Awaken to the Power of Sound

By Marie Josée Vermette  
Published: July , 2015

A LITTLE while back, as we were getting ready to offer a series of music-healing concert abroad, my fiancé & I were gifted T-shirts with the inscription ‘Silence is luxurious’. Half-grinning, I said ‘thank you’ and stuffed mine back in the bag, thinking sarcastically: “How appropriate for someone whose favorite thing is to sing, drum and encourage self-expression with the use of sound!” I heard my ego ask in the back of my mind: “Is this a joke?”
At our next presentation, my fiancé wore his new T-shirt. As he was mindfully hitting the drums, helping people to ground and relax, I couldn’t stop staring at the words on his chest… Silence… luxurious… I was amused by the polarity of the situation; yet mesmerized by the wisdom of the affirmation. As I started to sing, my mind, which enjoys multitasking, was reflecting: “How much is my life blessed with the luxury of silence? How many people on the planet don’t have access to silence, ever? Is complete silence even available anywhere these days?”
Since then I have been taking more time to stop and listen. But as much as I search for silence in the outside world, I can’t find it! Where is silence? Granted, I have not experienced all the caves and soundproofed spaces of the world, but me, I never hear silence. Always, the resonances of life being lived. Some sounds make me feel good; some make my teeth grind. Birds, soft rain, kids laughing, leaves in the wind and sweet music all make my heart warm; whereas hearing motors, alarms, honking, chain saws, barking and yelling annoys me. And even in the quietest of moments, when I think I may have finally found silence, there it is: my inner chatter, coupled with my tinnitus.
Sounds shape our world, whether we want it or not. Sound is social: it supports our ceremonies and celebrations — it unites us. When we get together and tell stories, sing, applause or cheer for our favorite sports team, we transmit and receive energy filled with emotion in the form of sound vibration. The sounds emitted by humans, their tools and inventions, affect other humans’ bodies, hearts, minds and spirits. 
Sound is a powerful, holistic force of nature.  I believe that we all share one thing: the desire to feel good. For thousands of years, man has used sound to transform himself and others, and is still using it today with great success. From sound meditation to shamanic drumming and chanting, to modern technology such as ultrasound and brainwave entrainment to treat a variety of ailments like kidney stones, tumors and Alzheimer’s, sound is a strong, accessible tool. And it’s completely green!
People often say they feel stressed, overwhelmed, tired or in pain. Several admit that they don’t like to sit “in silence” because they can’t let go of their thoughts, or by fear of the emotions that could arise. In my opinion, we can’t create silence. We can only make space for it. Silence is a state of non-doing… and practice makes it easier. 
On a different note, I know that we can attain a state of deep peace after expressing intuitive sounds or listening to singing bowls, chimes and other sounds created with a pure, positive intention. We get relief from anxiety and pain, release tension, improve our concentration and sleep, and gain more insight.
I say EMPOWER yourself by using sound to raise your vitality. Sing in the shower, in your car or in the forest. Bang some rocks together. Let out a flamboyant sigh. Make funny noises with your child. Laugh out LOUD — for real! I say be mindful of your words and the energy they carry. Find your voice. I say listen to others with an open heart, and listen to the silence between your thoughts… and see if it helps you feel good