The Orchestra of Nature
Sound is one of the most powerful and healing energies on the planet. Sounds can soothe, calm, and relax or move us to great feelings of passion. Natural sounds bring balance and harmony into our lives. We hear them not only with our ears but with every cell in our body. Research has shown that natural sound helps to regulate blood pressure, improve diabetes, and overcome poor sleep and depression. On the other hand, harsh unnatural sound can increase feelings of stress, anger, and anxiety.
Sound affects us physically, spiritually and emotionally. Throughout history sound has been used as a primary creative force. Many traditional cultures have imitated the sound of animals and birds in dances, rituals and healing techniques.
Dr Hans Jenny, famous for his study of cymatics, describes a sound-matrix at work in nature. He said it is an invisible driving force that can create everything from the wave like shape of a mountain range to the stripes on a zebra or the petals on a flower. He believed that sound was the creative principle. This creative power is inherent in tone, in sound.
Resonant frequency is based on the idea that everything in our universe is vibrating at its own unique frequency. Basically, we are all vibrating atomic and sub-atomic particles. So we hum along at a specific resonant frequency which can change along with our health and wellbeing.
Natural sounds can help to rebalance this vibrational frequency if we get sick or stressed. Gongs and singing bowls have been used as a source of frequency healing for thousands of years. They contain the full spectrum of sound and can vibrate all the cells, organs, and bones. They also slow down the heart rate and breathing and stimulate the alpha and theta brain waves. These waves are associated with meditative and peaceful states. The powerful rhythmic vibrations of gongs and singing bowls resonate throughout the body to restore balance and release stress.
Drums have also been used in many cultures for ritual events, communication, and by sharmans to reach an altered state. Drumming improves immunity, increases energy and happy, feelings, and creates new neuronal connections in all parts of the brain, The rhythmic sound of drumming can align your mind and body with the natural world and help you to literally go with the flow.
We also have our own powerful tool, our voice. Singing and chanting can profoundly transform our health and well being. Specific chants and sacred sounds can nourish and vibrate the organs and chakras (energy centers in the body). Singing has incredible power to make us feel positive, joyful, and energised especially in large groups. And of course we have the ability to create music from all kinds of instruments.
Spending time outdoors, surrounded by the pure vibration of nature, gives us a marvellous feeling of calm that is hard to experience in urban settings. We are part of nature and spending time outside can feel like we are returning home. Choosing to focus our attention on the sounds in nature gives us the chance to enjoy the present moment and tune into the incredible orchestra of nature.
Here are some of the wonderful sounds that make up our natural world
A cat purring
The underwater acoustics of a whales song
The call of seagulls over the sea
Rain falling on golden leaves
The muffled quiet of falling snow
A waterfall leaping down the rocks
The bubble of a small brook over stones
The steady back and forth roll of the sea
The crash of waves in a storm
The crunch of frost tinged leaves in the fall
The hum of bees in a summer garden
The chirp of crickets in the long grass
The wind blowing through the trees
Wood pigeons calling to one another
A cuckoo celebrating the beginning of spring
A rustle in the hedgerow from field mice and a hedgehog
The beating of wings as wild geese lift off a lake
Ducks chatting across the pond
The lowing of cows on a summer evening
A mare whickering to her newborn foal
The crackle of logs on a fire
A wonderful exercise is to go into your garden or out in the fields, woods, by the lake or sea and listen to the many different sounds that surround you.
Love Chef Mel xx
