How Do Sound Vibrations and Cymatics Affect Our Everyday Lives?
Cymatics, from the Greek word for waves, is “the study of wave phenomena and vibration.” This science, developed by Dr. Hans Jenny in the 1970’s, demonstrates the power of sound to “shape, transform and destroy the seemingly solid structures the we see all about us.”
It is fascinating to watch as audible sound generates majestic geometry, manipulating matter in predictable patterns “which mimic atomic, geologic, biological, solar and even galactic shapes and movements.” Moving up the diatonic scale (the white keys of a piano), for example, creates a specific set of spontaneous geometries, and when you reach the octave, the series starts over with the same shapes arising but at a higher frequency.
Here, watch:
Such evidence should not be all that surprising given the variety of sources insisting on vibration as primary to form. The Bible, for example, tells us, “In the beginning, there was the word… and the Word was God… All things came into being through Him.” [John 1:1-3]
Similarly, “The ancient Vedic philosophy of India attributes the origin of creation to the vibration of the eternal cosmic sound, aum” [Vasant Lad]. In an explanation, both literal and metaphorical, concrete and abstract, the Vedic tradition describes the unfolding of the five elements.
“The first subtle element to arise is sound, and through its powerful vibrations, it gives birth to cosmic space… Within the field of space, the vibration or pulsation of the air element is created. The pulsation of air in space generates radiant heat. This is fire. Because of the radiant heat of fire, consciousness is melted into water. In turn, water ‘crystallizes’ into solid earth.” [Lad]
Each element follows naturally from another, and is composed of all previously extant elements. Earth is the densest element, and requires the presence of the other four elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water) in order to take form.
Human beings — as whole, integral parts of this creative process — are composed of these five elements in varying proportion. These qualities are the very stuff of experience, the vehicles through which existence arises.
When balanced, these elements are a source of health and vitality, providing the framework wherein the human may experience the divine, and vice versa. Out of balance, these very same elements are the vehicle for disease and decay, for the most intense pain and suffering possible.
The cessation of such suffering is an aim common to all humanity. Over time, we have developed sophisticated theories and practices designed to accomplish just this, and yet our suffering persists. How can this be? Is it possible we’ve been chasing symptoms all this time, neglecting the root cause of our discomfort?
According to Ayurveda, all disease is a consequence of disharmony among the doshas (the elements of which we consist). Given that sound vibration is said to be the primary mover underpinning all of creation, it seems only sensible to appeal directly to that source if we seek the deepest healing available.
Jonathan Goldman, for one, has declared that he is on a mission to unite the world through sound. This may seem grandiose, but in reality it is a practical and achievable goal. Goldman has spent his life studying the power of healing sounds, and these many years of applied research can be summarized in this simple formula: Vibration + Intention = Healing.
Goldman has suggested that an illness in the body can be likened to a musician who has simply lost her sheet music, and is thus out of sync with the rest of the players. Without a blueprint to play by, she creates dissonance, and disease arises. Leveraging sound as the delivery system, our intention to heal is able to replace the necessary pages for the lost musician to rejoin the orchestra and play the notes she knows.
I’ll not speculate as to the nature of The Creator, but it seems to me that there must be some composer busy conducting the musical force that coaxes the grass to grow, decomposes bones and turns the planet on its axis. Humanity might have first-chair potential in this intricate symphony, but at the moment we are squandering that talent, preferring the role of mischief-maker, passing notes in the back of class, telling dirty jokes and blowing tuba notes out of turn.
Such disruptions of the natural music are becoming critically dangerous to our survival. The orchestra does its best to accommodate our atonality, but we’re on the verge of universal revolt if we don’t resolve it soon.
Anyone who has ever Om’d in a yoga class or sat near a singing bowl has perhaps relaxed into bliss by losing track of whose voice is whose, not knowing whether the sound is coming from within or without. This experience hints toward the true nature of the great soup of sound we inhabit, wherein the individually delicious ingredients are ultimately just one perfect spoonful.
