Hearing (Auditory)

You breathe deeply into the meditation of grounding; preparing and anchoring yourself in anticipation of entering sacred space. You step forward and cross the threshold of ritual space and pass between two drums placed on either side of you echoing the rhythm of your heartbeat. The sound moves through the space of physical ear and awakens the paths of pranic circuit that lay within the subtle fields of your being. A rush of energy moves through you and you immediately feel the core of your center respond in resonance. Vibration of rhythm and tone courses through the neural channels and every cell is enlivened by the changes taking place in you as heartbeat picks up the pace in excited anticipation of what will transpire. The call has been sounded and with focus and intent you have answered what ear has captured. Boom-boom, boom-boom, boom-boom, boom-boom; each dual strike syncopating the placement of one foot in front of the other carrying you into the space of magick and arriving through the Gates of Sound.

Just as the eyes are often considered to be the “Doorways to the Soul”, the ears could be said to be the keys to open the sound of Life, Light and the Universe. Sound (through the modality of hearing) is the one of the byproducts and components of the energy that surrounds and gives form to all that it surrounds. Color (through the use of sight) is produced also through the varied levels of vibration. Our physical being is composed of light, color and each has their own body note or tone. It is the resonance or discord of one’s body note with another’s that can create either harmony or tension with that individual.

In esoteric and spiritual practice, the sensation of hearing allows us to engage with the vibratory patterns that are continually surrounding us in a responsive way. We hear the sounds that place us in a contemplative state. We hear the sounds that bring us to a space of the ecstatic. We hear the words spoken in love, devotion, anger and fear and we immediately react in accord with how those sounds have stirred our energetic flow. Hearing clearly brings us to a state of understanding and holding the space of silence allows the Divine flow of vibration to move through us as we hear the sounds of the Universe.

Calling All Babies

“Although a concentric series of barriers buffer the fetus from the outside world–amniotic fluid, embryonic membranes, uterus, and the maternal abdomen–the fetus lives in a stimulating matrix of sound, vibration, and motion. Many studies now confirm that voices reach the womb, rather than being overwhelmed by the background noise created by the mother and placenta. Intonation patterns of pitch, stress, and rhythm, as well as music, reach the fetus without significant distortion. A mother’s voice is particularly powerful because it is transmitted to the womb through her own body reaching the fetus in a stronger form than outside sounds. ….reactive listening begins eight weeks before the ear is structurally complete at about 24 weeks. These findings indicate the complexity of hearing, lending support to the idea that receptive hearing begins with the skin and skeletal framework, skin being a multireceptor organ integrating input from vibrations, thermo receptors, and pain receptors. This primal listening system is then amplified with vestibular and cochlear information as it becomes available. With responsive listening proven at 16 weeks, hearing is clearly a major information channel operating for about 24 weeks before birth.” Birth Psychology: The Fetal Senses

Scientific research has proven that hearing is one of the senses that develops first in a fetus as new life grows within the Mother’s womb. As soon to be parents, we are encouraged to talk to, play music for and generally maintain a soothing auditory environment for our baby while in utero. The interesting aspect to this is that the growing fetus is still nearest to the original state of being an infinite life force of cells and energy before this new life is brought into the physical manifest world. Why then would we not imagine that sound (as vibration) plays an instrumental part in spiritual practice and has the potential of allowing us to re-member that state of vibrational being?

Read More Hear (not a typo !)…

Unborn babies are hearing you, loud and clear by Meghan Holohan (NBC News)

Chants and Music

Music and the organized patterns and structure of tones and sound have always been key components in spiritual practice. Even in the practice of silence, there is inherently a “sound”, albeit inaudible that is produced. It is for this reason that certain chants and certain forms of music have been used continually.

Seed Sounds and Bija’s
Mantra(m)

def. A sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation, or incantation, such as an invocation of a god, a magic spell, or a syllable or portion of scripture containing mystical potentialities.

