Do you ever feel your mood shift after listening to your favorite (or least favorite) song? There is a reason they say "music is medicine" after all, and a more profound way to reap the benefits of this medicine is through sound meditation. But how does sound meditation work?
Music has always played a prominent role for humans, with evidence of instruments dating back over 60,000 years ago. It is thought that humans discovered the power of the voice for healing and communication long before this.
Sound meditation is a powerful way to experience the powerful healing music can bring. Read this beginner's guide to help you learn everything you need to know about this mindfulness meditation.
What Is Sound Meditation?
Sound meditation is a technique that combines different uses of sound to create a meditative journey. The different musical instruments help create relaxing vibrations that aid physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It has become a popular type of sound therapy with many reported healing benefits.
The history of sound meditation is ancient, with evidence of sound therapy in many different cultures, such as the Aboriginal Australian peoples, who have used the low-frequency sounds of the Didgeridoo to heal animals and humans for over 40,000 years. There is also evidence of the ancient Greek, Yogic, and Chinese traditions using sound meditation in different ways.
Sound Meditation Techniques
Sound meditation has come a long way since its beginnings. Now, it is possible to access a variety of different techniques, either in-person or online. Some practitioners also combine techniques for maximum effect.
Techniques include the following:
- Tibetan Singing bowls (Also Himalayan, or Quartz)
- Gongs
- Running forks
- Drums
- Chanting mantras
- Binaural beats
- Solfeggio frequencies
- Sound baths
Sound baths often use multiple instruments to help you on your journey, such as gongs, bells, and singing bowls. Solfeggio frequencies use specific frequencies of sound to help to heal. Binaural beats combine tones, so your brain creates an additional tone: the binaural beat.
How Does Sound Therapy Work?
Sound therapy works by using frequencies to impact your body's vibration. You can compare this to experiencing a live music concert and feeling the changes in energy. Sound meditation works in several ways, including:
- Impacting brainwave frequencies
- Sympathetic resonance
- Balancing the brain's hemispheres
The human body is 60% water on average, which means sound vibrations can travel quickly through the body to create harmony. The brain also responds to the frequencies, which can help promote healing and promote balance.
The sound therapy session allows you to focus the mind and go into a deep meditative state. Combining the benefits of meditation and the resonance of vibrations, sound frequencies and sound waves can bring profound healing. The sound healing session may have a specific intention, such as a Shamanic drum journey, or it may be to promote general well-being.
How Do Healing Frequencies Work?
How sound therapy works can depend on the technique, but the focus is on healing frequencies. For example, many sound meditation journeys and sound baths are in-person with a practitioner.
The sound therapy practitioner will use the instruments to help alter your state of consciousness, with the instruments creating different healing frequencies. Sometimes they will also place instruments on your body or close to you to increase the vibration.
The practitioner will use instruments that respond to your brain's different brainwaves, including delta and theta. For example, theta healing vibrations can help bring about positive feelings and healing.
You can also try your own self-help sound meditation. For example, you can listen to self-soothing binaural beats. You can pick particular frequencies that will help alter brain activity in different ways, such as sleep binaural beats, which can help the brain drop into delta waves, slowing down brain activity.
Usually, for sound healing, you sit or lie down, and you can use a meditation aid to support you. You may be recommended to use headphones if you are trying a personal sound healing journey.
Benefits of Sound Healing
There are many reported benefits of sound healing meditation. These include:
- Increases relaxation
- Clears energy blockages
- Improves physical well-being
- Provides anxiety relief
- Enhances spiritual and mental well-being
One of the main reasons to try sound meditation is that it is a relaxing experience that can help you drop into a deep state of meditation. The sound vibrations provide the support you need to focus and let go.
Sound meditation is sometimes described as an energetic massage, as the vibrations can help release trapped energy. This is why some people experience changes in temperature or physical sensations such as tingling in their feet or hands during a session.
Studies have also found significant changes in mood and general well-being after sound meditation sessions. After all, the sound vibrations and meditative state can help you connect to your inner nature; your true self, letting go of what no longer serves you.
Does Sound Meditation Work?
Research is ongoing, but different studies support the benefits of sound meditation. For example, one study found people with fibromyalgia experienced less pain and improved sleep after ten treatments of sound meditation. People also report that sound meditation reduces other types of pain, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation.
There is also the fact that, like other meditation techniques, sound meditation has a long history, which indicates that it can be helpful. As with other forms of meditation, there is now more opportunity than ever to explore the best sound therapy technique for your needs. Then you can discover for yourself if sound meditation works for you.
How To Get Started with Sound Meditation
The next step is to try sound meditation, so you can answer the question, does sound meditation work? One of the best places to get started is to try a guided group sound meditation in your area with a reputable practitioner. You can also try one of the many sound meditations online.
Before you try sound meditation, make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable. This includes comfortable clothes, blankets, and meditation aids to support your journey. Check out our full range of meditation aids to get started.
