Last month, I highlighted one of the new paradigms that seeks to mobilize the power of intention and the power of sound. I also mentioned that a modality of measurement was to be included as part of the World Sound Healing Day. This continual meditation invited folks to chant “AH” at any time during the day, with a time of greatest coordination at Noon, Eastern Standard Time. Did you join in at that time? Did you chant at any time during that day?

     From the folks to whom I’ve spoken, some felt “some special energy” ... and some did not. As far as the statistical significance as measured by the Global Consciousness Project, Jonathan Goldman told me nothing significant occurred. This is actually good news, in that it indicated there weren’t enough of us involved to make a blip on the consciousness radar. Maybe next year there will be a larger critical mass of consciousness.

Sound Healing Conferences

     Ever since I began presenting public lectures and workshops, people have always asked me where they could go to study and learn more about how sound affects consciousness, and how sound and music can be used in healing. From 1973-1981, I was virtually the only person addressing these issues at Whole Life Expos and other conferences covering the entire spectrum of holistic health and healing.

     In the past two years, several organizations have begun offering entire conferences devoted to sound. This is an amazing development. Another fascinating development is that the next two events are back to back weekends in May, so if you have been looking for an intensive sound curriculum, you’ve got your wish.

     Both events are in California. The first is May 2–5 near San Francisco; the second is May 9–12 in Los Angeles. Some folks are flying in from other parts of the country and attending both. Many others are just attending the event nearest to them.

     I’ll be presenting a keynote speech in Los Angeles at the Global Sound Conference (www.discoversound.com). I’ll also be presenting a workshop at the World Sound Conference (www.soundhealingcenter.com). I’ll be sharing my insights and perspectives in what promises to be a lively debate on a wide range of topics. If you attend, be prepared to hear intriguingly opposing opinions, theories, as well as generally-agreed upon facts.

     If these events are like the ones last year, you’ll be able to hear and learn from some of the authentic pioneers, like John Beaulieu, Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Don Estes and myself,  folks who’ve been in the work since the 1970s, as well as others who got into the work just a few years ago and yet refer to themselves as “pioneers” as well. A growing number of presenters are suggesting that this is not the way to increase the viability of the field. But just like any other field, there are the players and the wannabes.

     If you attend, you’ll be able to decide for yourself. I’ll have more to say about this after the programs are over, and the dust settles.

Concert Etiquette

     I meet a lot of people in my travels. Lately, I’ve heard a lot of people complain about the enormous, and painful, increase of sound volume at concerts they attend. Many have had to leave, sometimes actually running out covering their ears.

     I’ve experienced this myself at concerts more in the last year than ever before, and it seems to be a growing trend. This past weekend, I was forced to leave one of the foremost concert halls north of San Francisco due to the painful sound level. Imagine my surprise when I discovered there were already twelve people complaining to the house manager, requesting refunds.

     Part of the problem is due to the very well known phenomenon of “threshold shift.” The sound engineers who set the volume get blasted with that sound every performance. This typically causes at least a certain amount of hearing loss. To compensate and to hear the music like they used to, they increase the volume. However, the louder the volume, the more damage. It’s a well-known cycle that audiologists have described for decades.

     As I wrote in my first book, Tuning the Human Instrument (l977),
this kind of “sonic substance abuse” is causing a hearing loss epidemic of unheard of proportions! (pun intended).

     So my question to you is: Have you encountered too loud or even painful sound at restaurants, bars or concerts? If so, what do you do? Do you put up with it? Stick cotton in your ears? Leave? Complain to management? Ask for your money back? I’d love to get your feedback on this. Please email me at AskDrSound@innerpeacemusic.com and I’ll share the results next month.

     Til then, stay tuned, and enjoy the changing sounds of the season!

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Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, producer and recording artist whose music helps listeners “get into the gap”—the space between the notes, and space of infinite possibilities. His latest releases, Peace of Mind, Drum Spirit, and In the Om Zone, provide three different modes of accessing that state. 

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