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Spring is here, and a new species is blooming. With the stated goal of bringing the healing power of sound into the mainstream, a number of centers around the country are suddenly and synchronistically promoting conferences. For anyone involved or interested in the field, that’s basically good news. Over 33 years ago, I was essentially the first and only speaker to focus on the healing powers of music at conferences ranging from the Whole Life Expos to The World Symposium on Humanity, and countless others. I spoke with many of the producers about hosting a conference focusing on sound, but it was ahead of its time. Clearly, the time is now. The International Science and Consciousness/Message Company hosted a major event last November, and will do so again this upcoming November in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But the largest gathering, the World Sound Healing Conference, is coming up shortly in
The Institute’s catalog states that the primary intention is to expand awareness of sound healing in the general public. The conference hopes to create more collaboration between sound practitioners and building bridges with the medical community. All of these conferences are open to anyone interested in the continually unfolding field of sound, music and health. They are of special note for music therapists, massage therapists, medical and healthcare professionals, educators and musicians. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. If you’re familiar with what’s been going on behind the scenes, you know that the same kind of “dueling hypotheses” and conflicting ideologies and egos are present, as they are with every other alternative health field. Consider all the different schools of massage therapy, acupuncture, herbalism, diet (high-fat vs. low fat?), chiropractic, and so on. The reality is, each school has much to offer. Some approaches work better for some individuals than others. What troubles me is that there have already been some “authorities” who are basically stating that their way is the only way. I’ll be presenting at the conference, and will report back after it’s over. I think we’ll all be interested in seeing if new bridges of understanding are indeed built. In the meantime, I offer this perspective to help explain why there are so many conflicting theories. There is an age-old scientific method that we were taught in school: “If the data doesn’t support your theory, you need to revise your theory.” Throughout the centuries, the history of allopathic medicine is full of examples of the resistance to new evidence and theories. Remember Pasteur? Unfortunately, there are always some folks who throw out the offending evidence rather than rework the theory. A second point of reference: Remember the story about the blind men and the elephant? Each thinks they know the whole truth, based on the part that they are grabbing. One touches the tail and says “the elephant is a rope.” Another grabs the trunk and says, “It’s a hose.” Another grabs and ear and says, “It’s a fan.” Another grabs a foot and says, “It’s a tree.” None of them see that all these are parts of a larger whole. I would suggest that that’s where we are now in this emerging field. Having said that, there are several factual considerations that I’ll address in an upcoming installment, relating to hot button items like acoustic vs. electric instruments, analog vs. digital sound, etc.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Technology I believe that we need all the healing we can get. It is high time to incorporate the secrets of sound healing and psycho-acoustics into our personal and professional lives. At the World Sound Healing Conference, Dr. Emaru Emoto will present his research on how intention affects water. Mandara Cromwell will present the breakthrough Cymatherapy device that uses audible sound frequencies to assist healing, an approach pioneered by Dr. Peter Guy Manners in
Composing new instrumental music with the specific intention of encouraging healing and optimal functioning will also be included. Interestingly, Iasos and I are two of very few composer/musicians that I see listed on the long list of presenters. If you are familiar with my music and my history, you know that I’ve been bringing healing music to the mainstream since I released my first album of healing music in 1975. Obviously, it takes a longer time to master an instrument than it does to strike a crystal bowl or tuning fork. So the learning curve is obviously shorter. There’s certainly room for all approaches. To read the full list of presenters, visit www.SoundHealingCenter.com/WSHC. Here are a few names you may recognize: Patrick Flanagan, Jonathan Goldman, Don Campbell, Don Estes, William Allaudin Mathieu, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson and Joshua Leeds. Names you’ll want to know about include Dr. Karl Maret, Randy Masters, and Lisa Rafel. The list goes on. There’s something for everyone. The Music and Health in
Sound Healing Info on DVDs If you can’t get to these events, you can get a sense of the wonder of the world of sound by viewing Cymatics Soundscapes and Sound Mind, Sound Body. Dr. Hans Jenny pioneered the field of cymatics, in which he filmed the effects of various sounds on solids, liquids and gases. The imagery will blow your mind. You will understand intuitively why so many ancient wisdom traditions write, “In the beginning was Sound.” If your local store doesn’t carry them, contact www.cymaticsource.com. You’ll also want to look for Geomusic. For extra credit, you’ll want to check out DVDs by Freddy Silva and others that explore the harmonics of sound and sacred geometry of ancient mystical sites and modern crop circles. It’s fascinating.
Steven Halpern has been sharing the “secrets” of sound healing for over 33 years. He has composed over sixty albums, and his classic Chakra Suite has been named “the most influential healing recording of all time.” His latest releases are an exquisite solo piano masterpiece, Peace of Mind, and a chanting/meditation CD, In the Om Zone. |
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