Cosmic Dust

Nature is an infinite sphere whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere. Blaise Pascal

Yet, There is no chance and anarchy in the universe. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Order and structure prevail.

Plato described astronomy and music as "twinned" studies of sensual recognition: astronomy for the eyes, music for the ears, and both requiring knowledge of numerical proportions.  Pythagoras identified the proportions of Celestial bodies to define the music of the spheres which Kepler later believed to be inaudible except by the soul. Boethius described it as musica mundana or musica universalis reflecting the beauty of God.

Due to the marvels of science we can now listen to the sounds of the universe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzL10r8AeQ8&ab_channel=SkyNews

 It has been said that if men would but rest in silence, they might always hear the music of the spheres. Arthur Helps.

Recently I had the opportunity to meditate within Matramandir. This 24k golden orb is the spiritual centre of Auroville in India.  Ascending the walkway towards the upper chamber we transcended from  the hot dusty gardens into a white domed chamber of palpable silence. A single beam of light from the centre of the ceiling cut through the darkness to a large crystal orb surrounded by 12 white marble columns.  In minutes I felt at One, as One.

Oftentimes clients relate a similar feeling after a gong bath.  If We are all of us just stardust shaped into conscious being. S.J. Kincaid then wouldn’t we expect the  universe to affect us profoundly in all possible ways? Steve Madison

The gongs are the means to open this portal of silence to connect with the cosmic sound.

Even birds do it

Watch this video to hear this bird snore…..

All of us snore occasionally (men 2x more than women) although we do not wish to admit it.  Chronic snoring may increase your risk of certain health conditions and it is worse when you are tired, leading to a vicious cycle of disrupted or light sleep resulting in being even more tired the next day.  Frequent snoring and pauses in breathing or sleep apnea are associated with a greater likelihood of depression, decreased cognitive functioning, sleepiness during the day and greater risks of accidents .

Snoring occurs when air can’t flow easily through your nose or mouth due to relaxed throat tissue (or your tongue) vibrating on each breath.  Usually the snorer is oblivious. Some receivers tolerate it, some self-regulate with noise reducing headsets, cover their heads with a pillow or sleep in a different bedroom. Few tolerate it.  This is why prior to each gong bath I suggest that if you know you are likely to snore, to please lie on your side, otherwise I’ll be nudging your foot.

There are a number of tools, devices and apps available to help you monitor your sleep cycles to improve your sleep hygiene.  Regular gong baths are extremely effective. Our study last year of executives receiving gong baths for 20 min once a week for 12 weeks resulted in 100% improvement in sleep; 83% decrease in perceived stress and 73% improvement in overall wellbeing. 

For the next few weeks I will briefly introduce aspects of sleep hygiene in our Thursday evening gong sessions. I look forward to seeing you soon. 

If you can wait…

if you can wait and not be tired by waiting…. (If by Rudyard Kipling)

The painting is called "Patientia" by Pieter Bruegel.  Look closely, Patience is sitting quietly, chained to a block, praying in a world gone mad.
 
The caption, by the early Catholic theologian Lactantius, reads: Patience is the bearing with equanimity of the evils which are either inflicted or happen to fall on us. 
 
Therefore the just and wise man, because he exercises virtue, has patience in himself; but he will be altogether free from this if he shall suffer no adversity.  On the other hand, the man who lives in prosperity is impatient because he suffers nothing.
 
Getting what we want makes it difficult to wait for what we don't have. To survive, as Bruegel shows, you have to tune out the noise and look away from the madness because we can’t always get what we want when we want. Yet we can still be at peace in the interim. Some count to ten or go for a walk to gain a new perspective I prefer gong baths to elicit a state of neutrality and clarity of mind.  Remember all good things come to those who wait.

We All Just Need To GONG

https://vimeo.com/showcase/gong

Here is the link for the 90 min and 39 min versions of a ground breaking movie highlighting why we need gongs now. Enjoy

The Results are In

Last weekend I presented the results of a 12 week study to my cohort at Svaram Sound Institute in India. 11 executives participated in a weekly 20 min gong for 12 consecutive weeks and the results are definitive. Gongs work.  There was an:

• 82% decrease in Perceived stress

• 73% increase in Overall Wellbeing

• 100% decrease in Daytime sleepines

Comments included being in a state of flow and ease, higher resilience to stress, taking more time to respond - not react, feeling rested and overall feeling happier. One’s migraines disappeared and another’s arthritis diminished.
 
Those of us who play gongs ‘know’ they work. For those of you who need proof. I hope these results will convince you to come more regularly. 
 
Following on I wish to play in-house on a weekly basis to track wellbeing, staff engagement, medical costs etc to determine a ROI. If you or your organisation is interested to learn more, please contact me at tel 2110-0152.

Gong Top of the World 2 - Yi Tung Shan, Lantao

Climb some hills at sunrise. Everybody needs perspective, you will find it there. - Robb Sagendorph (publisher of Farmer's Almanac)

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains. John Muir

The clouds parted long enough for the sun to cast a shadow on an otherwise overcast but extremely windy morning.

Listen to the wind blow...watch the sunrise. (Fleetwood Mac)

Accomplished drone photographer Tom O'Grady and I are on a mission of photographing gongs on top of hilltops with an intention to spread positive healing energy from the highest peaks around HK.  We hope you're inspired.  (video coming soon)

Proof gongs are energy shape shifters

The energy of our thoughts, words, actions and emotions collectively create the frequency of our vibrational aura. Alaric Hutchinson

Your aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds your body. Think of it as a shield that repels negativity and projects positivity.  It is what makes you charismatic and attractive. It connects the pineal gland to the immune system and plays an important role in mirroring our overall wellbeing. The aura is strengthened through yogic practices, the wearing of white and though sound.
 
Auras are like a signature, each as individual as the person they surround. Gina Allan

We just finished week 1 of my research project for Svaram in India.  14 participants visit weekly for a power nap to the sound of a meditation gong.  Brainwaves and aura images are taken before and after and the results speak for themselves.
 
A picture is worth a thousand words.  Here is striking evidence of an energetic shift and chakra balancing as a result of a 20 min gong immersion. Need we say more?

Here you come again

For when you come back to me again, you will realise you’ve never left. Varshitha

We had a wonderful gong on the beach last night with an unbelievably warm evening, clear skies, crescent moon and gently rising tide.  While floating in gong bliss I received a text announcing the new government directive invoking mandatory closures of all studios for 2 weeks from midnight tonight.  Immediately this song came to mind….

Here you come again
Just when I've begun to get myself together
You waltz right in the door
Just like you've done before
And wrap my heart (life) 'round your little finger

Listen here to Dolly Parton

We have to Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be.  Anon  

The gong bath tonight is ON. Thereafter between Jan 7-20 we are closed. We are issuing refunds today for every booking during that time.  Our scheduling thereafter is dependent on govt’ regulations regarding social distancing. So please do keep an eye on the website and newsletter. 

They say that Every setback leaves behind a path to make your comeback. anon. For me the The past is a place of reference, not of residence. So, face forward into the new year. One day at a time. As Martin Luther King Jr says, You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step.