What is gong meditation?
And how do you begin practicing it?
Here’s our ultimate guide – including benefits, techniques and how to practice Gong Meditation for ultimate inner peace…
Table of Contents
What Is Gong Meditation?
Gong meditation involves listening to the sound of a gong, an ancient instrument, to delve into a meditative state or as a form of healing.
Other nicknames for gong meditation include “gong bathing,” “gong healing,” and “sound bath meditation.”
This type of meditation isn’t a modern approach to healing, but nonetheless, it’s still used today.
Originally, it started thousands of years ago in Greek, Egyptian, and Aboriginal cultures.
Whilst meditating with a gong, several gongs and mallets are typically used.
This helps bring out the full potential of the frequencies and vibrations these instruments create.
What Does Gong Meditation Do?
It’s said that the sound and vibrations of a gong have the power to provide healing on a mental, physical, and spiritual level.
Because approximately 70% of our body is made up of water, the vibrations provided by a gong can affect us on a cellular level.
In fact, each organ and cell in your body vibrates at a different frequency.
By engaging in gong bathing, the cells and organs of your body are balanced as it helps realign your chi or qi.
That said, many consider gong meditation to be a very powerful approach to healing naturally.
Gong Meditation Benefits
Sound therapy provided by gong meditation has many benefits, such as the following:
Deep Relaxation
One of the first benefits you may gain from a session of gong bathing is deep relaxation.
Both during and shortly after engaging in gong meditation, you may feel significant stress relief and reduced tension.
After all, engaging in gong meditation is a very back-to-basics technique.
It helps clear the mind, induce a meditative state, and bring you back to the present, helping you set your future worries aside for a moment.
Generally, when you’re finished with a session of gong bathing, you may find yourself calmer and more revitalized for hours or even days after.
Relief from Mental Illness
While gong bathing isn’t a “cure” for mental illness, sufferers may find temporary or even long-term relief from their symptoms with regular gong bathing sessions.
According to Kera News, gong bathing has the power to aid with the symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic disorder, and more.
The aid of mental symptoms provided by gong bathing is brought both by the physiological and psychological healing this practice provides.
In fact, according to the same source mentioned previously, a 1968 study by Olav Skille concluded that sound and healing are correlated.
It was discovered in this study that sound directly affects the muscles and nerves in the body.
Because sound positively impacts the body’s sympathetic nervous system, gong bathing can help with a variety of mental ailments.
Lower Blood Pressure
Due to the relaxation provided by gong meditation, it’s no surprise that lower blood pressure is another benefit of this practice.
As an extension of Skille’s 1968 study, he found that many of his participants who engaged in sound therapy did, in fact, obtain lower blood pressure.
But how does gong meditation impact blood pressure?
One possible reason is that the sound of the gong(s) during gong bathing balance brain frequencies, which in turn aid blood pressure.
As a result of better blood pressure, this type of meditation can also provide reduced migraine symptoms and better heart rate variability.
Better Sleep
According to research, approximately 30% of Americans alone suffer from insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.
On top of the latter statistic, about 10 million U.S. residents are thought to have insomnia but not have an official diagnosis.
While there are numerous sleep disorders out there, insomnia is the most common of them all.
Like other sleep disorders, insomnia can potentially lead to health problems including low oxygen levels and pain conditions.
While there are medications and other treatment methods to aid with sleep, gong meditation is one natural route.
Because gong bathing aids with mental illness and helps provide relaxation, it makes sense that this practice also improves sleep in terms of ease of falling asleep, sleep length, and sleep quality.
Reduced Chronic Pain
Everyone at some point in their life will experience pain.
Someone might experience pain after, say, hitting their funny bone, stubbing their toe, or accidentally biting their tongue.
While pain is normal and healthy to experience in certain scenarios (e.g., touching a hot pot by mistake), many folks experience chronic, debilitating pain, sometimes for no known cause.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 50 million U.S. adults struggle with chronic pain of some sort.
