DRUMMING IN THE QUANTUM REALM
“The Sound Of The Drum Is The Tuning Of The Soul” - Sobonfu Some
For most of us, sound is a constant part of our lives. Sounds may very in terms of length, frequency, and intensity. But it still affects us. Some sounds inspire or uplift us, such as listening to a great symphony, a powerful rhythm, or a soulful gospel hymn. Other sounds may create anxiety or discomfort; the sound of someone yelling in anger or the squeak of chalk on a blackboard are good illustrations. Sound also stimulates memory. Hearing a significant song from our past can bring back events and experiences with clarity that verbal remiencences cannot touch. Sound can also be used to change moods or foreshadow events. For example, the musical score of a play or a film usually sets the tone for the story. The music playing in the background often lets the audience know whether something frightening or exciting is about to happen. Similarly, many people find that playing certain kinds of music when they feel depressed or lazy can help motivate them or cheer them up. The rhythmic patterns in these songs determines the cadence and intensity, which creates the “energy dynamic” of a song or musical score.
So what is sound? Why does sound affect human beings so profoundly? In order to answer these questions, we must take a closer look at the characteristics of sound and its relationship to healing and the human body.
1. SOUND IS A VIBRATORY WAVE OR PATTERN OF ENERGY
Physics tells us that everything is made up of energy. “Each atom in an electromagnetic unit of vibratory energy… The largest amount of “space” within an atom is the ambient dynamic energy potential of the universe (which the sages call God or Spirit) with the electrons, protons, and neutrons accounting for a minimal portion of the atoms structure” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). This energy is what binds galaxies, stars, planets, plants, animals, and humans together. “This new perspective of human physiology is based on an understanding that the atomic structure of the body, at the quantum level is actually made up of particles of frozen light… Thus, rethinking the body in terms of interactive energy structures as opposed to moving cogs in a machine holds the beginnings of Einsteinian Medicine” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Energy is something that can be transformed but never destroyed. It may change its form but it’s essential essence remains the same. For example, all the atoms in our body were once part of stars. When we die, those atoms will remain and in some far future will be part of stars again. This energetic exchange has been going on since the universe was created.
Science also makes it clear that all life emerges out of this ongoing energetic exchange. “Humans (as well as all mater on this planet) are composed of atoms. Atoms collect to form molecules which agglomerate into cells which coalesce into organ systems and body parts” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). Physical matter is simply energy taking form. “The idea that all matter is really another form of energy is the essence of the Einsteinian worldview” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Although we are still not certain about the exact moment when life first appeared on this planet, we do know it had to do with chemical reactions, which led to the development of prokaryotic cells 3.7 billion years ago. By 1.2 million years ago structurally more complex cells called eukaryotic cells evolved and the next step was the appearance of multicellular organisms. From there, adaptation to different environments and econiches produced the myriad of different species. Despite their differences, however, all these species still share a deep, biological continuity with one another based on the fact that they are all made up of eukaryotic cells. In this sense all life is One because it is all rooted in this cellular unity. All life is energy.
2. SOUND HAS A RHYTHM OR A CYCLICAL BEAT
Much of the power of sound lies in its rhythm or cyclical beat. The sound of one rhythm may invoke feelings of euphoria; the sound of another may provoke fear. By altering rhythms or beats, sound can effectively create or alter emotions. The physical body also seems to be sensitive to cyclical rhythms. Many Biological systems within the body are also based on the premise that opposite, complementary, movement or change produces equilibrium. Take breathing for example. The lungs expand in order to take in oxygen and pass it into the bloodstream. The outgoing breath then releases the carbon dioxides that have built up in the blood. The body cannot exist for long without both these processes going on. There is also evidence that some neurons in the brain “fire repetitively at a constant frequency, that is, they beat… Such neurons are also sometimes called pacing neurons. Although external stimulation can change the firing rate of the cell, or inhibit it altogether, the mechanisms that drive repetitive firing are often intrinsic to the neuron itself and do not require stimuli or external synaptic activation.” (Levitan and Kaczmark, 1997:59-60) Other neurons—called bursting neurons—fire in sustained rhythmic pulses that occur without any external stimulation occurring. These are the neurons in the brain that are responsible for regulating automatic physiological processes like heartbeats. When this natural rhythm is disrupted, then the physiological and energetic imbalances occur which lead to disease. Heart arrhythmia is a good example. The understanding that every process in the body has a distinct bioelectrical rhythm or beat, leads to the perception that when everything is working well—i.e. the physiological energy of the body is in balance and able to flow freely—then health and well-being exist. Conversely, when the bioelectrical rhythm of the body is disrupted or the natural frequencies altered, then energetic blocks and imbalances start to occur and disease is often the result. Restoring health means changing a disease producing energy pattern and replacing it with a health enhancing one. As Trieschmann suggests: Every cell in our body has a Characteristic vibration. When these cells vibrate at a certain rate and certain pattern, the body functions well and a person feels good. When they vibrate at a different rate and pattern, the body functions less well and the person feels not so good. It is highly probable that assessment of the differential vibratory patterns associated with health and sickness will be a core feature of the research of the 21st century (2001:29-30)
