SoundsHealing

Everything has it’s own vibratory rate (or frequency) and this includes each organ, bone and cell. When two objects have the same frequency and are in close proximity and one is activated (eg two tuning forks), then the passive object resonates in sympathy. Sound travels faster in water than air and the human body is made of approximately 70% water, so is a very good conductor of sound. Through the principle of resonance, and using the appropriate external frequency, sound can therefore be used to ‘re-tune’ the appropriate part of the body back to it’s optimum frequency, so balance is restored.

The principle of entrainment is linked closely to resonance. When two or more oscillators in the same field pulse at nearly the same rate, they tend to lock in and start pulsing at the same rate. The stronger vibrations from one source, will cause less powerful vibrations from another source to lock in to the dominant source. If the external oscillator therefore is the dominant vibration, (the voice or sound healing instrument) then the less powerful source – i.e. the human body will ‘lock in’ to it and be retuned.

The principle of harmonics refers to many notes being within one note. Within this note (the fundamental) are many notes referred to as partials. These notes are related to fundamental mathematical ratios and these ratios are present throughout nature. Harmonics give the voice or musical instrument it’s tone. Harmonies of each fundamental note produced can therefore affect many frequencies, so a fundamental note and it’s harmonics is able to reach the emotional and mental levels of the client and not just the physical.

A musical scale can be defined as ‘an array of chosen frequencies’, such as the doh-ray-me scale. Scales can be sung or played and affect our emotions and thoughts and work on the chakra system. Old traumas can emerge when using a musical scale, as they are released and exercises are provided to help the client deal with this.

Musical intervals are defined as ‘the resonance of musical space created by the sounding of two notes simultaneously or separately’. For example, the perfect 5th interval of C and G (in the same octave) is very relaxing. Other intervals can be less so, for example the 7th interval, which is dissonant, but useful to move and release blocked energy or trauma.

There are several body rhythms, for example the human heart beat of between 60 and 75 beats per minute. Repetitive drumming at an appropriate tempo, can slow down the heart beat by using the principle of entrainment previously described. A drum beat can also assist in slowing down brainwave patterns and introduce an altered state of consciousness. A drum beat during a sound healing session can also be used to locate and remove energy blockages.

Intention is a very important part of the sound healing process and can’t be explained in scientific terms in the same way that other principles can, but it’s effects have been observed. In Masaru Emoto’s book ‘The Message in Water’ his experiments have shown the powerful link between thought, words and the quality of the patterns of frozen water crystals. Typed words were placed on the sides of bottles of water, which were then frozen and the crystals examined under a microscope. Positive words produced beautiful crystals and negative words produced patterns that looked like the crystal had exploded. Tibetan mantras were also sung for a separate experiment and produced beautiful crystals, whereas heavy metal music was played to a different sample, resulting in a similar pattern to the negative words.

The sound healing pioneer, Jonathan Goldman, states that ‘frequency + intention = healing’. Positive universal energy is channelled from the sound healer, using the sound from the voice or musical instruments as a vehicle to reach the client. Equally important is the intention of the client, which can amplify the effects of the sound healing session.

Bija mantras are single syllable Sanskrit mantras that are the sounds of the chakra themselves. By toning over each chakra, balance can be restored.

If sound healing instruments are played in excess and insensitively, this can have a negative effect, so playing in moderation and having periods of silence during the session is very important. The silence is noticeably different after the instruments have stopped playing than before the session, as the higher harmonics created are outside the range of human hearing and are still resonating at higher vibrational levels.