath meditation may help ward off distracting thoughts and ideas.
Meditation does not come easy for all of us. There is no shame in this. Oftentimes, this is why tools are used. Adding a gong, bells, or different types of music, can do wonders for the mind, keeping you on task during your session(s).
III. Sound Adds A New Dimension to Meditation
In truth, there is no perfect way to meditate. Everyone is different. Furthermore, practitioners of meditation may try different types, to find one or more that help heal there mind and body the best. Sound is one of the most effective ways you can go about changing the way you meditate.
There are even studies showing that music or music therapy activate the limbic and paralimbic structures, that function abnormally in patients with high depressive components. Point being, sound or music can effect all of us differently, and for different reasons.
“Gong” sound bath meditation, in particular, is known to enhance meditation. Gongs can create a wide range of frequencies that are great for meditating. These sound instruments date back to as early as 16,000 BC and are believed to offer benefits of relaxation, pain relief and better release of emotions.
Tibetan bells and sound bowls are effective as well. If you’re looking to switch up your practice, gongs are a great place to start for sound bath meditation. Truly, it adds a whole new dimension.
IV. Longer and Deeper Sessions
Sound bath meditation sessions usually eclipse about 30 minutes of time. However, some practices go for much more sustained time, 45 minutes – 2 hours.
With the use of harmonics of sound bath tools, your physical and mental state can truly be transformed and heightened, as the sound (in gong baths) are said to “travel to the core of the cellular system“.
You may even add sound into your sessions at specific intervals. Maybe you’re someone who prefers to segment your meditation sessions, using different types of meditation, and tools throughout your practice.
This feeling may allow for less distraction and more spiritual healing and resonance based on the individual.
V. Heal Your Body and Mind
Sound bath meditation allows you to do more than get in touch with your mind and body. In fact, this type of meditation may help promote physical and mental healing within the self. Meditation, in general, is known for its healing properties, as well is sound therapy. When you combine the two, the potential for healing, may even be heightened.
Music even effects parts of the body which control heart rate, respirations and digestion. Furthermore, It can help improve breathing, oxygenation, decrease stress hormones, aiding in immune function.
Conditions like anxiety and depression can benefit from sound bath meditation. Sound, coupled with meditation, can have a significant impact on mood and energy levels. Sound alone, is said to improve cognitive and behavioral stimulation, even in older adults with comorbid physical and mental disorders.
Meditation is known for many benefits both physiologically and mentally. For example, pain, blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Sound bath meditation builds on the already potent healing properties of conventional meditation. As your body relaxes with surrounding sounds, your blood pressure may lower, your mind stops racing. In addition, you can take the time to fully restore your senses, physical self, and the connection with your inner-self.
Final Thoughts!
Don’t just take our word for it, give sound bath meditation a try. Different practitioners may prefer different types and frequencies of meditation.
Be committed. Equally important, take this and other forms of relaxation techniques, or breathing exercises seriously. Allow them time to aid in helping to heal or repair your mind and body.
Never use these therapies or practices alone if you’re currently being treated for a physical or mental disorder. Always consult with a medical professional and determine what the right interventions are for you, as an individual.
Resources:
- https://www.allure.com/story/sound-bath-meditation-benefits
- https://becrystalclear.com/5-benefits-of-sound-baths/
- https://www.allure.com/story/sound-bath-meditation-benefits
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-music-can-help-you-heal
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/11/music#:~:text=A%20wealth%20of%20new%20studies,system%20function%20and%20reduces%20stress.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369551/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/gong-bath#what-are-they
- https://www.uclahealth.org/vitalsigns/the-sound-of-healing
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth