The Power of Sound
by Debbie Davis

Imagine yourself lying on a beach. It's a beautiful day and your eyes are closed. You hear the sound of waves lapping. Listening to the gentle rhythmic pattern you begin to feel more and more relaxed. Its as if you are being held and rocked, nurtured and cared for. Sound can do wonders if you are feeling stressed. We all know how pleasing it is to hear the sound of beautiful music which is just a collection of harmonious sounds.

Sound is vibration and everything that moves vibrates. As long as it is vibrating, it is making some kind of sound. We may not perceive the sound, as it may be below or above the threshold of our hearing. The human ear can hear sound vibrations between 20 and 20,000 cycles per second, although we also perceive sound by skin and bone conduction, ingestion and consuming it with the whole body. Scientific studies show that sound can produce changes in the autonomic, immune, endocrine and neuropeptide systems. Every atom, molecule, cell, gland, and organ of the human body absorbs and emits sound.

Many cultures and religions also incorporate the power of sound into their beliefs. In the bible, the book of John states "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God." For the Hindus, all was dark and quiet in the universe until the first movement in the universe created the sound "AUM". It is the highest universal tone, the sound of creation.

Wayne Dyer points out in his book "Manifest Your Destiny" that the name "God" has the same sound as in many of the names of the original creator: Ra, Krishna, Rama, Buddha, Brahman, Sida, Shiva, Jehovah, Kali Durva, Giana, Yahweh, Ala. It is interesting that the sound of "AH" which is the sound of effortless bliss and joy is also the sound of God.

We can use the power of sound and its vibrational effects to create profound change in our well being. Sound can be used to bring us to a relaxed state in preparation for meditation. While in a hightened state of awareness, sound can be used with intention to bring change and healing to the body, mind and spirit. Steven Halpern, renowned recording artist and composer of healing music, states "Our bodies are genetically preprogrammed to be self-healing instruments - if we give them a chance....music heals by assisting the body to come into its natural state of balance and harmony."

Begin experimenting with the power of sound. Mantras and chants have been used for thousands of years. Musical instruments, chimes, bells, gongs and bowls can be used in a variety of ways to effect change. Perhaps the most powerful musical instrument is the human voice. The band Earth, Wind and Fire summed it up well in one of their 1970's hits "If you sing a song a day you can make a better way". So go ahead and make a joyful noise.