50 Minute Mindful Sound Meditation

“This is the sound of the Void” - the 16th Karmapa

Gelukpa Tibetan Buddhist oral tradition holds that during the time of the Shakyamuni Buddha in 500 BCE, monastics used singing bowls as a meditation support tool. 20th century neuroscience showed us that the bowls’ binaural beat frequencies quiet neuro pathways in the brain, induce deep relaxation, naturally quieting the mind and bringing us into an alpha/theta brainwave pattern. This state subdues the distractions of the mind and helps us tune in to our inner awareness. The Tibetan bowls, along with gongs and chimes, create a sound environment that is supportive for meditators of all levels.

In mindfulness meditation, the goal is to be here now! I offer guided mindfulness meditations, accompanied with Tibetan bowls, to help you to stay grounded in the awareness of the present moment with techniques using sound, the breath, and the body. Other traditional mindfulness subjects may include concentration, working with difficult thoughts and emotions, and loving kindness. I offer practical techniques to integrate mindfulness into your daily life for greater calm and clarity. Together, we create a safe space, encouraging self-compassion and non-judgmental acceptance.

Why Sound Meditation? The Science

For decades now, scientific studies have shown that stress and tension are linked to an increased incidence of diseases such as Heart Disease, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, as well as a range of psychological disorders such as Depression, PSTD, Addiction and others.1 Meditation, including mindfulness-based meditation, has proved to be effective in inducing the relaxation response, which is a positive feedback loop of physical reactions that help alleviate anxiety and improve well-being. The relaxation response is the body’s physiological response to counter the fight-or-flight response and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. As promising as mindfulness and other meditation systems are, their benefits are limited by the time, patience, and discipline required to learn meditation. So it is no wonder that sound meditation with singing bowls, that are easy to listen to or lean how to play and do not require much discipline to utilize, is a form of relaxation that has been adopted and practiced worldwide, and is widely acknowledged to provide a huge benefit to human wellness and health.

Mindfulness Meditation Benefits

The benefits of meditation are well documented. Similar to the benefits of sound meditation, they include reduced anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, increased concentration, better sleep, less pain, improved mood, an enhanced feeling of spiritual well-being, and more empathy and compassion for yourself and others. 2 Long-term meditators may have enhanced intuition, or heightened extrasensory perception. Because meditation develops the prefrontal cortex of the brain, research on long-term meditators has shown the increased activity in the prefrontal cortex modulates the amygdala, or emotional center, thus “rewiring” the brain and enhancing emotional regulation. 3 Most beneficial of all, it can be practiced anywhere, at any time.

But mindfulness teaches us a way to experience our lives. It is practicing being fully present so that in our daily lives so that our minds, bodies and hearts are all at the same place at the same time: in the present moment. Mindfulness can be described as paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and a willingness to be with that experience.4 We’re not trying to change or avoid whatever experience it is. It’s a way of not reacting to experience, but getting to know it in a neutral way, and even welcoming it. We find so much of our suffering is housed in our programed reactions filtering our experience. mindfulness meditation… You can awaken at any time and connect to the true refuge within you. 

Intention

Just as our brainwaves vibrate at certain frequencies, so too, our intention has vibration. You may want to reflect if you have intentions for the session: are they physical, emotional, or spiritual, or a combination? In your confirmation email, we will include a notes field in which you can let me know your goals for the session as well as anything else you’d like me to know about you. If you are booking an inperson session, please make a note of any allergies or sensitivities, such as to cats, incense, or essential oils.

What to Expect

Once you book your session, you will receive an email with your receipt and confirmation of the date, time, and Zoom Sound Room address. When we meet online, we’ll have a 2-3 minute conversation to review any notes you left in the booking process.

During the Session

After our intention setting, you will be invited to take a comfortable posture and we will do some breathing exercises to settle the body and calm the nervous system. You will be guided along our sound journey, allowing the frequencies to deeply relax your body and mind. Although your eyes may be closed, you may see colors or moving light patterns. You experience flashes of insight. While these phenomena are common in meditation, they are not the goal. The goal will be to drop into a state of bliss that is our default state without the constant chatter and emotions of the mind. Expect that you may find thoughts falling away or becoming less frequent, or having less of a pull than in your normal waking state. As the frequencies entrain your brainwaves from the Beta to the Alpha or Theta states, you can expect to drop into a quiet, somatic state. It is also OK to fall asleep if that is what your body needs.

Ending the Session

Towards the close of the session, we will have a few minutes of quiet meditation which will conclude with a tingsha chime. You will be invited to come back to your body and the room, open your eyes, and end your meditation. If you wish, we can talk briefly about your experience and feedback, and I can answer your questions. At the appointed time, we’ll close our Zoom Sound Room or chat about a follow-up session if desired.