Author: Qhawekazi Giyose
Abstract
Sound has been used as a form of healing and spiritual connection across many cultures and traditions for centuries. Sound healing, or sound therapy, taps into the ancient wisdom that recognizes the profound impact sound can have on the mind, body, and spirit. In recent years, sound healing/therapy has gained more popularity as a holistic wellness practice, for its ability to promote healing and relaxation.
In this article, I explore what sound healing is, its cultural roots, how it is practiced today, and the tools used by sound healers.
Introduction
Sound healing is an ancient practise and a profound method utilizing sound and music to restore the body and mind to its natural, healthy and harmonious state. Throughout our various cultures as human beings in the global north and global south, history shows that sound was always believed to be a powerful healing force. The use of sound as a healing modality dates back to pre-historic times when our ancestors used chants, drums and many other instruments to heal people and sooth their minds and emotions (Saudan, 2021). As a practice, sound healing or sound therapy as it is more popularly known, is well documented in the cultures of the east and west but not so much in African societies. This is because until recently, records in African societies were orally kept with spiritual practices being taught and passed down through oral traditions. Meki Nzewi (2002) noted that Music in traditional Africa is the science of being and the art of living with health.
The African science of applying music to health cure relies on acute understanding of the energy properties produced by various music instruments and the sonic constructs that would engage dissonant tissue energies to restore the normal resonance of life energy in human organs. The African knows and applies music as energy, an effective-affective force. Hence music is conceived, structurally conformed, and staged for purposes beyond, but not excluding, the artistic-aesthetic interests (Nzewi, 2002).
In southern African societies there are a few instruments and traditional practices performed which indicate the firm belief in the practice of sound healing/therapy. The drum for instance, holds a sacred space in African sound healing. When used by Sangoma (spiritual healer) the drum is not merely creating a rhythmic pattern but rather
connecting beyond themselves and communicating with beings and spirits in other
realms for the purpose of healing. In Zimbabwe, the Mbira (Dzavadzimu – voice of the
ancestors) was and is still used today to initiate a healing ceremony in Shona culture.
Sound healing involves the therapeutic application and intentional use of sound
frequencies to bring individuals into a state of balance, relaxation and well-being. It is
based on the concept that everything in the universe, including our bodies, is in a state of
vibration. When those vibrations are out of sync or become blocked, sound healing
techniques are employed to realign and harmonize the energy fields within and around
the body. Every organism in the universe, including the human body, has its own unique
resonant frequency. Much like the instruments in an orchestra, our bodies produce a
synthesized frequency, where each organ, bone, and cell contribute to its unique tone.
When one part of the body is out of tune, it disrupts the harmony of the whole body
(Andrews, 1992).
Intention is also a crucial principle in sound healing. When sound is produced with pure
intent, healing can occur, as intention is a fundamental force behind everything in the
universe. Sound, whether presented as music, song, or chant, is a vital force that
permeates every aspect of creation. By learning to direct sound through our energy
centres (commonly known as Chakras), we can achieve balance and energize our entire
energy system. This connection to our true essence allows us to manifest our intentions
more effectively, leading to greater health on all levels and disrupting negative patterns
that may arise within our physical and subtle bodies. Research has shown that sound
healing offers numerous benefits, including improved sleep patterns, stress relief, pain
relief, lower blood pressure, enhanced overall health, deep relaxation, improved memory
and concentration, mental clarity and a more positive outlook on life.
Sound healing practices in different cultures of the world
Sound healing can be experienced in various ways, whether by listening to therapeutic
instruments such as the monochord, Tibetan singing bowls, Mbira/kalimba, crystal
singing bowls, gongs, drums, tuning forks, koshi chimes, handpan/tongue drum, Native
American flute, or the harp/mouth harp. It can also be experienced through the power of
the human voice—whether singing alone or with others. Southern African cultures and
several others across the world have long-standing traditions that incorporate sound
healing such as Tibetan Buddhism, Native American traditions, Indian traditions and
Aboriginal Australians.
