Sound Healing is a technique in which musical frequencies and tones are used for physical, mental, and spiritual healing. This music takes you on a journey of sound healing, relaxing your mind and body.

From Tibetan singing bowls to Aboriginal didgeridoos, music has been used for its therapeutic effects for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks used sound vibration to aid in digestion, treat mental disturbance, and induce sleep, and even Aristotle’s De Anima detailed how flute music could purify the soul.

A typical sound healing session may involve sitting or lying down while listening to music, nature or sounds from a speaker or instruments, or experiencing vibrations applied using special tools such as tuning forks. Depending on the method, you may be encouraged to participate by singing, moving, or even using a musical instrument, or you may need to remain still and quiet to allow the sounds to take effect. Sound healing uses repetitive notes at different frequencies to help divert your focus away from your thoughts. Each instrument creates a different frequency that vibrates in your body and helps guide you to a meditative and restorative state.

Sound healing therapy improves many facets of the patient’s life, including emotional and social development, cognitive and motor functioning, and psychological and psychiatric health.

Sound Healing meditation includes guided and mantra meditation techniques. Guided meditation is a form of sound healing in which you meditate to voiced instruction, either in a session or class, or using a video or app. Meditation can involve chanting or repeating mantras or prayers.

A sound healing meditation is a meditation class that aims to guide you into a deep meditative state while you’re enveloped in ambient sound played by instructors or sound therapists. Sometimes participants stay in a seated position on comfortable cushions during sessions, though some instructors ask attendees to lie on yoga mats.

Guided Sound Healing Meditation with Singing Bowls:

  • Preparation:
    • Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed for the duration of the meditation.
    • Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, keeping your spine straight and relaxed.
    • Take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, allowing yourself to relax with each breath.
  • Setting Intentions:
    • Close your eyes and set your intention for the meditation. It could be to release stress, find inner peace, or simply to connect with the healing vibrations of the singing bowls.
  • Introduction to Sound Bowls:
    • Gently introduce the sound bowls by striking them softly with the mallet, allowing the vibrations to fill the space around you.
    • Focus your attention on the sound and vibrations, allowing them to wash over you and bring a sense of calm and relaxation.
  • Deepening Relaxation:
    • Continue to play the singing bowls, exploring the different tones and frequencies they produce.
    • With each sound, imagine any tension or stress melting away from your body, leaving you feeling lighter and more at ease.
  • Body Scan:
    • Start a gentle body scan, starting from the top of your head and slowly moving down to your toes.
    • As you scan each part of your body, imagine the sound vibrations penetrating and soothing any areas of tension or discomfort.
  • Breath Awareness:
    • Shift your focus to your breath, observing its natural rhythm without trying to control it.
    • With each inhale, imagine yourself drawing in healing energy, and with each exhale, imagine releasing any remaining tension or negative emotions.
  • Integration and Gratitude:
    • Gradually allow the sounds of the singing bowls to fade away, but continue to sit quietly for a few moments, basking in the afterglow of the meditation.
    • When you’re ready, gently open your eyes and take a moment to express gratitude for this time you’ve dedicated to your well-being.

Guided Meditation on Nature Sounds:

  • Finding a Peaceful Setting:
    • Find a quiet outdoor space where you can comfortably sit or lie down without distractions. It could be a park, garden, or even your backyard.
  • Connecting with Nature:
    • Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to become fully present in your surroundings.
    • Tune in to the various sounds of nature around you, whether it’s the chirping of birds, rustling of leaves, or gentle flow of a nearby stream.
  • Deepening Awareness:
    • Close your eyes and focus your attention on the sounds around you, allowing them to become the focal point of your meditation.
    • Notice how the sounds come and go, without any effort on your part, just like the natural ebb and flow of life.
  • Mindful Listening:
    • Take a few moments to focus on each individual sound, exploring its texture, rhythm, and tone.
    • Let go of any thoughts or distractions, and simply immerse yourself in the symphony of nature.
  • Breath and Body Awareness:
    • Shift your awareness to your breath, feeling the rhythm of inhaling and exhaling in harmony with the sounds of nature.
    • As you breathe, feel yourself becoming one with the natural world around you, deeply connected and grounded.
  • Gratitude and Reflection:
    • Spend a few moments in quiet reflection, expressing gratitude for the beauty and tranquility of nature.
    • Reflect on how you can carry this sense of peace and connection with you as you go about your day.
  • Closing:
    • When you’re ready, gently open your eyes and take a few more deep breaths, savoring the lingering sense of calm and serenity.
    • Carry this feeling of connection with you as you return to your daily activities, knowing that you can always return to the soothing embrace of nature whenever you need to.

Both of these meditations offer opportunities to connect with yourself and the world around you, whether through the healing vibrations of singing bowls or the tranquil sounds of nature. Feel free to adapt them to suit your own preferences and needs.

Sound healing meditation can be an excellent way to meditate, especially if you’re in a rut with your usual self-care routine.