Often, pain killers are a common way people ease their chronic pain.
However, gong meditation provides a more natural, safe approach to reducing physical pain.
In fact, a study by Dr. George Patrick discovered that 30- to 40-minute vibroacoustic sessions helped relieve pain in 61% to 74% of participants.
While more research needs to be conducted on sound and pain-healing, studies so far have demonstrated the power of acoustics, such as that provided by gongs, in benefiting the physical body.
How To Do A Gong Meditation
Although it might seem like there’s only one way to engage in gong meditation, there are a plethora of different techniques you can try.
Many techniques involve the combination of another type of natural healing practice.
Traditional Gong Meditation
This technique is exactly what you’d expect with an average gong meditation session: simple and traditional.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Simply rest in place as the sounds and vibrations of the gong(s) fill the room. The instruments will do all the work.
Reiki Meditation
Reiki is a Japanese practice that involves healing through touch provided by an experienced Reiki specialist.
Because gong meditation induces a calm, meditative state, the light energy of Reiki goes through your body easier.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Allow the Reiki specialist to engage in their practice. They may place their hands on several different parts of your body throughout the session.
- Simply rest in place as the sounds and vibrations of the gong(s) fill the room. The instruments and the Reiki specialist will do all the work.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is a mental technique that involves grounding in place and focusing on the present moment.
Because mindfulness is a relaxing practice, gong meditation is great to try in combination with it.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sounds and vibrations of the gong(s) fill the room, engage in a mindfulness exercise of your choice (e.g., body scanning, observing with your eyes closed, etc.).
- Depending on the mindfulness exercise you choose, you may wish to keep your eyes open or leave them closed.
- Continue engaging in mindfulness as long as the gong meditation session lasts.
Deep Breathing Gong
When engaging in gong meditation, there’s usually one of two things meditators focus on: their breathing or the sound of the gong(s).
Since you may already be focusing on your breath during this practice, it makes sense why deep breathing is often done during gong meditation.
But sometimes we focus on our breath when we’re nervous. Hypo- or hyper-ventilation can be a result of focusing on our breathing.
However, deep breathing has an opposing effect.
The purpose of deep breathing is to naturally relax the nervous system and to ensure the vital organs in the body get as much oxygen as possible to properly function.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Begin to engage in a deep breathing exercise of your choice.
- Continue engaging in deep breathing as long as the gong meditation session lasts.
Meditating Using Crystal Healing & A Gong
While healing crystals might seem like a new-age practice, they’ve been used for approximately 6,000-plus years.
Different crystals have different benefits.
Due to their healing properties that often align with other forms of healing, crystals are frequently used alongside various forms of meditation.
- Choose or crystal or few to use during gong meditation.
- To use a crystal during gong bathing, place it right in front of you, hold it in your hand(s), put it on a certain body part, or wear it on a piece of jewelry.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Simply rest in place as the sounds and vibrations of the gong(s) fill the room. The instruments and the crystal(s) will do all the work.
Visualization & Gong Technique
The process of visualization simply involves “seeing” an image or moving scene in your head for the purposes of relaxation.
During visualization, one might imagine a moving stream, an image of Buddha, or even their chakras getting aligned within their body.
Visualization is great to engage in while gong bathing as gong bathing involves no mental work on its own.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Begin to engage in visualization by imagining a certain image or moving scene in your head.
- Continue engaging in visualization as long as the meditation session lasts.
Yoga Meditation With A Gong
For those who have difficulty getting into the right state of mind prior to engaging in gong meditation, coupling this practice with yoga is a great idea.
- Prior to gong meditating, engage in yoga for approximately 30 minutes. Try different yoga poses of your choice.
- Sit or lie down on the floor.
- As the sound of the gong begins, close your eyes.
- Simply rest in place as the sounds and vibrations of the gong(s) fill the room. The instruments will do all the work.
Gong Meditation: How To Get Started
- Although you can engage in the practice with little to no knowledge or experience, consider reading a book about meditation.
