by Diana Whaley

The gong is like a divine engine, affecting the body’s meridians. Because the gong covers the full spectrum of sound, it vibrates all the cells and bones and organs. ~Grand Gongmaster Don Conreaux

People don’t just “hear” a gong; they feel it—the way the vibrations move through their whole being, shaking free the mind from its thoughts, shifting the breath and the patterns of energy in their bodies. It’s an unforgettable, kinesthetic and emotional experience.

Gongs and other instruments have been used for over 4,000 years by many cultures to mark celebrations, to make a connection with the spiritual realm, and to bring about emotional and physical healing. In the 1980s, modern science caught up to ancient wisdom: educator and musician Johannes Heimrath completed studies showing that group gong healing sessions were helpful for relieving neck pain and headaches, menstrual irregularities, chest and upper respiratory problems, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.

Building on this rich history, a “gong bath” incorporates the gong as well as other sound elements, including drums, crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, and tuning forks. Participants lie down comfortably on yoga mats, with blankets and pillows, as the sounds “wash” over them. Sessions generally last 90 minutes, allowing people to gradually move out of the alpha brainwaves that are active during day-to-day activities and into a dreamlike, meditative state associated with theta brainwaves. The biofield of each person becomes entrained to the vibrations of the instruments, moving into a state of equilibrium.

After the bath, people report feeling calmly energized and clear for hours and even days, having gained the power-ful, transformative benefits of the sound waves. This is a bath for the mind, body and spirit, a cleansing of energy that clears out and makes space for wellness and balance.

Diana Whaley is a sound energy practitioner with a Level 3 Biofield Tuning certification and higher attune-ment Reiki Level 1 certification. She will be holding a sound healing intensive at KarmaFest at Fellowship Farm from 4 to 6 p.m. on September 4. Tickets for KarmaFest can be purchased at KarmaFest.com.