A saying from the Vedas claims that “Speech is the essence of humanity.” All of what humanity thinks and ultimately becomes is determined by the expression of ideas and actions through speech and its derivative, writing. Everything, the Vedas maintain, comes into being through speech. Ideas remain un-actualized until they are created through the power of speech. Similarly, The New Testament, Gospel of John, starts “In the beginning was The Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God…” In mainstream Vedic practices, most Buddhist techniques and classical Hinduism, mantra is viewed as a necessity for spiritual advancement and high attainment.

Mantras catalyze a powerful vibration which corresponds to both a specific spiritual energy frequency and a state of consciousness in seed form. Over time, the mantra process begins to override all of the other smaller vibrations, which eventually become absorbed by the mantra. After a length of time, which varies from individual to individual, the great wave of the mantra stills all other vibrations. Ultimately, the mantra produces a state where the organism vibrates at the rate completely in tune with the energy and spiritual state represented by and contained within the mantra.

At this point, a change of being occurs in the organism. The organism becomes subtly different. The general effect is one of resonance; where the vibration of the practitioner moves in accord with the varying vibratory energies surrounding him/her; thus gaining access to more refined realms of consciousness.

A widely used Tibetan Mantram is:

This mantra is spoken aloud or silently to invoke the blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion.

Om Mani Padme Hum

“The mantra Om Mani Pädme Hum is easy to say yet quite powerful, because it contains the essence of the entire teaching. When you say the first syllable Om it is blessed to help you achieve perfection in the practice of generosity, Ma helps perfect the practice of pure ethics, and Ni helps achieve perfection in the practice of tolerance and patience. Päd, the fourth syllable, helps to achieve perfection of perseverance, Me helps achieve perfection in the practice of concentration, and the final sixth syllable Hum helps achieve perfection in the practice of wisdom.”

Read More Here:
The Meaning of the Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism

The Sacred Sound of the Universe

Another of the most widely used chants or mantrams is that of “OM”. It is in fact so widely used that many spiritual paths consider this seed sound to contain all the resonance of the universe in in stages of creation. Composed of three sounds- A, U, M its vibrational structure is transformative to the individual as well; changing and refining the energetic pattern of those who consciously and routinely chant it. Continued and sustained toning of “OM” regulates the breathing patterns and once attunement to the vibrations of the sound is achieved, the sound, the practitioner and the surroundings all become one- breathing and toning in union. In our coven practice we routinely tone Om as the final expression of the working we have set into motion. It is a way of sending this energy out into the greater Universe to be acted upon and realized. Try toning “OM” as you sit in meditative practice and allow its energy to move through you calming and joining in resonance all parts of the self.

The Shaman’s Drum

Shamanic drumming uses a repetitive rhythm that begins slowly and then gradually builds in intensity to a tempo of three to seven beats per second. The ascending tempo will induce light to deep trance states, and facilitate the shamanic techniques of journeying, shapeshifting, and divination. Practitioners may progress through a series of trance states until they reach the level that is necessary for healing to occur. When ready to exit the trance state, the practitioner simply slows the tempo of drumming, drawing consciousness back to normal. Shamanic drumming continues to offer today what it has offered for thousands of years: namely, a simple and effective technique of ecstasy.

According to Jim Ewing, Reiki Master and Elder of the Southern Cherokee Tribe…

Inducing Meditative States with Sound

“Of course, the ability of sound to induce meditative states was well known thousands of years ago to ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures, which used rhythmic chanting, singing bowls, finger chimes and other methods to transcend ordinary consciousness, as well. Drumming, by combining the vibrational tones of meditation and the 180-cycles-per-second beat approximating the base resonant frequency of the Earth itself, thus, becomes not only a powerful meditation tool, but a way to tap into our psychic inner ability to travel over vast distances, effect cures, and know — and affect — the future.

The physiological effects of sound, particularly regarding altered states, have also been well documented, shown to produce alpha, beta, and theta (psychic) states in the brain.” 1.

You can read more about the effects of Sound on Healing in:

Mitchell L. Gaynor, M.D., Sounds of Healing: A Physician Reveals the Therapeutic Power of Sound, Voice and Music, Broadway Books; New York; 1999).

