FAC Insights: Gong baths and meditative sound by Aaron Horn
FAC Insights is a forum for us to showcase and share long form pieces looking at various parts of the music industry and the society that shapes it. Pieces take the form of videos, interviews, discussions, articles and more. This week we have something very special for you, a piece all about gong baths and meditative sound, brought to you by Aaron Horn - an experienced recording artist. We are delighted to share this with you just in time to help you ease into the weekend. You can find one video below, for more please visit our members app.
Gong baths and meditative sound by Aaron Horn
I spent the last fifteen years in the music industry, from the business side of publishing, records rights to production, writing and being an artist and musician. I have witnessed the pitfalls and challenges of the music industry and its impact on peoples’ mental and physical health, including my own.
My own journey has taken me from DJ’ing in East London clubs, to forming a band, and achieving a number one record. As many people know from having experienced success, it tends to be bittersweet. There are many challenges and pressures associated with the industry and success that I’m happy to say are being discussed more openly within the music and entertainment business nowadays.
As I progressed on my musical journey to look for deeper healing meaning and connection, I worked with traditional ceremonies and practitioners participation in traditional ceremonies which used sound and song as the key component. Ultimately leading me to learn how to perform and play Gong bath’s. Many of us are obviously doing it every day while listening to music to help us get through tasks, however music with no lyrics and little distinguishable pattern will help the brain move into the lower relaxation brain wave patterns.
Alpha brain waves are present during light meditation, daydreaming and deep relaxation. Theta brain waves are present during REM dreaming sleep, deep meditation and hypnosis. These states are considered the gateway to the subconscious mind and it's here where we experience heightened creativity, depth of imagination and access to the subconscious realms where deep seated relaxation can take place.
Brain wave pattern changes: these changes will occur during the listening to music / sound that has no obvious repeating melodic or rhythmic pattern every 8 to 12 minutes. Supporting these shifts in brain wave patterns with scents and aromatherapy used every 8-12 minutes during the Gong Bath or Meditation helps facilitate the drop between brain wave patterns from Beta to Alpha and Theta to Delta.
Group work is particularly effective as the group dynamic helps to raise the tolerance of the individual in to the meditative state, and with the help of a practitioner and the sound, a beginner can experience what could take many years of meditation practice to achieve.
Therapeutic sound also impacts our nervous system, slowing the heart, brain and respiratory rates down to induce a state of deep relaxation and peace. When the brain waves and the body are synchronised, balance can be restored and stress can be released.
These practices and spaces are becoming more and more common and accepted as one of the emerging way to practice and participate in supported group meditation and mindfulness, and I hope you take time out of your artistry to attend one soon.
Aaron Horn / Round- Wood