March/April 2003 Alternative Health
Sound Solutions Sound As Medicine

by D'Ann Davis

Sound Medicine has been with us since the beginning. It is a well documented medical and scientific fact that sound carries strong neuropsychological signals that can also return harmony to the emotional, mental, physical and/or spiritual body. Across cultures, throughout the millennia, many instruments have served in this sacred sound technology: The Shaman's drum, the Australian Didgeridoo, the Japanese Shakuhachi, the Tibetan Singing Bowls and Ting-Sha's, the Naked Human Voice, The Quartz Crystal Singing Bowl, and Nature Sounds. I will briefly explain the use of these instruments, the Great Mystic Traditions behind them, and the current supporting scientific data documenting the effects of these ancient ceremonial instruments and eternal sounds. All of these sounds and instruments are effective in part through the phenomenon of Entrainment, which has been measured and demonstrated scientifically in careful studies (c.f. the works of Dr. Itzhak Bentov).

Entrainment describes the natural process of falling into and establishing a rhythmic relationship with something. In the case of the Shaman's drum, brain waves entrain with the beat of the drum. The consequence is not only relaxation (like in massage), but a change in consciousness and brain wave activity. There are many brain wave states, some personal, some transpersonal (or in scientific jargon, local and non-local consciousness).

Beta brain waves cycle at 12-16 hertz per second and indicate a consciousness employed in full outward attention. Delta brain waves cycle between .5- 4 hertz per second, and indicates a consciousness in deep sleep.

Sound Medicine concerns itself mainly with Alpha and Theta brain wave states, ranging from 4 - 12 hertz per second, for these are the states that hold profound healing potential. These states open wide the doors of perception, as well as situating one right in the middle of their own personal mythology. In these states of consciousness one is in contact with the outer limits of the inner realm. These are the states produced in ancient sound ceremonies. In fact, some states meld with these instruments, as in the case of the didgeridoo, where the traditional ritual intent has been to produce a state of awake dreaming.

The didgeridoo may be the oldest instrument on the planet, dating back 150,000 years. Instruments that make use of the breath have been viewed as the most sacred in many societies. For it is with the breath that life begins, and it is with the breath that life ends. The etymology of the word respiration means to bring the spirit back in, as in, re-spirit-ation. The sound of the didgeridoo is timeless and is similar in sound to the deep-throated chants of the Tibetan Monks. Mastering the technique of "circular breathing" is necessary to playing the instrument with unbroken sound. Nearly all the Great Mystic Traditions reference the Unending Sound, the Eternal Sound, the One sound underneath all phenomena. The Sounds from ancient ceremonial instruments played with respect for the old ways, transport one deeply into Silence, where another sound may be heard, that leads again to a deeper silence, and then again to another layer of sound. This is how sounds penetrate the mysteries. Emotional holdings can prevent one from traveling from one state to another. In this case, the Naked Human Voice can make the sounds necessary to release the emotional body, so that a deeper experience can unfold.

The Shakuhachi is a Zen Meditation Flute that dates back to the 13th century. It is reputed to be the most difficult woodwind in the world (to this I can attest); some even say it is the most difficult of all instruments. It can take years to produce a single sound. It is a spiritual practice that requires both great breath awareness and self-mastery. The flute is a demonstration and embodiment of the Buddhist meditations of Sunyata (that is, Emptiness).

Again, physicists have found that the body is 99.99% empty, meaning that all physical molecules can fit on a pin head, the rest is emptiness. The Shakuhachi is the awareness and practice of this emptiness of self expressed through empty bamboo: "Blowing Zen." If you have never heard the sound of Shakuhachi, it is a treat!! and inspires great Stillness, Presence and Auditory Acuity. "Ichi On Jo Butsu" means to attain enlightenment in one single note. A state of Zen Presence is when the outside and inside are in perfect synch and oneness. There is no separation. In the case of the Shakuhachi, it is the note that is pure and simultaneous on the inside and out. The tradition of Shakuhachi reaches so far back and is so rich that many books have been written on its magic alone.

As to the bowls, again, they are the sound of the Void, but also, the fullness and receptivity inherent therein. The sound of the bowls is a wonderful way to bathe in sound -- to reharmonize and cleanse. The Modern Crystal Bowl not only influences but also reflects human consciousness. The Ting-Sha's are from the same ancient Shamanistic Bon tradition from Tibet that emphasized the revelatory nature of sound. The TIng-Sha's are little tiny cymbal-bells attached with a leather cord. They are tuned to slightly different tones. Scientific studies have shown how this tonal difference causes the cymbals-bells to emit Extremely Low Frequency (E.L.F.) sounds between 4 - 8 cycles per second--again the same frequency as the Theta brain waves that occur in meditation. Finally, I have cataloged 30+ nature sounds that are important to the experience in two ways: In the modern urban settings often we are without the frequencies necessary for harmonious functioning; listening to a waterfall, birds singing, the ocean, the wind; these vibrations re-align the soul to its symphony--which ties wonderfully with the second reason why nature sounds are important in Sound Medicine.

In Nada Yoga, an aspirant seeks union with the Whole through sound. One does this by meditating on the inner Nada sounds which emanate from deep within in states of profound meditation. Often these sounds are the sounds of nature, only a touch more exquisite, and lead you into deep states of self-realization and inner and outer harmony.

There are so many more things that can be said about sacred sound, and many books have been written on the many aspects and utilizations of sound. I have limited the discussion here to the instruments listed above, for these are some of the instruments I play in accordance with the old ways. I hope you have enjoyed your read.

D'Ann Davis is a sacred sound practitioner in private practice, and offers sound medicine concerts most Thursday evenings . She is in her sixth year of spiritual apprenticeship with a Cherokee Sound Healer and can be reached at (503) 287-0387 or dingodanni@hotmail.com