The effects of sound in producing altered states has been researched and documented in countless publications. For those of you who want the research, check out this pdf:

Altered States During Shamanic Drumming: A Phenomenological Study by Anette Kjellgren & Anders Eriksson. University of Karlstad. Karlstad, Sweden

The Science Behind the Spiritual Groove

One of my favorite Sound Healers is Tom Kenyon. I have used his sounding materials for many years now and can attest to the transformative nature of sound used in a very specific way to stimulate the brain. His work is extensive and the scientific basis for all of his subsequent spiritual work comes from his practice as a Psychotherapist and founder of the Acoustic Brain Research group. Please take the time to visit this site and review the information for a more in depth perspective of the potential held simply in the ability to hear…..     Acoustic Brain Research

The Sounds of Ritual

We cross the threshold of Sacred Space as we chant calling forth the energy of what will be the magick of our working. Deep bellows of sound echo reverberating against wall or tree and we are now bathed in the quality of its vibration and the potency of its rhythm.

The words of the invocation spill out from throat and heart, Will infusing them with the command to be present and to aid the celebration. Each syllable produces its own state of resonance and each word holds mystery of a numeric calling that awakens all who attend to its transformative energies. Quarter energies flow through container of power and Deity leaves its imprint on all that it touches.

Drums beat out syncopated rhythm, rattles provoke and stimulate energetic pattern into acquiescence. Bodies move and respond in due course and streams of light and energy coil like serpents through and around the space of magick weaving their tapestry that will become the mantle of our making.

Sound rises from throat and body taps out the path that flows cyclic in nature of release and return. All is primed and readied for release of desire as Will forms it composition crafted by mind, heart and will. Energy peaks and thought is carried on winds of change breathed out from enlivened sound in anticipation of drawing what is desired in magnetic attraction.

All that is heard is the profound silence of sound that is breath, heart beat and gentle sway of foot on floor or ground. The sound arises majestic as thoughtform takes shape and creative act of manifestation waits for final calling. What is birthed in the energetic stamp of the silence is the sound of universal and cosmic response. We breathe into its essence drawing into lung and physical body the enlivened matter that will feed and sustain subtle shape and form.

Voice of thanks and bidding Hail and Farewell breaks the mystical silence and once again the space of sacred intent is restored to mundane structure as we process out leaving trail of sound and vibration, a chant of completion joyously released to enliven all who step into its magick.

The above is my experience of sound flowing through ritual. We carefully select the appropriate chants to raise the needed energy and thought and care is given not only to the words, but the rhythm and emotional response that will be evoked to stimulate the flow of energy. Sound in all of its forms, from the resonance of foot on carpet (floor or ground) to the overt sounds of chanting and drumming. The sound of air moving through lungs and the co-mingling of that breath within a space primed for magick contributes to the signature of sound within ritual space.

Rhythm and repetition also play a vital role in maintaining this shift for long enough that the body can attune itself physiologically. This is the reason why most effective rituals make use of chants that repeat and continue for long periods of time. This is also why the quality of your singing voice is of no matter. It is the intent and once you get beyond the performance jitters, the word, whether sung or spoken becomes the sound of great power, infused by the flow of breath and air and fired by the will of intent all brought to a cohesive and dynamic form of sound vibration. This is the principle of the mantra used in Eastern practice. Setting into motion a specific pattern of vibration that unlocks

Opening to Hearing the Sounds of In the Pause Between

I have for many years now used sound as a tool of choice in many of my workshops. I have tested its efficacy and effect for myself and have had confirmation by those attending regarding the shift in the room’s energy and their personal state of readiness as a singing bowl or drum was being played. Hearing the sound of a bell rung or the singing bowl sets the tone for the class and opens the participant to a deeper level of hearing the information to be shared. Some of this sound is structured as formal music, but most is reliant on the tones and rate of vibration of those individual notes in shifting consciousness and subtle body response.

A singing bowl will generally elevate the vibratory rate being higher in pitch and more ephemeral in quality of tone. Using the drum draws the energy in the earth and the space of long notes of reverberation. Rattles tend to agitate or stir the vibrations and energize. I have a sistrum that I particularly like to use and although to some it is very annoying the original intent of this Egyptian instrument was to clear the space of stagnant and cloying energy. The sound is much like a shortened syncopation of a tambourine.

