Sound Meditation – The Flow
I design the flow of these Sound Meditations (the full ones) according to one of these three profiles.
The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey begins with either a gentle introduction or a bang, representing the Hero’s reluctance to heed the call to their journey. The crescendo comes near the end and flows into the calming celebration at the end.
The Bell Curve
Easy come, easy go. This one builds to a central crescendo and slowly lets you down to the end.
The River
This is a steady flow with the occasional curve or small rapids, but it won’t ever get too rough. From beginning to end, it’s designed to keep you in a deep space with only a few changes.
The Sounds
Sound
Visual
Description
Gong
Gong is the master of overtones, a great way to bathe yourself in sound. I often use this as the primary instrument in the crescendo of the soundbath. You’ll hear whale-like, vibrating sounds as well as traditional booms and crashes.
Himalayan Bowls
Another iconic sound in Sound Meditation, the Himalayan Bowls can provide both a clean sound and fill the space with overtones. These are very majestic.
Tingsha Bells
Also called Tibetan Bells, the Tingsha Bells produce a clean, high-pitched tone. These begin and end each Sound Meditation Session.
Shruti Box
A Shruti Box is a traditional Indian instrument that literally bathes you in overtones. Look at the spectrum analysys — all of that sound! It’s a great drone to accompany singing and other instruments.
Shruti Box + Crystal Bowls
The two sing together so beautifully. You get both the solid tone of the crystal singing bowl with the overtone-heavy drone of the Shruti Box.
Frame Drum (18″)
Did you know drums have pitch? They sound a note. And they resonate overtones, filling the space with deep vibrations. I use this to shake things loose as well as to drop into a deep meditative space.
Koshi Chime
The Koshi Chime sprinkles drops of sound over you. It’s a great way to slowly come back to awareness from the deep explorations of bowls and gongs.
Wave Drum
Like ocean waves washing over you, the Wave Drum will wash over you with sound. Look at that full sound! When deep emotions or thoughts are brought to the surface, the wave drum is a great way to wash them away, clean.
Rain Stick
Much like the wave drum, the sound stick helps cleanse your psyche with gentle sounds of rainwater washing over you. It’s full of overtones in that higher register.
Bass Harmonica
As an old blues fan and player, I love the harmonica. The bass harmonica fits beautifully into a sound meditation, full of gorgeous overtones. And oh so good when accompanied by Crystal Singing Bowls.