Sound Consciousness

Sound consciousness in the context of sound healing meditation practices refers to the state of heightened awareness and deep relaxation that can be induced through the use of sound. This state of consciousness is characterized by a heightened sensitivity to sound, an increased ability to focus and concentrate, and a greater sense of presence and connection with the present moment.

Sound healing practices often involve the use of various instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums, as well as vocal techniques such as chanting and toning. These sounds are believed to have a therapeutic effect on the body and mind, helping to release tension and promote relaxation, as well as stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

When a person enters a state of sound consciousness during a sound healing meditation, they may experience a range of sensations, including a sense of floating or weightlessness, a feeling of being deeply grounded, and a heightened sense of awareness of their surroundings. This state of consciousness can be deeply transformative and can help individuals to access deeper levels of self-awareness, creativity, and spiritual connection.

In Auroville where our shared collective aspiration is to be a Deva Sangha, a Divine Community in the making, we have a saying: "The aim of human life is to discover the Divine and to manifest it."

That was from the Mother, the founder of Auroville. Here at SVARAM, a 20-year old unit of Auroville which is one of the most dynamic commercial units with more than eighty team members, our collective aspirations and endeavours have been as such, the manifestation of the Divine in everything we do. And so  we identify ourselves as such: The Centre for the Craft, Art & Science of Sound - where we bring together the rich tradition of Indian music and craft, international academic musicology, sound studies and research, contemporary design and innovation with the unique spiritual, futuristic aspiration of Auroville and its experiment of Human Unity in Diversity.

Initiated in 2003 as a grassroots community and rural development project in Tamil Nadu, SVARAM has been recognised by the UN Initiative “Music as a Global Resource” as one of its first 50 projects worldwide. The open association and team of over 80 local/global sound enthusiasts, artisans, craftsmen, designers, artists, healers, researchers, professionals, trainees and international volunteers has always retained its emphasis on the human element, its heritage and prospect of evolutionary change and positive progress.

There are two ways to engage with Sound Consciousness, one is directly as the active individual personally playing any of the various musical or sound instruments, or as a passive meditator listening through a facilitator. This helps in the initial practice of Integral Yoga in quieting the mind by focusing it on an object of meditation, which is Sound. In Nada Yoga, or the Union through Sound, the meditative effect is instantaneous, as the mind latches onto the Sound very swiftly without any complicated rituals.

As part of our ongoing efforts to share our expertise in the Consciousness of Sound, we have also been conducting several online courses. One of them is our project-based learning mentorship program called SVARAM Sonic Projects which is already on its third edition, which will commence mid-May 2023. This program allows the participants to choose their own topic of interest to explore, be mentored in, and be supported by our faculty members. The 12 classes will feature a 3-month comprehensive introduction to the principle themes of Sonic Work. The mentorship program project is self-selected according to your unique interest, focusing on following your inherent direction and needs. We help the individual set a goal, bringing forward the necessary experience, study, and practice that is shared with the other participants as a collective, co-sharing endeavour where all eventually benefit from and progress with one another. 

- Svaram team (Auroville, India)

Keywords: Sound Healing, Wellness, Meditation, Music, Nada Yoga

Comments

  1. Don25 May 2023 at 17:18

    Hi to Svaram team. Wonderful work. I've been involved in sound healing since the 1970s and it is deeply moving to see the evolution of this wonderful healing modality.

    I do have a question in regard to the Integral yoga.

    As I'm sure everyone here knows, Sri Aurobindo once wrote, "The Integral Yoga begins where others end."

    Now, since most yogas end with liberation (or to use words Mother and Sri Aurobindo sometimes used, and which are quite commonly used to do, "waking up" - by which they include both the psychic and Self realization)

    Both Mother and Sri Aurobindo wrote repeatedly that the Integral Yoga cannot begin - begin! - before we wake up. This is what the Mother told Tara in 1972 - one of the Mother's last available written teachings - wake up, wake up, wake up, make it the first and ONLY priority of your life. Then you can begin the Integral Yoga.

    I've long been interested in Laya Yoga, the Yoga of Sound, which is a marvelous vehicle for waking up.

    Perhaps in a comment - or maybe in a follow up blog post - you could say something about how the work of Svaram supports waking up.

    ReplyDelete

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