And, the sound of simply breathing can produce the same effects as any other instrument. Listening to the inspiration and exhalation as air passes through nose and fills the lungs; the pause of silent hold before the woosh of exhale and gentle pause of respite before the next cycle begins is the music of life. Repeating this pattern, as is done in most meditative practices to begin, sets up a specific pattern of vibration that gently fades into the background of our hearing as we enter our own inner domain. You can practice this type of hearing using a Four-Fold Breath exercise.

Journey of the Senses

Amp It Up!

This is an exercise meant to heighten your awareness of the subtle (and not so subtle) sounds of sacred space. This could be your space of meditation, a ritual you are attending or any space that you routinely perform your magick and spiritual work in. If you attend a Yoga class, this is a great exercise to employ since breath and the movement of joint and muscle make wonderful sounds as they support the physical work. If there is a ritual you have access to attend, make note of how sound has been woven into the ritual. Afterwards, journal the highlights of what you remember and how you felt as you experienced and participated in its creation.

You may also do this as part of a meditative session. This space is in essence your sacred space and offer up the intent to become aware of the effects and dynamics experienced as you chant, breathe and move into your meditation. Take into account the sounds made as you prepare; meaning the sound of you sitting down, any candles or other tools that you may place as part of setting up the space; the lighting of a candle or any other.

Awareness of the impact of sound in our ritual and sacred experience opens new pathways of energetic resonance and exploration. Learning to breathe deeply into these new inroads and expanding them as needed also brings a heightened awareness of your own place as vibration of sound within the framework of sacred structure. You are part of the structure created and also distinctly unique in your own energetic signature of contributing sound to it.

Articles:
1. Shamanic Drumming: A Form of Prayer by Jim Ewing

Resources

Reading:

Color and Music in the New Age by Corrine Heline
The Mystery of the Seven Vowels by Joscelyn Godwin
Harmonies of Heaven and Earth: Mysticism in Music from Antiquity to the Avant-Garde by Joscelyn Godwin
Music, Mysticism and Magic: A Sourcebook by Joscelyn Godwin
The Spiritual Dimensions of Music: Altering Consciousness for Inner Development by R. J. Stewart

Other:

“The Music of Language: Words are Energy“
A wonderful article from the Daily Om

Sound Healing/Shamans and More:

Tom Kenyon, Scientist, Sound Healer and Shaman

Michael Harner, Anthropologist and Shaman

Sandra Ingerman, Shaman

Music To Inspire the Spirit

The Planets by Holst
The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivladi
Hidden Sky by Jami Sieber
Lush Mechanique by Jami Sieber
Kiva by Steve Roach and Mchael Sterns
Serpent’s Lair by Steve Roach and Byron Metcalf
A Warning From the Elders by Byron Metcalf
Anything by Loreena McKennitt

Music Attuned to the Equinoxes and the Solstices

Spring Equinox
Handel’s Messiah
Wagner’s Parsifal

Summer Solstice
Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
Wagner’s Die Der Meistersinger

Autumn Equinox
Bach’s Passion of Saint Matthew
Wagner’s Tannbauser

Winter Solstice
Schubert’s Ave Maria
Wagner’s Lohengrin

Companion Post:

Magickally Human
Engaging the Senses: The Sense of Hearing

About this Series:

Our spiritual work relies on our physical and subtle states of being working co-creatively and collaboratively. We engage the senses in this work continually, but rarely give equal importance to them all. The sense of sight is commanded into presence through practice of visualization techniques. Sound is stimulated with drumming, chanting and toning. Touch is engaged as we handle tools, light candles, and more. The sense of taste is only accessed as a means of grounding with cakes and ale. And, we are alerted to awareness and being fully present in ritual space or meditative practice as the heady scent of incense and oils purify and set the stage for the work at hand. There will be collaborative posts speaking to the Physical experience of each of the senses in the Magickally Human Blog.

Next Post:
Sensing the Subtleties in ALL of Their Expression