Benefits of Sound Bathing
About twenty years ago, I spontaneously began making sounds when I got into my car alone and began driving. Often they were huge releasing sounds, that most assuredly would have alarmed my neighbors, and my body was smart enough to wait until I was in a safe place. OK, not counting a few semi-drivers that I noticed looking down on me with highly amused faces, whom fortunately I did not have to see again! I’m also happy to report that I did NOT have an accident while engaging in this practice, as I made a particular effort to stay alert. Since there were, alas, accidents at other times- unlikely as it may seem- I was actually much more alert when simultaneously taking a sound bath.
Looking back it seems as though my body was no longer willing to continue to hold the unexpressed emotion I was unconsciously carrying around. Often, while releasing, I would immediately realize what I had suppressed. As the years have gone by my process has changed; fortunately I am now more aware of my inner responses and there is much less unconscious stuffing. However, recently I began to think back on these earlier experiences, and the positive effects of taking a daily (or at least weekly) sound bath. How would you feel if you didn’t shower for months, years or ever? Yuck! Since our physical bodies are vibrational as science is now demonstrating, we also need to clean them vibrationally. Our entire vibrational field extends far beyond our physical bodies (directly affecting our health, energy levels, mental, and emotional states), and cleaning it is also essential. The intentional use of sound is a powerful force for cleaning, and for creating. Best of all your own voice is all you need!
Why use sound when there are other less potentially invasive ways to do this— I’m thinking of housemates, families and neighbors?! While other types of vibrational cleaning are both effective and can be easier to use, I am focusing on sound because of certain essential benefits I will briefly mention.
The throat is the center for self-expression and creativity, and those qualities have been often been squelched in our homes and our school systems, setting up early patterns of repression. When you allow yourself to make spontaneous sounds, you release constriction in your throat center, and you connect more fully with your power to express and create. In this period of dynamic change, we need each person’s contribution to the new paradigm that is unfolding on Earth, as the old one falls away.
The throat is also where we connect with our Power of Choice. We are often bombarded with thought forms and emotions both from others and from within ourselves, which challenge our ability to respond rather than react–particularly when fear is evoked. When we strengthen our connection to our own throats, we also strengthen our ability to be at the point of choice when faced with a challenge that could potentially trap us in drama. When we are aware at the point of choice, we have the opportunity to change our personal and collective destinies rather than live out endless repetitions of past patterns.
Now all that is rather serious and while necessary, we don’t want to dwell there because seriousness creates more heaviness, which is, after all, what we are clearing out! So let’s lighten up instead and have fun making sounds. Your inner child is inherently spontaneous and creative, and loves to make all kinds of sounds. The wilder, crazier and funnier the better. This is a chance to be really creative and have fun–even while releasing stuck energy related to events that were not funny at the time. You will feel cleaner and lighter after you do this, and maybe younger too.
Laurie says:
July 27th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
thanks for this, Kathleen. Sounds like we might have a chat about the practice I learned to teach, SpiritSong. I am actually headed for my SpiritSong teachers guild annual retreat, next week. How timely to be reminded that this practice is a cleansing bath along with being healing and ecstatic!
GypsyOwl says:
September 5th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Hello Kathleen, I listened to you on Awakenings today and wanted to Thank You. Looking forward to meeting you in Texas! Your work is amazing.
JoyHealer says:
September 5th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
This is a somewhat new concept to me. It makes sense though. I also like that it does not have restrictions placed on it – there was the Primal Sound therapies of the Seventies – but you were pretty much instructed to express pain and the residue of past woundings. Whereas one of the most clamped down expressions in the world is that of Joy.
As a hospice worker, I once had a patient who had terminal throat cancer. When I took care of her, the immediate thing I notic ed was that her husband did all the talking – constant chatter, and she was not listened to. (Though he thought that he loved her.)
AffirmingSpirit says:
October 16th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
OK, I'm about to make a confession…I *often* go around the house (or while driving) singing. Sometimes they are actual songs, but often…I'm making up the words to an existing melody, or making up the melody, too. My kitties are usually the recipients of my songs, and all I can say is they seem to *love* to be sung to.
)
I've long noticed that the vibration emitted from my throat is both pleasant to hear *and feel*. One time, I went to a large group event where we stood in an empty field with 100 others and chanted ( "Hu" and "Om"). The energy is created was palpable and the experience was one I will never forget emotionally or vibrationally.
Is there a difference between using your voice to make sound and an instrument, such as a gong or singing bowl?
Many blessings,
Nancy
KathleenCasey says:
October 19th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Hi Nancy,
Yes, there is a difference between using your voice and using or hearing an instrument played, although many of us often use instruments with our voices.The simple answer is that your vocal sounds, especially when spontaneous and aligned with your soul's intention, are perfectly balanced for you. You are both receiving and giving/expressing sound simultaneously. When you express vocal sounds with or without instruments, you are simultaneously healing, activating and/or expanding your throat chakra, and therefore your ability to create and communicate. This is only the tip of the ice berg so to speak, but you didn't ask for another post; so I will restrain myself–somewhat!
I am always powerfully affected by the sounds of all the instruments that many of us use in our work, and I have also been teaching and encouraging people to also use their own voices for nearly twenty years.
Since I was taught to use my voice first, as part of my spiritual practice, I confess to an obvious bias. Just as you mention, the energy is "palpable" and it's affect apparent. I always ask people to observe their mental, emotional, physical and energetic states before, and after sounding. Besides what people can observe about themselves, others can also see the difference. People often look younger, happier and more radiant.
Every month I have a Sound Alchemy event; people come to both receive and express sounds. For many this is the only time they do that and they tell me it is a highlight of the month for them. I look forward to a time when this simple and deeply healing activity is more widely accepted and practiced.
Given who you are, I'm not at all surprised to learn that this is something you do quite naturally!
Maybe we will meet one day and do some sounding together!
Blessings of Sound and Light,
Kathleen
AffirmingSpirit says:
October 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Thanks, Kathleen…I'll keep singing (the kitties are happy about that)!
Meanwhile, I'll be looking for the post that addresses the rest of that iceberg!
)
Many blessings, Nancy