“The gong is a sacred threshold. It is the portal that links the finite and the infinite experience of the Self. As such, the gong is the most sublime instrument of the Yogi. It is a cauldron in which you can create alchemical blends of qualities that open and develop the Inner Self.’”
Guru Charan Singh
Here in Portugal, I was lucky enough to experience a true gong bath with an overnight puja where the players took it in turns to continuously play the six gongs while we slept.
We slept in a geometric dome which encapsulated the true sound yet gave you the sensation of being outdoors. The ceremony started with the musicians using other instruments and various voice and singing techniques. The gongs were played for seven and a half hours exactly and the sound has an intense therapeutic effect on the body and mind.
The ocean of sound was incredible, and the low frequencies are said to resonate with the low frequency energy of the physical body. The sound is said to alter the flow of chemical messages in the brain – via the motor auditory pathway in the brain. While the gongs are played, your brain signals to the adrenal glands to slow down the release of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, your blood pressure falls and breathe is restored to its natural rhythm. The effect of the gongs has an immediate powerful effect on the physical body.
The vibrations of the gong are profoundly relaxing by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. The body is made up of almost 70% water and the gong sound means the body is physically vibrating inside. The effect is powerfully detoxing and energising.
The next morning, myself and the others with whom I attended the puja – all reported a totally different experience of the night. We felt relaxed and quiet as we walked to the breakfast served by the organisers. The puja was held close to Mafra and the scenery was beautiful – the sun coming up over the hills, the wind turbines, the Portuguese countryside at its finest. It was the perfect location to wake up in. The breakfast was delicious and consisted of miso soup, oat porridge, barley porridge, chicory latte, tea, rye bread, salty butter, home made jams and much more. We felt ok after breakfast but about an hour later an intense tiredness took over and it was time to nap on a local beach.
I highly recommend the team at Cosmic Gong who organised the event and run other baths and workshops through the summer. You can also find them on Facebook.
Yes Yoga 