Traditionally, listening to music while meditating was not encouraged.  Traditional Eastern meditation in particular, aims to transcend the five senses and using the sense of hearing during meditation would be counter-productive.  Not having any external stimulus encourages us to reach deeper inside to connect to our own Source. The deepest states of communion with the Soul are experienced in deep silence. 

The emergence of ‘relaxation music’ is a modern phenomenon and comes from the recognition that music can have a profound healing effect on us.  Music can also produce pleasant feelings. But beyond all this, we recognise that music, just like our very selves, is simply vibration.  By being exposed to uplifting vibrations through sound, we can lift our own vibration. A great example is the Tibetan singing bowl.  One US study found that being exposed to Tibetan singing bowl sounds had a positive and measurable effect on mood, anxiety and physical pain.  Traditionally, the Tibetan singing bowls are considered to emulate the sound of the ‘great void’ – in Vedic terms this equates to the sound ‘Om’. 

Singing Om is a practice that goes back thousands of years and in modern science both the benefits of singing (considered ‘neuroprotective’) and the vibrations of ‘Om’ have been studied.   Chanting Om at the beginning of a meditation practice can help to not only slow down your breathing, but it helps you to come into awareness, connect to the sound coming from within and stay in the present moment.  Just as paying attention to your breathing trains your brain to stay in the present moment, paying attention to the music or sound can help to generate your awareness.  Listening deeply to music can be a meditative practice in itself.  In this practice, music is treated as a meditation object – just as a candle flame or beautiful scenery can be meditated upon.

Whether you prefer silent meditation or sound meditation, ultimately, choosing a meditation style is a personal thing. 

We love the uplifting benefits of sound meditation and therefore hold sound meditation sessions on a fortnightly basis.