3. SOUND CAN CREATE, INTEGRATE, REGULATE, OR TRANSFORM AN EXISTING ENERGY PATTERN
Sound has been used effectively by many of the world’s spiritual traditions to alter consciousness or heal the body. Mantras, prayers, and chants all generate a pattern of energy that calms the mind and rebalances the body. Studies show that repetitive sound transforms the alpha and beta wave patterns in the brain into theta. The theta brain wave pattern is conducive to relaxation and has been linked to a sense of heightened creativity. Sound has also been used as an effective tool for opening the body’s various energy meridians and charkas. As Margo Anand observes:
Just as the resonance of one high, operatic note can break a crystal glass, and the right words can open a mind or heart, the right sound can open your charkas. The word chakra means “vortex, center, or resonance”. If we direct a sound that resonates into the center of a chakra, it can open like a flower. Every mystery school from ancient times to the present uses sound for these purposes (1998:237)
Promoting health by keeping the energy meridians and charkas open and clear in an important feature of East Indian and Oriental medicine. Both approaches envision the body as a bio-energetic network of meridians interconnected throughout the body and through the major organs. The meridians provide structural and patterned information to the cells of the body during growth and development from conception to adulthood. Medical treatment involves identifying the source and location of any blocks in this system that are impeding healthy energy flow and then removing them. “The acupuncture meridians are a type of biocircuitry network that supplies life energy to the different organs of the body. The meridians have surface points, known as acupuncture points, that are like energetic pores” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Stimulation of these key points with needles—or sound—can help release blocks and promote healing. Sound Attunement Therapy uses both the hoop drum and the West African drum called a “djembe” to induce sound stimulation to these points to promote healing.
As these brief illustrations show, sound has a profound effect upon the physiology and emotions.
For more information on the effects of Sound Attunement Therapy and Bio-Energetic Reconfiguration check out the “Testimonials” section on this site or contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
For most of us, sound is a constant part of our lives. Sounds may very in terms of length, frequency, and intensity. But it still affects us. Some sounds inspire or uplift us, such as listening to a great symphony, a powerful rhythm, or a soulful gospel hymn. Other sounds may create anxiety or discomfort; the sound of someone yelling in anger or the squeak of chalk on a blackboard are good illustrations. Sound also stimulates memory. Hearing a significant song from our past can bring back events and experiences with clarity that verbal remiencences cannot touch. Sound can also be used to change moods or foreshadow events. For example, the musical score of a play or a film usually sets the tone for the story. The music playing in the background often lets the audience know whether something frightening or exciting is about to happen. Similarly, many people find that playing certain kinds of music when they feel depressed or lazy can help motivate them or cheer them up. The rhythmic patterns in these songs determines the cadence and intensity, which creates the “energy dynamic” of a song or musical score.
So what is sound? Why does sound affect human beings so profoundly? In order to answer these questions, we must take a closer look at the characteristics of sound and its relationship to healing and the human body.
1. SOUND IS A VIBRATORY WAVE OR PATTERN OF ENERGY
Physics tells us that everything is made up of energy. “Each atom in an electromagnetic unit of vibratory energy… The largest amount of “space” within an atom is the ambient dynamic energy potential of the universe (which the sages call God or Spirit) with the electrons, protons, and neutrons accounting for a minimal portion of the atoms structure” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). This energy is what binds galaxies, stars, planets, plants, animals, and humans together. “This new perspective of human physiology is based on an understanding that the atomic structure of the body, at the quantum level is actually made up of particles of frozen light… Thus, rethinking the body in terms of interactive energy structures as opposed to moving cogs in a machine holds the beginnings of Einsteinian Medicine” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Energy is something that can be transformed but never destroyed. It may change its form but it’s essential essence remains the same. For example, all the atoms in our body were once part of stars. When we die, those atoms will remain and in some far future will be part of stars again. This energetic exchange has been going on since the universe was created.
