The Power of Sound

Why we utilize sound therapy as a healing modality

Mind

Hermetic Philosophy states that all is mind, and all is vibration. Taking this into account with the theory of resonance and the recent studies within Western Medicine which have verified that sound effects and even changes brainwaves it can be deduced that sound can create changes in consciousness and induce mystically altered states (Goldman, 2002). Chemical and hormonal changes occur in the system as they are triggered by different sounds. A surge of adrenaline can be the result of hearing a loud crash or a scream, dopamine can be released at the sound of ocean waves or gentle rain, norepinephrine can flow while listening to particular music while preparing a romantic dinner. The repetition of structured sound is pleasing to the mind and causes the reward centers of the brain to light up (Auster, 2019). Sound changes the state of the mind, creating calm or chaos, spaciousness or clutter, peace or turbulence.

Body 

Nearly all cranial nerves lead to the ear, including the optic and oculomotor nerves as well as the nerves that govern the musculature of the neck. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, the Vagus nerve is intimately tied to the ear (Goldman et al., 2016). Being that the longest nerve in the body, the Vagus, which extends from the brain stem to the gut and is connected to the gastrointestinal tract, the bronchi and the heart, the connection between sound and the embodied experience of a human are intrinsically tied. What happens not only in our head, mind and brain but also the entire body are significantly impacted by what one hears. Vision, digestion, breathing, heart health, musculoskeletal functioning, and the balance within our nervous system are just a few parts of the physiological experiences that sound effects. Sound has a significant impact on our overall physical and emotional wellness. 

Spirit

Sound has been utilized as a connecter to spirit and healing tool throughout various cultures, amongst a variety of communities, over a vast expanse of time. Musical instruments and vibrational healing have been used by Shamans, indigenous healers, Pagan earth-based ceremonialists, Hindu Gurus, and Medicine People from Africa, to Asia, Europe to North and South America. Siddha’s, “one who has attained perfection in both physical and spiritual realms”, who are believed to have mythic and miraculous qualities and eight supernatural powers use sound through mantra as one of their four main treatment methods (Chaudhary, 2020). These healing powers move beyond the descendants of Dravidians throughout the Indian Subcontinent into the rest of the world and have not only a transcendent mythical quality but also an energetic quality that aligns with the teachings of Oneness. Suren Shrestha outlines how one can manifest desired outcomes and/or release negative energy by working with the Chakras through Vedic Notes and Mantra as well as Tibetan Notes and Mantra (Shrestha, 2013). Sound connects to spirit, moving people in the direction of or away from lives of purpose, awakening and unity.