Tibetan Buddhism
The religious practices found in the Tibetan cultural world stand on the foundation of the
four noble truths at the core of Buddhist teachings (Lieberman, 2003). These are the truth
of suffering which teaches that life always involves suffering; the truth of the cause of
suffering because of our mistaken beliefs and delusions of ego; the truth of the end of
suffering through an awakened mind and enlightenment; and the truth of the path that
leads to the end of suffering through spiritual practice, living ethically and developing
wisdom. It is said that the first singing bowls originated in the Himalayas of Nepal and
India before spreading to Tibet, China, Japan, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Egypt, and America
(Mocerino, 2022). Singing bowls were originally made from copper and later combined
several metals associated with alchemical symbolism such as gold (sun), silver (moon),
copper (Venus), Iron (Mars), Tin (Jupiter), mercury/quicksilver (Mercury) and lead
(Saturn). These metals all contribute to the sustained sound and vibrations produced by
singing bowls when hit or circled with a mallet. It is believed that Tibetan Lamas (spiritual
leader) used these bowls as sacrificial vessels for sacred rituals in monasteries and
medicant monks used singing bowls, gongs and mantras to shift the consciousness of
individuals and promote healing as the sound they produced were able to balance the
body’s energy fields.
Native American Traditions
Native Americans believe in harmony between the mind and body, and they understand
health as an expression of the spirit, mind and body. Their healing practices not only
include herbs, roots and plants for remedies, but also encourage the whole tribe to come
together to help the sick through ceremonies, dances, prayers and chanting. The
therapeutic properties of sound and instruments have been essential in their healing
ceremonies. The rhythmic beating of drums is seen as a means of connecting with the
Earth and the spirit world, facilitating healing on both physical and spiritual levels.
Historically, the shamanic traditions found in Native American cultures incorporated
drumming, rattles, the flute and chanting to enter trance states, commune with spirits
and facilitate physical and emotional healing. “When individuals were sick, the
designated healers/shamans would sing, dance, chant and use drums as part of the
healing process. These medicine men and women believed that their purpose was to
secure help from the spirit world and the creator or “great spirit” and use song to help the
sick members of the tribe. According to Dr. Frances Densmore, the Native American
Medicine Men and Women would go through a process of fasting to receive a song in a
dream or vision that would then instruct them on how to treat their patients (Foundation,
2016).
Indian Traditions
In India, sound healing has roots in the ancient practice of Nada Yoga, which translates
to the yoga of sound. When the ancient yogi’s (yoga practitioners) and sages (spiritual
teachers) first learned of the power of sound and how it can influence the conscious and
subconscious mind, they established the belief that ‘the entire cosmos is a manifestation
of sound energies, with each aspect of creation being a specific vibrational frequency or
Nada. They would listen to the wind as it gently hums, the rhythmic sounds of crashing
ocean waves and the soothing melodies of raindrops as they fell on the leaves. These
sounds became their gateway to a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.
Mantras (motivating chants) proceeded to accompany sound as a tool to protect and free
the conditioned mind and were often taken from sacred texts like the Vedas (religious
scriptures). Nada yoga and mantras are now practiced as a path to union, transformation,
awakening to consciousness and opening the heart through sacred word and sound
(Victor Sakshin, 2024) .
Aboriginal Australia
The didgeridoo, a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians, was used as a
healing tool for at least 40 000 years. The Aborigines used this instrument to heal broken
bones, muscle tears and other kinds of illnesses. Its deep, resonant sound is thought to
promote physical healing and spiritual well-being (Novogratz, 2024). The most interesting
traditional practice that I learned when I discovered aboriginal culture is the art of
“Songlines”. Songlines were dream pathways forged by the great creator of spirits and
were attributed to ancestral stories. These stories (songlines) carried information about
the land and how a traveller should respectfully mark their trip. This information included
the different types of food that was safe to eat, places that were to be avoided and the
boundaries that existed which travellers were able to pass through. Essentially, songlines
were landmarks that affirmed that you were going in the right direction. Songlines also
acted as a ‘Cultural Passport’ when travelling through the country of another mob.
Specific verses in a song, related to a particular region, were sung in local languages so
that people living in that specific area new that the travellers were passing through in a
respectful manner (Nickolson, 2018).
Sound Healing in Southern Africa
Healing in Southern Africa is based on ancestral consciousness, spiritual beliefs and
practices which recognize oneness of Spirit. Sound has been integral to spiritual and
healing practices for generations. In the context of traditional medicine, healers (such as
sangomas or inyangas) make use of rhythmic drumming, clapping, and vocalizations in
healing rituals to evoke trance states and communicate with ancestral spirits. They may
employ chants, rattles, and percussive instruments to bring balance to their patients'
physical, emotional, and spiritual health. These practices are rooted in the belief that
illness is often linked to spiritual disharmony, which can be restored through sound.