Science also makes it clear that all life emerges out of this ongoing energetic exchange. “Humans (as well as all mater on this planet) are composed of atoms. Atoms collect to form molecules which agglomerate into cells which coalesce into organ systems and body parts” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). Physical matter is simply energy taking form. “The idea that all matter is really another form of energy is the essence of the Einsteinian worldview” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Although we are still not certain about the exact moment when life first appeared on this planet, we do know it had to do with chemical reactions, which led to the development of prokaryotic cells 3.7 billion years ago. By 1.2 million years ago structurally more complex cells called eukaryotic cells evolved and the next step was the appearance of multicellular organisms. From there, adaptation to different environments and econiches produced the myriad of different species. Despite their differences, however, all these species still share a deep, biological continuity with one another based on the fact that they are all made up of eukaryotic cells. In this sense all life is One because it is all rooted in this cellular unity. All life is energy.
2. SOUND HAS A RHYTHM OR A CYCLICAL BEAT
Much of the power of sound lies in its rhythm or cyclical beat. The sound of one rhythm may invoke feelings of euphoria; the sound of another may provoke fear. By altering rhythms or beats, sound can effectively create or alter emotions. The physical body also seems to be sensitive to cyclical rhythms. Many Biological systems within the body are also based on the premise that opposite, complementary, movement or change produces equilibrium. Take breathing for example. The lungs expand in order to take in oxygen and pass it into the bloodstream. The outgoing breath then releases the carbon dioxides that have built up in the blood. The body cannot exist for long without both these processes going on. There is also evidence that some neurons in the brain “fire repetitively at a constant frequency, that is, they beat… Such neurons are also sometimes called pacing neurons. Although external stimulation can change the firing rate of the cell, or inhibit it altogether, the mechanisms that drive repetitive firing are often intrinsic to the neuron itself and do not require stimuli or external synaptic activation.” (Levitan and Kaczmark, 1997:59-60) Other neurons—called bursting neurons—fire in sustained rhythmic pulses that occur without any external stimulation occurring. These are the neurons in the brain that are responsible for regulating automatic physiological processes like heartbeats. When this natural rhythm is disrupted, then the physiological and energetic imbalances occur which lead to disease. Heart arrhythmia is a good example. The understanding that every process in the body has a distinct bioelectrical rhythm or beat, leads to the perception that when everything is working well—i.e. the physiological energy of the body is in balance and able to flow freely—then health and well-being exist. Conversely, when the bioelectrical rhythm of the body is disrupted or the natural frequencies altered, then energetic blocks and imbalances start to occur and disease is often the result. Restoring health means changing a disease producing energy pattern and replacing it with a health enhancing one. As Trieschmann suggests: Every cell in our body has a Characteristic vibration. When these cells vibrate at a certain rate and certain pattern, the body functions well and a person feels good. When they vibrate at a different rate and pattern, the body functions less well and the person feels not so good. It is highly probable that assessment of the differential vibratory patterns associated with health and sickness will be a core feature of the research of the 21st century (2001:29-30)
3. SOUND CAN CREATE, INTEGRATE, REGULATE, OR TRANSFORM AN EXISTING ENERGY PATTERN
Sound has been used effectively by many of the world’s spiritual traditions to alter consciousness or heal the body. Mantras, prayers, and chants all generate a pattern of energy that calms the mind and rebalances the body. Studies show that repetitive sound transforms the alpha and beta wave patterns in the brain into theta. The theta brain wave pattern is conducive to relaxation and has been linked to a sense of heightened creativity. Sound has also been used as an effective tool for opening the body’s various energy meridians and charkas. As Margo Anand observes:
Just as the resonance of one high, operatic note can break a crystal glass, and the right words can open a mind or heart, the right sound can open your charkas. The word chakra means “vortex, center, or resonance”. If we direct a sound that resonates into the center of a chakra, it can open like a flower. Every mystery school from ancient times to the present uses sound for these purposes (1998:237)
Promoting health by keeping the energy meridians and charkas open and clear in an important feature of East Indian and Oriental medicine. Both approaches envision the body as a bio-energetic network of meridians interconnected throughout the body and through the major organs. The meridians provide structural and patterned information to the cells of the body during growth and development from conception to adulthood. Medical treatment involves identifying the source and location of any blocks in this system that are impeding healthy energy flow and then removing them. “The acupuncture meridians are a type of biocircuitry network that supplies life energy to the different organs of the body. The meridians have surface points, known as acupuncture points, that are like energetic pores” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Stimulation of these key points with needles—or sound—can help release blocks and promote healing. Sound Attunement Therapy uses both the hoop drum and the West African drum called a “djembe” to induce sound stimulation to these points to promote healing.
As these brief illustrations show, sound has a profound effect upon the physiology and emotions.
For more information on the effects of Sound Attunement Therapy and Bio-Energetic Reconfiguration check out the “Testimonials” section on this site or contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
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