- Before meditating, put on loose, comfortable clothing.
- Find a silent, calm place to sit or lie down. Never settle for a noisy environment.
- For a more peaceful setting, turn off the lights in the room you plan on gong bathing in.
- Drink plenty of water before gong bathing as hydration is a vital component of this meditation practice.
- If sitting or lying down on the ground is too hard, you may sit or utilize a yoga mat, chair, cushion, pillow, and/or a blanket.
- Taking a meditation class? Verify that the place of the class will have the equipment (e.g. yoga mats, etc.) available. Otherwise, be sure to bring your own.
- Keep your mind open to the healing sounds of the gong.
Tips For Practicing Gong Meditation
- If you take a meditation class and don’t like the instructor, don’t give up on it altogether! Just find a new instructor.
- Combine this meditation with other forms of natural healing such as Reiki healing or deep breathing exercises for greater benefits.
- Try not to focus too much on the sounds of the gong(s) during meditation, but rather, on the act of “just being.”
- If you’re unable to attend meditation classes in person, download a gong bathing app. Many find that gong bathing apps have the same benefits as in person.
- Engage in meditation as frequently as possible. Frequency is important to obtain and maintain long-term benefits.
- Ask your friends or family members to try meditating with you. Involving loved ones can be motivating and exciting.
FAQs- The Short Answers
What Is Gong Meditation?
It’s is an ancient sound practice in which meditators listen to the sound of a gong.
The sounds and vibrations provided by the gong provide physical, mental, and spiritual healing for the meditator on a cellular level.
What Is Qi Gong Meditation? Is It Different From Gong Meditation?
Qi gong meditation and gong meditation have their fair share of differences.
The art of qi meditation involves controlled breathing and slow, steady movement.
Meanwhile, gong doesn’t involve movement.
Likewise, unlike qi meditation, this involves the inclusion of the gong instrument.
Ultimately, both qi gong and gong meditation are ancient practices that realign the chi but in fairly different ways.
What Is Gong Bath Meditation?
This is a synonym for gong meditation.
Despite its name, it doesn’t involve a bath at all!
The reason this type of meditation is often called “bath meditation” is because the mediator “bathes” in the vibrations of the gong.
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FAQs
What are the benefits of Gong meditation? ›
The sound of a gong helps the brain reach deep relaxation – specifically the delta and theta brain wave states, which are the slowest brain waves in humans. We tend to reach these states during daydreaming or deep sleep, and they are known to aid relaxation, creativity and natural healing.
How do you use meditation gong? ›The gong meditation is like a sound wave party for your brain. Just relax your muscles, close your eyes and listen to the sound vibrations of the gong to wash away tension and stress.
What is the power of the gong? ›The power of the gong is due to the unique qualities of sound — which affect both your mind and body in a profound way. At the mental level, the sound of the gong can induce a meditative state because it influences your brainwave activity through a process called entrainment.
What do you wear to Gong meditation? ›You should wear loose, comfortable clothing and - as you will be lying still for an hour in a sleep-like trance – something warm. Stylish yoga casuals, cashmere pashminas or sweat pants and baggy T: it's up to you.
What happens during sound therapy? ›Music or sound healing therapy is pretty much what it says on the tin: the practice of using different sounds to improve your physical health and emotional wellbeing. Music therapy is often practised with a healing practitioner and can take multiple forms, from guided meditations to dance to sound baths.
How do you feel after a gong bath? ›Gong baths are highly rejuvenating for the body and bring about an overall sense of relaxation and well-being, which can reduce stress, as well as help develop a better ability to cope with stress.
Why is a bell used in meditation? ›Among other things, bells are considered a meditation enhancer, as they help practitioners keep their attention focused on the present moment. The sound of the meditation bell is thought to promote a sense of peace and calmness.