In the Nguni/Zulu/Xhosa culture there is a term ‘Impilo’ which refers to one’s state of
being and health. This term is not merely referring to the absence of disease but acknowledges a holistic, energized state of physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Derived from ‘impilo’ are the terms ‘ukuphilisa’ (to heal) and ‘philile’ (to become whole/to
be healed). These terms affirm that “to heal is to make whole or holy by embracing both
physical and spiritual aspects of humanity” (Edwards, 2010). Everything is spirit (God, life
force, energy, consciousness) and ancestral consciousness means understanding your
spirit as the source of self which extends to transpersonal realms. The ‘self’ includes the
individual self, familial and universal human ancestors, the unborn, community, nature
and the cosmos. Everything is connected and reflects the whole or being whole.
The Sound Healer
Historically, sound healing has been the domain of spiritual leaders, shamans, monks,
and healers. These individuals were often seen as intermediaries between the physical
and spiritual realms and they were the ones entrusted with the knowledge of sound’s
healing powers. Whether through the rhythmic drumming of shamans, the chanting of
mantras by Buddhist monks, or the sacred use of wind instruments like flutes and
didgeridoos, sound healers played a vital role in maintaining the physical and spiritual
health of their communities.
In modern times, sound healing has evolved into a recognized therapeutic practice which
is accessible to those who feel called to the profession. To become a sound healer,
individuals can undertake formal training in various modalities such as sound baths,
gong therapy, or crystal singing bowl therapy. Courses often focus on understanding the
science of sound frequencies, the human energy field, and how sound can be used to
promote healing. Modern sound healers often combine ancient practices with
contemporary therapeutic techniques to create a holistic approach. These techniques
include guided meditations where patients/participants are immersed in the sound of
gongs, bowls, and other therapeutic instruments such as tuning forks which are used to
emit specific frequencies aimed at restoring balance to the body’s energy fields. Vocal
toning has also become a popular technique for healers who use their voices to focus on
specific pitches and vibrations that can clear energetic blockages.
Therapeutic instruments
Tibetan Singing Bowls are commonly by sound healers for meditation and healing
practices as they are known for their deep, vibrational tones. During a singing bowl
therapy session, patients/participants lay down on the ground and the bowls are either
placed on different points on the body, around the body or around the room, preferably
near the head if there are multiple people present in the session. The practitioner taps the bowl with a mallet and circles the bowl using varying pressure and speed. This allows
the instrument to produce a prolonged sound to emit different vibrational frequencies.
Gongs are large metal discs that create an array of frequencies. The loud crash or low
rumbling sound are preferred by some sound healers to induce a deeply meditative state.
In China, gongs were used during religious ceremonies and rituals, to make
announcements and send signals.
The tuning Fork is a two pronged fork which is a sound resonator. It is typically made of
aluminium and vibrates at a set of frequency after being struck on the heel of the hand. It
is used to assess vibratory sensation and hearing. To play this instrument, one must strike
it and either hold it near to the patients/participants ear, against the temple in the centre
of the forehead, or at a pulse point to quiet the mind. Healers may also place the
instrument against cramped muscles or sore joints (Kondo, 2024).
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument made from hollow wood. Modern didgeridoos are
commonly made from eucalyptus, bamboo, and agave. In theory, any enclosed column
of air, such as a PVC pipe can be made into a didgeridoo by blowing through it. The
didgeridoo is both a pitched instrument and a percussion instrument. Each didgeridoo
has one fundamental tone as well as a series of overtones that can be altered by the lips
of the player. The didgeridoo can also be played rhythmically, serving as both a bass and
a time keeping instrument (Block, 2015).
One of the more unique instruments in sound healing is the monochord bed, which
combines sound and physical vibration. The monochord bed is a stringed instrument that
produces deep, meditative tones. Multiple strings are stretched across a frame that
individuals can lie on while the sound healer plays the strings. The resonance created by
the monochord reverberates through the body, creating a full-body sonic massage that
promotes relaxation, pain relief, and emotional balance. It’s an effective tool in both
sound therapy and physical healing.
Conclusion
Sound healing, a practice steeped in ancient traditions and evolving in modern times,
provides a holistic way to achieve balance and well-being. Whether through traditional
instruments like the didgeridoo and Tibetan singing bowls or modern tools such as tuning
forks and monochord beds, the transformative power of sound continues to play a vital
role in promoting health and harmony. As more people turn to alternative healing
modalities, sound healing stands out for its accessibility, effectiveness, and deep
connection to spiritual practices across the globe. Whether one seeks to heal others or
themselves, sound healing offers a powerful pathway to physical and emotional
restoration.
References
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