When Om’ing or otherwise singing with others, one may also notice how the combined tones all tend towards attunement. Any group of people is likely to contain those who cannot carry a tune, but so long as the collective voice holds true, the sharp notes are softened, the flats arise and gradually dissipate into the one good song.
This principle of attunement — taught innocuously in every high school physics class — is a powerful source of hope for healing, both personal and planetary. Dissonance can exist only so long before it is absorbed and integrated. Vibration tends towards equilibrium; the conductor prefers harmonic resolution over any suspended chord.
Like any instrument, our bodies require regular tuning in order to play in key and in time with the delicate orchestra of existence. Keeping ourselves finely tuned is our most fundamental tool for health and well-being. When our vibratory bodies are properly aligned, we sense an effortless connection with one another and, thanks to the grace of our conductor, are able to create beautiful music to which the entire universe yearns to dance.
If sound is “the first subtle element to arise,” then it will permeate all subsequent form. Therefore, it is a profoundly effective carrier for the innate intelligence contained in our intentions. So if you intend to live a long, happy, healthy life, simply sing! Or hum, or chant or dance every day. Whatever you do, find your rhythm, and realize that surrendering to the sonic flow is truly its own reward.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Perform an Energy Cleansing in Your Home
The energetic cleansing of the home is a practice intended to eliminate the subtle burdens that affect the emotional balance and well-being of those who inhabit it. These energies, though invisible, can accumulate over time and create discomfort, insomnia, or constant tension. In this article, we explore why it is important to care for the energy of the space where you live and how to do it in a simple and effective way.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Energy Cleansing and Why Do It at Home?
- Signs That Your Home Needs an Energy Cleansing
- Essential Elements for an Effective Energy Cleansing
- Preparations Before Starting the Energy Cleansing
- Step-by-Step Guide to Cleanse the Energy of Your Home
- How Often Should You Perform an Energy Cleansing?
What Is an Energy Cleansing and Why Do It at Home?
An energy cleansing is an intentional process to clear a space of dense, stagnant, or negative energies. These may arise from arguments, strong emotions, prolonged stress, or simply a lack of conscious renewal. Just as one dusts or airs out a room, it’s also necessary to tend to what cannot be seen but can certainly be felt.
When a home’s energy is in harmony, everything flows more easily. You sleep better, experience greater mental clarity, and relationships become more serene. Energy cleansing helps restore that harmony, creating a lighter, more receptive, and balanced environment.
Unlike other complex rituals or spiritual practices, energy cleansing can be performed with simple and accessible elements, such as herbs, sound, or visualization. The essential factor is the presence you bring to the process and the clear intention to transform the space.
In the series Quantum Effect, available on Gaia, expert Randy Veitenheimer explores how subtle energy impacts our health and the quality of the environment we live in. Understanding these dynamics is key to performing a more conscious and effective energy cleansing.
Signs That Your Home Needs an Energy Cleansing
Sometimes, even when a house is tidy and physically clean, the atmosphere can feel heavy, uncomfortable, or dull. This sensation may result from an accumulation of unresolved energy. Paying attention to the signs that indicate this need is essential to restoring harmony within the space.
- Feeling of heaviness or discomfort: Feeling drained or lacking energy in certain parts of the home can be a clear sign of energetic buildup. This sensation is often stronger in closed or poorly ventilated rooms.
- Difficulty resting: Insomnia or restless dreams, especially when there is no clear medical reason. A heavy environment can directly interfere with nighttime relaxation.
- Frequent conflicts: If constant arguments or repeated misunderstandings occur at home, it’s likely that the energy of the space is disturbed. This affects both communication and the emotional state of those living there.
- Feeling of stagnation: Lack of motivation, apathy, or a sense of blockage in various areas of life. Sometimes cleansing your surroundings can help unlock internal processes.
- Withering plants or objects breaking for no reason: Energy also manifests in the physical. If items frequently break or plants don’t thrive, it may be a sign of energetic imbalance.