How do you play the gong for sound healing? ›Gong Healing - How To Play Gongs - YouTube
What happens during a gong bath? ›During a gong bath, participants typically lie down and get comfortable with blankets and pillows. A facilitator then hits the gong, a disc-shaped percussion instrument, using a mallet. Participants are invited to passively soak up the benefits of the sound.
What is the spiritual meaning of a gong? ›“The gong is known as an instrument of transformational power. It is a tool by which we are engulfed in total sound, and through our intuition, we are brought back to optimum health and balance. The gong is a supportive tool for the manifestation of our harmonious physical, mental, and emotional being.
What frequency is a gong? ›
As well as this, a gong will vibrate at audible frequencies, i.e. somewhere between 20 and 20,000 Hz. Audible frequencies have to be generated by small objects; the larger the object, the lower its frequency will be.
Why do we use gong? ›Gongs have been around for centuries as a means of sound therapy. And meditation, while it is mostly used to relieve stress and calm the mind and body, largely began as a means to get in touch with and understand the deeper meaning of the sacred and mystical forces of life.
How do you prepare for sound healing? ›- About Sound Therapy. ...
- Get Comfortable. ...
- Adjust As You Go. ...
- Receive the Vibrations. ...
- Allow for Release. ...
- Think “energy”
Practitioners often encourage you to bring yoga mats, blankets, pillows, eye pillows, or other props that will make you comfortable. Virtual sound baths can offer the same benefits as a session in a physical room.
How much does a gong bath cost? ›A group sound bath session can range anywhere from $30 to $65 while private sound baths could ring in at a much higher cost, depending on your guide.
Which frequency is best for healing? ›174 Hz Solfeggio Frequency Music – The Healing Frequency
The lowest recognized solfeggio frequency is 174 Hz, also known as the healing frequency. It has the greatest impact on the body and physical health, rather than spiritual or mental health.
...
Chant OM
- Take a deep breath in.
- As you exhale, chant the sound OM.
- When you run out of breath, breathe in and repeat the chant.
- Continue at your own pace for 2 to 3 minutes.
It supports mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being
It also heals on the mental and emotional levels. "Sound healing helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression," Schieffelin says. "It balances and clears the mind, and leads to a renewed sense of purpose, well-being, calm, and happiness."
Alpha brain waves– Frequency: 8-13 Hz
During a sound bath, you will shift first into this state before moving into the theta brain wave state. Alpha brain waves are some of the most easily observed and were the first to be discovered. They become detectable when the eyes are closed and the mind is relaxed.
A typical session lasts around 45 to 60 minutes and might include some gentle physical exercise to prepare the listener by relaxing the body. In a staff wellbeing programme, the gong can be used in three main ways: A stand alone stress busting session.
What is gong therapy? ›
Simply put, it's a form of sound therapy in which a gong is played to aid healing. The gong is played softly for the purposes of relaxation, so it's really not as noisy as it sounds!
How do you signal at the end of meditation? ›It is common, in meditation, for bells or gongs to be used to signal the beginning or end of meditation. For this reason, many meditation timers use the sounds of bells or gongs. These sounds are often preferable to the harsh sound of an alarm clock because they much quieter and gentler.
What is the sound at the end of a meditation? ›Small bells are used in meditation practice to signify the beginning and end of the meditation. The sound of the bell is an important part of meditation, as it gives the mind and body a Pavlovian type response to be ready, alert and relaxed.
What are meditation chimes? ›Meditation Chimes
We often associate meditation with chimes, whose calming sound is used to bring focus and relaxation into your space. This is a collection of meditation chimes that can be used to begin and end a meditation, yoga, massage, or therapy session. The long, sustained ring energizes and clears the space.
Zildjian Score Magazine -- Strike a Gong - YouTube
How do you choose a gong? ›There are generally three things to consider when buying a gong, the style of the gong, the depth of the note, and the weight of the gong. See the sections above to learn about the different styles of gongs, between the Chau, Wind, Paiste and Meinl for example.
