Will is a counselor for other cancer patients and survivors for over a decade. He is also a cancer patient who was deeply moved by his personal experience with a Sound Bath where only a Gong was used. Some people call this “Gong Therapy” or “Gong Meditation.”
Experiencing a Gong Therapy session, made such an impact on Will that he took to the web to compile technical scientific information on this subject which he could share with other cancer patients.
True, knowing that sound and vibration impacts our bodies and minds is an age old concept that has been around for centuries. However, in THIS century, we now have the medical technology which can tangibly measure what is actually happening to the brain during a Gong Therapy session.
Will, being the analytical person that he is, dove into the scientific aspect as a way of expressing his experience.
“Gong Therapy is a form of Sound Therapy where a floor gong is played in a therapeutic way to bring about total relaxation of the participants. It can be done either in a group setting, or a private setting.
Ideally, you will experience the Gong Bath lying comfortably on your back on yoga mats. People simply sit or lie comfortably, close there eyes, and relax.
The Gong Player(s) then begins by playing the gongs very softly, increasing the volume as the session progresses (the volume never gets unbearable).
The playing technique is changed frequently, there is no fixed sound wave to cling onto. This causes ‘entrainment’ in the brain.
‘Entrainment’ is the changing of brainwave frequencies.
Brainwave Frequencies:
During a Gong Bath, the Alpha brainwave state is achieved very quickly, and is followed by the Theta brainwave state. Alpha waves are present in the state of relaxation, and are defined as brainwave frequencies between 8 and 12 Hz.
Daydreaming, imagination, and associative thinking are all part of Alpha brainwave activity.
Theta waves are defined as brainwave frequencies between 4 and 7 Hz. Theta waves occur during dreaming sleep – or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, although they also occur during deep meditation.
You will most likely enter a dreamlike, deep meditative state. Some people might enter the Delta brainwave state, the deep sleep frequency.
After approximately 50 minutes of gong playing, the musician starts to wind down and play gently for about 10 minutes, fading away to nothing, and the Gonging part of the session concludes.
Afterwards, it is recommended that you take it easy for the rest of the day/evening to allow the experience to continue. You will be able to easily make your way home by whatever means you arrived by, alert and rested.”
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