Essential Elements for an Effective Energy Cleansing
To perform a deep energy cleansing, it’s important to have elements that move, purify, and harmonize the energy of the space. These resources can be physical—like incense or sound bowls—or subtle, such as mental intention. The key is to choose the tools you resonate with most and use them with full awareness of the effect they generate in your environment.
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Herbs, incense, and smudging sticks
Smoke is one of the most ancient and widely used energetic purifiers. Burning herbs like rue, lavender, or rosemary, or smudging with copal, myrrh, or palo santo, helps dissolve stagnant energy and restore harmony in the environment. Passing the smoke through every corner renews the home’s vibration quickly and effectively.
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Sea salt, vinegar, and other natural purifiers
These elements are known for their ability to absorb and neutralize dense energies. Sea salt can be placed in small containers in key corners of the house, while white vinegar, diluted in water, is used to cleanse energetically charged surfaces. After using them, it’s important to discard them, as they hold the energy they have absorbed.
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Sound: bowls, bells, and clapping
Sound produces a vibration strong enough to break invisible energetic blockages. Using Tibetan bowls, bells, or simply clapping in the corners helps move stagnant energy and restore the natural flow of the space. This technique is especially useful in areas that are quiet or poorly ventilated.
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Intention, visualization, and mental energy
The most powerful tool for energy cleansing is a focused mind. Visualizing a purifying light traveling through your home, or internally affirming that the space is filled with harmony, enhances any other technique. Clear intention directs energy and transforms the environment from the invisible level.
Preparations Before Starting the Energy Cleansing
Before starting the energy cleansing, it’s essential to prepare the physical space. Opening windows to let in fresh air, tidying up the rooms, and removing broken or unused objects helps energy flow more freely. Having your tools ready in advance avoids interruptions and allows the process to unfold in a continuous and conscious way.
It’s also important to prepare yourself internally. Take a few moments to breathe deeply, connect with your purpose, and set a clear intention. This initial moment defines the energy you’ll be working with and allows you to enter a state of greater presence and sensitivity toward the environment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleanse the Energy of Your Home
Performing an energy cleansing doesn’t require advanced knowledge, but it does require attention, presence, and a clear intention. Below is a practical guide you can follow to renew the energy of your home in an organized and effective way.
- Air out and tidy the space: Open doors and windows to allow air to flow and eliminate clutter. A clean and well-ventilated space lets energy move more freely. This first step already creates a noticeable shift in the atmosphere.
- Set your intention: Before you begin, take a few minutes to connect with the purpose of the cleansing. You can mentally repeat a phrase like “I release what I no longer need and make space for the new.” Clarity of intention directs the energy of the process.
- Start at the main entrance: Begin at the front door and move through each room in a clockwise direction. This helps mobilize the energy coherently and close the cleansing cycle more effectively. Pay special attention to corners and areas with little movement.
- Use your chosen tools: Apply the elements you selected, such as smoke, sound, or visualization. Do it with presence and without rushing, focusing on each space as you move through it. Combining different techniques enhances the effect.
- Finish with gratitude: Once the cleansing is complete, thank the process and allow fresh air to circulate for a few more minutes. You can place a candle, fresh flowers, or a meaningful object that symbolizes renewal. This seals the energetic work and reinforces the harmony of the space.
How Often Should You Perform an Energy Cleansing?
The ideal frequency for energy cleansing depends on the pace of life in your home and what happens within the space. In general, doing it once a month is enough to keep the environment balanced and light. However, certain situations call for more immediate attention.
If you’ve gone through intense stress, arguments, illness, loss, or emotionally heavy visits, it’s a good idea to do a cleansing shortly after. It’s also helpful to do one after moving into a new place or before starting a new cycle, such as a project or significant personal chapter.
In addition, many people choose to cleanse their space in alignment with seasonal changes or significant astrological events. The most important thing is to listen to your intuition and observe how the space feels. If you sense that things aren’t flowing or the atmosphere feels dense, it’s probably time to refresh its energy.