What is sound healing and how does it work? ›Sound healing is a form of healing that uses different vibrations to heal the body, mind and spirit. It works on two principles: That different emotions vibrate at different levels, and that blocked, or unexpressed emotions, are the main source of dis-ease.
What is a gong Puja? ›What is Gong Puja. The Gong Puja is a sacred celebration and sound meditation, developed by Grand Gong Master Don Conreaux. The Gong Puja lasts 7 ½ hours which is the equivalent of 10 x 45minute gong baths. It is believed that 45 minutes is the time taken to complete a full sound journey.
How do you become a gong bath practitioner? ›The Gong Practitioner Training Course is a certificated training programme over five weekends, over the period of one year. Completion of this training will give participants the information, knowledge and tools required to become a specialist gong practitioner.
How does a gong work? ›gong, a circular metal platelike percussion instrument, usually having a turned-down rim. In most forms it is struck in the centre with a felt- or leather-covered beater, producing a sound of either definite or indefinite pitch.
Who created the gong? ›
Gongs likely originated in the Bronze Age in what is now Tibet. Archeologists have unearthed ancient gongs in present-day China, Indonesia, Burma, and the Annam region of Vietnam. The actual word "gong" is Indonesian, and gongs are common in the gamelan ensembles on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali.
Who invented the gong? ›The earliest written mention of the gong was in China in the 6th century. In these ancient documents the Chinese claim that another culture from Central Asia introduced it to them.
Do gongs have high frequency? ›The frequencies reached by a gong always depend on its individual design and the choice of mallet. However, most gongs reach very low and voluminous frequencies, not infrequently beyond 100 Hz. Basically, the larger a gong is, the richer the frequency range that can be played.
What is the sound of a gong? ›Gongs make a resonant, echoing sound. In the classic game show "The Gong Show," amateur performers tried to impress judges who could end the act by banging a giant gong. There are two types of gongs: one that makes a loud, crashing sound, and another that is actually tuned to a specific note.
What is the frequency of Earth? ›The primary resonance is at a frequency of about 8 hertz—eight trips around the planet per second. “It's like sitting inside a ringing bell,” said Harrison. The resonance is maintained by the combined effect of all the lightning flashes on Earth—between 40 and 50 per second.
What is a private sound bath? ›A sound bath is a meditative experience during which a group of people lie down and listen to resonant sounds. It often involves singing bowls, which create an echoing sound that feels like it fills the room. Some people refer to sound bathing as a healing practice.
What makes a good sound bath? ›In general, a sound bath is a meditative experience where those in attendance are “bathed” in sound waves. These waves are produced by various sources, including healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, percussion, chimes, rattles, tuning forks, and even the human voice itself.
What is vibrational sound healing? ›Vibrational sound therapy can retune your body, mind and spirit, encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness. This one-on-one service uses therapeutic singing bowls placed on the body to create a combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as a massage for the nervous system.
How do I give myself a sound bath? ›To create your own sound bath experience, take a Tibetan singing bowl and before creating any sound, hold it and set an intention for your meditation. Then, gently strike the edge of the bowl with a mallet. Let your mind focus on the sound and the intention you set as the note gently fades.
What is a sound bath healing? ›A Sound Bath is a deeply-immersive, full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to NURTURE YOUR MIND AND BODY. The experience begins with each person lying down or seated in a comfortable position, often with a blanket and an eye mask.
How often should you take a sound bath? ›
Generally, 1-2 sessions per month are recommended. However, if you are experiencing emotional, physical or mental challenges that need to be addressed, then weekly sessions are better. Also, if you are just starting out, then go for 4 sessions spaced 1-2 weeks apart.
How much is a private sound bath? ›PRICING: Private Sound Baths for 1-10 people start at $400, not including extra fees. For a Sound Bath longer than 1 hour, there will be a fee. Add ons such as on the body bowls, crystal therapy and energy work will have an additional fee per person!
