Individual Gong & Sound Bath Meditation - FAQ with Earth Gongs
​Gong and sound meditations are called "sound baths". They involve using gongs, singing bowls, chimes, and other instruments to bathe us in beneficial vibrations that induce a deep mental and physical meditative state. No water is involved, no clothes are removed, and it is not a concert. 😊
Cautions 
- If this is your first sound bath...
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​A doctor's permission is required to attend a gong and sound bath meditation if you have Epilepsy or Parkinson's, especially with a DBS device. 

​Singing Bowls should not be directly placed on your body if you are pregnant, have a fever, have severe inflammation, have had recent surgery, or use implanted medical devices such as a heart pacemaker.

You should consult a doctor and discuss with your sound practitioner if you have the following conditions:
  • Other neurological diseases
  • Serious cases of depression, anxiety, and PTSD - especially if you are taking medications (mild cases of these should be fine)
  • If you have diabetes, read this
  • You should not attend a sound and gong bath if you have serious cold or flu symptoms because you will most likely not enjoy it
(The information above is primarily based on this website.)

Finally, if you are highly sensitive to music or unusual sounds that are sometimes loud, a sound bath might not be suitable for you.
What to Bring
​1. Something to lay on - You will be laying down for most of the session. This could be a yoga mat, sleeping pad, thin sleeping bag, or just a blanket. If you have a rubber mat or pad, you might want to bring a blanket to cover it. Our carpeted floor is quite soft so you do not need much padding. Space is limited, so do not bring anything larger than a small sleeping bag.
  • Alternatively, you can sit up against a wall or on a chair for all or part of the sound session.​
2. Water (recommended) - a bottle or thermos of water to help ground yourself after the gong and sound session is suggested.
3. Dress comfortably (recommended) - tight clothing is not recommended. If your feet tend to get cold, wear socks.
4. Additional props (optional):
  • A pillow or something similar if you prefer to slightly raise you head, support your neck, or support your lower back while lying down.
  • An eye pillow or other eye cover, especially in the daytime when the room is brighter.
  • A bolster or rolled up blanket to raise your knees, which can feel good for the lower back.
  • A blanket to place on top of you to keep you warm and cozy.
  • If you have injuries or ailments, please bring what you need to feel comfortable for a long period of time.
5. A friend (optional) - Having a good friend with you can help you to be more relaxed if this is your first sound experience or if you do not know me. It also gives you someone to talk to about the experience in the days that follow the session.
6. An Intention (recommended) - Your intention can simply be to rest and relax. You may also have an intention to heal or bring balance to some part of your life. You can set your attention at the start of the session, and then let it go. If the timing is right, a new perspective may emerge to help heal or transform you situation.
7. Arrive on time - Silence your phone and put it away. Thanks!
What to Expect

A gong and sound bath is a type of deep meditation in which one can experience a more integrated state of consciousness. This is brought about without any effort on the part of the listener because the mind cannot resist the resonating power of the sound instruments, especially the gongs and singing bowls. Every gong and sound experience is different, but here is what you can generally expect.

1. Introduction and Preparation: We will start with a discussion of what brought you to the sound session and what your expectations are. My wife will assist throughout the gong and sound bath and will participate in this introduction, as well. That might be followed by some breath work or similar activity to bring you into a relaxed and open space.
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2. The Sound Bath: The sounds will usually play through a series of cycles, starting out soft and slow, building to a peak (which can be quite loud), and then returning to soft and slow. This cycle will run several times using different combinations of instruments over a 45 to 50 minute period. Each sound meditation/bath is uniquely attuned to the time place and people present.
  • Between 40% and 70% of your body's weight is from water (the average is 60% for men and 50% for women). That water, along with other parts of you body, will resonate and entrain (replicate) with the sound vibration of the gongs, chimes, and bowls during the sound session
  • Those vibration will relax your body and your mind. You may fall asleep (although the sound peaks will probably wake you up), you may feel weightless, or you may feel total silence and oneness. You may think that you are hearing angels singing, whales calling, rain, birds, or other sounds. Out of body experiences and lucid dreams are occasionally reported.
  • Thoughts and old memories may arise, as well strong emotions (including elation, laughter, anxiety, and crying), as deep physiological stresses are released from the body. All of these might feel good, and you might feel drained from the energy exerted in their release. Whatever arises, however, the recommendation is to allow it to be, do not resist it, just observe and appreciate it, and to allow it to run it course until it dissipates, which will happen. You might also feel nausea, dizziness, or uncomfortable physical sensations.
  • Every sound session is a different experience, and each person has a different experiential response to the sound as it uncovers stresses in your physical, emotional and energy body.
  • You may adjust your position or open your eyes at any time to be more comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, you may sit up and try a seated meditation position. You can also sit on a chair, which will be available. You may find that some sounds are irritating, rather than relaxing. Do not judge them too quickly, but allow your response to work its way through your system. You can also ask me to stop or to play softer at any time.

3. Completion: A Noah Bell will be used to signal the end of the sound bath. You will then be given some time in silence (up to 5 minutes) to ground yourself and to integrate the experience so you can bring the peaceful state of mind that you are experiencing into your waking reality.
  • The option for an on-body Tibetan bowl experience will be offered during this relaxation period. This is optional, although some think it is the best part of the sound session.​
  • There will also be time to talk about what you experienced and to have any questions that you may have answered.
Afterwards

Make sure you are well grounded before driving home. Drink plenty of water over the next three days, which helps with grounding and rinsing toxins released by the sound vibrations.

Most people feel wonderfully centered after a sound experience and sleep well with no other side effects. ​

On rare occasion, some people temporarily experience one or more of the following symptoms (this list is related to all forms of "energy healing"):
  • Nausea, feeling bloated or bubbly, possibly causing night sweats and sleep disturbances
  • Mood fluctuations, strong emotions, or feeling emotional drained
  • Fatigue, yawning, dizziness, light-headedness, or tingling or burning currents in the body
  • Increase elimination (urination, sweating, burping, sneezing, bowels, etc.)
  • Blurred vision, Reddening of the face, Flu-like symptoms

​These are symptoms of a condition that is sometimes known a "de-stressing".  Your physiology reached a level of deep relaxation in which equally deep stresses were released. Sometimes, these stresses are too significant to be fully dissipated during the sound bath meditation, causing them to spill over into the post-relaxation period, which can last up to three days.

The best thing to do in this situation is to get plenty of rest. Go to be bed earlier than usual. Maybe take a nap or meditate in the afternoon. Take a warm bath. Continue to drink plenty of water. Avoid heavy and low nutritional foods and drinks. Treat yourself with care, knowing that these symptoms are temporary and enormously beneficial in the long run. 
Additional Information
  1. The Complete guide to Sound Baths and Sound Therapy - with an emphasis on Tibetan Bowls that are sold through this website
  2. ​What is a Gong Bath Meditation? - a more clinical description of the mental and physiological benefits of a gong bath as a meditation experience ​
  3. The Physics and Biophysics of Sound “Healing” - an introduction to the science of sound baths (also see the video below)

​⬅️ In this video some well-known gong players from around the world discuss the healing power of gongs.

I do not guarantee healings. The gongs help you to heal yourself.  If you are seeking healing, remember to bring your intentions for that to your gong session. 
Email me to if you have any questions.
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