How do sound bowls work? ›As explained by Science Made Simple UK, the friction created either by rubbing or striking a singing bowl creates vibrations. These vibrations create the sound we hear and can feel when holding the singing bowl. As you continue to rub the rim of the bowl, the friction keeps the sound going. This is called resonance.
What are the benefits of sound baths? ›...
Practitioners say that the benefits of sound baths include:
- Deepening relaxation.
- Lowering stress and anxiety.
- Improving mood and well-being.
- Improving sleep.
- Heightening focus and energy.
- A feeling of rejuvenation.
Sound healing is a form of healing that uses different vibrations to heal the body, mind and spirit. It works on two principles: That different emotions vibrate at different levels, and that blocked, or unexpressed emotions, are the main source of dis-ease.
What is a gong bath session? ›A gong bath is an immersive sound experience. It's called a 'bath' because sound waves 'wash' over you as you relax and enjoy the melodic journey. The harmonics will effortlessly lull your mind into a meditative state, while the vibrations revitalize your body and help to release tension.
How much does a gong bath cost? ›A group sound bath session can range anywhere from $30 to $65 while private sound baths could ring in at a much higher cost, depending on your guide.
Are gongs healing? ›In a 2015 study specifically conducted on gong baths, participants reported that they found the sound vibrations healing or relaxing. According to Ali, gongs can also be used to stimulate an altered state of consciousness, or ASC. This form of deep relaxation can feel similar to a trance-like state.
What is a private sound bath? ›Much like its name suggests, a sound bath or sound meditation is where participants are deeply immersed in a variety of different sounds, tones, frequencies, and vibrations.
What happens to your body during a sound bath? ›Goldsby has studied them and found that they can help people reduce their stress. “We found that sound baths elicit the relaxation response and in the relaxation response the body relaxes, the blood pressure lowers, heart rate lowers and the body basically goes into healing mode,” she said.
Which frequency is best for healing? ›
174 Hz Solfeggio Frequency Music – The Healing Frequency
The lowest recognized solfeggio frequency is 174 Hz, also known as the healing frequency. It has the greatest impact on the body and physical health, rather than spiritual or mental health.
...
Chant OM
- Take a deep breath in.
- As you exhale, chant the sound OM.
- When you run out of breath, breathe in and repeat the chant.
- Continue at your own pace for 2 to 3 minutes.
- You Begin Feeling Your Emotions (Rather Than Minimizing Them) ...
- Practicing Living Mindfully (Rather Than Mindlessly) ...
- Your Body Releases Tension & Trauma. ...
- You Reach Out More For Support & Ask For Help (Rather Than Isolating)
To create your own sound bath experience, take a Tibetan singing bowl and before creating any sound, hold it and set an intention for your meditation. Then, gently strike the edge of the bowl with a mallet. Let your mind focus on the sound and the intention you set as the note gently fades.
How do you become a gong bath practitioner? ›The Gong Practitioner Training Course is a certificated training programme over five weekends, over the period of one year. Completion of this training will give participants the information, knowledge and tools required to become a specialist gong practitioner.
What was the main function of the first invented gong? ›While we can't be certain which culture created the gong, it's safe to say the sound resonated with the Chinese and that they made the gong their own. The Chinese used gongs for many ceremonial functions. They were struck to announce when the Emperor or other important political and religious figures arrived.
What is gong therapy? ›Simply put, it's a form of sound therapy in which a gong is played to aid healing. The gong is played softly for the purposes of relaxation, so it's really not as noisy as it sounds!
What is vibrational sound healing? ›Vibrational sound therapy can retune your body, mind and spirit, encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness. This one-on-one service uses therapeutic singing bowls placed on the body to create a combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as a massage for the nervous system.
How often should you take a sound bath? ›Generally, 1-2 sessions per month are recommended. However, if you are experiencing emotional, physical or mental challenges that need to be addressed, then weekly sessions are better. Also, if you are just starting out, then go for 4 sessions spaced 1-2 weeks apart.